France has registered a score of 0.25, as no new commitments or initiatives relevant to France’s objectives on climate change have been announced. Although G8 leaders have reaffirmed their willingness to reduce global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 50 per cent by 2050, no base levels were set. The European Union’s 20-20-20 Plan was not discussed. However, the leaders supported the goal of reducing GHG emissions “in aggregate by 80 per cent or more by 2050 compared to 1990 or more recent years.”

The G8 did not commit to actively assist Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in the global fight against climate change. Instead, G8 leaders agreed to lift the burden of participation in the financial effort to tackle climate change on LDCs.

Finally, the communiqué on climate change and environment notes the establishment of an emission tax as a useful measure to support “stable and predictable regulatory frameworks” to “accelerate the transition towards a low carbon society.” However, no endorsement of such a measure was made.