COP22: nuclear energy should benefit from climate funding mechanisms

Updated: [last-modified]

Nuclear for Climate, an initiative co-founded by the French Nuclear Society (SFEN) and in which FORATOM is actively involved, welcomes the entry into force of the Paris agreement and calls for nuclear energy to benefit from funding mechanisms such as Green Climate Funds.

Nuclear for Climate, which brings together 150 associations, urges the decision‐makers gathered at COP22 to ensure that the inalienable right of countries to choose nuclear energy in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is preserved.

This right should not be prejudiced against in any way by the new UNFCCC  protocols, specifically with regards to access to climate funding mechanisms such as Green Climate Funds said Valérie Faudon, the French spokesperson of Nuclear for Climate and General Delegate of SFEN.

In a report published on 9 November, Nuclear for Climate recalls that to meet the objective of limiting global warming to 1.5°C, all low-carbon energy sources are needed. The challenge is huge and we are running out of time: according to the UNEP , the current global climate pledges would put the world on track for warming of around 3°C by the end of the century.

Nuclear power is a low‐carbon energy source as recognized by climate experts (IPCC) . Throughout its life cycle (construction, operation, decommissioning) its emissions are comparable to those of renewable energy sources. Nuclear power emits an average of 15 g CO2/kwh. This is 30 times less than gas, 65 times less than coal, three times less than photovoltaic and about the same level as wind power.

Note to the Editor: The United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP22) ended on 18 November 2016 in Marrakech. It was a transition meeting aimed at turning the UN’s Paris agreement into a detailed blueprint for action and was therefore unlikely to result in momentous decisions. Nonetheless decisions have been made via the adoption of a series of documents including the Marrakech Action Proclamation, which reiterates nations’ commitment to the Paris agreement.

Main outcomes:

• A call by Heads of states and governments for action and cooperation to combat climate change (the Marrakech Action Proclamation)
• An early review of progress in 2017 (instead of 2020) towards the long-term Paris agreement goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions
• A rapid deadline (2018) for establishing the rules and processes (the rule book) needed to implement the agreement

For further information, please read the press release of the UNFCCC and the Nuclear for Climate report.