Energy: classification, the first test of the German alliance

The European Commission’s classification project provides the first stress test for the new German alliance. By planning a classification of sustainable investments in nuclear energy to produce electricity, it has irritated the Greens. The Minister of Economy and Climate, Robert Habeck, and the Minister of the Environment, Stevie Lemke, have criticized an unacceptable form of “greenwashing”.

Unlike the Social Democrats (SPD) and Liberals (FDP), who remain conservative about the Commission’s plan, environmentalists are also critical of the sustainability label given to natural gas. They fear significant investment will be diverted from renewable energies that Germany desperately needs to reach its goal of carbon neutrality by 2045. But government spokesman Stephen Hebestreet has left them with little hope. The Greens will likely have to fold that first coil.

No complaint against Brussels

Admittedly, the spokesperson on Monday reiterated the government’s “clear opposition” to any use, even for peaceful purposes, of nuclear technology, which is considered “dangerous.” On the other hand, Stephen Hepstreet, like Liberal Finance Minister Christian Lindner, considered that conditional labeling of gas power plants is necessary to ensure energy security in the country.

The European Commission appears to be operating on a secure legal basis.

Government spokesman Stephen Hebestreet

Lacking green hydrogen in sufficient quantities, the volatility of renewable energies does not allow for an accelerated end to coal, which the Greens desire in 2030. Stephen Hebestreet also dismissed a complaint against the eligibility of nuclear energy investments, Austria announced. He stressed that according to him, “the European Commission looks legally in a safe position.”

tough negotiations

On the other hand, the government’s decision to abstain, reject or ratify the European text was left open. The document, which will be examined over the next few days by the Chancellery and the Ministry of Economy and Environment, promises strong tensions as the Environmental Party plays its credibility towards its own forces and environmental organizations.

The parliamentary group of environmentalists is particularly upset. “Categorizing nuclear energy and natural gas as sustainable is a misclassification, from an environmental and economic point of view,” says Stefan Wenzel, the green parliamentarian responsible for environmental and climate issues in the Bundestag. “Europe wastes a lot of time arguing over classification. In the end, the most economical and sustainable technology will prevail. In its current state it is renewable energies”, he assures us.