Impact of EU’s green taxonomy on the development of sail propulsion for transport vessels
25.4.2024
Priority question for written answer P-001331/2024
to the Commission
Rule 138
Christophe Clergeau (S&D)
Sail power is a mature and reliable technology and can also be considered an enabling activity as per Article 16 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852. It has major potential to help decarbonise maritime transport and prevent and control pollution. For this reason, it is set to be classed a net-zero technology in the Net-Zero Industry Act.
However, the technical screening criterion in Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2139 effectively excludes the construction of ships propulsed primarily by wind energy from the EU’s green taxonomy. It therefore represents a serious obstacle to the widespread deployment of sail-powered vessels, as it hinders access to public and private funding for them. This prevents the EU from being able to tap into an essential means for achieving its climate and environmental objectives.
- 1.Is the Commission aware of the adverse effects that this technical criterion will have on the financing and deployment of sail propulsion?
- 2.Does it plan to revise the technical criterion of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2139, set out in recital 34, to have sail propulsion identified as an economic activity that contributes substantially to climate change mitigation and pollution prevention and control?
Submitted:25.4.2024