France

France plunged 11 spots in this year’s CCPI, ranking 28th and with an overall medium rating. The country receives mixed ratings in the four main CCPI categories. Its performance in GHG Emissions, Energy Use, and Climate Policy rate a medium. However, it receives a low for Renewable Energy, with a very low rating in the share of renewable energy compared with a well-below-2°C trajectory (and only a 9.67% share of renewable energy).

Renewable Energy target is still too low

The CCPI experts note improvement in the transport sector, with investment in climate-friendly mobility (cycling and rail). However, they criticise continued subsidies for aviation and insufficient investment in public transport. Moreover, in the renewable energy sector, the CCPI experts condemn the lack of implementation, owing to a strong dependence on nuclear energy. The French government defends nuclear energy instead of supporting renewables. It already has a low target for renewable energy, which is worsened by slow implementation with a lack of political will.

While the share of renewables has grown in recent years (with the 5-year trend for its share in energy supply rated high), the experts argued that more could be done to support them. Thus, France receives its low in the Renewable Energy category.

France has an important role in the international field

The experts welcome the recent commitment to stop funding new oil and coal projects, but note the absence of commitments regarding gas funding.

France continues to play an important role in international climate policy (rated medium this year for that indicator). At the EU level, France pushes for nuclear energy. France also blocks international climate finance, predominantly regarding loss and damage.

To become aligned with a well-below-2°C trajectory, France needs to increase the share of renewable energy, doing more to support it. More investment in public transport and a stop of subsidies for aviation are also needed. France should push for support of ecological agriculture at the EU level and increase climate finance for adaptation and loss and damage.

Key Outcomes

CCPI experts

National experts that contributed to the policy evaluation of this year’s CCPI chose to remain anonymous.