The High Council for Climate (HCC) acknowledges France’s progress in reducing CO2 emissions but advocates for a “change of scale in adaptation” to climate change.
It also expresses concern about the delay in implementing crucial legislation, further exacerbated by the dissolution of parliament, in its annual report released on Thursday.
Urgent Need for Scaled-Up Adaptation
“It is becoming crucial that climate action effectively protects children, households, and businesses,” stated HCC President Corinne Le Quéré during a press conference.
“Despite significant progress, adaptation efforts remain out of step with vulnerabilities and needs.” The report, comprising over 230 pages and authored by a panel of experts, calls for a “change of scale in adaptation.”
Last year ranked as the second hottest year in France, and the country has experienced water shortages due to drought, devastating wildfires, heatwaves, intense storms, and floods in recent years.
Delayed Climate Adaptation Plan
The government, led by Gabriel Attal, was in the process of preparing the third National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (PNACC-3), based on the assumption of a 4°C temperature increase in France by the end of the century (compared to 1.7°C to date).
However, the consultation process has been delayed, and its adoption now depends on the majority and government that emerge from the legislative elections on June 30th and July 7th.
The HCC, among its 65 recommendations, urges the swift finalization and adoption of the PNACC-3, along with other crucial climate action legislation, such as the national low-carbon strategy (SNBC) and the multi-year energy programming (PPE).
Corinne Le Quéré emphasizes the urgency of providing stakeholders with the necessary clarity to act consistently over time.
Government’s Stance and Dissolution Impact
The government, committed to its ecological planning, asserts that the content of the energy and carbon neutrality roadmaps is “already on the table,” although not yet legally formalized. They also claim that the adaptation plan is “ready.”
While the dissolution of parliament has further delayed the publication of certain texts, the HCC refrained from commenting on the current political situation.
The independent body’s first term, tasked with evaluating public climate action since 2018 during Emmanuel Macron’s first term, concludes on June 24th.
A new term is expected to be announced on Thursday, with some members being replaced. The government emphasizes the essential role of the HCC and its desire to ensure its continuity.
Progress in Decarbonization, but Challenges Remain
The HCC commends France’s decarbonization progress, noting that the decrease in gross greenhouse gas emissions accelerated in 2023, approaching the required pace to achieve its 2030 climate targets for the first time.
France aims to reduce gross emissions by 50% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, in line with the European “Fit for 55” ambition.
While gross emissions decreased by 5.8% last year, circumstantial factors like the restart of nuclear reactors caused at least one-third of this reduction. Public policies caused the remaining decrease, according to the report.
However, the HCC notes that progress is “significant but uneven” across sectors, with some setbacks, particularly in agriculture. Corinne Le Quéré regrets the lack of coherence between agricultural, food, environmental, and climate policies in this sector.
Setbacks in Agricultural Climate Action
The report laments a “decline in public climate action” in agricultural policies over the past 12 months, alluding to responses to agricultural protests earlier this year.
Experts also highlight the absence of a “comprehensive strategy or plan for the regeneration of forest ecosystems,” despite the weakening capacity of soils and trees to absorb CO2 in recent years.
Looking further ahead, the High Council calls for a “clear direction for the decade 2030-2040 to equip ourselves with the capacity to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.” This emphasizes the need for a long-term vision and concrete actions to ensure a sustainable and climate-resilient future for France.