[cdn-nucl-l] EFN - COP 5 intervention of Astrid Gisbertz (fwd)

["S. Mohammad R. Nejat" <nejatsm@mcmail.cis.McMaster.CA>]

EFN - COP 5 INTERVENTION OF ASTRID GIEBERTZ

Dear friends of clean nuclear energy,

Included you will find the plenary session speech of Dr Astrid Giebertz
at the Bonn COP 5 meetings, end October (the sessions lasted 2 weeks)

Miss Giebertz is reported to have made a strong impression on the
audience, although or maybe because, she has been one of the few to
address openly on the subject of clean nuclear energy for the future 
of the planet.

With best regards,

Bruno comby
President of EFN
______________

Miss Astrid Giebertz' speach at COP5 international diuscussions :

Mr President, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

My name is Astrid Giebertz and I am speaking on behalf of FORATOM, the
European Atomic Forum, representing the nuclear industry in Europe. We
are here at the climate change conference under an umbrella group - the
International Nuclear Forum.

Not only do I represent these official groups but I am also a young
person with concerns about my environment and the environment for 
my children.

In some areas of the world, electricity is a basic commodity, whereas in
others, it is only a dream.

Even with conservation measures, population and economic growth will
increase world demand for electricity as countries develop and expand
their industrial base.

Satisfying this demand will have environmental consequences, as all
methods of electricity generation have some impact on the environment. 
Our global challenge is to minimize this impact while satisfying the 
energy needs of the world.

The world needs all available emission avoidance technologies.  We
suggest there should be no exclusion of technology that can fulfil 
the criteria within the framework of Joint Implementation and the 
Clean Development Mechanism.  Additionally, the choice of nuclear 
energy in this context must be based on each individual country's 
circumstances.

Implementation of emission restrictions should be flexible, without
limits on the nature and scope of acceptable projects, so as to 
optimise each individual country's development and energy choices.

Electricity generated by nuclear energy is already avoiding global
carbon emissions and is contributing to the attainment of voluntary 
reduction commitments.  Currently, nuclear accounts for 16% of the 
world's electricity, thus avoiding 1.8 billion tonnes of CO2 annually.
Maintaining and expanding nuclear energy generation - together with 
the extended use of renewables - can avoid emission increases which 
result from developed and developing country industrial growth.

Nuclear energy projects meet the test of sustainable development as
defined in Article 12 of the Kyoto Protocol because they are real, 
quantifiable, verifiable and additional.

The global nuclear energy industry, through its participation in the
International Nuclear Forum, will continue to work with all UNFCCC
Parties, observers and the public to protect the environment and make 
sustained development possible. Thank you.

_____________________