Nuclear's contribution to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are "a call for action by all countries to promote prosperity while protecting the planet." 

World Nuclear Association has collaborated with the Canadian Nuclear Association, FORATOM, Japan Atomic Industrial Forum, Nuclear Energy Institute and the Nuclear Industry Association to produce a publication highlighting how nuclear energy and nuclear technologies can contribute to achieving each of the 17 UN SDGs.

Explore the contributions made to the different SDGs using the menu below, or download the information as a pdf.

SDG1 No Poverty

Nuclear provides reliable and affordable low-carbon electricity

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SDG2 Zero Hunger

Zanzibar’s cattle have been free of the tsetse fly since 1997 thanks to nuclear technologies for pest control

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SDG3 Good Health and Wellbeing

Over 40 million nuclear medicine procedures are performed each year

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SDG4 Quality Education

A new nuclear plant can generate 1,000 apprenticeships during its construction

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SDG5 Gender Equality

The UK’s Nuclear Sector Deal aims to have women making up 40% of the nuclear industry workforce by 2030.

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SDG6 Clean Water and Sanitation

Nuclear reactors can be a source of clean water for communities and countries in need

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SDG7 Affordable and Clean Energy

Nuclear projects are long-term investments that could operate for 80 years or more

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SDG8 Decent Work and Economic Growth

For each 1,000 MWe of nuclear capacity constructed some 200,000 job-years of employment are created

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SDG9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Innovative nuclear technologies offer sustainable energy with the high-power density necessary for industrialization

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SDG10 Reduced Inequalities

Nuclear fuel has a diverse supply chain and can be stored onsite

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SDG11 Sustainable Cites and Communities

Nuclear power plants prevented more than 1.8 million air pollution-related deaths between 1971 and 2009

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SDG12 Responsible Production and Consumption

Nuclear plants allow people to improve their quality of life while using resources responsibly.

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SDG13 Climate Action

Nuclear power plants avoid carbon dioxide emissions equivalent to half of those from the world’s 520 million  vehicles

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SDG14 Life Below Water

The ocean has absorbed almost half of the CO2 emitted by burning fossil fuels

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SDG15 Life on Land

Compact nuclear plants leave more space for nature

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SDG16 Peace, Justic and Strong Institutions

The IAEA verifies compliance with the NPT through inspections

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SDG17 Partnerships for the Goals

Governments, civil society, scientists, academia, and the private sector need to work together, combining their skills and expertise

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