Scorecard summary:
Fulfilment of Rio Conference Commitment - Red
Current Government Position on Climate Change - Red
Per Capita CO2 Emissions - Green (6.34 metric tons per person in 1992)
National CO2 Emissions - Yellow (362 million metric tons in 1992)

OVERALL ASSESSMENT:
Generally complacent, focused on utilisation of nuclear energy, not trying to implement measures to promote energy efficiency or renewable energy.

NATIONAL CLIMATE PROTECTION GOAL:
France's target is to limit emissions in 2000 to two tons of carbon per capita, equivalent to 7.3 tons of CO2. However, projections suggest emissions will exceed this level. CO2 emissions are low on a per capita basis compared to other countries because of France's heavy reliance on nuclear power. This has led the government to propose emission reductions on a per capita basis with different countries' emission pathways eventually converging. Their proposals for differentiated commitments between countries would effectively mean that no action was required in France.

SPECIFIC FEATURES:
Reduction of CO2 has been greater in France than in other countries between 1980 and 1990 due to the active promotion of nuclear energy, which was intended to reduce oil imports. Approximately 75 percent of electricity in France is nuclear. Further nuclear power is officially considered as a serious option for the rest of the planet, as a replacement for coal. France favours a "policies and measures" approach to curbing greenhouse gas emissions at international level rather than agreement on emission reduction targets and timetables. In particular, it wants subsidies to carbon-intensive activities to be removed and a progressive CO2 tax to be phased in. However, France operates domestic subsidies of its own, such as a 50 percent (on average) subsidy for space heating.

NEGATIVE FEATURES:
Progress in raising energy efficiency has been slow since the late eighties due to low energy prices, particularly for industry, and a slackening of government efforts. Government funding for energy efficiency and for information and technical assistance has suffered large reductions. Furthermore, there is a discriminatory tax system which does not account for external costs. Relatively higher taxes on oil products have tended to promote the use of electricity (although a significant proportion of space heating is produced by fossil fuels). Despite stated objectives to introduce transport taxes and tackle growth of consumption in the sector, few actions have been implemented. And although there have been moves to decentralise some government responsibilities, energy policy-making and implementation remain highly centralised. This has hampered acceptance of government policy and meant there has been a very closed process operating. According to an International Energy Agency team, this needs overhauling. There is a need for a complete reorientation of policy with structural changes to institutions and modes of working. Car manufacturers' cynicism can be summed up in a TV and poster advertisement which says: "The scientists tell us about global warming but you need not worry, with our new air-conditioned cars."

POSITIVE FEATURES: ?

Sources: IEA : Energy Policies of IEA Countries 1996 Review. Independent NGO Evaluations of National Plans for Climate Change Mitigations - Central and Eastern Europe first review, Climate Action Network, Brussels, January 1995.