Progress Reported on Global Nuclear Liability Regime at IAEA Meeting

“The entry into force of the CSC in 2015 marked a major milestone in establishing a global nuclear liability regime,” said Grossi.

At the Fourth Meeting of the Contracting Parties and Signatories to the Convention on Supplementary Compensation for Nuclear Damage (CSC), held last month at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, significant progress was reported toward establishing a global nuclear liability regime. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi highlighted the pivotal role of such an international liability framework in supporting the expansion of nuclear power, which is crucial for achieving net zero carbon emissions, addressing economic development, and ensuring energy security.

"The entry into force of the CSC in 2015 marked a major milestone in establishing a global nuclear liability regime," said Grossi. "It now covers approximately 180 power reactors worldwide, making it the instrument with the broadest reach in terms of power reactors."

The meeting saw participation from around 60 representatives of 14 Parties and Signatories—including Argentina, Australia, Canada, India, Japan, and the United States—as well as 18 invited observer countries, nuclear suppliers, insurers, lenders, the European Union, and the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency.

Discussions focused on expanding CSC membership and enhancing the convention's operational guidelines. Representatives from countries considering or in the process of joining the CSC shared their perspectives and suggestions. The benefits of joining the CSC were highlighted, including increased public acceptance through assured compensation, addressing supply chain concerns, boosting investor and lender confidence, and securing treaty relations with neighboring and supplier countries.

Ben McRae, Chair of the Fourth Meeting and Assistant General Counsel for Civilian Nuclear Programs at the US Department of Energy, emphasized that the CSC is critical to realizing the full potential of nuclear power in combating climate change, promoting economic development, and ensuring energy security. "The CSC ensures prompt, equitable, and meaningful compensation for damage to people, property, and the environment, providing the legal certainty necessary for stakeholders involved in nuclear projects," McRae said.

Representatives from the financial and insurance sectors discussed how they assess nuclear risks and make decisions regarding investments and insurance for nuclear power projects. The meeting also provided updates on compensation related to the Fukushima Daiichi NPP accident.

Anthony Wetherall, Head of the Nuclear and Treaty Law Section at the IAEA Office of Legal Affairs, highlighted the importance of the annual CSC meetings and inter-sessional work. "These meetings contribute to the readiness of Parties to implement the convention, including the supplementary international fund, should it be required," Wetherall said. "A key objective is to raise awareness and deepen understanding of the CSC among potential new members."

The CSC, adopted in 1997 under IAEA auspices, is the international nuclear liability convention with the greatest number of covered reactors—approximately 180, representing 43 percent of operational reactors worldwide. Currently, the CSC has 11 Parties and 11 Signatories. The convention acts as an 'umbrella' for countries with national legislation conforming to nuclear liability principles, facilitating their participation in a cohesive global framework. The IAEA's online CSC calculator helps countries model potential contributions to the CSC's contingent supplementary international fund.