France: High Council for Climate, Impact of Budget Cuts on Climate Policy

The High Council for Climate (HCC) criticizes the government's budgetary strategy, highlighting a weakening of France's decarbonation efforts. The reduction in funding hampers the achievement of carbon neutrality goals set for 2050.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

The High Council for Climate (HCC), an independent advisory body responsible for evaluating French climate policies, has raised concerns about the reduction of funds allocated to environmental initiatives. According to the organization, recent budget cuts directly impact France’s ability to meet its climate commitments. The government has announced a decrease of 2 billion euros for programs related to ecology, sustainable development, and mobility. Additionally, the reduction of 1.5 billion euros allocated to the Green Fund, a program aimed at supporting local communities in their ecological transition, is also seen as a major obstacle to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Jean-François Soussana, President of the HCC, warns that these credit cancellations create budgetary instability and hinder the visibility of climate actions. He calls for a revision of budgetary policies to strengthen the planning of long-term investments.

Lack of Strategic Stability

The HCC deplores the lack of stability in the government’s strategy. It emphasizes the importance of adopting legislative texts and action plans such as the National Low Carbon Strategy (SNBC), the third National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (PNACC-3), and the Multiannual Energy Program (PPE). The non-adoption of these documents delays decarbonation initiatives and weakens France’s overall efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Additionally, the HCC warns of the continued subsidies for fossil fuels, which it sees as a major contradiction in the current strategy. Maintaining these subsidies hampers investments in low-carbon energy production technologies and penalizes the adoption of renewable solutions.

Challenges Related to Natural Carbon Sinks

The budget reductions not only affect direct investments but also impact the management of natural carbon sinks, which are essential for offsetting residual emissions. The HCC estimates that France could exceed its carbon budget by 15 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent for the period 2019-2023 due to the decreased absorption capacity of its forests.

The collapse of the forest carbon sink, linked to extreme climate conditions, further jeopardizes the goal of carbon neutrality. The restoration of these ecosystems is crucial but requires sustained funding and a clear strategic vision. Without this, France’s objectives risk being compromised, despite a recent reduction in gross emissions.

Structural Weaknesses in Key Sectors

Beyond funding issues, the HCC identifies several structural vulnerabilities in energy policies. The pace of renewable energy deployment remains insufficient, as does the agricultural transition, which struggles to integrate low-carbon practices. The low rate of effective building renovations is also highlighted as a major obstacle. These weaknesses hinder the country’s ability to adhere to the climate roadmap set by the SNBC and risk limiting its long-term impact.

Experts emphasize that France must intensify its efforts to build an energy policy that not only responds to budgetary urgencies but also anticipates future challenges. Strengthening private investment capacity and developing new public funding mechanisms are presented as possible solutions to address current deficits.

Financing Perspectives for 2030

To achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, the HCC estimates that France needs to mobilize between 60 and 70 billion euros in additional annual investments by 2030. These funds should be directed towards high-impact projects, including support for the electrification of transport, the development of carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, and the acceleration of the modernization of energy infrastructure.

However, the reduction of subsidies for fossil fuels remains a politically sensitive issue, and the HCC calls for a clear decision on this matter. The organization emphasizes the need for a coherent strategy, where every euro spent contributes to the decarbonation of the energy sector.

More than 40 developers will gather in Livingstone from 26 to 28 November to turn Southern Africa’s energy commitments into bankable and interconnected projects.
Citepa projections confirm a marked slowdown in France's climate trajectory, with emissions reductions well below targets set in the national low-carbon strategy.
The United States has threatened economic sanctions against International Maritime Organization members who approve a global carbon tax on international shipping emissions.
Global progress on electricity access slowed in 2024, with only 11 million new connections, despite targeted efforts in parts of Africa and Asia.
A parliamentary report questions the 2026 electricity pricing reform, warning of increased market exposure for households and a redistribution mechanism lacking clarity.
The US Senate has confirmed two new commissioners to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, creating a Republican majority that could reshape the regulatory approach to national energy infrastructure.
The federal government launches a CAD3mn call for proposals to fund Indigenous participation in energy and infrastructure projects related to critical minerals.
Opportunities are emerging for African countries to move from extraction to industrial manufacturing in energy technology value chains, as the 2025 G20 discussions highlight these issues.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global renewable power capacity could more than double by 2030, driven by the rise of solar photovoltaics despite supply chain pressures and evolving policy frameworks.
Algeria plans to allocate $60 billion to energy projects by 2029, primarily targeting upstream oil and gas, while developing petrochemicals, renewables and unconventional resources.
China set a record for clean technology exports in August, driven by surging sales of electric vehicles and batteries, with more than half of the growth coming from non-OECD markets.
A night-time attack on Belgorod’s power grid left thousands without electricity, according to Russian local authorities, despite partial service restoration the following morning.
The French Academy of Sciences calls for a global ban on solar radiation modification, citing major risks to climate stability and the world economy.
The halt of US federal services disrupts the entire decision-making chain for energy and mining projects, with growing risks of administrative delays and missing critical data.
Facing a potential federal government shutdown, multiple US energy agencies are preparing to suspend services and furlough thousands of employees.
A report reveals the economic impact of renewable energy losses in Chile, indicating that a 1% drop in curtailments could generate $15mn in annual savings.
Faced with growing threats to its infrastructure, Denmark raises its energy alert level in response to a series of unidentified drone flyovers and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
The Prime Minister dismissed rumours of a moratorium on renewables, as the upcoming energy roadmap triggers tensions within the sector.
Kuwait plans to develop 14.05 GW of new power capacity by 2031 to meet growing demand and reduce scheduled outages, driven by extreme temperatures and maintenance delays.
The partnership with the World Bank-funded Pro Energia+ programme aims to expand electricity access in Mozambique by targeting rural communities through a results-based financing mechanism.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.