The Green politician’s criticism is also sparked by the Commission’s chosen path via a delegated legal act.
(Photo: dpa)
Berlin Federal Environment Minister Steffi Lemke (Greens) calls for a completely new procedure for a “green” labeling of energy by the EU. “Given the importance of the issues discussed here, there must now be a public consultation and eventually a due legislative process,” she told Reuters on Thursday. “This is the only way to sufficiently ensure the participation of the public, the Member States and the European Parliament.”
The Commission’s draft of the so-called taxonomy is also unacceptable in terms of content: “The inclusion of nuclear power and natural gas in the taxonomy would be a clear mistake.” To classify this as sustainable for the financial markets would be greenwashing. It would irreparably damage the taxonomy as a trustworthy, resilient measure of sustainable economic activity.
Lemke was also reacting to statements made by EU Financial Markets Commissioner Mairead McGuinness. She had said that despite criticism from Germany and other countries, there would be no fundamental changes to the taxonomy. There is only limited scope, she made clear in the “Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung”.
Climate Minister Robert Habeck (Greens) had expressed hope during a visit to Brussels that the Commission would make changes.
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Lemke’s criticism is also sparked by the path chosen by the Commission via a so-called delegated legal act: Here the Commission has many freedoms and member states and Parliament only have the option of stopping the project as a whole with their own majorities. The Commission is expected to publish the final text in early February. Parliament and member states then have up to six months to reject it. However, this is considered unlikely, since at least 20 states would have to vote against it and a no in parliament is hardly in sight. Austria and Luxembourg have already announced a lawsuit against the taxonomy.
More: Comment: The dispute over the taxonomy is becoming a reality check for the Greens