EU: disagreement between environment ministers over nuclear issue
The meeting between the Ministers of the Environment began with a disagreement between Germany and France, in particular concerning the inclusion of nuclear power in the European green taxonomy project (illustration image).
© Mourad ALLILI/SIPA
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
The Ministers of the Environment of the European Union met in Amiens in the north of France for “informal” discussions around climate themes, the carbon tax at the borders or the fight against imported deforestation.
The nuclear issue in particular was not unanimous among the ministers.
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The meeting began with a
disagreement between Germany and France
.
The German State Secretary for the Environment castigated in front of his French counterpart the inclusion of nuclear power in the European green taxonomy project.
A burning environmental file.
►
To read: Can Europe spearhead the environment?
With its green “
taxonomy
”, Brussels wants to draw up a list of investments considered climate-friendly.
Some facilities that meet the criteria for this green label will therefore be financed more easily.
But the text sent on New Year's Eve by the European Commission makes people cringe, because it includes certain investments in
gas or nuclear power plants
.
Nuclear: neither a "green energy", nor "economic"
On the eve of the deadline given to Member States to request modifications, the German State Secretary for the Environment therefore pointed out Berlin's opposition to the inclusion of nuclear power: "
It is not a green or sustainable energy.
"
It's not economical either
," said Stefan Tidow in front of his French counterpart. However, Paris is campaigning on the contrary for the atom to benefit from the “
green
” label.
Berlin will try to convince, but will wait for the Commission's final proposal before taking a position on the rest of the process.
Austria, followed by Luxembourg, has already been more offensive.
Vienna is not angry with the presence of nuclear and gas in the first version.
It threatens to file a complaint with the Court of Justice of the European Union if the atom remains in the list of green investments.
►
To read: Germany wants to accelerate its energy transition
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