Amid growing concerns over climate change, the government of Sweden wants to lift a decades-old ban on building new nuclear reactors.

The Nordic nation had decided to gradually phase out nuclear power after a referendum in 1980. But only two of its 12 reactors have so far been closed. The rethink comes as Sweden and other countries seek to cut their use of fossil fuels that produce polluting greenhouse gases. The Swedish Parliament must give its approval to the coalition government’s call to replace current, ageing nuclear facilities. The centre-right administration is also stressing its commitment to renewable energy. At present, nuclear plants supply around 50 percent of Sweden’s electricity.

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