The European Union (EU) has announced that it’s considering adding nuclear energy and sustainable fuels into the mix – a move to secure a green, net-zero future.
This strategy introduced by the bloc is also a way to catch up with competitors based in China and the United States.
The EU has set a target for 2030 – to boost the use of energy derived from renewable sources and cut down greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by implementing more solar and power, as well as heat pumps and fuel cells, per Reuters.
While some EU member-states are arguing that nuclear power and “sustainable alternative fuels” are a way to go green, others deem this strategic move controversial as some EU leaders are opposed.
The EU is also pushing the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA), which aims to accelerate climate neutrality by boosting the development and manufacturing of green technologies.
“With the Net-Zero Industry Act, the European Union aims at achieving a global leadership in the green transition, using the technologies of the future to boost the competitiveness of our industry, create quality jobs, and reinforce our open strategic sovereignty,” said Spain’s Minister for Industry and Tourism Jordi Hereu Boher.
The legislation proposes expediting the application procedure, cutting the lengthy approval process to 18 months, and mandating that the EU designate single points of contact for manufacturers seeking to promote their projects.
Contracts for net-zero technologies must be awarded by public bodies holding tenders based on sustainability standards, net-zero technology prices, and a drive to prevent any single source from meeting upwards of 65% of EU demand.
