France CO₂ Emissions
France emitted 264 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 0.68% of the global total. That ranks it 24th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 3.97 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does France emit?
France produced 264 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so France accounts for 0.68% of it.
With a population of about 67 million, that is 3.97 tonnes per person, 16% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in France since 1990
Annual emissions in France have fallen by 33% since 1990, from 395 million tonnes to 264 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have fallen by 19%. Emissions peaked in 1973 at 543 million tonnes and are now 51% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Oil is the largest source of CO₂ in France, at about 65% of the total, followed by gas at 24% and coal at 7%.
How France compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to France in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | Poland | 272.86 | 0.71% | 7.08 |
| 23 | Thailand | 267.76 | 0.69% | 3.74 |
| 24 | France | 264.16 | 0.68% | 3.97 |
| 25 | Taiwan | 262.35 | 0.68% | 11.30 |
| 26 | Egypt | 258.37 | 0.67% | 2.22 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, France has emitted about 40.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 2.17% of the cumulative global total, compared with 0.68% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does France emit per year?
France emitted 264 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 0.68% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in France?
About 3.97 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 16% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in France rising or falling?
They have fallen by 19% over the last ten years and fallen by 33% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 1973 at 543 million tonnes and are now 51% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in France?
Oil is the largest source, responsible for about 65% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by gas at 24%.
About the data. Figures are annual carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels and from industry, such as cement production. They are counted where the emissions happen and do not include land-use change, other greenhouse gases, or emissions from imported goods.
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025), processed by Our World in Data and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Latest year available: 2024.
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