4.14 Transmission and distribution networks for renewable and low-carbon gases (climate change adaptation)

Kurzbeschreibung

Conversion, repurposing or retrofit of gas networks for the transmission and distribution of renewable and low- carbon gases. Construction or operation of transmission and distribution pipelines dedicated to the transport of hydrogen and other low-carbon gases. The economic activities in this category could be associated with several NACE codes, in particular D35.21, F42.21 and H49.50 in accordance with the statistical classification of economic activities established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006.

Wirtschaftsaktivität (EU-Taxonomie)

Rechtsakt: 2021/2139, Anhang II, Abschnitt 4.14 · ENERGY

Umweltziel: climate change adaptation

NACE-Codes: D35.21, F42.21, H49.50

Beschreibung

Conversion, repurposing or retrofit of gas networks for the transmission and distribution of renewable and low- carbon gases. Construction or operation of transmission and distribution pipelines dedicated to the transport of hydrogen and other low-carbon gases. The economic activities in this category could be associated with several NACE codes, in particular D35.21, F42.21 and H49.50 in accordance with the statistical classification of economic activities established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006.

Technische Bewertungskriterien

Technical screening criteria Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; _____________ ( 308 ) Implementing Decision (EU) 2018/1147. (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios ( 309 ) consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports ( 310 ), scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source ( 311 ) or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions ( 312 ) or rely on blue or green infrastructure ( 313 ) to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) (1) Climate change mitigation The repurposing does not increase gas transmission and distribution capacity. The repurposing does not extend the lifespan of the networks beyond their pre-retrofit projected lifespan, unless the network is dedicated to hydrogen or other low-carbon gases. (3) Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix B to this Annex. (4) Transition to a circular economy N/A (5) Pollution prevention and control Fans, compressors, pumps and other equipment used which is covered by Directive 2009/125/EC comply, where relevant, with the top class requirements of the energy label, and with implementing regulations under that Directive and represent the best available technology. _____________ ( 309 ) Future scenarios include Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change representative concentration pathways RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5. ( 310 ) Assessments Reports on Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, published periodically by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change produces, https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/. ( 311 ) Such as Copernicus services managed by the European Commission. ( 312 ) Nature-based solutions are defined as ‘solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultan­ eously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions’. Therefore, nature-based solutions benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services (version of 4.6.2021: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/environment/nature- based-solutions_en/). ( 313 ) See Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Green Infrastructure (GI) — Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital (COM/2013/0249 final). (6) Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix D to this Annex.