Public say, nuclear must play a role in reducing emissions
A majority of the public agree the UK should use nuclear and renewables to meets its legally binding emission reduction targets according to new figures released today by the Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) at its annual conference #Nuclear Powering the UK.
As world leaders meet in Paris at the COP21 international climate change negotiations, a poll of more than 2,000 people has found 57% believe the Government should use low-carbon technologies, including nuclear and renewables, to reach its emission targets. In contrast only 11% of the public disagree with the statement and 32% neither agree or disagree or don’t know.
Furthermore, the research shows 64% of the public think climate change is a “serious and urgent problem” or “definitely happening”.
Nuclear energy is a clean form of electricity generation and the power generated by the UK’s nuclear fleet avoids the emission of 40 million tonnes of CO2 every year – the equivalent of taking around half of Britain’s cars of the roads. In addition, over its life-time, each power station emits around five tonnes of CO2 per gigawatt hour of electricity generated, compared with nearly 500 tonnes from gas and more than 900 tonnes from coal.
The findings also show twice as many people support (41%) rather than oppose (20%) the UK’s current new build plans to replace the nuclear power stations which will be phased out over the next few years.
Similar to previous surveys, men (66%) are substantially more favourable towards new nuclear power than women (36%). Keeping the lights on, job creation and investment are all seen as advantages of nuclear energy but 64% of the public are concerned about nuclear waste, a clear illustration that it remains the main public issue for the sector.
By virtue of being one of the earliest nations to develop nuclear power, the UK is a world leader in nuclear decommissioning and waste management. The nuclear legacy of the country’s state-funded industry is the industry’s most serious issue and one which is being tackled effectively at Sellafield and across the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority estate.
Lessons have been learnt and the cost of decommissioning new nuclear power stations are well understood. As a result each new build operator will fund its eventual decommissioning cost through the Funded Decommissioning Programme.
Keith Parker, Chief Executive of the Nuclear Industry Association said:
“This poll endorses the Government’s continued commitment to nuclear power. The public clearly recognise the important role nuclear energy plays in helping to keep the lights on and reduce the UK’s carbon emissions.
“With all but one of the UK’s nuclear power stations due to close by the end of the 2020s, not only will the country lose a fifth of its generating capacity but CO2 emissions will rise and the country will undoubtedly become more dependent on imported energy. New nuclear power is essential for the UK and is the perfect complement to intermittent renewables in the UK’s fight against climate change and air pollution.”
