France's quest to become completely carbon neutral seems to be on the right track following the landmark announcement that the country is going to ban the sales of all diesel and petrol cars by 2040. The move was announced yesterday by France's ecology minister Nicolas Hulot and the minister has targetted 2050 to be the year when the country becomes completely carbon neutral.
A historic announcement
Emmanuel Macron, who became the President of France this year, has been a vocal supporter of environmental protection and true to his word, he appointed Nicolas Hulot as the ecology minister.
Hulot has been a campaigner for environmental issues for a long time and this particular announcement proves that he means business. Electric cars have become quite popular in France and the minister hopes that by 2040, car manufacturers will be able to meet the challenges of this legislations. However, Hulot did not make it clear what he intends to do with the diesel or petrol cars that will be in use in 2040.
The French government expects French car manufacturers like Renault and Peugeot-Citroen to do their bit as the country goes on a historic reorganization of the car industry. Hulot also went on to state that the French government will also make the necessary investments in order to make this legislation a success.
Marcon keeps his promise
US President Donald Trump's controversial move to withdraw from the Paris climate change agreement could have been the trigger for this momentous legislation by the French government. At the time, the French President Emmanuel Macron had criticized the move and seemed to mock the move by stating that Trump should try to make the 'planet great again'.
In this regard, it is also important to point out that the fuel market of Europe is dominated by fossil fuels and in fact, makes up 95% of it. Hence, France's move must be commended as probably the first big move towards making a European country carbon neutral.
Other than this, France has set itself big target in order to reduce carbon emissions.
The country will no longer issue new licenses for natural gas and oil exploration, while coal plants are going to be done away with completely by the year 2022. Pollution has become a burning issue in France and the capital had recorded record levels of pollution only 3 months back. On the other hand, high levels of pollution have also wrecked havoc with the countryside in some parts of the country, thereby leaving the government with no other option but to make good on its promises.
