Published: January 1, 2022
By: Deutsche Welle
Germany's Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck has accused the EU of "greenwashing" over a new energy proposal. The EU Commission says that nuclear and gas energy can help the bloc achieve sustainability.The European Commission published a draft proposal on Saturday that suggested classifying gas and nuclear energy and climate-friendly.
The proposal was sent to European Union member states late on Friday night, as 2021 was coming to a close.
The controversial plan, which aims at directing investment towards energy production within the bloc, is set to play out amid an already-existing rift within the bloc.
Supporters of the proposal have argued that gas is "cleaner" than alternatives such as coal and that nuclear energy produces zero carbon emissions.
Opponents reject these options in the pursuit of environmental sustainability. Germany's Vice-Chancellor Robert Habeck, from the environmentalist Green Party, said the plan would "water down" current efforts.
What does the draft document propose?
The guidelines set out in the draft document would limit the green label to only those nuclear power plants that used the most up-to-date technological standards with strict plans for waste disposal.
Likewise for gas plants, only those using the highest standards could be considered for the classification -- with a limit of 100 grams of carbon dioxide released per kilowatt-hour of energy produced.
Member states have until January 12 to react to the draft. If the majority supports the proposal, then it would come into effect from 2023.
The Commission said the plan would "accelerate the phase-out of more harmful sources, such as coal, and in moving us towards a more low-carbon greener energy mix."
How did German lawmakers react?
Habeck, who is also Germany's economy and climate minister, accused the Commission of "greenwashing" -- using policies that appear climate friendly to cover environmentally destructive practices.
"We can't foresee an approval for the new proposals from the EU Commission," Habeck told the German press agency dpa.
He called the labeling of nuclear energy as sustainable "wrong," pointing to the long-term effects of nuclear waste.
"It's more than dubious," Habeck said. "It's questionable anyway if this greenwashing will find any kind of acceptance on the financial market."
His sentiments were mirrored by the German Environment Minister Steffi Lemke.
"I find it completely wrong that the European Commission is intending to classify nuclear energy as a sustainable economic activity," the Green party lawmaker told the Funke media group.
Discerning the Mystery is a website dedicated to awakening and educating the people to their true potential of mental, spiritual, emotional, and physical growth. It can be difficult work, but if just one person benefits from these efforts, it is entirely worth it.
If you enjoy what you read here, please give the post a like and share on social media. Also, if you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a donation.
If you enjoy what you read here, please give the post a like and share on social media. Also, if you enjoyed this article, please consider leaving a donation.
Feel free to send us an email and tell us what you think. If you have any suggestions or subjects you would like to see discussed, please let us know.
Thank you for your support.
No comments:
Post a Comment