On Thursday, at a summit in Brussels organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), over 30 global leaders and delegations advocated for greater research, funding, and utilization of nuclear energy.

The conference included nations from Europe, the United States, Brazil, and China. This came after the United Nations environmental summit COP28 last year, where 22 leaders expressed support for nuclear energy.

The push for nuclear energy is driven by the need to achieve worldwide environmental objectives and decrease dependence on coal and oil. This is especially relevant as several European nations have shifted away from relying on Russia as a source of oil since its complete invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Advocates for nuclear power believe that it is an effective and environmentally friendly form of energy that can be renewed. On the other hand, critics highlight the potential risks of nuclear energy by citing examples such as the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster in Ukraine and the more recent incident in Fukushima, Japan in 2011.

France is a major advocate for nuclear power, generating the most electricity in the world through this energy source. When considering the potential hazards of nuclear energy, President Emmanuel Macron of France commented that we should prioritize concern for CO2 emissions, as they directly affect our health on a daily basis.

The director general of IAEA, Rafael Grossi, stated, “After 28 conferences, there is finally recognition that nuclear energy should be advanced. It’s better to be late than never.”

Countries such as Austria and Germany are opposed to the use of nuclear energy. Germany, in particular, shut down all of their nuclear power plants after the 2011 nuclear disaster in Japan.

Several other groups dedicated to protecting the environment are also against the proposal. Lorelei Limousin, spokesperson for Greenpeace, stated that the data proves nuclear energy is a lengthy and costly process. She believes that instead of investing in what she calls “nuclear energy fantasies,” the global community should prioritize the development of renewable energy sources.

Despite the backing of numerous leaders, obstacles persist in the adoption of nuclear energy, such as inadequate financial resources for research in this field.

The primary research funding for nuclear energy within the European Union has been reduced by 20% for the years 2021-2025. During a press conference, Bernard Magenhann, the deputy director general of the EU’s joint research center, expressed concern over the loss of skills due to an aging nuclear workforce and the need to train new talent in the near future. He warned that failing to do so within 10 years would create challenges for the industry.

There is still a hindrance that persists in the form of limitations on the funding of nuclear projects by development organizations like the World Bank. Grossi, in reference to these funding constraints, stated, “We continue to have a global and institutional structure that prohibits the financing of nuclear projects.”

The United States showed its backing for France’s efforts towards nuclear energy and endorsed the removal of financial constraints.

John Podesta, the U.S. President’s senior advisor on clean energy, announced our support for the French proposal to urge the World Bank and other development banks to remove restrictions on nuclear funding.

Global leaders at the summit issued a joint statement endorsing the strengthening of nuclear power.

Leaders have expressed their dedication to fully harnessing the potential of nuclear energy by providing support and financial assistance to current nuclear reactors.

The report’s sources include Reuters, The Associated Press, and Agence France-Presse.

Source: voanews.com