Finding the power to cut pollution

Date: 29/05/1997

WHEN the world's environment ministers gather in the Japanese city of Kyoto in December, the choices they make will have a decisive effect not only on the global climate but also on strategic planning decisions for businesses throughout the Union.

EU environment ministers have already set an ambitious target for reducing 'greenhouse gas' emissions by 15&percent; by 2010 compared with the 1990 reference year.

But, underlining that this is merely a negotiating position, EU officials stress it is unlikely that all industrialised countries will agree to such stringent limits.

Even within the Union, differences in the energy mix in individual countries and varying development needs mean some countries will be hit much harder than others.

Germany, Denmark and Austria face a 25&percent; reduction in the three main greenhouse gases; and the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium a 10&percent; cut.

Thanks to their traditional reliance on the nuclear sector, France and Sweden will be comparatively unaffected by the proposed cuts, although the latter will have to rethink its power generation policy priorities having opted to phase out nuclear plants.

Reflecting their relative lack of development compared with some of their richer neighbours, the 'cohesion states' - Greece, Portugal, Spain and Ireland - will actually be permitted to increase emissions.

Meeting in Brussels earlier this week, energy ministers had their first opportunity to react to the ground rules laid down by their environment colleagues. The were told that the Union currently accounts for 16&percent; of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, even though it has only 6&percent; of the world's population.

Energy Commissioner Christos Papoutsis asked ministers to consider energy efficiency measures, increasing the penetration of renewable energy sources and promoting cogeneration of heat and power.

The challenge facing the policy-makers is clear: a recent European Commission study warned that the maintenance of current policies would see emissions from the energy industry rise 12&percent; by 2010 compared with 1990 levels. Yet despite its evident advantage in the global warming stakes, nuclear power has not so far been enthusiastically embraced by a number of member states as the way to solve the EU's growing energy needs while reducing greenhouse emissions, because of safety concerns.

Eleven years after the Chernobyl disaster, deep-rooted worries persist that the risk is too great. In some countries, notably the UK, cost considerations have also loomed large.

That is not to say that the EU has given up on nuclear power. The Euratom Treaty still states in its preamble that its goal is “to create the conditions necessary for the development of a powerful nuclear industry which will provide extensive energy resources”, and the sector remains a major recipient of financing under the framework research and development programmes.

Daniel Chavardes, of French nuclear generator Framatome, argues that “the Union's domestic energy resources are limited and nuclear energy should continue to play a basic role for a balanced energy mix corresponding to future European needs”. He adds that current nuclear capacity “avoids the annual release of approximately 700 million tonnes of carbon dioxide”.

But if some EU governments continue to spurn the nuclear option and the world is serious about reducing carbon dioxide pollution, increased research into alternative energy sources is all the more important - particularly given the Commission's estimate that the Union's dependence on imported energy could reach 70&percent; of total consumption by 2020.

Papoutsis' official policy is to double renewables' share of total consumption to 12&percent; by 2010. But research efforts still lag behind those in the more mainstream energy sectors.

A new report prepared for Greenpeace claims that more than 90&percent; of direct subsidies from EU governments to the energy industry go to fossil fuels (63&percent;) and nuclear power (28&percent;).

The European Biomass Association believes its members could fulfil 73&percent; of renewable energy needs by 2010, but only if the EU turns its farming and forestry policies on their head.

The wind, water and solar power industries are also pushing for a slice of the action.

Friends of the Earth is in no doubt about where the necessary resources should come from, arguing that R&D funding should be redirected towards renewable energy sources and away from nuclear power.