Dispatch from France | October '25
*** 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'. ***
Stories to watch in the weeks ahead
Stories to watch in the weeks ahead
- Political crisis – France appointed a new government for the second time in a month on 12 October. The outgoing prime minister, Sébastien Lecornu, who resigned a few days earlier, was reappointed by president Emmanuel Macron. His priority is “to deliver a budget for France by the end of the year”. The planned savings of more than 30 billion euros announced for the state budget in 2026 pose a particular challenge for the energy transition. The government says the focus will now be on "efficiency" in spending, including in the energy sector. Lecornu survived two no-confidence votes in parliament on 16 October.
- No end in sight for uncertainty over multi-year energy planning – The new multi-year energy plan (PPE3), which is intended to chart France's energy trajectory to 2035, is still pending despite nearly three years of consultations. The energy industry is growing impatient and concerned about reports of a temporary ban on new onshore renewable projects. Prime minister Lecornu (prior to the formation of his new government) denied allegations that he prepared the policy. An attempt to pass a moratorium on new renewable energy projects (via the Gremillet law) was already rejected by MPs in June. Against the backdrop of a particularly complex national political context, negotiations on the PPE3 are ongoing. The far-right National Rally party, which opposes renewables, is using this issue to criticise the government.
- A small reduction in CO₂ emissions – France’s greenhouse gas emissions are expected to fall a mere 0.8 percent this year compared to last, the Interprofessional Technical Centre for Studies on Air Pollution (Citepa) has calculated. The body points out that this figure is “well below the pace needed to achieve the 2022-2030 targets, set at around -5 percent per year”. At this rate, France is far from meeting its national and international climate commitments. France reduced emissions by 6.8 percent between 2022-23, driven mainly by changes in the electricity sector. However, this effect will reach its limits in 2025 due to the historically high use of nuclear power, meaning France won’t be able to increase nuclear output to further reduce emissions from electricity production. In 2024, a sharp slowdown in emissions reduction began (only -1.8%), due to difficulties cutting greenhouse gases from transport and buildings.
- Uncertainties surrounding nuclear power financing – The Court of Auditors expressed concerns regarding the financial health and long-term financing capacity of EDF, France’s state-owned electric utility, noting that the 54.3 billion euro debt it accrued by the end of 2024 represented an increase of 23 billion euros over twelve years. The company is expected to invest heavily in expanding nuclear power in the country regardless. In January, the auditors had already pointed to the "many technical, organisational and industrial uncertainties" surrounding plans for new nuclear reactors.
The latest from France – last month in recap
The latest from France – last month in recap
- Mixed reactions to France’s new ecological transition minister – With sweeping budget cuts and an economic crisis in full swing, Monique Barbut’s task is set to be a challenging one. Appointed Minister for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, and International Negotiations on Climate and Nature on 12 October, the former president of the NGO WWF France has already served as the president's special envoy on climate and as the national representative at the One Planet Summit for biodiversity. While her supporters praise her mastery of international climate negotiations, the nuclear industry is concerned about her appointment. They are pinning their hopes on Roland Lescure, a member of the Renaissance party and a close ally of Emmanuel Macron, who has been reappointed to lead the Ministry of Economy, Finance, and Industrial and Energy Sovereignty and is widely regarded as pro-nuclear.
- Renewable energy on the rise – Renewables accounted for 15.8 percent of France’s primary energy consumption in 2024, a 4.4 percent increase on the previous year, according to the latest figures by the Data and Statistical Studies Department. Although biomass and hydro remain at the top of the list, the growth is primarily driven by the increasing popularity of heat pumps, wind power, biogas and photovoltaics. Renewables were the third-largest source of energy consumed in France in 2024, behind nuclear (41%) and oil (28%), and ahead of gas (12%).
- … but lacking clarity – The development of wind and solar power stalled in 2025, according to the Renewable Energy Union (SER). During the first six months of the year, 276 megawatts (MW) of new capacity were installed. If this trend continues, less than 500 MW will be installed in 2025: half the amount installed in 2024. France Renouvelables, an association representing the sector, also warned that the lack of prospects is reflected in a slowdown in job growth in the sector.
Camille’s picks – highlights from upcoming events and top reads
Camille’s picks – highlights from upcoming events and top reads
- Will France be liveable in 2050, and how? – A ten-month national foresight project launched by the High Commission for Strategy and Planning should reflect on 'France in 2035' and 'France in 2050'. One of the ten chosen themes, "Living at +2.7°C", addresses the national consequences of climate change. It questions whether the country will be habitable for everyone in 25 years, and plans to examine the possibilities for adapting to climate change and investing in "green" innovations. Over several months, the initiative will bring together experts, leading figures from the economic and social spheres, government representatives, artists, and others to chart a course for France. A public consultation will begin in January, and the final report will be submitted to France’s president by June 2026.
- A tax on individuals with very high net worth to finance the ecological transition? – The Zucman tax is a hot topic of debate in France. Named after the French economist Gabriel Zucman, the proposal aims to create greater tax fairness. It would target households with assets of more than 100 million euros, requiring them to contribute at least two percent of their wealth each year. Newspaper Le Monde examined ways in which such a tax could generate revenue to finance the investments needed for the energy transition in a tight budgetary context. However, new taxes considered by the Lecornu government do not go quite so far.
All texts created by the Clean Energy Wire are available under a
“Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International Licence (CC BY 4.0)”
.
They can be copied, shared and made publicly accessible by users so long as they give appropriate credit, provide a
link to the license, and indicate if changes were made.
