Copyright © ChangeInc 2023

Planes and cruise ships with a green investment label: five NGOs don't get it. With an official request, they want to prevent polluting means of transport from being permanently included in the EU Taxonomy.

With the criteria, all new aircraft of RyanAir, easyJet and Wizz Air will get a green investment stamp | Credit: Getty Images

The EU Taxonomy is part of the Green Deal. It should provide insight into which investments are sustainable. This is because the taxonomy determines what does and does not count as a green investment. For example, an investment may only be labeled sustainable if it is destined for something in the taxonomy.

Gas and nuclear power

On paper a good idea, you might think. But in practice, the list leads to a lot of hassle. For example, because member states tend to have different opinions. For example, France wanted to label nuclear power plants, of which it has dozens, as green. Germany, on the other hand, wanted gas in the taxonomy. This is because it is a more sustainable alternative than coal and lignite, which the country still uses.

After long discussions, the decision was made and both gas and nuclear energy were classified as green. However, under strict conditions, namely that they replace something even more polluting. This decision already led to dissatisfaction among various (environmental) organizations.

Shipping and aviation

A similar story is now playing out in the transportation sector. Aviation criteria dictate that aircraft can be included in the taxonomy if they meet a set standard for fuel efficiency and blend more sustainable fuels. This leads to all new aircraft from RyanAir, easyJet and Wizz Air getting a green stamp. With the criteria, ships that run on LNG - a polluting fossil fuel - are also classified as green investments.

Official objection

This is a thorn in the side of five NGOs. Fossil Free NL, Protect our Winters Austria, Dryade, CLAW and Opportunity Green have now officially objected. They have submitted a Request for Internal Review, obliging the European Commission to reconsider its new criteria for shipping and aviation within three to six months. If the European Commission does not do so, the five organizations can go to the European Court.

Fossielvrij NL is a party that it says is building and supporting the fossil-free movement in the Netherlands. Hiske Arts of Fossielvrij NL lets us know: "Including airplanes and ships in the taxonomy is just as absurd as adding fries and butter cake to the 'Schijf van Vijf'. The EU is thus single-handedly turning its taxonomy into a toothless tiger. If we don't stop this, money intended for climate solutions will actually fuel the climate crisis. For it encourages the polluting aviation and shipping industry to continue to grow. That is disastrous for our life on this planet."

Greenwashing

Carly Hicks of Opportunity Green fears greenwashing. Her organization fights climate change through legal means. "Large cruise ships running on fossil gas could be given a green label, despite the fact that these ships leak methane, which has disastrous effects on the climate. All sectors and companies should be held accountable for their part in reducing emissions, and the EU has a hugely important role in ensuring this. Instead, this decision risks directing huge amounts of money to highly polluting activities. It is the worst form of greenwashing. If the Commission does not address the legal violations we believe we have identified, we will be forced to sue."

Also read:

  • More and more professional groups on the barricade for the climate

© The Content Exchange, source News