French envoy: Low oil prices could boost climate deal talks

France’s official envoy on climate change thinks low oil prices might actually help negotiations among countries leading to crucial talks over a global treaty in Paris next year.

{mosads}”Several years ago, I would have said it [low oil prices] complicates things,” Laurence Tubiana, France’s climate representative, told The Associated Press in an interview. 

“[But] lower energy prices give more maneuvering room for investment and could ultimately allow the introduction of a carbon tax or something that works like one,” Tubiana said.

France is preparing for the Paris meeting, which will include 190 countries working together to craft an international climate treaty on greenhouse gas emissions.

Tubiana added that governments could also use the money saved from taxes on fossil fuels to bulk up renewable sources.

Lower gasoline prices should also encourage consumers to be more accepting of taxes to offset emissions, The Associated Press reports.

The Paris talks next December are critical to finalizing the treaty, which will be the first international one to set emissions reduction targets or all countries.