External aspects of Energy Security

A Greens/EFA motion for a resolution

In their motion for resolution, Greens/EFA recall that Nabucco is an EU priority project for the development of which 250 million Euros have been allocated by the Commission. They also welcome the idea of the DESERTEC project which adds to the credibility of the long-term target for a 100% global renewables-based economy and offers a real sustainable energy and economic development perspective for the non-EU Mediterranean countries.

Beyond the Myth

Study on the myths of nuclear energy in France

A study, commissioned by the Greens/EFA group, has dispelled some of the myths surrounding the French nuclear industry. Claims about nuclear energy's climate protection and energy independence credentials in particular are exposed as misleading.

Beyond the Myth (summary)

Summary of a study exposing the myths of nuclear power in France

A summary of a study, commissioned by the Greens/EFA group, has exposing some of the myths surrounding the French nuclear industry.

Extended Summary - The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2007

Extended summary of the new report highlighting global nuclear decline

Lack of trained workforce, massive loss of competence, severe manufacturing bottlenecks, lack of confidence of international finance institutions, strong competitors from highly dynamic natural gas and renewable energy systems exacerbate the aging problems of the industry

The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2007

New report highlights global nuclear decline

Lack of trained workforce, massive loss of competence, severe manufacturing bottlenecks, lack of confidence of international finance institutions, strong competitors from highly dynamic natural gas and renewable energy systems exacerbate the aging problems of the industry (updated version 31.12.2007)

Conclusions - World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2007

Competition and energy policy conflict

Greens/EFA open letter calling for suspension of Competition Commissioner's nuclear competences

The Greens/EFA group in the European Parliament sent an open letter to Commission President Barroso calling for the competences of EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes in the area of nuclear energy to be immediately withdrawn, as a result of a conflict of interests.

Residual risk - Summary and conclusions

Residual risk

An account of events in nuclear power plants since the Chernobyl accident in 1986

What happened since Chernobyl? No major accident, no large radioactive release, no massive evacuations, no widespread areas of radiologically contaminated land. So everything is fine? The authors of the study quickly realized that there are no comprehensive international statistics on incidents and accidents (pdf - 7.8 MB)

The Permanent Nth Country Experiment: Nuclear Weapons Proliferation in a Rapidly Changing World

A study carried out by international consultant Mycle Schneider and commissioned by the Greens/EFA in the European Parliament

For many years, nuclear weapons proliferation has remained confined to small expert circles. During the last months, there has been hardly a day without the issue on the front page of the newspapers. The present document attempts to lift some of the smokescreen, correct some of the misconceptions and highlight counter-proliferation approaches (pdf)

Banning the bulb

Written declaration on banning the incandescent light bulb

Green MEP Caroline Lucas has tabled the following Written Declaration urging the Commission to introduce legislation to ban the incandescent light bulb without delay.

Nuclear and climate change

40 reasons against nuclear as climate solution

Mankind will not be able to avoid climate change by taking the nuclear route. This technology simply cannot be developed on the scale that is required and in the limited time that is left to save our climate.

For a more (energy) efficient Parliament

Results of an analysis on the EP energy efficiency using thermographic pictures

In the frame of the campaign for the election of the European Parliament's president, Monica Frassoni, Greens/EFA candidate, committed also for a more energy efficient EP building. A thermographic analysis of the building was carried out. It provided concrete examples for improvements (pdf)

Yardsticks for a true EU leadership on climate change

Position paper of the Greens/EFA at the eve of the EU German Presidency

During the year 2007, EU energy, transport and climate change policy will be at the center of political attention of the EU. This paper defines the priorities of the Greens/Efa for the development of a sustainable energy system (pdf)

A pact for climate and energy security

In the 'pact for climate and energy security', the Greens have set out a concrete and binding framework for the EU to meet the challenges of climate change and at the same time address the problem of energy security in Europe (pdf)

A 'Vision Scenario' for climate and energy in Europe

This climate and energy scenario analysis, commissioned by the Greens in the EP, demonstrates that it is possible to achieve ambitious climate targets - emissions reductions of 30% by 2020 and 40% by 2030 - without any nuclear expansion (pdf)

Five written questions to the Commission on Chernobyl

13 Greens/EFA MEPs have presented written questions calling for the EU Commission to produce a credible evaluation of the damage caused by the disaster

The Greens/EFA Members expect the Commission to duly answer their questions by the end of April. Only when we know the truth about the consequences of Chernobyl can we learn the right lessons from the nuclear disaster

Remember Chernobyl? Remember Chernobyl!

Greens/EFA initiatives around Chernobyl anniversary

The Chernobyl disaster will continue and nobody will ever know the true extent of the damage to people and the environment. However, we do know enough to completely reject the slightest risk of this happening again!

The Other Report on Chernobyl (TORCH)

By Ian Fairlie PhD (UK) and David Sumner DPhil (UK)

An independent scientific evaluation of health and environmental effects 20 years after the nuclear disaster at Chernobyl, with a critical analysis of a recent report of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Health Organisation. (pdf)

The nuclear endgame

The 20th Century was nuclear; the 21st Century will be energy intelligent!

The Greens publish a short paper explaining why nuclear is not the solution. Nuclear power is dangerous, linked to weapons, a terrorist target, dirty, expensive, inefficient, outdated, in decline and unwanted. (pdf)

Vienna Declaration

A Sustainable Energy Policy for Europe

The Greens/EFA have launched a strategy paper outlining its vision for a sustainable energy policy for Europe. Coming in advance of the EU Commission's Green Paper on energy policy, the Greens' Vienna Declaration provides a more comprehensive framework for developing a European energy policy. (pdf)

Note on the Russian -Ukrainian gas crisis

The threat of a gas war between EU and Russia is pure populism

MEP Claude Turmes throws light on the background of the current crisis unveiling some wrong assumptions of the debate. The gas crisis is not new, but 15 years old. And it is surely not a crisis of the EU, as Russia is probably itself dependent on the income from European gas sales. (pdf)

Stimulating A Democratic Debate About The EU’s Research Priorities

Our Green proposals for the 7th EU Research Framework Programme for Energy and Nuclear (FP7)

The FP7 proposal is the largest ever EU research and development scheme. However, its priorities are wrong. Not nuclear energy, but energy efficiency and renewables need more funding. This paper provides a set of criteria in order to create some objectivity for the difficult decisions ahead. (pdf)

Oil price rises and dependence on oil

Motion for a resolution by MEP Claude Turmes

Climate change is a major threat for our world. Rising oil prices will lead to more potential conflicts - especially in developing countries. Our draft report calls, for example, for more help to these countries to reduce their dependency on expensive import of fossil fuels. (pdf)

On natural disasters

Motion for a resolution by MEPs Turmes, Hassi and Lichtenberger

Take Hurricane Katrina or the desastrous drought on the Iberian peninsular - two cases of unprecedented natural disasters, two cases in which caused damage could have been partly prevented. Our motion therefore demands better prevention policies and more measures to raise public awareness. (pdf)

Reducing Europe's dependency on oil

A contribution to the jobs, innovation and sustainability challenge

The price of oil has risen more than 50 per cent in the last year alone. Yet, we have not reached the peak: one day the demand for oil will outstrip production. This will have dramatic consequences on the world economy. To avoid this we need concrete measures at EU level as soon as possible. (pdf)

The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2004

50 years after the first plant was built nuclear power is on its way out

This report commissioned by Greens/EFA provides a solid basis for analysis into the prospects for the nuclear power industry. And its conclusions are clear: Still no sign for a "nuclear revival" and a sharp decline in the number of operating plants to be expected after 2020. (pdf)

The ‘Renewables 2004’ Bonn conference

A 100% renewable world is feasible and necessary – a draft position paper

You fear the effects of climate change? Ok, let’s make Europe the first renewable economy! Let’s withdraw completely from old-fashioned energy sources like coal and oil by 2050. A crazy demand? No! The technology is there. It is just a question of political will. Check out our position paper! (pdf)

The Future of the Euratom Treaty in the Framework of a New European Convention

Contribution to the Constitutional Convent - analysis and recommendations

Nuclear power has to be phased out. It is dangerous, uneconomic and hinders the development of more sustainable technologies. In addition, the Euratom Treaty creates a ‘special economic zone’ which gives nuclear energy undue advantages and therefore contradicts the EU-Treaty. (pdf)

Securing a sustainable energy future in an enlarged EU

Report by MEP Claude Turmes, Luxembourg

The EU is lacking a coherent energy policy. We should not wait any longer to change this. It should be based on a nuclear phase out, natural gas as the fuel of transition, the promotion of renewables and the principle of energy efficiency as the key to a sustainable energy future. (pdf)

15 years after Chernobyl - Nuclear Power AND Climate Change?

An analysis by Greens/EFA and the World Information Service on Energy

For a lot of people Chernobyl seems to be only a faint memory today. Instead, public attention has turned to climate change. Does nuclear power come back in through the window of opportunities provided by the - justified - collective fear of the greenhouse effect? (pdf)