Emissions from residential and commercial buildings have declined by 40% since 1990, reaching 62 MtCO₂ in 2019. The emissions decline is a result of electrification which increased from 30% in 1990 to 47% in 2019. Additionally, the share of fossil fuels in the building sector decreased over the same period by 8%.
France’s long-term strategy, the Stratégie Nationale Bas-Carbone (SNBC), includes a target of reducing the building sector’s GHG emissions (with more than 80% CO₂ emissions) by 49% by 2030 compared to 2015 and reaching a full decarbonisation by 2050. Under 1.5°C emission pathways, the sector should reduce its direct CO₂ emissions by at least 58% by 2030 below 2015 levels, and be fully decarbonised between 2035 and 2044. To reach this goal, France will need to continue increasing the share of electricity to 65% in 2030, from 43% in 2019.
The government’s planned measures for the sector mainly provide financial support to increase energy efficiency of existing buildings, promote a low carbon construction sector and update standards and labelling for new buildings. France has also introduced a ban on the use of fuel oil for new heating systems from 2022. However, the government will need to strengthen its policies and measures to reach the necessary renovation rates to be in line with its 2030 target, let alone 1.5°C compatible pathways.3
1 Ministère de la Transition écologique et solidaire. La transition écologique et solidaire vers la neutralité carbone. (2020).
2 Conseil d’Etat. Émissions de gaz à effet de serre : le Conseil d’État enjoint au Gouvernement de prendre des mesures supplémentaires avant le 31 mars 2022. (2021).
3 Dugast, C. & Joly, A. Depuis sa condamnation, l’État français s’est-il donné les moyens de son ambition climat ? (2022).
4 IEA. Global EV Data Explorer – Data Tools – IEA. (2022).
5 Haut Conseil pour le Climat. Agir en cohérence avec les ambitions. Rapport annuel Neutralité Carbone (2019).
6 Government of France. National Climate and Energy Plan. (2020).
7 Ministère de l’Écologie. The Ecological and Inclusive Transition Towards Carbon Neutrality. 1–29 (2018).
8 Haut Conseil pour le Climat. Renforcer L’Attenuation , Engager L’Adaptation. Rapport Annuel 2021. (2021).
9 International Energy Agency database. Energy Data and Statistics. (2021). supply&indicator=TPESbySource
10 Ministère de la Transition Ecologique. Les énergies renouvelables en France en 2020 – Suivi de la directive 2009/28/CE relative à la promotion de l’utilisation des énergies renouvelables | Données et études statistiques. (2021).
11 Kinley, R. It’s time for Macron to revive French leadership on EU climate goals. Energy Monitor (2022).
12 Legifrance. LOI n° 2015-992 du 17 août 2015 relative à la transition énergétique pour la croissance verte (1) – Légifrance. (2015).
13 Ministère de la Transition écologique. Loi de transition énergétique pour la croissance verte | Ministère de la Transition écologique. (2015).
14 La Tribune. La France ne sortira finalement pas du charbon en 2022 : la reconversion de la centrale EDF de Cordemais est abandonnée. https://www.latribune.fr/entreprises-finance/industrie/energie-environnement/la-france-ne-sortira-finalement-pas-du-charbon-en-2022-888636.html (2021).
15 Haut Conseil pour le Climat. Rapport annuel 2021. (2021).
16 Ministère de la Transition écologique. Plan de rénovation énergétique des bâtiments | Ministère de la Transition écologique. (2021).
17 Euractiv. EU nations approve end to combustion engine sales by 2035 – EURACTIV.com. (2022).
18 ACEA. Electric vehicles: Tax benefits and purchase incentives in the 27 member states of the European Union. (2022).
Franceʼs energy mix in the buildings sector
petajoule per year
- Natural gas
- Coal
- Oil and e-fuels
- Biofuel
- Biogas
- Biomass
- Hydrogen
- Electricity
- Heat
Franceʼs buildings sector direct CO₂ emissions (of energy demand)
MtCO₂/yr
- Historical emissions
- SSP1 High CDR reliance
- SSP1 Low CDR reliance
- High energy demand - Low CDR reliance
- Low energy demand
1.5°C compatible buildings sector benchmarks
Direct CO₂ emissions and shares of electricity, heat and biomass in the buildings final energy demand from illustrative 1.5°C pathways for France
Indicator | 2019 | 2030 | 2040 | 2050 | Decarbonised buildings sector by |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Direct CO₂ emissions MtCO₂/yr | 62 | 27 to 28 | 5 to 10 | 1 to 3 | 2035 to 2044 |
Relative to reference year in % | −56 to −55% | −93 to −84% | −98 to −96% |
Indicator | 2019 | 2030 | 2040 | 2050 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Share of electricity Percent | 43 | 65 | 77 to 79 | 83 to 89 |
Share of heat Percent | 4 | 3 to 4 | 5 to 6 | 6 to 8 |
Share of hydrogen Percent | 0 | 0 to 5 | 0 to 21 | 0 to 20 |