France's GHG emissions increased by 6.4% in 2021 to 418 MtCO₂eq

France’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions except LULUCF rose by 6.4% to 418 MtCO₂eq in 2021, after a 9.6% drop in 2020, according to preliminary figures from Citepa, representing a 23% decline compared to 1990 levels. This 2021 increase is driven by higher GHG emissions in the transport sector (+11.5%, i.e. +13 MtCO₂eq, including +12% for road transport), in manufacturing and construction (+7.2%, i.e. +5.2 MtCO₂eq, including +21% for ferrous metallurgy), in the energy sector (+7.4%, i.e. +3 MtCO₂eq, including +10% for power generation) and in agriculture (+5.5%, i.e. +3.9 MtCO₂eq).

In 2021, CO₂ emissions rose by 9%, from 289 Mt to 315 Mt (+26 Mt), while methane emissions remained stable. In 2021, France's GHG emissions remained 3.8% below their 2019 level. Between 2017 and 2020, GHG emissions declined on average by 5.3%/year from 463 MtCO₂eq in 2017 to 393 MtCO₂eq in 2020 (-15%). The country targets a 40% cut in GHG emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 and carbon neutrality by 2050.