French forests, which have long played a crucial role in absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, have seen a dramatic drop in their ability to capture carbon. According to the High Council for the Climate, the amount of carbon absorbed by French forests fell by nearly half between 2010 and 2020. In 2010, these forests absorbed about 45 million tons of CO2 each year, but by 2020, that number had dropped to just 14 million tons. This decline is largely due to slower tree growth and increased tree deaths caused by factors like droughts, severe storms, infestations by bark beetles, and wildfires. These environmental pressures have weakened the natural ability of forests to act as carbon sinks. In addition to the decline in natural carbon absorption, the amount of carbon stored in wood products—such as furniture and construction materials—has also dropped significantly. These products temporarily hold carbon that would otherwise be released back into the atmosphere. In 2010, this storage capacity amounted to 3.4 million tons of CO2 equivalent, but by 2020, it had fallen to just 0.8 million tons. This drop highlights the broader challenges facing France's efforts to manage its carbon footprint through forest-related strategies. Despite the decline in forest carbon absorption, France's National Low-Carbon Strategy aims to increase the amount of wood harvested annually from 53 to 60 million cubic meters. This increase in logging could further stress already weakened forest ecosystems, potentially reducing their ability to act as carbon sinks. The original goal of the strategy was to have forests absorb 40 million tons of CO2 annually by 2030, but in 2020, only 14 million tons were achieved. The High Council for the Climate also warned in 2021 that between 2015 and 2019, forests captured only three-quarters of the expected carbon. The Academy of Sciences has expressed concerns about the plan to boost timber harvesting by 70% by 2035, which could further reduce the overall carbon absorption capacity of French forests. According to the High Council for the Climate, France would need to capture an additional 16 million tons of CO2 annually to meet its commitments related to carbon sinks. These findings underscore the growing challenge of maintaining forest health while pursuing economic and energy policies that rely on forest resources.