Hollande's Green Targets Short on Detail

French president, Francois Hollande, calls for a 'sea change' in energy policy but stops short of outlining clear green investment and policy plans at the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi.

Published

4 months ago

Categories

Technology, World, Science

Topics

Green, Climate Change

People

Francois Hollande, Francoise Hollande

Places

France, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi

Transcript

A new dawn breaks in Abu Dhabi where the desert is a constant reminder of how scarce water and traditional energy resources are, so it's only fitting that one of the world's biggest renewable energy summits is taking place here. French president Francoise Hollande stressed the need for a 'sea change' in energy policy worldwide. But harsh economic realities faced by major economies raises the question -- how will this be funded? A way must be foudn, says Hollande, because doing nothing is not an option. SOUNDBITE: French President, Francois Hollande, saying (French): "We cannot accept the possibility at the end of this century of a 4 celsius warmer world, whose dramatic consequences are all too clear from the latest World Bank report." Hollande told delegates that after eight consecutive years of global growth in renewable energy investment, spending this year could fall. Still, the goals remain as lofty as ever. France will change its policies to address three key areas: energy efficiency, fuel poverty reduction, and the development of green energy. In the United Arab Emirates, France is already working to advance renewables. Total, the French oil company and Abu Dhabi green energy firm, Masdar, have teamed up to build 'Shams 1' -- a 100-megawatt concentrated solar project. So, a move in the right direction, perhaps. But it's a long road, one that will only be travelled if economic fortunes improve, and soon. Angeline Ong, Reuters.