The statement emphasises that energy policies must be driven by the aim of ensuring an adequate, secure and affordable supply of energy, whilst minimising the damage that can be caused by waste products such as carbon dioxide emissions and radioactive waste.
Unless the rate of renewables and energy efficiency measures makes up for the loss of capacity resulting from the phasing out of nuclear power, which currently supplies about a quarter of our electricity, then it is likely the UK will become more reliant on fossil fuels. This policy appears to be inconsistent with the UK Governments overall aim of reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Related Royal Society reports
- Economic instruments for the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions
- Developing a UK policy for the management of radioactive waste
- Response to the Performance and Innovation Unit's energy policy scoping note
- The role of the Renewables Directive in meeting Kyoto targets
- Royal Society & the Royal Academy of Engineering (1999) Nuclear Energy - The future climate