Energy statistics. Factors for a debate; Statistiques energetiques: elements pour un debat

This article summarises the energy accounting principles selected recently (April 2002) for the establishment of France's energy balance by the Observatoire de l'energie following a proposal from its steering committee. The aim is to bring France into line with the international bodies, just as many other countries have already done, but this has led to tendentious reactions such as the headline 'How to manipulate energy statistics' (the title of an article appearing in a daily newspaper). It must be hoped that this overview will take some heat out of the debate by explaining the stakes involved, which are essentially statistical and economic and not political. (authors)