COP28 is currently underway in Dubai and is attracting more and more attention. Discussions focus on measures to limit global warming and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Among the subjects discussed, that of nuclear energy took an important place.
Indeed, around twenty countries, including the United States, France, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Ghana and Morocco, have expressed their desire to triple global nuclear capacities by 2050. According to them, nuclear power can play a crucial role in the fight against global warming by reducing dependence on fossil fuels, such as coal and gas.
This position was supported by John Kerry, the US president’s special envoy for climate, who said: “We know that we cannot achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 without nuclear power.” The signatory countries also rely on the recommendations of the IPCC, which recommended in one of its reports to increase the production of nuclear energy as part of an energy transition scenario.
However, it is important to emphasize that China and Russia, two major players in the field of nuclear energy, are not among the signatories. This absence raises questions about the adherence of these countries to this strategy.
Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that some signatory countries have already invested in nuclear energy, such as Japan and Ukraine, despite the risks associated with this technology. Morocco, for its part, is studying the possibilities of developing nuclear energy to diversify its energy sources and reduce its dependence on foreign countries.
In conclusion, the issue of nuclear energy occupies a prominent place at COP28 in Dubai. If some countries see it as a solution to limit global warming, there remain questions and challenges to be addressed, particularly in terms of security and radioactive waste management. It is now up to the participating countries to find consensus on this crucial issue for the future of our planet.