Ghana, Turkey, Armenia proceed to denuclearize because of climate change – Do you stand out for that?

Guest essay by Eric Worrall

The IAEA has written an enthusiastic report on countries using nuclear energy to combat climate change.

Nuclear power to mitigate climate change benefits some countries, new studies show

Nicholas Watson, IAEA Department of Nuclear EnergyJeffrey Donovan, IAEA Department of Nuclear Energy

Countries from Armenia and Ghana to Poland and Turkey show significant potential in using nuclear energy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and meet climate change goals, including those agreed at the COP26 climate summit, according to three years of national research project coordinated by the IAEA.

The findings of the Joint Research Project (CRP) illustrate the potential scope for increased use of nuclear energy to support stronger national climate change mitigation goals as required. in “Glasgow Climate Pact“Agreed at COP26 last month. Some 30 countries include nuclear energy in the plans submitted under the 2015 Paris Agreement – including short-term goals (by 2030) in the so-called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and long-term strategy to net zero emissions – and the CRP results reflect growing interest in nuclear among other countries seeking to adopt more ambitious climate goals.

“Overall, the country study demonstrates that nuclear energy has significant potential to contribute to climate change mitigation,” said Hal Turton, IAEA energy economist and CRP scientific officer. , depending on national circumstances. “The research groups also note that nuclear power is well suited to promote economic growth, maintain energy supply security by reducing dependence on imports, and ensure a resilient electricity system. and credible, and in support of the broader sustainable development goals.”

The CRP, entitled “The Potential Role of Nuclear Energy in National Strategies for Mitigating Climate Change”, brought together research groups from 12 countries facing a range of energy challenges. energy, development and climate with the goal of examining how nuclear energy, along with other sources of low-carbon energy, can be useful. These groups have developed and applied various analytical frameworks and modeling tools to forecast energy demand over the next several decades, evaluating technology options and supply portfolios to meet demand. projected demand and assess the impact of those categories on GHG emissions.

Research groups in Armenia, Pakistan, Poland and Turkey have identified the significant potential of nuclear energy in mitigating climate change in their countries. If the upfront investment costs and financial barriers can be resolved, nuclear power is also seen as increasingly attractive to mitigate in Chile, Ghana and South Africa. As for the other three countries – Croatia, Lithuania and Vietnam – nuclear power is currently considered uncompetitive. Australia and Ukraine have shared their expertise under different reporting arrangements; Research group in Ukraine has identified a significant potential for nuclear power.

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Read more: https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/nuclear-energy-for-climate-change-mitigation-to-benefit-several-countries-new-studies-show

Full paper can be download here.

The full list of countries that use climate change as a reason to develop their nuclear capacity is Armenia, Chile, Croatia, Ghana, Lithuania, Pakistan, Poland, South Africa, Turkey and Vietnam. .

Armenia is in a state of near-permanent war with Azerbaijan deadly border clash happened last month in november, with much more serious clashes in 2020. Armenia tends to be at a disadvantage against its richer neighbour, Azerbaijan.

Croatia is one of the main participants in Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s. Although things have calmed down over the past few decades, there are still unresolved issues in the region, such as Serbia’s sadness over the loss of Kosovo, so it’s not unlikely that tensions could flare up again. back in the future.

Pakistan has always been in a state of increasing tension with India, over Kashmir and other issues, even though they have openly possessing nuclear weapons.

The Turkey of the Erdogans, to their credit, has hold recent negotiations with Israel, in an effort to improve relations. This is a marked improvement in 2010, when Erdogan vents his rage end Israel thwarts Turkey’s attempt to send supplies by sea to Gaza.

Ghana isn’t threatening to blow up anyone I know, but they’re having serious problems with ETA rebellious style in Western Togoland, leading to a fierce clash in 2020.

Maybe a civilian nuclear program would help boost all of these economies, and improved incomes could ease other tensions. All of these countries have energy-intensive industries that they want to develop, and nuclear programs are sure to help insulate economies from energy supply price shocks, which This can really help create a more positive business environment. Reducing CO2 emissions while growing the economy would be a diplomatic win for any country, in the current global geopolitical climate.