Nuclear power produces the most decarbonised electricity in Europe.
EnvironmentEuropean Union
- Omissions
- The UNECE 2022 study covers the broader UNECE region (including non-European countries), not Europe exclusively, though Europe is a core part of that region.
- The MEP did not cite any source for the claim; the strongest supporting evidence (UNECE 2022) was available before the session date but was not mentioned.
- The World Nuclear Association, which prominently cites the UNECE data, is an advocacy organisation for the nuclear industry and is not a neutral source.
- Life-cycle CO₂ emissions for onshore wind (IPCC AR5 median: 11 g CO₂eq/kWh) and nuclear (IPCC AR5 median: 12 g CO₂eq/kWh) are so close that different meta-analyses rank them differently — the claim of 'most decarbonised' is not universally uncontested across all authoritative studies.
- Sources
- PrimaryEuropean Environment Agency (EEA)In 2024, the EU's electricity sector was estimated to be 62% less GHG intensive than it was in 1990 and 9% less than in 2023. The indicator provides aggregate grid-level GHG intensity for Europe but does not break down life-cycle emissions by individual generation technology.
- SecondaryWorld Nuclear AssociationIn March 2022 the UN's Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) estimated a range of 5.1-6.4 g CO2 equivalent per kWh for nuclear, the lowest among all technologies compared in the report.