G8 bears witness to growing nuclear interest

G8 bears witness to growing nuclear interest
08 July 2008

G8 Hokkaido 2008

G8 leaders are seeking a global target of a 50% cut of carbon emissions by 2050, but have stopped short of an outright endorsement of nuclear energy as a means of tackling climate change. The group has acknowledged that a growing number of countries see it that way.

In its Environment and Climate Change statement, released during the G8 Hokkaido summit, the leaders jointly called for a global goal of at least a 50% cut in carbon emissions by 2050, calling on all parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) to "consider and adopt... the goal of achieving at least 50% reduction of global emissions by 2050." While acknowledging that G8 countries must take the lead, with each of the G8 nations implementing "ambitious, economy-wide" goals in the medium term, the statement is clear that the response to carbon emissions must be on a global scale.

Only one country - Germany - does not openly support the widespread use of nuclear power in the context of climate change, but the statement did not go as far as openly endorsing nuclear. Instead, according to the statement, "We witness that a

"A country that has
the capability to
responsibly use nuclear
has a responsibility to do
so, if we want to get
serious about not just
cutting greenhouse gas
emissions, but also
improving public health
through reduced air
pollution."

James Connaughton, chairman,
White House Council on
Environmental Quality

growing number of countries have expressed their interest in nuclear power programs as a means to addressing climate change and energy security concerns." However, the group has said it will launch an international initiative on '3S-based' nuclear energy infrastructure.

http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/EE_G8_bears_witness_to_growing_nuclear_interest_0807087.html