AWE meets regulatory expectations for climate resilience

AWE welcomes publication of the Office for Nuclear Regulation’s (ONR’s) Chief Nuclear Inspector’s report today (24 July), which examines how the nuclear sector is responding to recent climate change projections and implementing appropriate safeguards. 

The assessment showed that AWE Aldermaston had ‘met’ the ONR’s expectations for climate resilience, there was evidence of good practice and that a robust approach is taken to external climate hazards such as high air temperatures, external flooding and extreme wind.  

AWE Aldermaston was one of five sites selected for inspection between June to October 2024, following a self-assessment phase across the wider nuclear industry. The inspections, carried out by the ONR, working closely with the Environment Agency and the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator, assessed how nuclear sites are preparing for climate change impacts and building operational resilience. 

AWE’s Chief Nuclear Officer and Executive Director of Corporate Assurance, Ian Rogers, said: “We are pleased to note the ONR’s positive findings on our approach to the effective management of climate change hazards. This further demonstrates our commitment to a culture of continuous safety-improvement as we focus on delivering our important mission to meet the needs of defence. We will continue to work closely with all our regulators, while holding ourselves to the highest standards as we continue to strive for environmental and safety excellence.” The ‘Chief Nuclear Inspector’s Themed Inspection on Climate Change Report,’ is available on the ONR’s website