A report from the International Atomic Energy Association (IAEA) says nuclear power will play a very important role in achieving climate change goals.
The annual report, “Climate Change and Nuclear Power 2015,” was updated to account for new scientific information, analyses, technical reports and other publications that have become available. The report says nuclear’s carbon footprint is similar to hydropower and much less than fossil fuel energy.
“Nuclear power is one of the major low-carbon energy sources currently available, and many countries believe that it can help them to address the twin challenges of ensuring reliable energy supplies while curbing emissions,” said IAEA Director General Yukiya Amano. “As governments around the world prepare to negotiate a climate agreement in Paris, it is important that the contributions that nuclear power can make to combating climate change are recognized.”
New sections in the report compare the lifecycle of GHG emissions of different nuclear technologies such as pressurized water reactors and gas-cooled reactors; and a comparison of the emissions from carbon capture and storage and nuclear power.
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