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Germany’s SPD pushes for inclusion of gas in EU green finance taxonomy
(EurActiv, 12 Oct 2021) The role of gas in the energy transition should be reflected in the EU’s green finance taxonomy, according to the economy and energy spokesperson of Germany’s social democratic SPD party, which is expected to lead the next German government coalition.
Gas plays an important role in the transition to clean energy, which “should of course be reflected in the taxonomy,” said German SPD lawmaker Bernd Westphal at an event hosted by think-tank Agora Energiewende in Berlin.
The European Commission’s 2030 climate plan is rightly focused on energy efficiency and renewables, Westphal told EURACTIV on the sidelines of the event, held on 7 October.
But the role of natural gas as the last fossil fuel and a “bridge to the renewable age” requires recognition under the EU’s green finance rules, he added.
Natural gas can be used for example to reduce iron ore in the steel industry, Westphal said, explaining that “natural gas is half cleaner than steel production using coking coal in a blast furnace”.
“This also applies to the use of natural gas to generate electricity and heat. This requires a sensibly designed EU taxonomy, also with regard to the role of natural gas. For security of supply and competitive prices it is essential to use natural gas as the last fossil raw material as a bridge to the renewable age,” he said.
The SPD won the 26 September federal elections and are currently in negotiations with the Greens and the liberal FDP party to form a so-called “traffic light” coalition.
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EurActiv, 12 Oct 2021: Germany’s SPD pushes for inclusion of gas in EU green finance taxonomy
