Given the large number of indirect systemic effects, it is interesting to evaluate the overall CO2 emissions of the energy sector in countries with nuclear capacity. The largest generators of nuclear power also have energy sectors with the highest CO2 emissions. The same analysis applies to overall CO2 emissions per country or region. There is an interesting correlation between nuclear generation and CO 2 emissions.
China is the counter example.
The example of China illustrates well the potential role of energy efficiency in greenhouse gas abatement. Analysis of developments between 1980 and 1997 shows that while the country reduced its CO2 emissions through penetration of carbon-free fuel by hardly more than 10 million tonnes of carbon, the reduction due to energy efficiency measures delivered savings of more than 430 million tonnes of carbon over the same period. It seems obvious that there is no forced correlation between a high level of nuclear generation and low CO2 emissions of a given country. So far France is the exception. France is also the most nuclear-intensive country in the world, apart from Lithuania.