Green growth energy law reduces France's nuclear dependence
The French parliament on Wednesday passed a "green growth" energy transition law that reduces the country's dependence on nuclear power by 25 per cent. Less than six months away from the Paris climate conference Cop21, Ecology Minister Ségolène Royal argued that the law means France was leading by example on the ecological front.
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The bill set ambitious goals on a national level, notably delivering on President
François Hollande's promise to reduce nuclear dependence for electricity production from 75 per cent to 50 per cent by 2025.
Activists such as Greenpeace have demonstrated in recent months against delays in adopting the legislation.
Although the bill has quadrupled the price of carbon-based fuels between 2016 and 2030, Royal promised that taxpayers would not pick up the bill because other taxes will be lowered to compensate for the rise.
Some of the law's other objectives include:
- The reduction of carbon emissions and the development of renewable energy;
- The creation 100,000 jobs through green growth;
- An energy subsidy for low-income households;
- The elimination of undegradable plastic bags;
- The production of less polluting vehicles;
- The installation of energy consumption meters in homes by 2025.
This bill would be "the most advanced law in Europe and beyond" and "would make France the country of environmental excellence", Royal said.
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