Presidential candidate delivers pointed rebuke to Donald Trump, welcoming US scientists and clean energy innovators to France

By Ed King

The favourite to win this year’s French presidential elections has invited climate scientists and clean energy entrepreneurs to quit the US and move to France, in a message posted on Twitter on Thursday night.

Emmanuel Macron, a former finance minister who has set up his En Marche party to run for the Elysee Palace, delivered a strong rebuke to president Donald Trump’s administration – which looks set to cull climate politics and funding.

“I do know how your new president has now decided to jeopardise your budget, your initiatives as he is extremely sceptical about climate change. I have no doubt about climate change and how committed we have to be regarding this issue,” he said.

I have a message for you guys. #ScienceMarch pic.twitter.com/ZnkFIIksdx — Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 10, 2017

“So I have two messages. For the French and European researchers we will preserve our budgets ,we will reinforce our investment, our public and private investment to do more and accelerate our initiative in order to deliver in line with COP21 [the historic climate summit hosted by Paris].

“And second – a message for you guys. Please, come to France, you are welcome, it’s your nation. We like innovation, we want innovative people, we want people working on climate change, energy, renewables and new technologies.”