CITEPA - Annual national data - GHG

In 2008, CO₂ emissions represented 382 Mt (LULUCF* and biomass excluded). Including LULUCF*, CO₂ emissions attained, 306 Mt (LULUCF* corresponded to -76 Mt). LULUCF* are limited in the Kyoto protocol.

All sectors contributed to the emissions in variable proportions according to the years.

In 2008, the sectors were as followed by importance order for mainland France (LULUCF* excluded) :

Since 1960, emissions increase (+86 Mt, an increase of 29% during the period 1960-2008). Compared to 1990, the level of emissions is lower of 9 Mt, approximately -2.3% whereas primary energy consumption has increased of 20%.

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

the road transport emissions have known a sharp increase since 1960 (+473% between 1960 and 2008 and +9% between 1990 and 2008). It is mostly explained by the rise of the traffic (+646% between 160 and 2008, and +26% between 1990 and 2008).
The emissions of the manufacturing industry sector fell by 26% between 1960 and 2008 and 16% between 1990 and 2008. However, from 1960 to 1974 inclusive, emissions had a sharp increase by 40%. The decline thereafter is due, in one hand, by the energy savings after the first oil shock in 1973 (the consumption of oil fell sharply in favor of electricity and natural gas) and on the other hand, the new regulations developed in 1998 to impose minimum efficiency to industrial boilers as well as periodic inspections of combustion plants above 1 MW.
the residential/tertiary sector has seen a sharp increase in emissions between 1960 and 2008 (+80.2% or +39.3 Mt) and a stabilization in the period 1990-2008. The higher level of the emissions was reached in 1973 (first oil shock). The decline in emissions observed since then was due to lower consumption of oil to natural gas and electricity. The year 2007 seems like a less emitting year because of favorable climatic conditions (rigor index at 0.87). Regarding the wood and wood residuals, consumption was relatively stable over the period 1960-2008, however, with consumption peaks observed in some years such as 1991 (cold year with a rigor index of 1.09) during which the wood has been used as an adjunct.
emissions generated by the energy conversion derived mainly from electricity production sub-sector (46% of the sector's emissions in 2008). Emissions from this sector declined by 23% between 1960 and 2008 and by 9% between 1990 and 2008. The higher level was reached in 1979 awhile the second oil shock. The decline between 1979 and 1988 resulted especially from the implementation of the nuclear power program, and also to other actions such as energy savings.
the agriculture/forestry sector has seen its emissions rise by 167% between 1960 and 2008 but they must be nuanced as the level reached only 10.5 Mt in 2008 compared to total emissions (382 Mt LULUCF excluded).
emissions from other transports fell by 41% over the period 1960-2008. Since the 1970s, these emissions were relatively stable.
the balance sinks of the LULUCF sector increased by 195% between 1960 and 2008 and by 86% between 1990 and 2008.

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.

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

Possible measures to limit CO₂ emissions are presented in the Climate Plan 2004-2012 updated in 2010 (based on the 5^th national communication) to incorporate measures of the Grenelle Environment for the period until 2020.