France, the country which hosted the Paris Agreement/ (COP 21), is demonstrating leadership on green initiatives to fight climate change. The country has introduced several policies that put France at the forefront of climate action and reinforce its presence as a green pioneer.
At World Green Economy Summit (WGES) 2018, prominent leaders from France including François Hollande, former president of France, will provide deep insights regarding the importance of the green economy, its focus on innovation, green bonds and other ground-breaking initiatives that make the country a leader in sustainability.
WGES will take place from October 24-25 under the patronage of HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The summit is a strategic platform to share and exchange knowledge and bring focus to new technologies that will accelerate the growth of a green economy, including improvements in energy efficiency, energy conservation and waste reduction. It is organised by Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) and the World Green Economy Organisation (WGEO) in collaboration with international partners under the theme ‘Driving Innovation, Leading Change’.
France boasts the largest green bond market in Europe which is the third-largest globally. It is the first country to introduce mandatory climate change-related reporting for institutional investors and has announced plans to ban all drilling for oil and natural gas on its mainland and overseas territories by 2040. This makes it the first country to pass such a law, while it also intends to shut all coal-fired power stations by 2021 and eventually phase out nuclear power.
France has championed policies to combat climate change, enabling the country to lead progress towards a greener and more sustainable economy. This will not only contribute to realising its commitments in the Paris Agreement but also increase the financial stability of the country, which is key for a prosperous society.