Dispatch from France | March '25
***Our weekly Dispatches provide an overview of the most relevant recent and upcoming developments for the shift to climate neutrality in selected European countries, from policy and diplomacy to society and industry. For a bird's-eye view of the country's climate-friendly transition, read the respective 'Guide to'.***
Stories to watch in the weeks ahead
Stories to watch in the weeks ahead
- Energy plan suspension: A group of over 160 senators, mainly from the right and centrist parties, have sent a letter to French prime minister François Bayrou, urging him to suspend the publication of the government’s third multi-year energy programme (PPE 3). The programme will set France’s energy strategy for the next ten years and is due to be adopted in April. Among its targets is the slashing of the fossil fuel share in the country's final energy consumption to 30 percent by 2035, compared to 58 percent in 2023. In line with the French High Council for the Climate’s demand for more transparency earlier this year, the lawmakers emphasised the lack of clarity and asked for more parliamentary involvement in defining the energy mix. Under fire from all sides, this 300-billion-euro plan could cause yet another collapse of the French government.
- Uncertainties on nuclear: After the Court of Auditors earlier this year cast doubts on France’s readiness to build six new reactors of the next-generation due to financial and technical uncertainties, state-owned utility firm EDF announced that it would delay its final investment decision for these reactors to the second half of 2026. On the other hand, Germany’s likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz, by proposing a moratorium on the dismantling of old nuclear plants in his country, has raised hopes that he could help ease the longstanding row over nuclear power in the EU and, ultimately, with France. With Donald Trump sparking a transatlantic rift, not least on defence, Merz has also expressed interest in discussing the sharing of nuclear weapons with the only two nuclear powers in Europe, France and Britain – an idea that France has previously pushed for. But according to analysts, it is unlikely that the two countries will include European allies in their nuclear deterrence.
- Electricity grid: France’s transmission system operator (RTE) has unveiled its 100-billion-euro investment plan to develop and renew its network, over half of which will go to networks that enable the electrification of the economy. As part of climate adaptation efforts, another 24 billion euros will be invested in the renewal of 23,500 existing lines, 85,000 pylons and its telecom and control systems, and 16.5 billion euros will help strengthen its very high voltage network. RTE will publish a final version of the plan later this year.
The latest from France – last month in recap
The latest from France – last month in recap
- New budget: With the newly adopted budget that prime minister Bayrou passed without a vote in the National Assembly, the French government aims to squeeze out some 50 billion euros in savings this year, which wouldbring the public deficit to 5.4 percent of GDP, down from 6 percent in 2024. Meanwhile, earlier in March, France’s central bank cut its 2025 growth forecast to 0.7 percent, down from 0.9 percent in December against the backdrop of increased national and international uncertainty.
- Climate-ready plan: Earlier in the month, the French government presented its third national climate adaptation plan (PNACC), which outlines 52 national measures to prepare the country for a global warming scenario of 4 degrees Celsius more by the end of this century. The plan that had been postponed several times is backed by additional financing, including 1 billion euros for water agencies in the form of credits, 300 million euros for the Barnier Fund, also known as the Major Natural Hazards Prevention Fund, and 260 million euros for the Green Fund, which finances local projects supporting the green transition. However, observers have pointed to the lack of binding legislative changes to support the measures and clear financial guarantees. Meanwhile, the French government has warned of soaring insurance costs, as extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and intense. In the years through 2050, it projects that the cost of climate disasters may double and reach a cumulative 143 billion euros – an estimate that insurer association FranceAssureurs had mentioned several years ago.
- Anti-green pressure: A confidential note leaked in late January revealed French president Emmanuel Macron’s push to delay EU directives requiring companies to report on their environmental footprint, amongst other compliance rules. Coupled with his recent call for a “massive regulatory break,” Macron has sparked outrage inside his own camp. Some of his allies have indeed complained that France had betrayed its reputation as one of Europe’s green champions.
- Nuclear lobbying: On the initiative of French industrial organisation MEDEF, over a dozen business lobby groups committed to strengthening the European business nuclear alliance, which will complement the work of the existing group that was set up by the French government in 2023. In alignment with the Clean Industrial Deal, its members will look to foster "technology neutrality", securing access to funding, speeding up the industrialisation of the sector and supporting skills development.
- Fusion record: Speaking about nuclear, French scientists have recently set a world record by maintaining hydrogen atoms in a state of plasma for 22 minutes, reaching a “crucial milestone” in nuclear fusion.
Juliette’s picks – highlights from upcoming events and top reads
Juliette’s picks – highlights from upcoming events and top reads
- Earlier in March, Radio Schuman invited Benjamin Haddad, minister delegate for European Affairs under Bayrou and his predecessor Michel Barnier, to discuss the country’s nuclear deterrent at a time when transatlantic relations are crumbling. This is a topic that we'll likely be hearing from a lot in the coming months.
- National Geographic looks back on the success of the bestseller “World Without End,” mentioned in a previous Dispatch, with an interview of its author, Jean-Marc Jancovici: “Can this graphic novel change America’s views on climate? It did in France.”
- Outside Europe, French newspaper Le Monde analyses “the Chinese paradox,” or how producing the very goods that are meant to facilitate the country’s green transition, like solar panels and wind turbines, is also slowing its climate progress.
- On his crusade to cut federal costs, Trump is going at science and plunging academia in what Bloomberg qualifies as “chaos.” From funding freezes to mass firings, experts fear for the future of research and development in the United States.
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