MEPs: ‘Nuclear power and gas are not sustainable’

In a committee vote on Tuesday, 14 June, Members of the The EU’s directly elected legislative body comprised of 705 members. It is involved in policymaking but it does not have the power to propose new legislation. European Parliament objected to the Commission’s proposed classification of some nuclear and gas energy activities as sustainable economic activities in the EU Taxonomy. However, the final word has not yet been spoken as the The EU’s directly elected legislative body comprised of 705 members. It is involved in policymaking but it does not have the power to propose new legislation. European Parliament’s plenary will still have to vote on the A non-binding political text adopted by an institution (e.g. the Parliament) expressing a position on a topic or assessing an event, possibly demanding action. resolution objecting to the Commission’s classification.

What is the EU Taxonomy?

The EU Taxonomy is a classification system specifying which economic activities can be considered environmentally sustainable. Its goal is to foster sustainable investments by clarifying the term ‘sustainable’ and to help to implement the European Green Deal.

What’s the Deal with the EU Green Deal?

The Taxonomy Regulation has already been in force since 12 July 2020, setting out the main conditions that make an economic activity sustainable. Since then, the Commission has developed more complementary legislation, called delegated acts, further specifying parts of the taxonomy framework.

Is nuclear energy green? The Commission’s controversial energy proposal

Who voted on Tuesday?

The delegated act in question on gas and nuclear activities has been the subject of much controversy, as became clear in the committee vote. In a joint meeting of the Parliament’s Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee and the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee, 76 members objected to the Commission’s proposal of classifying some gas and nuclear activities as sustainable, while 62 supported the Commission’s proposal, and four members abstained.

Bas Eickhout, member of both committees and the Parliament’s An MEP tasked with drafting a report on a proposed piece of legislation based on committee exchanges and expert consultations . The European Parliament then votes on the report which may include amendments to the legislative proposal. rapporteur for the taxonomy regulation, gave an evaluation of the voting outcome:

“Today’s vote shows that while many of the A Member of the European Parliament (MEP) is a person who has been elected to serve as a representative in the European Parliament. MEPs understand that nuclear power and gas are not sustainable, it is still a tight race. We need massive investment in the expansion of renewable energies, not the energies of the past. The Green Deal must not be used to finance energies that harm the environment and climate and pose unmanageable risks. The EU has the chance to take the global lead in the fight against climate change and set the gold standard for investment in the climate neutral economy.”

What’s next?

The A non-binding political text adopted by an institution (e.g. the Parliament) expressing a position on a topic or assessing an event, possibly demanding action. resolution adopted by the Committees on Tuesday will be put to a vote during the plenary session of the Parliament from 4-7 July. The The EU’s directly elected legislative body comprised of 705 members. It is involved in policymaking but it does not have the power to propose new legislation. European Parliament might force the Commission to withdraw or amend the proposal if an absolute majority of 353 A Member of the European Parliament (MEP) is a person who has been elected to serve as a representative in the European Parliament. MEPs reject the Commission’s plans to classify some gas and nuclear activities as sustainable. Otherwise, the Parliament and the An institution representing the Member States’ interests. Either comprised of the heads of government (European Council) or more frequently the ministers (Council of the EU) meeting in different constellations depending on the policy area. Involved in policy-making, often together with the European Parliament. Council can veto the Commission’s proposal until 11 July.