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 

Facts about Nuclear Power

The WNA Public Information Service provides a range of in-depth papers on nuclear energy, climate change and sustainable development.

Future of Nuclear Energy

A significant expansion of nuclear generation is taking place to tackle climate change.

Â	Climate Change

Energy leaders' nuclear uncertainty diminishing â—„ â–¼

Fossil imports burn Japanese trade again â—„ â–¼

Nuclear best option for Europe, report says â—„ â–¼

Japan sees emissions rise â—„ â–¼

Nuclear and hydro the core of sustainability â—„ â–¼

Warnings on greenhouse gas levels â—„ â–¼

Australia may need nuclear in future, minister says â—„ â–¼

PwC warns of a warmer world â—„ â–¼

'Innovative' strategy to end Japanese nuclear â—„ â–¼

Switzerland's 'challenging' energy policy â—„ â–¼

Governments get nuclear policy round-up â—„ â–¼

UK draft energy reform bill unveiled â—„ â–¼

EDF posts record carbon efficiency â—„ â–¼

More action needed sooner on climate change â—„ â–¼

Germany escapes carbon emissions rise â—„ â–¼

Nuclear helped UK cut emissions in 2011 â—„ â–¼

EOn's one year on â—„ â–¼

EDF enters FTSE4Good index â—„ â–¼

US energy demand to outstrip nuclear growth â—„ â–¼

Trade figures reveal cost of Japan's nuclear shutdown â—„ â–¼

BP sees growth in non-fossil fuel use â—„ â–¼

Europe reveals clean energy roadmap â—„ â–¼

Warning on greenhouse gas concentrations â—„ â–¼

Nuclear has role in sustainable mix â—„ â–¼

Bold changes needed, IEA proclaims â—„ â–¼

WHO warns on urban air pollution â—„ â–¼

Profitable today, competitive tomorrow â—„ â–¼

Australian government puts price on carbon â—„ â–¼

Energy-related emissions continue to rise â—„ â–¼

Renault rapped for UK electric car advert â—„ â–¼

'20 20 by 2020' says Europe â—„ â–¼

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.