New Global Consensus
While global support for nuclear power declined in the years after the Fukushima Daiichi accident, the picture is very different today. A global consensus on accelerating its deployment coalesced at the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, where a pledge to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050 was announced that has now been backed by more than 30 countries. However, maximizing the potential of nuclear power will requires robust stakeholder engagement that consider the concerns and interests of everyone from the general public and government officials to regulators, industry and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Director General Grossi and Mr Stone reflected on how perceptions of nuclear power have changed in recent years, the importance of debunking myths, and why creating clean energy abundance and energy security are priorities. The dialogue concluded with a look at what’s ahead for nuclear power.
“I think there is this struggle to point out that nuclear is in fact absolutely necessary. The growth in energy demand all over the world is so dramatic. Renewables are growing, but we have not reduced the amount of fossil fuels. The percentage of fossil fuels to clean energy has remained static since the turn of the century,” said Stone. “So, I think that is the next front in terms of making the case for nuclear energy.”
The opening day’s first panel featured speakers spanning the gamut of stakeholders including government officials, leaders from municipalities that host nuclear facilities, financial experts, newcomer countries, Indigenous Peoples and NGOs. The panellists from Argentina, Belgium, Finland, Jordan, Kenya, the United States of America and the Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation (Canada) discussed issues such as nuclear facility host community engagement, misinformation and how incentives such as scholarships and other educational opportunities can be an effective component of stakeholder engagement.
