In France, the slowdown in the reduction of CO2 emissions in 2024 confirmed

According to the consolidated report of the body mandated to draw up the national carbon balance, emissions fell from 376 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (Mt CO2e) in 2023 to 369 in 2024.

Although the figures have changed slightly compared to the first estimate published at the end of March, the annual decline rate of 1,8% has remained the same, reflecting a sharp slowdown after -5,8% in 2023.

The evolution of the sectors shows significant differences, also confirming this new balance sheet: -3,8 Mt for the energy industry, -0,9 Mt for the manufacturing industry, -1,5 Mt for transport, -0,4 Mt for buildings and -0,4 Mt for agriculture.

"Political setbacks in the ecological transition have resulted in a significant slowdown in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in France by 2024. They leave the French in a costly dependence on fossil fuels," Anne Bringault, director of programs for the Climate Action Network (RAC), which brings together numerous NGOs, lamented to AFP.

"We expect the government and parliament to return to a sense of responsibility, particularly in sectors that have fallen behind, such as transport and building renovation, with real, long-term solutions for households struggling to make ends meet," she said.

The government has notably decided to suspend MaPrimeRénov', the main public aid for energy renovation of buildings, for the summer. President Emmanuel Macron expressed his displeasure, criticizing the "uncertainties" surrounding certain measures.

France is in the process of revising its third National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC), whose provisional target is to reach 270 Mt CO2e of gross land emissions by 2030.

This would mean an "acceleration" of the dynamic with a reduction in greenhouse gases of around 5% per year between 2022 and 2030, underlines Citepa.

The organization also calls for "taking into account the fragility of the carbon sink, which requires a reinforced effort to reduce emissions to ultimately achieve carbon neutrality." Indeed, forests weakened by drought, disease, and timber harvests capture less CO2.

Illustrative image of the article via Depositphotos.com.