Division 2.4.3 Benefits and Outcome

In line with Union non-proliferation objectives, this project will contribute to making the CTBT monitoring and verification system more robust, and strengthening the Preparatory Commission’s capacities to more accurately monitor radioxenon. By mitigating the radioxenon emissions from civilian applications, future emissions – which remain a key indicator to monitor and verify nuclear activity – would be more reliably attributed to nuclear explosions.

The building and maintaining of a robust verification regime reinforces the capacities and the credibility of the CTBT, which in turn contributes to strengthening the arguments in favour of its entry into force and universalisation.

While past activities in the framework of Joint Action 2008/588/CFSP and Decision 2010/461/CFSP have allowed the problem of noble gas emissions to be mapped, additional funding would complement previous Union funding and allow the remedying of the problem of noble gas emissions to begin. Close cooperation between the Preparatory Commission and the assigned institutions (SCK•CEN and IRE) would assure continuity in the work that has been done, and optimise the pool of existing knowledge and expertise.