CITEPA - Annual national data - GHG

This index provides an aggregated figure covering greenhouse gases. Usually, gases included are limited to the six direct greenhouse gases covered by the Kyoto Protocol : CO₂, CH₄, N₂O, HFCs, PFCs and SF₆.

It is expressed as "CO₂ equivalent" because of the GWP (Global Warming Potential) of other substances expressed in relation to CO₂ (the value for CO₂ is 1 by definition). Confusion may occur between GWP and real CO₂ figures when such data is used by non-specialists.

The index is calculated on the basis of a time period of 100 years and takes into account the atmospheric life time of the substances.
Individual gas GWP values defined by IPCC are those of 1995 in accordance with the decisions taken by the Conference of the Parties :

As illustrated in the next figure, the individual contribution of each gas to GWP varies considerably, with carbon dioxide being the dominant GHG (GreenHouse Gases), accounting for approximately two thirds of the total

Survey period : since 1990

*Emissions (LULUCF included)**	Variations
Emissions in 2006 : 459 Mt CO₂e	Variation 2006 / 1990 : -11 %
Maximum observed : 544 Mt CO₂e in 1991	Variation 2006 / maximum : -16 %
Minimum observed : 459 Mt CO₂e in 2006	Variation 2006 / minimum : 0 %

*Main emitters in 2006 (top 5 of total emissions LULUCF excluded) :**
	1 - Passenger cars 13 % 2 - Residential 12 % 3 - Crops 8.9 % 4 - Livestock 8.9 % 5 - Heavy duty vehicles 6.7 %

Comments

GWP (Global Warming Potential) for mainland France was estimated at 459 Mt CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e) in 2006 LULUCF* included, and 532 Mt CO₂e, LULUCF* excluded.

Mainly four sectors participated to greenhouse gas emissions, as followed in importance order (LULUCF* excluded) :

road transport with 24% essentially due to CO₂,
manufacturing industry and residential/tertiary with 23%, due to all of the 6 direct greenhouse gases,
agriculture/forestry with 19% of total emissions, due to two pollutants : N₂O and CH₄,
residential/tertiary with 19% of total emissions, due to all of the 6 direct greenhouse gases.

Energy conversion constituted to a less emitting source with 13% of total emissions in mainland France in 2006 LULUCF* excluded. The sector “other transports “ (all except road) represented less than 2% of total emissions.

GWP emissions have decreased by around 4.5% between 1990 and 2006 (LULUCF* excluded), respectively 557 Mt CO₂e and 532 Mt CO₂e.

CO₂ emissions contributed to 70% of GWP emissions. Then came N₂O emissions with 14%, CH₄ 12% and HFCs/PFCs/SF₆ 4%).

The biggest increase evolution since 1990 (in GWP) came from HFC emissions : +259%.

Note

The total in this format is different compared to the UNFCCC format (DOM and COM included) and to the KYOTO format (DOM included) due to the geographical perimeter (mainland France only).

* LULUCF : Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry