What is the carbon footprint of the average French person?

Thanks to the Bilan Carbone, everyone can now become aware of their environmental impact and take action. Do you know what the average carbon footprint of a person living in France in 2021 is? How much CO2 is produced per year and per person? What is the share of housing in the carbon footprint of the French? All the answers are here.

    In 2021, the carbon footprint of a French person is estimated at 8.9 tons of CO2 equivalent per year. This average has slightly decreased in more than 25 years (Source)

What is the average carbon footprint of a French person?

On average, the carbon footprint of a French person is estimated to be 8.9 tons of CO2 equivalent (t CO2 eq) per year. This average has been stable for 10 years, even if we notice a slight increase in the average carbon footprint between 1995 and 2005. Since 2005, the average carbon footprint has been rather stable, between 9 and 11 tons per person per year. The carbon footprint accounts for the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of a person, a household or a company for example, over a year. The total is expressed in CO2 equivalent, in order to have a standardized unit of measurement. Indeed, other gases than carbon dioxide are taken into account in the carbon footprint, such as methane (CH4) or nitrous oxide (N2O), fluorinated gases. Regrouping all direct or indirect emissions under a single unit of measurement of CO2 equivalent gives a global overview of its emissions. Contrary to what we might imagine, direct emissions of greenhouse gases, such as the combustion of fossil fuels for heating or transportation (fuel oil, fuel...), represent only 16% of GHG emissions. Indirect emissions, through the goods or services we purchase, represent 84% of our emissions. These average emissions of 8.9 tons of CO2e per year per French person can vary from one person to another. Depending on the way you consume, buy, live, eat or travel, you can do a lot to improve the result of your carbon footprint.  

What should be the average carbon footprint of a French person in 2050 to be compatible with the Paris Agreement?

As we have seen, the average carbon footprint is 8.9 tons of CO2 per year per French person. This average is unfortunately very far from the carbon footprint compatible with the Paris Climate Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to a maximum of +2°C. According to the IPCC, a projected carbon footprint would be below 2 tons of CO2e per year, with a range between 1.6 t and 2.8 t. This estimate of the individual carbon footprint takes into account the evolution of the world population until the end of the century (2100).  

What are the source categories of the carbon footprint of a French person?

A carbon footprint is broken down into different categories of emissions, in order to know exactly which sectors generate the most GHGs in our lifestyle. Understanding the emissions linked to our consumption habits will allow us to act on the most important emission sources.   For the average French person, emissions are divided between :

• Housing;
• Transportation;
• Food;
• Purchase of goods and services;
• Use of public services.

 

What is the share of housing in the carbon footprint of the French?

In 2021, household travel will represent 31% and food 22%. Housing represents more than 23% of our GHG emissions, with more than 2.2 t of CO2 per year on average.(Source)

How much CO2 is produced per year and per person in the world?

Depending on the country, the carbon footprint per person varies greatly. If we relate the world emissions to the number of humans, the individual average is 4.4 tons of CO2 eq/year. This is much lower than the French emissions, but higher than the IPCC recommendations of 2 t/year. The French average is however below the European average, which includes all our EU neighbors. If the French average CO2 emissions from energy products in 2018 alone, for example, is 6.8 t/year/inhabitant, the European one was at 7.8 t/year/inhabitant. The average carbon footprint of the United States is much higher. Over the same period and only on energy CO2, the emissions per American are 17.6 tons per year in 2018. Saudi Arabia is just behind, with a 15.7 t/year/capita CO2 footprint. Conversely, in a country like China, the emissions per capita are 6.3 tons per year per Chinese, which is less than that of a European. This is due to the number of inhabitants despite their high emissions.  

What can I do to reduce my carbon footprint as a French person?

When you realize your personal carbon footprint, you will know the main items of GHG emissions as a French person. Housing, food, means of transportation... There are many ways to change to reduce your carbon footprint. The good news is that it is possible to act by changing your consumption habits and lifestyle. For example, if your carbon footprint shows the high impact of your heating system, it will always be possible in the future to change to a less polluting and more sustainable system. Insulating your home is also a good way to reduce your carbon footprint while saving on heating costs. There are also French state aids in many areas, to finally be able to act. Transportation is another important emission item, which, along with housing, represents about 50% of our GHG emissions. Adopting public transport, cycling or teleworking when possible are all ways of reducing emissions. The individual car emits on average more than 2 tons of CO2 per year. Reducing its use as much as possible is a serious option. Sharing your car is a good start, for example by carpooling when a car journey is unavoidable. On average, a French person drives between 12,000 and 13,000 km per year by car. Driving 10,000 km means emitting 2.53 tons of CO2 (the average car emits 0.253 kg CO2e/km). In terms of food, reducing consumption of animal products is also a serious way to reduce emissions.   Note: processed food products account for 51% of the emissions of the food industry. Eating meat and fish represents on average more than one ton of CO2e per person per year. Beef and lamb alone emit 650 kg of CO2 on average, while poultry, pork and seafood products are less CO2 demanding.   Reducing the consumption of products from the other side of the world by favouring local products or at least those produced in France is also important, in order to limit the share of transport in the carbon footprint of our food. Half of the carbon footprint (49% in 2020) is made up of emissions associated with imports. The rest of the carbon footprint, 51% in 2020, is composed of domestic emissions. Finally, making our electronic and computer devices last as long as possible before replacing them has a very strong positive impact on our emissions balance. When we know that high-tech represents the fourth largest GHG emissions of an average French person, with more than 1.2 t of CO2e per year, we understand the interest of reducing our purchases and fighting against the obsolescence of our equipment. Smartphones, computers, tablets, accessories... Many of these everyday devices, whose manufacture is very damaging for the environment, are replaced too early compared to their average life span. Also, limiting the use of the internet via non-professional surfing can have a significant impact on our individual emissions, as the global operation of the internet is so energy intensive. Even if we can rarely do anything about it, we should know that our lifestyle influences our carbon footprint. For example, a family in a moderate house sees its carbon footprint linked to heating decrease, since it is divided by the number of inhabitants in the same house. If the family is in the city, the use of public transportation is easier. On the other hand, a rural person living alone and working far from home will have a higher carbon footprint, because of the emissions linked to the indispensable use of a car, and the heating of a house for an isolated person. Depending on the tool used to perform your carbon footprint, you will receive, in addition to your results, many tips to reduce your emissions.  

To summarize the average carbon footprint

You now know everything about the carbon footprint of the average French person. If the emissions per person are stable, the efforts are not yet up to the level of the commitments needed to reach a CO2 footprint lower than 2 tons per French person per year. Once you have completed your personal carbon footprint, it will be important to reduce the identified emissions.  

You now know all about the carbon footprint of the average French person.

While emissions per person are stable, efforts are not yet commensurate with the commitments needed to achieve a CO2 footprint of less than 2 tonnes per French person per year.

Once you've completed your personal carbon footprint, it will be important to reduce the emissions you've identified.

To find out more, take a look at the following articles:

‣ Carbon footprint: definition and example ‣ Carbon footprint of a company: legal obligation and example ‣ What is the carbon footprint of the average French person? ‣ Personal carbon footprint: how to calculate it ?