Global Utilities: The failure of climate change initiatives will drive new nuclear power build

Introduction

Datamonitor expects that the future direction of the global debate on climate change to remain uncertain. While piecemeal US climate change initiatives will gather momentum, America's participation in a multilateral agreement will require unlikely Chinese involvement. Europe will continue to lead the abatement agenda, but it cannot ultimately block a renaissance of nuclear power.

Scope

• an overview of current developments in the global debate on climate change and the timeline for future US and European initiatives.
• an understanding of the pivotal relationship between US and Chinese economic and emissions growth and how their rivalry impacts global policy.
• an assessment of the future role of nuclear power in the global energy mix and the region's will to drive the renaissance of atomic generation.

Highlights

American industry is preparing for inevitable federal action on climate change. Mounting pressure on the US to accept its contribution to global warming is beginning to bear fruit with the Federal Energy Regulation Committee currently in consultation with leading US utilities over the future prospect of a 'cap and trade' emissions trading scheme.

Chinese acceptance of a binding emissions quota will be key to US participation in any multilateral global climate change agreement. The countries are the largest emitters of carbon on the planet. Although the Chinese economy is growing at a much faster rate than its US rival, it will only be a fifth of the size of American market by 2010.

A nuclear renaissance will be centred in Beijing and Moscow. China is forecast to account for a 9% share of global atomic output by 2030, reflecting the drive of the People's Republic to temper growing dependence on imported oil and coal. Russia's President Putin also announced an extensive new nuclear build programmes at the latest G8 summit.

Reasons to Purchase

• identify the current obstacles and future direction of the global debate on climate change.
• understand the pivotal impact that projected Chinese and US economic growth will have on global carbon emissions.
• assess the future role of nuclear power generation in the energy mixes of China, Europe, Russia and the US.