French Presidency of the Council of the European Union (July- December 2008)
France is the largest Member State of the European Union (543 965 km²) and the second most populated (62.324,4 inhabitants) ranking behind Germany. France is also the third largest economy implying an influent power in political process in international negotiations. France is currently President of the European Council.
France’s greenhouse gas emissions are estimated around 541 MtCO2e in 2006 figuring 11% of European emissions (4th largest European emitter) and roughly 1% of global emissions. Being responsible for 8,6 tCO2e/inhabitant/year, a French citizen is ranking respectively at the 21st largest European emitter and 40th largest global emitter.
On 1990 basis, French emissions have been reduced up to 4% thanks to the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy in industry sector (-19%). Thus, Kyoto Protocol starting the 1st of January 2008, French emissions are already below its international commitment.
However, intermediary steps with tougher emissions reduction objectives are required to implement a full range of political and economical instruments to mitigate climate change. In March 2007, the European Commission committed itself in the so-called “Climate Energy Package” to reach the “3x20” objectives: 20% greenhouse gas emissions reduction compared to 2005, 20% energy use compared to 2005 and a proportion of 20% from renewable energy in European energy mix.
To implement this ambitious framework at a national level, France has launched the so called « Grenelle de l’Environnement » which aimed at elaborating a set of concrete and quantifiable measures in each key environment sector. Most of the selected measures have a direct impact in transport and residential sectors which are the only ones presenting a strong greenhouse gas emissions growth (respectively +22% and +16% compared with 1990).
As European Council President, France has committed to the following actions:
- Supporting an ambitious international agreement to achieve a significant greenhouse gas emissions reduction objectives supported by the global community. A minimum would be to get it from major emitter countries.
- Promoting forest and biodiversity issues as key in a post-Kyoto agreement
- Revising European cars CO2 emissions limit to 120g CO2/km or below