France's Hollande Tells Trump to Respect Climate Deal
French President Francois Hollande urged U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday to respect a global agreement to limit climate change, saying the deal was irreversible and inaction on global warming would be disastrous. Hollande told a U.N. conference on climate change in Marrakesh, Morocco, that…
EDF Sees French Energy Plan Shaping Nuclear Depreciation Schedule
The French government's energy investment plan due in July will be a key indicator for whether and for how long EDF will extend the depreciation period of its nuclear plants, an executive said on Thursday. EDF hopes to get nuclear energy regulator ASN's authorisation to extend the lifespan of its nuclear plants to 50 years from 40…
French CGT Union Oil Sector Workers to Join Strike Next Week
Oil sector workers of French CGT union will join a national strike on May 17-20 against labour law reform, affecting operations at refineries across France and potentially disrupting supplies, a union official said on Friday. The national strike was called after President Francois Hollande's Socialist…
Record Day One Signatures Expected for Climate Deal
A Paris deal to slow climate change is set to be signed by more than 165 countries at the United Nations on Friday, the most states to endorse an international agreement on day one, a record backers hope will inspire swift implementation. Many states still need a parliamentary vote to formally approve the agreement.
Engie Inks Energy Agreements with Egypt
French energy company Engie said on Monday it has signed agreements on developing renewable energies and importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) with various Egyptian companies during a visit by French President Francois Hollande in Cairo. The company said in a statement that it signed a cooperation agreement…
French Industry Body Backs Ambitious Renewable Energy Targets
A French industry body on Friday increased draft government targets for onshore wind energy capacity ahead of their final publication. In coming weeks, the government will publish a decree with targets for renewable energy capacity, which will implement broad targets set in France's energy transition…
Nations Seek Early Ratification of Paris Climate Deal
Many nations are pushing for swift ratification of a Paris agreement to slow climate change and lock it in place for four years before a change in the White House next year that might bring a weakening of Washington's long-term commitment. More than 130 nations with 60 leaders including French President Francois Hollande are due to sign December's pact at a U.N.
EDF Chief's Gambit Suggests Will Get Backing for Hinkley Point
An apparent ultimatum from the chief executive of EDF suggests he is confident that the French government will provide the additional financial support he wants for a plan to build nuclear reactors in Britain. In a letter to staff last Friday, Chief Executive Jean-Bernard Levy warned he would not go…
Iran's Rouhani in Paris to Revive Business Ties
Iran's President Hassan Rouhani arrives in France on Wednesday with the bosses of oil major Total and aircraft maker Airbus among top executives he is due to meet as the two countries look to revive business ties despite diplomatic differences. On his first trip abroad since a sanctions-ending nuclear accord took effect…
For big business seeking CO2 emissions price, a ray of hope from Paris
For the most part, big business wanted one thing from the climate accord in Paris on Saturday: a price on carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. While on the surface their hopes were dashed, looking deeper may give them cause for hope. Multinational companies from oil giant BP to consumer products maker Unilever…
Fuelling Growth With Coal, India Champions Poor in Paris
India's hardline position in global climate talks has made it a potential villain for Western nations as it warns that its greenhouse emissions, mostly from burning dirty coal, may keep rising past the middle of the century. Its little-known team came to Paris with a mission to force rich nations to lead the way in curbing emissions.
France to Spend Billions of Euros on African Green Projects
France plans to spend billions of euros in renewable energy and other environmental projects in its former west African colonies and across Africa over the next five years, President Francois Hollande said on Tuesday. Africa produces little of the greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, produced by burning fossil fuels, linked by scientists to rapid climate change.
France Hits Back at Russia Over Syria Bombing Campaign
France dismissed Russian suggestions on Friday its air strikes against oil installations in Syria were illegal, saying they were "an appropriate and necessary riposte" to attacks by Islamic State. President Francois Hollande will travel to Moscow on Nov. 26 as part of an effort to create a grand coalition to fight Islamic State…
China, France Seek Five-year Reviews of UN Climate Deal
China and France agreed on Monday to push for long-term monitoring of a U.N. accord to combat climate change due in Paris next month by reviewing cuts in greenhouse gas emissions every five years. Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed the timetable with summit host French President Francois Hollande, who is visiting China…
France Urged to End Coal Projects in Turkey
Environmental lobby groups on Wednesday urged French President Francois Hollande to force state-owned utility Engie to stop investing in coal projects in Turkey. Engie, in partnership with the Turkish company Mimag-Sanko, plans to build the Ada Yumurtalik 1,320-megawatt coal plant in the south of Turkey.
France's Fessenheim Nuclear Plant Won't Close by 2016
France's oldest nuclear plant at Fessenheim will not close by 2016, President Francois Hollande was quoted saying on Thursday, going back on a campaign promise, but he added the government will launch "irreversible" procedures for shutting the plant. France's energy transition law, voted through this summer…
France Scrapping Coal Export Credits
The French government is to scrap export credits used for coal technology made by turbine maker Alstom, Environment Minister Segolene Royal said on Thursday. President Francois Hollande pledged last year to eliminate coal export credits, and his staff said earlier this week that the situation would be…
UN Climate Deal Draft Must be Shorter, Clearer
Ministers working towards a new U.N. deal to tackle climate change, due in December, need a negotiating text that is shorter and more manageable than the current draft, the Marshall Islands' foreign minister said after informal talks in Paris. "It should be something that people can understand, be able to work with and negotiate from…
Angolans Resentful as China Tightens Grip
Lower crude price hammered Angola's economy. When a halving of oil prices left a gaping hole in Angola's finances this year, it became clear sub-Saharan Africa's third largest economy needed help fast - and President Jose Eduardo dos Santos knew exactly where to turn. But the multi-billion dollar loans…
China Wants CO2 Emissions Curbed Earlier
China will try to curb its carbon emissions before a 2030 target, its prime minister said during a visit to Paris where he announced the world's biggest greenhouse gas emitter's contribution to United Nations climate talks. "China's carbon dioxide emission will peak by around 2030 and China will work hard to achieve the target at an even earlier date…
