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Climate change and nuclear power 2013

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has released a report, titled 'Climate Change and Nuclear Power 2013.' The report, which expands on the previous 2012 edition, summarizes the potential role of nuclear power in mitigating climate change and its contribution to other development and environmental challenges. It also examines broader issues relevant for the climate change-nuclear energy nexus, such as cost, safety, waste management and non-proliferation, and reiterates that nuclear power plants produce virtually no greenhouse gas emissions or air pollutants during their operation, and only very low emissions over their entire life cycle. The report includes sections on: prospects for nuclear power, and new developments in resource supply, innovative nuclear technologies, including fusion, and advanced fuel cycles; nuclear-power specific issues ranging from economic competitiveness and investment costs to financing and construction capacity; and concerns surrounding nuclear power, including radiation risks, safety and waste management, as well as current efforts to address them.

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