Climate change is considered a serious issue by听91% of Canadians, with听who believe the government should invest in clean energy technologies including renewables and nuclear energy.
Nuclear energy can play an integral role in fighting climate change 鈥� including through SMRs (small modular reactors). While much focus on SMRs has been on their ability to supply clean electricity, new research points to their potential to cost-effectively help decarbonize听Canada鈥檚听heavy industry sector.
Nuclear is one of the largest producers of clean electricity around the world and in听Canada, already accounting for 15% of听Canada鈥檚听electricity production. What is pivotal is its potential to decarbonize heat and power in听Canada鈥檚听industrial sectors.听
Collectively, oil sands, chemical manufacturing and mining currently contribute more than 30% of听Canada鈥檚听greenhouse gas emissions
The research, conducted by EnviroEconomics and Navius Research, and commissioned by the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA), explores the economic and climate benefits and implications of employing small modular reactors (SMRs) in听Canada鈥檚听high-emitting industrial sectors.
鈥淐anada鈥檚听economy is built on the advantage of extensive, rich natural resources. But it鈥檚 a double-edged sword when it comes addressing climate change,鈥� John Gorman, CEO of the Canadian Nuclear Association (CNA) said in a media release.
鈥淲hile fossil fuels currently serve 80% of all energy needs in听Canada听and contributed听C$108 billion听($86bn) of听Canada鈥檚听GDP in 2018, they also account for a large share of this country鈥檚 greenhouse gas emissions,鈥� Gorman said.
鈥淐ollectively, oil sands, chemical manufacturing and mining currently contribute more than 30% of听Canada鈥檚听greenhouse gas emissions and face enormous challenges in reducing them. But the reality is we cannot afford to abandon these industries that form the backbone of our economy. We must focus on decarbonising them in an environmentally and economically advantageous way.鈥�
(Read the )
听