[asia-apec 408] The Citizens' International Conference on Sustainable and Peaceful Energy

[Citizens' Nuclear Information Center]

Dear friends,


As all of you might know, the Third Conference of the Parties to the
Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 3) is to take place in Kyoto
from 2nd to 10th December this year.  The Japanese government is going to
use the opportunity to advocate for nuclear energy as a "clean energy"
without carbon emission.  The idea is very dangerous in that advocating
only for nuclear would hinder serious efforts for energy efficiency and
renewable energy and also present an unfavorable precedence for other Asian
countries, accelerating nuclear development in Asia.

We, Citizens' Nuclear Information Center, set up a study group on the issue
of climate change and nuclear and are going to hold the Citizens'
International Conference on Sustainable and Peaceful Energy as a counter
symposium at the time of the COP 3.  Announcement and agenda are following.
If you have any interests in the conference, please contact us.

With best regards,

Mika Ohbayashi

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ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE CITIZENS' INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE AND
PEACEFUL ENERGY FUTURE

DATE    2 DECEMBER 1997
PLACE   Kyoto International Community Center

Citizens' Nuclear Information Center and Friends of the Earth Japan will
co-host the "Citizens' International Conference for Sustainable and
Peaceful Energy Future (title tentative)" at Kyoto International Community
Center in Kyoto on 2nd December 1997.  The Conference is aimed at offering
an opportunity to the public an energy discussion toward a sustainable and
peaceful future based on a rational scientific basis. The Conference is to
take advantage of the opportunity of the Third Conference of the Parties to
the Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP3) from 1 to 10 December,
where an unprecedented number of government officials, journalists and NPO
activists are expected to gather from around the world.

The Citizens' Conference is aimed at reaffirming the lack of innovative and
responsible initiatives concerning global environment on the side of many
Annex I governments, particularly the Government of Japan, and will
demonstrate the better energy scenarios supported by many NPOs and
communities all over the world.

Given the historic importance and the scale of attention towards the UN
conference, the organizers intend to work closely with national and
international media to raise crucial aspects of citizen participation to
formulate a safe, equitable and sustainable future.

The main issues to be addressed at the Citizens' Conference will be: 1.
Climate change and nuclear energy
2. Prospects of energy efficiency and a sustainable world 3. Renewable
energy and citizens' role

The Citizens' Conference focuses on Japanese and Asian alternatives in the
context of economic development, security and the environment in the
region. It will also focus on stimulating the interaction and mutual
learning process between Asian and European non-governmental initiatives
and campaigns.

We are planning to invite NPO representatives to present their cases at the
Conference although financial resources available by the organizers are
very limited. Those who are going to attend the COP3 and are interested in
the following conference, please respond to the following inquiries and
send back to us by the end of August 1997.

Sincerely,

Mika Ohbayashi, Citizens' Nuclear Information Center (e-
mail:cnic-jp at po.iijnet.or.jp) Yuri Onodera, Friends of the Earth Japan
(e-mail: QFG03752 at niftyserve.or.jp)

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Thank you very much for your interest to the Citizens' Conference.

CONTACT;
*Mika Ohbayashi (Ms.)
Energy Issues and Asian Issues Officer
Citizens' Nuclear Information Center
3F Kotobuki Bldg., 1-58-15 Higashi-nakano Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164, JAPAN
phone 81-3-5330-9520
fax     81-3-5330-9530
e-mail cnic-jp at po.iijnet.or.jp

*Yuri Onodera (Mr.)
Sustainable Societies Project Coordinator Friends of the Earth Japan
3-17-24-2F, Mejiro
Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171, JAPAN
phone 81-3-3951-1081
fax     81-3-3951-1084
e-mail QFG03752 at niftyserve.or.jp

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TENTATIVE AGENDA OF THE CITIZENS' INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR SUSTAINABLE
AND PEACEFUL ENERGY FUTURE

DATE    2 DECEMBER 1997
PLACE   Kyoto International Community Center

10:00-12:00 PLENARY SESSION I
Keynote Address:
"Change for a Sustainable and Peaceful Energy Policy"
Dr. Ernst U. von Weizsaecker, President
Wuppertal Institute (under negotiations)

Special Presentation I:
"Nuclear Phase Out and Citizens' Role"
Dr. Jinzaburo Takagi, Executive Director, Citizens' Nuclear Information Center

Special Presentation II:
"Sustainable Energy Production and Consumption Policies"
Friends of the Earth International

13:00-14:00 PLENARY SESSION II
"Nuclear Energy, a Dangerous and Irrational Answer to the Global
Environmental Crisis" Presentations from Japan and Europe. The Government
of Japan promotes nuclear energy as one of the best solutions to global
warming. The session reinforces that nuclear power generation imposes
environmental burdens and proliferation risks other than the carbon
emissions, and aims at critically analyzing the current policy trends of
the Government by using recently conducted scientific studies.

14:30- 16:20 Workshop 1
"Sustainable Energy Future in Asia"
Many Asian countries with rapid economic growth are planning to shift their
energy production to coal and nuclear energy which will exacerbate the
environmental conditions in the region. There are, however, a great deal of
environmentally sound and socially appropriate initiatives implemented by
both government and NPO sectors throughout the region. The discussion will
center on the current status and identify obstacles and potentials for a
sustainable and more peaceful energy future in Asia.
*At present, we are planning to invite some energy specialists from ROK,
China, Philippines, Taiwan and Indonesia.

14:30-16:20 Workshop 2
"Energy Production and Consumption Policy for A Sustainable Future " The
discussion will introduce European campaigns to achieve sustainable energy
production and consumption policy. A major underlying cause behind today's
global environmental crisis is the disproportionally large consumption of
Northern affluent societies. Cases will be presented on policies that shift
to renewable energy sources and long- term reduction of energy consumption
which can contribute to improve quality of life, increased employment and a
better environment for future generations.

16:30 - 18:00 PLENARY SESSION II
"New Aspects of Energy Future --- Role of Citizens to Create New
Perspectives" Decentralized energy systems through renewable energy sources
can contribute much to empower local communities not only with energy
sufficiency, but also on economic terms, employment and self-
determination. Transparent policy formulation and participation by citizens
is a crucial factor to insure that development benefits communities and
people in the society equally. The session presents the achievement and
key-messages from this whole-day discussion to the world audience.

18:30 - 19:00 PRESS CONFERENCE



CONTACT;

Mika Ohbayashi (Ms.)
Energy Issues and Asian Issues Officer
Citizens' Nuclear Information Center
3F Kotobuki Bldg., 1-58-15 Higashi-nakano Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164, JAPAN
phone 81-3-5330-9520
fax     81-3-5330-9530
e-mail cnic-jp at po.iijnet.or.jp

Yuri Onodera (Mr.)
Sustainable Societies Project Coordinator
Friends of the Earth Japan
3-17-24-2F, Mejiro
Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171, JAPAN
phone 81-3-3951-1081
fax     81-3-3951-1084
e-mail QFG03752 at niftyserve.or.jp

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Project '97: CLIMATE CHANGE AND NUCLEAR ENERGY: CAN NUCLEAR SAVE ASIA?
 -- TOWARD C0P3 (under a long term project "Energy for a Sustainable and
Peaceful Asia")


The Third Conference of the Parties to the Framework Convention on Climate
Change (COP3) is to take place in Kyoto in December 1997. The conference is
mainly to adopt a protocol which enhances the agenda for the developed
countries to implement the agreement of the Rio Earth Summit that the
emissions of green house gases should be stabilized at the level of 1990 by
the year 2000.

As the host country for COP3, Japan has to lead the conference to conform
to the Berlin Mandate. However, despite a reputation for energy efficiency
and new technology, Japan has had little success with its national climate
program.

Despite the official stance on supporting energy efficiency and renewable
energy, in reality, the major energy policy effort has been to promote
nuclear energy which, they claim, does not emit carbon and therefore is
deemed "clean". The Sub-Committee for Basic Policy of the Advisory
Committee on Energy (ACE) which advises the Minister of International Trade
and Industry has published a report for COP3 in the end of 1996, stating
that a further nuclear capacity expansion of 70 GWe (70 reactors of 1000
MWe class) is necessary by 2030 to keep within the target carbon emission
level.

Although this plan would not work apparently partly because of the
increased anti-nuclear publi awareness as shown in the recent referendum at
Maki Town, Niigata Prefecture, which resulted in "No" to NPP construction
and partly because nuclear energy cannot be a like a trump card for climate
change suppression, overlooking MITI's strategy would lead to a disastrous
situation that no effective measures would be taken by the government for a
effective climate program. In addition, Japan's attitude would affect the
rapidly developing Asian countries in the same direction. Presenting an
alternative future based on more peaceful and sustainable energy program at
the opportunity of COP3 is thus a key necessity to all Asian people.

Expanding the nuclear industry will lead to far greater risks of weapons
proliferation, especially in East and South-East Asia where a large-scale
civil nuclear program itself could, with its military potential, greatly
destabilize the already unstable region. and the possibility of a nuclear
accident, because of Asia's complicated political situation. Rapid nuclear
expansion would also likely lead to catastrophe accidents, because
industrial infrastructures are extremely underdeveloped in these countries.
Furthermore, the economic burden of establishing a full scale nuclear
program is too large for Asian countries to make nuclear energy a realistic
option.

In addition, after the accidents at the Power Reactor and Nuclear Fuel
Development Co.'s (PNC) facilities, the Monju fast breeder reactor and the
Tokai reprocessing plant, the Japanese citizens have become very doubtful
about nuclear power as a national policy, and their interests in energy
issue have risen. At the time of COP3, the attention of the Asian public
and decision makers, including Japanese, will be at its highest, so
initiating a citizens' based energy proposal for a sustainable future will
be vital.

This project is to argue, with strong scientific evidence, that promoting
nuclear energy will adversely affect global climate rather than contribute
to suppressing climate change as well as to making a proposal for an
alternative energy policy for a sustainable and peaceful future. We would
use the results of our work to educate the public and decision makers,
e.g., members of the Japanese parliament and government, energy
specialists, NGO activists and overseas delegations, especially from Asian
countries.

Sustainable energy like renewable energy, such as solar and wind power, has
enormous potential to become the next century's main energy source and has
begun lifting off to compete in the industrial market in Japan. We would
like to initiate a national energy discussion for sustainable energy with
the people addressed above, making full use of the COP3 which will gather
public attention on the environment.

The project is the start of a long term project for Energy for Sustainable
and Peaceful Future in Asia to be launched in April 1997 and this year's
project is dedicated to the issue of climate change and nuclear energy,
focused on COP3.

1.   Organizing the Study Group for Climate Change and Nuclear Energy
(SCNE) Until now we have already been successful in gathering a number of
influential and competent scientists together with some highly motivated
young associates to set up a study group to deal with the issue of climate
change and nuclear energy. Some experts who have influence with the public
and government officials, have already expressed their willingness to join
as advisors and work in close cooperation with us.

2.   Conduct Scientific Research
SCNE conducts scientific research on energy and climate change. Main Issues
to be Addressed in SCNE:
1) How much can nuclear power generation contribute to cutting carbon
emissions? --A critical reanalysis of government reports.
2) Nuclear energy and global environment--Nuclear power generation imposes
environmental burdens other than the carbon emissions and these burdens
should be quantified and their impact on the global environment be
assessed.
3) Desirable energy scenario from the viewpoint of sustainability and peace
in Asia. The relations between nuclear weapons caused by proliferation and
commercial nuclear power plants would also be reviewed.
4) Economics of Nuclear energy: one prevalent argument in favor of nuclear
energy is it is economically more favorable than renewable energy or energy
efficiency, This is, however, becoming highly questionable even under the
current conditions in Japan. Industry is beginning to take a greater
interest an alternative energy path for purely economic reasons. The
economics of nuclear energy over other energy sources will be thoroughly
reanalyzed by taking into account the costs of all aspects of the nuclear
fuel cycle from mining to waste disposal and decommissioning.
5) Collecting data to create an Energy Data Base. To have a useful
discussion on energy issues, reliable information is vital. In Japan, the
government releases very little information on the issues. CNIC already has
long established connections with the government and industry officials,
and uses the connections to collect and gather data to create a
comprehensive energy data base which the public can use.

3.   Send regular e-mail info-packs to all concerned parties Information
will be send at the appropriate time to the appropriate concerned parties.

4.   Launch a Web site home page on Climate and Nuclear Energy Open a
CNIC/SCNE home page to transmit updated information from SCNE on climate
change and nuclear energy arousing public concern and interest toward COP3.


Citizens' Nuclear Information Center is a public interest information
service formed to provide reliable information on nuclear power and nuclear
issues in general. The Center gathers, compiles and analyses data then
condenses these analyses into a form usable by the anti nuclear movement
and readable by the layman.

CITIZENS' NUCLEAR INFORMATION CENTER
1-59-14-302, Higashi-nakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164, Japan phone
81-3-5330-9520, fax 81-3-5330-9530, e-mail:<cnic at po.iijnet.or.jp>
<cnic at kiwi.co.jp> CONTACT: Mika Ohbayashi, energy issues and Asian nuclear
isses

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Citizens' Nuclear Information Center
3F Kotobuki Bldg.,1-58-15 Higashi-nakano, Nakano-ku, Tokyo 164, Japan
Phone:+81-3-5330-9520/Facsimile:+81-3-5330-9530
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/e-mail:cnic at kiwi.co.jp
_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/_/cnic-jp at po.iijnet.or.jp