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How the IAEA Helps Ensure that Nuclear Energy is Sustainable
Description
Questions pertaining to the concept of nuclear energy sustainability are the subject of a webinar on 5 July 2022, 14:00 CEST.
With global energy demand constantly rising, nuclear energy can help ensure access to affordable, reliable, and low carbon energy. For the sustainable development of nuclear energy, IAEA Member States initiated the International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) in 2000.
INPRO’s activities are centred on the key concepts of global nuclear energy sustainability, which in turn is based on the concept of sustainable development introduced in the United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development Report (often known as the Brundtland Commission Report). The Brundtland Commission Report defined sustainable development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The United Nations (UN) further iterated these needs in the October 2021 report “Nuclear’s contribution to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals”. The general objective of sustainable development is to strive for equity across generations and countries. This objective integrates four different viewpoints or dimensions: economic, environmental, social, and institutional, which need addressing in a balanced way to meet the criteria of sustainable energy development.
INPRO helps countries assess national nuclear energy strategies, charts nuclear energy scenarios, and coordinates studies on innovations. INPRO uses a detailed methodology to assess whether nuclear energy development is sustainable. Through national assessments Member States can make informed decisions on their own future nuclear energy systems.
INPRO’s modelling framework and analytical tools help Member States formulate global and regional nuclear energy development scenarios. These models explore how different approaches, including increased nuclear trade and collaboration among countries, can boost sustainability.
The webinar aims to raise awareness and foster understanding of the concept of sustainable nuclear energy development, and issues and challenges related to strategic nuclear energy planning as adressed by INPRO.
The webinar programme will cover the following topics:
- Achieving sustainable nuclear energy development
- Using the INPRO Methodology to assess sustainability of nuclear energy systems
- Developing nuclear energy strategies and identifying role of innovations
Participation in the webinar is free of charge and open to all. Participants are encouraged to ask questions and join in special interactive sessions.
Panellists
Hussam Khartabil
Carolynn Scherer
Alexander Bychkov
Mikhail Khoroshev
Moderator
Maxim Gladyshev, IAEA