2024 Analysis: Decarbonization in France Losing Momentum

In 2023, France’s greenhouse gas emissions dropped by just 1.8%, according to CITEPA's annual Secten report. This slowdown raises alarms: after an encouraging −5.8% in 2022, momentum toward meeting the National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC) targets is fading.

A Wake-up Call for Climate Action

This pause isn’t merely statistical—it highlights that easy wins (e.g. weather effects, reduced industrial output, temporary conservation measures) have been exhausted. Now, comprehensive planning, substantial investment, and stronger tools are urgently required.

Sectoral Breakdown

• Transport remains France's top emitter, with sluggish progress towards modal shift and electrification.

• Buildings see improvement via thermal upgrades, but gains are largely dependent on economic or weather influences.

• Industry benefits from emission drops due to reduced activity, not structural change.

• Agriculture shows only marginal emission declines, mainly through lowered livestock numbers and fertilizer use.

• Carbon sinks—France's forests—absorb much less CO₂ than expected, weakened by droughts and pests.

A Missed Goal

Accounting for both emissions and carbon sinks, France exceeded its 2019–2023 carbon budget by 1.4 Mt CO₂e—a small but significant deviation on the path to 2050 climate neutrality.

What This Means for Businesses

Companies must act now. Voluntary initiatives are no longer enough in a landscape of tightening regulations (CSRD, SBTi, taxonomies), physical climate risks, and evolving market demands. Businesses must pivot from compliance to active climate steering—investing in resilience, reputation, and regulation readiness.

The report’s lesson: commitments are insufficient without execution and oversight.

Call to action: Want to assess where your organization stands in France’s climate trajectory? Let’s talk — contact@dtmastercarbon.fr.