The French High Commission for Strategy and Planning has presented a contrasted assessment of France’s position in technological innovation for decarbonization. The country excels in certain strategic segments but falls behind in others, with a strong foundation in public research.
According to the National Commission for the Evaluation of Innovation Policies (CNEPI), France’s R&D effort for environmental purposes was estimated between €5 billion and €5.7 billion in 2022. While impressive, France’s public investment in this area lags behind other European countries and the U.S.
In terms of energy R&D, France leads the OECD with 8% of its public budget allocated to energy. However, the country struggles with innovation in batteries and digital mitigation technologies, which are growing rapidly globally.
Regarding patents, France ranks sixth globally in clean technology patents but has seen a decline in its share of these patents over the years. The country remains specialized in certain areas like nuclear energy and carbon capture, but faces challenges in emerging sectors like electric storage technologies.
The French innovation system relies heavily on public institutions, with nearly 21% of clean technology patents involving public entities. However, the translation of inventions into commercially viable innovations remains a challenge due to insufficient connections with businesses.
While France boasts a significant number of green tech startups, the country falls behind in per capita funding compared to Northern European countries. The report also highlights the need to balance investment in existing technologies for immediate decarbonization with funding for more risky, long-term breakthrough innovations.
Overall, France’s performance in technological innovation for decarbonization shows both strengths and weaknesses, with a need for more private sector involvement and strategic policy decisions to drive future developments.
