Dispatch from France | March '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
- Energy plan suspension: A group of over 160 senators, mainly from the right and centrist parties, have sent a letter to French prime minister Fran莽ois Bayrou, urging him to of the government鈥檚 (PPE 3). The programme will set France鈥檚 energy strategy for the next ten years and is due to be adopted in April. Among its targets is the in the country's final energy consumption to 30 percent by 2035, compared to 58 percent in 2023. In line with the French High Council for the Climate鈥檚 earlier this year, the lawmakers emphasised the lack of clarity and asked for more parliamentary involvement in defining the energy mix. Under fire from all sides, this 300-billion-euro plan could cause yet .
- Uncertainties on nuclear: After the Court of Auditors earlier this year to build six new reactors of the聽next-generation due to , state-owned utility firm EDF announced that it would for these reactors to the second half of 2026. On the other hand, Germany鈥檚 likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz, by proposing a of old nuclear plants in his country, has raised hopes that he could help over nuclear power in the EU . With Donald Trump sparking a transatlantic rift, not least on defence, Merz has also expressed interest in discussing the with the only two nuclear powers in Europe, France and Britain 鈥� an idea that France . But , it is unlikely that the two countries will include European allies .
- Electricity grid: France鈥檚 transmission system operator (RTE) has unveiled its to , over half of which will go to networks that enable the electrification of the economy. As part of climate adaptation efforts, another 24 billion euros will be invested in the renewal of 23,500 existing lines, 85,000 pylons and its telecom and control systems, and 16.5 billion euros will help strengthen its very high voltage network. RTE will publish a later this year.
The latest from France 鈥� last month in recap
The latest from France 鈥� last month in recap
- New budget: With the that prime minister Bayrou passed without a vote in the National Assembly, the French government aims to in savings this year, which wouldbring the public deficit to 5.4 percent of GDP, down from 6 percent in 2024. Meanwhile, earlier in March, France鈥檚 central bank cut its 2025 growth forecast in December against the backdrop of increased national and international uncertainty.
- Climate-ready plan: Earlier in the month, the French government presented its (PNACC), which outlines 52 national measures to prepare the country for a global warming scenario of 4 degrees Celsius more by the end of this century. The plan that had been postponed several times is , including 1 billion euros for water agencies in the form of credits, 300 million euros for , also known as the Major Natural Hazards Prevention Fund, and 260 million euros for , which finances local projects supporting the green transition. However, observers have pointed to the to support the measures and clear financial guarantees. Meanwhile, the French government has warned of as extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. In the years through 2050, it projects that the cost of climate disasters may double and reach a euros 鈥� an estimate that insurer association FranceAssureurs had .
- Anti-green pressure: in late January revealed French president Emmanuel Macron鈥檚 push to delay EU directives requiring companies to report on their environmental footprint, amongst other compliance rules. Coupled with his recent call for a Macron has sparked . Some of his allies have indeed complained that France had betrayed its reputation as one of Europe鈥檚 green champions.
- Nuclear lobbying: On the initiative of French industrial organisation MEDEF, over a dozen business lobby groups committed to strengthening the , which of the existing group that was set up by the French government in 2023. In alignment with the Clean Industrial Deal, its members will look to foster "technology neutrality", securing access to funding, speeding up the industrialisation of the sector and supporting skills development.
- Fusion record: Speaking about nuclear, French scientists have recently set a world record by maintaining hydrogen atoms in a state of plasma for 22 minutes, reaching a .
Juliette鈥檚 picks 鈥� highlights from upcoming events and top reads
Juliette鈥檚 picks 鈥� highlights from upcoming events and top reads
- Earlier in March, Radio Schuman , minister delegate for European Affairs under Bayrou and his predecessor Michel Barnier, to discuss the country鈥檚 nuclear deterrent at a time when transatlantic relations are crumbling. This is a topic that we'll likely be hearing from a lot in the coming months.
- National Geographic looks back on the success of the bestseller 鈥淲orld Without End,鈥� mentioned in a previous Dispatch, with an , Jean-Marc Jancovici: 鈥淐an this graphic novel change America鈥檚 views on climate? It did in France.鈥�
- Outside Europe, French newspaper Le Monde analyses or how producing the very goods that are meant to facilitate the country鈥檚 green transition, like solar panels and wind turbines, is also slowing its climate progress.
- On his crusade to cut federal costs, and plunging academia in what Bloomberg qualifies as 鈥渃haos.鈥� From funding freezes to mass firings, experts fear for the future of research and development in the United States.
All texts created by the 91tv are available under a
.
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.
