Climate change is one of the most serious challenges facing humanity. To a large extent, it is due to carbon dioxide emissions due to the use of fossil fuels. Reducing and ultimately ending CO2 emissions is a huge effort on the part of governments, industry and citizens, as well as their concerted work to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and transition to low-carbon energy sources such as renewable energy and nuclear energy.

Nuclear power generation accounts for roughly 10 percent of the world's total electricity generation and more than a quarter of low-carbon electricity generation. However, in some countries, such as Slovakia and Ukraine, nuclear energy already provides more than 50 percent of all electricity produced.

The operation of nuclear power plants is practically not accompanied by carbon dioxide emissions, so nuclear energy can play a key role in the transition to the energy of the future with low greenhouse gas emissions. The IAEA supports countries implementing nuclear power development programmes and has extensive knowledge of how the use of nuclear power contributes to decarbonization and timely responses to climate change. The IAEA recently launched an initiative to accelerate the development of hydrogen production through nuclear power to promote the decarbonization of the sectors most dependent on fossil fuels, such as heavy industry and transportation.

Plastic recycling

Since 1950, the world has produced more than eight billion tons of plastic. Plastic pollution is one of the most acute global environmental problems both on land and at sea, where it leads to the death of marine animals and birds, and also penetrates into food chains. Traditional recycling methods are currently not enough to recycle all available plastic, so the IAEA is working with countries to find alternative solutions using radiation technologies.

Last year, the IAEA launched the NUTEC initiative, which supports the use of specific nuclear techniques to accurately track and quantify the movement of microplastic particles and related pollutants, as well as their impact on the environment. This allows experts to assess the extent of marine plastic pollution, identify associated trends and develop risk projections for informed decision-making.

In addition, this initiative makes a significant amount of plastic recyclable. Using radiation processes, specialists can help turn non-recyclable plastic into recyclable plastic.

Environmental pollution control

Emissions of pollutants into the environment occur as a result of a number of activities. Air, water or soil pollution affects biological, geological and chemical cycles and becomes part of them. Using nuclear methods and technologies, experts study these processes in order to more effectively combat pollutants and further restore contaminated areas.

Isotopic and nuclear techniques are used to track the distribution pathways of heavy metals, greenhouse gases, radioactive gases, and particles in the air and atmosphere.

Nuclear and isotopic techniques also make it possible to accurately track pollution of the seas and oceans, providing data that can be used for informed decision-making. In January of this year, Peru experienced a major oil spill due to the tsunami caused by a distant earthquake in Tonga, and the IAEA dispatched an expert mission to analyse and support the country's efforts to respond to the spill and monitor its aftermath.

Freshwater management

Human life directly depends on the availability and accessibility of water. To ensure that the sources of water we drink and use in industry and agriculture are sustainable is by measuring the ratio of isotopes in water – a field of science called isotopic hydrology.

Through its Isotope Hydrology Laboratory, the IAEA supports countries in the application of nuclear and isotopic techniques in all aspects of freshwater assessment, management and protection.