Letter to EU Commission
Taxonomy: Germany says no to nuclear power
01/21/2022, 10:17 p.m
The EU Commission wants to classify nuclear power plants as “green” investments under certain conditions. This is controversial among the member states, and Germany also objects shortly before the deadline. The federal government sees it differently when it comes to gas, which should therefore be a bridging solution.
The Federal Government is clearly opposed to the EU Commission classifying nuclear power as sustainable, but supports a corresponding classification of gas as a bridge solution. This emerges from the German statement on the so-called taxonomy, which was sent to Brussels on Friday evening. “From the point of view of the federal government, nuclear energy is not sustainable,” the letter says.
Realistic values should be set for the bridging technology natural gas, which the federal government believes is important, so that the expansion of a gas energy system based on renewable energy sources is not hindered in the medium to long term. The EU Commission’s proposal provides for gas and nuclear power plants to be classified as “green” investments under certain conditions.
The “taxonomy” defines which areas of the economy are considered climate-friendly. Germany and the 26 other EU member states were able to comment on the Commission’s proposal by midnight. The Commission then wants to turn the draft into an official so-called delegated act – and thus initiate the next step towards implementation. A group of 20 of the 27 EU countries, which represents at least 65 percent of EU citizens, could still prevent this with a no. However, this is considered unrealistic.
Austria also wanted to convey its “serious concerns” to the Commission. “We are undermining the credibility of the taxonomy. It is misleading to call energies sustainable that are not,” said Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler. Nuclear energy is too expensive and too slow to make a contribution to combating climate change. Austria had previously threatened legal action if the Commission classified nuclear power and gas as sustainable.
Luxembourg also wants to go to court in the case. Luxembourg Energy Minister Claude Turmes accused EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen of “massive abuse of power”. The chosen form of a delegated act is only intended to supplement non-essential provisions. This does not apply to the debate about the classification of nuclear power and gas.