France to ban all new oil and gas exploration licenses
France plans to terminate the granting oil and gas exploration licenses at home and in overseas territories, as the country aims to increase the share of renewables in the nation’s energy mix.
France
First large-scale offshore wind project in Brittany moves step closer to construction
The company in charge of developing, constructing, and operating the Saint-Brieuc offshore wind farm announced this week that it had received the three administrative authorizations required to construct and operate the project.
French workers win legal right to avoid checking work email out-of-hours
From 1 January, workers have ‘right to disconnect’ as France seeks to establish agreements that afford work flexibility but avoid burnout
France becomes first country to ban plastic plates, cutlery
The initiative is one small part of the country’s Energy Transition for Green Growth Act, as lawmakers aim “to make France ¦ an exemplary nation in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, diversifying its energy model and increasing the deployment of renewable energy sources.”
France says new roofs must be covered in plants or solar panels
According to a new French law approved on Thursday, rooftops on new buildings in commercial zones across France must either be partially covered in plants or solar panels.
Australia, France, Japan, Jamaica, the Philippines, Sweden, U.K., and U.S. found the International Coral Reef Initiative
The ICRI is an informal partnership among nations, international organizations and non-government organizations to help protect coral reefs globally. It is now the world’s largest body dedicated to coral conservation.
Vietnam declares independence from France
The Indochina Peninsula was colonised by the French in the mid-19th century. Modern Vietnam was born upon the Declaration of Independence from France in 1945.
The first-ever Winter Olympics begins in Chamonix, France
The original five Winter Olympic sports were bobsleigh, curling, ice hockey, Nordic skiing, and skating. The Winter Olympic Games have now been hosted on three continents by twelve countries.
James Joyce’s iconic modernist novel Ulysses published
It is considered one of the most important works of modernist literature and has been called “a demonstration and summation of the entire movement.”
Blaise Diagne becomes first black African elected to the French Chamber of Deputies
The Senegalese-French political leader was the first black Africa to hold a position in the French government.