Climate change poses emerging challenges for the safe management of radioactive waste facilities. Increased frequency of extreme weather (e.g. floods, heat waves, heavy precipitation) can impact both the construction and operation of radioactive waste repositories and storage sites. The Czech Republic has developed a robust regulatory and institutional framework to address these issues. This report summarizes current legislation and strategies at the intersection of climate change and radioactive waste management, and outlines the roles of key authorities. It focuses on measures in place as of 2024–2025 to ensure climate resilience during facility construction and operational phases, with direct references to Czech laws and official documents.

The Atomic Act is the cornerstone of nuclear safety and radioactive waste legislation in the Czech Republic. It governs all activities involving nuclear energy and ionizing radiation, including radioactive waste and spent fuel management (https://sujb.gov.cz/fileadmin/sujb/docs/legislativa/zakony/Act_263_2016_web_20220311.pdf). The Act requires a licence from the State Office for Nuclear Safety (SÚJB) for each stage of a nuclear installation’s life cycle – from siting and construction to operation and decommissioning (Nuclear Legislation in OECD Countries: Czech Republic). For example, “a licence granted by SÚJB is required for: siting and construction of a nuclear installation… [and] radioactive waste management” (Nuclear Legislation in OECD Countries: Czech Republic) (Nuclear Legislation in OECD Countries: Czech Republic). The Atomic Act and its implementing decrees (regulations) embed modern safety principles (e.g. defense-in-depth, periodic safety reviews) and align with Euratom directives on nuclear safety and waste management. While the Act does not explicitly mention “climate change”, it mandates consideration of external natural conditions and hazards as part of safety assessments. This includes ensuring facilities can withstand extreme environmental events (floods, earthquakes, etc.), thereby implicitly covering climate-driven extremes.

New radioactive waste facilities (e.g. a spent fuel storage or a deep repository) are subject to EIA under Czech law (Nuclear Legislation in OECD Countries: Czech Republic). The EIA Act requires an assessment of a project’s likely environmental effects, explicitly including impacts on “air, climate and landscape” (100/2001 Sb. Zákon o posuzování vlivů na životní prostředí). Since amendments transposing EU Directive 2014/52/EU, EIA documentation must also evaluate climate change aspects. In particular, the law requires analysis of greenhouse gas emissions and the project’s vulnerability to climate change (100/2001 Sb. Zákon o posuzování vlivů na životní prostředí). According to Annex 4 of the EIA Act, an EIA report must detail “impacts on air and climate (e.g. the nature and quantity of pollutant and greenhouse gas emissions, [and] vulnerability of the project to climate change)” (100/2001 Sb. Zákon o posuzování vlivů na životní prostředí). Additionally, the baseline environmental description must consider climate trends, e.g. “impacts associated with climate change [and] the vulnerability of the territory to climate change manifestations” (100/2001 Sb. Zákon o posuzování vlivů na životní prostředí). These provisions ensure that during the planning and construction phase, developers address how future climatic changes (such as increased flood or drought risk) could affect the facility, and incorporate adaptation measures. The Ministry of the Environment oversees the EIA process and issues an environmental permit (binding opinion) that integrates these climate resilience considerations into project approval.

Beyond nuclear-specific laws, the Czech Republic’s broader climate policy guides adaptation efforts across sectors. The updated Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change (2021–2030) emphasizes safeguarding infrastructure and communities from climate risks (Strategie přizpůsobení se změně klimatu v podmínkách ČR (2021) | Databáze strategií - portál pro strategické řízení). Its goal is to “increase the Czech Republic’s preparedness for climate change – reduce vulnerability and increase resilience… to climate change and limit its negative impacts” (Strategie přizpůsobení se změně klimatu v podmínkách ČR (2021) | Databáze strategií - portál pro strategické řízení). While the strategy does not single out radioactive waste facilities explicitly, it calls for integrating climate resilience into sectoral plans (energy, industry, water management, etc.). In practice, this has led to heightened scrutiny of critical installations (including nuclear waste repositories) under extreme weather scenarios. Related policies, such as the Climate Protection Policy (focused on mitigation) and the National Action Plan for Adaptation, complement this framework by raising overall awareness of climate risks. The strategy is implemented via action plans coordinated by the Ministry of the Environment, in collaboration with other ministries (including the Ministry of Industry and Trade for the energy sector). This high-level policy backdrop reinforces regulatory requirements by ensuring that climate change adaptation is a national priority.

The Czech framework also includes the Crisis Management Act (No. 240/2000 Coll.), which links to nuclear emergency planning. Under the Atomic Act, licensees must have on-site emergency plans for various scenarios, and these plans are harmonized with national crisis plans for natural disasters. For instance, the Atomic Act and SÚJB Decree No. 359/2016 Coll. on emergency preparedness require that facilities prepare for “radiation extraordinary events,” including those that could be caused by extreme external conditions (e.g. flooding of a waste store). Additionally, general environmental laws (Water Act, Nature Protection Act) impose conditions on facility siting in sensitive areas (like floodplains), and building codes ensure structures meet standards for load and seismic stability under evolving climate loads. In summary, a matrix of legal instruments – nuclear-specific and environmental – works together to require that radioactive waste management projects assess and mitigate climate-related risks during both construction and operation.

SÚJB is the central regulatory authority for nuclear safety, radiation protection, and radioactive waste in the Czech Republic. Established as an independent body, it is empowered by the Atomic Act to oversee licensing, set safety requirements, and enforce compliance. SÚJB reviews applications for siting, construction, and operation of nuclear facilities, ensuring that all safety standards (including those related to external events) are met (Nuclear Legislation in OECD Countries: Czech Republic) (Nuclear Legislation in OECD Countries: Czech Republic). It issues permits only if “nuclear safety and radiation protection concerns are satisfied” (Nuclear Legislation in OECD Countries: Czech Republic). SÚJB also issues implementing regulations – for example, Decree No. 378/2016 Coll. on Siting and Decree No. 21/2017 Coll. on Nuclear Safety of Nuclear Installations – which contain specific climate hazard criteria (discussed in the next section). During operation, SÚJB inspectors conduct regular inspections and safety assessments. They have authority to suspend or revoke licenses if conditions (including environmental conditions) deviate from safety requirements. In the context of climate change, SÚJB plays a key role by updating guidelines in line with international best practices (IAEA, WENRA) for natural hazard protection and by requiring periodic re-evaluation of risk as climate data evolves. For example, SÚJB has highlighted that many nuclear plants were designed based on historical data and now “it is well known that climate change is increasing the severity and frequency of many of these phenomena”, prompting the industry and regulator to address these impacts (International Conference on Resilience of Nuclear Installations against External Events from a Safety Perspective – Focus on Climate Change - International Cooperation - Homepage - SÚJB). SÚJB’s active participation in international initiatives (e.g. the IAEA’s 2025 conference on Climate Change and Nuclear Installation Safety (International Conference on Resilience of Nuclear Installations against External Events from a Safety Perspective – Focus on Climate Change - International Cooperation - Homepage - SÚJB)) underlines its commitment to integrating climate resilience into the regulatory regime.

The MoE is the principal authority for environmental protection and climate policy. It administers the EIA Act and coordinates the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) of policies (including the national radioactive waste management program). For any new radioactive waste facility, the MoE (or regional environmental authorities) leads the EIA review, ensures that climate-related impacts are evaluated, and issues the final EIA approval (often with conditions to improve resilience) (100/2001 Sb. Zákon o posuzování vlivů na životní prostředí) (100/2001 Sb. Zákon o posuzování vlivů na životní prostředí). The MoE is also responsible for the national Climate Adaptation Strategy and associated action plans (VLÁDA ČESKÉ REPUBLIKY) (VLÁDA ČESKÉ REPUBLIKY). Through these, it sets guidelines that sectors like energy and industry should follow to adapt to climate change. The MoE’s Climate Change Department works on identifying risks such as floods or droughts that could affect waste sites, and it collaborates with SÚJB when environmental and nuclear safety issues overlap (for instance, in evaluating a deep repository’s long-term impact on groundwater under future climate scenarios). Additionally, the Czech Hydrometeorological Institute (under MoE) provides climate data and projections that inform safety analyses. In summary, the MoE ensures that radioactive waste management is consistent with environmental laws and adaptation goals, providing the necessary checks and balances alongside SÚJB’s nuclear safety mandate.

SÚRAO (Správa úložišť radioaktivních odpadů) is the national implementer responsible for radioactive waste disposal. Established by the Ministry of Industry and Trade in 1997, it operates as a state organization governed by the Atomic Act (Who we are | SÚRAO). SÚRAO’s mission is “to provide for the safe disposal of radioactive waste in accordance with the requirements of nuclear safety and human and environmental protection” (Who we are | SÚRAO). In practice, SÚRAO manages existing repositories (for low- and intermediate-level waste, such as the Richard, Bratrství and Dukovany near-surface repositories) and leads the development of a future deep geological repository for high-level waste. SÚRAO must comply with SÚJB regulations and license conditions – for example, meeting the design criteria for natural hazards and monitoring environmental impacts. It conducts site investigations and safety analyses, which include evaluating how phenomena like groundwater changes or permafrost (in the far future) could affect repository integrity (Návrh). SÚRAO works closely with scientific institutions (e.g. the Czech Geological Survey, climate research units) to gather data on climate evolution for its safety cases. As the waste management organization, SÚRAO is on the front line of implementing climate adaptation measures: it designs repository barriers with margins for extreme weather, maintains drainage and monitoring systems at sites, and is continually researching the “climate change in the safety case” as part of European joint projects (CCSC: Climate Change in the Safety Case - IGD-TP | Safe Solutions for Radioactive Waste) (CCSC: Climate Change in the Safety Case - IGD-TP | Safe Solutions for Radioactive Waste). All SÚRAO’s activities and budgets are supervised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and funded through a nuclear liabilities fund (the “nuclear account”) fed by waste producers (Who we are | SÚRAO).

The Czech Mining Authority and its regional units have a role for repositories located in underground mines (like Richard and Bratrství). They enforce mining safety regulations which complement nuclear safety (e.g. rock stability, mine flood protection). In fact, “inspectors from the relevant mining authority” join SÚJB in periodic inspections of certain repositories (How we ensure repository safety | SÚRAO). Local and regional governments are also involved via land-use planning and emergency preparedness committees. For instance, regions host off-site emergency drills for nuclear facilities (covering scenarios such as extreme floods), ensuring coordination between SÚJB, MoE, fire rescue services and municipalities. Internationally, the Czech Republic reports to the IAEA and EU on its radioactive waste program and how it addresses climate impacts, under instruments like the Joint Convention on Spent Fuel and Radioactive Waste Safety. Overall, the institutional framework is multi-layered: SÚJB and MoE provide regulatory oversight, SÚRAO implements disposal solutions under those rules, and various supporting bodies contribute expertise and enforcement in their domains. This ensures that addressing climate change is a shared responsibility.

During the planning and construction of radioactive waste management facilities, Czech regulations require rigorous evaluation of site-specific climate and environmental conditions. SÚJB’s Decree No. 378/2016 Coll. on Siting of a Nuclear Installation provides detailed criteria to ensure that proposed sites are suitable and resilient. It mandates assessment of natural characteristics and phenomena at the site, explicitly including seismicity, floods, and climatic and meteorological phenomena (Návrh). For example, regulators will examine historical flood maps and climate data to judge whether a location is at risk. The decree sets “exclusion criteria” for siting: if certain hazard thresholds are exceeded, the site cannot be approved. One such prohibition is regular flooding – “the characteristic of the floods, the achievement of which causes the siting of a nuclear installation to be prohibited, is the regular flooding of the site area” (Návrh). In practice, this means a radioactive waste repository cannot be built in areas prone to frequent inundation (e.g. 100-year floodplains) unless engineering solutions guarantee safety.

Beyond outright exclusions, the siting evaluation must quantify extreme weather parameters. Section 10 of Decree 378/2016 requires that “the assessment of the site… in terms of climatic and meteorological phenomena shall evaluate long-term climatic properties and meteorological phenomena, in particular: total precipitation, average and extreme temperatures, wind directions and force, atmospheric stability, sudden temperature changes, torrential rain, lightning, hurricanes and tornadoes, and rare meteorological events” (Návrh) (Návrh). This comprehensive list ensures that design of the facility (foundations, drainage, cooling systems, etc.) will account for both typical climate conditions and worst-case events under current climate and projected climate change. Engineers must design structures (e.g. waste vaults or storage buildings) to withstand maximal wind speeds and rainfall rates observed or anticipated. Notably, after the 2002 Central European floods, Czech authorities revisited flood hazard evaluations for all nuclear sites, reinforcing flood protection where needed. Today, any new spent fuel storage or waste facility design includes an extra margin for climate change – for instance, considering a potential increase in peak river flow due to changing rainfall patterns.

For facilities with very long lifetimes (particularly a deep geological repository planned to operate far into the future), climate change is a critical factor in the safety case. Czech regulations explicitly require looking at climate evolution over geological time scales. Decree 378/2016 instructs that site studies for a deep repository must consider past and future climate changes: including “paleo-hydrogeological processes, climatic history and the expected long-term climate development on a regional and global scale” (Návrh). The repository design must remain safe not only under today’s warming climate but also under scenarios like return of ice age conditions tens of thousands of years from now. The regulation specifically mentions assessing the “vulnerability of the rock environment and groundwater circulation in terms of long-term climatic changes and their associated phenomena, in particular coverage of a deep geological repository by ice, permafrost or water” (Návrh). In practical terms, when SÚRAO is characterizing candidate sites for a deep repository, they model scenarios such as a glacier forming over the site or permafrost penetrating the ground, as well as sustained warming and higher rainfall. By requiring these analyses before construction, the Czech framework ensures that only sites and designs that can handle extreme climate futures will be chosen. This forward-looking approach, grounded in law, reflects lessons from international guidelines (e.g. IAEA guidance on repository safety assessments over tens of millennia). It also aligns with the EU’s directive on spent fuel and waste (2011/70/Euratom), which calls for “evidence-based and documented decision-making” for repository development, implicitly including evidence of climate resilience.

Concurrently, during the pre-construction phase, the project undergoes EIA as noted. Through the EIA process, climate change considerations may lead to specific design or mitigation measures. For example, an EIA for a new radioactive waste storage might identify the risk of extreme heat waves on the cooling of spent fuel casks. In response, the operator could be required to incorporate additional cooling capacity or ventilation. All such measures would be documented in the EIA report and reflected in the final binding environmental permit. The Construction Permit (issued under the Building Act) will only be granted if both SÚJB’s nuclear safety license and the EIA approval are in place, ensuring an integrated check on climate resilience. The Czech Building Code also indirectly supports climate adaptation by requiring that buildings meet technical norms (many of which, like flood-proofing standards, now account for climate change forecasts). For instance, critical structures must be above certain flood elevation levels or protected by barriers, and roofs must be designed for heavier downpours or snow loads expected in the future.

In summary, the construction phase of any radioactive waste management facility in Czechia is guided by stringent requirements to evaluate and mitigate climate-related risks upfront. Through a combination of nuclear safety regulations (Atomic Act & SÚJB decrees) and environmental law (EIA Act), climate change is systematically factored into site selection, design, and licensing. Direct legal requirements – from banning flood-prone sites to mandating analysis of “expected long-term climate development” – demonstrate the current framework’s commitment to climate resilience. This ensures that when construction begins, the facility is robust against present-day extremes and future climate trajectories without the need for speculative assumptions: all decisions are based on observed data, scientific models, and formal criteria in legislation (Návrh) (Návrh).

Once a radioactive waste facility is built and operational, the regulatory framework continues to enforce climate resilience through monitoring, periodic reviews, and emergency preparedness. Operational licenses issued by SÚJB contain conditions that the operator must adhere to, many of which relate to maintaining safety under external hazards. For instance, technical specifications for a spent fuel storage installation will set temperature and humidity limits, requirements for cooling systems, and minimum flood defenses that must be maintained throughout operation. SÚJB inspections verify these. According to SÚRAO, “the safe operation of nuclear waste repositories is verified several times per year by inspectors from the State Office for Nuclear Safety” (How we ensure repository safety | SÚRAO). Inspectors check the facility’s structures, safety systems and surroundings. This includes checking that drainage systems are clear (to handle heavy rain), backup power and cooling for heat-generating waste are available (for heat waves or grid outages), and that no degradation (like erosion or subsidence due to changing groundwater) is occurring. SÚJB can require the operator to conduct additional analyses if new information arises – for example, after an unusually intense storm, SÚJB might request an engineering evaluation of its impact and potential need for upgrades.

Radioactive waste facilities in Czechia are subject to continuous environmental monitoring programs. These programs track parameters such as groundwater levels, radionuclide concentrations, and meteorological data around the site. SÚRAO notes that at existing repositories, “samples of water from both the mine complexes and the surrounding environment are taken, as well as from the air in the repository itself”, to detect any changes (How we ensure repository safety | SÚRAO). Climatic conditions are part of this monitoring – for example, repositories record local rainfall and temperature trends. If monitoring indicates a trend (say, progressively increasing infiltration of water due to wetter seasons), the operator can take action, like improving the sealing of disposal chambers or enhancing surface water drainage. Czech regulations also require a formal Periodic Safety Review (PSR) for certain nuclear facilities. Under the new Atomic Act framework, large nuclear installations (including presumably major waste stores or future repositories) undergo a comprehensive safety re-evaluation at least every 10 years (Print Questions and Answers) (Print Questions and Answers). In a PSR, the licensee must re-assess external hazards with up-to-date knowledge. This means that evolving climate science – updated flood maps, revised seismic data, etc. – will be incorporated. The PSR process, as implemented by SÚJB’s decree on safety assessment, includes reviewing the “actual conditions of the site and external events” against the original design basis and any new standards (Print Questions and Answers). Any gaps must be addressed, either through physical upgrades or enhanced procedures. This requirement ensures long-term installations do not fall behind on climate resilience; they are periodically “brought up to code” with respect to the latest climate predictions.

Despite all preventive measures, there is always a residual risk that an extreme event could challenge a facility. The institutional framework provides for emergency planning to handle such situations. Facilities have on-site Emergency Response Plans that consider natural disasters. For example, a spent fuel storage might have procedures for extreme heat (to prevent overheating of casks) or for flooding (with clear criteria when to shut down operations and secure sources). SÚJB’s Decree No. 358/2016 Coll. on emergency management requires licensees to prepare for “beyond design basis” events and have accident management guidelines (Print Questions and Answers) (Print Questions and Answers). The National Radiation Emergency Plan, maintained by SÚJB and the Ministry of the Interior, integrates nuclear emergency response with civil protection. It includes scenarios like a flood at a waste repository or a wild fire threatening a waste store, and assigns roles to fire brigades, police, and local authorities in addition to the facility staff. The Crisis Management Act allows regional governors to declare emergencies if natural events endanger a nuclear facility, enabling quick mobilization of resources. Importantly, the design of facilities incorporates passive safety features that give operators more time to respond. For instance, waste storage buildings are constructed with water-resistant barriers and backup power for ventilation, ensuring that even if off-site infrastructure is disrupted by a storm, the waste remains safely cooled and contained.

The interplay of regulatory oversight and operator diligence has led to concrete resilience measures in Czech radioactive waste facilities. At the Dukovany repository (a near-surface repository at the NPP site), SÚRAO has installed improved rainwater runoff controls in recent years, reflecting increased precipitation trends. At the planned deep repository, SÚRAO is designing a multi-barrier system to account for potential future groundwater changes; the repository’s engineered and natural barriers must complement each other such that even in extreme cases (e.g. glacial melt or permafrost thaw far in the future), radionuclide release is prevented (How we ensure repository safety | SÚRAO) (How we ensure repository safety | SÚRAO). SÚRAO states that it “works with all information at our disposal” when ensuring repository safety, including “data on local climatic conditions and the hydrological and hydrogeological conditions of the surrounding area” (How we ensure repository safety | SÚRAO). This information feeds into both the design and the operational management of the facility. Conditions for each repository are tailored and formally approved by SÚJB, and updated as needed (How we ensure repository safety | SÚRAO). For example, if climate monitoring shows that extreme wind speeds are higher than initially assumed, SÚJB can tighten the operating rules (such as requiring suspension of certain operations during windstorms). This adaptive management approach – continually comparing expected vs. observed climate impacts – is a strong feature of the Czech system.

Finally, transparency and reporting ensure that the current state of climate preparedness is well understood. SÚJB publishes annual reports on radioactive waste management, which include any noteworthy events (like heavy rain incidents) and improvements made (Radioactive Waste Management - Nuclear Safety - Homepage - SÚJB). The Czech Republic’s reports to international conventions also document how climate risks are being handled. As of the 2024 national report, the assessment was that “spent fuel and radioactive waste management in the Czech Republic fully complies with the provisions of the Joint Convention” (Radioactive Waste Management - Nuclear Safety - Homepage - SÚJB), indicating that considerations such as long-term site stability (climate-driven or otherwise) are being met. There is no complacency, however: Czech authorities recognize climate change as a dynamic challenge. Through frameworks like the EURAD (European Joint Programme on Radioactive Waste) and IAEA peer reviews, they stay abreast of new research on climate impacts. The current state (2024–2025) of policy is to require resilience now, rather than wait for future issues – in other words, to “future-proof” radioactive waste facilities against climate change as far as reasonably achievable. This ensures that operational safety is maintained and that the public and environment remain protected even as our climate continues to change.

In conclusion, the Czech Republic’s regulatory and institutional framework provides a solid foundation for managing the impact of climate change on radioactive waste management facilities. Key legislation – the Atomic Act, the EIA Act, and national climate strategies – explicitly or implicitly integrate climate resilience into the lifecycle of these facilities, from siting and construction through decades of operation. The State Office for Nuclear Safety and the Ministry of the Environment, along with SÚRAO, work in tandem to enforce stringent requirements and adapt them as knowledge advances. Direct quotations from the legal provisions illustrate that climate change is not an afterthought but a considered element of safety: e.g. requiring analysis of “vulnerability … to climate change” in EIA (100/2001 Sb. Zákon o posuzování vlivů na životní prostředí) and planning for repository cover by ice or water in regulations (Návrh). As of 2025, Czech radioactive waste facilities are regulated to withstand current climate extremes and are preparing for future ones, without relying on speculation. This proactive approach will continue to be crucial in ensuring the long-term safety of radioactive waste management in an era of climate uncertainty.