France to plant one billion trees by 2030
President Macron vowed to replant 1 billion trees within 10 years, or 10% of the French forest, after massive summer wildfires ravaged huge areas of the country, especially in the southwest.
France
Meat consumption is falling significantly across Western Europe
A French research company interviewed more than 4,000 adults across France, Germany, Italy, and Spain. More than 50% reported having reduced their meat consumption in the last five years largely for environmental, animal welfare, and personal health reasons.
Airbus flies first helicopter with both engines burning 100% green fuel for the first time ever
The recent test flight is part of Airbus’ policy of reaching certification of 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030 for both commercial aircraft and helicopters.
Brown bear population in Pyrenees Mountains highest for a century
Monitors have identified 70 individuals in 2021, with 114 newborns since launch of repopulation scheme in 1996.
France ends ban on gay and bisexual male blood donors
France passed its first ban on men who have sex with men donating blood in 1983, in the early years of the AIDS crisis.
France passes sweeping conversion therapy ban
Conversion therapy practitioners can face prison time and fines because “homosexuality and trans identity aren’t sicknesses that can be cured.”
Major French dictionary adds non-binary pronouns for the first time
An entry for iel and iels was added to the dictionary Le Robert that says: “Third person subject personal pronoun – singular and plural – used to refer to a person of any gender.”
Paris plans to be 100% cyclable by 2026
In a new initiative to update its existing Plan Velo for a more cycle-friendly city, Paris, France is investing 250 million euros ($290 million) to make the city entirely bikeable.
France to ban plastic packaging for most fruit and vegetables in January 2022
France’s environment ministry expects that the measure will prevent more than one billion useless plastic packaging items per year.
Seven nations launch initiative to end new coal power
The Compact calls on nations to halt the construction of unabated coal-fired power generation projects by the end of this year. Initial signatories include Sri Lanka, Chile, Denmark, Germany, Montenegro, France, and the U.K.