Sustainable Development A key Factor in Radioactive Waste Disposal and Storage Facility

Abstract

Sustainable Development: A key Factor in Radioactive Waste Disposal and Storage Facilities According to the Brundtland report, sustainable development is “progress that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs”. its relationship, connection or nexus with spent fuel and radioactive waste disposal facilities due to its high level radioactivity to human‘s health and the environment, is considered to be pivotal to developmental issues surrounding spent fuel and radioactive waste management. The basic understanding of the Burundian definition can be summarized in the following points. Resources necessary for better living condition of present generations are used in a fair and just manner, ensuring that much harm is not done to the ecosystem and finally allowing the future generations to also develop their particular needs. Following the Burundian report, the joint convention was held as a response to the fear of environmentalist regarding the economic and industrial production of spent fuel and radioactive waste from the operation of nuclear power reactor for electricity. Thus the joint convention metamorphosed into a legally binding document which has undergone several reviews in a bid to better manage nuclear waste and spent fuel. In managing spent fuel and radioactive waste, there are arguments on the best way to manage them pending when they would be suitable for other purposes. Hence, the big question borders on the safest mode of storage between geological disposal and storage facilities. To answer this, it is necessary to consider the safety of long term management of waste which should preferably rely on a passive technical containment requiring minimal or no subsequent institutional actions. For that reason, the regulatory authority shall set a maximum time period during which it is reasonable to assume that this control will remain operational. It is also necessary to involve the public in such processes as the previous principle of Detect, Announce and Defend (DAD) is no longer acceptable hence the need for public acceptability and good perception of such storage facilities by members of the public. Also, it is the opinion of the IAEA that in the context of storage and disposal, sustainability would require that cost for ongoing and long term management of storage and disposal facilities be internalized” meaning that cost should be borne directly by those who receive the benefit. However, there are challenges which come with implementation of the concept. constraints which border on public understanding, finance and capacity building coupled with strict international law and regulatory framework among other things makes it difficult to have nuclear power and the availability of radioactive waste facilities. Aside from this fact, it would also be daunting for the IAEA to ensure the sustainability of old, current and future waste depositories as there are fears of a build up since IAEA believes that nuclear power is the atom that can solve the current energy crisis of the world. In conclusion, while noting and working against the debilitating environmental impact of radioactive facilities, it is beneficial to point out the role of energy in sustainable development and in the process forge a path for effective safety measures. Moreover, the IAEA can be said to have achieved the safety aim of the joint convention and should focus on strict implementation of other articles for the protection of human life and the environment while conforming to the goals of sustainable development. Seminar presented by Abdulhadi Abdullahi