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Page last updated : 30/06/2010

Methane - CH4

Source : CITEPA / SECTEN format - April 2010

Survey period : since 1990

Emissions (LULUCF* included) Variations
Emissions in 2008 : 2 584 kt Variation 2008 / 1990 : -18 %
Maximum observed : 3 143 kt in 1995 Variation 2008 / maximum : -18 %
Minimum observed : 2 582 kt in 2007 Variation 2008 / minimum : +0.1 %

Main emitters in 2008 (top 3 of total emissions LULUCF* excluded) :
 

1 - Livestock 79 %
2 - Waste treatment 13 %
3 - Extraction and distribution of gaseous fuels 3.5 %

Comments

Emissions of CH4 (LULUCF* excluded) reached 2 543 kt in 2008 in mainland France. CH4 emissions from LULUCF* are due to absorption by forest soils and represented about 40 kt (2% of the sum of the sectors).

The sectors contributing to the CH 4 emissions, LULUCF* excluded, were in 2008 :

  • agriculture/forestry (80%)
  • manufacturing industry (14%),
  • energy conversion (4%),
  • residential/tertiary (3%),
  • road transport (less than 0.1%),
  • other transports (less than 0.1%).

During the 1990-2008 period, total emissions LULUCF excluded had a reduction of 17%, i.e. -537 kt.

The major sources of methane in agriculture/forestry were enteric fermentation of ruminants and manure management. Although agriculture/forestry emissions have decreased (-5%, i.e. -98 kt) between 1990 and 2008, the intensification of milk production (less cows with more efficiency) contributed to a higher level of the emissions in 2008 than in 1990 for this sector when it represented 69% of the emissions LULUCF excluded.

In the manufacturing industry sector, land filling is the first source for emissions (96% of this sector emissions, LULUCF* excluded, in 2008), but emissions from this sector increased until 1996, as a result of an increase in the quantities of waste generated. Thereafter, emissions tendency was to fell, following the development and improvement of biogas recovery.

In the sector of energy conversion, it should be noted that coal mining and natural gas transport and distribution are significant sources. Emissions from these two last activities are also decreasing (-71% i.e. -233 kt during the 1990-2008 period) because of the progressive phasing-out of coal mining in France and the upgrading programme of the gas network.

Although emission level from road transport was very low, they fell of 78% (-13 kt) between 1990 and 2008.

Based on the scenario of the AME Fifth National Communication of France November 2009, a decrease in emissions is expected in the coming years (agriculture and waste treatment sectors) which could be around 7% of total emissions LULUCF excluded in 2015.

* LULUCF : Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry

 
 
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