On Wednesday, MEPs approved the European Commission's "green" label for gas and nuclear. These are two energy sources that have been recognized as essential to combat climate change.
In January, the Commission presented a controversial text that classified as "sustainable" certain investments in the production of electricity from nuclear power stations (which don't emit CO2) and gas-fired energy stations. However, they must mobilize the most advanced technologies. They also make it possible for closure of more polluting, coal-fired power plants.
This taxonomy, also known as a classification, should be used to mobilize private funding for these projects. This classification is necessary to achieve the EU's goal of carbon neutrality by 2050.
MEPs rejected the proposal to veto this project by a majority vote of 328 votes, meeting in Strasbourg plenary session. Only 278 votes were cast in opposition.
After the green light had been given by the Member States, the opponents declared that they would initiate legal proceedings to stop the initiative.
"I ask that you do not reject this fragile compromise, which was negotiated with care," Petr Fiala, the Czech Prime Minister, said on Wednesday morning. His country had just taken over the rotating presidency from France.
He pleaded, "Nuclear energy from safe countries and gas will be the only way for some member state to reach our common climate goals over the next years,"
Environmental organizations have reacted furiously to the recognition that nuclear and gas contribute to climate change mitigation, as based on expert reports. The "green" label used to be reserved for renewable energy.
A few dozen anti-nuclear and pro-environmental activists met face-to-face Wednesday morning after the first demonstrations of environmental defense groups on Tuesday to challenge MEPs at the European Parliament.
During Tuesday's debate, the anti-gas group also spoke in the hemicycle.
"How can we get other countries to use less fossil fuels, if we label them green?" Bas Eickhout (Greens), was the Dutchman who had created it.
MEPs voted against an objection proposal that was adopted by the Economic Affairs and Environment committees on June 14. This is synonymous with a veto of the European executive text.
To block the text of the Commission, an absolute majority of 353 votes was needed.
While no one says that nuclear and gas are green energy, they are essential to the transition. Gilles Boyer, a French MEP (Renew) said that we must make it possible to avoid oil and coal.
Mairead McGuinness (Financial Services Commissioner) said that the EU taxonomy "gives preference to renewables, energy efficiency," and she defended her text in Strasbourg.
However, the EU executive believes renewable energies will not suffice to meet the increasing demand for electricity because of their intermittent production. Therefore, it is necessary to encourage, at most on a temporary basis, investment in stable, controllable resources like nuclear and gas.
These two energy sources have already received the "green" label approval from the Member States. During consultations led by the French Presidency of the Council of the EU only eight countries (including Germany, Austria, and Luxembourg) expressed opposition to the project. This is far less than the 20 countries required to block it.
France, which is looking to restart its nuclear industry, as well as central European countries like Poland, who must replace their coal-fired power plants, support the Commission.
