12 February 2003
Before the publication of the Governments White Paper on Energy (February 2003) the Royal Society urged the Government to show political courage by spelling out clearly how nuclear power, renewables and energy efficiency measures could best contribute to UKs greenhouse emission reductions.
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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.