The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) will be at the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27) in Egypt to highlight how nuclear science, technology and their applications can address the climate crisis. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will lead a delegation of experts at COP27 to present the latest nuclear techniques and encourage an informed debate on the benefits of nuclear science and technology in climate change mitigation, adaptation and monitoring.
For the first time the IAEA will be running a COP pavilion, called #Atoms4Climate. It will offer a rich programme of more than 40 IAEA and partner events on six thematic areas: energy, energy innovation, agriculture, food security, oceans and water. The events will be held during the two-week period of COP27, from 6 to 18 November.
Nuclear science and technology are key to both mitigation and adaptation. Many countries faced with sharply rising energy costs and heightened security of supply concerns are turning to nuclear power, which is the world’s second largest low carbon source of electricity and provides around 10 per cent of the world’s electricity. Nuclear techniques, such as isotope hydrology and mutagenesis, can also help countries, particularly in developing regions, adapt to the impact of climate change on food, agriculture and water management.
The IAEA is organizing or participating in several COP27 events, including:
Grand opening event #Atoms4Climate pavilion at COP27: High-level speakers will raise the curtain on the IAEA pavilion with opening remarks by IAEA Director General Grossi. A short film on nuclear for climate change will be shown and a high-level panel will discuss the safe and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology, cooperation for equal access to them, innovation for their expansion, and engagement towards reaching net zero.
9 November, 10:00–11:30 (EET) Details
Peace, climate change and energy security: the global tipping point: In a wide-ranging conversation, IAEA Director General Grossi and Bloomberg News Senior Executive Editor for Energy and Commodities William Kennedy, will tackle key issues of our world today, underscoring how one common denominator — nuclear energy — connects them all: from nuclear safety in Ukraine and non-proliferation in the Middle East, to mitigating and adapting to climate change and ensuring energy security and access for all.
9 November, 11:30–12:30 (EET Time) Details
Affordability, resilience and security of energy supply: IAEA Director General Grossi, International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol, US Department of Energy Assistant Secretary for Nuclear Energy Kathryn Huff, European Norms Electrical Certification MD and CEO Mohamed Al Hammadi, World Association of Nuclear Operators CEO Ingemar Engqvist, and International Energy and Climate Cooperation Special Envoy, Poland, Sebastian Barkowski will discuss the role of nuclear energy in contributing to net zero, highlighting the attributes of nuclear power that complement other clean energy sources and make nuclear a backbone of energy transitions.
9 November, 13:00–14:00 (EET) Details
Global action for climate adaptation: science for the future: Climate change induced disaster risk is increasing, particularly the threat of serious droughts and floods. IAEA Director General Grossi, World Bank VP Juergen Voegele, United Nations Special Envoy for the Ocean Peter Thomson, Food and Agriculture Organization DDG Maria Helena Semedo and UNESCO Hydrological Systems and Climate Adaptation Chief of Section Anil Mishra will discuss the approaches and scientific advances that help countries adapt to climate change, whether this is protecting water supplies, building resilient settlements, or growing drought resistant crops.
10 November, 10:30–11:30 (EET) Details
Interplay of low carbon energy systems — United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change side event: Decarbonizing energy systems to net zero will require all low-carbon technologies for electricity generation supported by the production of carbon-free fuels such as hydrogen. IAEA Director General Grossi, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Executive Secretary Olga Algayerova, United Nations Industrial Development Organization DG Gerd Müller and World Meteorological Organization DG Petteri Taalas will discuss the benefits and challenges of deploying a resilient low-carbon technology interplay, including financing mechanisms. A technical panel will follow with representatives from the World Nuclear Association, International Energy Agency, African Union Commission and United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
10 November, 18:30–20:00 (EET) Details
More events at the #Atoms4Climate pavilion are listed on the COP27 events page.
IAEA media team contacts
IAEA experts in climate change mitigation, adaptation and monitoring will be available for interviews at COP27.
For interview requests and other media related questions, please contact Fredrik Dahl, IAEA Spokesperson, at Fredrik.Dahl@iaea.org and copy press@iaea.org or call 0043 699 165 21 275.
For questions on video footage or similar queries, please reach out to Katy Laffan, Multimedia Producer, at K.Laffan@iaea.org and copy press@iaea.org or call 0043 699 165 22 446.
Registration
Most of our events will be accessible via livestream on www.iaea.org without registration.
To attend our events in person, you must register for COP27. For media accreditation and all other details concerning the attendance of COP27, please contact the UNFCCC media relations office. Please be aware that the IAEA cannot assist with accreditation to COP27.
Media kit
The IAEA COP27 media kit provides information on the six key areas highlighted at the #Atoms4Climate pavilion — energy, energy innovation, agriculture, food security, water and oceans — along with recent reports and further background information
The media kit also contains B-roll video footage on nuclear power and applications to tackle climate change, videos on the IAEA and climate change and high-resolution images in the IAEA Flickr account. The IAEA will produce images from COP27 and post on Flickr on a daily basis
This material is free to use under the copyright provisions of the IAEA Terms of Use. If you have further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Please also have a look at the IAEA’s explainer stories and a wealth of other resources on climate change on the IAEA website and see IAEA Director General Grossi's Twitter videos on climate change adaptation and mitigation.
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