Austria is taking on the European Union over plans to characterize nuclear and natural gas power generation as sustainable energies amid efforts to combat climate change.
The Austrian government on Friday filed a lawsuit with the EU’s highest court over the classification used to define clean energy resources. The EU Executive Commission plans to add certain nuclear and gas plants next year to a list that helps investors determine which projects are sustainable.
Austrian Environment Minister Leonore Gewessler warned that the move could “greenwash” nuclear power and gas despite the environmental damage they cause.
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Four of the Dukovany NPP’s cooling towers rise above the natural surroundings of Dukovany, Czech Republic. Austria is taking the European Union to court over a measure that would classify natural gas and nuclear power as sustainable energy.
(AP)
He said calling climate-damaging natural gas green is misleading and could damage the EU’s credibility.
He noted that the disasters at Chernobyl in Ukraine and Fukushima in Japan have shown that nuclear power plants come with “incalculable risks.”
In a series of tweets, Gewessler said adding certain types of gas to Europe’s taxonomy system “does not do justice to Europe’s efforts for a good, climate-friendly future.”
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Austria relies primarily on hydropower for most of its energy needs, UPI reported.
The nation of Luxembourg, also a member of the EU, said it will support Austria in its legal case.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
