French parliament passes sweeping environment law

France's parliament has passed a sweeping law overhauling environmental standards and setting tough emissions targets.
Both houses of parliament approved the measure Thursday, with the majority conservatives and opposition Socialists supporting it. Green Party lawmakers and the Communists opposed it, saying it doesn't go far enough.
The law says France should reduce its carbon emissions fourfold by 2050 and increase renewable energy sources to 23 percent of total energy production.
The law also sets targets for greener transport, agriculture and waste management for workplace pollution.
President Nicolas Sarkozy has sought to have France catch up to greener neighbors and set an environmental example to other nations.