EU countries buy more time to scrutinise green investment rules

(EurActiv, 23 Sep 2021) European Union countries on Wednesday (22 September) pushed back their deadline to object to the EU’s proposed rule book for green investments, giving themselves another two months to scrutinise the politically sensitive policy.

The EU’s “sustainable finance taxonomy” is a list of economic activities and the rules they must meet to be labelled as green investments, starting next year. Aimed at stamping out “greenwashing”, Brussels hopes the rules will steer private capital into truly climate-friendly projects.

EU countries are scrutinising the European Commission’s proposal for the first section of the taxonomy, which defines “green” investments in sectors including transport and heavy industry.

With the delay, representatives from EU countries will now have until early December, instead of October, to scrutinise the rules, according to a public document for the representatives’ meeting.

During that period, a majority of countries or the European Parliament could object to the taxonomy proposal and block it.