Some European leaders and energy experts called for an expansion of the nuclear power industry at a summit in Brussels, saying it will help reduce carbon emissions.

Brussels

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A group of European leaders and energy experts gathered at a summit in Brussels to advocate for the growth of the nuclear power industry. They argue that expanding nuclear power capabilities is essential for reducing carbon emissions. The proponents believe that the revival of the nuclear industry could play a pivotal role in addressing climate change by providing a low-carbon energy source.



European leaders call for nuclear industry revival

Nuclear energy is back, stronger than ever, until a few years ago the consensus globally was to shut down reactors and shift to solar and wind energy. But the fallout from the war in Ukraine, the increase in electricity bills in Europe, the fears of disruption to oil and gas supplies in a volatile Middle East, is forcing Europeans and many other nations into a U-turn. Anxious the French economy could be hit hard, President Emmanuel Macron reversed a pledge to shut down reactors and is instead building many more. We can electrify our mobility, but if the electricity is produced with fossil fuel, it's a stupid move. You can decide to make a big move towards more electrification, but if you are totally dependent on complicated regions, let's say, in order to produce your own electricity, it could be a complicated move. But Germany is undeterred. It has recently shut down its last remaining reactors. Spain, the second largest nuclear energy producer in Europe, will follow suit. Europe seems to be facing a dilemma and it's unclear if it will ever be able to deliver on its promise of becoming a clean energy economy one day. This event is an event that also embraces renewables. Nuclear and renewables go hand in hand and if we want to achieve our goals and we want to achieve as fast, then nuclear is going to play a role. Activists try to block roads near the summit venue. For them, the nuclear energy revival is an act of betrayal. We are here to denounce that this summit is a sabotage of the energy transition. Nuclear energy is a fairy tale. It's not going to save the climate. For now, European leaders insist they remain committed that Europe will be carbon neutral by 2050, but that will depend on whether they can secure hundreds of billions of dollars worth of investments in technology renovation. Those who are in favor of expanding nuclear energy capacity will have to allay the fears of many people still haunted by the images of the Chernobyl and Fukushima disasters, as well as the activists who warn the radioactive waste from the reactors will remain a major environmental threat for many hundreds of years to come. Hashim al-Bara' al-Jazeera, Brussels.

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Baja California

Bodies found in search for missing Perth brothers

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Wenchang

China launches mission to far side of the moon

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London

U.K.'s Labour claims big early win over Conservatives

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Ankara

Turkey to stop trade with Israel until Gaza ceasefire

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Paris

States doing less to support press freedom, says watchdog

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Arizona

Arizona governor signs bill repealing 1864 abortion ban

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Washington

Biden breaks silence on protests at University Campuses

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New York

More than 1,000 student protesters arrested across U.S.

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Voters head to polls in last test for U.K.'s Sunak

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Zaporizhzhia

Ukraine Invasion

U.S. accuses Russia of using chemical weapons in Ukraine

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Council of the City of Sydney

Grave fears for brothers missing on Mexico surf trip

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Government hints at further tax incentives in Budget

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Bogotá

Israel-Gaza War

Colombia ends diplomatic relations with Israel

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Jerusalem

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Tbilisi

Thousands protest against Georgia's 'foreign influence' bill

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The Hague

ICJ rejects measures over German arms exports to Israel

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Police enter Columbia University, arrest protesters

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King Charles returns to public duties, visits cancer center

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Hainault

Teenage boy killed in London sword attack

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Canberra

Brittany Higgins fails in bid to delay defamation trial

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Buenos Aires

Argentina's Milei slashes 24,000 government jobs

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Odesa

Russian missile attack kills five in Ukraine's Odesa

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Edinburgh

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf quits

A 17-year-old girl charged with the stabbing murder of her 10-year-old sister in a suburb of Lake Macquarie in New South Wales will remain in custody.

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