In the wake of Japan's nuclear crisis, Yukiya Amano, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has stated that stronger international safety regulations for nuclear energy need to be implemented.
The head of the United Nations nuclear agency said certain safety standards should be reassessed including whether current recommendations regarding natural disasters are sufficient. Despite his comments, Amano acknowledged that safety regulations are not under his agency's mandate -- currently, nuclear safety standards are designed and governed by individual countries.
Even more, he said it would be hard for the IAEA to enforce international standards unless the UN's 151 member states agreed to increase the agency's mission.
Watch France 24 News' latest update on Japan's nuclear crisis:
Speaking about whether nations should adopt his recommendations, Amano said, "It depends on the member states' intentions and I know already views are very different. It is not like an accident happens, let's change the standards and all will be better, it is not so simple."
Amano did state with confidence that nuclear power will remain a viable "clean energy" option for countries.
Read the full story at Reuters: Stronger nuclear safety standards needed: IAEA chief
Image credit: G. Tudor/IAEA
Nathanael Baker is the Managing Editor of EnergyBoom. He has researched and reported on the issues of renewable energy, sustainability, and climate change for over two years. He has provided research to the New York Times and The Economist, as well as being published on different media outlets including, The Energy Collective.
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