France vows to go beyond Paris climate commitments

France has vowed to go beyond its initial international commitments to combat climate change following US President Donald Trump's decision to pull out of last year's Paris accord, a government spokesman said on Wednesday.

France's new President Emmanuel Macron is leading the charge to keep the momentum on the landmark accord that was reached in the French capital in 2015, after Trump's decision to withdraw that drew widespread global condemnation.

Government spokesman Christophe Castaner said a detailed list of policy actions would be issued in the next 15 days. He said they would seek to show where France aims to exceed its previous commitments on climate change.

The government will also launch a website dedicated to attract climate change researchers from the United States and other countries, as well as businesses involved in climate-linked innovation to France, Castaner said.

"There is momentum and France wants to seize it. President Trump's decision gives us the opportunity to accelerate these decisions and policies," a source at Macron's office said on Tuesday.

Sources say the proposals could include initiatives on a carbon floor price, climate finance and increased development of renewable energy sources to curb French dependence on nuclear power.

(REUTERS)