IAEA cites the importance of nuclear power to fight climate change at COP28

At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai last week, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said nuclear power is essential to fight climate change and action should be taken to expand its use.

It marked the first time that such a statement was made at the conference, indicating an increased global interest in nuclear power to tackle the challenge of a rapidly warming planet.

“The IAEA and its Member States that are nuclear energy producers and those working with the IAEA to promote the benefits of peaceful uses of nuclear energy acknowledge that all available low emission technologies should be recognized and actively supported,” IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said the conference. “Net zero needs nuclear power. Nuclear power emits no greenhouse gasses when it is produced and contributes to energy security and the stability of the power grid, while facilitating the broader uptake of solar and wind power.”

According to IAEA, 412 nuclear power reactors operating in 31 countries make up more than 370 gigawatts of installed capacity. This accounts for almost 10 percent of the world’s total electricity and a quarter of its low-carbon supply.

Currently, several countries – including Bangladesh, Egypt and Turkey – are building their first nuclear power plants, while many others have also decided to introduce nuclear energy. Further, existing nuclear power countries, including China, France, India, and Sweden among others, are planning to expand their nuclear programs.

“Studies confirm that the goal of global net zero carbon emissions can only be reached by 2050 with swift, sustained and significant investment in nuclear energy,” Rossi said. “Resilient and robust nuclear power has the potential to play a wider role in the quest towards net zero carbon emissions, while ensuring the highest level of nuclear safety and security.”

He also highlighted the recent innovations in the nuclear sector. Among them, he cited the small modular reactors that aim to make nuclear power easier to build, more flexible to deploy and more affordable. Further, Rossi said that nuclear power has avoided the release of some 30 gigatons of greenhouse gases since 2000.

Rossi said that nuclear power capacity will need to more than double by 2050 for current climate goals to be reached. However, he noted that “achieving a fair and enabling investment environment for new nuclear projects remains an uphill battle. We are not at a level playing field, yet, when it comes to financing nuclear projects.”

In a further step to enhance the prominence of nuclear power, IAEA will host the first-ever Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels next March.