International Nuclear Safety and Nonproliferation Compact for SMR Deployment
Description
Establish an international governance framework for small modular reactor deployment that maintains nonproliferation safeguards while enabling climate-motivated nuclear expansion.
The compact would: establish standardized international fuel supply and waste management services eliminating national enrichment incentives; create a joint safety review body for SMR designs; and develop mutual recognition agreements for reactor licensing to reduce duplication.
An international SMR demonstration fund ($15 billion) would support first-of-kind deployments in climate-vulnerable countries with limited grid capacity.
Implementation Pathway
Safety Standards
Fuel Services
Demonstration Fund
Impact Overview
Overall net impact: +6.00
Net Score by Horizon
Benefits vs Harms Count
- Benefits
- Harms
Impact Analysis
Overall Net Impact
Combined analysis across all timeframes
Short-term
0-2 years
- Rapid mobilization of $15 billion fund for shovel-ready SMR pilot projects
- Creation of a centralized international regulatory working group for harmonized safety standards
- High geopolitical friction regarding technology transfer and intellectual property rights
- Slow ratification of the compact by member states due to sovereignty concerns
Mid-term
3-10 years
- Reduced capital expenditures due to design standardization and mutual licensing recognition
- Expansion of grid capacity in developing nations through deployment of the demonstration fund
- Risk of localized nuclear waste mismanagement in participating developing nations before central facilities are fully operational
- Increased scrutiny from non-signatory nations regarding the monopoly on fuel supply services
Long-term
10+ years
- Decarbonization of heavy industry through consistent, base-load SMR power availability
- High proliferation resistance due to global fuel cycle centralization and remote monitoring
- Dependence on a singular international entity for fuel and waste creates a high-stakes target for cyberwarfare or political coercion
- Emergence of a gray market for indigenous, non-compact compliant SMR designs in states excluded from the agreement
- Potential stagnation of private sector reactor innovation due to overly rigid international design standardization
- The establishment of a 'nuclear fuel oligarchy' that exerts disproportionate control over the energy policies of developing nations