The big maneuvers. Planned exit from fossil fuels, renovation of public buildings: the mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, presented this Wednesday the city’s fourth climate plan, aiming to reduce its carbon footprint by 80% by 2050.
The emissions trajectory presented by the city aims to reduce its direct greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050, and to reduce its carbon footprint (including indirect emissions) by 80%, compared to 2004. taking compensation measures for the remaining 20%.
2030, first level
An intermediate level, in 2030, sets the objective of halving direct emissions and 40% of the carbon footprint.
In 2021, the last year available – but still marked by health measures which reduced activity – the city’s carbon footprint was 18.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, according to the town hall, down 35% compared to in 2004. Direct emissions were 4.7 Mt, or 36.5% less than in 2004.
No more fossil fuels by 2040
Among the measures announced, the exit from fossil fuels, the main culprits of global warming.
The City promises to no longer have a single municipal vehicle with a thermal engine by 2030, and to no longer use fossil fuels (particularly gas) to heat municipal equipment by 2040.
The town hall is also committed to having renovated, in 2050, all of its schools and nurseries, in order to reduce their energy consumption and adapt them to scorching temperatures.
“Very hot” and “Very cold” plans to come
Paris, which is preparing to face summers with temperature peaks of 50 degrees, will also put in place a “Very hot” plan for homeless people, based on the model of the “Extreme cold” plans in winter; and vegetated or underground “places of refuge” for the population.
The municipality did not present overall figures for this plan, simply claiming to have invested 10 billion euros since 2014 in the climate transition, and 1.75 billion in 2023.
The climate plan must be definitively adopted by the Paris Council in spring 2024.