COP 15 “Kyoto 2” at stake
United Nation COP15 (Conference Of Parties of the United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)) dealing with international policies on climate change took place in Copenhagen, Denmark from 7th to 18th December 2009. The objective was to set the base of a post 2012 agreement for CO2 emission regulation. This included for all signing parties to agree on individual targets for emission reductions.
A massive attendance
This ambitious goal raised a huge interest amongst NGOs. Between 45-50 thousands of participants from national delegations, NGOs and observers were registered to this major event. Inadequacy between facilities capacities and demands lead to access issues, especially on the second week of the conference. Only one third of the registered participants were finally authorized to access the facilities. Several hours of queuing (frequently 6 to 9 hours) were necessary to get the precious badge.
ENS-YGN in charge of the only “nuclear” side event
The European Nuclear Society with the Young Generation Network represented the nuclear community along with WNA/FORATOM an IAEA. Booths from both former and latter organizations were set within the main hall and hosted many visitors with extensive documentation. Six members of young generation networks from Europe and beyond were part of the nuclear delegation, Neil Crewdson (UK-YGN, Sellafield), Arnaud Meert (Belgian Nuclear Society, Westinghouse), Steven Knol (Dutch YGN, NRG) Alexey Lokhov (French Nuclear Society YGN, CEA), Matthias Horvath (Swiss and Spanish-YGN, ENUSA) and Edouard Hourcade (chair of ENS-YGN, CEA). To prepare ENS-YGN contribution, a 15 people working group was very active for more than six months prior to the conference.
Like in Poznan (COP14), hundreds of applications came from NGOs willing to get the few precious slots planned for official side events over the 2 week. Again, organizers had to go through drastic selection process and strongly encouraged side events merging. ENS-YGN merged with WNA and ended up organizing the only side event dealing with Nuclear Energy.
A high quality panel
ENS-YGN gave the floor to three panellists :
Arnaud MEERT from Belgium YGN, presented several assessments of CO2 released from Nuclear Energy. He pointed out that fuel cycle steps have an important impact over those figures which are, consequently, highly country dependant.
Christian STOFFAES (CEPII) presented world scenarios associating nuclear energy and bio fuels matching emissions targets.
Jan Horst KEPPLER (OECD/NEA) concluded the presentations with a broader view on political and economical challenges for nuclear community to address climate change.
Alexey Lokhov and Edouard Hourcade animated the debate.
Questions from the audience were raised about uranium resources and waste management. Living conditions of workers and population nearby nuclear facilities was also debated. Finally, many more informal discussions carried on between speakers and the audience while sharing Danish pastries after the conference.
Innovative communication material
Few hundreds of pamphlets were issued to address, with cartoons and facts, typical concerns about Nuclear Energy : Safety & Security, Waste management and Nuclear&CO2. Those materials were widely distributed all over the conference and in particular on countries booths.
This event organized by ENS-YGN was recognized as a success by many of the participants. We offered appreciated technical information and made clear what can be the contribution of nuclear energy as a mitigation option.
Many thanks to ENS, NRG, Westinghouse, Sellafield Ltd, WNA and CEA for their great support.
Edouard Hourcade Chair ENS-YGN 2009-2011
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