30 countries’ delegates gathered in Brussels and pledged to increase the use of nuclear energy on Thursday in order to address climate change and ensure a stable energy supply. However, the topic of nuclear power remains controversial and some argue that it should not be included in the global strategy for energy issues.

The conference marked a groundbreaking event, with prominent representatives from countries such as the United States, Brazil, China, and France in attendance. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) assisted in organization and is advocating for nuclear energy as a vital solution to address the escalating levels of climate emissions.

Rafael Grossi, the head of IAEA, stated that world leaders recognize the significant role of nuclear energy in terms of energy and security in the present situation.

More than 400 nuclear power plants are in operation in approximately 30 nations, with an additional 500 in the planning stages or currently being built. Despite this, nuclear energy only accounts for 10% of the world’s total electricity production. In a released statement, participating countries pledged to enhance the capabilities of nuclear energy, such as through constructing new facilities.

John Podesta, climate advisor for the White House, stated that the summit will establish the importance of nuclear power in addressing the growing concern of climate change.

EU nations like France, which relies on nuclear energy for roughly 70% of its electricity, see it as a potential solution to achieve ambitious climate targets set by the European Union.

However, there is division within the EU. Certain countries such as Germany, Austria, and Spain have safety and environmental reservations regarding nuclear power, specifically the waste it produces.

Therefore, organizations like Greenpeace, whose members demonstrated at the Brussels summit.

The climate and energy campaigner for Greenpeace EU in Brussels, Lorelei Limousin, expressed that nuclear power is not an efficient solution to address the climate crisis. Additionally, it is significantly more costly than renewable energy sources. There are also ongoing safety concerns surrounding nuclear power that pose risks to both human health and the environment.

Advocates argue that these risks can be controlled and emphasize that it is crucial to grow the use of nuclear energy in order to reverse the hazardous course of the climate.