World Nuclear Association highlights nuclear's role on the road to COP31
World Nuclear Association's Head of Policy and Industry Engagement, King Lee, joined international policymakers, industry leaders and energy experts at the 12th Nuclear Power Plants Summit in Turkey to discuss the indispensable role of nuclear energy in achieving global net-zero goals ahead of COP31.
Participating in the session, Road to COP31: The Indispensable Role of Nuclear Energy in Achieving Global Net-Zero Goals, King joined fellow panellists O. Koray Yenigürbüz Vice President, Nuclear Industry Association of Türkiye (NIATR), Anton Dedusenko, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Akkuyu Nükleer JSC, Büşra Zeynep Özdemir, Energy Policy Researcher, SETA Foundation and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Başak Özarslan, Sustainability Center for Environment and Society Application and Research, İstanbul Gelişim Üniversitesi to explore how international cooperation can accelerate nuclear deployment as countries seek to strengthen energy security while meeting climate commitments.
During the discussion, King highlighted that countries around the world are increasingly looking to nuclear energy to meet climate goals whilst strengthening energy security. He pointed to the Association’s World Nuclear Outlook report showing that the total global nuclear capacity could reach 1,446 GWe by 2050, based on national government targets. In the discussion he also referenced United Nations analysis showing that nuclear energy has among the lowest greenhouse gas emissions of any electricity generation technologies - around 5.5 g CO₂-eq/kWh - leading to many countries including nuclear energy in their national climate action plans under the Paris Agreement.
As preparations continue for COP31, the conversation also focused on the challenge of accelerating global electrification. With COP31 expected to reinforce the president-designate Murat Kurum's target of achieving 35% electrification by 2035, delivering enough clean, firm power to support rapidly growing electricity demand means nuclear energy will be essential.
Top three take-aways from the Nuclear Power Plants Summit
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Many governments around the world are increasingly turning to nuclear energy to strengthen energy security while delivering their climate commitments
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Large energy users are increasingly supporting nuclear development to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors, including industrial heat, sustainable aviation fuels and maritime transport.
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Climate finance is increasingly seen as a critical enabler for meeting climate goals. As more climate and sustainable finance frameworks recognise nuclear energy, access to investment is improving, helping unlock the capital needed to deliver new projects and support the global energy transition.
King Lee said:
"As we look towards COP31, our focus is on working with governments, industry and international partners to ensure nuclear energy is recognised as an essential part of achieving climate and sustainability goals by providing low carbon, reliable and affordable energy."
Looking towards COP 31 in Turkey
World Nuclear Association is working with the 38 countries that have endorsed the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy by 2050, alongside industry, large energy users and financial institutions, to demonstrate how nuclear energy can help deliver energy security alongside climate and sustainable development goals while ensuring nuclear remains firmly embedded within the COP31 agenda.
COP31 will be a pivotal moment for the global nuclear industry. World Nuclear Association will be convening governments, industry leaders and key stakeholders throughout the conference to showcase nuclear's contribution to achieving net zero and advancing global electrification.
If your organisation would like to be part of World Nuclear Association's activities and engagement at COP31, including events, policy discussions and industry collaboration, please contact Membership & Stakeholder Communications Manager Pippa Eames to find out how you can get involved.