Emissions in France - statistics & facts
France has pledged to hit net zero emissions by the middle of the century to combat climate change. But while the country has achieved notable greenhouse gas emissions reductions in recent decades, it still releases more than 400 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) every year (including LULUCF and international aviation) and it is also the second-biggest emitter in the EU, only behind Germany.
As the second-most populous country in the EU, France is also one of the bloc’s biggest energy consumers. Yet, unlike many other European countries, France has a low-carbon power sector that accounts for a relatively small share of its total emissions. This is mainly due to the country’s nuclear fleet, which accounts more than 60 percent of France's electricity production and is the reason the country has one of the least carbon-intensive power sectors in the EU, emitting just 84 g CO2/kWh in 2022. By comparison, Poland, which is heavily dependent on coal-fired power, emitted more than 600 g CO2/kWh.
Sources of GHG emissions in France
With a share of 30 percent, the transportation sector is the largest source of GHG emissions in France. These emissions stem primarily from road transportation, with passenger cars alone emitting almost 70 MtCO2 in 2022. The industry and agriculture sectors tie as the second-biggest emitters in France, with each contributing 19 percent of total GHG emissions in 2021.As the second-most populous country in the EU, France is also one of the bloc’s biggest energy consumers. Yet, unlike many other European countries, France has a low-carbon power sector that accounts for a relatively small share of its total emissions. This is mainly due to the country’s nuclear fleet, which accounts more than 60 percent of France's electricity production and is the reason the country has one of the least carbon-intensive power sectors in the EU, emitting just 84 g CO2/kWh in 2022. By comparison, Poland, which is heavily dependent on coal-fired power, emitted more than 600 g CO2/kWh.
