datalab
Key Figures on Climate
France, Europe and Worldwide
2025 edition
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Some emission factors

CO2 emission factors for the combustion of the main fossil fuels

Lignite (low-energy coal)

4.2 t CO2/toe

Coal (coking, subbituminous or other bituminous)

4.0 t CO2/toe

Diesel or crude oil

3.1 t CO2/toe

Gasoline

2.9 t CO2/toe

Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)

2.6 t CO2/toe

Natural gas (methane)

2.3 t CO2/toe

Note: GWP at 100 years, factors dʼaprès le4e rapport du Giec (AR 4).
Source: Giec, 2019

CO2 emission factors indicate the quantity of CO2 emitted when burning a given fuel and for a unit of energy (here in toe). The case of biomass is not dealt with here: it is assumed that direct CO2 emissions linked to biomass combustion are offset by CO2 absorption during plant growth. If this is not the case, the uncompensated emissions are recorded in the LULUCF sector.

Emission factors associated with typical production processes

The GHG balance is based on a life-cycle analysis (LCA) that integrates emissions upstream and downstream of production. For example, for 1 MWh produced by a nuclear power plant, the GHG balance includes emissions linked to ore extraction and processing, transport, enrichment, electricity generation (including plant construction and maintenance), spent fuel processing and waste storage.

Sector

Emission factors

Electricity generation

1.06 t CO2/MWh for a coal-fired power plant

0.418 t CO2/MWh for a gas-fired power plant

0.0037 t CO2 eq/MWh for a nuclear power plant

Industry

~ 2 t CO2 eq/tonne of non-recycled steel

~ 0.8 t CO2/tonne of Portland cement

Agriculture and forestry

~ 28 kgCO2 eq/kg net weight of raw beef

~ 0.9 kg eq CO2/kg net weight dried lentils

Scope: continental France.
Source: Empreinte database - Ademe