French Shun Nuclear Energy, Choose Conservation

(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - The overwhelming majority of people in France agree there is a need to conserve energy and favour renewable sources, according to a poll by CSA. 96 per cent of respondents think conserving energy should be a priority, and 94 per cent think the European country should focus on developing solar and wind power.

The overwhelming majority of people in France agree there is a need to conserve energy and favour renewable sources, according to a poll by CSA. 96 per cent of respondents think conserving energy should be a priority, and 94 per cent think the European country should focus on developing solar and wind power.

Only 35 per cent of respondents think developing nuclear power should be a priority for France, and 61 per cent think this should not be the focus of the country’s energy policy.

France generates 79 per cent of its electricity from nuclear reactors—the highest percentage of any country in the world. There are currently 59 nuclear power plants in France.

On Oct. 25, French president Nicolas Sarkozy presented his "ecological new deal", a national plan to combat pollution which includes 12 specific measures. The proposals include abolishing incandescent light bulbs by 2010, replacing all single-panel windows with thicker two-paned windows, and banning old home appliances "as soon as an alternative exists at a reasonable price."

Sarkozy said he wants to make France a leader in renewable energy but also ratified his support for nuclear power, saying, "The truth is that it is illusory in France to want to meet the climate challenge, our primary challenge, without nuclear energy. Today, we have no other choice, without renouncing growth." The legislature will have to either approve or reject the "ecological new deal" in a vote next year.

Polling Data
On the topic of energy, do you think (the following) should be a priority?

Yes No Not sure

Conserving energy
96% 4% --

Developing renewable energy
94% 5% 1%

Developing nuclear energy
35% 61% 4%

Source: CSA Methodology: Telephone interviews with 1,003 French adults, conducted on Oct. 10, 2007. No margin of error was provided.