Climate change and nuclear nonproliferation

Abstract

Climate change is one of the most pressing current global issues. To address it effectively and significantly, nuclear science and technology is an important ally both for mitigation and adaptation - for example, nuclear power is a significant low-carbon energy source, and nuclear technology can be used to improve agriculture, water management and the resilience of food production systems. Climate change impacts can also exacerbate political and economic disruption and diminish the strength of global institutions, which could then intensify existing tension in areas of conflict. In view of those issues, nuclear nonproliferation becomes even more relevant for the continued and peaceful use of nuclear science and technologies. The emergence and use of weapons of mass destruction also made clear that international regulation was necessary to control them; in the case of nuclear technology, both civilian and military uses are taken into account. Negotiations for an international regulatory framework took place reluctantly throughout the 20th century, especially considering the context of the cold war and arms race in which the international system was inserted. Thus, the international community has developed norms, regulations, treaties and verification mechanisms that are collectively referred to as the nuclear nonproliferation regime. The safeguards created by the International Atomic Energy Agency are essential to mitigate nuclear proliferation as they are used to verify that countries are using nuclear technology for peaceful purposes. Through the review literature on the influence of climate change on conflicts and tensions and the analysis of the regime of nuclear nonproliferation and safeguards, this study aims to analyze the impact climate change can have in rising global tensions and the role of safeguards in ensuring the peaceful use of nuclear technology in face of those issues.