Future labeling of nuclear and gas as “green” energies 

The European industries are moving towards a new transformation embracing nuclear and gas as “green” energies after a historic vote of the European Parliament, rejecting a motion to oppose the inclusion of nuclear and gas as environmentally sustainable economic activities. Undoubtedly the industries own the EU French presidency a “Garland of Sonnets” for their intense lobby, making the controversial decision possible. Meanwhile, the opposition to this perspective focuses on the lawsuit to block the unwanted development on the level of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) - writes Anna Van Densky.

The future labelling of nuclear and gas as “green” energies is tit for tat between the French nuclear lobby, and the U.S. shale gas promoters, both exchanging gallantries. The turn caused a whirlwind of rage on the behalf of the political Green parties, who lost their cause to the powerful opponents, supported by the state actors.

At the July Plenary of the European Parliament in Strasbourg the Members (MEPs) did not object to the Commission’s Taxonomy Delegated Act to include specific nuclear and gas energy activities, under certain conditions, in the list of environmentally sustainable economic activities covered by the so-called EU Taxonomy. Originally the Taxonomy was designed to pursue the EU climate and energy targets for 2030, achieving them through the relevant investments into sustainable projects, resilient against potential environmental calamities.

As the Commission insists that there is a role for private investment in gas and nuclear activities in the green transition, it has proposed the classification of certain fossil gas and nuclear energy activities as transitional for contributing to climate change mitigation.

However, the inclusion of certain gas and nuclear activities is time-limited and dependent on specific conditions and transparency requirements, the Commission explains.

278 MEPs voted in favour of the resolution, 328 against and 33 abstained. An absolute majority of 353 MEPs was needed for Parliament to veto the Commission’s proposal. If neither Parliament nor Council object to the proposal by 11 July 2022, the Taxonomy Delegated Act will enter into force and apply as of 1 January 2023.

The Taxonomy regulation is part of the Commission’s action plan on financing sustainable growth and aims to boost green investments and prevent ‘greenwashing’.

However, the last word has not been said! The legal action against the EU Taxonomy decision is on the way: the Luxembourg government has started the preparation of the lawsuit against the European Commission. The move has been joined by Austrian colleagues. The rioting MEPs,  calling their governments to act do not hope that the policy can be blocked at the level of the EU Council, and they see the EU Court (ECJ) as the ultimate instance able to prevent nuclear and gas to be listed as “green” energies.

The political battle for a genuinely green agenda goes on.

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