Climate Change | Nuclear Power

Nuclear Energy and Climate Change

Nuclear energy is a vital component of a clean energy strategy. Currently nuclear generation avoids the emission of over two billion tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.

Nuclear energy can address the competing needs for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, economic development and energy security. A wider deployment of nuclear power will reduce the cost of achieving emissions reductions, and increase the chances of meeting our climate change objectives. Nuclear is recognized as a crucial mitigation technology and many countries are planning to use nuclear generation to meet the goals of the UNFCCC.

• Nuclear generation plays a key role in emissions reduction
• Uranium reserves and resources are plentiful
• New generation build for power generation should make maximum use of low carbon technologies
• Nuclear is compatible with the three pillars of sustainable development

Read more in our climate change paper

• Nuclear Energy: Meeting the Climate Change Challenge

Facts about Nuclear Power

The WNA Public Information Service provides a range of in-depth papers on nuclear energy, climate change and sustainable development.
Nuclear Power in the World Today
Nuclear Fuel Cycle.
Radioactive Wastes - Myths and Realities
Safety of Nuclear Power Reactors
World Nuclear Power Reactors 2011-12 and Uranium Requirements

Future of Nuclear Energy

A significant expansion of nuclear generation is taking place to tackle climate change.
Plans For New Reactors Worldwide
Emerging Nuclear Energy Countries
The Nuclear Renaissance
Economics of Nuclear Power
WNA Nuclear Century Outlook

Climate Change
EDF posts record carbon efficiency ◄

The carbon intensity of generating capacity owned by the EDF group of companies fell below 100 g/kWh for the first time in 2011, while in France EDF's emission rate dived 25% to 30.4 g/kWh.

More action needed sooner on climate change ◄

Greenhouse gas emissions remain on a steadily rising path despite policymakers' best efforts, an OECD report has warned. Nuclear was noted as a major mitigating technology, while governments were urged to avoid 'lock-in' to carbon-emitting generation.

Germany escapes carbon emissions rise ◄

Germany's emissions of carbon dioxide edged down by 2.2% last year, even while those from its power sector grew in the wake of post-Fukushima reactor closures. The main effects from the shutdowns have been a cut in exports previously supported by nuclear and the financial impact of this on utilities.

Nuclear helped UK cut emissions in 2011 ◄

An 8% drop in carbon dioxide emissions in the UK in 2011 was helped by an 11% increase in electricity output from the country's nuclear power plants, provisional figures from the government indicate.

EOn's one year on ◄

EOn's annual report has made clear some of the impacts, financial and environmental, of Germany's reaction to the Fukushima accident. The utility recorded a €1.5 billion ($1.9 billion) one-off cost for the overnight closure of its Unterweser, Isar 1, Krummel, and Brunsbuttel nuclear power reactors, which also directly resulted in it producing almost 12 billion kWh less than in 2010.

EDF enters FTSE4Good index ◄

EDF Group is set to become the fifth nuclear power plant operator to join the FTSE4Good index, having fulfilled the business index's criteria for the nuclear industry.

US energy demand to outstrip nuclear growth ◄

While US nuclear generating capacity is expected to grow by 11% by 2035, its share of the country's total electricity output will drop slightly, according to a forecast by the US Energy Information Administration. Coal use will fall significantly during this period, with gas seeing the highest growth.

Trade figures reveal cost of Japan's nuclear shutdown ◄

Huge energy imports last year caused Japan to record a rare trade deficit. Manufacturing was hit by the tsunami, but the use of fossil fuels to replace shut-down nuclear plants was a bigger factor.

BP sees growth in non-fossil fuel use ◄

While global energy demand is expected to grow by almost 40% by 2030, non-fossil fuels will account for one-third of this growth, according to UK-based oil and gas giant BP. Nuclear energy will continue to play a significant role, with the Asia Pacific region seeing the greatest growth in its use.

Europe reveals clean energy roadmap ◄

The European Commission has released an energy roadmap presenting various scenarios for meeting its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050. Nuclear energy, it says, will remain an important part of Europe's power generation mix.

Warning on greenhouse gas concentrations ◄

Global atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases reached record levels in 2010, according to the World Meteorological Organization. The rate of increase in their levels has also accelerated.

Nuclear has role in sustainable mix ◄

A new report by the World Energy Council into countries' energy policies has determined that a mixture of generating technologies and strategies is best for ensuring sustainable energy production.

Bold changes needed, IEA proclaims ◄

An insecure, inefficient and high carbon energy system will exist in 2035 unless radical changes take place, the International Energy Agency (IEA) warns in the latest edition of its World Energy Outlook report.

WHO warns on urban air pollution ◄

Air pollution in many cities around the world is increasingly reaching levels that threaten people's health, according to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO). Motor vehicles and fossil fuel power plants are among the major contributors, it said.

Profitable today, competitive tomorrow ◄

Nuclear and gas will compete to provide future baseload power generation in Europe, as standard coal-fired power plants will no longer be profitable, the latest study by the OECD's Nuclear Energy Agency on electricity prices concludes.

Australian government puts price on carbon ◄

The government of Australia has announced plans to tax carbon emissions by the country's worst polluters as part of major reforms to tackle pollution and move towards a clean energy future.

Energy-related emissions continue to rise ◄

The prospect of reaching global 2020 greenhouse gas emission targets is "getting bleaker," the International Energy Agency has warned after emissions of energy-related emissions reached a record high in 2010.

Renault rapped for UK electric car advert ◄

French carmaker Renault has been ordered to change a UK advert for its forthcoming range of electric cars as it was considered misleading by citing figures based on the French electricity generation mix, which relies more on clean nuclear energy.

'20 20 by 2020' says Europe ◄

The European Commission has made long-awaited proposals on energy and climate change. By 2020 it wants a 20% cut in carbon dioxide emissions, and 20% of energy to come from renewables. Some MEPs called for nuclear power to be recognised.

Other Useful Information

ICC (International Chamber of Commerce)
Contribution on Nuclear Energy

NEI (Nuclear Energy Institute)
Just the Facts

Foratom (European Atomic Forum)
Emissions Avoidance in EU
Post 2012 Position Paper

OECD NEA Addressing Climate Change

Sustainable Energy

Nuclear technologies can be used in a wide range of applications to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change, in addition to electricity generation.
Electricity and Cars
Nuclear Desalination
Transport and the Hydrogen Economy
Policy Responses to Climate Change

Future of Nuclear Energy