Airbus Lecture

Navigating the Nuclear Future: Safety, Sustainability, and Security

Climate change poses an existential threat to humanity, necessitating a rapid shift towards clean energy. Experts suggest it will be necessary to  double or triple nuclear capacity by 2050 to achieve Net Zero emissions and the target of warming no greater than 1.5 degrees Celsius, a commitment echoed by 22 governments at COP28. Despite the Fukushima disaster, and in contrast to the German government’s policies, there is a compelling argument that nuclear power is significantly safer than fossil fuels. Former US Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman discusses global developments in nuclear power generation, including new generations of reactor design, and critical issues like cost, safety, and proliferation risks.