Exploring Nuclear Energy to meet Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations in 2015 set 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the universal transformation of the world by ensuring economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection by 2030. The current study explores the contributions of nuclear energy to the attainment of SDGs. This intervention classifies the SDGs into six groups and highlights the areas of contribution, challenges, and policy recommendations of nuclear energy to the attainment of SDGs. Nuclear technology generates affordable, modern, and reliable electric power, clean hydrogen, and heat for wastewater desalination which contributes to ending poverty, universal access to quality education, eliminating gender inequality, protecting land and marine ecosystems, and providing clean water and sanitation. Despite inadequate public awareness, fear of nuclear proliferation, high costs of the technology, and other challenges, nuclear technology can contribute to the attainment of SDGs if the policy recommendations are implemented. The outcome of this study will provide more updated information on the application of nuclear energy in making life more pleasurable and timely attainment of SDGs.