New reactor designs, especially small and medium- sized reactors with passive safety features and very low risk of off site impact in case of accident, would increase the number of sites suitable for constructing and operating nuclear units. Natural resources of nuclear fuel can support the projected levels of nuclear power development. In the medium term, fuel availability might be a concern in some cases. However, natural resource levels, technological means and industrial capabilities are adequate to give a reasonably high degree of assurance that all resource demands of the three variants considered can be met to 2050. Breeder reactors could make nuclear power an essentially renewable energy source, through the replacement of fissile material consumed.
Nuclear power can contribute significantly to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases.
This illustrates clearly the importance of timely implementation. Nuclear industries in a number of OECD countries have demonstrated already that capability. A revival of nuclear power by 2015 is assumed to be based upon technologies that are able to compete favourably with advanced fossil fuelled technologies, renewable sources and other options for alleviating the risk of global climate change. Conclusions Nuclear power is one of the options available for alleviating the risk of global climate change and its potential contribution to GHG emissions reduction could be significant. Keeping the nuclear option open in order to realise this potential will require a number of actions by governments and by industries in the nuclear sector.