Sylvain Saint-PierreDirector, WNA Outreach InitiativeDirector for Environment and Radiological ProtectionWorld Nuclear Association

Perspectives of the Global Nuclear Energy Industry

on Radiological Protection of the Environment

World Nuclear Association (WNA)

Perspectives of the Global Nuclear Energy Industry

on Radiological Protection of the Environment

World Nuclear Association (WNA)

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IAEA Coordination Group on RP of the Environment

Vienna, Austria

September 28, 2010

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World Nuclear Association - WNA

The trade association of the global nuclear industry with a worldwide membership

• Based in London, UK

• WNA: http://www.world-nuclear.org

• WNN: http://www.world-nuclear-news.org

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

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

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The Biggest Challenges of this Era

We are in a new era where growing

…the two are closely interconnected…

… and they must be tackled together

…the two are closely interconnected…

… and they must be tackled together

are the key challenges…

Energy needsHealth Environmental & Health Issues

The Biggest Challenges of this EraSecuring energy and electricity generation supplies over the long term

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Source: International Energy Agency (IEA) 2009, Ref erence Scenario

Mtoe – Million tonnes of oil equivalentTWh – Terawatt hour

World population:1950: 2.5 billions; 2009: 6+ billions; 2050: 9 billions

Average growth (2007-2030) ≈ 1.6% per year

+45% over 2006-2030 from ≈ 12,000 to 17,000 Mtoe

Average growth (2007-2030) ≈ 2.5% per year

+75% over 2006-2030 from ≈ 20,000 to 34,000 TWh

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The Biggest Challenges of this EraFossil-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 2030

2020 – 2029 ≈ current

The Biggest Environmental Challenge of this EraLong-term climate change consequences from greenhouse gases

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2090-2099 ≈ 100 years

Scenario B1

Scenario A1B

Scenario A2

Source: IPCC AR4

OECD/International Energy Agency (IEA) -World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2009

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We are now on course for a 6°C rise & rising energy costWe are now on course for a 6°C rise & rising energy cost

Limiting temperature rise to 2°C will require big emission reductionsLimiting temperature rise to 2°C will require big emission reductions

A 450 path towards Green Growth would bring substantial benefits:

>much less air pollution & huge health benefits

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)This Green Growth path consists of nuclear, renewable energy and fossil fuel (with as much as carbon capture & storage as possible)

To achieve this, long-term atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases need to stabilize at no more than 450 ppmTo achieve this, long-term atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases need to stabilize at no more than 450 ppm

11.9

17.8

8.5

WEO 2009Electricity generation and CO2 emissions

What is the size of the issue?What is the size of the issue?

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19,756

34,292

29,939

Over 2007-2030

Energy generation going from ≈ 20,000 to 30,000 TWh

Over 2007-2030

Reducing CO2 emissions from 11.9 down to 8.5 Gt

Over 2007-2030:Hydro ≈ x 2; Wind ≈ x 16; Other Renewable ≈ x 8

Nuclear ≈ x 2; Fossil fuel ≈ flat-down (CCS)

Centering RP on today’s world challenges

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EnergyEnergy ClimateChangeClimateChange

Environment and Health

Environment and Health

Nuclear is key for the huge environmental and health benefits that it brings

Nuclear is key for the huge environmental and health benefits that it brings

CO2reductions

CO2reductions

EnergyNeedsEnergyNeeds

Broad Risk on the Environment-Health

Broad Risk on the Environment-Health

No longer isolated from each other

True risk must be weighed by each energy source contribution to curtail pollution and GHG emissions

No longer isolated from each other

True risk must be weighed by each energy source contribution to curtail pollution and GHG emissions

Tiny Radiation RiskTiny Radiation Risk

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1. Climate change1. Climate change

2. Air pollution (all kinds)2. Air pollution (all kinds)

…

100 th? Exposure to radiation => localised and inconsequential100 th? Exposure to radiation => localised and inconsequential

5. Urban developments5. Urban developments

3. Water pollution (all kinds)3. Water pollution (all kinds)

‘n’ th? Nuclear waste management and disposal => “ “ “ “‘n’ th? Nuclear waste management and disposal => “ “ “ “

4. Intense industrial activities (chemical, oil/gas, agriculture, fishery, forestry, etc.)4. Intense industrial activities (chemical, oil/gas, agriculture, fishery, forestry, etc.)

Reality Check on World Environmental ChallengesHow tiny are radiation risks?

RP issues have only a minor role in proportion to their size . They are not part of World Environmental Challenges that humanity is facingRP issues have only a minor role in proportion to their size . They are not part of World Environmental Challenges that humanity is facing

100 ‘n’ th? RP of animals and plants => “ “ “ and occur very rarely100 ‘n’ th? RP of animals and plants => “ “ “ and occur very rarely

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 levelA 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

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

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

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

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

Where this should fit within the UN and IAEA policies

Safety Guides

Safety Requirements

Safety Fundamentals = SF-1

UN-derived IAEA Policy on Nuclear Energy, Climate Change and Environment-Health

Where this should fit within the UN and IAEA policies

FUNDAMENTALSFUNDAMENTALS REQUIREMENTSREQUIREMENTS GUIDESGUIDES

UN-derived IAEA Policy on Nuclear Energy, Climate Change and Environment-Health

On the environment, concentrations are well below any level that would be of concernsOn 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

There are strong evidences all around the world which show that under normal circumstances, nuclear sites pose no issues at all

Where should RP of the environment fit within IAEA

Under the current RP system, both human health and environment is adequately protectedUnder the current RP system, both human health and environment is adequately protected

To which extent one needs to demonstrate… the obvious?To which extent one needs to demonstrate… the obvious?

To which extent a society can afford this in a world of competing real priorities?To which extent a society can afford this in a world of competing real priorities?

Where is the regulatory need?Where is the regulatory need?

As views earlier, the world and countries are not short of challenges & priorities in energy, environment and health

As views earlier, the world and countries are not short of challenges & priorities in energy, environment and health

Where should RP of the environment fit within IAEA

“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.”

“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.”

IAEA RP plan of activities (June 2005)A reminder…

“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.”

“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.”

All signs show that tools on RP of non-human species can be useful – but only very rarelyAll signs show that tools on RP of non-human species can be useful – but only very rarely

Good to work on the details but cannot skip a robust demonstration of the need:Good to work on the details but cannot skip a robust demonstration of the need:

For example, it can be useful to assess the potential impact from a major release or accidentFor example, it can be useful to assess the potential impact from a major release or accident

IAEA RP plan of activities (June 2005)A reminder…

Where is this robust demonstration?Where is this robust demonstration?

Unduly rolling in an extra level of complexity for tiny radiation risk would be ill-advisedUnduly rolling in an extra level of complexity for tiny radiation risk would be ill-advised

No need to confuse RP of non-human species with the scope of safety standardsNo need to confuse RP of non-human species with the scope of safety standards

Overall, the role of nuclear energy in real planet-wide environment and health protection is far more important – than an ill-based need to demonstrate the obvious.

Overall, the role of nuclear energy in real planet-wide environment and health protection is far more important – than an ill-based need to demonstrate the obvious.

IAEA RP plan of activities (June 2005)A reminder…

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

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

Where RP of non-human species fit within the UN and IAEA policies

Safety Guides

Safety Requirements

Safety Fundamentals = SF-1

UN-derived IAEA Policy on Nuclear Energy, Climate Change and Environment-Health

RP of non-human species? Only rarely relevant for the nuclearsector and certainly not for normal activities. Possibly useful asa supporting tool in case of a major release or accident

RP of non-human species? Only rarely relevant for the nuclearsector and certainly not for normal activities. Possibly useful asa supporting tool in case of a major release or accident

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Questions? Questions?

Thank you for your attentionsaintpierre@world-nuclear.org

Sylvain Saint-PierreDirector, WNA Outreach Initiative

Director for Environment and Radiological ProtectionWorld Nuclear Association

Introductory info on WNA’sIntroductory info on WNA’s

Annex

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

WNA’s Main Global Industry Forums

Each year we organize two pre-eminent globalindustry world events

• WNAAnnual 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

WNA Working Groups (WGs)

Covering key topics such as:

• Nuclear Fuel Cycle Plenary Session

• Market Report Drafting

• Reactor Design Evaluation and Design

• Radiological Protection

• Event Communication

• Capacity Optimization

• Transport

• Uranium Stewardship

• Industry Economics

• Security of the International Nuclear Fuel Cycle

• Sustainable Development & Climate Change

• Waste Management & Decommissioning

• Global Strategy

Example of WNA’s “Products”The Main Source of Global Nuclear Industry Internet Info

A comprehensive WNA website:

- http://www.world-nuclear.org

A free services of world nuclear news (WNN):

- http://www.world-nuclear-news.org