Greenhouse gas emissions fall in France

New data from Citepa shows that total greenhouse gas emissions in France decreased by 4.1% during the first half of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. National greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, excluding carbon sinks, reached 179.7 Mt CO₂e during the first half of 2026, compared to 187.4 Mt CO₂e during the first half of 2025. This represents a decrease of 7.7 Mt CO₂e.

Building and transport sectors lead reduction

The reduction is mainly driven by the building sector, which saw a 12.0% decrease, and the transport sector, which decreased by 4.5%. These two sectors contributed respectively 3.7 and 2.7 Mt CO₂e to the reduction in emissions.

Agriculture shows mixed results

Agriculture also saw a 1% decrease in emissions during the first half of 2026, with contrasting changes according to the gases. Methane (CH₄) emissions decreased by 2.4%, notably due to the reduction in the cattle herd, while emissions of nitrous oxide (N₂O) increased by 2.1%, linked to the increase in the use of nitrogen-based mineral fertilizers.

Future emissions trends uncertain

For the whole year, agricultural and forestry emissions are projected to decrease by 1.3%, reaching 75.6 Mt CO₂e. However, the overall downward trend is expected to slow down in the second half of 2026. According to the forecast barometer, emissions would decrease by 1.3% compared to the second half of 2025, with reductions of 1.1% in the third quarter and 1.5% in the fourth quarter.

Forest fires add to emissions

A preliminary estimate by Citepa, based on data from the European Copernicus program, indicates that approximately 77,000 hectares burned in Metropolitan France between January 1 and August 27, 2026, excluding identified charcoal areas. The greenhouse gas emissions associated with these fires are pre-estimated at approximately 5.7 Mt CO₂e, representing a 43% increase compared to 2022, a year already marked by exceptional fires.