In what we regard as disappointing news, on July 6, Members of the European Parliament approved a legislative proposal to label gas and nuclear as ‘green’ economic activities, in the EU Taxonomy of Sustainable Activities.
A missed opportunity: this was the final political opportunity to prevent gas and nuclear from being classified as green. The so-called ‘Complementary Climate Delegated Act’ (CCDA) on the EU Taxonomy is now approved and will likely enter into force and be applicable as of January 2023.
The Parliament’s vote shows a lack of leadership and a disregard for climate science as well as the teachings of the Pope in the Laudato Si’ Encyclical. Labelling gas as ‘green’ is almost immoral and can be considered an oxymoron in the context of the climate emergency we face, which threatens humanity and the rest of life on this planet and requires us to radically change our societies, transitioning away from fossil fuels. Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe has referred to the classification of gas and nuclear as ‘green’ as a ‘climate disaster’.
This decision seriously undermines the credibility of the EU Taxonomy and weakens the EU’s position as a world climate leader. It provides misleading information to investors and gives the wrong signal to the markets. Classifying gas and nuclear energy as ‘green’ represents a disregard for the findings and recommendations of the EU Platform on Sustainable Finance and for the Technical Expert Group on Sustainable Finance. Additionally, by voting this way, the Parliament has also weakened its own position as co-legislator by endorsing a document created without proper consultation. In fact, the Parliament was not duly consulted by the Commission before the adoption of the CCDA. The Commission also refused the Parliament’s demand to conduct an impact assessment on the effects of the CCDA and did not engage in public consultations.
Ahead of last week’s vote, and together with its Catholic partners (CIDSE and the Laudato Si’ Movement, with the facilitation of ELSiA), JESC engaged in a number of advocacy activities:
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Letter to Members of the EU Parliament (MEPs) asking them to reject the inclusion of gas and nuclear in the Taxonomy.
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Press Release ahead of the vote: a joint press release was published by all partners. Key advocacy messages and background information on the Taxonomy were also spread through social media.
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Communications after the vote: JESC expressed its disappointment and concern for the future through social media messages, via LinkedIn and Twitter.
Looking at the future, and without giving up hope, we will continue engaging in this topic, raising awareness, and supporting initiatives to take the case to the European Court of Justice, as announced by Austria and Luxembourg. Some environmental NGOs are also considering taking legal action, with Greenpeace already having announced it will do so.
Sincerely,
JESC Ecology Secretariat
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