A draft G8 communique on "Global Energy Security", expected to be approved at a summit in Russia this weekend, highlights a deep split on the issue of nuclear energy among the world's most powerful economies.
ST. PETERSBURG, Russia — A draft G8 communique on "Global Energy Security", expected to be approved at a summit in Russia this weekend, highlights a deep split on the issue of nuclear energy among the world's most powerful economies.
The 5,500-word draft statement, given to Reuters by a senior official from one of the Group of Eight nations, was still being revised before the arrival on Saturday of the leaders of the United States, Russia, Japan, Germany, Italy, Canada, France, Britain and the European Union in St. Petersburg.
Although the United States and Russia would have liked the G8 statement to back the global revival of nuclear energy, Germany and, to a certain extent Italy, oppose this, G8 diplomats said. The draft text clearly highlights this rift.
"We recognise that G8 members pursue different ways to achieve energy security and the goals of climate protection," it said.
"Those of us who have or are considering plans relating to the use and/or development of safe and secure nuclear energy believe that its development will contribute to global energy security, while simultaneously reducing harmful air pollution and addressing the climate change challenge."
It adds something that German officials said was important to Berlin, which has committed to an early phase out of nuclear energy by the early 2020s: "We are committed to further reduce the risks associated with the safe use of nuclear energy."
Nuclear energy, which is making a comeback worldwide, above all in Asia, produces no greenhouse gases and has been hailed by some environmentalists as a good way of protecting the climate while meeting growing demand for electricity.
Critics, however, say there is no good solution for the storage of dangerous nuclear waste. They also say that nuclear power plants are vulnerable to terrorist attacks and result in an increased risk of nuclear weapons proliferation.
SECURITY, GROWTH, ENVIRONMENT
The bulk of the statement focuses on the general themes of what it calls the "three Es" -- energy security, economic growth and environmental protection.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is hosting the summit, has resisted European pressure to sign the Energy Charter Treaty and open his country's energy sector to foreign firms.
The G8 draft, however, gives support to the principles in the treaty, which EU officials see as a step forward.
"We support the principles of the Energy Charter and the efforts of participating countries to improve international energy cooperation," the text said.
The text also uses language that appears to call on Russia and the EU to open up their markets to investment in each other's companies. Russia has complained about not being able to acquire stakes in EU energy firms, while Europe wants more access to Russian pipelines and infrastructure.
"We will work to reduce barriers to energy investment and trade. It is especially important that companies from energy producing and consuming countries can invest in and acquire upstream and downstream assets internationally in a mutually beneficial way," the text said.
The text also calls for heavier reliance on and more investment in renewable energy sources and says more attention should be paid to the energy needs of the developing world. (Additional reporting by Jeff Mason in Brussels)
Source: Reuters
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