Ursula von der Leyen Lapresse
Green taxonomy: nuclear and gas confirmed as sustainable energy sources
Nuclear and gas have been confirmed sustainable energy sources by the college of European commissioners, which adopted the delegated act on the so-called green taxonomy. The document confirms the sustainability criteria anticipated in the taxonomy draft sent to the Member States on 31 December last.
The list of sustainable investments includes research and development activities on next generation nuclear power and for the safe storage of radioactive waste. In addition, the construction of new generation nuclear plants and the extension of the operation of the current plants are promoted. As regards gas, the activities envisage the production of electricity and the production of heat / cold in an efficient district heating and cooling system.
“The objective – reads the note from the Commission – is accelerate the transition, drawing on all possible solutions to help us achieve our climate goals “. “The activities in the gas and nuclear sectors selected – added the Commission – are in line with the climate and environmental objectives of the EU and will allow us to accelerate the transition from more polluting activities, such as coal production, towards a future climate neutral, based mainly on renewable energy sources “.
The European Parliamentor and the Advice they now have four months to examine the document, which the EU co-legislators will only be able to approve or reject, without making changes.
There Germany remains against, as the spokesman for Chancellor Olaf Scholz explains, Steffen Hebestreit “There are four months. We will evaluate the position of the Commission and then, after a confrontation in the coalition, we will decide how to behave”.
The Austrian government announced that it will denounce to the European Court of Justice the classification as “green energy” of gas and nuclear power decided by the European Commission. “We will prepare all legal measures in the coming weeks and, if or when the taxonomy comes into effect, we will initiate legal action in the European Court of Justice,” announced Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler.
In Italy the reaction of the M5Sstrong the words of Giuseppe Conte: “The EU Commission includes nuclear and gas among the sustainable sources in which to invest: a step backwards, which ignores the criticisms of the experts. The M5S will oppose this solution in all its offices. environmental Protection”.
Alessandra Todde, Deputy Minister for Economic Development and Vice President of M5S, declares: “The introduction of sustainable energy sources from nuclear and gas into the green taxonomy is a step back in the fight against climate change and weakens the Green New Deal strategy “.
Todde continues: “The failure to include the two sources within the taxonomy it does not in any way imply any prohibition of use or investment. Instead, it implies that the two sources, which are not sustainable, will be able to benefit from funds that should be dedicated to sustainable energy, thus subtracting significant resources from renewable energy “.” The decision of the EU Commission can still be modified by the European Parliament which I hope will address decision without ideologies ”, concludes the vice president.
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