France not meeting climate pledges despite 2015 climate breakthrough

As the host country for the COP21 summit in 2015 that resulted in the Paris Climate Accord, France has worked hard on efforts to reduce its carbon emissions.

The country is developing more environmentally-friendly buildings and increasing its use of renewable energy. But analysts say France still needs to do far more.

"Emissions of greenhouse gases in France are decreasing and have been decreasing for a decade," Lola Vallejo, Climate Director for Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI) told CGTN. "It's part of about 20 countries globally that have been on this trajectory. But it's a kind of glass half full situation."

She added: "Emissions are decreasing, but they're not decreasing as fast as they should if we want to meet our current commitments."

The Paris Agreement, adopted by countries during COP21, saw nations pledge to limit the global average temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, while aiming to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees.

But the first global stock take, to be concluded at COP28, shows the world is not on track to deliver on this.

France has been making strides in reducing its carbon footprint and is pledging to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Also in line with EU targets, the country hopes to halve its emissions by 2030 compared with 1990.

France widely uses nuclear power, which is a low carbon source of energy, and wants 40 percent of its electricity to come from green sources by 2030. Yet it emerged last year that France was one of the only EU member states that missed its renewable energy targets in 2020.

Analysts say that French dependence on petrol-fueled cars is increasing and that the transition to electric vehicles is too slow.

Aware of the urgency of the situation, the country is putting more initiatives in place to reduce emissions. It has banned air travel for domestic short-haul journeys, if the trip can be made by train.

Under the French Climate and Resilience Law, France wants clothes to be sold with labels which reveal their environmental impact.

Laws have already been tightened for the real estate sector so that new buildings must have a lower carbon footprint.

READ MORE:

'It's a gimmick, not a game-changer' – Virgin's SAF flight questioned

Burning fossil fuels causes one death every five seconds, says WHO

UNICEF warns disease a huge risk in Gaza without prolonged truce

Some developers, like Novaxia, see this as an opportunity. It converts existing buildings into low carbon developments with measures including rain harvesting solutions and green rooftops – mandated by the French government - and additional steps including smart meters to monitor water and electricity use.

"We have many laws which are surpassing the European obligation," says Vincent Aurez, Novaxia's Director of Sustainable Development and Innovation. "So in France, not only do we have a carbon intensity of electricity consumption which is relatively low thanks to nuclear energy. We also have much more regulation on the real estate sector than at the European level."

France has not been immune to the effects of climate change, having experienced devastating floods and sweltering summers in recent years.

With authorities, companies, and individuals all working on solutions, the country believes it can play its part in delivering on the Paris Agreement - despite its disappointing recent performance.

Subscribe to Storyboard: A weekly newsletter bringing you the best of CGTN every Friday