Greenhouse gas emissions in the Île-de-France region have decreased by 35% in 12 years, according to Airparif

The Paris region recorded, between 2010 and 2022, "a marked decrease" in its greenhouse gas emissions (-35%) and PM2.5 fine particles (-43%), the inhalation of which is harmful to health, Airparif announced on Friday, December 12.

"These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the public policies undertaken" at the local, national, and European levels, this air quality monitoring association, whose members include the State and local authorities of Île-de-France, said in a statement.

The association nevertheless calls for "these efforts" to be amplified in order to "sustainably consolidate the benefits for the health of the people of the Île-de-France region and for the mitigation of climate change", ten years after the adoption of the Paris Agreement on climate (December 12, 2015).

Although fossil fuels still represent the majority of energy consumption, their consumption has fallen by 32% in 12 years in Île-de-France, according to Airparif.

In detail, direct and indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions decreased by 35% between 2010 and 2022 (-39% between 2005 and 2022).

Airparif points out that this fall is explained by "particularly sharp declines in the residential sector (-44%), road transport (-22%) and the tertiary sector (-38%), despite a partial shift towards gas and electricity".

Over the same period, the association continues, "PM2.5 fine particulate emissions have decreased by 43%" (-46% between 2005 and 2022). Airparif highlights a "very marked" decrease in road transport (-64%) "thanks to technological progress and traffic reduction, as well as in the residential sector (-45%), driven by energy-efficient building renovations and improved heating equipment."

Inhaling fine particles (PM2.5) increases the risk of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases and impacts perinatal health.

Nevertheless, road transport and the residential sector remain "the biggest emitters of air pollutants and greenhouse gases" in 2022 in the Paris region, the organization specifies.

Thus, the first contributes 33% of GHGs while the second accounts for 67% of PM2.5 fine particle emissions.

The airport platforms of Île-de-France contribute to 14% of sulfur dioxide emissions and 3% of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions.

Like sulfur dioxide emissions (-84%), emissions of other pollutants fell significantly between 2010 and 2022, according to Airparif. This is particularly true for nitrogen oxide emissions, down 48%, non-methane volatile organic compounds (-36%), and ammonia (-15%).