Fig 1. COP28 was held in Dubai, UAE from 30 November- 12 December 2023
Watershed Moment for Nuclear Energy at COP28 in Dubai, UAE
COP28 held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE) (Fig 1) had served as a defining moment for the nuclear industry as Nuclear energy was recognized and officially included in the UAE Consensus as part of global solutions to address climate change, shifting its previous image from negative and controversial to a positive factor to reach net zero goals
AWE International had reported that COP28 concluded with groundbreaking commitments and realistic climate action approach as reflected by COP28's final text, the UAE Consensus, which emphasizes a pragmatic approach to climate change, recognizing diverse global needs and energy transition supported by a variety of clean energy solutions. (Fig 2)
Fig 2: The UAE Consensus
UAE Consensus recognizes the need to accelerate to zero- and low-emission technologies including renewables and nuclear
Energy Connects highlighted that UAE Consensus agreed on Wednesday ( 13 December 2023) in Dubai, UAE, is a comprehensive agreement signed by 197 nations and the European Union that paves the way – among other objectives – for a transition away from fossil fuels, recognizing the need to accelerate to zero- and low-emission technologies including renewables and nuclear, triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030, and usher in a new architecture for climate finance to achieve net zero by 2050.
AWE International dovetailed that a significant milestone was achieved as the agreement highlighted, recognizes and supports the importance of regional flexibility and the complexity of balancing climate action with economic and geopolitical realities.
Landmark Statement by IAEA DG
The International Atomic Energy Agency’s (IAEA’s) Chief Dr Rafael Grossi was accorded an important platform in COP28 to deliver a Landmark Statement on Nuclear Energy, (Fig 3) a stark contrast from previous COPs where Nuclear was provided space only as a side event.
Fig 3: IAEA DG’s Landmark Statement “ Net-Zero Needs Nuclear Energy”
Declaration to Triple Nuclear Capacity by 2050
Another sea change that occurred was the Declaration by 22 World Leaders in December 2023 at COP28 for the need to Triple Nuclear Capacity by 2050. (Fig 4)
Fig 4: Declaration by 22 World Leaders at COP28 in Dubai UAE to Triple Nuclear Energy by 2050
Nuclear Energy Summit 2024
Striving to maintain the momentum of this significant moment for nuclear energy, Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and IAEA DG Rafael Grossi and supported by French President Emmanuel Macron had announced that an inaugural Nuclear Energy Summit will be held in Brussels in March 2024 (#NES2024). (Fig 5)
Fig 5: Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and IAEA DG Rafael Grossi, supported by French President Emmanuel Macron had announced the Nuclear Energy Summit
COP28 GENDER-RESPONSIVE JUST TRANSITIONS AND CLIMATE ACTION PARTNERSHIP
It was particularly encouraging that COP28 had taken serious considerations to drive a gender-responsive just transition to aimed at strengthening all women’s and girl’s leadership and meaningful participation, decision-making, capacities and livelihoods in climate change to achieve gender equality and support the sustainable and transformational impacts of our adaptation, mitigation and finance efforts (Fig 6)
Fig 6: COP28 Gender-Responsive and Just Transitions & Climate Action Partnership
Inaugural Nuclear Energy Summit (#NES2024)-21st March 2024
Hot on the heels of COP28, today ( 21st March 2024) world leaders are gathering in Brussels at the inaugural Nuclear Energy Summit (#NES2024), to discuss the role of nuclear energy in addressing the troika of global challenges of reducing the use of fossil fuels, enhancing energy security and boosting economic development.
The IAEA dovetailed that co-chaired by the Prime Minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo and the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Rafael Grossi, the Summit is the highest-level meeting to date exclusively focused on the topic of nuclear energy which will provide Heads of State and Government of participating countries the opportunity to share their vision on the key role of nuclear power in reaching net zero and promoting sustainable development, including national plans to fully exploit its potential.
Recommendations for the NES2024
In addition to discussing on the key role of nuclear contributing to net zero goals, I would like, with due respect, to recommend that this Summit:
A. Develop a STRATEGIC BUSINESS & ACTION PLAN guided by the need to triple nuclear capacity by 2050
I Conduit a Gap Analysis of key factors available Presently and that required to achieve Desired Nuclear Capacity by 2050
Following participating countries sharing of their vision and national plans using nuclear energy to reach net zero goals, NES2024 could develop a list of factors as outlined below necessary to be introduced, enhanced, reduced or removed to reach triple nuclear capacity by 2050
- Current number of Nuclear reactors, planned construction of more large and small reactors
- Current worldwide nuclear education & training availability & capacity & identify enhanced and/ or new curriculum needed
- Current nuclear professionals and craftsmen available to support current fleet and forecast the increase in demand to support tripling nuclear capacity
- Current nuclear suppliers & forecast the anticipated increased need for additional suppliers.
- Estimate Financing and investments required to shift Declaration of Tripling Nuclear Capacity by 2050 into desired output
Projection of cost required to triple nuclear capacity to be used as a guide to identify current, future and new sources and new models of financing nuclear energy
Continue to seek support from Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to introduce nuclear as part of the MDBs financing policy sharing IAEA’s former DG Mr Yukiya Amano’s vision and foresight in expanding the Agency’s Motto from “ Atoms for Peace” first introduced by US President Eisenhower in his Landmark Atoms for Peace Speech at UN General Assembly in 1953 to “Atoms for Peace and Development” (Fig 7) after observing that nuclear energy has contributed effectively to countries progress and development, with South Korea a testimony to this.
Fig 7: Former IAEA DG Mr Yukiya Amano had extended the Agency’s motto to Atoms for Peace and Development
Fig 8: Ms Sheriffah Noor Khamseah Al-Idid met IAEA DG Mr Yukiya Amano in IAEA HQ in Vienna, Austria
Thus as MDBs support and finances nations development programmes, nuclear energy offers MDBs a new financing options to support countries development programmes
II Use inputs from NES2024 to formulate a Nuclear Energy Roadmap to attain Net Zero Goals
Presentation from participating countries during NES2024 could be used as key inputs to develop a preliminary roadmap identifying stages of nuclear development to reach a tripling quantum of nuclear energy by 2050 listing factors, actors including countries, Government and businesses involvement and investments necessary to reach the desired target
Then identify these critical gaps, discuss at Summit to seek countries support to close these gaps.
III In tandem with a Just Transition promoted at COP28, NES2024 to support recommendations to provide increased opportunities for women in the nuclear industry covering nuclear education, nuclear careers and nuclear decision-making roles
In recognition of the increasing need of manpower to support increased nuclear capacity, skills and experience of both men and women are fundamental.
The IAEA has offered great support to women in Nuclear education via the The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowship Programme (MSCFP), which offers scholarship to women to pursue Masters degree in nuclear fields and the IAEA Lise Meitner Programme (LMP) which provides early- and mid‑career women professionals with opportunities to participate in a multiweek visiting professional programme and advance their technical and soft skills. The programme includes professional visits to various nuclear facilities, such as but not limited to, nuclear power plants under construction, in operation or in decommissioning, research reactors and centres, scientific institutions, laboratories, industry sector and start-up companies
Thus in tandem with A Just Transition promoted at COP28 and by many Governments worldwide, NES2024 could support more women nuclear professionals in decision making roles at Senior Management and on Board and bring this as part of NES2024 output to the IAEA General Conference 2024 for discussions and adoption (Fig 9)
IAEA General Conference could support the introduction of a policy for 30% women women in R&D Evaluation and Financing Committees, 30% Women in R&D Projects, 30% Women in Senior management in nuclear facilities and nuclear businesses and 30% on Board
Fig 9: Recommendations to support women in Decision making Roles in the Nuclear Industry
IV Declaration by World Leaders at Nuclear Energy Summit 2024 for 2nd December to be officially recognized and declared as World Nuclear Energy Day (WNED)
COP28 has underscored the importance of renewable and nuclear energy as part of key solutions to reach net zero goals.
Presently Renewable Energy is formally celebrated as World Renewable Energy Day on April 26, and the main goal of celebrating this very important date is to raise awareness of how important research and the application of renewable energy sources are for the safe and secure functioning of the entire country.
Thus it is important to accord nuclear energy similar recognition.
Although presently 31 countries with 412 reactors are producing 370 GW installed nuclear capacity, however with the pledge by the World Leaders at COP28 to triple nuclear power, an additional 740 GW is required to ramp up nuclear power to 1110 GW.
This urgently requires current nuclear operating countries to expand their nuclear power programme and importantly also for other countries with no nuclear power programme to introduce, invest in and launch nuclear power programmes, expanding from the present 31 countries.
However, traditionally these other countries with no nuclear power face challenges from fear of nuclear from politicians, policy makers, public and press (media), amongst others. Hence strategic platforms must be made available to share, disseminate and update more stakeholders regarding the safety and benefits of nuclear.
V.NES2024 could call for Action for the IAEA or a suitable Agency / country to set up a WAR ROOM as a strategic platform to develop action plan and monitor progress for Tripling Nuclear Energy by 2050
Establish a " War Room " ……. may be based at IAEA or a suitable Agency / country similar to a control and command centre serving as a single location equipped with the technical means to gather information from IAEA’s Member States regarding their plans on nuclear power; covering current & planned number of nuclear reactors, manpower, financing etc and these to be input with modern display facilities in the war room for the IAEA to update and process to share with members, as and when needed.
The War Room is intended to provide communication and collaboration space and serve as a point of coordination. Where responders and stakeholders can gather to work through a major crisis, in this case the climate crisis.
In view of the devastating effect of climate change and the destruction it can and will impact on Earth and its inhabitants, IT IS time to treat its grave danger similar to an attack instead of on particular nations.... it is now on our ENTIRE PLANET ..and the Summit should serve as key platform to introduce and develop both business and military-like tactical plans using and deploying nuclear power to prevent the anticipated severe destruction from climate crisis and climate emergency.
In this War Room stakeholders will gather information, conduct briefings, discuss the current situation and strategize to develop planned actions whilst regularly monitoring current progress
Hence I wish to appeal to the organizers of the Nuclear Summit to format the event as a strategic platform to develop tactical business and military like plans, moving away from traditional conventional discussions.
Gain countries and Governments as well as business leaders participating at the Nuclear Summit's support with each agreeing to offer strategic outputs and outcomes resulting in nuclear energy effectively contributing to net zero goals.
Talks, discussions, Statements and Declarations have taken place at COP28 in Dubai UAE and now at inaugural Nuclear Summit in Belgium….it must proceed to develop strategic STRATEGIC ACTION PLANS.
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