The leaders of the world’s major nuclear associations presented a joint statement at the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Climate, Energy and the Environment in Turin, affirming their commitment to securing, expanding and prioritizing the use of nuclear power over coal and gas. An energy described as crucial for providing clean, affordable, low-carbon electricity, complementing renewable energies to achieve net-zero emissions targets.
Concrete actions and ambitious goals
The communiqué underlines the unanimous agreement at COP28 on the vital role of nuclear energy in mitigating climate change. More than 30 countries, including six G7 members, reiterated at the Nuclear Energy Summit in Brussels the essential role of nuclear power in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, ensuring energy security and supporting industrial competitiveness.
Strengthening nuclear infrastructures and technologies
The associations call on G7 governments to accelerate the deployment of new nuclear facilities using proven technologies, and to promote the development of small, advanced modular reactors. These efforts are aimed at decarbonizing hard-to-kill off-grid sectors such as hydrogen production and synthetic fuels.
Policies and financing for a sustainable future
The press release highlights the need to establish optimal conditions through coherent, long-term policies to extend the life of existing reactors and facilitate the mass deployment of nuclear technologies. It is imperative to provide investors with guarantees on financing and payback mechanisms, and to ensure that multilateral financial institutions include nuclear energy in their investment portfolios.
The G7 meeting in Turin could mark a decisive step forward in the adoption of nuclear energy as a strategic priority for the next decade, underlining its indispensable role in the fight against climate change and the promotion of deep decarbonization of the global economy.
