Six Ways Nuclear Science and Technology Help Protect the Environment
12 November 2025 – Emma Midgley, IAEA Office of Public Information and Communications
As global leaders, international organizations, scientists, business representatives, and climate activists gather in Belém for COP30, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is showcasing how nuclear science and technology are driving solutions to urgent environmental challenges. These innovative applications not only provide reliable clean energy but also enhance food security, manage water resources, and protect our oceans—demonstrating a broad impact on environmental protection.
At the IAEA Atoms4Climate Pavilion, visitors explore concrete examples of nuclear science in action. From cutting-edge wastewater treatment technologies in Brazil to climate-smart agricultural practices in Latin America, nuclear techniques are making significant contributions to a sustainable future. Below are six key ways nuclear science and technology help protect the environment:
1. E-Beam Processing for Industrial Wastewater Treatment
Industrial wastewater often contains complex pollutants that are difficult to break down with conventional methods. The IAEA is facilitating the deployment of electron beam (e-beam) technology as a chemical-free solution to this challenge. Supported by the IAEA and Brazil’s Innovation Agency (FINEP), a mobile electron beam accelerator unit is being used in Brazil to treat textile dye wastewater and other industrial effluents, significantly improving water quality and reducing environmental contamination. This technology promises cleaner waterways and healthier ecosystems by eliminating harmful contaminants without adding chemicals.
2. Protecting the Global Ocean through Blue Carbon Ecosystems
Coastal ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrasses, and saltmarshes play a vital role in climate mitigation by capturing and storing large amounts of organic carbon, termed "blue carbon." The IAEA’s Marine Environment Laboratories in Monaco assist countries in assessing blue carbon sequestration rates and ecosystem health using nuclear and isotopic techniques. This scientific insight supports biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation efforts worldwide. At COP30’s United Nations Oceans session, the IAEA highlights this work, advocating partnerships that leverage nature-based solutions to combat climate change.
3. Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) for Climate-Smart Farming
The sterile insect technique (SIT) represents an environmentally friendly method to control agricultural pests such as the Mediterranean fruit fly, a destructive species threatening crops in Brazil, Chile, and Mexico. SIT involves releasing radiation-sterilized male insects that mate with wild females, producing no offspring and thereby reducing pest populations sustainably. This method lowers reliance on chemical insecticides, promotes food security by protecting crops, and helps countries meet international export standards. SIT exemplifies how nuclear technology supports climate-smart agriculture by reducing environmental impacts.
4. Monitoring Glaciers and Water Resources in Mountainous Regions
Glacier retreat in mountainous regions poses severe risks to water supplies for millions of people. The IAEA aids countries like Bolivia in using nuclear techniques—including Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensors and isotope hydrology—to monitor soil moisture and water availability in high-altitude ecosystems. These tools provide critical data allowing scientists and policymakers to understand and respond to changes caused by melting glaciers. Highlighted at COP30 during the “Nuclear Science for Climate Resilience” session, this work empowers local communities to manage water sustainably amid a changing climate.
5. Fusion Energy and Climate Action – The Conversation Continues
Fusion energy research, aiming to harness the power of the sun on Earth, is gaining prominence as a potential clean energy source. At COP30, the IAEA presents an overview of fusion advancements, including the international ITER project in France—the world’s largest fusion experiment. This session discusses developments across various national, international, and private fusion initiatives and insights from the IAEA World Fusion Outlook 2025. Fusion promises a future of abundant, carbon-free energy that could play a key role in global climate action.
6. Financing Strategies for Low Carbon Energy Sources
Following the outcomes of COP28’s first Global Stocktake, the IAEA supports countries in accelerating the deployment of nuclear power alongside renewables and emissions reduction technologies. This includes targeting difficult sectors and advancing low-carbon hydrogen production. Small modular reactors (SMRs)—flexible, cost-effective nuclear reactors suitable for small grids and energy-intensive industries—are highlighted at COP30. The IAEA is facilitating discussions on SMR financing, policy frameworks, and regulation to expand their adoption, helping to decarbonize economies efficiently.
Nuclear science and technology continue to offer powerful tools for environmental protection, climate resilience, and sustainable development. As COP30 unfolds, the IAEA reinforces the vital role of these innovations in shaping a cleaner, safer planet.
Read More:
- Water Pollutants: The Invisible Crisis
- IAEA Unveils Transportable E-beam System
- What is Blue Carbon?
- Sterile Insect Technique
- Glaciers on Borrowed Time: Capturing Data from Vanishing Ice
- What is Nuclear Fusion?
- Why Do We Need Nuclear Power
- What are Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)?
For additional information, visit the IAEA website and follow updates from the COP30 conference.
