The share of “imported emissions” of greenhouse gases continues to increase, exceeding half of France's “carbon footprint”, which must take better account of this phenomenon to fight against global warming, warns Tuesday. High Council for the Climate.
Since 1990, France's direct emissions have fallen by more than 16%, with a target of 40% (still compared to 1990) in 2030 and then of “carbon neutrality” in 2050.
But the country's carbon footprint, which also accounts for the GHGs emitted abroad to satisfy French domestic demand (but not those produced in France for exports) has only fallen - slightly - since 2005. “A decrease which is struggling because of the increase in imported emissions which are not subject to national reduction policies ”, underlines Corinne Le Quéré, president of the HCC, an independent body.
53% of France's carbon footprint
Because the share of these imported emissions continues to grow, exceeding for the past ten years direct emissions to reach up to 53% of the carbon footprint, according to sources compiled by this independent body, responsible for evaluating the policy. public policy on climate issues.
Thus, out of a carbon footprint of 11.5 tonnes / CO2 per capita (expressed as the equivalent of the amount of emissions of the main GHG), the imported emissions represent 6.4 t / CO2, according to the calculations of the HCC report, entered by the government to propose ways to “effectively reduce” the climate impact of “products that we import”.
A weight that has increased by 78% since 1995 and "mainly linked to the increase in consumption", underlined Ms. Le Quéré during a videoconference presentation of the report.
Implementation of a “Carbon Score”?
The HCC makes several recommendations to reduce imported emissions, first of all concerning companies, their very majority source.
A carbon tax at the borders would not be enough on its own to solve the problem underlines the HCC, pleading for an "accompaniment" of the economic world, with "quantified reduction strategies" by sector or a consideration of the question in the orders. public.
The HCC also recommends the implementation of a real "carbon score", taking into account all the phases of a good's life, from production to possible recycling, and not just its use, as the scores do for example. energy for household appliances.
This last measure is in line with the recommendations of the Citizen's Convention for the Climate, recalls the HCC and would also make it possible to reach households.
With according to Ms. Le Quéré "a ripple effect and awareness" to change consumption habits.
The report also recommends that imported emissions be taken into account in France's diplomatic action, at European level as well as under the Paris Agreement, for which country commitments do not take into account imported emissions.
The HCC warns that as a result, France's national commitments "must not lead to an increase in global emissions" by simply shifting production.
Finally, the report insists on the need to take into account in plans to reduce emissions, particularly imported ones, those linked to international air and maritime transport, as well as those from “imported deforestation”.
The latter must according to Ms. Le Quéré "be subject to separate accounting" and monitoring by country, while the "National strategy of fight" adopted in 2018 "goes very slowly".
