Decarbonising energy is a significant undertaking that will require deployment of all available low-carbon technologies, including nuclear power, but governments must provide positive, long-term policy signals for new reactor development, according to a new technology brief from the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE).

The brief says consistent policies and clear market frameworks will enable investment in new nuclear power projects and support stable supply chains.

In an apparent reference to Europe’s sustainable finance taxonomy, it says “green finance classifications should be based on scientific and technology-neutral methodologies”. Multilateral banks and international finance institutions should consider nuclear projects as part of their “sustainable lending activities”.