Case Study on Nuclear Power in Uk

This was a piece of UK news issued on February 15, 2007. The case was about an environmental campaigner, Greenpeace, has won a high court ruling so that the UK government needed to rethink the controversial decision on building the new nuclear power stations.

Greenpeace International, an International Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), plays an increasingly influential role in shaping global policies. They work on seven big issues: climate change, forests, oceans, agriculture, toxic pollution, nuclear, and peace and disarmament. Greenpeace always fightvigorously against nuclear power because it is an unacceptable risk to the environment and to humanity. They suggest the only solution is to halt the expansion of all nuclear power, and for the shutdown of existing plants.

In this case, Greenpeace claimed that the UK government failed to carry out ‘the fullest public consultation' before making the decision on building the new nuclear power stations. The proposals and information on key issues, such as the disposal of radioactive waste and the financial costs of building new plants, presented were ambiguity. Mr Justice Sullivan, the judge of the High Court of Justice (Queen's Bench Division), mentioned that information of substance did emerged only after the consultation period, and some other information even misleading. It is impossible for the consultees to make an intelligent response to those incomplete proposals and inadequate information. Mr Justice Sullivan added that it was ‘procedurally