Rosatom emphasizes the need to develop nuclear energy to achieve carbon neutrality
Representatives of Rosatom took part in the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) which was held in Dubai this year. Within the framework of the conference, Rosatom organized a series of events designed to demonstrate the role of nuclear energy and technology in solving the problem of climate change on Earth.
“We are convinced that nuclear energy is an integral part of the low-carbon balance, which is why Rosatom has traditionally participated in the UN Climate Conference. Let me remind you that Rosatom was one of the first nuclear companies to join the climate discussion and propose to consider nuclear energy as an effective tool to combat climate change. The results of this year's climate conference show that our voice and the voices of other supporters of nuclear energy are being heard. A steady demand for nuclear energy has been formed from international partners. Demand for nuclear power is growing again, partly because nuclear technology is constantly being improved,” said Alexey Likhachev, Director General of Rosatom.
Within the framework of the conference, Rosatom, at the invitation of the World Nuclear Association, joined the Net Zero Nuclear Industry Pledge, an international initiative that has already united more than 120 companies operating in 140 countries around the world. The participants of the initiative agreed to maximize the contribution of existing nuclear power plants and accelerate the pace of development of new nuclear technologies in order to achieve the goal of at least a threefold increase in nuclear generation capacity by 2050. Today, Rosatom is the leader among companies in the nuclear industry in terms of the number of nuclear power units being built at the same time. There are currently 22 units under construction abroad in seven countries. Rosatom is also a signatory on behalf of the Russian Federation to the IAEA statement on the role of nuclear energy in the climate agenda.
The development of small nuclear power plants will significantly expand the use of nuclear energy in the world, as confirmed by international nuclear agencies. At a request of international partners, Rosatom organized the Day of Small Nuclear Power Plants (SNPP Day) at COP28, where it presented the full range of its SNPP technology solutions for achieving climate goals and ensuring a low-carbon future. The event was attended by over 160 guests from more than 30 countries. The speakers of the panel discussion were Sama Bilbao y León, Director General of the World Nuclear Association, high-ranking representatives of relevant ministries and energy companies from different countries. The panelists discussed how small-scale nuclear power could solve a wide range of regional and industrial development problems.
On December 8, Rosatom organized the Atom Day for Future Generations in the pavilion of the Russian Federation. As part of a series of discussions throughout the day, Rosatom executives, Russian and foreign experts and partners shared their vision of the role of nuclear technologies in ensuring energy transition in various countries. “We are convinced that nuclear energy is a necessity for a sustainable and prosperous energy future for mankind. While Rosatom is developing renewable energy sources, wind power, and energy storage, we believe that nuclear energy will continue to play a central role in the green energy mix,” comments Kirill Komarov, First Deputy Director General – Director of Rosatom's Development and International Business Unit.
Rosatom representatives also took part in a number of other sessions in the pavilion of the Russian Federation, including the Energy Day organized on December 6 by the Ministry of Energy of the Russian Federation, and the Day of Scientific Approach in Climate Policy on December 10 held with the support of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation and a number of Russian companies and scientific organizations.
Andrey Nikipelov, Rosatom's Deputy Director General for Mechanical Engineering and Industrial Solutions, said: “Low power land-based and floating nuclear power plants are among the most promising areas of modern nuclear energy. And there is demand for them both in Russia and abroad, particularly in countries of the Global South.
At the same time, as we are replicating the modern technology generation in the nuclear power industry, we are simultaneously working on the next stage of nuclear energy technologies – we are building a two-component nuclear power industry with a closed nuclear fuel cycle.”
“Atom has become a full-fledged participant in the climate dialog, as we can clearly see from the agenda of recent climate conferences, starting with COP26 in Glasgow. We do see a growing interest in nuclear technologies to combat climate change. As a leader in the global nuclear industry, we understand our responsibility not only to ensure reliable and stable power generation, but also to contribute to the fight against climate change,” said Polina Lion, Director of Rosatom's Sustainable Development Department.
On December 10, there was an official panel discussion of the Russian Federation on the role of science in solving climate problems. The event was attended by representatives of the Russian Ministry of Natural Resources, the Russian Ministry of Education and Science, the Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring, the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, as well as speakers from Russian scientific organizations – the Institute of Arctic and Antarctic and the Institute of Oceanography. Rosatom was represented at the event by Yuri Olenin, Deputy Director General for Science and Strategy. In his speech, he noted how the modern high-tech and knowledge-intensive nuclear industry contributes to meeting the Russian Federation's carbon footprint reduction commitments, as well as the role of nuclear technologies in solving various issues of sustainable development.
Within the framework of COP28, Rosatom representatives also took part in discussion platforms organized by newcomers to the nuclear club – Egypt and Turkey. In addition, Rosatom paid attention to issues of the youth and gender agenda. Separate panel discussions were held for them with the participation of representatives of Impact Team 2050 which is the Youth Advisory Council to Rosatom's Director General.