Berlin’s clean industry wish-list: Kick nuclear out of EU financing

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Euractiv or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Germany’s Economy State Secretary, Sven Giegold, is pushing for nuclear energy to be excluded from all EU financing in the upcoming Clean Industrial Deal
• He emphasizes the need for massive investments in renewable energy to ensure the EU's energy transition and industrial competitiveness
• Giegold’s remarks come amid tensions with France over unmet renewable energy targets and nuclear reliance

🔭 The context: The Clean Industrial Deal, part of von der Leyen’s new Commission agenda, aims to bolster green growth while ensuring competitiveness in the global market
• Germany, the EU's largest economy, seeks to prioritize renewables and accelerate energy efficiency measures like heat pump initiatives and hydrogen frameworks
• France’s slower progress on renewables remains a contentious issue

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: By focusing on renewables over nuclear energy, the Clean Industrial Deal could significantly reduce the EU’s carbon footprint and promote sustainable energy sources
• Excluding nuclear from financing would reinforce the EU's commitment to renewable energy targets

⏭️ What's next: Giegold’s proposals include setting 2040 renewable energy targets, relaxing environmental impact assessments, and developing a "grid union" for better electricity grid planning
• Germany will continue pushing for these measures in upcoming EU negotiations

💬 One quote: "It is important to exclude nuclear energy and its production from all EU funding," said Giegold, emphasizing the renewable focus

📈 One stat: The EU aims to reach 42.5% renewable energy by 2030, with pressure on France to increase its target to 44%

Click for more news covering the latest on nuclear energy