[Replay] Seminar of Valérie Masson-Delmotte

Valérie Masson-Delmotte presents the main conclusions of the latest report by the High Council for the Climate: ‘Relaunching climate action in the face of worsening impacts and weakening leadership’, which was presented to the Prime Minister last week.

The slides and video (in French) are available below:

Abstract :
I will present the key points of the 7th annual report of the High Council for the Climate on France’s climate action.

This 2025 report starts with an assessment of the context and the issues at stake, then takes stock of global climate change, the observed and projected impacts in France, and the growing need for adaptation to protect ecosystems and contain inequalities, while recalling the scientific basis for a robust reference framework for successful adaptation in France.

It then provides an overview of France’s greenhouse gas emissions (‘territorial’ raw emissions, carbon sinks and net emissions), and assesses compliance with the 2019-2023 carbon budget and the emissions trajectory up to 2030, as well as France’s carbon footprint (taking into account international trade).

The High Council for the Climate monitors emissions and assesses public policies by sector (transport, agriculture, industry, construction, energy production, waste, forestry, wood and land use), as well as assessing the overall framework for European and French public action, particularly in terms of strategies, multi-year funding and the just transition dimension.

The second carbon budget for 2019-2023 is respected for gross emissions, with cyclical factors (COVID19), but is not respected for the waste sector and for the forestry sector, where temporary storage in dead wood represents almost half of the carbon sink – its breakdown will be a handicap for the next carbon budget. In 2024, the rate of reduction in greenhouse gas emissions has slowed considerably for most sectors (excluding energy), and it will have to double to reach the target set for 2030: stable mechanisms are needed and new levers must be activated. The national framework for climate action has fallen well behind schedule and needs to be consolidated.

You can find the full report herer : https://www.hautconseilclimat.fr/publications/rapport-annuel-2025-relancer-laction-climatique-face-a-laggravation-des-impacts-et-a-laffaiblissement-du-pilotage/