In a landmark announcement at the United Nations Climate Conference (COP28), the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) revealed a cutting-edge technical cooperation project on December 2, 2023. This initiative aims to amplify the IAEA’s ongoing efforts in climate adaptation, specifically focusing on food and water security. By tapping into expansive interregional laboratory networks, the project seeks to foster international collaboration and address the challenges posed by climate change.
At the COP28 side event, attendees learned how extreme weather events worldwide are impacting crucial natural resources, compelling populations to navigate scarcity. Nuclear techniques, combined with conventional methods, emerged as a pivotal tool to empower countries in confronting harsh climate conditions. These techniques provide accurate data for decision-makers, enabling them to assess evolving situations and offering a range of effective adaptation options.
Professor Christoph Müller of Justus Liebig University emphasized the critical role of isotope hydrology in understanding the effects of climate change on water resources. The event highlighted success stories, such as the IAEA’s assistance to Namibian farmers in precisely identifying moisture levels, leading to an 80% increase in water use efficiency through nuclear technology-enabled drip irrigation.
The IAEA, currently collaborating with 146 countries on climate change adaptation projects, underscored the importance of partnerships in implementing sustainable solutions. Key partnerships, including those with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), were hailed as examples of successful cooperation.
The Deputy Director General of the IAEA’s Department of Nuclear Science and Applications, Najat Mokhtar, emphasized the need for collective action. She highlighted ongoing collaborations with the FAO through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture and the #Atoms4Food initiative to ensure food security amidst climate change challenges.
The forthcoming four-year IAEA technical cooperation project, set to commence in January 2024, invites in-kind and financial contributions from new partners to realize its global ambitions. The initiative aims to provide critical support to IAEA Member States, focusing on enhancing food and water availability in the face of climate uncertainties.
