HC Deb 26 April 1989 vol 151 cc545-6W
Mr. Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy (1) what is his policy on the role to be played by nuclear power in this country and abroad in helping to reduce and control the greenhouse effect; and if he will make a statement; (2) if he is able to estimate the probable reduction per year in the level of carbon dioxide emissions, expressed in million tonnes, by substituting one pressurised water reactor for an equivalent capacity coal-fired station; (3) whether a United Kingdom pro-rata contribution to the reduction of carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent. of their 1988 levels, as called for in the Toronto conference statement to combat the greenhouse effect, could be met solely through Government-led energy conservation, the increased use of renewable energy sources and the novel coal burning technologies currently under development; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Spicer

Nuclear power is already making a significant contribution to curbing emissions of carbon dioxide both here and abroad and I believe that it has an important contribution to make as part of any future international response to the threat of manmade climate change. I estimate that in broad terms substitution of a large PWR for equivalent coal-fired generation might reduce carbon dioxide emissions by around 6 million tonnes a year.

The inter-governmental panel on climate change, to which the United Kingdom has given its full support, is currently conducting a wide-ranging review of the climate change issue; it is therefore inappropriate to consider specific emission reduction targets at this time. It is likely, however, that any response would vary according to the economic and technical circumstances of individual countries and involve a wide range of measures including improved efficiency in both the supply and use of energy as well as moves toward less carbon-intensive fuels. My Department's policies for encouraging economic energy efficiency, the development of renewable energy sources, and diversity in supply are a firm basis for any future action.