Is opting out of the peaceful uses of nuclear power a responsible approach to take?

This was the topic of an Expert Meeting arranged by the VDI-Gesellschaft fuer Energietechnik at the Berlin Palace Hotel on September 28-29, 1999 and attended by roughly one hundred experts, almost exclusively from Germany. The meeting was organized to examine the economic impact of Germany's sole opting out of a high technology in the face of a growing worldwide energy requirement, and whether this approach will allow the objectives of carbon dioxide reduction to be achieved in the interest of climate protection. The detailed points discussed at the meeting included the economic consequences for Germany arising from the country's opting out of the use of nuclear power; the preservation of competence in nuclear technology; the future role of nuclear power in the EU; the energy options existing for climate protection. In addition, political discussions were held with representatives of the political parties. (orig.)