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The briefing assesses the viability of nuclear power as a solution to global warming, concluding that it is an ineffective strategy compared to energy efficiency. Analysis shows that even under highly optimistic assumptions—such as reduced construction times and costs—massive nuclear investment cannot prevent CO2 growth in high or medium energy demand scenarios. In the United States, the author asserts that investment in electrical efficiency displaces nearly seven times more carbon per dollar than investment in nuclear power. The document emphasizes that the primary driver of future emissions is the level of energy demand, and that efficiency improvements in the commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors offer vast, low-cost opportunities to reduce carbon output.

The document outlines the three pillars of the NPT—non-proliferation, disarmament, and peaceful use of nuclear energy—and examines the specific role of African States within this framework. It highlights the importance of the Treaty of Pelindaba in establishing Africa as a nuclear-weapon-free zone and discusses the challenges facing the NPT, including non-compliance by states like North Korea and Iran. The guide provides recommendations for African countries to engage in the 2010 Review Conference to ensure access to peaceful nuclear technology while preventing military diversion.

The pilot study, conducted by the University of Siena, surveyed experts in Belgium and France across two waves between December 2023 and December 2024. Findings indicate high expert support for renewable energy, green hydrogen, and energy storage, while support for blue hydrogen, gas, coal, and oil remains low. There is a strong consensus that the economic benefits of clean technology investment outweigh short-term costs. While a majority of experts believe governments should do more to address climate change, the perceived importance of climate change as a top issue for voters decreased over time, particularly in Belgium, as concerns over defense and security increased.

The study evaluates 19 scenarios for decarbonising Poland's power system by 2050, concluding that a technology-inclusive strategy is essential for reliability and cost-effectiveness. It identifies wind and solar as cornerstones but emphasizes the need for 'clean firm power' to replace coal, which currently provides 70% of dispatchable generation. The report warns that excluding options like nuclear power or carbon capture could triple the required energy infrastructure and significantly increase costs. Key recommendations include expanding onshore wind to approximately 70 GW, establishing a nuclear fleet exceeding 8 GW, and implementing natural gas plants with carbon capture.

The report argues that Poland must adopt a technology-inclusive strategy to decarbonise its power system, as relying on a narrow set of technologies increases costs and infrastructure requirements. Modelling indicates that while wind and solar are cornerstones, 'clean firm power' from nuclear and gas with carbon capture and storage (CCS) is essential for reliability. The study warns that excluding nuclear or CCS could triple necessary transmission infrastructure and increase system costs. To meet 2050 targets, Poland needs to accelerate onshore wind deployment to a peak of 7 GW/year and establish a nuclear fleet exceeding 8 GW.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) argues that while SMRs are critical for the EU's 2050 climate neutrality goal, current frameworks are inadequate. The proposed roadmap includes: (I) a dedicated EU SMR Strategy to ensure technology neutrality; (II) streamlining State Aid approvals to a six-month limit and adopting diverse financing models like Regulated Asset Base (RAB) and Mankala; and (III) coordinating international finance via the European Investment Bank (EIB). CATF emphasizes the need for 'fast mover' technology selection to achieve economies of scale, noting that factory-based construction could reduce costs by 20–25% and delivery times by 50%. The brief also highlights a significant workforce gap, estimating a need for 180,000–250,000 new professionals by 2050.

The report argues that Poland requires a stable, enduring regulatory framework and a diversified technology portfolio to achieve a resilient and socially responsible energy transition. It proposes four guiding principles: technology optionality, proactive long-term infrastructure planning, public participation to ensure social fairness, and cross-regional and international cooperation. Specific policy recommendations include accelerating the departure from coal by combining onshore wind with nuclear energy and gas equipped with carbon capture and storage (CCS), advancing first CCS projects to Final Investment Decision, and exploring Small Modular Reactors (SMR) and superhot rock geothermal energy (above 400 degrees Celsius) for firm power and heat.

The Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376) allocates $555 billion to climate change and clean energy to reduce emissions by over one billion metric tons by 2030. The legislation employs a sector-wide approach, providing tax credits and grants for zero-emission vehicles, clean hydrogen, carbon capture (via enhanced 45Q credits), and renewable energy. It specifically targets the decarbonization of heavy industry, the power sector—including support for existing nuclear plants—and agricultural and forestry sequestration, while directing 40% of investment benefits to disadvantaged communities.

The Clean Electricity Performance Program (CEPP) uses a system of grants and payments to incentivize retail electricity suppliers to increase their share of clean electricity by 4 percentage points annually from 2023 to 2030. Suppliers meeting this goal receive Department of Energy grants, while those falling short must make payments. Clean electricity is defined as any source emitting no more than 0.10 metric tons of CO2-equivalent per MWh, encompassing renewables, nuclear, and carbon-captured fossil fuels. The program includes flexibility for suppliers to average performance over two or three years and provides exemptions from payments for suppliers with a clean electricity share of 85% or higher, provided there is no backsliding.

The document outlines how nuclear energy can support the decarbonisation of EU heavy industries, which account for over half of Europe's energy consumption. It highlights the benefits of nuclear-industrial co-location to provide 24/7 clean firm energy, high-temperature heat for processing, and synthetic fuel production. The text specifically promotes small modular reactors (SMRs) as a flexible solution for industrial clusters, citing planned projects in Poland and Romania. To accelerate this transition, the author recommends streamlined licensing, the formation of regional industrial 'buyers' clubs', and clear policy frameworks that recognise nuclear heat as a valid tool for industrial decarbonisation targets.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) argues that Europe's current decarbonization plans are too limited in technological and policy options, focusing primarily on 2030 targets. CATF proposes a paradigm shift toward 'optionality,' advocating for a diversified clean energy portfolio that includes carbon capture and storage, zero-carbon fuels, and next-generation technologies like fusion and superhot rock energy. To implement this strategy, CATF seeks $35 million over three years to expand its capacity at the EU and member-state levels.

The Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act (IIJA) provides billions of dollars for the research, development, and demonstration of zero-carbon technologies, including carbon capture, clean hydrogen, advanced nuclear, and grid expansion. While the IIJA establishes a technological foundation, the document asserts that the Build Back Better Act is required to provide the incentives and tax credits necessary for the U.S. to reach 50-52% economy-wide emissions reductions by 2030.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) is seeking $10 million over five years to implement a strategy for decarbonization in the Middle East. The initiative focuses on transitioning the region away from unabated fossil fuels, diversifying economies, and establishing a shared climate vision among Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. Key objectives include reducing methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030 and deploying technologies such as carbon management, zero-carbon fuels, and nuclear energy.

The document advocates for the use of nuclear energy orderbooks in Europe to avoid the inefficiencies of fragmented deployment. It explains that by shifting from design evolution to design standardisation and serial replication, the EU can leverage 'learning by doing' effects to lower average unit costs, strengthen supply chains, and overcome regulatory and financing barriers.

The policy brief recommends that Europe move beyond a heavy reliance on renewable energy and electrification by supporting a broader suite of technologies, including nuclear energy and carbon capture and storage. It analyses the U.S. policy framework—specifically the Energy Act of 2020, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)—as a model for bridging the gap between R&D and large-scale commercial 'take-off'. Key recommendations for the EU include streamlining regulations, providing 'self-activating' incentives, and proactively planning shared infrastructure for CO2 and hydrogen to reduce investor risk and accelerate deployment.

The report assesses the European Union's fusion energy ecosystem using a SWOT analysis and proposes a shift toward a 'Key Enabling Technologies' (KET)-based strategy. It recommends consolidating governance under the Fusion for Energy (F4E) Joint Undertaking, establishing public-private partnerships, and separating fusion regulation from fission regulation to attract private investment and accelerate commercialisation.

The memo advocates for a shift from traditional renewable energy procurement to a 'higher-impact' approach that matches electricity consumption with carbon-free generation on an hourly and regional basis. It argues that this method better incentivizes the deployment of firm carbon-free resources and energy storage, leading to greater actual carbon reductions than traditional annual matching. The authors recommend that the Biden Administration set targets for federal facilities to achieve 100% round-the-clock carbon-free electricity consumption.

The report argues that Poland should adopt a technology-neutral, long-term energy strategy that includes nuclear power to achieve a zero-carbon economy by 2050. It emphasizes that because the cost of capital is a primary driver of final electricity costs, the Polish government must play a central role in de-risking projects. The document specifically analyzes Contracts for Difference (CfDs) as a primary state aid mechanism to stabilize revenues, while cautioning that CfDs do not address construction risks. Drawing on UK case studies, it contrasts the Hinkley Point C project, which suffered from cost overruns and lack of construction risk-sharing, with the Regulated Asset Base (RAB) model used for Sizewell C, which lowers the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) by sharing risks with consumers. The report concludes that Poland must ensure high transparency in financial governance to maintain public support.

The report outlines six critical dimensions for successful nuclear energy deployment in embarking countries: project execution, regulatory system development, bankability and finance, nonproliferation and security, spent fuel management, and workforce development. It argues for a shift from bespoke 'project' models to standardized 'product' models to reduce costs and risks. The authors propose the creation of new international institutions, such as an International Technical Support Organization (ITSO) and an International Bank for Nuclear Infrastructure (IBNI), to provide the technical and financial support necessary for global scaling.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) recommends that the DOE prioritize a limited number of large-scale hydrogen hubs (4 to 6) to avoid program dilution and maximize industrial learning. CATF emphasizes the need for full lifecycle analysis (LCA) to measure greenhouse gas intensity, noting that natural gas with carbon capture can reach 1.5 to 2.0 kgCO2e/kgH2, while solar-powered electrolyzers range from 0.96 to 2.52 kgCO2e/kgH2 when upstream emissions are included. The document argues for prioritizing 'difficult-to-electrify' sectors such as heavy-duty trucking, marine shipping, and heavy industry. To ensure equity, CATF suggests requiring comprehensive community environmental health assessments and implementing inclusive engagement strategies to protect disadvantaged communities from industrial pollution.