According to the report ‘Nuclear's Contribution to Achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals’, prepared by the Canadian Nuclear Association, FORATOM (now Nucleareurope), Japan Atomic Industrial Forum (JAIF), Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI), Nuclear Industry Association (NIA) and the World Nuclear Association (WNA), nuclear technology contributes to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets set out in the '2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development' established by the United Nations in 2015.
These Goals and targets are integrated and indivisible, balancing the three dimensions of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental.
The role of nuclear science and technology in the areas covered by the SDGs is outlined below:
Nuclear energy is an ally in the fight against economic and energy poverty. It fosters economic growth and the satisfaction of demand at a global level. It is a competitive energy source, generating employment and economic and social wealth in its area of influence.
The list of countries that are building or have plans to build nuclear power plants is long (China, United States, France, India, Japan, United Kingdom, etc.), including old acquaintances, but also other countries that aspire to have a nuclear programme using small modular reactor technology for its multiple advantages and to opt for more affordable nuclear energy, as it requires less initial investment and low cost.
Nuclear techniques, such as irradiation, can help protect food quality, extend shelf life, and ensure safety during the food preparation process for consumption. Additionally, they can be used to inspect food to ensure it is free from contaminants and to guarantee its authenticity, preventing food fraud, which facilitates exports and thus contributes to increasing farmers’ incomes and improving the national economy.
The “Econutrition” project, carried out by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), aims to understand the interactions between nutrition and the environment using stable isotope techniques.
In 2023, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) launched the Atoms4Food initiative to help countries increase food security and address rising hunger.
Achieving sustainable development is not possible if health is compromised due to diseases and debilitating health conditions. Therefore, SDG 3 aims to reduce deaths from non-communicable diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular diseases, by one-third. Nuclear technology plays an important role in their diagnosis and treatment.
The human factor is essential for the safe and efficient operation of nuclear facilities. Therefore, nuclear companies invest in the training and education of their employees, facilitating continuous knowledge updates and implementing knowledge management as a new business approach that relies on recognizing and utilizing human resources, their knowledge, and their willingness to pass it on to new experts to maintain the current level of knowledge.
Additionally, to ensure a high qualification of the facility workers, they not only maintain and enhance their skills through retraining and continuous education programs but also promote coordinated educational programs agreed upon between educational authorities and companies.
Various programs and initiatives from institutions and organizations promote inclusive, equitable, and quality education. Some examples are:
NEST, Nuclear Education, Skills and Technology, from the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency. This is a support plan for universities to motivate new generations to pursue nuclear studies and foster national and international cooperation by establishing links between universities, research institutes, and industry in various countries.
Training programs for operators and supervisors of nuclear facilities.
Simulators. These are machines that consist of a powerful computer loaded with software that accurately reproduces the real operation of all systems and operational situations of the plant and a control room, representing one of the most important tools for training and educating personnel at a nuclear facility.
Advanced training toolsto enhance student learning and optimize the time required for it. An example is the use of an application that proposes questions related to the learning objectives of the course and provides immediate feedback to the student after each answer, supported by artificial intelligence that identifies each student’s strengths and weaknesses.
PLANT Tool. Incorporated in the nuclear plants of Ascó and Vandellós II, allowing students to access a wealth of information through interactive resources, achieving their active participation.
LMS (Learning Management System). Implemented in nuclear plants for asynchronous distance training.
CBT (Computer Based Training) courses. Especially those that are mandatory for all personnel.
The state-owned company Vattenfall, which operates five of the six Swedish reactors, has deployed a training programfor its employees, as well as for employees from other industrial sectors wishing to specialize in nuclear energy.
The European Commission has launched programs based on the creation of training and education networks. In this regard, the European Nuclear Education Network (ENEN) stands out, currently involved in various projects: A-CINCH,ENEN2plus, etc.
European Human Resources Observatory for the Nuclear Sector (EHRO-N), driven by organizations representing key stakeholders in the European civil nuclear sector and managed by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission for knowledge management and human resources in the nuclear sector.
European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN). Of the 90,000 people who visit CERN each year, most are high school students. The laboratory develops a residency program for high school teachers and a summer course for undergraduate students. For professionals, it organizes prestigious courses in particle physics, computer science, and accelerators.
Project “Nucleando.” This is a project of the LANENT Network supported by the International Atomic Energy Agency and Nuclear Forum aimed at training teachers in basic and secondary education in nuclear sciences in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Research reactors. These are a very useful tool for teaching and training in the educational field.
The nuclear industry is committed to improving the representation of women in the workforce at all levels. Therefore, companies participate in initiatives to encourage young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), providing training to prevent discrimination and combat gender bias.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) conducts workshops, training sessions, and missions to achieve inclusion, equity, and quality education, as well as to promote lifelong learning opportunities with a focus on gender equality.
Additionally, there is “Women in Nuclear Global,” a nonprofit organization of women working professionally in various areas of nuclear energy and radiation applications.
Access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene represents the most basic human need for health care and well-being. However, billions of people will not have access to these basic services by 2030 due to pollution, overuse of water, climate change, rapid population growth, urbanization, and the increasing water needs of the agricultural, industrial, and energy sectors.
Therefore, SDG 6 has established the following goals for 2030:
In this context, nuclear energy has emerged as a promising tool to address the global water crisis and advance towards achieving SDG 6 worldwide:
Desalination of water. This process involves using nuclear energy to generate heat that converts seawater into steam, leaving behind salt and other impurities. This steam is then condensed, producing potable water suitable for human and agricultural consumption. This technology has proven crucial in arid and coastal regions where freshwater is scarce but access to seawater is abundant. Additionally, it provides clean water without the greenhouse gas emissions produced by desalination units that use fossil fuels.
Wastewater treatment.Electron beam irradiation can destroy certain contaminants present in wastewater, allowing for safe reuse or return to the environment without posing a risk to public health.
Tracking sources of water pollution. Excess nitrate in lakes, seas, and rivers can increase algal growth, with the risk of toxic blue-green algae or cyanobacteria blooms. Nuclear technology can economically, quickly, and safely identify the sources of pollution, distinguishing whether they come from agriculture, wastewater systems, or industry.
Monitoring and management of water resources. Natural isotopes present in water are used to determine the origin of the water, its age, and its vulnerability to contamination, as well as how water resources move and interact both on the surface and below it. They are also used to better understand the effects of climate change, adapt to it, and map available water resources, including aquifers hidden beneath the surface. This allows for better watershed management and more precise planning for the long-term sustainability of water resources.
Access to clean, reliable, and affordable energy is a prerequisite for sustainable economic growth and the improvement of human well-being, affecting health, education, and job opportunities.
More than 1 billion people worldwide lack access to electricity, and countries with sufficient electricity supply face the dual challenge of increasing energy demand and environmental concerns.
The world continues to make progress toward achieving sustainable energy goals, but not quickly enough. At the current pace, it is estimated that around 660 million people will still lack access to electricity, and nearly 2 billion people will continue to rely on polluting fuels and technologies for cooking by 2030.
Our daily lives depend on safe and affordable energy. However, energy consumption remains the primary cause of climate change, accounting for about 60% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, nuclear energy, which is a reliable and low-carbon emission source, is an option that many countries are incorporating or considering incorporating into their energy mix, as explained at the beginning of this topic.
The entire Spanish nuclear sector employs about 28,500 people, 8,500 of whom are directly employed. More than 50% hold a university degree and over 80% work under permanent contracts. This has a significant impact on the Gross Domestic Product, contributing approximately 3 billion euros annually, as well as on the external balance. The productivity of the nuclear industry is 3.5 times higher than the average of the Spanish economy.
The operating companies of nuclear facilities promote local, social, and educational development in their surroundings, collaborating with organizations and boosting the industrial fabric and economic activity, enabling local companies to compete in other sectors with similar demands to those of the nuclear industry. The multiplier effect of the nuclear sector on the local, provincial, and regional economy is between 3 and 4 euros generated for every euro invested.
Therefore, it is a sector that generates wealth and employment, upon which thousands of families depend, and it has a clear commitment to technology, research, development, and the human factor, being a skilled, leading industry with international recognition.
Jobs in the Spanish nuclear industry, whether in engineering firms, services, laboratories, or the nuclear plants themselves, are characterized by being quality and stable.
In Europe, one million people are employed in the nuclear sector, which contributes over 100 billion euros annually to the GDP.
Additionally, the construction of a typical 1,000 MWe nuclear power plant would create an average of between 1,400 and 1,800 new jobs during the construction phase, potentially reaching peaks of around 2,400. During operation, there would be approximately 700 permanent jobs, plus about 1,000 additional people during refueling outages.
These figures are general for a typical plant; however, a nuclear facility involves more personnel.
Economic growth, social development, and climate action largely depend on investments in infrastructure, sustainable industrial development, and technological progress.
Cutting-edge industrial technologies underpin the success of strong economies, both in developed and developing countries. Nuclear science and technology, in particular, can contribute to economic growth and play an important role in supporting sustainable development by creating safer, higher-quality products and stimulating industrial production. Thanks to these technologies, more efficient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective industrial processes can also be achieved.
There are multiple examples of this contribution, such as:
Use of radiation, such as electron beams or gamma rays, to sterilize products, ensure food safety and quality, or eliminate contaminants present in industrial wastewater and air.
Modification of materials to improve their quality and lifespan, such as making cables more fire-resistant and creating biodegradable packaging for food.
Use of radiotracers to diagnose and improve industrial processes, such as tracking and monitoring the movement and distribution of sediments generated by construction, degradation, or dumping in coastal areas, or to locate valuable natural resources in the soil.
Non-destructive testingwith X-rays, gamma rays, or neutrons, such as industrial radiography, can help experts check for cracks and defects, thereby ensuring the quality and integrity of materials and structures, such as airplanes, gas pipelines, and oil pipelines, preventing leaks that could affect people and the environment. It is also used to assess the safety of buildings and bridges, especially after natural disasters.
Utilization of residual heat from nuclear power plants to desalinate seawater, extract and produce hydrogen, and provide heating and cooling.
The nuclear sector is dynamic and invests in research, development, and innovation to remain competitive in a growing international market. For example, the catalog “Spanish Nuclear Industry” showcases a wide variety of references that support and argue for a leading industry.
In this regard, it is also important to highlight the role of research reactors, which are nuclear reactors used for research, development, teaching, and training, producing neutrons for use in industry, medicine, agriculture, and forensic science, among other fields. For more information, consult the interactive sheet: “Research Reactors”
Nuclear technology can help developing or more vulnerable countries achieve greater economic and social growth by meeting the basic needs of the population (cooking, hygiene, water supply, etc.), improving electrified transportation, fostering greater industrial and economic development in the area, and optimizing resource use. This would enable them not only to grow as a country but also to be competitive with others and reduce their dependence on them.
This growth would have a beneficial impact on the people of that country, as it would reduce discrimination based on social status, gender, or income level. Currently, more than half of the world’s population resides in urban areas, a rate expected to reach 70% by 2050. Approximately 1.1 billion people currently live in slums or similar conditions in cities, and it is anticipated that an additional 2 billion people will live in these conditions over the next 30 years.
To achieve this, it is necessary for countries to share technology, exchange knowledge, and collaborate. These actions are carried out by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) alongside its members.
More than half of the global population suffers from the effects of pollution in cities, caused by harmful gases from internal combustion engine vehicle exhausts and heating boilers.
Nuclear energy is a technology that can help make cities and human settlements more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. As a non-greenhouse gas-emitting energy source, it can provide the electricity needed for charging electric vehicles, and the residual heat from nuclear power plants can be used for heating.
An example that supports this reality is the Temelín nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic, which supplies heat to the towns of Týn and Vltavou, located 5 km away. A project has been proposed to build a connection to the city of České Budějovice, 24 km away, which would cover 30% of the city’s needs. Additionally, the environmental impact assessment has resumed for a project to transport heat through a 40 km pipeline from Dukovany to Brno, following the Russian offensive in Ukraine in 2022. All of this aims to reduce the country’s dependence on gas supplied by Russia.
This SDG focuses on aspects that significantly influence society, such as energy and food. Sustainable consumption and production are essential for maintaining the livelihoods of current and future generations, as resources are limited.
In recent decades, experience has shown that nuclear technology is an important aspect in achieving the goals of this SDG because:
To produce the same amount of energy with fossil fuels, only an 8 mm high and 5 mm diameter pellet is needed. This allows for greater utilization of this resource.
This need for less fuel results in a lower environmental impact from extraction and greater uranium reserves.
The fuel used in the reactor still has a 95% energy utilization rate, and new reactors can use this “waste” as fuel (such as MOX fuel) through techniques like reprocessing, thereby reducing waste volume and maintaining existing uranium reserves.
There are techniques such as separation or transmutation of radioactive waste that not only reduce its volume but also yield other substances that can have different uses.
Other minerals, such as thorium, are also used as fuels, diversifying the types of fuel that can be utilized in a reactor.
Currently, there is a trend toward the implementation of SMR (Small Modular Reactors), which decreases the amount of fuel needed, and the refueling outages are becoming more spaced apart, leading to more efficient energy utilization from the fuel.
With nuclear technology, food waste is reduced as it allows food to be preserved for longer, making it more resistant to weather conditions, diseases, and pests, and new foods are developed to be available for the most vulnerable populations.
As mentioned in the previous topic, climate change has become one of the greatest challenges on a global scale, leading to phenomena such as water and food scarcity, loss of biodiversity, and more frequent natural disasters around the planet.
Oceans cover more than 70% of the planet and are a source of food and income for over 10% of the global population. However, they are significantly impacted by pollution and climate change.
One of the main challenges for the marine environment is ocean acidification, a phenomenon characterized by the increase in the acidity of seawater that occurs when the ocean absorbs excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, primarily from human activities.
Scientists are monitoring and studying ocean acidification using nuclear techniques to understand how it affects marine life and ecosystems and to determine ways to protect the oceans and coastal communities.
Experts are also working closely with the IAEA to use isotopic techniques to track pollutants and understand how these substances, including microplastics, radionuclides, and heavy metals, affect marine organisms and ecosystems, as well as how to respond to marine emergencies such as oil spills.
Additionally, nuclear energy helps prevent emissions that cause ocean acidification by generating electricity without producing CO2.
Desertification, land degradation, and soil erosion affect more than 60% of the planet’s terrestrial resources, primarily due to intensive agriculture and deforestation, and they can endanger the lives and livelihoods of over 1 billion people.
To achieve the goals set out in SDG 15, experts use nuclear techniques to analyze the life of terrestrial ecosystems and to combat issues such as degradation and drought. These techniques include:
Utilization of specific isotopes, such as nitrogen-15 and carbon-13, to assess soil quality and study how crops absorb nutrients and how soils move. This information allows for the development of efficient soil management methods and crop production techniques, such as intercropping and terracing, which help communities continue producing food while conserving soil resources and, in some cases, reversing erosion and preventing soil contamination of water resources.
Tracking pollutants and addressing the threats they pose to the environment. This involves identifying specific isotopes in various pollutants, such as chemical fertilizers or industrial contaminants, to measure their concentration and trace their origins. This type of data can help policymakers understand the effects of pollutants and design strategies aimed at protecting the environment.
Accurate assessments of soil erosion and helping to identify critical erosion points using isotopic techniques, providing an important tool for reversing land degradation and restoring soils.
Additionally, it is worth noting that nuclear power plants produce large amounts of clean electricity while occupying small areas, which helps conserve biodiversity.
Signatories of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty commit to not developing nuclear weapons programs and to cooperating in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
There are supranational organizations, such as the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency, that oversee the proper and safe use of various applications of nuclear technology.
Sustainable development cannot be achieved with the participation of a single organization or government. Therefore, to achieve the SDGs, alliances, collaborations, knowledge exchanges, and technology transfers among stakeholders such as governments, civil society, scientists, academics, and the private sector are essential.
According to the goals of SDG 17, national and international projects provide developing and developed countries with a platform to combine efforts and expand their knowledge, as well as greater technological innovation for development.
In the nuclear field, agreements and collaborations are maintained between, for example:
National (Ministries, municipalities, etc.) International (Embassies, consulates, etc.) National regulators (In Spain, this is the Nuclear Safety Council, CSN). Etc.
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