Classification lifeline – WWF calls for veto power on nuclear and gas

Today, the EU Parliament takes a decision on the greenwashing of the EU classification – security of supply and climate protection at risk according to WWF: Federal government must sue if necessary

Vienna/Brussels (OTS) – Today is the last chance to prevent the greenwashing of nuclear energy and fossil gas. The EU Parliament can object to its inclusion in the EU Classification, Catalog of Sustainable Investments. “Parliament must shed today’s lifeline to correct the grave mistake made by the European Union Commission. In the current energy crisis in particular, we have to reduce our dependence on gas instead of washing away this highly destructive form of energy with the climate.“, Claims Jacob Mayer, sustainable finance expert at WWF Austria. The whole of Europe is currently trying to reduce gas consumption and promote the expansion of renewable energy sources. The inclusion of fossil gas in the EU classification will only increase the demand for Russian gas, and thus make independent and secure energy supply in Europe more difficult. That would be a gift to Putin and a setback for climate protection. Europe must now invest primarily in energy-saving programs and eco-friendly renewables rather than creating new fossil dependencies.Mayer says.

The EU Parliament can still save the rating today by sending a strong signal of real climate protection to global financial markets with its veto. Otherwise, Austria must honor its declaration and take legal action in the European Court of Justice, as demanded by the WWF. In addition, the ingestion of fossil gas must also be objected to. “Because besides nuclear energy, natural gas is neither sustainable nor future-proof, and therefore a completely wrong answer to both the climate crisis, biodiversity and energy crisis. So neither should have a place in the rankings,” says Jacob Meyer of the World Wide Fund for Nature. Fossil gas, along with oil and coal, is one of the biggest killers of climate worldwide, responsible for 20 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions. Global warming in Austria alone.

A particular problem is the methane gas released during production, which is a more harmful greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Added to this are the high economic costs, because most of the natural gas must be imported at a significant cost. Investments in liquid gas plants, pipelines and gas storage facilities are not mentioned at all in the legal act that will be voted upon. Only developers of new climate gas-fired power plants can hope to invest more. “It’s the last chance for classification. EU parliamentarians must now return it to what was originally planned: a credible science-based catalog of standards for climate- and nature-friendly economic activities.asks Jacob Mayer of the World Wide Fund for Nature.

Questions and contact:

Alexa Lutry, MA
Spokesperson for the World Wide Fund for Nature in Austria
0676834 88240
Alexa@wwf.at