Justification has to prove that the benefits from a programme, or from the installation of the activity analysed, will override the ensuing risks and detriments. Therefore, all terms in the equation have to be defined and quantified to the best possible level. Not all elements can be quantified, nor do they use the same metrics. Moreover, not all benefits, or the risks and detriments, relate to the same recipients. Economic, social and environmen­tal benefits should apply to well-defined receptors, defined as follows: [3]

• The nation: an improvement of the country’s energy independence; an upgrading of the reliability and security of electricity production; an improvement in the country’s scientific and technical expertise

• Individuals within the area of influence: an increase in monetary reve­nues through taxes and subsidies; a development of business and com­mercial transactions; a reduction of unemployment.

Similarly, risks and detriments also have an effect on the same receptors:

• The world: expansion of proliferation risks; an increase of radiation risks coming from worldwide activities related to fuel cycle activities; a growth in the international transportation of nuclear materials and radioactive waste

• The nation: an increase in the final repository of radioactive waste; an increase in activities related to emergency management; the radiological environmental impact of installations and related activities

• Individuals within the area of influence: risks from radiation exposure to radioactive effluents (planned exposures); risks associated with emer­gency situations (potential exposures); non-radiological environmental impacts.

Some of the items above are amenable to quantification in monetary terms or by other means, but most of them are subjective and country-dependent. The items amenable to quantification will be considered in detail, whilst those which are subjective are treated as such in the following paragraphs. Both the benefits and the risks and detriments are closely associated with characteristics specific to nuclear energy, and discussion of them constitutes the backbone of this chapter. The risks and detriments come from the need to prevent and mitigate accidents with radiological effects, the generation of radionuclides by fission and activation, and the generation of strategic materials.