IAEA at COP28: Highlights

IAEA Director General Grossi and Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo today officially announced the first-ever Nuclear Energy Summit, to be held in Brussels in March next year. The announcement came at a COP28 event in Dubai where more than 20 countries on four continents pledged to triple nuclear power generating capacity by 2050 to achieve global climate goals.

The summit featuring world leaders will highlight the role of nuclear energy in addressing the global challenges to reduce the use of fossil fuels, enhance energy security and boost economic development.

Amid the rising wave of international support for scaling up the use of nuclear power, Mr Grossi opened the IAEA’s Atoms4Climate pavilion at COP28 on 1 December, kicking off almost two weeks of events aimed at highlighting the role of nuclear technology and science in climate change mitigation and adaptation. The event featured a lively conversation between Mr Grossi and Isabelle Boemeke, also known as Isodope, the world’s first nuclear influencer.

Read more here.

#COP28's first Global Stocktake rightly places nuclear energy as part of the solution for deep decarbonization. 
 
The @IAEAorg and I welcome this outcome. Onwards to scaling up this clean and reliable technology! pic.twitter.com/hkgVftD2BS

— Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi) December 13, 2023

After a busy two weeks highlighting the role of nuclear technology and science in climate change mitigation and adaptation at COP28, the IAEA team has packed up the Atoms4Climate pavilion and is heading back to Vienna.

Within its broad agenda for COP28, the IAEA hosted and participated in around 50 events, including to deliver a landmark statement that “Net zero needs nuclear power”, officially announce the first-ever Nuclear Energy Summit, launch a new climate adaptation project and tour a research ship that sailed from Kuwait to the United Arab Emirates, COP28 host.

Nuclear technology is no longer taboo at COP and this year’s climate change conference was a watershed moment for the only energy source along with hydropower that has demonstrated the ability to decarbonize electricity supply on a national scale. Leaders from 22 countries on four continents announced a declaration to triple global nuclear energy capacity by 2050 to meet climate goals and energy needs.

In addition to the presentation of the #Atoms4Food initiative at a Ministerial Roundtable on Climate Change and Food Security, the two weeks saw intense discussions on the innovative ways nuclear applications are providing countries with science based techniques for food, water and ocean challenges.

With nuclear power finally having its moment at COP28, and as the IAEA and nuclear advocates steadily increase their presence at the annual summit each year, IAEA staff walking out of the Blue Zone today already set about plans for COP29 in Azerbaijan.

Wetlands cover approximately 5% of the earth’s land surface and offer a wide range of benefits.

A single acre of wetland can store roughly 1 million gallons of floodwater during storms or heavy rainfall, about twice the volume of an Olympic-size swimming pool, acting as a natural sponge.

However, due to climate change-induced alterations in precipitation patterns and rising sea levels, these invaluable functions of wetlands are increasingly at risk.

Isotope hydrology studies water movement and origin, tracing sources and pathways. It also aids in identifying water sources for wetland recharge, assessing groundwater-surface water interactions, and predicting wetland and groundwater responses to climate change.

Taking place on 10 December, from 10:00 – 11:00 (GMT +4), this event will highlight the role of isotope hydrology in understanding the complex interactions between wetlands, groundwater, and climate change. It will also highlight how incorporating isotope hydrology enhances management strategies for long-term sustainability.

Although 282 million people in Africa face food insecurity due to climate change challenges, only 12 per cent of the needed climate financing is available, hindering efforts to address the continent’s vulnerabilities.

Building climate-resilient food systems requires approaches that tackle multiple risks to people and the environment. Integrating climate, food security, dedicated financial schemes and humanitarian assistance programs is required to support building food systems that would better anticipate and respond to climate-driven disasters.

On 9 December, the IAEA and UNIDO will co-host a side event on “Supporting Africa to build climate-resilient food systems” at the Atoms4Food Pavilion which will highlight the key issues needed to build climate-resilient food systems, including expanding climate-smart agriculture, scaling up climate finance, building community resilience, and designing food systems that are gender-, youth- and climate-sensitive. Contributors from diverse backgrounds will share innovative approaches to achieving resilient food systems in Africa in a context of climate change.

Did you know that around 80% of wastewater worldwide goes back into the environment without proper treatment?

This untreated water often carries pollutants like chemicals, bacteria, and other harmful substances that can seep into our drinking water sources or affect the quality of water used for farming.

By comprehending how these pollutants move through our water systems, we can take steps to prevent contamination, safeguarding our water for future generations and ensuring safe drinking water and fertile lands for agriculture.

Taking place on 9 December, at 10:00 (GMT +4), this event will highlight the impact of water pollution on the natural environment and its downstream effects on the sustainability of water supply in the face of climate change. It will also showcase how isotope hydrology offers a powerful tool to unravel this complex web of interactions.

Melting glaciers, collapsing ice shelves, thawing permafrost – these are some of the most visible impacts of climate change.

Glaciers around the world have been losing over 200 billion metric tons of ice per year, contributing significantly to rising sea levels.

Glaciers play a crucial role in regulating global water resources. Retreating glaciers disrupt water cycles, threatening freshwater resources, ecosystems, agriculture, and communities that rely on glacial meltwater.

The Himalayan glaciers, crucial water sources for millions of people, have been receding at an alarming rate of approximately 10 meters (33 feet) per year.

The IAEA event, Cryosphere: The impact of retreating glaciers, will take place on 6 December at 11:00 (GMT +4). The panel discussion will focus on the high-risk areas of cryosphere melting and glacier retreat and the IAEA's efforts in addressing where glacier melt water is going and its impact on the longevity of groundwater reserves.

The discussion will also explore implementation actions ahead of the 2025 International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation conference in Tajikistan.

Constructive exchange at @iterorg's #COP28 event on fusion energy and climate with @typeoneenergy. Fusion is developing fast and gaining momentum as a climate solution. @IAEAorg's at forefront, uniting stakeholders as this technology progresses towards a low-carbon future. pic.twitter.com/EYdc125beT

— Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi) December 1, 2023

At COP28, IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi and FAO Director General Qu Dongyu presented the #Atoms4Food initiative,  intended to alleviate the impacts of climate change on food security by improving agriculture and soil and water management using nuclear techniques.

“Food is a basic human right for everyone. We have to produce more with less because of the climate crisis. We need science-based solutions and a technically driven approach to contribute in the future,” Mr Qu told participants at a IAEA-FAO high-level event on 1 December at COP28.

Director General Grossi outlined the IAEA-FAO support envisioned under the #Atoms4Food initiative. “We are going to start with the self-assessments made by countries, because we believe that we need to follow their approaches and what is concerning for them. Then we will roll out tailormade projects and programmes for them,” said Mr Grossi.  “We are moving in a concrete way – not too much talk, but action. We will bring to the countries the solutions they need,” he said.

The new initiative builds upon the nearly 60 years of IAEA-FAO collaboration through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture. It combines the organizations’ unique strengths to the benefit of populations facing hunger. The IAEA, through the Joint Centre, uses nuclear applications to support countries to identify and solve challenges caused by climate change.  Read the full story.

Expanding the use of nuclear power as a clean energy source to fight climate change will require the renewed focus on how a warming climate impacts on the safety of nuclear power plants.

During an event held on 4 December in the Energy Transition Hub at COP28, speakers from the IAEA, the Federal Authority for Nuclear Regulation (FANR) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Electricité de France (EDF) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) discussed how nuclear power operators, nuclear regulators and international organizations must work together to meet the challenges affecting the safety of plants.

“For nuclear power to play a wider role in the quest towards net zero carbon emissions, a focused approach on hazard assessment from a warming climate and safety designs to mitigate the impacts on nuclear power infrastructure must be ensured,” said Paolo Contri from the IAEA Division of Nuclear Installation Safety.

The event was jointly organized by the IAEA and FANR. Sara Al Saadi, Director of Nuclear Safety, informed the audience about FANR’s Integrated Operational Nuclear Safety (IONS) project, a real-time environmental and climate monitoring system linked to the operation of the UAE’s Barakah Nuclear Power Plant. “Driven by artificial intelligence, and integrated with the IAEA’s Event Notification System, IONS will bolster the safety and resiliency of our nuclear power plant against the negative effects of climate change.”

Coming on the heels of IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi’s announcement of a landmark IAEA statement declaring that “net zero needs nuclear power”, the panel discussed prevention and mitigation of the effects of climate change on the safety of nuclear installations. On the suggestions of the panellists, four tracks were identified as being essential for safety: data collection on potential safety impacts at international level; modelling of expected hazards; capacity building for safety and regulatory preparedness.

With the efforts underway to ensure safety of nuclear power plants against the effects of climate change, resilient and robust nuclear power has the potential to play a wider role in the quest towards net zero carbon emissions.

A new international IAEA technical cooperation project, launched on 2 December 2023 at a COP28 side event, will catalyze the IAEA’s existing climate adaptation activities in food and water security to harness the already expansive interregional networks of laboratories and facilitate international collaboration. The new climate adaptation project aims to support national efforts to ensure successful and sustainable solutions to the impacts of climate change. Read the full story.

Every day for the past 20 years, about 2,000 hectares of irrigated land in arid and semi-arid regions have been damaged by salinization. Soil salinity, made worse by the escalating impacts of climate change, now affects nearly one-fifth of the world's total agricultural land, with a negative impact on crop production and food security.

On 3 December, learn about how nuclear techniques are being used to tackle this challenge at a side event on “Climate Smart Agriculture Solutions to Combat Salinity and Climate Change” at the UNFCCC COP28 Atoms4Climate Pavilion.

This event will shed light on how climate change impacts soil salinization and crop production, and will highlight climate smart solutions.

Proud to announce today at #COP28 a major nuclear energy summit for 2024 together with 🇧🇪 Prime Minister @alexanderdecroo, 🇫🇷 President @emmanuelmacron, in the presence of other world leaders. pic.twitter.com/6g7RJh8cng

— Rafael MarianoGrossi (@rafaelmgrossi) December 2, 2023

Join us on 2 December from 11:00-12:00 (GMT +4) at the Atoms4Climate Pavilion. Country representatives will come together with members of the private sector to discuss comprehensive and sustainable climate adaptation solutions to bridge the gap between science and policy at ‘Building Resilience in Food and Water Systems Using Conventional and Nuclear Technologies.’

Accelerated action on climate adaptation is needed urgently. For many countries, the Paris Agreement’s global goals are not an abstract future aspiration, but a necessity here and now, grounded in today’s reality.

IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will present innovative solutions and new IAEA projects and initiatives. Panelists will have the opportunity to highlight the climate adaptation work of their organizations. Particular emphasis will be given to nuclear techniques in the context of climate adaptation programmes and the areas of agriculture, food security, water management and livestock.

The event will be livestreamed. 

“Net zero needs nuclear power,” the IAEA said in a statement delivered by Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi, at COP28 in Dubai today. The landmark statement was backed by dozens of countries.  Read the media release and full statement, which is also avaliable in Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish. See photos here.

The IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi will today announce the IAEA Statement on Nuclear Power at a high level event at COP28.

Supported by dozens of countries, the statement will highlight the role of nuclear power in fighting climate change as part of a low carbon energy mix.

Media are invited to attend the event and ask questions directly to Director General Grossi.

The event takes place Friday, 1 December at 15:00 (11:00 GMT), in the Shared Presentations Stage 3, Area B7, Building 88 in the Blue Zone.

The event will be livestreamed. See the media advisory.

The ocean plays a key role in regulating the Earth’s climate, supporting biodiversity, providing food and sustaining life on our planet.

Climate change is causing significant changes in the ocean that can have negative effects on these essential processes. Protecting ocean health must be a global priority.

Join us today, 30 November in our Atoms4Climate Pavilion or via the livestream for an event on “Promoting Ocean Health with the Research Vessel AlMostakshif” to learn about the new IAEA-KISR Ocean Health project, which will contribute to the global effort to protect our ocean through innovative research and capacity building on ocean acidification, blue carbon, marine pollution and more.

Co-hosted by the IAEA and the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR), the event will take place in the Atoms4Climate Pavilion at 16:00 (GMT +4).

Monitoring Marine Ecosystem: For more than ten years, the IAEA has worked with the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) to develop and apply nuclear techniques for monitoring the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems. The information gathered informs policies needed to ensure the resilience of marine ecosystems and coastal communities. Read more here.

The IAEA Atoms4Climate Pavilion is open for visitors at COP28! The space is a focal point to showcase nuclear science and technology solutions for climate change mitigation, adaptation and monitoring.

COP28 attendees are invited to join the full programme of events. From cutting-edge reactor technologies to applications in food, agriculture and water management, visitors can learn about the diverse ways nuclear can address the challenges of a rapidly changing climate. Each event will be available to livestream here. See you at the Atoms4Climate Pavilion!