Less neon lighting in France

A new regulation that requires neon shop signs to be turned off in France from 01.00-06.00 comes into effect from Sunday 8 July. The measure should save the equivalent amount of energy as that consumed by nearly 400,000 homes, or 120,000 tonnes of CO₂ a year.

The decree will be applied first to new installations, with old ones having to come into line by 2018.

Another energy-saving measure, which should become law by the end of 2012, will require also offices and shops to turn off lighting at night.