Perspectives of the Global Nuclear Energy Industry on Radiological Protection of the Environment

Transcription

1 Perspectives of the Global Nuclear Energy Industry on Radiological Protection of the Environment World Nuclear Association (WNA) Sylvain Saint-Pierre Director, WNA Outreach Initiative Director for Environment and Radiological Protection World Nuclear Association IAEA Coordination Group on RP of the Environment Vienna, Austria September 28,

2 World Nuclear Association - WNA The trade association of the global nuclear industry with a worldwide membership Based in London, UK WNA: WNN: Our membership makes us unique, global and truly representative Over 180 industry enterprises from over 30 countries Over 90% of world uranium production and nuclear power generation Note: See the Annex for more introductory info on WNA 2

3 The Biggest Challenges of this Era We are in a new era where growing Energy needs Environmental & Health Issues are the key challenges the two are closely interconnected and they must be tackled together 3

4 The Biggest Challenges of this Era Securing energy and electricity generation supplies over the long term Average growth ( ) 1.6% per year Average growth ( ) 2.5% per year +45% over from 12,000 to 17,000 Mtoe World population: 1950: 2.5 billions; 2009: 6+ billions; 2050: 9 billions Mtoe Million tonnes of oil equivalent TWh Terawatt hour +75% over from 20,000 to 34,000 TWh 4 Source: International Energy Agency (IEA) 2009, Reference Scenario

5 The Biggest Challenges of this Era Fossil-based energy and electricity generation supplies is unsustainable Going from 12,000 to 17,000 Mtoe over 2007 to 2030 Going from 28 to 41 Gt of CO2 energy-related emissions over 2007 to

6 The Biggest Environmental Challenge of this Era Long-term climate change consequences from greenhouse gases current years Scenario B1 Scenario A1B Scenario A2 6 Source: IPCC AR4

7 OECD/International Energy Agency (IEA) - World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2009 We are now on course for a 6 C rise & rising energy cost Limiting temperature rise to 2 C will require big emission reductions To achieve this, long-term atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases need to stabilize at no more than 450 ppm A 450 path towards Green Growth would bring substantial benefits: >much less air pollution & huge health benefits This Green Growth path consists of nuclear, renewable energy and fossil fuel (with as much as carbon capture & storage as possible) 7

8 WEO 2009 Electricity generation and CO2 emissions What is the size of the issue? Over Over : Hydro x 2; Wind x 16; Other Renewable x 8 Nuclear x 2; Fossil fuel flat-down (CCS) Over Energy generation going from 20,000 to 30,000 TWh Reducing CO2 emissions from 11.9 down to 8.5 Gt 34, ,939 19,

9 Centering RP on today s world challenges Energy Climate Change Environment and Health Nuclear is key for the huge environmental and health benefits that it brings Energy Needs CO 2 reductions Broad Risk on the Environment-Health Tiny Radiation Risk 9 No longer isolated from each other True risk must be weighed by each energy source contribution to curtail pollution and GHG emissions

10 Reality Check on World Environmental Challenges How tiny are radiation risks? 1. Climate change 2. Air pollution (all kinds) 3. Water pollution (all kinds) 4. Intense industrial activities (chemical, oil/gas, agriculture, fishery, forestry, etc.) 5. Urban developments 100 th? Exposure to radiation => localised and inconsequential n th? Nuclear waste management and disposal => 100 n th? RP of animals and plants => and occur very rarely RP issues have only a minor role in proportion to their size. They are not part of World Environmental Challenges that humanity is facing 10

11 Where all of this should fit within the UN and IAEA policies A clear policy is needed on energy, climate change and environment and health at the UN level Such a policy needs to be distillated at the IAEA level, with a clear recognition of the key role of nuclear energy as part of the solution For greater efficiency, such a policy should sit on top of the IAEA safety standards as a way to balance effort on nuclear energy and safety

12 Where this should fit within the UN and IAEA policies UN-derived IAEA Policy on Nuclear Energy, Climate Change and Environment-Health Safety Fundamentals = SF-1 Paradoxically, the key role of nuclear energy in real planet-wide protection of the environment and health is overlooked by IAEA s policies and standards Safety Requirements Safety Guides

13 Where this should fit within the UN and IAEA policies UN-derived IAEA Policy on Nuclear Energy, Climate Change and Environment-Health FUNDAMENTALS REQUIREMENTS GUIDES

14 Where should RP of the environment fit within IAEA Under the current RP system, both human health and environment is adequately protected On the environment, concentrations are well below any level that would be of concerns There are strong evidences all around the world which show that under normal circumstances, nuclear sites pose no issues at all

15 Where should RP of the environment fit within IAEA Where is the regulatory need? To which extent one needs to demonstrate the obvious? To which extent a society can afford this in a world of competing real priorities? As views earlier, the world and countries are not short of challenges & priorities in energy, environment and health

16 IAEA RP plan of activities (June 2005) A reminder E.2. Information Exchange 23. There are three main purposes for the Agency s work relevant to information exchange: 1. To clarify policy and scientific information relating to the protection of nonhuman species; 2. To inform Member States about the available tools, models and methods that may be used in the assessment of impacts on biota, to provide for intercomparison of methods and to advise on the possible implications of any revised standards for regulation of radionuclides entering or present in the environment; 3. To develop an international consensus on the need for, and, if necessary, the form and content of, standards that address the protection of non-human species. Activity: To foster information exchange on the protection of non-human species to allow for early identification of issues by regulators, by national bodies of research and expertise in radiation protection and by other key stakeholders. Timing: Continuously, following adoption of the Plan of Activities.

17 IAEA RP plan of activities (June 2005) A reminder Good to work on the details but cannot skip a robust demonstration of the need: To develop an international consensus on the need for, and, if necessary, the form and content of, standards that address the protection of non-human species. Where is this robust demonstration? All signs show that tools on RP of non-human species can be useful but only very rarely For example, it can be useful to assess the potential impact from a major release or accident

18 IAEA RP plan of activities (June 2005) A reminder No need to confuse RP of non-human species with the scope of safety standards Unduly rolling in an extra level of complexity for tiny radiation risk would be ill-advised Overall, the role of nuclear energy in real planetwide environment and health protection is far more important than an ill-based need to demonstrate the obvious.

19 Where RP of non-human species fit within the UN and IAEA policies UN-derived IAEA Policy on Nuclear Energy, Climate Change and Environment-Health Safety Fundamentals = SF-1 Safety Requirements Paradoxically, the key role of nuclear energy in real planetwide protection of the environment and health is overlooked by IAEA s policies and standards Safety Guides RP of non-human species? Only rarely relevant for the nuclear sector and certainly not for normal activities. Possibly useful as a supporting tool in case of a major release or accident

20 Questions? Thank you for your attention Sylvain Saint-Pierre Director, WNA Outreach Initiative Director for Environment and Radiological Protection World Nuclear Association 20

21 Annex Introductory info on WNA s

22 WNA s Main Activities In collaboration with our members, the WNA supports the global nuclear industry Coordinates ongoing industry forums to: Foster information exchange Develop and advocate knowledge, position & strategy Acts in the international arena to: Build support for nuclear power Strengthen the industry s positions and educational foundations

23 WNA s Main Global Industry Forums Each year we organize two pre-eminent global industry world events WNA Annual Symposium In early September, London, UK Next event: September 15-17, 2010, London, UK WNA Spring Meeting - World Nuclear Fuel Cycle Conference In the Spring, various locations in the world Jointly organized with the Nuclear Energy Institute, USA Next event: Chicago, USA

24 WNA Working Groups (WGs) Covering key topics such as: Nuclear Fuel Cycle Plenary Session Market Report Drafting Reactor Design Evaluation and Design Radiological Protection Uranium Stewardship Industry Economics Security of the International Nuclear Fuel Cycle Sustainable Development & Climate Change Event Communication Capacity Optimization Transport Waste Management & Decommissioning Global Strategy

25 Example of WNA s Products The Main Source of Global Nuclear Industry Internet Info A comprehensive WNA website: - A free services of world nuclear news (WNN): -