WILL a flourishing nuclear energy industry combat climate change and ensure energy security? Not for the UK, according to a key committee that advises the British government.
In a strongly worded review of the pros and cons of nuclear energy released on Monday, the Sustainable Development Commission (SDC) urges the prime minister, Tony Blair, to reject the nuclear option in favour of an 鈥渁ggressive鈥� expansion of energy efficiency and renewables.
The SDC conducted eight detailed studies covering safety, waste, economics and climate change. The advantages of nuclear power as a safe, low-carbon technology are outweighed by disadvantages such as uncertain costs, long-lived radioactive waste and an increased risk that nuclear weapons will proliferate.
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The SDC鈥檚 research also shows that even if the UK鈥檚 existing nuclear capacity were doubled, it would only deliver an 8 per cent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2035. Increases in energy efficiency and renewable energy generation could reduce emissions faster, it concludes.
Members of the SDC were not unanimous on these questions, arriving at the recommendation by a single vote. Eight of its members voted against nuclear power, with seven voting in favour.