The wrong track to the future

It´s a tragedy that the Swedish government takes the old nuclear route.

By agreeing to open for new nuclear power plants, the Swedish government allows for increased pollution and more radioactive waste. It also accepts further investments in coal power by the state energy company Vattenfall, thereby worsening global climate change.We are deeply concerned with this, says Mikael Karlsson, President of the SSNC.

Ahead of the Swedish’ EU Presidency and the December Copenhagen Summit on Climate Change, we are deeply concerned with this monumental lack of modern leadership on climate issues, says the Swedish Society for Nature Conservation (SSNC), Sweden’s largest environmental organisation.

In today’s agreement between the four political parties constituting the government, a new energy position opens for new nuclear power plants in Sweden. The government recognises the present legal subsidies to nuclear power, and allows them to remain until further. The agreement also includes objectives for renewable energy and energy efficiency, mostly following minimum EU requirements. At present, electricity in Sweden is generated by hydro power, nuclear power, bio energy power and wind power.

– Since Swedish electricity generation already is low-carbon, increased nuclear power would not allow decrease greenhouse gas emissions. On the other hand, more nuclear power increases the risk for uranium mining in Sweden, and for more radioactive waste, in spite of the fact that no method has been accepted for waste storage. More nuclear power would also counteract investments on renewable energy, thereby preventing a sustainable development of Swedish energy systems, says Mikael Karlsson, President of the SSNC.  

The government agreement includes a climate objective for the non-emission trading sector of Sweden at around 27% decrease of carbon dioxide emissions between 1990 and 2020. In addition, Sweden will promote a 13% emission decrease in developing countries.

– The government’s proposal is a double error, with more nuclear power and low ambitions on climate policy. When wind power and other renewable energy sources are increasing world-wide, and companies are planning for a fast expansion in Sweden as well, exactly then, the government opens for the old nuclear route. A tragedy, says Svante Axelsson, Secretary General of the SSNC.