The French government on Monday unveiled a plan to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, aiming for a 50 percent reduction by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. The plan, presented by Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, includes detailed cuts for individual sectors of the economy, from the transport industry to households. Goals – from accelerating the transition to electric cars or shifting freight transport from roads to rivers – are aimed at aligning France’s ambitions to reduce carbon pollution with the EU’s 2030 target. France has so far reduced its emissions by 25 percent compared to 1990 levels, requiring major new efforts if it is to reach the new 50 percent target. President Emmanuel Macron's centrist government is wary of provoking consumers with costly initiatives, with memories still fresh of fuel tax increases and vehicle emissions curbs in 2018 that sparked major protests. The so-called "yellow vest" revolt against Macron began in small and medium-sized cities and rural areas, where locals felt penalized for using their cars when no other forms of transportation were available. "We are asking a little from the smallest (polluters) and a lot from the biggest," adviser Borne told reporters, meaning about half the effort would go to businesses, a quarter to households and a quarter to local governments. Climate change concerns have risen to the forefront of the political agenda in the past 12 months, with the country experiencing its hottest year since records began last year, causing rivers to dry up, crops to wither and widespread water shortages. A record national winter drought during January and February also led to concerns about water supplies this summer. (Catherine HOURS)