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He said: \u201cEurope must invest more in the ecological transition. There can\u2019t be a real European decarbonisation strategy if there\u2019s only regulation and no investment.”<\/p>\n
The President also outlined key measures, including the total phase-out of coal in France, emphasising this as a top national priority and a model for the world. France currently has two operational coal-fired power plants, with one briefly reopened in 2022 due to an energy crisis.<\/p>\n
In addition to coal phase-out, Macron shifted focus away from banning gas-fired boilers and instead aims to encourage the installation of heat pumps, with the goal of producing one million heat pumps in France by 2027. The approach contrasts with some other European nations, including Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands, which have reconsidered gas boiler bans to avoid social unrest.<\/p>\n
Macron also reaffirmed his commitment to electric vehicles, aiming to produce one million electric cars in France by 2027. He also plans to revitalise French mining resources to support this endeavour.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n The timetable for these measures aligns with the upcoming EU Energy Council meeting on October 17, which is crucial for the future of the EU electricity market design. France continues to advocate for the integration of existing nuclear assets within the market design framework, setting it apart from Germany and its allies.<\/p>\n In contrast to France’s ambitious climate goals, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, recently announced a significant shift in the government’s climate commitments. Sunak confirmed that the UK would extend the deadline for the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and delay the phase-out of gas boilers. This move has drawn criticism from the automotive and energy sectors.<\/p>\n Sunak, speaking at a Downing Street press conference, said that his decision was not driven by politics, although it coincided with the Conservative Party’s efforts to differentiate itself from the Labour Party. He stressed the commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 but did not provide specific details on new measures to meet this target.<\/p>\n The prime minister argued that delaying green pledges would save families money in the short term, but businesses and environmental experts expressed concerns about the long-term costs. Sunak positioned his approach as a middle ground between more stringent climate action and climate scepticism, stating that the UK was already a leader in taking action.<\/p>\n He stressed the need for transparency with the public to maintain their support and avoid a backlash that could jeopardise the broader mission of achieving net-zero emissions.<\/p>\n
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