International nuclear industry associations unite ahead of COP30
At World Nuclear Exhibition 2025 in Paris, and ahead of COP30 in Brazil, 17 national and international nuclear industry associations from 15 countries across 3 continents, signed a joint declaration (11 had signed the declaration in 2021).
With this coalition, led by GIFEN’s initiative and in coordination with World Nuclear Association, nuclear stakeholders call on policymakers to uphold their commitment to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050, supported by stable public policies and appropriate financing, in order to meet climate goals and ensure universal access to reliable, low‑carbon energy.
Nuclear, a pillar of a resilient low‑carbon energy mix
In a context of climate emergency and sharply rising electricity demand, nuclear power is dispatchable, low‑carbon, and competitive, essential for grid stability and deep decarbonization. It has already avoided around 70 Gt of CO₂ over 50 years, accounts for 23% of low‑carbon electricity, and could avoid an additional 90 Gt by 2050 (IEA, Energy Institute, IAEA).
Triple, extend, invest
The signatories call for reaffirming the objective of tripling capacity by 2050 (a commitment made by 31 countries since COP28), safely extending the lifetime of existing reactors, launching new projects (large reactors, SMRs/AMRs), and strengthening the entire fuel cycle. The associations collectively call for broader access to green finance and market mechanisms conducive to accelerating investment and R&D.
Innovate to expand uses and benefits
Innovation (SMRs, AMRs, Generation IV) paves the way for new applications such as industrial heat, low‑carbon hydrogen, and non‑electric uses (healthcare, maritime, space). With unmatched energy density (100 g of uranium ≈ 1 t of oil) and a reduced material footprint, the sector helps conserve resources, protect biodiversity, and support skilled jobs across regions.
An unprecedented international coalition
For the first time, so many national and international nuclear industry associations speak with one voice (17): a coalition of unprecedented scale and geographical diversity (11 had signed the declaration in 2021). This joint mobilization, driven by actors representing the entire value chain and multiple continents, marks a turning point: never before have so many associations in a single sector publicly aligned their priorities and messages ahead of a COP. It lends reinforced legitimacy to the call to triple capacity by 2050 and illustrates the maturity of an ecosystem able to coordinate its positions in support of climate objectives, energy security, and industrial competitiveness.
This joint declaration, signed by GIFEN (France), WNA, Nuclear Europe, NIA (UK), FinNuclear (Finland), ABDAN (Brazil), BNF (Belgium), AIN (Italy), Nuclear Nederland (Netherlands), CNA (Canada), SNF (Switzerland), JAIF (Japan), KAIF (South Korea), IGEOS (Poland), CNEA (China), ROMATOM (Romania), FORONuclear (Spain), sends a clear signal to decision‑makers: the sector is ready to invest and accelerate, and expects stable, predictable frameworks to deliver.
