Pro-nuclear countries behind in cutting CO2 emissions

Countries in Europe with a strong commitment to nuclear policy are actually underperforming in meeting climate change targets, according to a new study.

The study, by the University of Sussex and Vienna School of International Studies, shows that more progress towards reducing carbon emissions and increasing renewable energy sources – as set out in the EU’s 2020 Strategy – has actually been made by nations without nuclear energy or with plans to reduce it.

The study divided European countries into three, roughly equal in size, distinct groups:

• Group 1: no nuclear energy (such as Denmark, Ireland and Norway)
• Group 2: existing nuclear commitments but with plans to decommission (eg Germany, Netherlands and Sweden)
• Group 3: plans to maintain or expand nuclear capacity (eg Bulgaria, Hungary and the UK)

It found that Group 1 countries had reduced their emissions by an average of 6% since 2005 and had increased renewable energy sources to 26%.

Group 2 countries, meanwhile, fared even better on emissions reductions, which were down 11%. They grew renewable energy to 19%.

Group 3 countries only managed a modest 16% renewables share and emissions on average went up by 3%.

The UK is a mixed picture. Emissions have been reduced by 16%, bucking the trend of other pro-nuclear countries. However, only 5% of its energy comes from renewables, which is among the lowest in Europe, behind only by Luxembourg, Malta and the Netherlands.

The study comes as the deal in the UK to build Hinkley Point hangs in the balance after the government postponed a final decision on the £18bn project.

Professor Andy Stirling, professor of science and technology policy at the University of Sussex, said: “Looked at on its own, nuclear power is sometimes noisily propounded as an attractive response to climate change. Yet if alternative options are rigorously compared, questions are raised about cost-effectiveness, timeliness, safety and security.

“Looking in detail at historic trends and current patterns in Europe, this paper substantiates further doubts. By suppressing better ways to meet climate goals, evidence suggests entrenched commitments to nuclear power may actually be counterproductive.”

Andrew Lawrence of the Vienna School of International Relations said: “As the viability of the proposed Hinkley plant is once again cast into doubt by the May government, we should recall that – as is true of nuclear fallout – nuclear power’s inordinate expense and risks extend across national borders and current generations.”