Strategic Nuclear Waste Management for Reducing Environmental Impacts: Innovative Decomposed Fuzzy Methods

Abstract

In the face of global environmental pollution and efforts to reduce carbon emissions, nuclear energy is gaining attention as an effective method for low-carbon energy production. However, the management of nuclear waste presents diverse challenges due to varying levels of contamination and the severity of its impacts on the environment, humans, and animals. This research aims to develop a model of nuclear waste management challenges and subsequently evaluate these challenges through the design and development of Decomposed Fuzzy DEMATEL and Decomposed Fuzzy SWARA methods. To reach this goal, four steps were followed: A scoping review was used to find problems with managing nuclear waste; the TISM method was used to create a conceptual model; the Decomposed Fuzzy-SWARA method was used to find the biggest problems; and the Decomposed Fuzzy-DEMATEL method was used to find the connections between criteria. Economic liability (CH33) and risk assessment and management (CH22) are the most important challenges in nuclear waste management, according to the TISM method. The Decomposed Fuzzy-SWARA method results show that social, management, and political challenges (0.23) are the most critical in nuclear waste management. Decomposed fuzzy DEMATEL results reveal that social, management, and political challenges, as well as environmental challenges, are the most influential, while economic challenges are the most affected. The novelty of this research lies primarily in presenting a comprehensive model of nuclear waste management challenges, followed by the development of two methods, SWARA and DEMATEL, in a decomposed fuzzy set for the first time in fuzzy science. This study will contribute to the insights, strategies, and critical priorities of managers and stakeholders in nuclear waste management by providing a macro perspective. Furthermore, by creating theoretical developments in fuzzy sets, it will assist researchers in various scientific fields in employing precise tools for their prioritizations. One of the global implications of this research is its contribution to reducing environmental damages caused by nuclear waste leakage.