An examination of how a nuclear pathway could impact national efforts to reduce emissions. The following two pathways were analysed because they represent alternative choices now facing Australian policymakers.

1. Current pathway – pursuing near-term deployment of renewable electricity enabling faster economy-wide decarbonisation.
2. Alternative pathway – opting for slower deployment of low emissions electricity with a more modest pace of decarbonisation economy-wide while developing nuclear power.

Key findings

• Staying the current course by continuing to roll out a mix of renewable generation, storage and firming at pace is the only option.
• The current pathway would make the most of proven technologies available now to rapidly reduce Australia’s largest source of emissions.
• Prioritising nuclear at this time would be inconsistent with Australia’s national emissions reduction priorities and commitments.
• Delaying the overhaul of Australia’s grid would result in billions of tonnes more cumulative emissions.
• A nuclear pathway could see Australia miss the legislated 43% emissions reduction target for 2030 by five percentage points, and still not achieve this level of reduction by 2035.
• Deployment of nuclear in Australia’s grid could add at least 2 billion tonnes to national emissions, on a global path that is consistent with 2.6°C of warming.