Students discuss advocacy, EU nuclear developments at nucleareurope study visit

On 3 February 2025, students from the French École Nationale des Ponts et Chaussées’ Advanced Master on Public Policies for Sustainable Development met with nucleareurope’s Communications and Advocacy Director Jessica Johnson, as part of a study visit on EU policy-making and advocacy.

During the discussion, Jessica gave an overview of the current functioning of the EU institutions, and outlined nucleareurope’s structure and working methods, highlighting that throughout the years, the association has evolved to reflect evolutions in the institutions. She added that beyond its activities in Brussels, nucleareurope also follows national nuclear developments in the countries where its members are based, and needs to remain aware of citizens’ key concerns across different national contexts.

“The topic of nuclear energy in the EU has become very political, and decisions remain heavily influenced by the weight of Member States’ opinions, expressed in the Council, and by the European Parliament, directly elected by citizens” highlighted Jessica, noting that public perception of nuclear energy is increasingly positive across Europe, leading to ambitious targets for nuclear development in many European countries.

Jessica added that nuclear energy is increasingly recognised as necessary to the energy transition at the European level, but stressed that it is still not treated on an equal footing with renewables in EU legislation, and remains excluded from some EU funding and financing tools.

Insisting on the importance of nuclear energy for decarbonisation, energy affordability and security of supply, Jessica noted that a technology neutral legal framework is necessary to support the development of the nuclear industry and its supply chain, ensure access to financing and address the skills issue.