The position of France presented by Ségolène Royal, French Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development.

The position of France presented by Ségolène Royal, French Minister of the Environment and Sustainable Development.

Current news from the Ocean Climate Forum at the COP21 venue :

Key points:
– Support to the development of a special report on the Ocean in the IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change), such a goal is currently supported by France, China, Monaco, Spain and some island states. A positive response has been received from the Chairman of IPCC.
– A mandatory system of monitoring of shipping emissions. France hopes that this mandatory mechanism will be adopted during the April 2016 session of the International Maritime Organization.
– Prohibition of single-use plastic bags in 2016 in France, and the aim of getting this commitment from as many countries as possible.
– Prohibition of fishing deeper than 800 m, but no date was provided.
– Deployment of educational marine areas in French Polynesia
– Strengthening the surface of the French EEZ (Economic Exclusive Zone) covered by marine protected areas (current commitment of 20% in France, compared to a 10% UN commitment proposal).

The position of France is important because this country has the second exclusive maritime zone after the USA.