Media reaction: 2 February 2022
Environmental lawyers sound alarm as ink dries on gas in EU taxonomy
The European Commission announced today a final decision to classify different gas and nuclear-based economic activities as transitional activities and therefore as ‘sustainable’ investments.
Marta Toporek, lawyer at environmental law charity ClientEarth, said: “Branding gas as transitional and green in the taxonomy clashes with a number of EU laws, including the EU’s obligations under the Paris Agreement, the European Climate Law and – amazingly – the Taxonomy Regulation itself. Failing to take these legal obligations into account puts the Commission at serious risk of legal challenge.
“We now urge the European Parliament to prevent a disaster in the making and veto the Commission’s proposal.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
In October 2021, ClientEarth published a legal analysis showing that including gas in the Taxonomy creates a serious risk of clash with other EU laws.
About ClientEarth
ClientEarth is a non-profit organisation that uses the law to create systemic change that protects the Earth for – and with – its inhabitants. We are tackling climate change, protecting nature and stopping pollution, with partners and citizens around the globe. We hold industry and governments to account, and defend everyone’s right to a healthy world. From our offices in Europe, Asia and the USA we shape, implement and enforce the law, to build a future for our planet in which people and nature can thrive together.