Climate change, climate crisis, climate catastrophe — call it what you want, but one thing is certain (unless you are a Flat Earther or another conspiracy believer): the overwhelming scientific consensus is that climate change is manmade and primarily caused by human CO₂ emissions from burning fossil fuels.
The drive for ‘net zero’ and growing investment in renewables has brought nuclear energy back into focus. The advantages seem clear: low greenhouse-gas emissions, reliable continuous power, and incredible energy density all seem to outweigh its drawbacks, such as high upfront costs and the challenge of nuclear waste. Nuclear energy’s lifecycle CO₂ emissions are among the lowest of all energy sources — in the same very low ballpark as wind and solar, and far lower than natural gas, oil, or coal. Modern designs often maintain a capacity factor of about 70–90 per cent.
Of course, there are downsides. In April 1986, a reactor at Chernobyl exploded during a safety test, releasing vast amounts of radioactive material across Europe. The aftermath was devastating and instilled deep mistrust of nuclear energy. One positive outcome: global safety standards were strengthened — but public opposition intensified.
So what role can nuclear energy play internationally, and is there a clear trend toward its revival?
In the UK, nuclear supplies only about 15 per cent of electricity, whereas in France it accounts for closer to 60 per cent. By contrast, Germany turned against nuclear following Chernobyl and again after Fukushima in 2011, influenced by public fear and Green-party pressure. That led to cancelled projects and plant closures. Ironically, Germany, often seen as a climate leader, expanded coal use when gas supplies from Russia fell.
The war in Ukraine starkly exposed Europe’s dependence on Russian fossil fuels and showed that hydropower, wind, and solar alone are not yet sufficient on their own to meet full demand. In 2024, roughly 46.9 per cent of EU net electricity came from renewables, with some countries like Austria and Denmark reaching up to 70–90 per cent.
Leaving the emotional aspect aside (and the fears of another disaster like Chernobyl are valid), the path to net zero and independence from fossil fuels—which are traded in volatile and partly unreliable markets—may lie in a renewed and substantial investment in modern nuclear power plants alongside the continued expansion of renewable energy. This combined approach could offer the most realistic way forward to a greener future for our planet. We are stewards of this beautiful world, and we should act accordingly.
Photo by Sergio Pérez Mateo on Unsplash