As part of its commitment to international collaboration, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is pleased to mark the release of a report detailing the global potential for nuclear power to bolster the fight against climate change.

Officially launched on February 18, The 2020 Canada-United Kingdom Colloquium on Nuclear Energy Rapporteur’s Report synthesizes a digital symposium of the same name hosted in November 2020 by the Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy.

NWMO President and CEO Laurie Swami joined experts from across Canada and the United Kingdom at the event, and the report is a summary of their discussions. It offers recommendations to government officials to better incorporate the potential for nuclear power in their fight against climate change.

“International collaboration and following best scientific practices from around the world are integral to the NWMO’s work to implement Canada’s plan for the safe, long-term storage of used nuclear fuel,” Ms. Swami said. “The NWMO was proud to sponsor and participate in this event. As policy makers explore the potential for nuclear technologies to help in the fight against climate change, we continue to follow international best practices as we implement plans for a deep geological repository that will safely contain and isolate all of Canada’s used nuclear fuel for generations to come.” 

“Participating in the symposium is one of many ways the NWMO works with and listens to experts from around the world as we plan for and design that repository.”

Collaboration

The symposium and resulting report is just one way the NWMO collaborates with experts in the UK and around the world. The NWMO has formal agreements with nuclear waste organizations in eight countries — including the UK —to share knowledge in the planning and design for a deep geological repository for the safe, long-term storage of used nuclear fuel.

These organizations around the world— including the NWMO — are implementing projects that align with the international consensus that deep geological repositories present the safest long-term solution for used nuclear fuel. The NWMO and the United Kingdom are both in the site selection phase of their respective projects.

The NWMO plans to select a site in 2024, and there are currently two areas remaining in its site-selection process, both in Ontario: South Bruce and the Ignace area.

The NWMO is a not-for-profit organization tasked with implementing Canada’s plan for the safe, long-term storage of used nuclear fuel in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come. Canada’s plan will only proceed in an area with informed and willing hosts, where the interested municipality, First Nation and Métis communities, and others in the area are working together to implement it.