France Energy: Air-Conditioned Shops To Shut Doors To Cut Waste

Shops in France will be ordered to close doors when using air conditioning and limit neon lighting in a bid to cut energy waste, a minister has said.

These rules, already in place in some areas, will be rolled out across France, says Minister of Ecological Transition Agnes Pannier-Runacher.

Energy costs in Europe have spiralled since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Shops will be fined up to €750 (£640) for breaking the air-conditioning rule.

The ban on neon signs is already in force in areas with a population under 800,000. Airports and stations are exempt.

Shell has warned energy rationing cannot be ruled out in the EU, as the region struggles to cope with disruption to gas supplies from Russia.

France continues to experience extreme hot weather, increasing demand for air conditioning.