Dr Rahat Iqbal
Transition to atom for net zero carbon emissions, for mitigating the threats of climate change has become the focus of the international community. In this regard, several conferences and summits have been held recently to find a way forward for dealing with climate change effects. The December 2023 Conference of Parties – COP 28 – has led the states to conduct high-level meetings and build a consensus on the policy and strategy for climate change mitigation. More than 20 countries have committed to triple the use of nuclear power for a transition to net zero. The Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, observed that “to achieve sustainable economic development and avert the devastating consequences of unchecked climate change requires making use of all low-carbon energy sources, including nuclear power.” Moreover, US envoy John Kerry stated that “the world cannot achieve net zero emissions without building new reactors.” In the declaration of tripling the use of nuclear energy for climate change mitigation, Kerry also stated that “the declaration recognizes the key role of nuclear energy in achieving global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and keeping the 1.5-degree Celsius goal within reach.”
The 2022 report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) assessment on climate change mitigation highlights that there could be a substantial rise in temperatures globally. The greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions surge, negatively impacts the ecosystem, forcing people to relocate, fueling deforestation, and damaging agricultural land and infrastructure. COP is the first conference that accepted the principle of loss and damage, which holds promise for more developing countries on the frontline of climate degradation. There is a need to create a committee for the immediate transfer of funds to the most affected countries for the development of concrete policies and infrastructure.
The acceptance of nuclear energy is a viable energy option along with other renewable sources for replacing fossil fuels, as viewed by Ambassador Ali Sarwar Naqvi, executive director at the Islamabad-based think tank, Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS). States must bring some significant changes in the energy industry to limit global warming and the effects of climate change.
The transition from fossil fuel to nuclear energy has primarily two benefits. Firstly, nuclear energy is considered a clean energy source that does not incur GHG emissions. Secondly, Nuclear Power Plants (NPPs) can operate on a single load for approximately 18 months. This results in high-capacity power generation and an increased ability to save fuel. Renewables such as wind and solar are also clean energy sources and are being utilized. However, they are slow-paced, dependent on weather conditions and seasonal variations of the countries.
The initiative Atoms4NetZero, adopted at the 67th General Conference in Vienna, aims to support and assist the member states in harnessing the full potential of nuclear energy, leading to net zero carbon emissions. However, such an initiative cannot be successful until the inclusive engagement of relevant stakeholders is ensured. The member states shall focus on enhancing the capacities of the regulatory bodies as well as relevant stakeholders, including industry and financial institutions, while cooperating in all aspects, specifically nuclear technology.
To harness the full potential of nuclear technology for energy production, the member states and relevant stakeholders need to consider several factors.
The first is to provide extensive technical and financial support to climate-vulnerable states to utilize the full potential of nuclear power for energy production. Secondly, under the auspices of the IAEA, the member states should also build a consensus for long-term policy about nuclear energy. The third is working together to develop or place small modular reactors (SMRs) with enhanced safety features. Fourth is training for the countries that are new to nuclear technology or need more experience in capacity building for their professionals, engineers, and scientists. Fifth is the engagement of relevant stakeholders in the planning and developing of advanced reactor technologies. Sixth is carrying out outreach activities to create awareness among the common masses about the peaceful uses of nuclear energy and its role in combating the effects of climate change.
The initiative taken in COP-28- for Atoms4netzero could only be significant if it evolves a consensus on considering the challenges that the most climate-vulnerable states face. Countries like Pakistan, which are most vulnerable to climate change, which as per the climate index, suffer from heavy losses due to monsoons. On the contrary, countries with high population density depend on multiple sources to fulfill their energy requirements, among which fossil fuel is the most common.
To accomplish the goal of the Paris Agreement and to achieve net zero carbon emissions, it is imperative for the member states to address two challenges. First, the financial limitation which is a barrier to fully embracing the benefits of nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. Second, there needs to be more international cooperation in harnessing nuclear technology’s full potential for peaceful purposes.
The states vulnerable to climate change must also actively participate in relevant forums, such as the COP meetings, emphasizing the use of nuclear power for energy production. Furthermore, such countries must raise the efficacy of initiatives taken in the previous COP meetings. The loss and damage fund were established during COP- 27-, but it is still to be checked whether this fund was allocated to vulnerable states. In this context, a significant development occurred in COP -28- in various countries such as the US and the UK. The EU and UAE pledged to grant funds for loss and damage, however, it is essential to disperse allocated funds to the most vulnerable countries. Such efforts can help these countries to fulfil their energy requirements while lowering dependence on alternative energy resources that are detrimental to the environment. The transition towards increasing the dependence on nuclear power in the overall energy mix under the auspices of the IAEA can also help states in achieving net zero carbon emissions.
This article was published in another form at https://stratheia.com/nuclear-power-sparking-green-revolution-for-net-zero/
Dr Rahat Iqbal is Associate Director Research at the Center for International Strategic Studies (CISS), Islamabad.
