Abstract: Through 17 SDGs, the UN is focusing on overall development, and mitigating climate change is one of them. Climate change is human-made and will have a devastating impact, some of which is already evident. Climate change will have a profound impact on the global energy mix. The Paris Agreement outlined an action plan for mitigating climate change. The most critical mitigation measure is the energy transition, involving massive decarbonization of CO2-emitting sectors. The transition needs to be just as it involves reskilling and emotional aspects. The talk will highlight the vital role of nuclear energy in this transition, with Small Modular Reactors leading its renaissance.
India's plan for climate change mitigation, its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which aims to phase out fossil fuels by 2070 and decarbonize all sectors emitting CO2, including hard-to-abate industries, is explained. The plan for Renewables, Hydrogen and Nuclear Missions etc., are important steps to achieve the targets set in our NDC. Many reforms are required. India's plan to achieve an optimal balance between ecology, economy, and environment can serve as a model worth emulating by other countries. The talk delves into these aspects.
About the speaker: Shri G. R. Srinivasan has over 50 years of experience in the Nuclear Industry, including 42 years at the DAE, 5 years as Chairman of six committees of the AERB, and 7 years at GMR Infrastructure. He retired as a distinguished scientist and held various positions, including Director (projects) at the NPCIL and Vice Chairman of AERB. He also served as Advisor to Nuclear Power Business at GMR Infra. He was the Chairman of the Nuclear Councils of ASSOCHAM, FICCI and CII. In recent years, he has presented his research at numerous national and international conferences. Some of the recent ones include "SMRs and the nuclear renaissance: Policy and regulatory issues" at POWERGEN 2022 in Orlando, USA, and at CARE 39 in Brunei, Darussalam, in 2021, focusing on Sustainable Development. He is a fellow of the Institution of Engineers, India.