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“Nuclear Renaissance” Discussed at Fletcher

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fter the tragedy at Chernobyl in 1986, the world became more reluctant to develop nuclear energy. New nuclear power plant (NPP) construction was stalled in most countries. Since the end of the Cold War, nuclear weapons have appeared to be less of a threat to humanity. However, despite the hopes of politicians, scholars and the general public, both NPPs and nuclear weapons have remained a part of our world’s landscape. Louise Fréchette, the first Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations, believes we are facing a “nuclear Renaissance” as more countries are turning their eyes toward nuclear energy, and the non-proliferation regime is under serious strain.

“Nuclear Renaissance” was the topic of Fréchette’s lecture at The Fletcher School as she is now a Distinguished Fellow of the Centre for International Governance Innovation in Canada where she is leading a three-year research project on "Nuclear energy futures: implications and options for global governance." Currently, there are 439 nuclear power plants in operation in approximately 30 states. However, nearly half of those plants are located in four countries: the United States, France, Japan and Russia. Several dozen more are under construction, and there are plans in many countries to nearly double the overall number of NPPs. Nuclear power plants are viewed as a clean source of energy, but Fréchette points out that it is not the issue of climate change, but rather energy security considerations, which are driving countries towards development of their own civilian nuclear programs. With the political situation in the Middle East remaining unstable, tense relations between Russia and the West, possible terror attacks against pipelines and other factors further threatening fossil fuels supply, nuclear energy seems an easy way out.

Fréchette, however, argues that this way out is anything but safe and inexpensive. A single nuclear power plant can cost several billion US dollars and its construction may run behind schedule by years. Safety and security are other aspects of the issue. Although there have been no major nuclear accidents since 1986, over a hundred smaller incidents at nuclear power plants take place every year. Some of these accidents are caused by human mistakes, others by natural disasters—and there is hardly any way to prevent them from happening.

Another potential threat to international security outlined by Fréchette is the possibility of other states obtaining nuclear weapons. According to the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty, only five countries can legally possess nuclear weapons, while the vast majority of states have voluntarily given up nuclear arms. Fréchette argues that this inequality makes the nonproliferation regime imperfect. Three states—India, Pakistan and Israel—refused to join from the outset, while North Korea left the treaty. Iran, meanwhile, refuses to comply fully with the International Atomic Energy Agency’s demands. The only viable solution, Fréchette believes, is complete prohibition of nuclear weapons, a more long-term ambition rather than an immediate plan.

Nonproliferation has once again become a global security challenge and both nuclear and non-nuclear states have to cooperate to cope with it. Although one can hardly imagine today’s world without nuclear weapons, if we do not make it our goal today, Fréchette believes we will continue to face compromised international security.