The French Minister for Ecological Transition, Christophe Béchu, has announced a remarkable reduction in France’s greenhouse gas emissions. This 4.8% decrease in 2023, compared with 2022, marks a record. On TF1, the Minister expressed his satisfaction, underlining the scale of this reduction, equivalent to that observed over five years, from 2012 to 2017.
Across-the-board emissions reduction
This reduction in greenhouse gas emissions extends to all sectors, including industry and buildings. However, the transport sector shows a more modest reduction of around 2%. Minister Béchu interprets these results as concrete proof of the effectiveness of the ecological planning measures initiated by the government.
France’s ecological ambitions
France has set itself the target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% (-55% net) by 2030, in line with European commitments. This ambition requires us to accelerate the pace of reduction. In the long term, the aim is to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, a vision supported by the President of the Republic and emphasized by Minister Béchu as the direction to maintain for the decade.
Continued efforts and vigilance
However, Christophe Béchu warns against any slackening of efforts to reduce emissions. He insists that the 2023 results are on track to meet the 2030 targets. The Minister calls for continued vigilance to ensure that France meets its climate commitments.
Moreover, the published figures, which reflect a fall in gross emissions, do not take into account the positive impact of carbon sinks such as forests. Citepa, the organization in charge of France’s GHG inventory, highlights this limitation in the current assessment, pointing to a potential for improvement in the way emissions reduction efforts are taken into account.
