Lagos: Ahead of the Bonn Climate Conference SB62 in Germany, 12 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) from across Africa, Europe, and Russia have released a report on the growing number of African nations considering nuclear energy as part of their overall energy mix. This is contained in a statement issued by the Executive Director, Renevyln Development Initiative, Nigeria, Mr. Philip Jakpor.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, the report is titled: ‘The Alarming Rise of False Climate Solutions in Africa – The Nuclear Energy Misadventure.’ The statement said the report was prepared by campaigners as a collective advocacy report with a number of strong recommendations that reflect the breadth of their shared concerns about the development of nuclear energy across the continent.

The groups are unanimous in their demand for a nuclear-free Africa, safe from the dangers of nuclear energy and instead building a future powered by clean, affordable solutions. The report listed the countries to include Angola, Burkina Faso, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Uganda.

The report quoted Makoma Lekalakala, Goldman Prize recipient for Africa 2018, in her foreword, as saying that a post-carbon economy must be green for sustainability. ‘The demand for a Just Transition to a post-carbon economy means it must be green, sustainable, and socially inclusive. This comprehensive report lays out the case for why the nuclear energy option is not compatible with these demands.’

The statement said the report explores the numerous reasons why setting up nuclear plants was not the answer to the continent’s effort to reduce emissions. It added that the urgency of the climate crisis means nuclear energy is too slow to deliver; it is harmful to human health and the environment; and unlike renewables, it is not suited to solving the present problems of energy poverty.

According to the statement, the continent is becoming both a potential testing ground and, in particular, a battleground for conflicting geopolitical influences that are also playing out in the field of nuclear technology exports, or rather the prospect of such exports. It added that at the same time, the nuclear energy lobby is extensive, well-funded, and a global PR effort, including at UNFCCC climate meetings, is also documented in the report.

The statement said the authors of the report called for an end to plans and announcements to spend billions on building new nuclear power plants. They argued that three-quarters of Africa’s climate finance needs were not met, with more than half of existing climate finance in debt instruments.

The statement also quoted Mr. Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of Renevyln Development Initiative (RDI), as describing nuclear plans as ‘misadventure.’ Jakpor expressed concerns about the capacity to manage nuclear plants, citing longstanding difficulties with oil and gas infrastructure in Nigeria, which could make nuclear power stations targets for terrorism.

The Executive Director 360 Human Rights, Mr. Alberta Kpeleku, was quoted as saying that it was time for Ghana to reject nuclear power plans due to environmental disasters, health risks, and economic concerns. He emphasized prioritizing renewable energy sources like solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal.

Other CSOs include Ecodefense (Russia), International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War (Germany Affiliate), Renevlyn Development Initiative (Nigeria), Resilient 40 (African Climate Network), The Southern African Faith Communities’ Environment Institute (South Africa), Tipping Point North South (UK), and Uganda Environment Action Now (Uganda).