France: Plan to Phase Out Fossil Fuel by 2030

France has the means to phase out fossil fuels by 2030—but doing so will require accelerating existing policies and making firm political choices. The following plan supports the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative:

Today, France produces almost no fossil fuels domestically. Oil production is marginal, coal mining has already stopped, and most energy needs are met through imports. Despite strong nuclear power and growing renewables, fossil fuels still account for roughly half of total energy consumption, especially in transport, heating, and industry. Nearly all oil and gas consumed in France is imported, making the country both dependent and vulnerable.

The first step is to end fossil fuel production entirely by 2027, ahead of the current 2040 target. This means stopping all remaining extraction permits and closing existing sites with compensation for affected workers. The Ministry for the Ecological Transition would oversee this process, with progress measured by the complete disappearance of national production.

The biggest shift must happen in consumption. In transport, France should ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2027 and massively invest in rail, public transport, and electric mobility. In buildings, new gas and oil heating systems should be banned by 2026, alongside a large-scale renovation program to improve insulation and install heat pumps. Industry must also transition, through electrification and the development of green hydrogen, for sectors that cannot easily decarbonize.

To support these changes, the government should strengthen carbon pricing, redirect subsidies toward renewable energy, and require large companies to adopt clear transition plans. The Ministry of Economy, ADEME, and local governments would be responsible for implementation, with annual reductions in fossil fuel use serving as the main indicator of success.

France must also reduce its reliance on the fossil fuel trade. Imports of oil and gas should decline steadily each year, as renewable energy and storage solutions replace them. At the same time, exports of refined fossil fuels should end by 2028, with refineries either converted or closed. These measures would be managed at the national and European level, particularly through trade policy and carbon border mechanisms.

A transition of this scale must remain fair. A dedicated fund should support workers in affected sectors, finance retraining programs, and help households manage rising energy costs. Without this social dimension, the transition risks losing public support.

This proposal should be addressed to:

Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister for the Energy Transition, Government of France (contact@ecologie.gouv.fr).

France has already taken important steps toward reducing fossil fuel use, but they are not fast enough to meet the urgency of the climate crisis. With stronger coordination and clear deadlines, the country could eliminate fossil fuels by 2030 and play a leading role in the global transition.

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