Energy for Tomorrow: time to recognise nuclear energy's vital climate change role

8 December 2015

Speaking at the International New York times Energy for Tomorrow conference on 9 December, Agneta Rising, Director General of the World Nuclear Association, will call on governments to give due credit to the role nuclear energy plays in delivering affordable, reliable, low carbon electricity. Ms. Rising will be joined in a panel discussion by Dr. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency.

During the discussion Agneta Rising will remark that:

• The vital role of nuclear energy in combating climate change is being taken for granted by too many governments and energy experts. This silence on nuclear energy in discussions on climate change is misleading the public.
• Nuclear generation is by far the largest single source of low carbon generation in Europe, supplying around 27% percent of its electricity, providing affordable and secure supplies.
• France, the COP 21 host country, has demonstrated that decarbonisation of electricity can be achieved with nuclear generation in partnership with renewables. In less than twenty years France transitioned from a fossil fuel generation mix to one primarily supplied by nuclear energy.
• The International Energy Agency's Two Degree Scenario requires a major shift to low carbon generation by the middle of this century to prevent dangerous climate change. In this scenario nuclear generation supplies around 18% of global electricity needs, achieved by more than doubling the current global nuclear capacity.
• Governments need to communicate clearly about all the climate change mitigation options, to give the public the full facts on which to base their opinions.

Media Contact

Jonathan Cobb: +44(0)20 7451 1536
press@world-nuclear.org

The World Nuclear Association is the industry organisation that represents the global nuclear industry. Its mission is to promote a wider understanding of nuclear energy among key international influencers by producing authoritative information, developing common industry positions, and contributing to the energy debate, as well as to pave the way for expanding nuclear business. We are joining with more than 140 societies and associations on the Nuclear for Climate initiative.