The dynamic relationship between nuclear energy, CO2 emissions, and economic growth: evidence from the richest countries in Europe and Asia.

This study examines the dynamic relationship between the share of nuclear energy, growth in CO2 emissions, and GDP growth for the wealthiest countries of the two continents, Europe and Asia, from 1965 to 2021. The results from the SVAR model show a significant positive relationship between GDP growth and the growth of CO2 emissions in all countries. However, the values of the coefficients vary in the case of different countries of both continents. Further, it has been observed that the relationship between the growth of nuclear energy and the growth in CO2 emissions is more complex and varies from country to country. The results indicate that there is a strong negative relationship between nuclear energy and CO2 emissions in France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and India. At the same time, there is no significant relationship between Germany, Italy, and China. Finally, the result shows that there is an insignificant relationship between the growth in the share of nuclear energy and the GDP growth rate. From the policy perspective, this study suggests that alternative energy sources like nuclear energy can be leveraged to obtain a clean environment.

Can technological progress, renewable and nuclear energy consumption be the remedy for global climate crises? An examination of leading OECD countries.

Energy is the most critical input for production and consumption. The inputs of energy cause irreversible damage to the environment. The studies carried out to reduce the environmental impact of the methods used in energy production are extremely valuable. This study aims to reveal the effects of technological development, nuclear energy consumption, and renewable energy use on environmental degradation. The patent numbers, technological development, GDP, renewable energy, and nuclear energy consumption data of 16 OECD countries covering the years 1996-2019 were used in the empirical analysis. The findings of panel FMOLS and DOLS methods reveal that technological progress, nuclear, and renewable energy consumption significantly reduce CO2 emissions. In line with these findings, critical policy implications have been suggested.

The role of nuclear energy in low carbon energy transition: evidence from panel data approach in EU.

The aim of this study is to employ panel data approach to investigate determinants of total GHG emissions in all European Union (EU) economies in years 1990-2018 and evaluate the role of nuclear energy in climate change mitigation. It incorporates the following variables potentially affecting the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions: economic-gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and GDP per capita squared to control for non-linear relationship between economic output and GHG emissions; structural-economic structure reflected in the share of manufacturing in total gross value added (GVA); energy-mix-share of nuclear power and renewable sources in total gross electricity production; environmental policy-the amount of environmental taxes (as a percentage of GDP) and the number of European Union Emission Trading System (EU ETS) allowances auctioned or sold (as a percentage of GDP per capita). The main findings of this study confirm the long-run relationship between GHG emissions, GDP level, and energy-mix variables. It endorses that higher share of nuclear power together with renewables in gross electricity production has significant impact on GHG emissions in the long run. In turn, it also validates the existence of the environmental Kuznets curve for selected countries.

Role of natural gas and nuclear energy consumption in fostering environmental sustainability in India.

This paper investigates the role of nuclear energy in promoting ecological sustainability in India, focusing on three ecological indicators: ecological footprint (EF), CO2 emissions (CO2), and load capacity factor (LF). In addition to nuclear energy, the study considers the influence of gas consumption and other drivers of ecological sustainability using data spanning from 1970 to 2018. The analysis also takes into account the impact of the 2008 global financial crisis on the model, employing the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) and frequency domain causality approaches to assess the relationships. Unlike previous studies, this research evaluates both the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) and load capacity curve (LCC) hypotheses. The ARDL results support the validity of both the EKC and LCC hypotheses in the Indian context. Furthermore, the findings reveal that nuclear energy and human capital contribute positively to ecological quality, while gas consumption and economic growth have a negative impact on ecological sustainability. The study also highlights the increasing effect of the 2008 global financial crisis on ecological sustainability. Additionally, the causality analysis demonstrates that nuclear energy, human capital, gas consumption, and economic growth can serve as predictors of long-term ecological sustainability in India. Based on these findings, the research presents policy recommendations that can guide efforts towards achieving SDGs 7 and 13.

Evaluating a pathway for environmental sustainability: the role of energy mix and research and development in European countries.

Within the European Union (EU), the majority of countries are considered developed, and the level of economic activity is rising. As a result, carbon dioxide emissions have increased. If the European Union wants to maintain long-term, sustainable growth, it must act quickly to find solutions to pollution. Population, wealth, renewable energy, nuclear energy, and research and development (R&D) are all factored into the STIRPAT model to determine their respective environmental impacts. Slope heterogeneity and cross-sectional dependence are explored in panel data for 30 European nations from 1990 to 2021 using a newly developed Cross Section Autoregressive Distributed Lag (CS-ARDL) method. The study found that population growth and the continued use of fossil fuels are major causes of environmental degradation. Alternately, employing renewable and raising incomes both have the potential to significantly cut pollution over the long run. Likewise, investments in R&D assist lessen the damage done to the environment. The nuclear energy coefficients, however, are insignificant. However, fossil fuels have negative effects on the ecosystem. If the EU wishes to stop the degradation of the environment, the analysis demonstrates that renewable energy is the best way to do it. The time has come for the EU to make a gradual transition away from fossil fuels and toward more environmentally friendly alternatives. Economic growth should be matched by decreased CO2 emissions, and increasing investment in R&D can serve as a catalyst for environmental sustainability. The results were reviewed using three different estimators: the augmented mean group (AMG), the mean group (MG), and the common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG). Important policy recommendations for a sustainable European environment are also suggested by the research.

JRODOS customization for Pakistan and assessment of the consequences of a hypothetical nuclear accident.

Since the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, decision support systems and modelling tools have been utilized in response to nuclear and radiological emergencies. The java-based real-time online decision support system (JRODOS) is a decision support tool that can be utilised in response to an emergency in managing off-site radiological consequences. This article documents the customization and use of JRODOS for Pakistan. JRODOS was tailored to the local Pakistan conditions, and a case study of a theoretical nuclear power plant accident was used to assess JRODOS's feasibility as a decision support tool. A worst-case probabilistic accident scenario was used to identify zones and areas where urgent protective actions, early protective actions and food restriction and other response actions could be required. The areas and distances identified for the implementation of protective and response actions for such a hypothetical accident were found to be in agreement with the emergency planning zones and distances suggested by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Additionally, the implications of meteorological and source term input parameters on predicting the radiation doses to members of the public were investigated. It was identified that the output of such tools strongly depends on the availability and accuracy of the input parameters, such as radioactive release and meteorological data. Limitations and uncertainties associated with these tools need to be considered in deciding on protective and other response actions in response to a nuclear accident. As established by the IAEA, protective and other response actions need to be applied on a graded approach, taking into account the protection strategy and uncertainties and limitations in the available information and criteria, based on the conditions at the facility and off-site.

Exploring the role of nuclear energy in the energy transition: A comparative perspective of the effects of coal, oil, natural gas, renewable energy, and nuclear power on economic growth and carbon emissions.

Nuclear power has received renewed attention during the energy transition in recent years. This study is aimed to explore whether nuclear energy can promote economic growth without increasing carbon emissions. In order to have a more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between nuclear energy, economic growth, and carbon emissions, this study also discusses the impact of coal, oil, natural gas, and renewable energy on economic growth and carbon emissions. The second-generation panel unit root test, panel cointegration test, panel fully modified ordinary least squares, and Heterogeneous Dumitrescu and Hurlin causality test were used to estimate the long-term elasticity and causality among variables. Results based on panel data from 24 countries with nuclear energy from 2001 to 2020 show that both nuclear energy and renewable energy can curb carbon emissions. Especially in Canada, Finland, Russia, Slovenia, South Korea, and The United Kingdom, nuclear energy reduces carbon emissions more significantly than renewable energy. Meanwhile, there is a positive relationship between increased nuclear energy, increased renewable energy, and economic growth, which means that nuclear energy and renewable energy could increase economic growth as well. There is a positive relationship between increased oil, increased natural gas, and economic growth, while there is a negative relationship between the increase in coal and economic growth. Meanwhile, there is a positive relationship between increased oil, increased coal, and increased carbon emissions, while the positive relationship between increased natural gas and increased carbon emissions is not significant. Thus, in the 22 countries with nuclear power, increased coal consumption does not drive economic growth but increases carbon emissions. Increased oil consumption increases economic growth, but it increases carbon emissions. Increased natural gas consumption boosts economic growth but adds little to carbon emissions. In the authors' view, nuclear power and renewable energy are all options for these nuclear-power countries to pursue economic growth without increasing carbon emissions. Moreover, nuclear power has a better effect on curbing carbon emissions in some countries than renewable energy. Therefore, under the premise of safety, nuclear power should be seriously considered and re-developed.

Role of nuclear energy in carbon mitigation to achieve United Nations net zero carbon emission: evidence from Fourier bootstrap Toda-Yamamoto.

In this communication, the time series data of three major countries USA, France, and Japan from 1965 to 2020 for CO2 emission, GDP, and nuclear energy (NE) are evaluated. It also analyzed and validated the EKC hypothesis while using nuclear energy for electricity generation. Fourier ARDL is used to investigate the hypothesis criteria, and the Fourier bootstrap Toda-Yamamoto (FBTY) causality test is used for causal linkage between the variables as well as the wavelet coherence; it is also presented the time and frequency dependency of the variables. The CO2 mitigation by using the NE is also assessed for all three countries and assessed that the France, Japan, and USA mitigated the CO2 per year is 0.0463 million metric ton (MMT), 0.0239 and 0.0728 MMT per year respectively. Similar to that the SO2 is reduced by using the NE is 24.322, 43.527, and 132.592 MMT/year, and NOx is reduced by approximately 0.2847, 0.147, and 0.4478 MMT/year by France, Japan, and USA respectively by applying the NE for power generation. The evidence of the EKC, Fourier bootstrap and Toda-Yamamoto clarifies the important role of nuclear energy in terms of carbon mitigation to achieve UN net zero carbon emission by 2050. Hence, in order to meet the UN target of net zero carbon emission by 2050, the USA and Japan should increase the production of nuclear energy as France meets its 74.1% energy demand through NE by validating the EKC hypothesis; on the other hand, all the three countries should increase the production of tidal energy due to their geographical location as tides are much more predictable than wind and sun keeping in consideration to the expenses incurred and a full proof plan for disposing NE residuals in a safe place as NE residuals are highly radioactive and contains traces of thorium and uranium.

An empirical investigation of the relationships between nuclear energy, economic growth, trade openness, fossil fuels, and carbon emissions in France: fresh evidence using asymmetric cointegration.

The intention behind the current analysis is to join the debate over the main factors to consider in the global fight against climate change. Thereby, the Non-linear Autoregressive Distributed Lag (NARDL) approach is applied to assess the impacts of nuclear energy, fossil fuels, income, and trade on carbon emissions in France from 1980 to 2020. In addition, the relevance of the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) presumption is tested. The main results stipulate that nuclear energy lessens CO2 emissions in France. However, fossil fuels and trade openness enhance these emissions. On the other hand, the current analysis confirms the presence of an inverted U-shaped curve relating economic growth to carbon emissions. Therefore, the EKC hypothesis is supported in our case. Indeed, by calculating the turning point, it is possible to extract the turning year corresponding to 2008. Furthermore, an asymmetric causality test is performed in order to identify the possible non-linear causal links between the potential drivers of carbon emissions. First, the causal linkage between CO2 emissions and GDP is bidirectional. Furthermore, a unidirectional causal link between CO2 emissions and non-renewable energies and a dual directional causal link between pollutant emissions and trade are identified. These empirical results are intended to guide the French government in the implementation of relevant energy and trade-related strategies in order to attain the ambitious targets of carbon emissions reduction. In fact, France should reduce imports of fossil fuels to curtail the positive effect of trade on carbon emissions. In addition, it is recommended to substitute fossil energies with renewable energies gradually by using adequate instruments and boosting research and innovation to mitigate the adverse influences of non-renewable energies on environmental quality. Finally, our findings confirm the positive role played by nuclear energy in the fight against climate change.

Role of energy consumption and sustainability-oriented eco-innovation on economic growth: evidence from Middle Eastern economy.

Economic growth is a global requirement that requires extensive energy consumption, and this phenomenon needs researchers' attention and regulators' focus. Thereby, the paper scrutinizes the determinants of energy consumption such as fossil fuel energy consumption (FFEC), energy use, nuclear energy consumption (NEC), energy import, and renewable energy consumption (REC) and sustainability-oriented eco-innovation and their effectiveness on the economic growth of Saudi Arabia. The study extracted data from the World Bank from 1989 to 2020. Stationarity was examined using augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) tests, and the associations among constructs were analyzed through QARDL model. The findings revealed that FFEC, EU, NEC, EI, REC, and sustainability-oriented eco-innovation are significantly correlated with the EG of Saudi Arabia. The study also provides insights to new researchers who will investigate this area in the future and guides regulators in developing regulations related to economic growth using an appropriate level of energy and adoption of sustainability-oriented eco-innovation.

IMPACT OF THE ENDF/B-VIII.0 LIBRARY ON MCNP6.2-COMPUTED AMBIENT AND PERSONAL DOSE EQUIVALENT CONVERSION COEFFICIENTS.

The 2018 release of the Evaluated Nuclear Data File (ENDF)/B-VIII.0 library initiated several examinations of the impact of the revised nuclear data on Monte Carlo models. This study used version 6.2 of the Monte Carlo N-Particle® code (MCNP6.2) with the ENDF/B-VI and ENDF/B-VIII.0 libraries to compute conversion coefficients for fluence-to-ambient and fluence-to-personal dose equivalent from neutron energy groups described by an International Atomic Energy Agency 53-bin structure and 47 monoenergetic neutron sources listed in International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) 74. The MCNP6.2 models with ENDF/B-VI data were validated against results published in 2005 by Veinot and Hertel. Conversion coefficients computed with MCNP6.2 and ENDF/B-VIII.0 slightly underestimated the ICRP 74 values but were within ICRP-specified tolerances and do not justify revising the ICRP coefficients. Conversion coefficients for personal dose equivalent were computed with MCNP6.2 and ENDF/B-VIII.0 at four angles of incidence greater than those available in ICRP 74. These new coefficients are relevant to radiation protection studies of interest to US defence-focused organisations.

Nuclear energy consumption and energy-driven growth nexus: a system GMM analysis of 27 nuclear utilizing countries across the globe.

While the general environmental quality level continues to decline in today's global economy, aggregate energy consumption levels are often linked to countries' economic growth and environmental performances, thereby overlooking the specific roles of individual energy types. Thus, this study focuses on examining nuclear energy consumption-growth nexus in 27 selected nuclear energy-consuming countries across the globe. The system GMM estimator was applied to available post-2008 global financial crisis data spanning from 2010 to 2020 while accounting for influential factor inputs (labor and capital) within the framework of the traditional growth model. The results posit that both capital and labor significantly induce economic growth levels among the countries, while nuclear energy consumption is not a significant driver of growth levels despite some evidence of its positive roles. Hence, more investments in nuclear energy production are recommended to trigger an overall consumption level that will not only yield significant desirable economic growth impacts among the countries but also enhance possible environmental benefits in contrast to the growing environmentally detrimental fossil energy consumption among the countries.

Nuclear energy transition and CO2 emissions nexus in 28 nuclear electricity-producing countries with different income levels.

Background: Nuclear energy carries the least environmental effects compared to fossil fuels and most other renewable energy sources. Therefore, nuclear energy transition (NET) would reduce pollution emissions. The present study investigates the role of the NET on CO2 emissions and tests the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) in the 28 nuclear electricity-producing countries from 1996-2019. Methods: Along with a focus on the whole panel, countries are divided into three income groups using the World Bank classification, i.e., three Lower-Middle-Income (LMI), eight Upper-Middle-Income (UMI), and 17 High-Income (HI) countries. The cross-sectional dependence panel data estimation techniques are applied for the long and short run analyses. Results: In the long run, the EKC is corroborated in HI countries' panel with estimated positive and negative coefficients of economic growth and its square variable. The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the USA are found in the 2nd stage of the EKC. However, the remaining HI economies are facing 1st phase of the EKC. Moreover, economic growth has a monotonic positive effect on CO2 emissions in LMI and UMI economies. NET reduces CO2 emissions in UMI and HI economies. On the other hand, NET has an insignificant effect on CO2 emissions in LMI economies. In the short run, the EKC is validated and NET has a negative effect on CO2 emissions in HI countries and the whole panel. However, NET could not affect CO2 emissions in LMI and UMI countries. Based on the long-run results, we recommend enhancing nuclear energy transition in UMI and HI economies to reduce CO2 emissions. In addition, the rest of the world should also build capacity for the nuclear energy transition to save the world from global warming.

Atomic Technologies and Nuclear Safety Practices in Spain During the 1960s.

The acquisition of a nuclear power reactor from the North American company Westinghouse in 1964 not only brought atomic practices and knowledge to Spain but also introduced new methods of industrial organization and management, as well as regulations created by organizations such as the US Atomic Energy Commission (US AEC) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). This article analyzes the history of the knowledge, regulations and experimental practices relating to radiation safety and protection that traveled with this reactor to an industrial space: the Zorita nuclear power plant. Within this space, the appropriation, use, and coproduction of knowledge and practices were conditioned by political, economic, industrial and social factors, and by the engineers, researchers and other professionals who contributed expert knowledge. Material held in the Tecnatom Historical Archive-the engineering company that coordinated construction of the plant-is the main source for this work, which delves into the history of knowledge and atomic technologies and adds to the historiography of radiological protection in Spain.

Ensuring robust radiological risk assessment for wildlife: insights from the International Atomic Energy Agency EMRAS and MODARIA programmes.

In response to changing international recommendations and national requirements, a number of assessment approaches, and associated tools and models, have been developed over the last circa 20 years to assess radiological risk to wildlife. In this paper, we summarise international intercomparison exercises and scenario applications of available radiological assessment models for wildlife to aid future model users and those such as regulators who interpret assessments. Through our studies, we have assessed the fitness for purpose of various models and tools, identified the major sources of uncertainty and made recommendations on how the models and tools can best be applied to suit the purposes of an assessment. We conclude that the commonly used tiered or graded assessment tools are generally fit for purpose for conducting screening-level assessments of radiological impacts to wildlife. Radiological protection of the environment (or wildlife) is still a relatively new development within the overall system of radiation protection and environmental assessment approaches are continuing to develop. Given that some new/developing approaches differ considerably from the more established models/tools and there is an increasing international interest in developing approaches that support the effective regulation of multiple stressors (including radiation), we recommend the continuation of coordinated international programmes for model development, intercomparison and scenario testing.

1945-1964 WHO's Right to Health?

United States Atomic Energy Commission (USAEC) and UN agencies utilized techniques of power and negotiation to implement radiation exposure regulations. USAEC affiliated scientists' expertise was cultivated while establishing a radiation protection regime based on classified experiments. World Health Organization (WHO) leadership sought to manifest a human right to health, including a right to protection from radiation contamination. The careers of a few technical experts and interagency UN correspondence shows how American risk models of radiation regulation traveled and ultimately inhibited WHO attempts to frame radiation as a public health threat. The USAEC and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) navigated WHO's way of perceiving radiation with technical experts and bureaucratic and legislative means. This paper shows the underpinning at the UN of competing models of radiation regulation, one state centric and the other, an individual right to health. This narrative provides insights into the nature of the UN's current conceptualization of radiation regulation and argues for further research into UN, radiation, and human rights history.

A comparative analysis of nuclear energy consumption and CO2 emissions nexus: empirical evidence from the global economy and income groups.

This study explores the dynamic links of clean energy sources with CO2 emissions for a global panel of countries using static and dynamic heterogeneous panel techniques over the period 1990-2014. We employ the fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS), Stock and Watson dynamic ordinary least squares (DOLS), mean group (MG), augmented mean group (AMG), common correlated effects mean group (CCEMG), and dynamic common correlated effects mean group (DCCEMG) techniques to estimate the co-integration coefficients of the panels and heterogeneous income groups of countries, respectively. The results suggest that the deployment of nuclear energy mitigates CO2 emissions at the global level and across heterogeneous income groups. Moreover, renewable energy and energy efficiency support decarbonization across all income groups. However, economic growth and urbanization escalate carbon emissions. This study suggests that sampled economies need to boost the share of renewable and nuclear energy in their energy mix to lower carbon emissions. Policymakers in these countries need to invest more in clean energy sources and green technologies to enhance their supply and accessibility.

Revealing the dynamic effects of fossil fuel energy, nuclear energy, renewable energy, and carbon emissions on Pakistan's economic growth.

The primary goal of this study was to examine the relationship between fossil fuel energy, electricity production from nuclear sources, renewable energy, CO2 emissions, and economic growth in Pakistan. Data ranging from 1975 to 2019 were utilized, and the stationarity of this data was verified through the unit root testing. The dynamic connections between variables were investigated by utilizing the linear autoregressive distributed lag technique. Long-run analysis results uncover that fossil fuel energy, renewable energy use, CO2 emissions, and GDP per capita have a productive relationship with economic progress in Pakistan, whereas electric power consumption, electricity produced from nuclear sources, and energy utilization have an adverse effect on economic growth. Furthermore, the consequences revealed that fossil fuel energy, renewable energy consumption, carbon dioxide emissions, and GDP per capita have a significant linkage to Pakistan's economic growth via short run, whereas we revealed that the variables electric power consumption, electricity produced from nuclear sources, and energy usage have an adversative linkage to Pakistan's economic growth. Feasible progressive policies are required from the Pakistani government to pay more attention for tackling the energy and power sectors' issues in terms of fulfilling the country's energy requirements.

Role of alternative and nuclear energy in stimulating environmental sustainability: impact of government expenditures.

Environmental sustainability is fundamental to the survival of our planet and ourselves, as polluted air, water, and land severely affect communities and society to thrive and damage the quality of life. This study examined the role of alternative and nuclear energy in stimulating the environment sustainably while mediating the function of government expenditure and economic growth in the top three highest CO2 emitter countries. We apply advanced econometric methodologies for empirical analysis from 1981 to 2016 and find long-run relationships among the variables that suggest general government final consumption expenditure and economic growth are positively related to CO2 emissions. Moreover, alternative and nuclear energy and the square root of economic growth (EKC) improve environmental sustainability. The general government's final consumption expenditure and economic growth deteriorate environmental sustainability. Policymakers in the top three highest CO2 emitter countries are encouraged to adopt a comprehensive approach to access the compatibility of alternative and nuclear energy sources, changing the source of uranium from mined ore to seawater, encourage, tide, and include macroeconomic stabilization, public and private fiscal position goals with the environmental sustainability policies. Moreover, governments are suggested to incorporate green fiscal policies to address the global environmental challenges and promote a green economy. Aligning government expenditures with environmental goals, reflecting externalities in prices, broader fiscal reform by making fiscal space for clean and green investment is highly encouraged to achieve the sustainable development goals' target. Study limitations and directions for future research in the area are presented.

Assessment of Radiological Hazard of Radioactive Waste Using Effective or Organ Doses: How This May Affect Final Waste Disposal.

ABSTRACT: The radiological hazard of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste slows down further development of nuclear energy systems. The authors evaluate timescales required to reduce the radiological hazard of accumulated waste to the reference level of natural uranium that had been consumed by the nuclear energy system. The estimate of this time scale depends on the radiological hazard metric used in the calculations. In this study, two metrics are compared: (1) the committed effective dose based on ICRP Publication 72 and (2) the lifetime radiation risk calculated with use of organ doses and recent radiation risk models recommended by ICRP. The effective dose of the waste reaches the reference level 300 y after the accumulation of waste, while lifetime attributable risk of waste converges to natural uranium in 100 y. Thus, the lifetime attributable risk (LAR) metric is more appropriate to estimate the time requirements for radioactive waste storage and disposal. The effective dose metric significantly overestimates this timescale as it is not intended for quantifying radiation-related risks.