French State energy consumption: "Doubts about ability to meet commitments" (C. des Comptes)

"The existing figures cast doubt on the State's ability to meet its commitments in terms of energy consumption", states the Cour des Comptes (French public auditors board) in its final observations "The State's energy consumption: ambitious targets, uncertain monitoring", published on 22/07/2025.

In the document, the French Cour des Comptes estimates the State's energy bill at €1.69 billion in 2024, down 23% on 2023 (€2.22 billion) but up 24% on 2018 (€1.36 billion).

The report makes nine recommendations to the French government, including the training of an energy manager in each central administration and each decentralised department, who will be able to use the tools deployed to manage energy consumption by the end of 2025.

"On the basis of the volume figures communicated by the ministries, whose reliability is nevertheless low, an overall downward trend in energy consumption seems to be emerging. However, the unreliable nature of the State's monitoring of its energy consumption casts doubt on its contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and, more generally, on the…