The role of nuclear and radiological technology in achieving sustainable development

The concept of sustainable development can be interpreted in many different ways, but at its core it is an approach to development that looks to balance different, and often competing, needs against an awareness of the environmental, social and economic limitations. In 2015, the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and its 17 sustainable development goals was adopted. The intelligent use of science and technology is the key to achieve some of these 17 sustainable development goals. Nuclear and radiological technology, in particular, has many valuable medical, industrial, agricultural, environmental protection and energy applications that help to improve the health and well-being of the people and in the implementation of some sustainable development goals. In every step towards achieving sustainable development goals, scientists and officials need ways to track and understand the progress they have made in refining and strengthening their efforts. In several cases, nuclear science and technology provide accurate and effective ways to measure progress and data collection to help in shaping future policies. (author)