Download Action de la France en matière de politique énergétique durable

June 2006, updated in October 2007
France’s action in favour of sustainable
energy policy
Recent developments
As a country with limited fossil fuel resources (oil, gas and coal), France has, since
1945, been conducting a policy designed to increase its energy independence. Specifically,
this has led to its adoption of nuclear power generation in the wake of the two great oil
crises. In the 1990s, this policy was continued in a context modified by rising oil prices and
the concern for protection of the environment (the danger of climate change).
France thus entered into commitments both internationally (signing the Kyoto
Protocol in 1997, aimed at reducing emissions of greenhouse gases) and at the European
level. France began a national energy debate (2003) and adopted the Climate Plan (2004),
which gathers together the steps taken by the government to meet the Kyoto targets.
Law 2005-781 of 13 July 2005 defining an ongoing programme and focuses for
energy policy is the legislative instrument to shape French energy policy. It is aimed at
preserving security of supply while at the same time taking due account of environmental
concerns:
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It lays down four long-term goals: to contribute to national energy independence;
to guarantee competitive energy pricing; to protect human health and the
environment, specifically by combating any worsening of the greenhouse effect; and
to guarantee social and regional cohesion.
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It defines four major focuses for energy policy: control of demand for energy,
diversification of available energy sources, development of research and innovation
in the energy sector and guaranteeing the availability of the means for energy
transmission and storage to meet what is needed.
© Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes / French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, 2007
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It lays down quantified targets, specifically:
Cutting C02 emissions by 75% by 2050,
An average reduction in energy intensity (i.e. the ratio between total energy consumption
and GDP for a given year) of 2% per year between now and 2015 and 2.5% annually
thereafter up to 2030,
Production of 10% of energy requirement from renewable sources.
Law. 2006-1537 of 7 December 2006 on energy sets out the scope for the opening up
of energy markets which allows consumers to choose freely their natural gas and electricity
supplier.
The main focuses of French energy policy
with regard to sustainable development
MAINTENANCE
OF THE NUCLEAR OPTION
The law of 13 July 2005 provides for the maintenance of the nuclear option (which
generates 78% of power in France) since this contributes to the combat against the greenhouse
effect and already enables France to point to one of the lowest CO2 emission rates of any OECD
nation. It provides for support for the EDF’s request for permission to construct a new type of
reactor, the EPR (European Pressurised Water Reactor) on the Flamanville site by 2012.
REDUCTION
OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION
Commencing in the wake of the great oil crises, the French Government’s action in favour
of energy savings has led to a raising of the awareness of the general public (through
advertising campaigns, inclusion in school study programmes), incentive and fiscal measures,
and the provision of resources for intervention and studies through ADEME (Agence de
l’environnement et de la maîtrise de l’énergie / French Environment and Energy Management
Agency).
One of the flagship measures in the July 2005 law is the creation of energy efficiency
certificates, a demanding scheme aimed at saving energy in the residential and service sectors.
INVESTMENT
IN CLEAN ENERGY
The production of energy from renewable sources (water, wood, urban waste, wind,
biofuels) is among the key components of French energy policy led by DGEMP (Direction
générale de l’énergie et des matières premières / General directorate for energy and raw
materials) at the Ministry of Finance, the Economy and Industry. And indeed, France is the
biggest renewable energy producer in Europe, followed by Sweden and Italy.
The July 2005 law sets ambitious targets: an increase of 50% in the production of
electricity from renewable sources by 2010, and 2% inclusion of biofuels and other fuels from
renewable sources by the end of 2005, followed by 5.75% by 2010 (now brought forward to
2008).
The Government has put a number of incentive and fiscal measures in place: payment
of half the cost of solar energy panels purchased by private individuals; a 50% increase in
biogas procurement prices from June 2006; financial incentives for the purchase of clean
vehicles (electrical, hybrid, gas). The Government provides encouragement for research and
development, especially through two agencies: the ANR (Agence Nationale pour la Recherche /
National Research Agency) and the AII (Agence pour l’Innovation Industrielle / Industrial
Innovation Agency), where this is likely to help the development of projects such as fuel cells or
clean cars. And lastly, the energy label, mandatory since 10 May 2006, is aimed at
encouraging private citizens to prefer to purchase cars that emit less C02.
© Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes / French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, 2007
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To find out more
GENERAL

Les perspectives énergétiques de la France à l'horizon 2020-2050, Jean Syrota,
Centre d'analyse stratégique, octobre 2007
Résumé : http://www.strategie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/resume.pdf
Texte intégral du rapport :
http://www.strategie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/ENERGIE_Rapport_SYNTHESE250907VF2.pdf

The web portal for the DGEMP (General directorate for energy and raw materials) at
MINEFI (Ministry of Finance, the Economy and Industry)
http://www.industrie.gouv.fr/energie/sommaire.htm

Energy policy: the Documentation française dossier, on the Vie-publique website
(December 2005)
http://www.vie-publique.fr/politiques-publiques/politique-energie/index/

Overview of the law of 13 July 2005, on the DGEMP website:
http://www.industrie.gouv.fr/energie/politiqu/synthese-loi-13-7-05.htm

Climate change: A major challenge, on the Ministry of Ecology website
http://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=960

“Energy” section of the Climate Plan (2004), on the French Ministry of Ecology website:
http://www.ecologie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/plan-action-4-4.pdf

Overview of the steps taken to accelerate the development of clean energy
sources, statement by the French Prime Minister (15 May 2006), on the Prime Minister’s
website:
http://www.premier-ministre.gouv.fr/information/actualites_20/energiepolitiquedeveloppement-durable_55986.html
KEYS
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STATISTICS
Energy Statistics for France (DGEMP):
http://www.industrie.gouv.fr/energie/statisti/se_stats.htm
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Renewable energy sources in France in 2005, an annotated overview (DGEMP):
http://www.industrie.gouv.fr/energie/renou/textes/se_bilan.htm
BIBLIOGRAPHY

French Energy Policy, Regards sur l’actualité, 318, Documentation française, February
2006, dossier pp. 5-73
© Ministère des Affaires étrangères et européennes / French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, 2007
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