France and the Environment

France French Republic [Country Profile Page]
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	18th best
Capital	Paris
Land Area	547 660km21
Location	Europe, The Mediterranean
Population	65.0m2
Life Expectancy	82.50yrs (2017)3
GNI	$45 937 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	FR, FRA, 2505
Internet Domain	.fr6
Currency	Euro (EUR)7
Telephone	+338

When it comes to its responsibility towards the environment, France comes 66th in the world. This rank is formulated from 21 data sets. France does the second-best in its environmental performance₉. It comes in the best 20 for its score on the Green Future Index₁₀. It does better than average in its forested percent change 2000-2020₁₁, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, energy to GDP efficiency₁₂ and in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₁₃. Scrutiny by the European Parliament finds that France has effectively reduced its emissions by 31.2% between 2005 and 2023₁₄. But, things still need to improve in France. France does worse than average when it comes to reducing annual meat consumption per person₁₅. France conducted nuclear weapons testing in French Polynesia (southern Pacific) for thirty years, at the Mururoa Atoll. It was so committed to this that its service blew up Greenpeace's Rainbow Warrior ship whilst it was harboured in New Zealand in 1985, killing one crew member₁₆, because it was preparing to protest Mururoa. Despite no tests being conducted for thirty years, the area is still so radioactive that the French military guard it.

1. France's Responsibility Towards The Environment
2. Data Sets
   1. Forest Area Change 2000-2020
   2. Environmental Performance
   3. Energy to GDP Efficiency
   4. International Accords on the Environment
   5. Rational Beliefs on the Environment
   6. Meat Consumption
   7. Green Future Index
3. Links

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1. France's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#climate_change #the_environment

Compared to Europe (2025)17
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank17
1	Switzerland	45.0
2	Denmark	50.4
3	Liechtenstein	56.8
	...
15	Luxembourg	71.4
16	Sweden	71.8
17	Finland	71.9
18	France	72.8
19	Romania	73.8
20	UK	74.4
21	Turkey	75.0
22	Belgium	75.3
23	Bulgaria	75.8
	Europe Avg	86.45
q=48.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)17
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank17
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
63	Finland	71.9
64	Yemen	71.9
65	Pakistan	72.0
66	France	72.8
67	Congo, DR	73.0
68	Romania	73.8
69	Swaziland	74.2
70	Chad	74.4
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.

The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.

For more, see:

• " Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

2. Data Sets

2.1. Forest Area Change 2000-2020

#biodiversity #deforestation #environmentalism #forests #over-exploitation #the_environment

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better11
Pos.		Total11
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
23	Jamaica	14.1%
24	Italy	13.8%
25	Fiji	12.9%
26	France	12.5%
27	Moldova	11.9%
28	Palestine	11.5%
29	Kyrgyzstan	11.1%
30	Serbia	10.6%
	Europe Avg	8.2%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

With respect to its forested percent change 2000-2020, France comes 26th in the world.

Forests are carbon sinks, mitigating against climate change_18,19. Unfortunately, we are destroying over 70,000 km² of forest each year₂₀. In the last few thousand years, we've removed 30-40% of the Earth's forest cover_21,19, mostly to clear space for agriculture, and for logging_22,23. The produce from both is shipped from poorer countries to richer ones. Half-hearted government efforts and company obfuscation of supply chains makes it almost impossible for consumers to tell which foods and products are from sustainable sources, and which ones are encouraging irresponsible deforestation, meaning that there is little incentive for companies to relent.

The effects are catastrophic. 15% of all greenhouse gas emissions are the result of deforestation_24,22. It brings soil erosion from wind and rain which, over time, can almost-permanently stop any hope of growing food₂₅, and spreads desertification. Entire ecosystems are collapsing as a result, including ones that we depend upon₂₆. The water cycle is driven by forests, and their loss reduces ordinary rainfall, increases flooding, removes an abundant source of water filtration, and contributes to a rise in water levels.₂₇.

Some regions of the world are increasing their forest cover₁₉; the best from 2000-2020 are Scandinavia (13.8% ), The Balkans (11.0% ) and Baltic States (7.6% )₁₁. There is an overall trend that developed countries gathered their riches by using up their natural resources, and now, they pay poorer countries to use up theirs instead, whilst they can afford to slowly rebuild their natural environments. But it's not wholly that simple - some rich regions are still burning through what they've got. The regions clearing their forests fastest are Central America (-12.8% ), Africa (-9.1% ) and North America (-2.9% )₁₁.

For more, see:

• "Deforestation" by Vexen Crabtree (2024).

Averages by decade for France (for the ranks, lower is better):

Forest Area Change 2000-2020	2000s  Average	2010s  Average
France:	7.4%	5.1%
World Rank:	26th	⇣  27th
World Avg:	0.6%	-0.7%

2.2. Environmental Performance

#climate_change #energy #sustainability #the_environment

Environmental Performance Higher is better9
Pos.		20189
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
4	Malta	80.9
5	Sweden	80.5
6	UK	79.9
7	Luxembourg	79.1
8	Austria	79.0
9	Ireland	78.8
10	Finland	78.6
11	Iceland	78.6
12	Spain	78.4
	Europe Avg	69.6
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

France comes 2nd-best in the world regarding its environmental performance - only Switzerland does better.

The Environmental Performance Index 2018 data includes 24 indicators including air pollution, water and sanitation, biodiversity, ecosystems and environmental health, combined into a single score by country, by the Yale University Center for Environmental Law & Policy.

2.3. Energy to GDP Efficiency

#energy #sustainability #the_environment

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better12
Pos.		2022 Avg12
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
63	Tunisia	0.93
64	Israel	0.94
65	Djibouti	0.94
66	France	0.95
67	Portugal	0.95
68	Uruguay	0.96
69	Nicaragua	0.96
70	Zambia	0.97
	Europe Avg	1.25
	World Avg	1.23
q=165.

France is positioned 66th in the world in terms of energy to GDP efficiency.

GDP per unit of energy consumption is often called 'Energy Intensity'. It's how efficient countries are at producing GDP in terms of primary energy use. It represents primary energy consumption using the substitution method, per unit of gross domestic product (GDP). A lower value means that less energy was used to maintain the country's GDP.

Averages by decade for France (for the ranks, lower is better):

Energy to GDP Efficiency	1960s  Average	1970s  Average	1980s  Average	1990s  Average	2000s  Average	2010s  Average
France:	1.84	1.89	1.70	1.66	1.41	1.15
World Rank:	36th	⇡  33rd	⇣  91st	⇡  89th	⇣  92nd	⇡  88th
World Avg:	2.05	2.13	2.10	2.15	1.60	1.30

2.4. International Accords on the Environment

#environmentalism #internationalism

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		Total Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
	...
43	Netherlands	68%
44	Kenya	68%
45	Senegal	67%
46	France	67%
47	Nepal	67%
48	Niger	67%
49	Pakistan	67%
50	Liechtenstein	66%
	Europe Avg	62.7%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197.

With regard to its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, France is positioned 46th in the world.

Each country is scored using a formula that takes the date each country took up major international environmental agreements, as a ratio of maximum possible days. The agreements covered are: (1) the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, (2) the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for certain hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides, (3) the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, (4) the Waigani Convention (for those countries that are eligible), (5) the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), (6) the Kyoto Protocol and (7) its successor, the Paris Agreement, (8) the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), (9) the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and finally, (10) the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer.

For more, see:

• " Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

France was one of the 19 countries that signed the Basel Convention on its very first day. It was also amongst the first batch of countries who signed the Montreal Protocol on protecting the Ozone layer in 1988 whilst most others delayed until subsequent years. It's not always acted well: France, the UK and the USA have reponsibilities under the Waigani Convention to protect South Pacific Islands from their hazardous waste, but, have neglected to ratify it into law.

“France is legally bound to reach climate neutrality by 2050. In 2023, the country accounted for 12.4% of the EU's net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and achieved a net emissions reduction of 28.1% compared with 2005. Between 2005 and 2023, France's total emissions decreased by 31.2%, but its carbon sink in the land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector declined by more than half. While the emissions from sectors under the EU emissions trading system (ETS) decreased by 52.3%, those from effort-sharing sectors fell by only 24.1%. To stay in line with the new EU objective of a 55% net emissions reduction, France must consider reducing its emissions by 5% per year between 2022 and 2030 and substantially increasing its carbon sink.”

France's 2023 EU Climate Action Strategy₁₄

Averages by decade for France (for the ranks, lower is better):

International Accords on the Environment	1970s  Average	1980s  Average	1990s  Average	2000s  Average	2010s  Average
France:	14%	72%	61%	78%	89%
World Rank:	43rd	⇡  8th	⇣  51st	⇣  103rd	⇣  145th
World Avg:	8.5%	23.3%	45.0%	74.4%	90.7%

2.5. Rational Beliefs on the Environment

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better13
Pos.		2011 %13
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
69	Cameroon	39.0%
70	Uganda	38.6%
71	Sierra Leone	38.6%
72	France	38.4%
73	Mongolia	38.4%
74	Hungary	38.0%
75	Mauritania	38.0%
76	Croatia	37.8%
	Europe Avg	33.6%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

France ranks 72nd in the world when it comes to the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population. In a 2023 survey, 52% of the French identified climate change as one of the four most serious problems facing the world₁₄. "Most expect the EU (65%) and/or national government (61%) to tackle climate change. 46% find it to be a personal responsibility"₁₄.

2.6. Meat Consumption

#animal_rights #animal_welfare #diet #food #health #meat #veganism #vegetarianism

Meat Consumption Lower is better15
Pos.		2021 kg15
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
157	Panama	85.0
158	Luxembourg	85.8
159	Antigua & Barbuda	85.8
160	France	86.1
161	Barbados	86.4
162	Canada	86.9
163	New Caledonia	87.5
164	Montenegro	88.4
	Europe Avg	71.1
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

With regard to reducing annual meat consumption per person, France comes 160th in the world. In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in France was well above the global average (of 49kgs per year), putting unnecessary strain on water supplies and the environment.₁₅

There are five key arguments in favour of vegetarianism which accrue even from partial adoption: (1) Vegetarian diets have notable health advantages over carnivorous diets, especially for heart and cardiovascular issues_28,29,30. (2) It is morally better to avoid killing or harming animals. (3) Plant-based diets use much less water than carnivorous ones, to the extent that agricultural and water management scientists urge governments to encourage people to switch₃₁. (4) Vegetarian food production uses substantially less land_28,32,33. And, (5) vegetarianism is better for the environment than meat-production for emissions, sewerage, pollution and chemicals usage._28,32. A plant-based diet causes 75% less greenhouse gas emissions than a typical carnivorous diet₃₃. The global food industry causes about 1/3 of all planet-heating emissions, and so "to slow the worst climate effects, the United Nations has called for a drastic reduction in meat consumption"₃₃. Despite this, "reducing appetites for carbon-intensive meat and dairy is incredibly hard"₃₄ and as countries get richer, they tend to eat more meat.

On average throughout the 2010s, France's rate was 88.4.

2.7. Green Future Index

#climate_change #energy #sustainability #the_environment

Green Future Index Higher is better10
Pos.		2023 Score10
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
4=	Sweden	6.3
4=	Denmark	6.3
6	Netherlands	6.2
7	UK	6.1
8	S. Korea	6.0
9	France	6.0
10=	Spain	5.9
10=	Germany	5.9
12	Belgium	5.8
	Europe Avg	5.6
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

France is 9th-best in the world with regard to its score on the Green Future Index. The 2023 edition noted that France's nuclear contribution to its energy sector was the highest in the world, helping it avoid harmful carbon emissions₃₅

The Green Futures Index (GFI) has been running since 2021, and looks at 23 data sets for over 70 countries, with a focus on effectiveness, policy and planning 'for a low carbon future. It is complementary to existing goals and frameworks for sustainable development'. Datasets include qualitative appraisals and quantitative measurements on carbon emissions across multiple sectors, renewable and nuclear energy, recycling capabilities, green technologies used in building and construction, transport, scientific and industrial green innovations and patent quantities, climate action and climate policies. Each country is then ranked by their final score.₃₅.