Ololade Adeyanju/
France’s parliament has approved a law banning all exploration and production of oil and natural gas by 2040.
The law also outlaws the sale of diesel and petrol engine cars by 2040 both within the country and its overseas territories.
Under the new law, which is a first in the world, all existing drilling permits will not be renewed and no new exploration licenses will be granted.
President Emmanuel Macron has said he wants France to take the lead as a major world economy switching away from fossil fuels – and the nuclear industry – into renewable energy.
In a tweet he said: “Very proud that France has become the first country in the world today to ban any new oil exploration licenses with immediate effect and all oil extraction by 2040.”
Environment Minister Nicolas Hulot says the law shows “current generations can take care of future generations.”
The ban will affect companies prospecting for oil in the French territory of Guyana in South America, while also banning the extraction of shale gas by any means.
0