At the COP28 international conference in Dubai on Saturday, French President Emmanuel Macron declared the resurgence of nuclear energy as he and approximately twenty other nations signed a non-binding pledge to 'triple nuclear energy capacity from 2020 by 2050.' The pledge acknowledges the pivotal role of nuclear energy in achieving global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with the goals of the Paris Accord.

A total of 22 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Hungary, and the Netherlands, signed the pledge. The Paris Accord, adopted in 2015, commits signatory countries to limiting the rise in temperatures to below 2 degrees Celsius by 2100, with efforts to keep it below 1.5 degrees.

According to the declaration, 'analysis from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC] shows nuclear energy approximately tripling its global installed electrical capacity from 2020 to 2050 in the average 1.5°C scenario.' In addition to the nuclear pledge, COP28 participants also reaffirmed the need to accelerate efforts to phase out unabated coal in the global energy mix and signed another commitment to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, supported by 120 countries.

President Macron celebrated the nuclear energy pledge, stating that 'nuclear energy is back' and emphasizing the importance of including nuclear energy in the policies of international financial institutions. Macron urged institutions like the World Bank to support the growth of nuclear infrastructures, especially in emerging countries that wish to invest in Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as alternatives to fossil fuels.

Critics argue that relying solely on nuclear power is a 'false solution.' Jean-Luc Mélenchon, founder of the far-left party La France Insoumise, criticized the international declaration, stating that it prioritizes the interests of the nuclear industry over saving humanity. Green MEP Karima Delli also opposed the pro-nuclear stance, highlighting the need to rely on renewable energy, as suggested by the International Energy Agency.

Greenpeace criticized Macron's 'pro-nuclear obsession,' claiming it masks a lack of seriousness about climate action. The COP28 conference is set to conclude on December 12th.