Haut Conseil pour le climat Reports Alarming Decline in France's Ecological Policy Governance
The Haut Conseil pour le climat reveals significant declines in ecological policy governance in France.
Key Points
- • HCC report highlights a decline in ecological policy governance in France.
- • Significant delays in the national climate action framework call for urgent action.
- • Fragility of the SGPE is critical for coordinating climate policies.
- • Recent policy reversals contribute to uncertainty and hampers investment.
On July 3, 2025, the Haut Conseil pour le climat (HCC) released a concerning report highlighting a significant deterioration in the governance of France's ecological policies. This year's findings starkly contrast with last year's more optimistic outlook, revealing substantial delays in the national climate action framework and calling for urgent collective action to strengthen public response to worsening climate impacts.
The report identifies four critical areas for evaluation: strategy and governance, public policy instruments, adaptation, and promoting a just transition. While previous evaluations showed progress, the HCC's latest assessment indicates significant shortcomings in meeting the climate action commitments for 2024 and early 2025, including a decline in decarbonization efforts. It emphasizes that strong political support and stable policy mechanisms are essential to achieving the objectives set by the Paris Agreement.
Moreover, the report sheds light on the fragility of the Secretariat General for Ecological Transition (SGPE), which is crucial for coordinating national and regional climate policies. It calls for a clearer assignment of responsibilities among various governmental bodies to enhance policy effectiveness. Recent government policy rollbacks—particularly in support for electric vehicles and renewable energy initiatives—have exacerbated uncertainty in France’s climate governance. According to the HCC, such 'stop and go' policy approaches undermine investor confidence, making it increasingly difficult to facilitate the necessary ecological transition.
In conclusion, the HCC urges the government to implement improved monitoring and systematic evaluations of public policies to ensure that climate initiatives are feasible and effective amidst the current governance challenges.