The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 caused carbon dioxide emissions in France to plummet 16 percent to 251.5 million metric tons. This was the lowest annual emissions of CO₂ in France for more than 50 years, even though they were already in decline before the pandemic. In 2022, however, CO₂ emissions in the country rose back to nearly 270 million metric tons.
France’s carbon footprint
France is now the fourth largest carbon polluter in the European Union, behind Germany, Italy, and Poland. Despite being one of the most polluting EU member states, France has one of the lowest per capita CO₂ emissions in the EU. Averaging 6.12 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent per capita, just six other member states have a lower carbon footprint per person.
Sector emissions in France
Road vehicles are a major source of emissions in France. In 2021, road transportation GHG emissions totaled 126.3 MtCO₂e – the second highest in the EU. The power sector is often a considerable source of emissions in many countries, but due to France’s use of nuclear energy, emissions from this sector are relatively low. Power sector emissions in France totaled 25.5 MtCO₂ in recent years and are forecasted to have halved by 2050.
Annual carbon dioxide emissions in France from 1970 to 2022
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Emissions in million metric tons of CO₂
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According to the source, the carbon emissions in this statistic reflect only those through consumption of oil, gas and coal, and are based on standard global average conversion factors. This does not allow for any carbon that is sequestered, for other sources of carbon emissions, or for emissions of other greenhouse gases.
This statistic was compiled using several releases of the publication. Figures were restated based on the latest edition of the report.
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Energy Institute. (June 26, 2023). Annual carbon dioxide emissions in France from 1970 to 2022 (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 03, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1067575/carbon-dioxide-emissions-france/
Energy Institute. "Annual carbon dioxide emissions in France from 1970 to 2022 (in million metric tons)." Chart. June 26, 2023. Statista. Accessed July 03, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1067575/carbon-dioxide-emissions-france/
Energy Institute. (2023). Annual carbon dioxide emissions in France from 1970 to 2022 (in million metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 03, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1067575/carbon-dioxide-emissions-france/
Energy Institute. "Annual Carbon Dioxide Emissions in France from 1970 to 2022 (in Million Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 26 Jun 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1067575/carbon-dioxide-emissions-france/
Energy Institute, Annual carbon dioxide emissions in France from 1970 to 2022 (in million metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1067575/carbon-dioxide-emissions-france/ (last visited July 03, 2024)
Annual carbon dioxide emissions in France from 1970 to 2022 (in million metric tons) [Graph], Energy Institute, June 26, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1067575/carbon-dioxide-emissions-france/