France: environment
13 answers, 6 from France's own official bodies, with a link to each figure.
How much greenhouse gas does France emit?
France's greenhouse gas emissions were 398 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2025, or 5.8 tonnes per person, 1.7% less than in 2024, according to INSEE's study France's greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint in 2025 (Insee Première No. 2130, 13 October 2026, with SDES). Households emitted 100 Mt directly from heating and vehicles; economic activities emitted 298 Mt. In 2019 emissions were 472 Mt.
INSEE reports that emissions have fallen by an average of 1.1% a year since 1990 and 2.1% a year since 2010. The figures are measured for French resident units on a national accounts basis.
What is France's carbon footprint?
France's carbon footprint was 571 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2025, almost unchanged on 2024 (-0.6%), according to INSEE's study France's greenhouse gas emissions and carbon footprint in 2025. 296 Mt, about half, came from emissions embedded in imports, while 31% came from French economic activity serving domestic demand.
The footprint counts emissions caused by French consumption wherever they occur, so it is larger than territorial emissions. INSEE reports that it has fallen by 0.6% a year on average since 1990 and 1.8% a year since 2010, reflecting lower carbon intensity of both French output and imports.
How clean is the air in France?
18 French urban areas exceeded at least one regulatory air quality standard in 2025, according to SDES's outdoor air quality report for 2025. Four urban areas exceeded the mandatory limit for nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and one for PM10 particles. Thirteen exceeded the ozone target and one the nickel target, which must be met 'as far as possible'.
SDES reports that the size of NO2 exceedances has fallen sharply in recent years. National PM10 pollution episodes occurred in January, March and November 2025, and ozone episodes in June and July. Local monitoring networks publish daily readings and alerts.
Where does France's energy come from?
France's primary energy production rose 2.0% in 2025 thanks to better availability of nuclear reactors and more solar capacity, and energy independence reached 62.7%, its highest level since 1970, according to SDES's energy balance for 2025 (provisional, 22 April 2026). Total electricity production rose 2.1% to 559 TWh. The energy import bill fell 21% to €45.8 billion.
Net energy imports fell 3.5%, with refined petroleum product imports down 24.5% as domestic refining recovered. Gas imports, including liquefied natural gas from the United States and Russia, remained high.
What share of France's energy is renewable?
Renewable energy made up 23.0% of France's gross final energy consumption in 2024 and 15.8% of primary energy consumption, according to SDES's key figures for renewable energy, 2025 edition (provisional data, European calculation rules). In 2023 France ranked 15th in the EU on the first measure.
Wood energy and hydropower remain the most developed renewable sources, with wind and solar growing. SDES estimates that renewables generated €21.7 billion of investment and 118,000 full-time jobs in 2022. Quarterly dashboards track wind and solar capacity.
How hot was summer 2026 in France?
Summer 2026 was the hottest in France since records began in 1900, with an average temperature of 24.0°C, 3.6°C above normal, ahead of 2003 (+2.7°C) and 2022 (+2.3°C), according to Météo-France's climate summaries for 2026. There were 53 heatwave days in three episodes, against 33 in 2022, and rainfall was about 40% below normal.
Météo-France also reports unprecedented soil drought and the sunniest summer on record. For comparison, its 2025 summaries show that 2025 as a whole averaged 14.0°C, the fourth-warmest year since 1900.
International comparisons
The figures below use one definition for every country, so they can differ from national figures.
How much CO2 does France emit per person?
The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 4.0 tonnes. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 32nd highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 5.1 tonnes. Worldwide: 61st of 186.
What are France's total greenhouse gas emissions?
In 2024, total greenhouse gas emissions in France was 378 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the European Commission's EDGAR database. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 5th highest of 46 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 53.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. World rank, highest first: 23rd of 186.
How polluted is the air in France?
In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in France was 8.2 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 43rd highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 13.0 micrograms per cubic metre. World rank, highest first: 168th of 192.
What share of France is protected land?
According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in France was 28.8% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2013. It is 14th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 22.1%. Worldwide: 40th of 192.
Is France short of water?
The FAO puts water stress in France at 21.4% in 2022. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 12.6%; France is 19th highest of 47. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 65th highest.
Official bodies in France
- National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE)
- Data and Statistical Studies Service (SDES), Ministry of Ecological TransitionPublishes official statistics on energy, greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, housing construction and social housing.
- Météo-FranceFrance's national meteorological service; publishes weather warnings and climate reports.
More about France
- Economy
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- Cost of living
- Public finances
- Health and care
- Housing
- Crime and justice
- Immigration
- Education
Read on 14 October 2026. Definitions · Report an error