Page last updated : 15/05/2008

Carbon dioxide - CO₂

Source : CITEPA / CORALIE SECTEN format - last updated 28 February 2008

Survey period : since 1960

Comments

In 2006, CO₂ emissions represented 396 Mt (LULUCF* excluded). Including LULUCF*, CO₂ emissions attained, 321 Mt (LULUCF* corresponded to -75 Mt, approximately 19% of total emissions, LULUCF* excluded). LULUCF* are limited in the Kyoto protocol.

Since 1960, emissions increase (+101 Mt, an increase of 34% during the period 1960-2006). Compared to 1990, the level of emissions is higher of 8 Mt, approximately +2% only whereas primary energy consumption has increased by +21%.

All sectors contribute to the emissions in variable proportions according to the years. In 2006, the sectors were as followed by importance order for mainland France (LULUCF* excluded) :

In 1990, the distribution was different than that in 2006 :

In 1960, manufacturing industry represented 44% of total emissions mainland France LULUCF* excluded, whereas road transport only 7%.

Thus, between 1960 and 2006, the share of road transport has increased (+105 Mt, i.e. +500% increase during the period 1960-2006). This rise is partly due to the continuous increase in road traffic.

The use of fossil fuels and biomass are the main sources of CO₂ emissions (95% of total emissions, LULUCF* excluded) which are partly reduced by sinks due to photosynthesis and the possible fixation of carbon in soils (included in LULUCF* sector) in the absence of other withholdings as the geological sequestration of CO₂ which could be considered in the future.

Since 1960, CO₂ emissions due to the use of biomass as energy and forestry have increased.

The proportion of biomass compared to the total emissions (LULUCF* excluded) mainland France was 10.5% (31 Mt) in 1960 and is still 11.6% in 2006 but with a level of 46 Mt. The residential and tertiary sector is the biggest consumer of wood for energy purposes.

As CO₂ is a "natural" end of pipe product from the combustion process and due to the lack of removal equipment in plants, emissions are closely linked to fossil fuel consumption. The decrease observed from 1979 to 1988 (LULUCF* excluded) is mainly a result of the implementation of the nuclear power plant programme and, secondarily, from other actions such as energy conservation.

As emissions can be sensitive to weather variations, the fluctuation observed can be partly explained for that reason.

In 1991, 1998, 2003 and 2005, emissions were much higher than in the other years because of particular events.

Due to the lack of new measures aimed at reducing or changing energy consumption, no significant changes are expected. It means that the level of CO₂ emissions (LULUCF* excluded) should be about 7% higher than today in 2010.

Possible measures to limit CO₂ emissions are presented in the Climate Plan 2004-2012 updated in 2006.