Decarbonization in France: main features and trends

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the decarbonization process in France, a country with a unique energy heritage in the form of historically established nuclear energy, providing more than 70% of low—carbon electricity generation. The purpose of this study is a comprehensive analysis of the key milestones of the decarbonization process in France. The object of the study is the climate and energy policy of the French Republic. The subject of the study is a set of historical, legal, economic and technological factors that determine the milestones of the decarbonization process. The study covers the period from the origins of the "atomic choice" in the 1970s to the current stage of the implementation of updated strategic documents - the third National Low—Carbon Strategy (SNBC-3) and the Third Multi-Year Energy Development Program (PPE-3), adopted in 2025-2026. Based on the analysis of official sources (state decrees, statistical collections, the "Green Budget", data from the RTE network operator) and materials from reputable institutions (I4CE), the institutional foundations of climate policy, the evolution of approaches to balancing nuclear and renewable energy, as well as the sectoral dynamics of decarbonization in industry, agriculture and transport are considered. Special attention is paid to new tools — the "Low Carbon standard" (Label Bas-Carbon) and mechanisms of "green" budgeting. In conclusion, the preliminary results of the carbon budget execution are summarized and key challenges are identified, including the critical backlog in achieving the targets for natural carbon sinks (LULUCF).