UK supports low-carbon future

Great Britain remains committed to a low-carbon future but considers nuclear and other technology a part of that goal, a minister said. A leaked government submission by London to the European Commission, reviewed by British newspaper The Guardian, claims the British government wants to do away with renewable energy objectives once a 20 percent target is reached in 2020. The document proposes "some type of target for 2030" that would include renewable, nuclear energy and carbon-capture and storage technology. British Energy Secretary Edward Davey said The Guardian's coverage was misleading. He said there is still a level of debate over what targets should be pursued for 2030. London, he said, believes any future benchmark should be "technology-neutral." The government of British Prime Minister David Cameron sees nuclear power as a vital part of a balanced energy mix. It's not, said Davey, against renewables. "Far from it -- renewables will play a key role in the future UK energy mix, helping to reduce import dependency and meet our carbon targets," he said in his letter.