Mayor announces plans to make Paris 100% bicycle friendly by 2024
In order to fulfill the commitment of carrying out an “ecological transformation of the city”, a new traffic plan will be implemented to promote walking, cycling and public transport.
Europe
Finland to offer new fathers as much paid leave as mothers
Finland’s woman-led center-left government plans to give new fathers the same amount of paid time off work as new mothers, nearly doubling paternity leave, it announced on Wednesday.
U.K. aviation industry commits to net zero carbon emissions by 2050
The Sustainable Aviation coalition say that the U.K. will be able to grow passenger numbers by 70% while reducing net emissions from 30 million tonnes of CO2 per year today down to zero.
Landmark French law will stop unsold goods being thrown away
France is to ban designer clothes and luxury goods companies from destroying unsold or returned items under a wide-ranging anti-waste law passed by parliament.
Germany is turning 62 military bases into wildlife sanctuaries
The German government has announced plans to convert 62 disused military bases just west of the Iron Curtain into nature reserves for eagles, woodpeckers, bats, and beetles.
British carbon tax leads to 93% drop in coal-fired electricity
A tax on carbon dioxide emissions in Great Britain, introduced in 2013, has led to the proportion of electricity generated from coal falling from 40% to 3% over six years, according to research led by UCL.
The world’s most-profitable hedge fund pushes portfolio companies to dramatically cut emissions
TCI Fund Management – with $30 billion in assets – is pushing portfolio companies to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions and disclose their carbon footprint. If they don’t, they’ll oust their boards or dump their shares.
Legalising gay marriage caused dramatic fall in suicides in Denmark and Sweden, study finds
A 46 per cent fall in suicides among people in same-sex marriages was recorded by comparing two time periods in Denmark and Sweden – from 1989 to 2002, and 2003 to 2016.
Scotland on track for 100% renewable electricity in 2020
If Scotland achieves its target of being 100 percent powered by renewable electricity next year, it would join a small group of countries who have already accomplished the same goal: Albania, the Congo, Iceland, and Paraguay.
Amsterdam to buy out young people’s debt to offer ‘new start’
The debt-transfer project will start in February. Each person on the scheme will be given a coach with whom they will prepare a “guidance plan”.