France greenhouse gas emissions projected to fall 2.8% in 2026

Greenhouse gas emissions in France are projected to decrease by 2.8% in 2026, reaching approximately 349.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. According to data from Citepa, this represents an acceleration compared to the 2.1% reduction recorded in 2025.

The decline was particularly sharp in the first half of the year, with a 4.1% drop. This was driven significantly by the transport and building sectors. In the transport sector, diesel sales fell by 7.3% due to rising fuel prices, which have been influenced by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The residential and commercial building sector also saw a notable reduction, largely due to decreased natural gas consumption for heating and cooking.

However, experts warn that the pace of reduction remains insufficient to meet France’s long-term climate targets. To reach the goal of halving emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, the country requires an annual reduction of approximately 5%. While Ecological Transition Minister Monique Barbut described the decrease as “encouraging,” she acknowledged it is not yet enough to meet national climate objectives. Projections suggest the rate of decline may slow to 1.3% in the second half of the year as energy industry emissions are expected to rise.