58 Amendments of Kathleen VAN BREMPT related to 2013/2135(INI)
Amendment 52 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas security of supply, competitiveness and climate objectives are of the utmost importance for the EU, are inextricably linked and must be addressed and considered on an equal footingmutually reinforcing and should not be considered as conflicting in nature;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the Commission stated in its communication on the ‘Energy Roadmap 2050’ that people’s well-being, industrial competitiveness and the overall functioning of society are dependent on safe, secure, sustainable and affordable energy;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas lessons should be learned from the fact that out of the three headline 2020 targets agreed in 2007 (20% of the Union’s energy mix to come from renewable sources, a 20% increase in energy efficiency compared to projections, and a reduction in GHG emissions of 20% as compared to 1990 levels) the only target not currently on track is the non-binding energy efficiency target;
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas the Commission’s Energy Roadmap 2050 finds that decarbonisation of the energy sector and a high renewables scenario is cheaper than a continuation of current policies, and that over time prices of energy from nuclear and fossil fuels will continue to rise, whereas the cost of renewables will decrease;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A e (new)
Recital A e (new)
Ae. whereas the 2050 carbon roadmap estimates health savings through improvement in local air quality would save up to €17 billion per year by 2030 and the IEA estimates that by 2035 2°C consistent policies could cut the EU’s annual fossil fuel import bill by 46% or €275 billion (1% of EU GDP);
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A f (new)
Recital A f (new)
Af. whereas attention must be paid to the impact of climate and energy policy not only on the most vulnerable groups in society but also on low and middle-income households whose standards of living have been squeezed in recent years;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A h (new)
Recital A h (new)
Ah. whereas the transport sector accounts for a significant share of both greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption in the EU; whereas greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector increased by 36 % between 1996 and 2007;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas this is acknowledged in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which stipulates that the objectives of the Union’s energy policy include the functioning of the energy market, security of supply, energy efficiency, energy saving, renewable energy and interconnections; and that the objectives of the Union’s environmental policy include preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment, promoting human health, prudent and rational utilization of natural resources and the promotion of measures at international level to deal with regional or worldwide environmental problems and in particular climate change;
Amendment 78 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas we are not on track regarding the international community committedment to limit global warming to 2 °C during the 21st century at the Copenhagen summit in 2009;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the fifth assessment report of the IPCC recently confirmed that we are not on track regarding this climate commitment, as reaching more than one trillion ton of cumulative carbon will lead to an increase in temperature of more than 2°C and we have already accumulated about half of that amount; whereas going concern practices will thus lead to a higher than 2°C rise in less than 30 years, we need to set ambitious targets and start acting upon them now;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas Eurostat figures show that the EU has reduced its CO2 emissions by 16.97% between 1990 and 2011 andwhich is on track to achievewards its 2020 target in this regardbut not high enough to fight the disastrous effects of climate change, it is clear that new and more ambitious targets for 2030 and 2050 need to be set;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the verified EU emissions from 2005 to 2012 within the ETS fell by 16 % and within the non-ETS sectors by 10 %, indicating that the 2020 reduction targets of -21 % and -10 %, respectively, are likely to be achieved several years ahead of that year;
Amendment 101 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the IEA estimates that the EU is responsible for only 11 % of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and twhe proportion is set to decrease in the future so that, even if it has limited capacity in lowering global emissions by means of unilateral action, it has a significant role to play in particular;reas the EU has committed itself to reduce GHG emissions by 80 to 95% in 2050, it has a significant role to play as a forerunner and a role model in the global landscape and as regards the achievement of a binding agreement in Paris in 2015 whereas the EU therefore has to define a clear and ambitious position;
Amendment 112 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the IEA estimates that the EU is responsible for only 11 % of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the proportion is set to decrease in the future so that,while EU CO2 emissions measured by metric ton per capita still are higher than world average, and the average of emerging economies and developing countries; whereas even if ithe EU has limited capacity in lowering global emissions by means of unilateral action, it has a significant leading role to play, in particular; as regards the achievement of a binding agreement in Paris in 2015; whereas the EU therefore has to define a clear and ambitious position;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy and the lowering of GHG emissions re-enforce each other and are vital for achieving the EU’s energy and climate objectives, it is of utter importance that they are treated on an equal footing and that ambitious and binding targets are set for all three of these goals;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas investors and industries need a clear and long-term framework for EU climate and energy policy with greaterhigh levels of certainty in order to encourage long- term private investment and reduce the risk associated with this, it is crucial to create this certainty by setting binding and ambitious targets for energy efficiency, renewable energy and GHG emissions;
Amendment 132 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the Commission communication on Energy Roadmap 2050, endorsed by the European Parliament, states that energy efficiency, renewable energies and energy infrastructures are the ‘no- regret’ options and that adequate policies and instruments should be taken into account so as to foster European competitiveness;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas the IEA, in its energy efficiency market report 2013, has referred to Energy Efficiency as the world’s first fuel, and energy efficiency is the cheapest and fasted way to reduce the EU’s energy dependence, enhance energy security, lower energy bills and fight climate change;
Amendment 141 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G b (new)
Recital G b (new)
Gb. whereas studies from the Fraunhofer institute have indicated that the EU can cost-effectively reach 40% of energy savings in 2030;
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the EU spent EUR 573 billion on imported fossil fuels in 2011 and its dependency on energy imports is expected to grow, it is clear that action needs to be taken now to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy to diminish this dependency on third countries and enhance security of supply while at the same time lowering bills and fighting climate change;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas money spent on importing fossil fuels contributes little to investment, jobs or growth in the Union, and therefore redirecting this money towards domestic investment in energy efficiency, renewable energy and smart infrastructure would stimulate the construction, automotive and high-tech industries and their downstream suppliers, creating high-quality, high- skilled jobs which cannot be exported/delocalised;
Amendment 164 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Recital H b (new)
Hb. whereas fossil fuel subsidies in 2011 for electricity alone in the EU amounted to €26 billion and this figure does not take into account gas and oil subsidies;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H c (new)
Recital H c (new)
Hc. whereas the conclusions from the European Council meeting of 22nd May 2013 called for priority to be given to phasing out environmentally or economically harmful subsidies, including for fossil fuels;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas the Commission stated in its Energy Roadmap 2050 that upgrading the grid is unavoidable and that, more importantly, no matter which future energy scenario is chosen the cost will be the same, even if it is decided to follow the business as usual scenario; stresses therefore the need to develop a smart and interconnecting grid and to choose a scenario based on renewable energy and energy efficiency as this is the only way to reach the goals of sustainability, competitiveness, energy independence, energy security and affordable energy prices;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission Green Paper on a 2030 framework for climate and energy policies and expects the European Council to address these issues with realistic but ambitiousambitious and realistic responses;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Asks the Commission to take a multifaceted approach, the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of which ought to be enhanced by coordinated and coherent policies that address in equal measure issues such as competitiveness, energy security and climate objectives (e.g.sustainability, by, together with developing other supporting measures, setting binding targets for GHG emission reduction, renewable energy sources and energy efficiency);
Amendment 235 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. AsksInsists that the Commission to take a multifaceted approach, the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of which ought to be enhanced by coordinin its forthcoming communication should propose a new climated and coherent policies that address in equal measure issues such as competitiveness, energy security and climate objectives (e.g.energy package for 2030 consisting of three binding, and mutually-reinforcing headline targets for GHG emission reduction, renewable energy sources and energy efficiency)savings. ;
Amendment 248 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Considers that a strong binding energy efficiency target is of primary importance in order to make the most efficient use of energy within the Union and such a target will also have the knock-on effect of ensuring that less effort will be needed to meet the GHG and renewable energies targets; therefore calls for the current 2020 target to be continued, but be made binding and the level of ambition doubled to 40%;
Amendment 254 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Considers that a binding target of 45% for the share of renewable energies in the Union is the best way to ensure the necessary investor certainty for the continued development and promotion of renewable energy sources and related infrastructure and is entirely feasible alongside a strong binding energy savings target;
Amendment 256 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Considers that a binding 50% domestic reduction target for greenhouse gas emissions compared to 1990 levels is the absolute minimum required to stay on track for the below 2°C target and is both realistic and affordable, as has been shown by numerous studies, particularly when combined with ambitious energy savings and renewable energy targets
Amendment 271 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the European Commission and the European Council to keep up the progress made at EU level and set ambitious but realistics regards to the objectives for the 2030 EU policies that take account of, by setting binding and mutually re-enforcing targets of 55% of GHG reduction, 45% of renewable energy consumption and a reduction of 40% of total primary energy consumption by 2030 compared to 2005 levels; setting these targets is the only way to improve the economic, social, environmental, international and technological contexts, and to establish a clear, stable, long-term and cost-effective framework for industries and investors;
Amendment 327 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is of the opinion that well balanced support schemes, if better used, could b are an appropriate tool to incentivise the development of renewable energy sources (RES) and energy efficiency; sees an important role for the Commission in providing guidance in this regard;
Amendment 351 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses that stimulating microgeneration will be vital element in raising the share of renewable energy sources in Europe's energy mix;
Amendment 352 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Finds it distressing that studies show that nuclear and fossil fuels receive more than three times the amount of support that given to renewables, stresses that renewable technologies are clean and immature whereas fossil and nuclear energies are polluting, dangerous and full-grown, calls on the Commission to present an analysis of the direct and indirect support to fossil and nuclear energy and for an immediate phase out of all types of nuclear and fossil subsidies;
Amendment 371 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that some RES should now be consideronce a level playing field is developed matur the energy sources and their subsidies should therefore be phased out on time order to be able tomarket and once RES reach maturity, support schemes can be gradually phased out and reallocate thesed to research and development (R&D) programmes and RES that are not yet cost- effectivedeployment of RES technologies that are not yet mature (such as capturing city wind, wave or tidal power); asks the Commission to study the impact of RES priority dispatchthe support schemes of all types of energy on general energy costs;
Amendment 400 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Highlights that the Commission's 2050 Low-carbon Roadmap showed that renewables and improved energy efficiency could result in annual savings of between 175 and 320 billion euros for the Union.
Amendment 401 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 d (new)
Paragraph 5 d (new)
Amendment 457 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that as one of the cornerstones of the EU’s climate and energy package, the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) should be able to best fulfil its main function, the reduction of GHG emissions, and respond efficiently to economic downturns and upturns; recalls that the main objective of the EU ETS is to reduce GHG emissions and not to provide investors with sufficient incentives to invest in low-carbon technologies, as these should be seen merely as a secondary objective and not as a basis for evaluating if the scheme works as intended;
Amendment 481 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Notes however that the ETS is currently not functioning as it should and, due to the oversupply of ETS emission allowances of almost two billion at the beginning of 2013, is leading to a carbon price that is far too low to induce GHG- emissions savings and investments in sustainable technologies; stresses that, in the short term, the oversupply of allowances, currently delayed for auction, needs to be cancelled permanently; however believes that, in the longer term, structural reformations are required to lower emissions and stimulate sustainable developments, and systems such as a carbon tax or a maximum allowed level of ton CO2 emitted per Kwh need to be considered by the Commission and the Member States;
Amendment 502 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. calls on the Commission to increase dialogue and cooperation with the International Maritime Organisation so as to ensure inclusion of the shipping sector in CO2 reduction commitments; If an international agreement on global measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from maritime emissions has not been reached before 31 December 2015, calls on the Commission, through the ordinary legislative procedure, to propose emission reduction targets for international maritime shipping and market based measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the maritime sector.
Amendment 507 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9 b. Calls on the Commission to come forward with a specific framework for transport, including targets, as the transport sector accounts for around a quarter of EU greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption in the EU making it the second biggest greenhouse gas emitting sector after energy production;
Amendment 519 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Highlights that nearly half of the EU final energy consumption is used for heating and cooling, stresses the major impact of actions in these sectors and emphasizes the importance of integrating the heating and cooling sector (both ETS and non-ETS) in the 2030 policy framework; is convinced that the combination of energy efficiency measures and the development of local and renewable based heating and cooling infrastructures will strengthen security of supply, decrease GHG emissions and lower energy costs for citizens and industry;
Amendment 547 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Asks the Commission to analyse how the use of energy and environmental taxes by the Member States can be facilitated, in order to reduce GHG emissions within the non-ETS sectors in a cost-efficient way;
Amendment 577 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Notes the importance of stimulating local cooperatives for renewable energy and collective switching initiatives in increasing citizens participation, improving accessibility of renewable energy and generating financial investments;
Amendment 581 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to submit an analysis of how renewable energy sources can be developed sustainably, taking into account environmental impact, aspects related to dependency on raw materials and life cycle and, above all, how to support stable sources of renewable energy such as hydropower, biomass or geothermal power;
Amendment 621 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines the importance of an energy strategy focused on boosting energy security and economic and industrial competitiveness in the EU, job creation, social aspects and environmental sustainability by means of measures such as the diversification of supply routes, suppliers and sources and by increasing the deployment of RES, reaping the benefits of energy savings and developing a smart infrastructure;
Amendment 643 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that, when bringing about security of supply, Member States must be able to take advantage of all of their indigenous energy resources in accordance with policies that ensure the safe and sustainable exploration, extraction and use of these sustainable energy resources;
Amendment 701 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. considers that special attention should be given to energy poverty, insists that energy should be affordable for all, and calls on the Commission and the Member States, and on local authorities and competent social bodies, to work together on tailored solutions to counter such issues as electricity and heat poverty, with a special emphasis on low-income, vulnerable households that are most affected by higher energy prices;
Amendment 706 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Notes that in order to ensure security of supply there must be enough capacity to meet demand in peak periods and in periods of (political or technological) difficulties and that excess capacity or backup must therefore be ensured and maintained; points out the need for storage and more grid flexibility as a response to the intermittence of some sources of RES; stresses the need for indepence of third countries and the right amount of backup, as well as measures regarding energy efficiency, demand side management, interconnection and smart distribution grids and storage;
Amendment 752 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses that modernising the existing energy infrastructure and building new, intelligent and flexible infrastructure for the generation, transmission, distribution and storage of energy is essential for a stable, well-integrated and well-connected energy market, and emphasises that large- scale investments should be made in parallel with investments in regional or even local networks; notes, in this regard, that a decentralised renewable energy supply reduces the need to build new transmission lines – and hence the associated costs- as decentralised technologies -which can be directly integrated in homes, cities and remote areas- are much closer to the end- consumers;
Amendment 754 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses that modernising the existing energy infrastructure and building new, intelligent and flexible infrastructure for the generation, transmission, distribution and storage of energy is essential for a stable, well-integrated and well-connected energy market, and emphasises that large- scale investments should be made in parallel with investments in regional or even local networkand local networks, highlights in this regard the special attention that needs to be given to the distribution level, as the increasing decentralisation of energy supply shifts investment needs from transmission to distribution levels;
Amendment 780 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Firmly believes that reducing energy use and costs through high energy efficiency, further developing renewable energy sources and using research and innovation to develop new technologies to slash our CO2 emissions are all necessary in order to boost the Union's competitiveness and create much-needed high-quality growth and jobs which cannot be exported outside the Union
Amendment 783 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 b (new)
Paragraph 28 b (new)
28b. Considers that the setting of ambitious targets would provide the necessary stimulus to revitalise Member States' economies and ensure an end to the current economic downturn, boosting competitiveness through lower production costs for heavy industry by resource and energy efficiency, decrease vulnerability to world energy price fluctuations and ensure a more stable investment environment, as well as ensuring European leadership in the high-tech sustainable technology sector and the first-mover advantage that goes with it.
Amendment 789 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on the Commission to launch a study analysing new and cost-efficient market designs with a view to ensuring reasonably priced electricity to consumers and to preventing carbon leakage; asks therefore the Commission to come forward as soon as possible with an additional assessment and recommendations for further actions to prevent the risk of carbon leakage caused by reallocation of production facilities outside the EU, focusing in particular on additional scenarios in which limited or no further global action is taken on carbon emission reduction;
Amendment 811 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Notes that the EU’s main competitors on the global market place great emphasis on technological developments, innovation and improving industrial processes; notes also that their economies grow at a much faster pace than the EU; concludes that the EU must give priority to R&D and innovation for sustainable development;
Amendment 852 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 5
Subheading 5
Amendment 860 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Welcomes the Commission’'s remarks that the EU climate and energy targets can impact differently on each Member State and their citizens, and that this justifies working on a more equitable effort sharing basis, taking into account a country’s GDP, achievements in reducing emissions since 1990, emissions per capita, economic potential and potential forwhen deciding each Member State's effort required to meet the new binding 2030 GHG, RES and EE targets, consideration should be given to each country's individual circumstances and potential for emission reduction, renewable energy sourcesproduction and energy efficiencsaving capacity;
Amendment 895 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Notes that access to capital, even for heavy industry sectors, is often a barrier to investment in cleaner technologies; therefore asks the Commission to study the possibility of creating a fund that could help to leverage investment, possibly financed by a share of ETS revenue; considers that a significant strengthening and reorientation of the EIB would help in this respect;