04 Nov 2010 09:11:03

Nuclear opposition 'has added to carbon emissions'

One billion extra tonnes of carbon has been emitted because of opposition to nuclear power generation, experts have claimed.

Speaking to producers of a Channel 4 documentary, campaigners claimed that environmental advocates are in danger of repeating the mistakes of the past by continuing to oppose nuclear power, the Daily Telegraph reports.

Campaigner Mark Lynas said that nuclear opposition has already added to the levels of carbon in the atmosphere, because the objection to the technology in the 1970s and 80s led to the construction of highly-polluting coal power plants.

"In hindsight that was obviously a mistake, but it is one that today's environmental lobby groups seem determined to repeat," he is quoted by the news provider as saying.

But, Ben Stewart from Greenpeace, said a real debate on the issue is needed.

"With the threat of climate change we look at all options but in our opinion [nuclear power and GM] do not stack up," he is quoted as saying.

A KPMG report released earlier this year suggested that investment in nuclear power is needed if the UK is to meet its carbon reduction targets.