Sasha Duckworth
28 oct. 2026
41 Organizations Representing 100,000+ Professionals Call on International Leaders to Implement Nuclear Energy in Climate Solutions
ISTANBUL — Nuclear for Climate (N4C) sent a letter to Murat Kurum, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye, to highlight how nuclear energy can help meet the objectives of COP31 and emissions targets across the globe. The letter outlines the following pathways to incorporate nuclear energy into broader climate resolutions:
Include nuclear in COP31’s implementation plans: In line with the Clean Energy Transition and Electrification Priority and the Global Stocktake decision calling for accelerating implementation of renewables and nuclear, N4C urges the global community to advance nuclear energy. We feel it best fits within the implementation of the “35 by 35” electrification target, as nuclear is a low-carbon, reliable and affordable source of electricity.
Create a route from projects to finance: Earlier this year, the COP31 Presidency announced the Climate Implementation Bridge, an initiative to help countries translate their climate commitments into bankable clean energy portfolios. N4C calls on the Presidency to expressly include nuclear and outline how parties with existing nuclear energy infrastructure can become eligible for the program. N4C also urges the Presidency to publish explicit requirements for investment readiness and next steps.
Integrate nuclear energy into Green Industrialisation: N4C calls on the international community to integrate nuclear energy into green industrialisation strategies, as it can enable competitive, resilient and low-carbon industrial production, reduce raw material use and support decarbonisation in sectors that produce significant greenhouse gas emissions.
41 signatories representing 100,000+ nuclear professionals, sector leaders and members of civil society came together to address the COP31 Presidency. The letter is the first of its kind, drafted after a careful study of the climate and nuclear space.
Nuclear energy, delivering reliable and low-emission power around the clock, is uniquely suited to anchor resilient net-zero energy systems alongside renewables. Without nuclear, global CO2 emissions from electricity would have been to 20% higher over the past 50 years. Last year, nuclear accounted for 21% of low-carbon electricity generation worldwide. Nuclear generation also reached an all-time high of 2850 terawatt-hours. 39 countries have now signed the COP28 declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy by 2050, including Türkiye, which is currently building the Akkuyu Nuclear Power Plant to supply approximately 10% of the country’s electricity.
Emmanuel Brutin, Director General for nucleareurope, said:
“The challenge to decarbonise our economy whilst ensuring energy affordability and availability is clear – in Europe and globally. As nuclear investments flourish, policy support is vital to provide the right conditions for the industry to deliver. This letter is an essential reminder to policymakers of the value of nuclear, and of the importance of technology neutral legislation to achieve climate objectives.”
George Christidis, President and CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association said:
“Canada’s nuclear industry is committed to delivering reliable, low-emission energy to support growing electricity demand and climate goals. We endorsed this letter because nuclear must be part of the solutions advanced at COP31, not simply recognized in principle. The focus now must shift from targets to implementation, with clear pathways to financing, technology-neutral policies and greater recognition of nuclear energy’s role in industrial decarbonization.”
Kavya Wadhwa, Climate Policy Lead for Nuclear for Climate, said:
“Behind this letter is a shared concern: recognising nuclear energy in climate commitments means little unless countries can put those commitments into practice. More than 40 organisations representing 100,000 people across six continents have united behind that call. As AI and data centres increase demand for reliable electricity, nuclear’s contribution is increasingly urgent. For billions of people, a cleaner energy future must translate to electricity they can rely on and afford. The COP31 Presidency must turn commitments into policies and financing that enable countries to choose nuclear and deliver a sustainable future alongside other clean energy sources.”