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.

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

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.