Report of France/Japan Joint Session Part 2

Contribution of the French Nuclear Society toward the COP21 Conference by “The Nuclear for Climate” campaign

Abstract

  This paper urges negotiators at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP21) to develop an achievable agreement for the reduction of greenhouse gases that ensures the right of countries to choose nuclear energy in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while meeting their energy and development objectives. This choice should not be prejudiced against in any way by the new UNFCCC protocols, specifically with regards to access to climate funding mechanisms such as Green Climate Funds. “We strongly believe the world must use all available low-carbon energy sources, including nuclear energy, if it is to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions while meeting development goals and not impeding on economic growth.” The Nuclear for Climate campaign, in what we believe was the first ever COP discussion panel on nuclear and climate. The discussion was held inside the Generation Climate public arena, and attended by more than 200 people. Today, hydroelectricity and nuclear make up 90％ of the electricity mix of the country, thus allowing the CO₂ emissions to remain at very low levels. The French nuclear fleet was built over a very short period of time, some 15 years. The replacement of some major components of the various reactors will therefore also take place over a very short period of time, almost at the same time for all reactors. Following the Fukushima accident. safety improvements, will need to be added the safety steps, required in order to extend the lifetime of plants beyond 40 years by “Grand Carénage program”.