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.