European Union environment ministers gathered in France Thursday (20 January) to mull climate policy and the merits of a carbon border tax, while airing differences on whether nuclear energy can be classified as “green”.

The two-day informal talks in Amiens, hosted by France as it takes the rotating reins of the EU presidency, will look for a unified path toward achieving the 27-nation bloc’s ambitious target of slashing carbon emissions 55% from 1990 levels.

Discussion on overhauling the EU’s electricity market and carbon-trading system, already fraught, unfolds against a backdrop of sharp increases in energy prices, especially natural gas.

Guest post from EurActiv