Why is nuclear power suddenly popular again?
The main driver is climate change. As countries scramble to cut carbon emissions, nuclear power offers a way to generate large amounts of electricity without burning fossil fuels. A 2024 review of global nuclear energy strategies found a clear resurgence of interest in this technology, driven by concerns about climate change and the need for energy transition [3]. The European Union has even classified nuclear power plants as 'green' investments, and countries like the United States and South Korea are reconsidering their nuclear policies [5].
But this renewed interest is not universal. A 2023 survey of nearly 1,900 people in Germany and Poland found that support for nuclear power is much higher in Poland than in Germany [1]. In Poland, support was linked to greater knowledge about both nuclear energy and the causes of climate change, and it was less tied to negative environmental attitudes than in Western Europe [1]. This suggests that public acceptance depends heavily on national context and how the technology is framed.
Can nuclear power actually solve the climate crisis?
The short answer is: not by itself, and probably not as much as its supporters hope. A 2021 study calculated the maximum possible CO2 savings from nuclear power and found that it currently avoids only about 2–3% of total global greenhouse gas emissions each year [2]. Even if all announced plans for new reactors and lifetime extensions are carried out, that share would actually decrease by 2040, not increase [2]. The study also identified major obstacles: limited supplies of uranium-235 (the fuel for current reactors) and technical challenges that prevent a rapid, large-scale expansion [2].
New reactor technologies that could use more abundant uranium-238 are not expected to be ready in time to make a difference [2]. So while nuclear power can help, the evidence suggests its role in climate mitigation will remain very limited. This is a key point of agreement across the studies: nuclear is part of the conversation, but not a standalone solution.
What are the trade-offs and controversies?
The debate over nuclear power is not just about carbon—it also involves safety, waste, and cost. The 2024 review noted that research has shifted from purely technical issues to include security, energy policy, and sustainability [3]. This reflects a more holistic understanding: nuclear power is not just a climate tool, but a technology with complex social and environmental implications.
Interestingly, the same review found a surprising lack of scientific interest in international collaboration on nuclear energy, despite its importance for global challenges [3]. Meanwhile, a 2022 paper on invasive species policy—though not directly about nuclear—highlights a broader principle: climate policies must consider unintended consequences, such as how new energy infrastructure might interact with other environmental threats [4]. This underscores that nuclear power's revival must be weighed against its full range of risks and benefits.
About These Sources
This answer is built on 5 peer-reviewed studies — published from 2021 to 2024, 1 from 2024 or later, 3 in Q1 journals, collectively cited 179 times — selected as the most relevant from 5 studies that passed quality screening, drawn from 48 papers retrieved from a database of over 500 million.
Sources used in this answer
Support for nuclear power and proenvironmental attitudes: The cases of Germany and Poland
In a 2023 survey of 933 Germans and 878 Poles, support for nuclear power was substantially higher in Poland, and in Poland it was less negatively linked to environmental values and positively linked to knowledge about nuclear energy and climate change.
Nuclear energy - The solution to climate change?
A 2021 analysis found that nuclear power currently avoids only 2–3% of global greenhouse gas emissions annually, and even with planned expansions this share will decrease by 2040 due to limited uranium-235 supplies and technical obstacles.
Progress, Challenges, and Sustainable Perspectives in Nuclear Energy Strategies
A 2024 bibliometric review of global nuclear energy strategies shows a resurgence of interest driven by climate change, with research shifting from technical issues to security, policy, and sustainability, but also reveals a lack of scientific interest in international collaboration.
Invasive Species Policy Must Embrace a Changing Climate
A 2022 paper on invasive species policy argues that climate mitigation and adaptation policies must consider compounding environmental threats, such as invasive species, to avoid unintended harm.
Nuclear Power as a Response to the Climate Crisis: Focusing on the Development and Cooperation of the Nuclear Industry in Russia and France
A 2022 study examines the nuclear industries of Russia and France as models for using nuclear power to cope with the climate crisis and meet energy demand, noting that both countries are highly trusted suppliers to emerging nuclear nations.