From January 2025, all road transport companies—whether carrying passengers or goods—will need to inform their clients about the greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) produced by their vehicles during each service performed on French soil. This regulation applies not only to local transport businesses but also to foreign companies operating within France, making the rule applicable to all transport operations originating and ending in the country. This means that foreign carriers making deliveries or providing services in France must comply with these new requirements.
According to France’s Ministry of Transport, this initiative builds upon existing regulations. Since 2013, transport companies have been obligated to report carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions related to their services. The new regulation extends the transparency requirement to cover all greenhouse gases, encompassing pollutants beyond CO2.
While the regulation does not prescribe a specific format for emissions reporting, it requires the information to be clear and easily understandable. Any ambiguity or omission may result in fines of up to €3,000. Emission calculations will be based on the amount of energy consumed per trip, multiplied by an emission factor specific to each type of energy used. These emission factors, along with operational guidelines, will be available on the website of the French Agency for Ecological Transition (Ademe).
It remains to be seen how transport companies, particularly smaller ones, will navigate these new challenges. While larger companies may already have the tools in place to comply with the new rules, smaller businesses might struggle. The need for investments in technology and training could impose significant initial costs.
