Economy-wide but fragile decreases in greenhouse gas emissions supported by climate policy in France

France is among the growing group of countries that have succeeded in decreasing their emissions of fossil fuel CO 2 over the past decade while growing their economy. All five largest emissions sectors contributed substantially to the national decrease in emissions, making France one of the few countries to have reached economy-wide decarbonisation. Here I show, based on annual progress reports of the French High Council on Climate published during 2019–2025, that this decarbonisation has paralleled the expansion and general strengthening of climate policy and governance in France during the past two decades. A close look at recent emissions trends and the evolution of climate policy in key areas (Governance and Strategy, Public Policy Instruments, Just Transition) suggests achieving its 2030 target is plausible but only if setbacks in climate policy support during 2024–2025 are quickly redressed so that the implementation of actions can accelerate within the French and European frameworks. The trajectory beyond 2030 towards Net Zero in 2050 is not yet secured for France due to the long-term misalignment between electricity generation and expected demand, and to uncertainties in the availability of forest carbon sinks which are weakened by climate change. The example of France shows that climate policy can evolve organically to provide increasing clarity and support for economy-wide action over decades, and that progress can unfold despite suboptimal levels of support and inefficiencies in public policy. The general strengthening of climate policies in the past two decades does not guarantee continued strengthening in the future.