The Net Zero Nuclear Industry Pledge initiative aims to achieve this result by 2050
At the invitation of World Nuclear Association, Rosatom has joined the Net Zero Nuclear Industry Pledge, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at tripling global nuclear capacity by 2050. The pledge, spearheaded by leaders in the nuclear energy sector, underscores the pivotal role nuclear power plays in achieving clean, low-carbon electricity and combating climate change.
The Net Zero Nuclear Industry Pledge, introduced during the “COP28 Atoms4NetZero: Accelerating Deployment of Nuclear Energy” event, as part of the official program of the 28th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC COP28) calls upon governments, multilateral development banks, and the World Bank to ensure that nuclear energy receives climate finance equal to other clean energy sources. This financial support will enable the nuclear industry to deploy capacity at scale worldwide, contributing significantly to climate change mitigation.
Kirill Komarov, First Deputy Director General for Development and International Business of Rosatom, expressed Rosatom’s commitment to decarbonization goals, stating, “At Rosatom, we recognize the urgent need to address climate change, and nuclear energy is a proven, rapid, and resilient solution for deep decarbonization. By joining the Net Zero Nuclear Industry Pledge, we affirm our dedication to work collaboratively with governments and stakeholders to triple nuclear capacity by 2050. This initiative aligns with our vision for a sustainable energy future, and we applaud the governments that have already committed to this transformative goal.”
Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of the World Nuclear Association, noted: “The more than 100 companies that have endorsed the Net Zero Nuclear Industry Pledge are matching the ambition and pragmatism shown by the governments that signed the Nuclear Ministerial Declaration earlier this week. Working together we can achieve the goal of at least a tripling of nuclear capacity by 2050.”
The participants of the Net Zero Nuclear Industry Pledge acknowledge that nuclear energy’s track record of rapid deep decarbonization makes it a cornerstone for achieving net-zero goals. Emphasizing the lower material intensity and land use of nuclear power generation, they commit to mobilizing and supporting investments in nuclear power through innovative financing mechanisms.
The companies representing the nuclear industry, including Rosatom, pledge to maximize the contribution of existing operating nuclear power plants and accelerate the deployment of new nuclear facilities in a safe, responsible and secure manner, to achieve the goal of at least tripling nuclear energy capacity by 2050.
The Net Zero Nuclear Industry Pledge participants commit to an annual review of progress towards their goals and targets, calling on other companies to join this declaration and support the transition to a sustainable, low-carbon energy future.
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The UN Climate Change Conference is the largest forum focusing on climate agenda issues and serves as the primary body for the negotiation process to implement the provisions of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Kyoto Protocol (KP), and the Paris Agreement (PA).
For many years, the State Corporation Rosatom has been conducting its activities in line with the principles of sustainable development. Sustainable development principles are incorporated into Rosatom’s long-term strategy. In 2020, the Unified Industry Policy on Sustainable Development was adopted. In October of the same year, Rosatom joined the UN Global Compact, the largest international initiative for corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. Rosatom is the largest producer of low-carbon electricity in Russia, accounting for approximately 20% of the country’s total electricity production.
In Russia, significant attention is given to the development and implementation of new environmentally friendly technologies. Rosatom, as a producer of electricity through low-carbon generation, consistently takes steps towards transitioning to a green economy. Reducing negative impacts on nature, preserving and replenishing bioresources are priority tasks for the Russian nuclear industry in environmental protection. Rosatom pays significant attention to modernizing equipment that generates environmentally clean energy, allocating hundreds of millions of rubles annually to environmental protection activities. Rosatom participates in projects to preserve biodiversity on our planet, engages in reforestation, cleans riverbanks, and stocks water bodies. Nuclear energy can make a significant contribution to combating climate change due to the absence of CO2 emissions during the energy generation process, which is crucial for many countries.