France’s Emissions Falling Faster in 2026 but Still over Climate Target
Citepa said transport emissions fell 4.5% as diesel sales dropped 7.3% and households used less gas, though annual cuts still lag climate goals.
- France's greenhouse gas emissions fell 4.1 per cent in the first half of 2026, according to Citepa, though the country remains off-pace for its 2030 target of halving 1990 emission levels.
- The war in Iran choked off oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, causing soaring fuel prices that prompted consumers to buy less diesel and cut gas use at home.
- Diesel sales fell 7.3 per cent in the first six months of 2026, while transport emissions dropped 4.5 per cent and building emissions decreased 12 per cent due to reduced natural gas use.
- Ecological Transition Minister Monique Barbut called the decline "encouraging" but acknowledged it was "not yet enough to meet our climate targets," as energy sector emissions are expected to rise 3.6 per cent.
- Meeting 2030 climate goals will require annual reductions of around 5 per cent, yet Citepa expects emissions to fall just 1.3 per cent in the second half of 2026 as gas-fired power plants increase electricity production.
31 Articles
31 Articles
France’s emissions falling faster in 2026 but still over climate target
France’s greenhouse gas emissions are expected to fall by 2.8 percent in 2026, slightly more than last year – but the pace of decarbonisation remains well below what is needed to meet the country’s climate targets.
Although France burns less fossil fuels, it clearly misses its climate targets: an annual reduction of five percent would be necessary.
The sharp fall in fuel consumption, at peak prices, has largely contributed to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in France in recent months. According to the agency responsible for monitoring emissions, carbon emissions decreased by 4.1% in the first half of the year and could decrease by 2.8% over the year as a whole.
Despite an expected decrease of 2.8% this year, France's rate of decarbonisation remains insufficient to meet its climate commitments by 2030.
On Tuesday, 13 October, Citepa unveils its first half of 2026 greenhouse gas emissions barometer. The downward trend remains well below the country's climate targets.
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