Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
134. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his views on the inclusion of gas and nuclear energy in the European Union taxonomy as being compatible to contributing to fighting climate change particularly in view of his March 2021 letter to the European Commission opposing any increase to the threshold for gas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1337/22]
View answerThe EU Taxonomy for sustainable activities classifies what are to be considered environmentally sustainable economic activities for investment and reporting purposes. The European Commission circulated a draft Delegated Regulation on EU Taxonomy last month.
As set out in a letter that I co-signed with Ministers from a number of other Member States in March of last year, it is considered important that a science-based approach is followed that reflects the actual contribution of each technology and sector to the achievement of a climate neutral EU by 2050 at the latest. In this regard, a maximum level of emissions (i.e. 100grams of CO2 per kWh) could be set in order to be considered low carbon as a basis for inclusion in the EU Taxonomy.
In Ireland, my colleague the Minister for Finance is leading in relation to this common classification system proposal. My Department is examining the European Commission proposal in order to input into the Department of Finance response.
Following the consultation process currently underway, it is expected that the European Commission will publish a final Delegated Act. This would then be formally adopted and would enter into force at the end of the four-month scrutiny period (extendable by two further months) of the European Council and the European Parliament.
