The European Commission’s plan to classify energy from gas and nuclear power plants as green has passed its final hurdle when the deadline for objections by member states passed after midnight.
At least 20 Member States, together representing at least 65 percent of the European population, could have blocked the proposed classification before midnight. Since that has not happened, investments in gas and nuclear energy will be classified as green from January 2023.
Last week the European Parliament already failed to block the classification rules. It took 353 votes to oppose the Commission’s plan, but the votes stalled at 328.
Climate activists have been warning for months about the proposed plan, which they say will reduce investment in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
France and Germany were the main proponents of the plan. In Germany, gas is used as a transition to switch to renewable sources. France relies heavily on nuclear energy to minimize greenhouse gas emissions.
Ministers in Luxembourg and Austria have announced they will take legal action against the new classification.