Haut Conseil pour le climat Criticizes France's 2026 National Low-Carbon Strategy for Insufficient Measures

On December 12, 2025, France unveiled its third national low-carbon strategy (SNBC3) aiming for carbon neutrality by 2050. However, the Haut Conseil pour le climat (HCC) provided a critical review, expressing concerns over the feasibility and adequacy of the plan. While acknowledging some positive ambitions, HCC President Jean-François Soussana highlighted major uncertainties, particularly regarding France's continued dependence on fossil fuels amidst global energy crises intensified by geopolitical tensions such as the Iran conflict.

The HCC stressed the need for more concrete measures, including raising CO2 reduction targets and addressing imported emissions, which comprise half of the world's total emissions. Despite President Emmanuel Macron's emphasis at the recent COP in Brazil on the urgent need to move away from carbon-based energy, the strategy lacks specific timelines or actionable steps to facilitate this transition.

The SNBC3 remains in draft form and is expected to be officially enacted in spring 2026. The HCC's critique underscores the challenge France faces in aligning its climate ambitions with effective policies, especially under current global energy instability.