France’s greenhouse gas emissions have been falling faster than its overall carbon footprint, highlighting the growing role of imported emissions in its climate impact.
France’s greenhouse gas emissions decreased faster than its overall carbon footprint in 2024. Territorial emissions totaled 404 Mt of CO2 equivalent, while the carbon footprint reached 563 Mt. Although both indicators decreased, imported emissions remain significant and represent almost half of the footprint, a trend that has persisted since 1990 despite advances in internal decarbonization.
In 2024, emissions from resident units amounted to 404 million tons (Mt) of CO2 equivalent (5.9 tons per person), while the carbon footprint reached 563 million tons (8.2 tons per person). The difference is due to the fact that imported emissions exceed exported emissions.
Although domestic emissions fell 0.9 percent in 2024 after a steeper 6 percent drop in 2023, the carbon footprint fell 3.4 percent while imported emissions fell 4.6 percent, the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) said in a statement.
Electricity generation became cleaner, but emissions from international shipping increased. Since 1990, France’s territorial emissions have fallen steadily, but almost half of its carbon footprint now comes from imported goods and services.
Fiber2Fashion News Desk (HU)
