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German Government Divided Over EU Nuclear Sustainability Classification

Economics Minister Reiche supports technology neutrality, while Environment Minister Schneider firmly opposes nuclear energy's inclusion as sustainable.

Overview

  • The German government is internally split on whether to classify nuclear energy as sustainable under the EU taxonomy, a key factor for green financing decisions.
  • Economics Minister Katherina Reiche has expressed openness to EU funding for small modular reactors (SMRs) and advocates for a technology-neutral approach to low-carbon energy.
  • Environment Minister Carsten Schneider strongly opposes any shift in Germany's anti-nuclear stance, citing higher costs and risks compared to renewables.
  • A Franco-German joint paper earlier in May called for equal treatment of all low-carbon technologies, including nuclear, at the EU level.
  • Discussions within the German coalition and with EU partners are ongoing as the EU works toward finalizing its green energy taxonomy.