Declaration from Nuclear Societies. May 13, 2019, Juan-les-Pins, France

A number of scientists and other professionals have pushed for nuclear energy, arguing it would help mitigate climate change. The scientists had gathered at the ICAPP 2019 congress in Juan-les-Pins, France, to sign a declaration. There were forty nuclear associations who demanded public investment in the nuclear sector as it has experienced almost stagnant public investment since 2000 (around $4 billion per year for nuclear research and development) and private players too have shown little interest. The scientists gave several reasons for the lack of enthusiasm among the private sector. These included mixed or negative political signals as well as electricity market designs that have had a negative impact on the business case for nuclear energy. They underlined new reactor technologies like small modular reactors, Gen IV reactors and new applications like desalination, district heating, process heat for industry and hydrogen production and emphasised on the need of resources for research and development. The meet also raised the issue of R and D infrastructure, which has become obsolete and needs to be renewed. The statement demanded doubling of public investment in nuclear-related R and D and innovation within the next five years, with a focus on innovative applications of advanced nuclear systems to enable the clean energy mix of the future.