The EU parliament will vote on Wednesday on whether investments in gas and nuclear energy should be considered climate-friendly and sustainable in the future. The outcome of the vote is uncertain. At least 353 of the 705 MEPs must speak out against the so-called taxonomy, then it will not come into effect. Austrian MPs announced cross-party opposition. Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (Greens) has filed another complaint.
The majority of Greens, Social Democrats and Left voted against the taxonomy. The decision of the European People’s Party and the liberals is uncertain. In any case, a tight vote is expected.
The goal is climate neutrality
With the taxonomy, the Commission aims to determine which financial investments are considered climate-friendly in the future. This should help mobilize the billions needed for climate change and pave the way for the EU to become climate neutral by 2050.
However, the fact that gas and nuclear energy must be classified as environmentally sustainable according to certain criteria irritates environmentalists and some EU countries. Austria had already announced a lawsuit before the European Court of Justice (ECJ) when the regulation came into force. Climate Protection Minister Gewessler threatened again with legal action on Wednesday after the Council of Ministers. If the vote supports the Commission’s proposal, “of course we will file a lawsuit,” she said.
The EU countries can block the proposal from the EU Commission until 11 July. However, this is considered highly unlikely and the necessary vote on this has reportedly not been scheduled.
‘Chamber must throw a lifeline’
“Today Parliament must throw away the lifeline to right the European Commission’s grave mistake. Especially in the current energy crisis, we need to reduce our dependence on gas instead of green-washing this extremely climate-damaging form of energy,” demands Jakob Mayr, an expert in sustainable finance at WWF Austria. If fossil gas and nuclear energy were included, the whole taxonomy effort would be reduced to absurdity, the association “Atomstopp Oberösterreich” warns.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
