With a highly anticipated update, the French government has finally unveiled its new energy and climate roadmap. The National Low-Carbon Strategy (SNBC3) and the Multi-Annual Energy Program (PPE) reflect the high ambitions and criticism regarding the challenges to be met between now and 2030 and 2050.
A new energy strategy to reduce emissions
The SNBC3, published late, raises France's greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. Aiming for a 50% reduction compared to 1990 by 2030, France is thus complying with stricter European directives. This ambition marks a significant acceleration, going from an average reduction of 2% per year between 2017 and 2022 to a necessary reduction of 5% annually. According to the office of the Minister of Ecological Transition, France has already reduced its emissions by 5.8% in 2023 and will continue this momentum in 2024.
The new programming also adjusts the carbon budget for 2024-2028, reducing it from 359 to 333 million tonnes of CO2, a measure partly due to uncertainties over the absorption capacities of carbon sinks. Despite a drop in absorption capacity estimated for the coming years, the government remains confident in its ability to achieve these new objectives through various measures and innovations in key sectors such as construction and industry.
Industry and construction on the front line
The construction and industry sectors are expected to make a strong contribution to this transition. The government has set ambitious targets emissions reduction of 62% for buildings and 68% for industry by 2030. This includes the energy renovation of hundreds of thousands of homes each year, supported by incentives such as “MaPrimeRénov'”. Furthermore, the transport sector is not left out, with targets to reduce emissions by 27%, favored by a push towards the electrification of vehicles.
Despite a dense document, the PPE lacks precision on the specific objectives for renewable energies, a shortcoming criticized both by European authorities and by environmental associations. France targets 35% renewable energy in its final energy consumption by 2030a target below the 44% requested by the European Union, thus creating litigation potential.
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