---
title: France approves landmark Climate Bill
date: 2014-08-05T15:46:47Z
modified: 2023-09-12T12:34:29Z
permalink: "https://350.org/france-approves-landmark-climate-legislation/"
type: post
status: publish
excerpt: ""
wpid: 34236
categories:
  - Europe
  - Global
  - KIITG
  - Solutions
featured_image: /wp-content/uploads/2014/08/landmark-climate-bill-approved-Aug-2014.png
---

[![landmark climate bill approved Aug 2014](https://350.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/landmark-climate-bill-approved-Aug-2014-300x200.png)

](https://350.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/landmark-climate-bill-approved-Aug-2014.png)The French government has approved its [long-awaited Energy Bill](https://www.gouvernement.fr/gouvernement/pour-un-nouveau-modele-energetique-francais), clearing the way for it to go before Parliament this autumn and be ratified in 2015. This is **a major step for the nation that will be hosting the 2015 UN climate summit**, where a new global climate deal is expected to be agreed.

The French Bill includes [targets to cut fossil fuel and nuclear energy use and boost renewables](https://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/nuclear-remains-linchpin-french-energy-transition-303832), and could help mobilise €10 billion of investment and create thousands of jobs, according to the government. France joins a host of other EU nations and major economies in announcing such legislation. While the ambitious targets have been welcomed by NGOs, they warn that the government must now “_provide the impetus_” and mobilise even more financing to ensure the ambitious targets are implemented. Others have pointed out that [nuclear energy remains a lynchpin](https://www.euractiv.com/sections/energy/nuclear-remains-linchpin-french-energy-transition-303832) of France’s energy policy.

With the new Energy Bill, France joins the ranks of other nations taking strong climate action and committing targets to law. In Europe in recent months [Denmark](https://www.rtcc.org/2014/06/10/denmark-set-to-approve-new-climate-change-law/) has ratified its climate law, while [Finland](https://www.rtcc.org/2014/06/06/finland-reveals-new-climate-change-laws/) revealed its proposed legislation to cut emissions by 80% by 2050. The [UK](https://treealerts.org/region/europe/2014/07/uk-government-stands-strong-by-retaining-fourth-carbon-budget/) government also recently stood by its targets to cut emissions under its climate change act, while across the world other major economies have pledged strong climate action, including a recent announcement from the [US](https://tcktcktck.org/2014/06/new-regulations-slash-us-power-plant-emissions/62279) to cut carbon pollution from power plants.

France’s national targets go some way to showing “_its own climate and energy house is in order_” and paving the way for ambitious international commitments on climate change. Hosts of the UN’s 2015 climate summit, all eyes will now be on France to see if it can “_play the role of fair and ambitious COP president_” and broker a strong global climate treaty.

The country’s first opportunity to show leadership will be when EU nations meet to finalise the bloc’s climate and energy framework to 2030 in October. France’s emissions target puts it firmly in line with the 40% reduction proposed by the EU Commission, while its ambitious renewable goal goes beyond the EU-wide proposal.