Climate Change and Nuclear Energy

Industry calls for decarbonisation focus ◄ ▼

Europe faces a "lost decade" in low carbon development, the continent's electricity industry association Eurelectric has warned, due to signals that detract from the ultimate goals of energy policy.

Ontario's energy transition ◄ ▼

Air quality in Canada's Ontario province has improved dramatically in recent years, simultaneously with the ramping up of nuclear power and the phase-out of coal.

World has stalled on clean energy ◄ ▼

The world's governments are failing on almost every level to clean up their energy systems and must intervene to support nuclear power, said the IEA, noting that only renewables and electric vehicles are 'on track'.

Life-saving case for nuclear ◄ ▼

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A landmark study has put the figure of 1.84 million on the number of lives saved by the worldwide use of nuclear power instead of fossil fuels. The report co-authored by former NASA scientist James Hansen presents a dramatic new case for nuclear energy.

Fingers crossed for UK nuclear new build ◄ ▼

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The UK will not be able to meet its climate change targets without new nuclear but should develop a fall-back plan in case projects to build new capacity by 2025 do not proceed as planned, a parliamentary committee has concluded.

Energy leaders' nuclear uncertainty diminishing ◄ ▼

Concerns over nuclear energy use have been eclipsed by energy price volatility, the global recession, political unrest and future climate frameworks as the top uncertainties for global energy leaders, according to the World Energy Council.

Fossil imports burn Japanese trade again ◄ ▼

Japanese spending on imported fossil fuels soared in the latter part of last year, helping push the country to a trade deficit for the second year in a row. Emissions targets are under revision as most nuclear power plants remain closed.

Nuclear best option for Europe, report says ◄ ▼

Nuclear energy is the European Union's answer to meeting aggressive targets on carbon dioxide emissions while reducing dependency on fossil fuels, according to a new report from consultants Frost & Sullivan.

Japan sees emissions rise ◄ ▼

Increased use of fossil fuels for power generation was the main driving force behind a rise in Japanese greenhouse gas emissions for 2011, even though the country saw a fall in manufacturing output.

Nuclear and hydro the core of sustainability ◄ ▼

The most sustainable national power systems in the world combine nuclear with hydro for mass low-carbon generation, a World Energy Council study shows.

Warnings on greenhouse gas levels ◄ ▼

The concentration of greenhouse gases in the Earth's atmosphere reached a record level in 2011, according to the World Meteorological Organization. A United Nations report says the chance to meet emission targets is slipping away.

Australia may need nuclear in future, minister says ◄ ▼

Australia will have to consider including nuclear energy as part of its future energy mix if other sources cannot provide low-cost, clean baseload electricity, the country's energy and resources minister Martin Ferguson has stated.

PwC warns of a warmer world ◄ ▼

The target to limit global warming to 2ºC this century appears "highly unrealistic" without "unprecedented" cuts in carbon emissions, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has warned.

'Innovative' strategy to end Japanese nuclear ◄ ▼

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Japan has confirmed a goal of ending nuclear power generation in the 2030s. The new strategy is based on respect for the will of the Japanese people, but slashes environmental targets to perhaps as little as a 10% reduction in CO2 by 2030.

Switzerland's 'challenging' energy policy ◄ ▼

Switzerland faces many challenges in its plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions while also phasing out its use of nuclear power, the International Energy Agency said after reviewing the country's energy policy.

Governments get nuclear policy round-up ◄ ▼

An OECD report has highlighted the contribution nuclear already makes to the energy mix as well as how it can fit into future low-carbon networks. The report is aimed at informing the policymaking of the body's member governments.

UK draft energy reform bill unveiled ◄ ▼

Draft legislation to reform the UK's electricity market to ensure secure, clean and affordable energy endeavours to secure the necessary investment for a low-carbon energy mix including new nuclear.

EDF posts record carbon efficiency ◄ ▼

The carbon intensity of generating capacity owned by the EDF group of companies fell below 100 g/kWh for the first time in 2011, while in France EDF's emission rate dived 25% to 30.4 g/kWh.

More action needed sooner on climate change ◄ ▼

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Greenhouse gas emissions remain on a steadily rising path despite policymakers' best efforts, an OECD report has warned. Nuclear was noted as a major mitigating technology, while governments were urged to avoid 'lock-in' to carbon-emitting generation.

Germany escapes carbon emissions rise ◄ ▼

Germany's emissions of carbon dioxide edged down by 2.2% last year, even while those from its power sector grew in the wake of post-Fukushima reactor closures. The main effects from the shutdowns have been a cut in exports previously supported by nuclear and the financial impact of this on utilities.

Nuclear helped UK cut emissions in 2011 ◄ ▼

An 8% drop in carbon dioxide emissions in the UK in 2011 was helped by an 11% increase in electricity output from the country's nuclear power plants, provisional figures from the government indicate.

EOn's one year on ◄ ▼

EOn's annual report has made clear some of the impacts, financial and environmental, of Germany's reaction to the Fukushima accident. The utility recorded a €1.5 billion ($1.9 billion) one-off cost for the overnight closure of its Unterweser, Isar 1, Krummel, and Brunsbuttel nuclear power reactors, which also directly resulted in it producing almost 12 billion kWh less than in 2010.

EDF enters FTSE4Good index ◄ ▼

EDF Group is set to become the fifth nuclear power plant operator to join the FTSE4Good index, having fulfilled the business index's criteria for the nuclear industry.

US energy demand to outstrip nuclear growth ◄ ▼

While US nuclear generating capacity is expected to grow by 11% by 2035, its share of the country's total electricity output will drop slightly, according to a forecast by the US Energy Information Administration. Coal use will fall significantly during this period, with gas seeing the highest growth.

Trade figures reveal cost of Japan's nuclear shutdown ◄ ▼

Huge energy imports last year caused Japan to record a rare trade deficit. Manufacturing was hit by the tsunami, but the use of fossil fuels to replace shut-down nuclear plants was a bigger factor.

BP sees growth in non-fossil fuel use ◄ ▼

While global energy demand is expected to grow by almost 40% by 2030, non-fossil fuels will account for one-third of this growth, according to UK-based oil and gas giant BP. Nuclear energy will continue to play a significant role, with the Asia Pacific region seeing the greatest growth in its use.

Europe reveals clean energy roadmap ◄ ▼

The European Commission has released an energy roadmap presenting various scenarios for meeting its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Nuclear energy, it says, will remain an important part of Europe's power generation mix.

Warning on greenhouse gas concentrations ◄ ▼

Global atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases reached record levels in 2010, according to the World Meteorological Organization. The rate of increase in their levels has also accelerated.

Nuclear has role in sustainable mix ◄ ▼

A new report by the World Energy Council into countries' energy policies has determined that a mixture of generating technologies and strategies is best for ensuring sustainable energy production.

Bold changes needed, IEA proclaims ◄ ▼

An insecure, inefficient and high carbon energy system will exist in 2035 unless radical changes take place, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warns in the latest edition of its World Energy Outlook report.

WHO warns on urban air pollution ◄ ▼

Air pollution in many cities around the world is increasingly reaching levels that threaten people's health, according to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO). Motor vehicles and fossil fuel power plants are among the major contributors, it said.

Profitable today, competitive tomorrow ◄ ▼

Nuclear and gas will compete to provide future baseload power generation in Europe, as standard coal-fired power plants will no longer be profitable, the latest study by the OECD's Nuclear Energy Agency on electricity prices concludes.

Australian government puts price on carbon ◄ ▼

The government of Australia has announced plans to tax carbon emissions by the country's worst polluters as part of major reforms to tackle pollution and move towards a clean energy future.

Energy-related emissions continue to rise ◄ ▼

The prospect of reaching global 2020 greenhouse gas emission targets is "getting bleaker," the International Energy Agency has warned after emissions of energy-related emissions reached a record high in 2010.

Renault rapped for UK electric car advert ◄ ▼

Renault Fluence ZE French carmaker Renault has been ordered to change a UK advert for its forthcoming range of electric cars as it was considered misleading by citing figures based on the French electricity generation mix, which relies more on clean nuclear energy.

'20 20 by 2020' says Europe ◄ ▼

The European Commission has made long-awaited proposals on energy and climate change. By 2020 it wants a 20% cut in carbon dioxide emissions, and 20% of energy to come from renewables. Some MEPs called for nuclear power to be recognised.

Nuclear Energy and Climate Change

Climate Change