The budget for France’s Agency for Ecological Transition (Ademe), which supports environmental projects led by companies and local governments, is expected to drop by more than 30 percent in 2027, according to a report by Le Monde on September 17. In 2026, Ademe’s budget was 1 billion euros, but this could fall by over 300 million euros next year. The most significant cuts would affect the "heat fund," which finances the development of renewable energy for heating and cooling, reducing reliance on fossil gas. This fund’s budget would drop from 800 million euros in 2026 to around 500 million euros in 2027. An internal source at Ademe told Le Monde that such a steep reduction would lead to the cancellation of projects and the halting of new initiatives. The source expressed concern, noting that the cuts come after a summer marked by extreme heat, which highlighted the urgency of climate action. Another affected area is the circular economy fund, which supports waste reduction and recycling efforts. Its budget has already fallen from 285 million euros in 2024 to just 95 million euros in 2026, and it could be cut in half again in 2027. In addition to budget cuts, the government is considering eliminating 30 full-time positions at Ademe in 2027. Benoît Leguet, director general of the Institute for Climate Economics and a member of Ademe’s board of directors, criticized the proposed budget changes, stating that they risk increasing France’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and making the country more vulnerable to climate change. He emphasized that such decisions ignore the lessons learned from the energy crisis and the extreme weather conditions experienced in the summer of 2026. The proposed cuts raise concerns about the long-term impact on France’s environmental goals and its ability to transition to a more sustainable energy system. Ademe plays a key role in funding and supporting green initiatives, and reducing its resources could slow progress toward national and international climate targets. Experts warn that the move could undermine efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote renewable energy development.