People & Profit

The European Union has unveiled sweeping new legislation to tackle climate change over the coming decade. The "Fit for 55" package – so named because it aims to cut emissions to 55 percent of 1990 levels – includes new carbon pricing rules and much stricter emissions rules for cars. The sale of new petrol and diesel engines will be phased out from 2035, with more EU money to help with the transformation. For more, Kate Moody speaks to Karim Bousta, the boss of car-sharing platform Getaround.

As Japan declares a Covid-19 state of emergency in Tokyo for the duration of the Olympics, the economic benefits of the Games will be even further diminished. Bars and restaurants in the city will have to close at 8pm, while the sale of alcohol has been banned. FRANCE 24's Yuka Royer looks at how much hosting the event is expected to cost Japan, as well as how the promised economic boost is unlikely to materialise.

Has the past year forced you into rethinking your career? If so, you're not alone. In the US, more workers are quitting their jobs than at any time in the past two decades. A recent survey by financial firm Prudential of 2,000 American workers found that a quarter of them were planning to leave their current roles. This comes as sectors such as hospitality and logistics are struggling to recruit.

A major American oil pipeline, the world's biggest meat processor, Ireland's health system and the Belgian city of Liège: all four have been victims of cyberattacks that have had profound consequences on their operations. The hacks – often using ransomware – are happening more frequently than ever and having a greater effect on the running of businesses and organisations.

This June would normally have seen the French capital host the biggest event of the year for the aerospace industry, the Paris Air Show. But like so many others, it was cancelled because of the Covid-19 pandemic. As demand for air travel remains well below normal levels, we look a closer look at how much damage has been done to the aerospace industry during the pandemic.

France is getting back to business as Covid-19 restrictions are eased. Reopening means the government needs to start rethinking the massive financial aid it's been providing to businesses during the pandemic without creating a new crisis. Kate Moody takes a closer look.

The global travel and tourism sector lost $4.5 trillion and 62 million jobs in 2020. Some countries are beginning to reopen their borders to vaccinated foreign tourists and hoping for a strong summer season. Virginia Messina, Managing Director of the World Travel and Tourism Council, believes vaccines will help the industry recover but are not the only solution. "Everyone should be able to travel," she told FRANCE 24, but consumer confidence has been undermined by a lack of consistency in international regulations.

Households have saved an extra $5.4 trillion over the past year, according to a report by Moody's Analytics. Spending on items like travel and restaurants plummeted during the Covid-19 pandemic, while many people's incomes were maintained by government aid. As some economies begin to lift restrictions, will consumers spend their savings and what sort of effect could it have on the global economy? How should governments react to the spending splurge? We discuss the potential benefits and pitfalls with Gilles Moëc, chief economist at Axa Group.

France's railways are being opened up to private operators, as part of a process that will see state-owned SNCF face competition on high-speed and local routes. A group of citizens in rural France have seized the opportunity to launch their own rail cooperative, which will begin its first passenger services from Bordeaux to Lyon next year. Railcoop has attracted thousands of small investors so far. Deputy Managing Director Alexandra Debaisieux tells us about the project's origins and ambitions.

Adapting to the post-pandemic market, new EU emissions rules and a shortage of semiconductors: these are just some of the challenges the auto industry is currently facing. Stephen Carroll discusses them with Vincent Cobée, the boss of French car brand Citroën.