Guide to search through the science based Taxonomy

1.Select the activity you are looking for using the search bar.

The substantial contribution criteria set in the legislation has been classified and color coded whereby

Red = not acceptable /wrong criteria

Amber = marginally wrong/needs improvements

Green = good criteria

Where possible, in the case of Red and Amber we suggest a science based alternative set of criteria.

Where the criteria are not color coded in either (Green, Amber or Red) but appears in White, the criteria is pending analysis and assessment is to be further determined.

2.What's the substantial contribution criteria of the EU Taxonomy?

An economic activity can make a substantial contribution to one or more of the environmental objectives set out in the Taxonomy. This means that, based on the technical screening criteria, the economic activity either has a substantial positive environmental impact or substantially reduces negative impacts on the activity on the environment.

3.What's the science based Taxonomy?

The science based Taxonomy aims to establish a Taxonomy of environmentally sustainable activities providing a sustainable score (with a “green”/”amber”/”red” color code) to rate the criteria of the official one and to provide, where possible, science based criteria.

4. On Energy sector (Bioenergy, Nuclear, Gas)

We want to emphasise our position for each activities :

Activity 4.26 : Pre-commercial stages of advanced technologies to produce energy from nuclear processes with minimal waste from the fuel cycle

The EU Platform on Sustainable Finance has identified critical DNSH issues in the criteria published by the European Commission regarding activities 4.27 and 4.28. The concerns about the safeguarding of the sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources, the transition to a circular economy, pollution prevention and control, and the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems are applicable to activity 4.26.

Activity 4.26 cannot be considered taxonomy-aligned as it does not ensure no significant harm to these objectives and is therefore classified as environmentally unsustainable. Furthermore, it does not meet the requirements of the Taxonomy Regulation.

Activity 4.27 : Construction and safe operation of new nuclear power plants, for the generation of electricity or heat, including for hydrogen production, using best-available technologies

The EU Platform on Sustainable Finance concluded that the technical screening criteria proposed in the Complementary Delegated Act for this activity do not aid the EU's 2050 climate neutrality goals.

Furthermore, the Platform has concluded that the technical screening criteria proposed in the Complementary Delegated Act for this activity are not aligned with the Taxonomy regulation as they do not meet DNSH thresholds on any of the environmental objectives not linked to climate change - sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources, the transition to a circular economy, pollution prevention and control, and the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems.

This activity is therefore classified as unsustainable and does not qualify for inclusion. This is in line with the Platform recommendation that 'activities 4.27 and 4.28, as defined by the TSCs should not be considered as taxonomy aligned on the basis that they do not ensure DNSH and therefore do not meet the requirements of the Taxonomy Regulation.'

Activity 4.28 : Electricity generation from nuclear energy in existing installations

The EU Platform on Sustainable Finance has concluded that the technical screening criteria proposed in the Complementary Delegated Act for this activity are not aligned with the Taxonomy regulation as they do not meet DNSH thresholds on any of the environmental objectives not linked to climate change - sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources, the transition to a circular economy, pollution prevention and control, and the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems.

This activity is therefore classified as unsustainable and does not qualify for inclusion. This is in line with the Platform recommendation that 'activities 4.27 and 4.28, as defined by the TSCs should not be considered as taxonomy aligned on the basis that they do not ensure DNSH and therefore do not meet the requirements of the Taxonomy Regulation.'

5. For further reference, you will find a visual representation of the contents of the EU Taxonomy here : EU Taxonomy Compass.