Civil Nuclear Energy: Fuel of the Future or Relic of the Past? (Royal Institute of International Affairs)

The world is becoming increasingly concerned about sustainable ways of providing for growing energy requirements without causing unmanageable climate change. Yet the debate about the future of nuclear energy has been characterized by a level of emotionalism that is rare in such a complex issue. This has served to prevent the atmosphere of seriousness necessary to appraise the role that nuclear power might or might not play in the future. However, the long time-scales involved in energy mean that decisions taken or ducked today will have implications for several decades. This report seeks to illuminate the main issues in the nuclear debate, by presenting conflicting views side by side. It also lays the basis for more detailed analysis.