本届联合国气候峰会COP28正围绕能源展开激烈讨论，在化石燃料和可再生能源之外，另一颇受争议的能源——核能也成为众多国家瞩目的焦点。包括美国、英国、加拿大、法国、韩国、阿联酋在内的22个国家签署了一份增加核电产能的声明，承诺在2050年将核能发电能力较2020年水平增加两倍。 It also pointed out that the renaissance of nuclear power will be critical to the progress of reducing emissions in the coming decades.
The statement of the 22-nation nuclear energy agreement stated that the signatories committed to support the development and construction of nuclear reactors, such as small modular reactors for power generation and other advanced reactors.
The statement also emphasized that the signatories will encourage the World Bank and other international or regional development banks to include nuclear energy in their energy lending policies.
Factors limiting the development of nuclear energy
According to the International Atomic Energy Agency, in 2020, the total installed nuclear power capacity worldwide totaled 375 GW. According to the forecast of S&P Global Commodities, the total installed nuclear power capacity will reach 631 GW in 2050; the combined capacity of China and the United States will account for more than half of the global nuclear power installed capacity.
The agency added that nuclear power generation in Asia increased by 37 terawatt hours last year compared with Europe. In the past decade, nuclear power generation in Asia has more than doubled, surpassing that of Western and Central Europe. And three-quarters of the world's reactors under construction are located in Asia.
The International Energy Agency pointed out that of the 31 reactors built since 2017, all but four were designed by China and Russia, which also makes China expected to become the leading nuclear power producer in 2030.
But some people do not agree with the nuclear energy commitments of the 22 countries. David Tong, a researcher at the International Organization for Petroleum Change, said the promise was divorced from the reality of nuclear energy, which is expensive and slow to build.
On the other hand, funding sources are also an important obstacle limiting the development of nuclear energy. Its supporters say that nuclear energy is facing a serious lack of funding. However, U.S. climate envoy John Kerry pointed out that there are trillions of dollars in the global market available for nuclear energy investment.
French President Macron and Swedish Prime Minister Kristersson also called on the World Bank and international financial institutions to provide financing for the project. Kristersson also noted that governments must play a role in sharing financial risks to improve conditions and add additional incentives for nuclear energy investment.
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