Dispatch from France | June ‘26
*** Our weekly Dispatches provide an overview of the most relevant recent and upcoming developments for the shift to climate neutrality in selected European countries, from policy and diplomacy to society and industry. For a bird's-eye view of the country's climate-friendly transition, read the respective 'Guide to'. ***
12 Jun 2026, 09:30
Camille Lafrance, Juliette Portala
Stories to watch in the weeks ahead
- Are new pipelines the answer to energy shortages? - The CEO of French fossil fuel company TotalEnergies, Patrick Pouyanné, believes that France could enter an “era of energy shortages” if the Strait of Hormuz stays closed for another "two or three months". He also called for greater “resilience”, arguing that investments in new [oil and gas] pipelines are needed to reduce dependence on this strategic maritime choke point. Pouyanné said it would “probably” be necessary to develop a network of pipelines capable of reducing dependence on the Strait of Hormuz, without specifying any particular route or country these should lead through. Since the war on Iran began in late February, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has ground to a halt due to blockades imposed by Iran and the United States.
- Roadmap for fossil fuel phase-out unveiled - The French government announced plans to end the use of coal, oil and gas at the inaugural International Conference on the Phase-out of Fossil Fuels, which took place in Santa Marta, Colombia, at the end of April. The plan outlines a staged approach to accelerating the energy transition, in line with the Paris Agreement. The strategy is based on two pillars: increased electrification of energy use, and the development of renewable and nuclear energy to decarbonisation electricity supply. The plan involves three key stages: the phase-out of coal by 2030, oil by 2045 and fossil gas by 2050.
- Safety of nuclear waste management in question - In May, French Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASN) published its annual report, expressing concerns about delays. The report highlighted the fact that the process for decommissioning old facilities, which may span several decades, and establishing sustainable radioactive waste management systems is running significantly behind schedule. It also expressed concern over budget cuts. The ASN believes that these situations pose risks to human and environmental health, especially for workers who are responsible for monitoring the facilities. Against this backdrop, the decommissioning of the Fessenheim nuclear power plant in the eastern Alsace region is raising questions: The plant closed in 2020, after several years scheduled for fuel removal and preparatory operations. The decommissioning was formalised by decree only in May this year. The decommissioning procedure is set to take place in four stages: dismantling of the reactors, decontamination of structures and soil, demolition of buildings to a depth of at least one metre, and finally rehabilitation of the site. EDF is struggling to reassure the public that the work is progressing as planned.
The latest from France – last month in recap
- Rising energy prices pushing up inflation - Inflation stood at 2.4 percent year-on-year in May, driven primarily by rising energy prices in general and gas in particular. Gas prices have risen by more than 15 percent since early May for most French households. Pump prices now exceed two euros per litre on average.
- Energy crisis emergency measures - The government introduced emergency measures in response to rising energy prices, including an electrification plan to strengthen energy security. A few days before announcing its roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels in April (see above), Roland Lescure, the Minister for the Economy and Finance, presented the plan for the electrification of construction, transport, industry, and agriculture. The first measure plans to bring support to 100 local authorities to accelerate electrification in key areas: electric road transport, the roll-out of EV charging infrastructure, targeted support for households to phase out heating oil, and the accelerated phase-out of gas. The plan also includes facilitating industry’s access to the electrical grid, as demand for access to public electricity networks remains very high, as well as a ban on fossil fuel advertising, in accordance with the Climate Act.
The government also introduced several fuel-related support schemes to assist households and businesses most affected by rising fuel prices. For example, people who use their private vehicles extensively for work are eligible for a fuel allowance of 100 euros, equivalent to 20 euro cents per litre, based on average fuel consumption over six months. For road hauliers, the aid takes the form of a direct grant, capped at 60,000 euros per company. - State’s acquisition of a 100%-stake in EDF deemed too costly - A report from the Court of Auditors released in May found that the value of the state’s “costly” acquisition of utility company EDF “has not yet been demonstrated.” While the buyback of the electricity provider’s minority shareholders’ shares in 2023 cost 9.7 billion euros, the state’s return to full ownership “has not provided any new funding”, the financial watchdog argued. They said the group’s financial situation remains unstable, with net financial debt standing at 51.5 billion euros by the end of 2025. Yet, massive investments are on the horizon. EDF plans to build at least six new nuclear reactors, at an estimated cost of 72.8 billion euros. The six reactors would be built at three existing nuclear power station sites: Penly, Gravelines, and Bugey. EDF said the final investment decision is expected by the end of this year and expects the first reactor to start operations by 2038.
- Europe’s largest housing estate switching to geothermal energy - The Parly 2 estate in the Yvelines department near Paris switched from natural gas heating to a system in which 70 percent of its heating and hot water is provided by carbon-free geothermal energy. The estate comprises 237 buildings with 7,500 flats and is home to 15,000 residents, making the switch to a geothermal plant built by operator Engie the first of this scale in France. While the prospect of saving money convinced the co-owners, the impact on their CO₂ emissions is also significant.
Camille’s picks – highlights from upcoming events and top reads
- Impacts of the energy crisis on the transition - The Institute for Climate Economics (I4CE) published its annual review of climate investments in Europe. The think tank called for action and asked the EU for a long-term increase in funding to combat climate change. I4CE underlined that 2025 climate investments only reached 61 percent of the annual funding required to meet the EU’s 2030 targets, at 534 billion euros. While solar power, battery storage, charging infrastructure and cleantech manufacturing all are on track to meet their 2030 targets, wind power, electricity grids and building renovation remain underfunded. The think tank stated that soaring fossil fuel prices have made accelerating investment in the low-carbon transition essential if the EU is to reduce its dependence on imported fossil fuels, strengthen its industrial base and protect citizens from future energy shocks. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could result in a rebound of investments in 2026, it added.
- TotalEnergies accused of misleading lobbying regarding its climate targets - The NGO Transparency International's (TI) French chapter reviewed correspondence between the Prime Minister’s Office and TotalEnergies, finding that the energy company was misleading about its climate ambitions. TI filed a complaint with the High Authority for Transparency in Public Life (HATVP), while the NGOs Friends of the Earth France, ClientEarth and Notre Affaire à Tous referred the matter to the Financial Markets Authority (AMF) over suspicions of "climate greenwashing". Holding its annual general meeting amid a climate of distrust, TotalEnergies said that the NGOs were “distorting” its climate ambitions. With oil and gas prices soaring, TotalEnergies posted a first-quarter profit of 4.96 billion, up 51 percent year-on-year. This has reignited the debate over whether to tax so-called energy company "super profits".
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