France – MEPs from the two responsible committees objected to nuclear and gas being included in the list of environmentally sustainable economic activities.
MEPs adopted an objection to the Commission’s proposal to include specific nuclear and gas energy activities in the list of environmentally sustainable economic activities covered by the so-called EU Taxonomy in a joint meeting of the Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee and the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee on Tuesday, with 76 votes to 62 votes and four abstentions.
Sustainable activities
The role of nuclear and fossil gas in ensuring a stable energy supply during the transition to a sustainable economy is acknowledged by MEPs. However, they believe that the technical screening standards proposed by the Commission in its delegated regulation to support their inclusion do not comply with the Taxonomy Regulation’s criteria for environmentally sustainable economic activities.
MEPs also requested that any new or amended delegated acts be subjected to public consultation and impact assessments because they may have significant economic, environmental, and social consequences. The Commission will have to withdraw or amend its proposal if an absolute majority of MEPs (353) object to it.