Background:
France is a European nation of around 65.1 million people. It is currently ranked as the eighth wealthiest country in the world in terms of GDP. In addition, France is a member of the G8 and is a very active member of the European Union. The French economy combines a strong private sphere with considerable government influence in several areas such as electricity. France is also a European powerhouse of agriculture. However, France holds a relatively high rate of unemployment, with most recent figures putting it at 9.4%. Also, France has one of the lowest amounts of average working hours amongst developed nations. Tourism is important in France, equalling about 6% of its GDP, and recently the nation has expressed fear that climate change will have an impact on the industry by causing less snowfall in its mountain ski resorts and eroding its highly visited beaches.
Past Policy:
France stands as the country that emits the least GHGs among the developing world. This is mostly because of the country’s heavy reliance on nuclear power. There are currently 59 nuclear power plants in the country, which accounts for about 78% of France’s power needs. Yet renewable energies have not had much success within the nation. Domestically, France has enacted a tax on carbon, which will be put into place next year. The tax will be put on households and businesses that use oil, gas and coal. That being said, France has become a leader in global climate change initiatives. France signed the Kyoto Protocol on the 29th of April 1998 and ratified it in May 2002.
Current Position:
France has joined the EU nations of the UK, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Finland and Spain in calling for a resolution in Copenhagen that is “fair and ambitious.” The country aims to make 2 degrees the limit of global warming and has vowed to help developing nations in their struggle against the effects of climate change. Also the country wishes for developed nations to reduce their CO2 emissions by 80% in 2050. A hallmark of the French goal in Copenhagen is the setting up of a new agency under the UN umbrella that will deal solely with climate change issues. France currently views the United States as the biggest obstacle to the ambitious results they wish to achieve at Copenhagen.
Hayley Mirek
Hayley Mirek
Zixin Li
Natasha Schou
Tomomi Yoshihama
Toyoki Nakanishi
Clare Sharkey
Cecilia Eklund
The EU countries have always been at the forefront of the climate change issue and finding solutions. However, YET another UN agency is not what the world needs. What we lack is the will and discipline to set goals, decide what needs to be done and stick to it.