The Brussels-based nuclear industry group Foratom has welcomed the European commission’s goal of becoming more ambitious in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, but warned that expecting member states to reduce emissions, while at the same time preventing them from investing in specific low-carbon technologies such as nuclear, would be counter-productive.

Foratom said if the EU is to achieve its zero-carbon target 2050, then its current 2030 CO2 reduction targets may not be enough. “We therefore support the commission’s goal of raising this target, so long as it leaves member states free to choose their own low-carbon energy mix.