An absolute majority of 353 parliamentarians is required to block a decision by Brussels. But the counter of the opponents got stuck at 278 politicians.
Nuclear energy has been the subject of a high voltage debate in Europe for years. Member States such as Austria and Luxembourg are firmly against nuclear energy. Other countries, including the Netherlands, object to declaring natural gas green.
Compromise between Germany and France
The fact that both energy sources now receive a green label is due to a complicated compromise between Germany and France. Paris was previously deeply disappointed because of the lack of virtually CO2-free nuclear power plants in the green taxonomy. This is a kind of guide that investors, insurers and pension funds can consult to see if an investment is sustainable.
After a strong lobby by Paris, the European Commission has decided to add nuclear energy. Later on, at the request of Berlin, natural gas was added. Our eastern neighbors planned to replace their coal-fired power stations and nuclear reactors with gas-fired power stations. In order to convince everyone, Brussels has set very strict conditions for the green label. It is also temporary.
War in Ukraine
The member states have already agreed and it also seemed to be a runaway race in the European Parliament. Until the war in Ukraine came. In order not to fill Vladimir Putin’s war chest, the EU suddenly wants to get rid of Russian natural gas at a rapid pace. Many MEPs find it no longer possible to sell in order to stimulate new investment in natural gas.
Clubs like Greenpeace have used the war to frame their opposition to natural gas and nuclear energy. In front of the European Parliament, activists present a veto against the taxonomy as an act to help Ukraine. Kiev is not waiting for that at all. In fact, the Ukrainian energy ministers have called for support for the green label.
Whether the expansion of the taxonomy to include gas and nuclear will result in a huge investment wave remains to be seen. Nuclear proponents celebrate it mainly as a symbolic victory.