Proposal for a global licensing and regulation framework for fusion energy

If fusion energy is commercialized and deployed by 2040 and then scaled up quickly, it has the potential to significantly mitigate the effects of climate change and meet the growing global energy demand. One of the key factors in the speed of deployment is the licensing and regulatory framework, which can accelerate or impede deployment. Fortunately, this is a factor that can be addressed well in advance, but the time to do so is now. In fact, the United States, Germany, Japan, and the United Kingdom have realized this and are planning to regulate fusion power plants differently from fission power plants, outside of nuclear law. As is the case in other areas of licensing and regulation, this process will begin with national frameworks and progress through a phase of harmonization, potentially culminating in a global framework. However, if the destination is clear, why take the long way around? This paper argues for starting with a global licensing and regulation framework for fusion energy now. It shows examples from other fields that demonstrate the feasibility of this approach and develops a seven-step plan for such a framework.