IPCC confirms need for low-carbon nuclear to tackle climate change

Brussels, 8 October 2018: Nuclear power is essential if the world is to keep global warming to below 1.5 degrees, according to the latest report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Indeed, for electricity generation, the share of nuclear will need to increase significantly in order to meet global targets.

According to Debra Roberts, Co-Chair of IPCC Working Group II, the aim of this report is to provide policymakers with the information they need in order to make the right choices in the fight against climate change.

“This report notes quite rightly that nuclear power has a key role to play”, says Yves Desbazeille, FORATOM Director General. “It comes at a perfect moment as the EU is currently working on its 2050 low-carbon economy strategy[1]. Renewables alone cannot solve the climate crisis and betting too much on CO₂ emitting gas could also have harmful lock-in effects in the long term.  Low-carbon, flexible nuclear must form part of the energy mix – a reality which is often overlooked in Brussels. We hope that this report will encourage policymakers to embrace all low-carbon energy sources.”

Entitled “Global Warming of 1.5°C”, the report focuses on the potential impacts of global warming and related greenhouse gas emission pathways.  In order to limit global warming to 1.5°C, “rapid and far-reaching” transitions in land, energy, industry, buildings, transport, and cities are deemed necessary. CO₂ emissions would need to fall by about 45% from 2010 levels by 2030, reaching ‘net zero’ around 2050. The contribution of nuclear power increases significantly under all IPCC scenarios which aim to keep global warming under 1.5°C.

More information: FORATOM’s position on the “Strategy for long-term EU greenhouse gas emissions reductions”

For more information, please contact Jessica Johnson: jessica.johnson@foratom.org.

[1] Strategy for long-term EU greenhouse gas emissions reductions