WWF-UK: Nuclear Power a short sighted solution - WWF Scotland
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Nuclear Power a short sighted solution - WWF Scotland
Thursday 10 January 2008
Scotland and the rest of the UK could meet their energy needs and combat climate change without resorting to nuclear power.
In response to the UK Government's decision to back construction of new nuclear power stations, Dr Dan Barlow, WWF Scotland's Acting Director, said:
"Nuclear power is a polluting and expensive distraction from the real action required by politicians to tackle climate change. The Scottish Government is absolutely right to continue to reject nuclear power and we are disappointed that UK Ministers have not done likewise. This reckless decision must not be allowed to undermine continued support for renewables and other sensible solutions to climate change here in Scotland.
"Scotland and the rest of the UK could meet ambitious targets for tackling climate change by using the many clean, safe energy alternatives that already exist. Scotland has a tremendous opportunity to develop renewable energy which is safer, cleaner and quicker than nuclear. However to ensure we make progress here, it is vital the Scottish Government brings forward a robust Scottish climate bill, containing annual statutory emissions reductions targets of at least 3% and including emissions from aviation and shipping."
Cleaner, safer and quicker solutions to energy provisions are available: such as rapid roll-out of renewable energy and increased energy efficiency. 80% Challenge: Delivering a low carbon Britain, a recent report published jointly by WWF-UK, ippr and the RSPB, found that it is feasible and affordable for the UK to cut its CO2 emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, without using new nuclear power.
Keith Allott, Head of Climate Change at WWF said:
"The Government can't hide behind the argument that new nuclear power is essential to meet the UK's climate change targets and energy needs. Nuclear power is being presented as an environmental saviour, when it is expensive, unsustainable and unsafe. WWF has produced serious and credible reports, using the Government's own models, which demonstrate that we can make deep cuts in our carbon emissions without having to resort to nuclear energy."
"The UK should make meeting the EU targets regarding renewable energy its number one priority. Renewables have the potential to start producing clean energy right now, while the nuclear industry won't be able to build the first power station until 2020 at the earliest."
"Nuclear power is a polluting and expensive distraction from the real action required by politicians to tackle climate change. The Scottish Government is absolutely right to continue to reject nuclear power and we are disappointed that UK Ministers have not done likewise. This reckless decision must not be allowed to undermine continued support for renewables and other sensible solutions to climate change here in Scotland.
"Scotland and the rest of the UK could meet ambitious targets for tackling climate change by using the many clean, safe energy alternatives that already exist. Scotland has a tremendous opportunity to develop renewable energy which is safer, cleaner and quicker than nuclear. However to ensure we make progress here, it is vital the Scottish Government brings forward a robust Scottish climate bill, containing annual statutory emissions reductions targets of at least 3% and including emissions from aviation and shipping."
Cleaner, safer and quicker solutions to energy provisions are available: such as rapid roll-out of renewable energy and increased energy efficiency. 80% Challenge: Delivering a low carbon Britain, a recent report published jointly by WWF-UK, ippr and the RSPB, found that it is feasible and affordable for the UK to cut its CO2 emissions by 80 per cent by 2050, without using new nuclear power.
Keith Allott, Head of Climate Change at WWF said:
"The Government can't hide behind the argument that new nuclear power is essential to meet the UK's climate change targets and energy needs. Nuclear power is being presented as an environmental saviour, when it is expensive, unsustainable and unsafe. WWF has produced serious and credible reports, using the Government's own models, which demonstrate that we can make deep cuts in our carbon emissions without having to resort to nuclear energy."
"The UK should make meeting the EU targets regarding renewable energy its number one priority. Renewables have the potential to start producing clean energy right now, while the nuclear industry won't be able to build the first power station until 2020 at the earliest."
Cooling Towers
Additional Reading
A nuclear-free Scotland will be safer, make our homes and industry more efficient, generate clean, green power, reduce climate emissions and create jobs. View the
80% Challenge report.
Joint WWF Scotland-RSPB-FoE Scotland report The Power of Scotland laid out how we can cut carbon emissions and maintain energy supply without nuclear.
WWF Scotland is campaigning for a robust Scottish climate bill, containing annual statutory greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets of at least 3% and including emissions from aviation and shipping. The Scottish Government has already committed to statutory reductions of 80 % by 2050.
80% Challenge report.
Joint WWF Scotland-RSPB-FoE Scotland report The Power of Scotland laid out how we can cut carbon emissions and maintain energy supply without nuclear.
WWF Scotland is campaigning for a robust Scottish climate bill, containing annual statutory greenhouse gas emissions reductions targets of at least 3% and including emissions from aviation and shipping. The Scottish Government has already committed to statutory reductions of 80 % by 2050.