As many as 22 countries pledged at the United Nations climate summit COP28 in Dubai to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050, saying the revival of nuclear power was critical to cut carbon emissions to near zero in the coming decades.
The Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy “recognizes the key role of nuclear energy in achieving global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and keeping the 1.5-degree goal within reach,” according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
“Nuclear power that adheres to the highest standards of safety, sustainability, security, and non-proliferation has a key role to play in keeping 1.5 C within reach,” U.S. climate envoy John Kerry said in a statement issued over the weekend at the U.N. climate conference in Dubai.
Other major economies that have joined the agreement include Canada, the world’s second-largest uranium producer; France; the United Kingdom; and Japan, which experienced a catastrophic nuclear accident in 2011 following an earthquake and tsunami. The commitment aims to address the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions and combat climate change.
The nuclear pledge also included Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Finland, Ghana, Hungary, Japan, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Ukraine. Germany, however, notably abstained due to its recent closure of nuclear power plants.
French President Emmanuel Macron, a strong supporter of nuclear power, called it as indispensable in combating climate change.
Nuclear Energy Agency Director-General William D. Magwood, IV commented on the joint declaration said it was heartening that the leaders of 20 countries committed to work together to advance a global aspirational goal to triple nuclear energy capacity by 2050. “Nuclear Energy Agency analysis shows that tripling nuclear energy capacity by 2050 provides the world with a realistic and practical path to meet net zero carbon emissions goals. We have the research to tell us what needs to be done, and now is the time for action.”
Speaking at the COP28 summit, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi said the world needs nuclear power to fight climate change and action should be taken to expand the use of this clean energy source and help build “a low carbon bridge” to the future.
“Net zero needs nuclear power,” his statement reads. “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.”
There are currently 412 nuclear power reactors operating in 31 countries that make up more than 370 gigawatts of installed capacity, providing almost 10% of the world’s total electricity and a quarter of its low-carbon supply.
Several countries including Türkiye, Bangladesh and Egypt are building their first nuclear power plants, while existing nuclear power countries, including China, France, India and Sweden, are planning to expand their nuclear programs, according to IAEA.
American Nuclear Society call for global support for nuclear energy projects
Executive director of the American Nuclear Society Craig Piercy applauded the historic commitment by the U.S. and 21 other countries to tripling global nuclear energy production by 2050. “This is real, tangible climate action in meeting the world’s clean energy needs. Tripling the world’s nuclear energy supplies by 2050 is the catalyst required to halt rising temperatures and achieve a sustainable future while lifting millions out of poverty.”
Piercy further emphasized the need for inclusive lending policies, calling on international financial institutions to support nuclear energy projects globally.
Acknowledging the necessity of substantial investments, officials were aware that such a shift required careful planning, as evidenced by delays and cost overruns in various nuclear projects worldwide.
The International Atomic Energy Agency reported that global nuclear power generation capacity reached 371 GW in 2022, with 411 reactors in operation.
The U.S. Department of Energy in a statement said the agency “recognizes the key role of nuclear energy in achieving global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and keeping the 1.5-degree goal [of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate] within reach.”
Bipartisan support for nuclear power is evident in Congress, according to Maria Korsnick, President and CEO of the Nuclear Energy Institute.
Judi Greenwald, Executive Director of the Nuclear Innovation Alliance, welcomed the global goal of tripling nuclear energy capacity by 2050. She emphasized the importance of overcoming barriers to advanced nuclear development, urging collaboration between countries committed to this ambitious target.
In the U.S., nuclear power contributes approximately 20% to electricity production, with John Kerry, the Biden administration’s climate envoy, highlighting the availability of trillions of dollars for nuclear power investment. While acknowledging nuclear energy’s role in achieving net-zero by 2050, Kerry emphasized that it is part of a diverse energy mix.
To reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, nuclear power capacity must surpass 900 gigawatts, more than doubling from its 2022 level of 417 gigawatts, according to an IEA report published in October.
Despite being carbon-free, nuclear power faces opposition due to concerns about spent nuclear fuel disposal and the potential for accidents. Another bigger challenge is overcoming financial barriers and fostering international cooperation to realize this ambitious goal.
- More than 20 nations, including the U.S., commit to tripling nuclear power by 2050 for net-zero emissions and climate control.
- This declaration marks a significant move by major nations to prioritize nuclear energy in the shift to cleaner power sources.
- Global interest in nuclear power surges as it’s acknowledged as a crucial, reliable supplement to the expanding use of wind and solar energy in grids.