In 2019, the French Parliament voted for a goal of carbon neutrality by 2050: concretely, this means gradually stopping the use of oil, gas and coal, the combustion of which causes climate change. Moving from intentions to practice is however far from obvious: two-thirds of global energy consumption, for heating, transport or work, is based on fossil fuels. In 2021, the Electricity Transmission Network (RTE) published scenarios that outline what a carbon-free France may look like.
How can France concretely get rid of fossil fuels? Should we bet on nuclear power, renewable energies, sobriety, or on all of these at the same time? And how to achieve this in the midst of an energy crisis?
Thomas Veyrenc is executive director in charge of the “strategy, forecasting and evaluation” division of RTE. He coordinated the “Energy Futures 2050” studyand carried out more than two years of consultation on the subject.
An episode produced by Adèle Ponticelli with the help of Esther Michon, directed by Amandine Robillard. Original music: Amandine Robillard.
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