Greenpeace and other NGOs are on a war footing against the European Union. The reason? The inclusion of gas and nuclear in the so-calledgreen taxonomy” of the EU, i.e. a list of economic activities considered green.
Besides Greenpeace, also four other environmental NGOs – Transport & Environment, WWF, ClientEarth e FEDERATION – have joined in the legal battle against this decision. The first “round” in court begins today.
Green yes, green no
As for gas, NGOs argue that its inclusion in the green taxonomy is particularly controversial, because its combustion produces CO2 emissions, albeit to a lesser extent than coal. Campaigners fear that additional investment in gas infrastructure could conflict with the EU's climate goals.
And what about nuclear power? it does not produce emissions, but raises environmental concerns linked to the waste it produces, and the risk of taking away investments from renewable technologies such as solar and wind.
Ariadne Rodrigo, head of Greenpeace's EU sustainable finance campaign, does not send them word: "Big polluters are already using this false label to take green financing away from those who really need it."
According to Greenpeace, only a victory in court could give the EU a real chance of reaching its climate goals.
The EU's response and future prospects
Last September, environmental associations asked the European Commission to review the inclusion of gas and nuclear power in the green taxonomy.
In February, the Commission responded by saying it had acted according to the law: hence, the confrontation. Which starts today and will last for a long time: a sentence is expected to arrive in 2025. In case of victory for the NGOs, the EU Commission will have to take a sensational step back.
In short (Italian only)
The inclusion of gas and nuclear in the EU's “green taxonomy” has attracted criticism from the outset. And it highlights how delicate the issue of energy and environmental sustainability is.
Having a clear and shared definition of what is truly "green" is essential to correctly direct investments and policies in favor of the climate.
The dispute between Greenpeace, other NGOs and the European Commission will be an important test to understand whether the EU is really willing to undertake an energy transition path consistent with its climate objectives.
