The climate law promulgated by French President Macron has taken a first hurdle in Parliament. The vast majority of the House of Representatives approved the law, which should, among other things, prevent the expansion of airports, end yard heaters and combat packaging waste. The French aim to cut emissions by 40 percent by 2030, compared to 1990.
“Instead of big words and huge unattainable goals that only provoke resistance, we are taking effective measures,” the environment minister told parliament. The French Senate has to agree as well, and that is bound to happen.
Less meat, more sustainable homes
The bill stipulates, among other things, that public schools should offer a menu without meat or fish at least one day a week. The number of domestic flights should be drastically reduced, and cars emitting more than 95 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer will be banned in nine years. Moreover, from 2025, homeowners will not be permitted to rent poorly secured homes.
The law also stipulates that “environmental genocide” will become a criminal offense. This means that people who pollute the environment can be sued for it.
Missed opportunity
The bill has been discussed in the French House of Representatives for more than 200 hours. 332 deputies ultimately voted in favor, 77 against. Eco-clubs have strongly criticized the plans. They believe the measures don’t go far enough and point out that the French target falls short of the European Union’s target of cutting emissions by 55 percent by 2030 compared to 1990.
Greenpeace talks about a “missed opportunity” because Macron’s own advisers say the proposal “may have only limited impact”. Additionally, a French judge ruled in early February that the government’s climate policy was inadequate.
