Is France Leading the Way in Helping the Environment?
The Paris Climate Agreement in 2015 was a landmark moment for many countries around the world, but none more so than France, the host country, which had just pushed an act through parliament to reduce its own greenhouse emissions by 40%. Since Macron became President this year, France has pursued an even more aggressive environmental agenda, through which he hopes to become an environmental trailblazer.
The Paris Climate Agreement Was Just The Start For France
The stakes were high in Paris in 2015 but a climate treaty was eventually pushed through. The deal, known as COP 21, requires the 196 countries that attended, to up their environmental commitments and keep global warming well below 2° Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. It was signed by 174 countries, including the US, in New York in 2016.
Macron Is Standing Up To Trump
It snowed over 4 inches this past weekend in New York City. It is still October. So much for Global Warming.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 1, 2011
Global warming has been proven to be a canard repeatedly over and over again. http://t.co/RK1UoS8e The left needs a dose of reality.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 28, 2012
In June, 2017, Trump officially declared his intention to pull out of the Paris Climate Treaty, which had been ratified by the US in 2016. President Macron responded to Trump by posting a message – in English – across social media appealing to American scientists that they would always find a ‘second home’ in France, if they wanted to come to work on climate change. He said they would be welcomed with open arms. In it he offered a direct rebuke to Trump’s campaign slogan, “Make America Great Again” by saying that, “we all share the same responsibility. To Make Our Planet Great Again.” It was fighting talk, winning over environmentalists around the world.
Now The French Are Going Further
President Macron doesn’t seem unduly concerned about Trump’s reticence and is moving on regardless, seeing it as a way to lead the debate himself. The act moving through Parliament at the moment plans not only to reduce French greenhouse emissions by 40% but also to drastically reduce packaging waste and has a mandatory requirement for French companies to report on their climate change impacts (the first country in the world to do so). The top French companies in the world, like L’Oreal and Danone are planning ambitious environmental targets.
France also has a new celebrity environmental spokesperson in Nicolas Hulot, a man well known for his sound environmental credentials but who refused to join previous governments – he has recently joined Prime Minister Phillipe’s government, under Macron. So everything is in place for France to lead the way forward. As with all of these new promises (to revive the economy, to combat terrorism, to lead the way in Europe) Macron just needs to deliver.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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