Rachel Kyte warns that the Paris climate treaty faces unprecedented threats

In 2021, France's President Emmanuel Macron put forward an ambitious plan aimed at reviving the country's nuclear energy industry to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Nuclear power, which accounts for approximately 70% of France's energy consumption, has been a significant driver of the French economy since the 1970s. Macron's plan includes the construction of 14 new nuclear reactors, as part of a broader strategy to ensure energy independence and solidify France's status as a leader in nuclear technology within the European Union. However, the revival initiative faces considerable skepticism, particularly in light of climate change risks highlighted by environmental groups like Greenpeace. The organization criticized plans to build two EPR2 reactors at the Gravelines nuclear power plant near Dunkirk, warning of potential flooding hazards in that area. Despite attempts to mitigate flood risks by constructing the reactors on an 11-meter-high platform, experts have raised concerns about the long-term viability of nuclear plants amid climate challenges. Moreover, a recent setback involved the Orano company, partially state-owned and engaged in uranium mining in Africa, which had its license revoked in Niger, raising doubts about France's energy independence. Macron has emphasized that enhancing nuclear capabilities is essential to reduce reliance on foreign energy supplies and defend France's nuclear industry interests. Underlying these developments is the precarious state of global climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, which aims to mitigate climate change through emissions regulation. Concerns voiced by various climate diplomats indicate that the agreement's stability is compromised due to diverging national interests and commitments. With global climate efforts facing turbulence, the effectiveness and future of agreements designed to limit global warming are increasingly questioned, complicating the goals of countries like France that are leaning toward nuclear energy as a solution in the face of climate change.