Climate

The temperature is rising in France’s hottest village

Vérargues’ claim to fame may attract heat-seeking tourists, but it is taking a desperate toll on the local viticulture.

Eco-protest convoy of tractors and bikes to travel through France

A new protest against the controversial ‘mega-reservoirs’ will set off for Paris this week

Fighting false claims about green credentials in France

Learn why some firms regularly exaggerate their green credentials

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Anger as French ecologists deflate hundreds of SUV tyres in Toulouse

Activists say they want a ban on sports utility vehicles because they are bad for the climate

Maximum alert: Drought crisis declared in parts of southern France

Parts of Occitanie were put on the highest drought alert level on Friday as politicians warn of a ‘human and ecological catastrophe’

Climate protestors let down tyres of SUVs in southwest France

Activists in Toulouse are the latest to join the global movement, saying that government action on the more polluting vehicles has been ineffective so far

Gironde wildfire update: 1,200 locals evacuated, 3,600 hectares burned

Strong overnight winds worsened the blaze but the 900 or so firefighters on hand have been able to keep property damage to a minimum

Stop lit-up advert screens and private jets, urge French campaigners

A new decree states that advertising screens must be turned off between the hours of 01:00 and 06:00 but environmental organisations say this is not enough

France drought: climate protesters fill golf course holes with plants

The Limoges activists followed the example of their peers in Toulouse in opposing the fact that courses can often water their greens despite drought restrictions

‘Se mettre au diapason’: Our French expression of the week

We look at a musical expression related to the idea of being in tune with another person or a certain situation

France’s Mediterranean coast at risk of tsunami within next 30 years

Coastal towns and cities such as Antibes and Cannes have already begun preparing for a potential tsunami

Climate: France hits ‘Overshoot Day’ on natural resources use today

The metric shows when France exceeds naturally renewable resources. If the whole world used resources in the same way, we would need 2.9 Earths

Around 150 ‘look up’ climate rallies to take place in France today

The demonstration name is a reference to last year’s US climate disaster denial film, Don’t Look Up

Greenpeace France: Tackling climate change is our priority

‘France is one of the very rare countries with a long coastline which does not yet have even one offshore wind turbine,’ the head of the association in France tells The Connexion

French car club: EU plans to ban fossil-fuel cars by 2035 unrealistic

The proposals do not take into consideration the progress made in reducing pollution from combustion engine vehicles, a spokesman for the country’s largest car association has said

Six sculptures by British artist submerged off Cannes coast

In an area designated as an 'eco-museum', visitors to Cannes can now visit underwater sculptures by British artist Jason deCaires Taylor

Air pollution: More car bans coming in urban France

An European rules get tighter, 11 urban low emission zones are planned for 2021 in France, with an extra 35 by 2025

60% of people in France are now at risk of climate disaster

The recent fatal floods in Alpes-Maritimes are a harsh example of how climate disaster is touching more and more of the French population

Protestors deflate tyres of 220 SUVs in Bordeaux

The vehicles were targeted as part of a protest against greenhouse gas pollution

Floating wind farm coming to French seas in 2022

A new floating wind farm in the French Mediterranean is one of many planned in French seas by 2030. Experts say the technology has “infinite potential”.

SUVs have ‘crushing’ impact on French climate goals says NGO

WWF France today (October 6) denounced the use of SUVs for their “crushing” impact on the environment, and suggested ways to reduce the damage.

Dramatic drop in temperatures forecast in France this week

Rain, storms and cooler temperatures are forecast in France this week, marking an end to the late-summer heat of recent weeks.

Temperatures to hit 35°C in France this weekend

Temperatures of up to 35°C are expected across France this Sunday and Monday (September 13 and 14), as a possibly record-breaking “late heat episode” is forecast.

Montpellier makes public transport free at weekends

The measure has been in place since September 5 on the city's buses and trams, and was brought in by the mayor of the city to reduce pollution.

Heatwaves 'will radically change the landscape of France’

The first half of 2020 was the hottest in France since records began, with temperatures averaging 1.8C higher than usual levels. If temperatures continue to rise, by 2050 France could be a very different country.

‘Help us’ French publicity pilots ask President Macron

Pilots who fly planes with advertising banners in France may see their profession banned under new climate regulations. They are appealing to the French President for help.

French vines ready early amid Covid and climate challenges

Vines in France are ready a month earlier than normal, with the harvesting date breaking the 2003 record for the year, due to a particularly warm spring - but climate change and Covid are still presenting some issues.

Heatwave and storm alerts throughout France today

Red alerts for heatwaves have been given for 13 departments in France today (August 12) and 60 departments are on orange alert [now 65], with storms expected along the Atlantic coast.

Heatwaves in France more frequent due to climate change

As France swelters in temperatures of 35-40°C and a red heatwave warning continues for 15 departments, weather experts have confirmed that heatwaves are becoming more frequent due to global warming.

What to do if your neighbours are burning garden waste

In our monthly column Legal Notes, reader questions are answered and explained.

France: Adverts to be more environmentally positive?

Advertisers need to re-imagine their sector as a force for environmental change, according to a proposed new law in France, with suggested measures giving local politicians more power to control advertising, and a ban on the promotion of “toxic” products.

Environmental news in France: July

In this month's round up of the environmental news making headlines in France, we talk air quality, beekeeping, and the new must-buy eco-friendly rosé from the Loire.

Global warming behind France's long allergy season

Allergy season is starting earlier and lasting longer in France due to global warming, a specialist has warned.

France’s oldest nuclear power plant is now closed

The Fessenheim nuclear plant (Grand Est) closed yesterday (June 29), causing controversy among local residents and climate change protesters both for and against nuclear power.

French President drops climate idea to lower motorway speed

French President Emmanuel Macron has said that he will consider nearly all of the proposals put forward by the citizens’ Climate Convention, except three - including a reduction to the motorway speed limit.

What is ‘ecocide’, the new crime proposed for France?

The creation of an ecocide crime, described as any action causing serious damage to the environment, could be submitted to a national referendum.

French climate convention voters reject 28-hour work week

The French citizens’ climate change convention, whose final session is sitting this weekend, has rejected proposals to make the working week 28 hours, but has said it wants to see “ecocide” recognised as a crime.

Positive environmental news in France: June

In this month's round up of the positive environmental news making headlines in France, we talk waste, pesticide use, and solar panels on a supermarket.

French climate change convention to vote this weekend

A “Climate Change Convention” of 150 randomly-selected members of the public in France is to vote on proposals to combat climate change this weekend - including on the issues of housing, transport, and work.

French honey production 'exceptional' in 2020 so far

An “exceptional” amount of honey has been produced in France so far this year, due to the unusually warm weather and coronavirus confinement.

France on red alert for allergies until end of July

Allergy season is lasting longer in France due to global warming, a specialist has warned, but also reminded the public that there are clear differences between allergy symptoms and Covid-19 symptoms.

Rosé crops lost due to freak spring frosts

Winemakers in Provence, where much of France’s rosé is produced, could lose up to half their harvest after an exceptional pre-dawn frost in late March.

France to double number of wind turbines

A controversial new law commits to doubling the number of wind turbines in France by 2028.

France ‘regrets’ US decision to leave Paris Agreement

France has said that it “regrets” the decision by the United States to leave the climate change Paris Agreement, after US President Donald Trump officially notified the United Nations (UN) this week.

More Paris roads blocked by climate change protests

Climate change protests led by international group Extinction Rebellion are continuing in Paris - including the famous rue de Rivoli - as the movement spreads across the world.

Extinction Rebellion climate protesters block Paris

Protesters under the Extinction Rebellion banner have blocked streets in Paris this week to denounce what they call the government’s “inaction” against climate change.

France sued by young activists for climate ‘inaction’

Swedish teenage activist Greta Thunberg has launched legal action against five countries, including France, for alleged “inaction” on climate change.

Tens of thousands march in Paris amid continued unrest

Tens of thousands of people marched the streets in Paris this weekend to protest over issues including climate change, pension reform, and the continuing gilets jaunes movement, with some turning violent.

Global warming may reach +7°C, French scientists warn

Global warming is likely to be more severe than previously predicted, with global average temperatures potentially rising by as much as 7°C by 2100, French scientists have warned.

French climate change activists blockade McDonald’s

Young climate change activists have blockaded a McDonald’s restaurant in the city of Bordeaux (Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine), with a banner asking: “Why eat now, what will kill us tomorrow?”.

Organic tomatoes ‘should not be produced in winter’

A petition to stop the industrial production of organic tomatoes in warmed greenhouses in winter has been launched.

France's record-breaking heatwave 'will become norm'

Scientists say climate change means heatwaves like the one Europe has just experienced will become routine - and could get worse

France announces 25 drinking water protection measures

The French government has announced a series of measures designed to protect and share the resource of clean drinking water, which is under threat from climate change.

Paris inquiry opened into police removal of protesters

An inquiry has been opened in Paris after hundreds of climate change protesters were forcibly removed from a bridge during a protest last week.

France faces a long summer of drought

France is already preparing for the threat of drought this summer, with 11 departments taking water restriction measures in early May.

Summit on major biodiversity report opens in Paris

A summit to evaluate the declining state of the planet’s biodiversity has started today in Paris, presenting findings from a new 1,800-page expert report that warns of possible “mass extinction”.

French Pyrenees polluted by high microplastic levels

A remote area of the French Pyrenees was regularly polluted by high levels of microplastic particles, showing that plastic waste can be spread over large distances by rain, wind and snow, a study found.

French green groups call for 'day of disobedience'

A total 14 environmental organisations call for day of action on April 19 in protest over government inaction on climate change

French Assemblée delays pesticide ban by three years

The French Assemblée has voted to push back its planned ban on the production of certain pesticides by three years to 2025, the same week as hundreds of thousands marched against climate change.

Students in France hold major climate change protest

Students across France are being urged to skip classes today (Friday March 15) to join a worldwide “Fridays for Future” march on the issue of climate change.

French young people call for buying boycott on climate

Young people in France are calling for a global “Citizen’s Boycott” for the climate this weekend, asking people to not buy or consume anything - including watching television - on March 15 and 16.

Fire ‘likely’ in Mediterranean as temperatures soar

Forest fires are now more likely in the Mediterranean region due to climate conditions, experts have said, as fire destroys 1,500 hectares in Corsica and temperatures soar across the south of France.

Students in France call for climate change strike

Students in France have called for a strike as they protest against what they call “inaction from the government” over climate change.

France asks Trump not to interfere after climate tweet

France has requested that US President Donald Trump “not interfere” with national politics, after his repeated controversial statements on the Gilets Jaunes protests and the Paris Agreement on climate.

Letter calls to release France from petrol dependence

An open letter from 23 climate lobby associations has called on the French government to “release their citizens from dependence on diesel and petrol”, amid ongoing anger over rising petrol prices.

Water restrictions in place for 62 French departments

A total of 62 departments across France have imposed water restrictions, with eight on high alert for drought conditions.

Thousands march against climate change across France

Over 26,000 people took part in climate change protests across France this weekend, in the second major march event on the issue in two months.

Climate marches attract over 100,000 across France

Over 100,000 people have marched in climate change protests around France this weekend, according to protest organiser, the NGO 350.org.

Open letter calls on France to act on climate change

Two hundred high-profile personalities, including the French actress Juliette Binoche, have signed an open letter to politicians calling for action on “the catastrophe” of climate change.

Paris pledges to halve landfill waste by 2030

Paris has joined 22 other cities and regions in pledging to reduce its waste by half by 2030, as part of a global project named “Coalition C40 Cities”.

French ski stations prepare for 'no snow' by 2030

French ski stations are preparing for a future without reliable snow by 2030, and looking into alternative ways to attract tourists in the winter months.

Macron reveals 18 winners of #MakeOurPlanetGreatAgain

President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled the 18 international climate change researchers who have been selected for his “Make Our Planet Great Again” campaign.

“Catastrophic” year for French honey, say beekeepers

This year has been condemned as “catastrophic” for French honey, with pesticide use, lack of biodiversity, and climate conditions named as the main culprits.

No more petrol and diesel cars after 2040

Ecology minister will introduce grants to help poorer households get rid of old polluting vehicles and buy more modern ones

Hot debate

I read Richard Stevens’ letter on climate change (September) with some interest, not least in his notion that there is an international conspiracy, headed by the UN, to run a world government funded by a 2% carbon tax.