Six Ways Nuclear Science and Technology Help Protect the Environment

As global leaders, international organizations, scientists, business representatives and climate activists convene in Belém for COP30, the IAEA is showcasing how nuclear science and technology are driving solutions to environmental challenges. Nuclear science not only provides the world with reliable clean energy, but also helps scientists monitor and protect ecosystems, enhance food security and reduce pollution. 

At the IAEA Atoms4Climate Pavilion, visitors can see these innovations in action. In Brazil, for example, electron beam (e-beam) technology is transforming industrial wastewater treatment. In Latin America, countries are using nuclear techniques to control pests, safeguard crops and food exports — a win for farmers, consumers and the environment. 

Treating wastewater contaminated by industrial pollutants remains a major challenge for many countries. Through its support for electron beam (e-beam) technology, the IAEA is helping countries develop innovative, chemical-free solutions that break down complex contaminants and improve water quality. Supported by the IAEA and Brazil’s Innovation Agency (FINEP), a mobile unit equipped with an electron beam accelerator is being deployed in Brazil to treat industrial wastewater, improving water quality and environmental protection.

Read more:
» Water Pollutants: The Invisible Crisis →
» IAEA Unveils Transportable E-beam System to Boost Global Access to the Innovative Technology →

The IAEA’s Marine Environment Laboratories in Monaco support blue carbon initiatives that focus on mangroves, seagrasses, and saltmarshes — coastal ecosystems that capture and store organic carbon. Using nuclear and isotopic techniques, the IAEA helps countries assess carbon sequestration rates and ecosystem health, contributing to climate mitigation and biodiversity conservation. At COP30, IAEA’s work on blue carbon will be highlighted at the UN-Oceans session “Ocean-climate-biodiversity nexus: leveraging synergies across frameworks,” focusing on building partnerships for nature-based solutions.

Read more:
» What is Blue Carbon?
 

The sterile insect technique (SIT) is an environmentally friendly pest control method used to control harmful fruit fly populations in Brazil, Chile and Mexico. Sometimes described as birth control for insects, SIT works by releasing male insects that have been sterilized using radiation, which mate with wild female insects, resulting in no offspring. The SIT reduces reliance on insecticides, protects crops and enables countries to gain access to international markets for food exports. It is showcased at COP30 as part of climate-smart agriculture efforts using nuclear science and techniques. 

Read more:
» Sterile Insect Technique →

Glaciers are retreating and even disappearing in many mountainous regions, threatening water supplies for millions. The IAEA supports countries like Bolivia in using nuclear techniques — such as Cosmic Ray Neutron Sensors and isotope hydrology — to monitor soil moisture and water availability in high-altitude ecosystems. These tools help scientists and decision makers assess the impact of glacier retreat on water resources and guide sustainable land management. At COP30, the IAEA is highlighting this work in the session “Nuclear Science for Climate Resilience”, aligned with the UN 2025 Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, and showcasing how nuclear applications empower local communities to adapt to changing conditions.

Read more:
» Glaciers on Borrowed Time: Capturing Data from Vanishing Ice in Bolivia
» From the Andes to the Himalayas

As the world seeks new solutions for clean energy, fusion energy research is gaining momentum. At COP30, the IAEA is presenting the current state of fusion research and development, including progress on the international ITER project — the world’s largest fusion experiment based in France.  The session provides an overview of the current state of fusion energy including  developments across various international, national and private projects, and insights from the IAEA World Fusion Outlook 2025.

Read more:
» What is Nuclear Fusion? 
» Fusion Energy in 2025: Six Global Trends to Watch

Building on the outcomes of the first Global Stocktake at COP28, the IAEA supports countries in identifying pathways to accelerate the deployment of nuclear power together with renewables as well as emissions abatement and removal technologies, particularly in hard to abate sectors and low-carbon hydrogen production. 

Accelerating deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs) is also in the spotlight at COP. SMRs offer flexible, cost-effective options for powering small energy grids, making them suitable for energy-intensive industries, data centres and commercial ships. An IAEA event will explore approaches to SMR financing, policy and regulation. 

Read more:

» Why Do We Need Nuclear Power
» What are Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)?
» IAEA Raises Nuclear Power Projections for Fifth Consecutive Year