95 Amendments of Eleonora EVI related to 2015/2113(INI)
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 32
Citation 32
– having regard to Directive 2002/910/31/ECU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December9 May 20102 on the energy performance of buildings,
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 32 a (new)
Citation 32 a (new)
– having regard to Directive 2014/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on public procurement and repealing Directive 2004/18/EC,
Amendment 11 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission’s communication and underlines the importance of striking the right balance between its different goals: energy security and affordability, an ambitious climate policy and the transition towards a more sustainable and low decarbonised economy, while guaranteeing the EU’s competitiveness; stresses that the future vision of the Energy Union has at its core citizens, taking ownership of the energy transition, benefiting from new technologies to reduce their bills, participating actively in the market, and where vulnerable consumers are protected;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas defining the energy mix of Member States is an exclusive national competence, and therefore energy mixes remain highlywhile it is up to the EU to define strategic energy targets to promote energy efficiency and energy saving and the dieversifiedlopment of renewable forms of energy;
Amendment 26 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas it would be crucial for the Energy Union to act credibly so that Member States will gradually align their national energy mixes;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Member States are exclusively competent for defining their energy mix within the limits of the EU legislation, and the Commission must not encroach upon this competence by passing EU laws that discriminate against certain energy resources to the advantage of others;
Amendment 43 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the need to achieve a comprehensive and ambitious agreement at the UNFCCC COP 21 meeting in Paris that contains sound guarantees for limiting the temperature increase to 2°C Celsius at a maximum; emphasises that the EU’s global leadership in the development of efficiency technologies is a priority for a resilient Energy Union;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas Parliament has twice called for binding climate and energy targets for 2030 of reductions of at least 40 % for CO2 emissions, at least 30 % for renewables and 40 % for energy efficiency, to be implemented by means of individual national targets; whereas binding national and EU targets for energy efficiency and renewables create growth and jobs and would help secure the EU's technological leadership in those fields;
Amendment 56 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the key role of the Emissions Trading System (ETS) as a cost-effective tool to achieve the EU’s 2030 emission reduction target;Considers that, in addition to the Market Stability Reserve (MSR), a structural post 2020 reform of the ETS should be implemented, to take into account the 2030 CO2 reduction target, and including as long as no comparable efforts are undertaken in other major economies tangible and more harmonised measures on carbon leakage to safeguard EU industry, by ensuring that there will be no additional direct and indirect ETS costs at the level of best performers and by taking into account changing production levels; affirms that the Emission Trading System (ETS) has failed to achieve the emission reduction target and to create technological innovations; Call on the Commission to quickly develop a plan for an alternative system to improve efficiency in the European energy market;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas measures for developing the Energy Union and achieving the 2030 climate targets must take full account of the impacts on climate, environment, public health and not only on energy prices, costs and the competitiveness of the EU economy, in order to get the necessary support from citizens and industry; in this context all necessary impact assessments must take in full account also the present and future hidden and sunk costs deriving from a business as usual energy policy;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas it is of utmost importance that the Energy Union has citizens at its core, providing them with ownership of the energy transition in order for them to benefit from new technologies to reduce their bills, and allow for active citizen participation in the market whilst also protecting vulnerable consumers;
Amendment 71 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas it is fundamental that the EU and Member States acknowledge the importance of including consumer-based initiatives such as cooperatives, community renewable energy and energy efficiency projects and stresses the need to lift economic, regulatory and administrative barriers to allow citizens to actively participate in the energy system;
Amendment 75 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for new EU initiatives in the non- ETS sectors, in particular in the transport and buildings sector to assist Member States in achieving their reduction targets; supports the introduction of an ambitious EU-level energy efficiency target for 2030 of at least 340%, that should be focused in particular on non-ETS sectors; for CO2 emissions, at least 30% for renewables and 40% for energy efficiency, to be implemented by means of individual national target; stresses that binding national and EU targets for energy efficiency and renewables create growth and jobs and would help secure the EU’s technological leadership in those field.
Amendment 90 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to prioritise the smart cities networkgrid in order to stimulate and exchange best practices and to fully exploit the potential of local and regional energy efficiency and greenhouse gas mitigating projects and measures; underlines the need for the EU and the Member States to acknowledge the importance of including consumer-based initiatives such as cooperatives, community renewable energy and energy efficiency projects and stresses the need to lift economic, regulatory and administrative barriers to allow citizens to actively participate in the energy system;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas EU energy and climate policies must complement each another, and their objectives must reinforce rather than undermine one another; the Energy Union should therefore complement European reindustrialisation targets, boost the transition to a low-emission economy and enhance the global competitiveness of the European economy, while effectively avoiding any threat of carbon leakagewe have to move away from a fossil fuels driven economy based on old technologies and outdated business models and also depart from the centralised and supply-side energy approach of today;
Amendment 106 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Underscores the need for more harmonised support schemes for renewables and more intra-EU trade in renewable electricity, as indicated in the ‘European Commission guidance for the design of the renewables support schemes’;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the EU imports more than half53% of all the energy it consumes, its import dependency is particularly high for crude oil (more than 90 %) and natural gas (66 oil (85%), natural gas (66 %) and uranium (95%), and the total import bill is more than EUR 1 billion per day;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas buildings consume around 60% of gas imports to the EU and the building sector contributes up to 8% of EU GDP and provides local jobs, mostly in SMEs and whereas it is estimated that between 60 and 100 billion Euro are yearly needed to renovate buildings in the EU;
Amendment 117 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas the global price of oil has fallen significantly, providing the EU with an opportunity to take major steps in transforming our energy landscape, by investing in renewable energy production, grasping the energy efficiency potential of buildings and industry, and developing smart infrastructure; whereas money spent on importing fossil fuels contributes little to investment, jobs or growth in the Union and redirecting this money to internal investments would stimulate growth and create high-quality, high- skilled local jobs;
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas many countries are heavily reliant on a single supplier, including some that rely entirely on Russia for their natural gas and others that heavily rely on Northern Africa, and a large proportion of EU energy imports comes from, or transits through, geopolitically unstable regions which leaves them vulnerable to supply disruptions, whether these are caused by political or commercial disputes, or infrastructure failure;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas the 2006 and 2009 gas disputes between Gazprom (Russia) and transit-country Naftogaz (Ukraine) left many EU countries with severe shortages;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. whereas over EUR 1 trillion need to be invested in the EU energy sector by 2020 alone, while working for a true energy transition towards a decarbonised economy would allow avoiding spending valuable taxpayers' money in infrastructures that will become obsolete in short time or whose cost-benefits analysis has shown their inadequacy, in comparison to other demand reduction projects;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital M a (new)
Recital M a (new)
Ma. whereas only an Energy Union with harmonised Member States' energy mixes based on renewable energy, with better interconnection levels leading to a pan- European smart grid and reducing the distance between production and consumption of energy, the EU can decrease the energy prices and eliminate the disparities between Member States and, in the long-run, also towards our global competitors;
Amendment 148 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Member States - in order to trigger the much needed investments in the energy sector - to develop long term energy strategies and if possible among all stakeholders a ‘national energy pact’ in the light of the ‘Energy Roadmap 2050’ and the long-term target of 80-95% reduction of greenhouse gases by 2050, to enforce the implementation of energy environmental and climate legislation;
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
N. whereas welfare loss owing to EU gas market inefficiency exceeds EUR 11 billion annually owing to, inter alia, a lack of infrastructure and a low level of market liquidity and transparency;
Amendment 158 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
Amendment 169 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital P a (new)
Recital P a (new)
Pa. whereas US energy intensive industries are already suffering the effects of the shale gas bubble, putting at risk millions of jobs, and whereas therefore the EU cannot rely on US gas reserves or follow their energy strategy, given the significant differences in terms of quantity, quality, ownership rights configuration, population density, water systems, environment and consumption needs;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital R
Recital R
R. whereas EU companies have a share of 40 % of all patents for renewable technologies, which makes it a global leader as regards investment in renewable energy; whereas this leadership must be guaranteed in the future through a solid strategy with clear targets for increasing the share of RES in the average EU energy mix;
Amendment 187 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Insists that Member States pool resources, in particular ETS revenues, to support low-carbon innovationenvironmental sustainability and industrial breakthroughs which is paramount for the EU to meet its climate goals.
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital S
Recital S
S. whereas, notwithstanding its global dominance in investment in renewable energy, the World Energy Outlook 2014 predicts global energy demand to grow by 37 % and global coal demand by 15 % by 2040; whereas these trends de facto jeopardise the possibility to maintain the global temperature increase below the 2°C threshold;
Amendment 218 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital W
Recital W
W. whereas the European Energy Security Strategy identified 33 infrastructure projects which are essentialmeant to improve security of supply and to better connect energy markets; whereas the Commission should test the relative importance of these infrastructure projects with respect to demand-side reduction measures that could be put in place at Member State level, according to the "efficiency first" principle;
Amendment 226 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital X
Recital X
X. whereas the International Energy Agency's estimates that the EU is responsible for 11 % of global greenhouse gas emissions and that this proportion is set to decrease in the future; whereas the EU's contribution to lowering global emissions must happen alongside that ofindependently from other major emitters;
Amendment 230 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital X b (new)
Recital X b (new)
Xb. whereas the EU must study the possibility to introduce border carbon adjustment measures (BCAs) in order to ensure a level playing field with competitors that do not abide by EU environmental standards;
Amendment 237 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital Y
Recital Y
Y. whereas diversification of supplies, the completion of the internal energy market, more efficient energy consumption, the development of indigenousenvironmentally sustainable energy resources and R&D activities are the keyimportant drivers of the Energy Union, that in any case should be based on solidarity and trust, must have at its core European citizens and must treat energy efficiency as a source in its own right;
Amendment 246 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital Z
Recital Z
Z. whereas the EU's aspiration is to raise has set a target of increasing by 20% the contribution of industry to its GDP to as much as 20 % by 2020, and affordable energy will be indispensable to achieving this ambitionby 2020; to reach this target, it is essential to use energy sources less subject to market volatility in order to grant long term stability;
Amendment 271 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to actively pursue the diversification of supply (energy sources, suppliers and routes); to this end, calls on the Commission to promote the construmoderation of energy demand and the diversification of supply in order to reach the objectionve of the relevant energy infrastructure priority corridors, as specified in Annex I to the trans- European energy networks (TEN-E) regulation and Part IIan EU economy essentially fuelled by renewable energy by 2050; to this end, calls ofn the Annex I to the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) regulation, such as the Southern Gas CorridorMember States to swiftly, timely and correctly implement EU energy, environment and climate legislation;
Amendment 292 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that all EU infrastructure projects aimed at diversifying energy sources, suppliers and routesupply must be in fully in line with EU compliance with the EU climate, energy and state aid legislation and, the EU energy security priorities and the objectives of the EU energy roadmap to 2050;
Amendment 296 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the EU institutions and Member States to recognize energy efficiency investments, notably in buildings, as infrastructure investments;
Amendment 313 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that it is of upmost importance to the EU to end the isolation of some Member States from the internal energy market, as demonstrated by the gas stress tests carried out by the Commission; calls on the Commission, in this regard, to carry out such tests every two years and to introduce measures aimed at reducing energy demand in order to contribute to favouring access to energy for all citizens;
Amendment 327 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that, in the context of the future Energy Union, securtability of energy supply is the most pressing issue andtogether with prices volatility and the economic damages deriving from the effects of a changing climate; underlines therefore that Member States must coordinate and cooperate in this respect with their neighbours when developing their energy and climate policies; calls on the Commission, in this respect, to examine how the current architecture of national preventive and emergency response measures could be streamlined at both regional and EU level;
Amendment 351 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to support those Member States that wish to negotiate energy contracts on a voluntary basis by introducing a common negotiating mechanism, and stresses that the functioning of such a mechanism must be subject to compliance with the EU internal market acquis and with EU competition and World Trade Organisation rules;
Amendment 363 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses that greater transparency of intergovernmental agreements could be achieved by strengthening the role of the Commission in energy-related negotiations involving one or more Member States and third countries, including by having the Commission participate in those negotiations if there is a risk of abuse of a dominant position by one supplier or of not respecting EU climate and energy objectives; notes that furthermore the Commission should carry out ex-ante and ex-post assessments and draw up both a positive and a negative list of agreement clauses, such as export ban and destination clauses;
Amendment 385 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Commission to review the relevant existing legislation in order to enhance the transparency of commercial gas and oil contracts in orderand to effectively remove abusive clauses and, ensureing better ex-ante compliance checks with EU law and energy security provisions;
Amendment 422 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Believes that diversity in the energy mixes of Member States, based on their respective potential, environment, geographical location, experience, know- how and economic costs and needs, is an asset to the EU as a whole, since it strengthens its resilience to supply disruptions, enables it to make cost-optimal energy choices and allows different technologies to develop and compete on the market, thereby driving down the costs of energy;
Amendment 445 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Believes that the Union can reduce its dependency on particular suppliers and fuels by maximising its use of indigenousrenewable sources of energy, including conventional and unconventional low-emission fossil fuels and renewables, and therefore stresses that nonly fuel or technology contributing tothat is environmentally sustainable can contribute to long-term energy security and climate goals should be discriminated against;
Amendment 462 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Believes that indigenousrenewable resources, both conventional and unconventional, which have the potential to increase the EU's energy security of supply should be fully tapped and that unnecessary regulatory burdens on the entities willing to invest in these fields must be avoided;
Amendment 481 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission to facilitate the effective use of all existing EU funding schemes, including the European Fund for Strategic Investments, so as to support investment in the development of Europe's indigenous energy resources, based on a technology-neutral approachenergy resilience;
Amendment 490 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Commission, and in particular DG TRADE, to continue to press for a dedicatedsetting up a system of energy exchapter within the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), with a view to removing US export restrictions on both crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) and eliminating protectionist measuresnge between EU and US, in light of the current and future developments in research, innovation and licensing of power line systems, such as high voltage power connection, aiming at developing a global renewable energy sharing network;
Amendment 503 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to strengthen the Energy Community through, inter alia, the inclusion of Iceland and Switzerland, better implementation and enforcement of EU law, enhancing its institutions and implementing key infrastructure and demand-reduction projects in order to ensure better integration with the EU energy market and security of supply mechanisms;
Amendment 540 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Stresses that the backbone of the future Energy Union must be a fully functioning internal energy market that delivers safe, secure, competitive and environmentally sustainable energy to enable EU companies and consumers to access gasheat and electricity in the most efficient and cost-effective way, democratic and when possible cost-effective; considers it fundamental to favour the integration of prossibleumers in the EU market and network;
Amendment 566 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Believes at the same time that market- based mechanisms must be complemented by tangible and ambitious solidarity mechanisms, such as more efficient EU crisis management, better use of LNG and gas storage and virtual capacity reserve mechanisms to be enshrined in EU legislation, including the Strong binding 2030 and beyond targets leading to decarbonisation of EU economy by 2050 and enforcement of EU legislation, including the energy efficiency and renewable energy sources directives; reminds the importance of the promptest revision of the regulation on security of Ggas Ssupply Regulation, which, to this end, must be reviewed as soon as possible; and the directive on energy efficiency;
Amendment 596 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Stresses the need for full implementation and enforcement of existing EU energyState aid, energy, environment and climate legislation and; calls for a swift adoption of ambitious European network codes and guidelines, which must go hand in hand with strengthening the competences of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) and the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Gas (ENTSO-G);
Amendment 613 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Stresses that a more properly designed future model of the electricity market in the EU must aim at a more market-based and optimal, from the point of view of network security, integration of renewable energy sources integration of renewable energy sources and the re-design of the electricity and heat networks in Europe around them;
Amendment 639 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24b. Draws attention to the key importance of improving links between Member States' energy networks in order to establish an integrated energy market; points out, to this end, that there is a vital need for cooperation between European cities and municipalities, regions, energy cooperatives and local initiatives in various sectors, the Commission, Member States, neighbouring countries, regulatory bodies, ACER, transmission system operators and gas suppliers;
Amendment 652 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to concentrate their efforts on driving projects of common interest (PCIs) forward, with a view to achieving a pan-European ‘superelectricity ‘super smart grid' with the capacity to transmit power across EU countries from multiple sources and therefore capable of diverting energy from surplus to deficit areas, thereby allowing the market to instantly respond to interruptions of supply wherever they occur and to compensate circadian and seasonal cycles;
Amendment 701 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Points out that in order to successfully balance the internal market, investment is needed not only in interconnectors but also in, inter alia, electrical storage capacity, such as LNG terminals and smart gridfuel cells technology, smart grids and terminals, in order to cope with the enhanced renewable and distributed generation; at the same time, recalls the importance of considering high voltage innovative power connections as a way to overcome renewables inconstancy and to produce most of EU energy consumption through renewable sources;
Amendment 703 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Calls on Commission and Member States to actively pursue the decommissioning of obsolete, most polluting or unsafe energy plants, also aiming at reducing the current overcapacity of the market;
Amendment 714 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Stresses the need to create a legislative framework that empowers consumers - households and businesses - and makes them active participants in the market asrecognising their role as prosumers, investors and stakeholders; notes that consumeritizens' involvement can be strengthened through, inter alia, energy cooperatives and, self-consumption, micro-generation and enhancedfull transparency of prices and consumer choices; points out that such initiatives could contribute to reducing energy prices and helpimproving local communities' resilience, creating local jobs and prosperity and reducing energy prices, therefore helping to address serious social problems, such as fuelenergy poverty and unprotected consumers;
Amendment 722 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Stresses that all prosumers should have the right to use the energy they produce; calls for the promotion of self- consumption through the exemption from taxation of self-consumed energy and through non-discriminatory grid cost payment rules; believes that the excess energy, which is injected into the grid and not self-consumed, should be adequately remunerated;
Amendment 723 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Notes that sometimes the energy produced in a decentralised manner cannot be fully consumed by the owners of the production facilities but can still be used locally; calls for the promotion of sale contracts between neighbours within local grids through the simplification of administrative procedures and the minimisation of transaction costs;
Amendment 724 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Notes that a more decentralised and flexible energy system, with power and heat sources being placed closer to the point of consumption, can facilitate small- scale energy generation and therefore empowers consumers to be more involved in the energy market and control their own energy use, diminishes transmission and distribution losses, improves the resilience of energy infrastructure, and simultaneously provides local business opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises; calls on the Commission and the Member States, therefore, to facilitate further development and expansion of local and regional renewable energy sources and of local and regional distribution networks and district heating networks through policies that tackle existing barriers and help bring about market transformation; calls on the Commission to propose guidelines on energy self-consumption in order to promote its use and protect the rights of consumers;
Amendment 754 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. requires the Member States to give energy efficiency primary consideration and to thoroughly implement EU legislation on this matter, and calls on the Commission to firmly enforce it and to study the abatement of regulatory barriers that prevent more ambitious energy efficiency policies in Member States;
Amendment 763 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29b. Stresses that a binding energy efficiency target would be the cost- efficient way to reduce Europe's energy dependency while at the same time protecting industry and households from rising energy bills; recalls that Parliament adopted, in its resolutions of 5 February 2014[1] and 26 November 2014[2], three binding targets including an energy efficiency target of 40 %, a renewables target of at least 30 % and a GHG target of at least 40 %; deplores in this context the lack of ambition on energy efficiency shown by the European Council at its October 2014 summit, in setting a non- binding target of just 27 % with no individual targets for Member States; [1] Texts adopted, P7_TA(2014)0094. [2] Texts adopted, P8_TA(2014)0063.
Amendment 781 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Notes that improvements in energy- efficiency, pursued on a cost-effecroven that investments in this area have the biggest return in terms of tivme basisand revenues, will make a key and more immediate contribution to energy security, competitiveness and the achievement of climate objectives; stresses, however, that gains in energy efficiency cannot replace diversification ofhave good chances to reduce the need of diversifying energy supply;
Amendment 784 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Recalls that the moderation of energy demand, in particular for heating, through energy savings and energy efficiency is crucial for a number of reasons, impacting positively on the EU's energy security, competitiveness, economic growth and sustainability, as well as on energy affordability, combating energy poverty and creating sustainable jobs; highlights in this regard that according to the International Energy Agency, energy- efficiency investments represent the best return on investment of any energy resource; calls on the Commission and the Member States to treat energy efficiency as an energy source in its own right representing the value of energy saved; underlines that energy efficiency and demand-side response must compete on equal terms with generation capacity, taking due account of urgent and exceptional energy security problems and whenever technically feasible; therefore encourages Member States to give energy efficiency primary consideration in their policies;
Amendment 790 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Stresses that it is necessary to increase both the depth and the rate of building renovation and the use of sustainable energy sources in heating and cooling, through the right incentives in order to reduce energy demand; recommends the continuation of increasing energy efficiency standards for buildings taking account of and encouraging technical innovation, notably the use of building information modelling and of lifecycle impact simulations of building products in public procurements; further recommends continued support for the construction of near zero-energy buildings as an additional crucial step in securing energy independence and a sustainable and secure energy system;
Amendment 803 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Believes that it will be important to avoid over-prescriptive legislation that can constrainhat Member States timely implement EU legislation in order to support domestic policy choices about how best to promote energy efficiency within a national context but in view of ensuring a resilient Energy Union;
Amendment 810 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. BelievUnderlines that the energy-efficiency target must work alongsideis part of EU energy and climate goals and will strengthen the competitiveness of the EU economy vis-à- vis its major trade partners;
Amendment 827 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Stresses that a cautiousn appropriate revision of existing energy efficiency legislation, including the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and the Energy Efficiency Directive, is needed in order not to underminto improve national policies already in place which operateand to effectively achieve the 20% target within the 2020 climate and energy framework; calls on the Commission to put forward a proposal for reviewing the EU energy- efficiency legislation by no sooner than 2018directive by mid-2016 at the latest;
Amendment 834 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Acknowledges thate role of local authorities of Europeand cities undoubtedly make an important contribution tozens in increasing energy independence by increasing energy- efficiency through cogeneration, modernising district heating systems, increasing the use of cleaner public transport, encouraging more active travel models and renovating buildingsbetter urban planning, the development of energy-related internet and ICT technologies, cogeneration, self- consumption, heat pumps applications, modernisation, expansion and establishment of district heating and cooling systems and renovation of individual heating systems, as well as increasing the use of cleaner public transport, encouraging citizens-based initiatives such as cooperatives or community renewable projects, favouring the link between citizens and ESCOs, pushing for more active and environmentally sustainable travel models, developing and implementing Smart Cities solutions, and supporting urban eco-mobility;
Amendment 859 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35
Paragraph 35
35. Calls on the Commission to identify, in consultation with the appropriate industry sectors and national, regional and local stakeholders, best practices for energy- efficiency financing throughout the EU and abroad and subsequently incorporate funding and innovative financing mechanismstegrate them in EBRD, EIB and other EU funds;
Amendment 873 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Underlines the crucial role of renewables in the EU in attaining its greenhouse gas reduction targets and in reinforcing its political and economic independence; underlines that, in this regard, the current market design should be improved by fully integrating renewables into the market and introducing cost-reflective balancing prices;
Amendment 881 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Calls on the Commission to ensure the full use of power produced with renewable energy sources, notably by actively enforcing the right to guaranteed access to the grid and to priority dispatch for renewable energies enshrined in article 16 of Directive 28/2009/EC and by analysing if and how this right is jeopardised by slow infrastructure development, obsolete infrastructure operation rules, priority access and dispatch for other sources due to their limited flexibility and/or due to the use of article 25 of Directive 2009/72/EC and/or article 15 of Directive 2012/27/EU; calls the Commission to make recommendations to Member States to improve the situation;
Amendment 884 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36 a (new)
Paragraph 36 a (new)
36a. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to guarantee transparency, consistency, stability and continuity of regulatory renewable energy frameworks and to avoid retroactive changes in economic conditions of investments, in order to strengthen investors' confidence and to contribute to a cost-efficient deployment of renewable energy across the EU regions; stresses the need for better coordination of support schemes in line with the Commission Guidance on the design of renewable energy support schemes, in order to avoid potential market distortion and safeguard effective support for renewables;
Amendment 901 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
Amendment 920 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Stresses the importance that Member States fully respect the EU Energy and Environmental State Aid Guidelines in order not to finance, even retroactively, technologies not respecting them;
Amendment 921 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Calls on the European Commission to take up a more active role in ensuring the protection of investments in renewable energies, notably via a more cautious assessment of Member States' renewable energy investment frameworks against State Aid Guidelines and via the proposal of a European investment protection instrument that would replace the Energy Charter and bilateral agreements between Member States; deplores that today the Commission is only able to launch infringement procedures against Member States when the latter are not in line with their 2020 target trajectory and not when they adopt retrospective measures to renewable energy investment frameworks;
Amendment 931 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Stresses that only decarbonisation which is not pursued through a technology-neutral approach could result in a drastic inbased on an increasing share of renewable energies in EU average energy mix can lead in the long-run to decrease ing energy costs in someall Member States, which would lead to energy poverty, de and to protect EU economy from the extreme to fight energy poverty and to favour a re-industrialisation of the European economy and a subsequent rise in unemployment; stresses that it therefore needs to be a sovereign decision of each Member State on how to decarbonise its economy;
Amendment 966 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39
Paragraph 39
39. Recognises that indigenous energy sources such as nuclear, clean coal technologies and fossil fuels with carbon capture and storage (CCS) woulddo not have a clear definition and in any case not all of them can make a fundamental contribution to EU energy security and decarbonisation, with shale gas facilitatingmaking more difficult the transition to a low- emission economy; believes, in this respect, that the Energy Union must reflect the need for the EU to use all low and lower emission sources at Member States' disposal;
Amendment 968 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Urges the Member States not to authorise any hydraulic fracturing operations in the EU, considering that, for a number of reasons, it is not a promising technology;
Amendment 982 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 39 a (new)
Paragraph 39 a (new)
39a. Underlines that nuclear energy should not be supported in any form by the EU financial mechanisms or by the EU financial institutions, neither directly nor indirectly through research or infrastructure funds;
Amendment 989 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Believes that it is for Member States to determine the best mix of policies and technologies to deliver decarbonisation and national climate change targets; rRecognises that in some areas, such as product standards, EU-level policies are the most effective, while in others Member States may choose to work together;
Amendment 1002 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Calls on the Commission to put forward proposals for establishing a Mmodernisation Fand renovation fund, which should have strict criteria and guidance to ensure that funding is targeted at genuine energy modernisation projects, which would be selected based on a technology-neutral approach and on whether they are demonstrably consistent with attainment of the EU's 2030 greenhouse gas objectiveto renovate EU buildings;
Amendment 1009 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that the development of the Energy Union takes due consideration of requirements foris in full compliance with EU legislation and standards on environmental protection, biodiversity, climate and the competitiveness of European industry based on technology innovation and leadership;
Amendment 1016 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42 b (new)
Paragraph 42 b (new)
42b. Recognises the inalienability of decisions taken by national referendum on energy affairs;
Amendment 1030 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43
Paragraph 43
43. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to undertake common efforts in order to bring down wholesale and retail gas and energy prices by 20 % by 2020stabilise energy markets, to have less prices volatility and therefore more stable and constant costs in medium and long-term and substantial decreases in wholesale and retail energy prices;
Amendment 1036 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 a (new)
Paragraph 43 a (new)
28d. Emphasises that energy must be made affordable to all citizens of the EU; considers that avoiding unnecessary consumption by undertaking efficiency improvements, stronger interconnections, higher market integration and sustainable energy investment, particularly in buildings, would enable many households to access, on equal conditions, a single, sustainable, competitive and secure energy market and escape energy poverty, which in 2012 affected one in four EU citizens; invites the Commission to present a communication on energy poverty in Europe, accompanied by an action plan to fight it and containing a definition and indicators;
Amendment 1048 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 b (new)
Paragraph 43 b (new)
43b. Stresses the need for increased coordination of transport, heating and cooling and power decarbonisation strategies; calls on the Commission to come forward with holistic plans for the decrease of CO2 emissions from the transport and the heating and cooling sectors considering, inter alia, that, when abundantly available, clean and cheap power produced from variable renewable energy sources could be used to charge electric vehicles and to run heating and cooling appliances;
Amendment 1050 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 43 c (new)
Paragraph 43 c (new)
43c. Calls on the European Commission to ensure that Member States require minimum levels of renewable energy production on new and refurbished buildings and that renewable energy projects benefit from swift administrative and grid connection procedures, notably by enforcing articles 13.4 and 13.1.f. of Directive 2009/28/EC and 7.3 of Directive 2009/72/EC; calls on the European Commission, when revising existing relevant legislation, to increase the number of buildings equipped with renewable energy systems, to require one- stop-shop administrative procedures for small scale renewable energy projects and simple notification procedures for renewable energy installations whose production is entirely self-consumed, and to create a framework for innovative grid connection arrangements and for the trade of grid services at distribution network level;
Amendment 1068 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 44
Paragraph 44
44. Calls on the Commission to intensify its research and innovation efforts regarding the better use of Europe's indigenous resources, both conventional and unconventionaluntapped potential of smart grids, renewable energy technologies, decentralised production, electrical storage and electrification of the transport system;
Amendment 1086 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 45
Paragraph 45
45. Stresses that the EU must collectively step up its efforts as regards efficient, low- emission technologies in order to meet its 2030 objectives and improve its energy security and facilitate economic recovery;
Amendment 1095 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 46
Paragraph 46
46. Believes that greater effort in developing innovative low-emission technologies and solutions can bring significant long-term benefits in terms of reduced generation costs and reduced energy demand;
Amendment 1115 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 47
Paragraph 47
47. Underlines that it should be a priority for the Member States to bring down the costs of less mature low-carbon energy technologies, particularly those that are likely to be critical to global decarbonisation, such as power plants fitted with CCS, and potential breakthrough technologies, such as electricity storage, high voltage power connections and intercontinental smart grids;
Amendment 1123 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48
Paragraph 48
48. Recognises that progress in environmentally friendly, cost-effective innovations and R&D activities is also key to the EU's future competitiveness, including Europe's industry and political independence;
Amendment 1131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Calls on the Commission to provide an explicit mapping of the different funding and financing instruments, such as the InvestEU programme, Connecting Europe (PCIs), R&D funds, structural funds, smart grid financing instruments (ERA-Net Plus), the Horizon 2020 programme (H2020), the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Energy Programme for Recovery (EEPR), the Connecting Europe Facility - Energy (CEF-E), NER 300 and Eurogia+, and to clarify the eligibility rules for each of these programmes, while taking into account the technology neutral approach; calls on the Commission to aimin order to provide more balanced support and spending throughout the EU to avoid creating a technological rift between regions;