Page 54 - Zenith 2023-웹용

54
Zenith 2023 ↘ 4) Social Issuest 54

55
55
EU’s ‘green’ taxonomy

Conclusion of natural gas and nuclear

power generation in the EU

Climate change is not the future’s, but today’s leading
battle. Stakes here are high: do we truly have the
ambition to fight climate change and to achieve energy
independence or not? The rise of energy prices has
also shown how important it is to reduce our energy
dependence on third countries as fast as possible. We
should pay attention not to increase our dependency
on energy imports from outside Europe. Therefore, the
European Parliament, the final gateway passed the
European Commission’s Green Taxonomy bill, which
classifies nuclear power and natural gas as green energy
on July 6th. Until the final green taxonomy was finalized, Europe was in conflict for more than a year. This
is because the supporters, led by France, a major power in nuclear power, and the opponents, led by
Germany, a representative country that have abandoned nuclear power, are clashing. However, as Germany
compromised with France to include natural gas in its taxonomy, the final draft was completed via executive
action on February 2 (local time). The European Parliament held a plenary session on July 6 and voted
against the taxonomy delegation bill finalized by the executive in February with 278 votes in favor, 328
votes against, and 33 abstentions. Accordingly, a green taxonomy that includes nuclear power and natural
gas can be implemented from next year.

First, what is EU Taxonomy (Green Taxonomy)? It is
a classification system established to clarify which
investments are environmentally sustainable, in the
context of the European Green Deal. Furthermore, it is
a reference point for classifying eco-friendly economic
activities that contribute to greenhouse gas reduction,
etc., and has a very important meaning to the industry
because it induces investment in eco-friendly projects
(green finance). The aim of the taxonomy is to prevent
greenwashing and to help investors make greener
choices. Investments are judged by six objectives: climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation,
the circular economy, pollution, effect on water, and biodiversity.