Nuclear seen playing key role in curbing greenhouse gas emission

By: Ronnel W. Domingo - 04:01 AM February 26, 2020

https://business.inquirer.net/291255/nuclear-seen-playing-key-role-in-curbing-greenhouse-gas-emission

Nuclear energy can ensure a rapid decline in the emission of greenhouse gases worldwide, especially with findings that growth in carbon dioxide output stopped in 2019, according to the World Nuclear Association (WNA).

“We need to ensure that this halt in greenhouse gas emissions is not only a plateau, but the beginning of a rapid decline,” WNA director general Agneta Rising said in a statement.

“This will only be achieved by a much greater contribution from nuclear energy as a key component of a low-carbon energy system,” Ri­sing said.

She was commenting on a report released earlier this month by the International Energy Agency (IEA), which found that recent increases in emissions from the energy sector “flatlined” at 33 billion tons of carbon dioxide, thanks to higher electricity output from nuclear and renewables as well as the switch to gas from coal in advanced economies.The London-based WNA noted that the global increase last year in nuclear-based power generation helped avoid an additional 50 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

In releasing the report, IEA executive director Fatih Birol said 2020 would be the year for clean energy transitions and how to address the climate challenge.

“It is time for all low-carbon technologies to work together to achieve the clean energy transition,” Rising said. “The nuclear industry stands ready to play its part, with our goal to supply 25 percent of the world’s electricity before 2050.”

Even then, she said governments and other key decision makers need to take the actions necessary to help the nuclear power industry deliver such contribution.

The Philippines under the Duterte administration has been actively pursuing the nuclear option, having asked an IEAE (International Atomic Energy Agency)-led mission to evaluate the country’s prospects.

Based on the assessment of IAEA, the Philippines was ready to make a knowledgeable commitment to a nuclear power program.

However, the Philippines has a lot more to achieve to move forward, such as developing a legal and regulatory framework that ensures and demonstrates a commitment to safety, security and nonproliferation.

The IAEA also recommended for the Philippines to adapt existing national frameworks for emergency preparedness and response and for nuclear security.