| Sarkozy Backs Global Nuclear Plans | | Print | |
| Wednesday, 10 March 2010 | |
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French President Nicolas Sarkozy re-iterated strong support for new nuclear build at a major French energy conference this week. He said major industrial powers could change their economies towards new forms of power generation – with an eye on protecting the environment – and reducing poverty. According to World Nuclear News Sarkozy said that solutions to future energy needs would not be found in no-growth theories. Such policies were selfish and would force the poorest people of the world to stay in their current situation and 'would close the door' on have-nots. France is deeply convinced that nuclear power is the key to more equitably sharing wealth on the planet. According to Sarkozy the world would need 40% more energy by 2030, with the vast majority of the increase in demand taking place in non-OECD countries, and nuclear energy use must grow in these developing regions. Sarkozy said that the world would need renewables and nuclear if we were to honour our goals on climate change. The French President complained that nuclear projects were ostracised in terms of international funding. This, he said, was sentencing poorer countries to use more expensive generation options. The World Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development should undertake fully to fund new nuclear power generation. Meanwhile he called for the current rules governing the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism to be changed too to include nuclear energy projects, as the present restriction was impacting on the energy choices of poorer countries. Sarkozy also had advice for countries starting to embark on nuclear energy programs. The general public needs to be closely involved in any project, with full consultation. Those countries wanting to embark on civil nuclear power must do so with full transparency. Comments (0)
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