The French government is ending export subsidies for building coal plants abroad, as the country tries to clean up its environmental reputation before hosting landmark UN climate talks, AFP reported. Prime Minister Manuel Valls announced the immediate end to the coal credits, primarily used by French group Alstom, which exports its technology and builds plants in several countries. Environment Minister Segolene Royal said on France-Info radio that the government would instead provide subsidies for French companies building renewable energy plants abroad. The French government has come under fire for its environmental record ahead of the UN conference in Paris, which begins Nov. 30. The government on Thursday kicked off three months of climate-related events aimed at raising French awareness of global warming before the talks. Almost 200 governments agreed in 2010 that a 2-degree rise was the maximum allowable to avert the heaviest impact of climate change, including floods, droughts and rising sea levels. About 100 developing nations favour a tougher ceiling of 1.5 degrees.
