Deploying nuclear will lead to higher emissions: report

A new report by the Climate Change Authority has stated that delaying a clean energy future in favour of nuclear power will lead to higher emissions and increased costs for households.

The Authority has compared published modelling by the Australian Energy Market Operator and Frontier Economics to understand how a nuclear pathway could impact national efforts to reduce emissions.

The report warned that the Coalition’s nuclear energy proposal could add two billion tonnes of emissions, equivalent to 200 years of Australia’s emissions from aviation, while increasing costs for households. This will result in Australia missing its 2030 emissions targets and delaying the transition to clean energy until 2042.

“This report confirms our worst fears: betting on nuclear power isn’t just expensive, it’s a lose-lose for Australian families. Every year we waste waiting on nuclear means higher power bills and more emissions,” said Jo Dodds, spokesperson for Australians for Affordable Energy.

“The Climate Change Authority has done the hard numbers. They’re telling us that going down the nuclear path means we’ll miss our 2030 targets and won’t get clean energy until 2042. That’s an extra two billion tonnes of emissions while we sit around waiting for nuclear plants that might never show up.”

Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie also commented on the report, stating, “Mr Dutton knows most Australians want their government to be making progress on climate action. But modelling from the Climate Change Authority shows his nuclear scheme would massively drive up climate pollution and put Australia in breach of its own national law, and international law.

“Mr Dutton himself has warned that failing to meet our global climate commitments would hurt our own economy and cost Australians jobs.”

Climate Change Authority Chair Matt Kean said, “Australia faces a fork in the road and we need to be clear about the choices in front of us. Continuing on Australia’s current pathway and accelerating our progress can deliver rapid cuts to emissions by overhauling our grid with renewables, firming and storage in the next 15 years.

“On the other hand, the nuclear pathway would delay Australia’s necessary transition — keeping coal in the grid for longer and leading to billions of tonnes more emissions in the process.

“Having examined the emissions impacts of these two pathways, the Climate Change Authority’s view is that staying Australia’s current course is the only viable option. Prioritising nuclear at this time would be inconsistent with Australia’s national emissions reduction priorities and commitments.”

Australians for Affordable Energy has urged policymakers to focus on practical, cost-effective energy solutions that can deliver cleaner, more affordable power.

“We need to have a serious talk about our energy choices,” Dodds said. “This report makes it crystal clear — nuclear means paying more to get less and waiting longer to get it. Australian families deserve better.”

The Climate Change Authority has undertaken this work as a self-initiated research project under the Climate Change Authority Act 2011, in line with its mandate to advise on policies to reduce emissions and address climate change.

The full report is available on the Authority’s website.

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