IAEA official touts nuclear power at Paris Climate Change Conference forum

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Deputy Director General Mikhail Chudakov made the case for nuclear generation to be considered among sustainable energy sources this week at a Paris Climate Change Conference side event on Monday.

Chudakov spoke during the “Pathways to Sustainable Energy for a Climate Friendly World” forum, which included U.N. representatives and others from several advocacy groups to discuss what could be done to improve access to cleaner forms of energy generation that are affordable.

The forum's participants all agreed that there is a need for a transition in global energy generation business models. They also agreed that energy-efficiency improvements and expanded low-carbon methods were needed -- including nuclear power, renewables and carbon capture -- to meet global temperature goals. The IAEA said the ultimate goal is to keep any global average temperatures rises under two degrees Celsius.

“Nuclear energy has low life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions and has the potential, with innovative technologies, to serve humanity effectively for a very long time,” Chudakov said “When considered in the broader context of sustainable development, nuclear power enhances energy security and reduces damage to ecosystems and impact on human health.”