BAKU, Azerbaijan, Feb.22
By Leman Zeynalova - Trend:
Gaseous fuels and related technologies are split between the green and transitional categories in the EU Sustainable Finance taxonomy, Eurogas is an association representing the European gas wholesale, retail and distribution sectors in relation to relevant EU institutions told Trend.
“Natural gas offers immediate emissions reductions and plays an important role in phasing out coal and oil. This role has been acknowledged by the European Commission in the second Delegated Act, placing natural gas in the transitional category,” said the association.
Eurogas notes that other gases, like hydrogen and biomethane, and gas technologies, such as CCUS are helping to decarbonise the grids as we work towards a carbon neutral gas sector soon after 2045.
Proponents say nuclear power and natural gas must be supported as “bridges” until renewable technologies — like solar, wind or eventually hydrogen — can generate enough power to replace fossil fuels.
But critics, including many members of Parliament, say that it promotes energy sources that are harmful for the environment, and that the new rules smack of greenwashing.
In an open letter to the European Commission in March 2021, 225 scientists, financial institutions and NGOs sound the alarm about a proposal to classify new fossil gas projects as environmentally sustainable under the EU Taxonomy of Sustainable Investments. They call on President von Der Leyen, Vice-President Timmermans and Commissioner McGuinness to listen to the scientists’ recommendations and not cave into the vested interests of the gas lobbies and the falsehoods they have been promoting.
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