Archived press release

Nuclear power not needed to fight climate change

6 September 2002

A new report (PDF† 175K) by Friends of the Earth, published today, shows that climate change can be tackled without the building of any new nuclear power stations in the UK. The report coincides with news that British Energy, the UK’s largest nuclear generator, faces economic meltdown and is calling on the taxpayer to bail it out.

The Government predicts that carbon dioxide cuts of 29 per cent by 2010 must be achieved by the energy sector to meet its targets for tackling climate change. Friends of the Earth’s report shows that carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity sector can be reduced by 29 % by 2010, and 45 per cent by 2010 through increased renewable energy and energy management. New nuclear power stations would not be needed. The survey should be of interest to Energy Minister Brian Wilson who recently said that “Nobody has yet to begun to explain how we meet our emission targets if, at the same time, we are losing the nuclear contribution.”

Bryony Worthington, nuclear campaigner at Friends of the Earth said:

“Our report shows that new nuclear power stations are not needed to tackle global climate change. Nuclear power is uneconomic, unsafe and deeply unpopular. The Government must take heed of British Energy’s financial crisis and not waste any more of the taxpayers money on this outdated technology. Instead it must look to the future and invest in clean, safe renewable energy".

Friends of the Earth is calling on the Government to:

• Put British Energy into administration while a sensible plan for the phasing out nuclear power is developed.
• Invest more in renewable technologies including wave, tidal and biomass. This will create far more jobs than the nuclear industry has.
• Invest in measures to manage energy demand, including encouraging Combined Heat and Power (CHP) and energy efficiency.
• Take measures to clean up emissions from the coal power sector.

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Published by Friends of the Earth Trust