Chirac sets ambitious digital and energy targets for France
French President Jacques Chirac has used a new year's address to emphasise the importance of technological progress in research, and to highlight a number of ambitious objectives. Of particular importance for Mr Chirac are digitalisation and energy. In 2005, according to Mr Chirac, France did a lot to further its research and technology outputs, re-launching its industrial and innovation policy and putting in place three instruments: competitiveness poles, a research agency, and an industrial innovation agency. 'We have to affirm our national priorities and set aside considerable means. We now have to take some decisive steps in the digital and energy sectors.' Mr Chirac referred to digitalisation as 'an industrial revolution, incomparably more rapid than previous revolutions, and perhaps more profound'. France, its companies and scientists, are embracing the revolution, according to the French President, and within three years, has become one of the top countries in Europe for high-speed Internet access. But Mr Chirac wants more for France. 'France can make a difference, become one of the most advanced nations in terms of digital technologies. In order to do that, we should define a new strategy for our country.' The first step is to increase the availability of high speed Internet by creating a fibre optic network covering the whole of France. All telecommunications operators that wish to develop such a network should be allowed to, said the President. France will also launch a European Internet search engine, Quaéro, with the support of its industrial innovation agency. Moving on to energy, Mr Chirac referred to the climate and petrol as 'the challenges of the century'. France will do its part by reducing its gas emissions by three quarters by 2050, he pledged. The country will also do more to make renewable energy a reality. France will find new ways to power transport and industry, including the use of biofuels, said the French President. The electric car will be ready within ten years, along with hybrid diesel, and French trains will not use 'one drop' of petrol in 20 years from now, he said. Mr Chirac is a strong proponent of nuclear energy, and uses France's plants, as well as its hydro-electric plants, to claim that his country is the number one producer of renewable energy in Europe. The nuclear approach is to continue with the building of the 'international thermonuclear experimental reactor' in Cadarache, and also with the development of a fourth generation of nuclear reactors, which will take over in the 2030s and 2040s.
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