popular articles

France: Macron proposes a decarbonization pact to industry

Emmanuel Macron proposed on Tuesday a decarbonization pact to the most CO2-emitting industrialists in France.

Please share:

Emmanuel Macron proposed on Tuesday a decarbonization pact to the most CO2-emitting industrialists in France with a doubling of public aid to 10 billion euros in exchange for a
double their effort in this area.

“If projects and sites are identified within 18 months, if you double your efforts, if we manage to move from 10 million tons of CO2 avoided to 20 million instructed, we will double the means devoted to this issue and increase the envelope from 5 to 10 billion euros of support, “said the head of state to the industrialists gathered at the Elysee.

To achieve this effort, the head of state, just back from the world climate conference (COP27) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, also announced that the government would develop a precise planning in six months and in the years to come, “sector by sector”.

Cement, aluminum, steel, fertilizer, sugar or fuel: the heads of the fifty French industrial sites that emit the most CO2, including the CEO of TotalEnergies Patrick Pouyanné, were received in the Elysée’s reception room.

These 50 sites alone represent 30,000 jobs and half of the industry’s emissions, or 10% of the country’s emissions. “The goal is to halve the greenhouse gas emissions of these sites in ten years, thus removing 5% of French emissions,” explains the Elysée.

These include the steel plants of Arcelor Mittal in Dunkirk or Fos-sur-Mer, the cement plants of Vicat, Lafarge or Calcia, chemical plants in the Grand Est, the Etang de Berre or Normandy, and the fertilizer manufacturers Yara or Borealis, the Arcques glassworks, the ExxonMobil and TotalEnergies refineries in Normandy, Air Liquide in the PACA region, and the sugar production sites of Tereos and Cristal Union in northern France.

Emmanuel Macron has insisted on his desire to accelerate the fight against climate change, after a first five-year term considered too timid in this area by environmental specialists. But also to reindustrialize. “Decarbonation is one of the elements that should allow us to
continue to create industrial jobs,” he said.

Not friendly

The head of state especially pointed to the exacerbated competition from economic powers such as the United States, which promise massive public subsidies for decarbonization, with a risk of deindustrialization if Europeans do not follow.

“The United States is a producer of cheap gas that they sell at a high price, and in addition they have taken massive aid measures in certain sectors,” he said.

“This is not in line with WTO rules and it is not friendly,” he insisted, promising to put the issue on the table during his state visit in early December in Washington.

Addressing industrialists, he asked that “ecological transition contracts” be signed to set in stone the promised efforts, site by site, and sector by sector, under the aegis of the Minister of Industry.

“We will put online the map of France of the 50 sites” most emitting CO2 to monitor progress, he promised in front of a giant map of France showing the emissions, where stand out the north of France with 12 million tons of CO2 emitted, followed by the basin of Marseille-Fos with
a little over 10 million tons of CO2, and the mouth of the Seine in Normandy.

The additional five billion euros announced on Tuesday are in addition to the five billion already provided for in the France Relance plan for the decarbonization of industry. France has also earmarked nine billion euros of investment for the development of hydrogen, which is one of the powerful vectors for decarbonizing industry.

It is necessary “within six months that the government can present a plan to integrate” these amounts “in the work of multi-year programming of energy”, said the president.

The planning will have to be done “by technology”, he said, mentioning hydrogen – which will be used in particular by the steel industry to replace coal -, the development of biomass to replace gas, the electrification of sea and river ports for the transport of goods, or the capture and reuse of CO2.

During various presentations, the industrialists present insisted on having access to a “stable” and “massive” source of electricity, while the technical problems of EDF in its nuclear power plants are still far from being resolved.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

The head of Framatome will be heard on 30 April by both chambers to validate his nomination to lead EDF, following the non-renewal of Luc Rémont by the executive.
Following a series of major electricity outages on the island of Upolu, the Samoan government has declared a state of emergency to prioritise essential services and mobilise foreign aid.
Following a series of major electricity outages on the island of Upolu, the Samoan government has declared a state of emergency to prioritise essential services and mobilise foreign aid.
The Minister of Industry and Energy expressed openness to a debate and a vote on the 2025–2035 energy strategy, amid criticism from opposition parties over the lack of democratic consultation.
The Minister of Industry and Energy expressed openness to a debate and a vote on the 2025–2035 energy strategy, amid criticism from opposition parties over the lack of democratic consultation.
France’s Ministry of Industry and Energy postpones the 2025 energy voucher to November, citing delayed budget approval and announcing revised allocation rules.
France’s Ministry of Industry and Energy postpones the 2025 energy voucher to November, citing delayed budget approval and announcing revised allocation rules.
France’s decarbonisation pace slowed significantly in 2024, according to Citepa, putting its 2030 climate targets at risk.
Luc Rémont was dismissed as head of EDF by the French executive due to disagreements over industrial contract strategy and financing of the EPR2 nuclear programme.
Luc Rémont was dismissed as head of EDF by the French executive due to disagreements over industrial contract strategy and financing of the EPR2 nuclear programme.
Just Stop Oil will end its high-profile actions after one of its core demands was integrated into the British government's energy policy.
Just Stop Oil will end its high-profile actions after one of its core demands was integrated into the British government's energy policy.
The surge in solar production and the slow upgrade of electricity infrastructure are blocking thousands of projects in the Netherlands, affecting energy security and consumer costs.
The surge in solar production and the slow upgrade of electricity infrastructure are blocking thousands of projects in the Netherlands, affecting energy security and consumer costs.
The development of French power grids is facing a structural shortage of skilled labour, despite €200bn in projected investments by 2040.
Luc Rémont's departure exposes ongoing disagreements between EDF and the French State over electricity pricing for industry and the financing terms of the nuclear programme.
Luc Rémont's departure exposes ongoing disagreements between EDF and the French State over electricity pricing for industry and the financing terms of the nuclear programme.
The European Investment Bank approves a final tranche of PLN1.7bn for Orlen to modernise electricity distribution infrastructure in Poland via its subsidiary Energa Operator.
The European Investment Bank approves a final tranche of PLN1.7bn for Orlen to modernise electricity distribution infrastructure in Poland via its subsidiary Energa Operator.
Luc Rémont is replaced as head of EDF as French manufacturers criticise a pricing strategy seen as incompatible with national industrial competitiveness.
Luc Rémont is replaced as head of EDF as French manufacturers criticise a pricing strategy seen as incompatible with national industrial competitiveness.
Luc Rémont will not be reappointed as Chairman of Électricité de France, two years after his nomination, despite record profits in 2024 and the revival of the nuclear fleet.
The French government has appointed Bernard Fontana to lead EDF, relying on his experience in nuclear energy and energy-intensive industries, amid strategic restructuring and rising tariff pressures.
The French government has appointed Bernard Fontana to lead EDF, relying on his experience in nuclear energy and energy-intensive industries, amid strategic restructuring and rising tariff pressures.
Kazakhmys, the leading copper producer in Kazakhstan, partially suspends its operations after the death of eight workers. The company is conducting an inspection of its facilities to ensure operational safety.
Kazakhmys, the leading copper producer in Kazakhstan, partially suspends its operations after the death of eight workers. The company is conducting an inspection of its facilities to ensure operational safety.
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) warns of the potentially devastating consequences of a power plant project near its telescopes in the Atacama Desert, highlighting irreversible light pollution.
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) warns of the potentially devastating consequences of a power plant project near its telescopes in the Atacama Desert, highlighting irreversible light pollution.
The recent elections in Greenland resulted in a victory for the Demokraatit party, which advocates gradual independence from Denmark and increased support for the exploitation of natural resources, prioritizing the mining and energy sectors. This election comes amid heightened international tensions, notably due to proposals by Donald Trump to annex the territory.
In January 2025, Italy recorded a trade deficit of €264 million, largely attributed to the rising energy costs, according to the National Institute of Statistics (Istat).
In January 2025, Italy recorded a trade deficit of €264 million, largely attributed to the rising energy costs, according to the National Institute of Statistics (Istat).
The National Federation of Mines and Energy of the General Confederation of Labour (FNME-CGT) has elected Fabrice Coudour as secretary general. He succeeds Sébastien Ménesplier and inherits strategic issues, including the opening of hydropower concessions to competition.
The National Federation of Mines and Energy of the General Confederation of Labour (FNME-CGT) has elected Fabrice Coudour as secretary general. He succeeds Sébastien Ménesplier and inherits strategic issues, including the opening of hydropower concessions to competition.
Nigerien authorities have ordered the expulsion of three Chinese executives from oil companies and shut down a hotel owned by a Chinese company. This decision is part of a policy aimed at strengthening national control over the country’s energy resources.
Nigerien authorities have ordered the expulsion of three Chinese executives from oil companies and shut down a hotel owned by a Chinese company. This decision is part of a policy aimed at strengthening national control over the country’s energy resources.
An incident in a private power plant caused a nationwide blackout in Panama on Saturday night. The national power grid was severely impacted, leading to an interruption in the potable water supply. Authorities are investigating the causes of the event.
UK greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 3.6% in 2024, marking a slowdown in the pace of reduction. The end of coal usage in electricity production and the rise in electric vehicles contributed to this trend.
UK greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 3.6% in 2024, marking a slowdown in the pace of reduction. The end of coal usage in electricity production and the rise in electric vehicles contributed to this trend.
The capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui, is facing a prolonged power outage, severely disrupting economic activities and exacerbating water shortages.
The capital of the Central African Republic, Bangui, is facing a prolonged power outage, severely disrupting economic activities and exacerbating water shortages.
More than 160 senators from the right and centre have urged François Bayrou to suspend the publication of the third Multi-Year Energy Programme (PPE 3), criticizing its lack of a comprehensive vision and calling for greater parliamentary involvement in defining the energy mix.
More than 160 senators from the right and centre have urged François Bayrou to suspend the publication of the third Multi-Year Energy Programme (PPE 3), criticizing its lack of a comprehensive vision and calling for greater parliamentary involvement in defining the energy mix.

Advertising