Is nuclear power a solution for climate change?
In recent years the world has experienced an increase in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events caused by climate change. Japan too has been hit by torrential rains and heat waves. We urgently need to reduce anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which are the main driver of climate change. In particular, we need to rapidly decarbonize the energy sector, which is a major emitter.
In October 2018, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released the Special Report “Global Warming of 1.5oC.” It concludes that in order to limit warming to 1.5°C, GHG emissions must be reduced by 45% from the 2010 level by 2030 and must reach net zero emissions by 2050. In other words, over the next few decades we must significantly reduce the use of fossil fuels, which account for over 80% of primary energy consumption. Meanwhile, nuclear power accounts for no more than 4% of the primary energy supply worldwide.1
The Japanese government states that since nuclear power when operating has lower GHG emissions than other power sources, it can be seen as low carbon energy and a measure against climate change. But in emissions trading, nuclear power plants are not recognized as a means of addressing climate change.2 In the OECD Arrangement on Officially Supported Export Credits (rules to be followed when OECD countries make loans and guarantees using their own funds for exports from their domestic companies), funding of nuclear power is not recognized as official development assistance (ODA). The World Bank does not provide support for nuclear power. In other words, the international community does not recognize nuclear power as a means of providing international cooperation or as a solution to climate change.
At the root of climate change: Disparities, and injustices
FoE Japan has long warned against flawed attempts to address climate change—projects that cause environmental destruction and human rights violations but are promoted in the name of climate change, and measures that are not really helping to fight climate change. Among them, nuclear power stands out prominently.
At the core, climate change is intensifying as a result of the privileged in the world—the wealthy class and developed countries—having developed and emitted large amounts of GHGs. Even now, poorer developing countries are more vulnerable to climate change, while the developed countries continue with mass production, mass consumption, and mass waste. In other words, we could say that at its root, climate change relates to North-South issues, disparities, and injustices. The concept of trying to correct this is known as “climate justice.” Seen from the perspective of historical responsibility for causing climate change, developed countries should reduce their own GHG emissions as quickly as possible and provide support to developing countries. But if the sole aim is to reduce GHG emissions, we may destroy nature and trigger more human rights abuses. Nuclear power illustrates this point, and the same could be said about non-sustainable “renewable” energy.
The Paris Agreement, an international framework adopted in 2015 to address climate change, clearly states that in the context of addressing climate change we need to respect and consider human rights, health-related rights, indigenous peoples, communities and generational equity. Even if some measures can reduce GHG emissions, they should not be automatically seen as a solution. They need to be judged comprehensively from the perspective of sustainability, human rights, and more.
Nuclear power actually hinders climate action
In Japan, nuclear power has been promoted as a means of mitigating climate change, but Japan’s GHG emissions have not decreased over the past few decades. Nuclear power props up a society of high electricity consumption that relies on large-scale and centralized power generation, and it actually hampers measures to promote renewable energy and conserve energy. It is telling that Japan’s GHG emissions actually began to decline after 2014, when virtually no nuclear plants were operating.
Fig. Electricity generation by source, and CO2 emissions in the electricity sector
Source: e-shift, Do suru? Kore kara no Nihon no enerugi (What shall we do? Japan’s energy future)
In recent years, the cost to build a nuclear power plant has increased to at least the trillion yen level. In 2018, the US National Academy of Sciences published a report on the role of nuclear power in combating climate change, and rejected its usefulness primarily from an economic point of view.3
Indeed, it is ironic that climate change is actually making nuclear power more vulnerable. In 2018, there were many nuclear plant shutdowns in France and Sweden as water temperatures rose due to extreme heat and cooling water could not be kept cool enough.4
First, save energy and change lifestyles
For decades, Japan has been working to conserve energy, so many people seem to think that not much more can be achieved. But is that really true? Vending machines and convenience stores can be found everywhere, and Japan also produces a huge amount of food loss every day. Retail stores use excessive air conditioning, and there is room for improvement. Energy saving targets in the industrial sector are lax. People have warned about the limits of the global environment for years, but lifestyles have not changed much.
Individuals, organizations, and society need to work towards a society that values sustainability and human rights for future generations, and responsible consumption behavior.
- World Energy Council, World Energy Resources 2016
- Under the Clean Development Mechanism developed countries can count GHG emission reductions in developing countries as their own reductions when they assist projects in developing countries to reduce emissions or increase carbon sequestration, but nuclear is excluded from this arrangement.
- Jidson, Jim, Nuclear Power and Climate Action, 2018
- Quartz “Europe’s heatwave is forcing nuclear power plants to shut down” https://qz.com/1348969/europes-heatwave-is-forcing-nuclear-power-plants-to-shut-down/ August 6, 2018