World Leaders Unite at COP28, Commit to Tripling Global Nuclear Capacity by 2050
In a landmark announcement at COP28, world leaders took a significant step toward combatting climate change by endorsing the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy Capacity by 2050. The Heads of State from nine countries, including the UAE, Canada, Japan, and the United States, committed to accelerating the development of nuclear energy as part of the transition to net zero.
The ceremony, held at the Rove Hotel in Dubai during COP28, saw a total of 21 countries endorsing the declaration. The importance of nuclear energy as a clean, reliable energy source was emphasized, recognizing its role in meeting climate goals, providing clean electrons, and supporting clean molecules such as steam and hydrogen.
Global energy systems contribute around 70% of total carbon emissions, with power production alone responsible for nearly 30% of total emissions. Decarbonizing various sectors, including electricity, heating, industrial processes, and transportation, is crucial to reducing emissions and achieving global climate targets.
The Declaration acknowledges expert analysis from organizations such as the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, the World Nuclear Association, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and the International Energy Agency, all of which underscore the need for a significant expansion of nuclear energy capacity to meet emissions reduction goals.
Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, UAE, expressed the country’s commitment to nuclear energy as a clean and stable baseload energy source. The UAE has been a leader in the global clean energy transition, adding the most clean electricity per capita over the past five years. The Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant in Abu Dhabi, operational since 2021, has played a significant role in the UAE’s efforts, with Unit 4 set to come online in 2024.
The Declaration encourages additional governments and financial organizations, including the World Bank, to join the initiative, fostering partnerships, commitments, and innovations to support the expansion of nuclear energy capacity. The move reflects a collaborative effort by nations to address climate change and achieve a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.
