[UPDATE] Parliament Rejects Objection to Nuclear and Gas Green Label
UPDATE 6 JULY 2022
On 6 July 2022, the European Parliament rejected the objection made by a consistent group of MEPs on the green labelling of nuclear and gas activities. The assembly failed to reach the absolute majority needed for vetoing the Commission proposal with only 278 MEPs approving the resolution.
The Commission draft delegated act included in the Taxonomy Delegated Act under the broader EU-Taxonomy allowed some nuclear and gas activities to be considered as environmentally sustainable economic activities.
At this point, the Taxonomy Delegated Act will enter into force and apply starting from 1 January 2023, if both Parliament and Council do not object any of the content by 11 July 2022.
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MEPs reject the inclusion of gas and nuclear in EU Taxonomy
Today, during a joint meeting of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee (ECON) and the Environment, Public Health, and Food Safety Committee (ENVI), MEPs objected the Commission’s proposal to include nuclear and gas in the EU Taxonomy. The motion for a resolution objecting the Commission's proposal was adopted with 76 votes to 62 votes and 4 abstentions.
In the motion for a resolution, MEPs call for a public consultation and impact assessments for any new or amended delegated acts considering significant economic, environmental, and social impacts.
Moreover, MEPs state that Member States are free to decide on their energy mix and investors can continue investments in any sector they wish to.
The motion for a resolution recognises the role of nuclear and fossil gas in stabilising energy supplies during the green transition. However, the proposed technical screening standards per the delegated regulation, do not respect the criteria for environmentally sustainable economic activities.
The motion for resolution will be voted in the next Plenary on 4-7 July. The European Parliament and Council have until 11 July 2022 to decide whether to veto the Commission’s proposal. Following an absolute majority of MEPs objecting to the proposal, the Commission will have to withdraw or amend it.
To access the motion for a resolution, click here.