Green groups turn up pressure ahead of French summit

0 Comments | AFP, October, 2007

PARIS (AFP) — Global environmental campaigners converge on the French capital this week for a two-day summit aimed at kick-starting a green revolution in Europe's third-biggest economy.

Two weeks after the award of the Nobel Peace Prize to former US vice president Al Gore for his crusade against climate change, President Nicolas Sarkozy is due Thursday to announce a master plan aimed at slashing France's environmental impact.

Covering everything from transport to construction and farming, the plans are to be finalised at a round-table Wednesday and Thursday from a blueprint drawn up during talks between government, business, campaigners and the public.

"What we expect is no more and no less than the start of a transformation of French society towards a...