43 Amendments of Peter LIESE related to 2011/2012(INI)
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 b (new)
Citation 1 b (new)
- having regard to the Commission Communication "A Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy by 2050"(COM(2011)0112), and the statement that “The EU already has legislation in place that ensures a 20% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 compared with 1990 levels. It maintains its conditional offer of a 30% reduction, provided there are comparable reductions by other developed countries and appropriate contributions from developing countries.”
Amendment 15 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU's climate objective is to limit climate change to 2°C above the pre- industrial level; whereas the climate package adopted in December 2008 represents a first step towards ensuring EU action in line with this objective; whereas countries representing some 80% of global emissions have pledged to reduce emissions, although the Parties to the UNFCCC acknowledged in Cancun that current pledges are insufficient to meet the 2°C objective,. Taking into account that the Cancun conference did not reach a global agreement to turn these pledges into legally binding targets and the European Union is still the only large economic community having adopted unilateral emissions reduction targets.
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas, due to the economic crisis, emissions from sectors in the EU emissions trading system (ETS) have been considerably lower than projected, and below the level of initial allocation,; whereas the actual price of allowances in the third trading period is subject to many uncertainties caused, for example, by the economic recovery, the effects of the benchmarks that have just been established and the possibility that some Member States may speed up plans to phase out nuclear power;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the lower carbon price willould have a significant impact on investment decisions and will reduce the revenues from auctioning allowances for financing climate action in the EU and in developing countries, so the impact will have to be closely examined;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas some emerging and developing countries have put forward ambitious targets since the EU targets were set in 2007 and 2008, e.g. Brazil's target of - 36-39% compared to business as usual, Mexico’s target of - 30% compared to business as usual, the Maldives’ objective to be carbon neutral by 2020, or Costa Rica’s to be carbon neutral by 2021;
Amendment 59 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
Recital F b (new)
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F c (new)
Recital F c (new)
Fc. whereas even if the European Union were to move to -30% the obligations under the Copenhagen Agreement would in no way suffice to meet the 2°C objective, so an intermediate step is justified, but every effort needs to be made to improve the situation at international level, which would then facilitate moving to -30% at a later stage;
Amendment 61 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F d (new)
Recital F d (new)
Fd. whereas the European Union’s credibility would be enhanced if an intermediate step was first taken and, at the same time, legislation was adopted that mapped out the specific path to be followed if the international situation further improved;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F e (new)
Recital F e (new)
Fe. whereas the upheavals in North Africa and the Middle East clearly show that dependence on fossil fuels, and particularly oil, has resulted in compromises in EU policy towards oil supplying countries like Libya that are not sustainable in the long term, which makes it a matter of urgency to reduce dependence on fossils fuels from an external policy perspective as well;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F f (new)
Recital F f (new)
Ff. whereas the European Commission’s ‘Roadmap 2050’ suggests a 25% reduction target within the European Union by 2020 and that this objective can be achieved solely by the energy efficiency target previously announced, which means that it would not be absolutely essential to tighten up emissions trading in order to meet a 25% target;
Amendment 68 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas taking into consideration that in order to best address climate change mitigation, there is a need to complementarily address the reduction of non-CO2 gases emissions, which could be achieved with the existing tools and technologies and implemented in the coming decade for a public price orders of magnitude lower than current carbon prices
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Welcomes the Commission Communication on the 2050 Roadmap setting long-term targets reconfirming the EU objective of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% by 2050 in order to keep climate change below 2°C.
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for the Commission based on Communication on the 2050 Roadmap to come forward with proposals to move to a 3025% greenhouse gas reduction target for 2020 as soon as possible, and at the latest by the end of 2011nd implementation a long-term strategy up to 2050 for gas reduction target and a coherent targets for 2020 as soon as possible;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for the Commission to come forward with proposals to move to a 3025% greenhouse gas reduction target for 2020 as soon as possible, and at the latest by the end of 2011, to maintain the option to move to 30% in line with further improvements at international level, and to map out the specific path towards 30% in the proposals put forward, so that if the international situation improves immediate steps can be taken to move to 30%;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Confirms that if the conditions agreed upon by the European Council are met, the EU will consider all possible options that can help to reach 25% target for 2020 in a cost-effective way.
Amendment 99 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 100 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Points out that the EU’s main priority should be to convince other partners in the world of the merits of making their own commitments on reductions that may even exceed those set out in the Copenhagen Agreement;
Amendment 108 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Points out that since the establishment of the 20-20-20 Strategy in 2007 and the adoption of the climate and energy package in 2008 there have been very positive developments at international level, and some industrialised countries, and more notably emerging and developing countries, have put forward ambitious targets that in some areas even exceed the European Union’s call for a possible international agreement;
Amendment 109 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Points out, on the other hand, that the obligations put forward by third countries to date generally fall short of what is required and in no way suffice to meet the 2°C objective, which is why international developments justify an intermediate step;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that the European Council has recognised that further reductions in the range of 80-95% by 2050 as compared to 1990 are necessary; points out that a linear trajectory between 2009 and 2050 would result in a 2020 target in the range of 34-38% as compared to 1990takes note of the Commission’s ‘Roadmap 2050’ communication, which states that 80% of the reduction by 2050 has to happen internally in the EU and that a linear reduction makes economic sense; notes further that a 25% target for 2020 is described as appropriate in this scenario;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Recalls that in the Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050 the Commission indicates that progress an a global scale is the only way to solve the problem of climate change, and the EU must continue to engage its partners.1 __________________ 1 COM(2011)0112, p. 13
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Reiterates that cumulative emissions are decisive for the climate system; notes that even with a pathway of 30% reductions in 2020, 55% in 2030, 75% in 2040 and 90% in 2050 the EU would still be responsible for approximately double its per capita share ofn the global 2°C compatible carbon budget, and that delaying emissions reductionslevel. The EU per capita share must however be considered inc reases the cumulative share significantly;lation to per capita shares in a global context.
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Recalls that the EU with little more than 10% of global emissions will not be able to tackle climate change on its own.
Amendment 138 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Points out that in 2009 the level of emissions in the European Union was already 17.3% below that in 1990, which means that a 20% target does not give a strong signal to market operators to invest in low-CO2 and CO2 -free technologies;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recognises that investment in green technologies depends heavily on the price signal delivered by the carbon market and concludes therefore that, under the current 20% target, the ETS will have a very limited rolerole which the ETS will play in driving emission reductions and deployment of low-emission technologies in the sectors it covers cannot currently be predicted with any certainty, as the forecast range for the carbon price is quite wide;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that, due to the surplus and low carbon price, the auction of allowances will also not mobilise resources for climate investments as expectedCalls for the trend in the carbon price and in emission trading in general to be closely monitored and, in this context, for the question to be examined of whether the price signal is sufficient to encourage investment in low-CO2 and CO2 -free technologies and whether, at the same time, the risk of carbon leakage is able to be effectively dealt with;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recalls that the Roadmap for moving to a competitive low carbon economy in 2050 confirms the EU's offer in the international negotiations to take on a 30% reduction target for 2020, if the conditions are right. Recalls that, according to the Commission analysis, stepping up to the 30% reduction target with 25% domestic effort now represents an increase of EUR 11 billion as compared to 2008 projections for the absolute costs of the climate and energy package in 2020; notes the Commission assessment that this will raise the carbon price in the EU ETS to some EUR 30/tonne of CO2, i.e. similar to the level estimated necessary for the 20% reduction target in 2008;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. SupportWelcomes the Commission analysis that cost-effective sharing of the additional effort between ETS and non-ETS sectors remains the same as under the climate packageit is possible to move to a 25% target for reducing emissions in Europe simply by achieving the 20% energy efficiency target already set, so that, subject to the development of the emission trading system, it is not imperative to adjust the ETS;
Amendment 211 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Deplores the lack of measures to capture thStresses again that, in particular, improvements in energy efficiency offer considerable negative-cost greenhouse gasemission reduction potential in energy and resource efficiency, and that a substantial number of climate protection measures consequently exist which pay for themselves simply thanks to the lower energy costs associated with them; calls for strict application of the least lifecycle cost principle in implementing measures under the Eco- design Directive and for the Commission to review the methodology to consider alignment to a ‘top-runner’ approach;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Stresses that the latest developments at the international level have clearly demonstrated that it is even more imperative than ever to meet the 20% energy efficiency target; proposes that the target be met with the help of a mix of instruments including European and national measures, such as tax incentives, loans on specially favourable terms, indirect subsidies, changes to rent law, guidelines in connection with public invitations to tender and the laying down of standards; calls for the 20% target to be translated as quickly as possible into targets for the Member States and for these to be laid down in a legally binding way; recognises that, pursuant to the subsidiarity principle, Member States must, however, be allowed room for manoeuvre in choosing the means they will use;
Amendment 244 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls the Commission to immediately propose how the Union can best complement its actions for climate change mitigation with efforts aiming at reducing non-CO2 gases, such as the HFCs which are the fastest growing climate pollutant in the world and HFC23; calls the Commission to promote the initiative to bring HFC production into the Montreal Protocol and to conclude bilateral agreements with third countries for mitigating HFC23, with a view of phasing down non-CO2 gases and mitigating HFC-23, in a cost effective manner, for a public price orders of magnitude lower than current carbon prices
Amendment 245 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Calls the Commission in the framework of its actions to mitigate climate change, to develop fast action regulating strategies with a view to accelerate the phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and recover and destroy stratospheric ozone depleting GHGs in discarded products and equipment.
Amendment 246 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Calls the Commission in the framework of its actions to mitigate climate change, to develop fast-action strategies with a view to reduce emissions of Black Carbon, giving priority to emissions that affect regions of snow and ice, including the Arctic
Amendment 247 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 d (new)
Paragraph 18 d (new)
18d. Calls the Commission in the framework of its actions to mitigate climate change, to develop fast-action regulating strategies with a view to reduce pollutant gases that lead to formation of tropospheric (lower atmosphere) ozone, a significant GHG
Amendment 271 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Considers that a move to a 30% climate target for 2020 would restore the incentives for innovation lost by the easing of the 20% target;
Amendment 283 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Observes that more and more countries worldwide have already recognised the opportunity afforded by climate technologies and environmental technologies and are converting their economies accordingly, more than is the case in Europe; notes in this connection promising developments, for example China’s new Five Year Plan, which provides for accelerated expansion of markets for environmental technologies, or the Meseberg decisions adopted in Germany;
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Concurs with the European Commission’s Roadmap for a low carbon economy by 2050 where it states that ‘the creation and preservation of jobs will depend on the EU's ability to lead in terms of the development of new low carbon technologies through increased education, training, programmes to foster acceptability of new technologies, R&D and entrepreneurship, as well as favourable economic framework conditions for investments’
Amendment 286 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21b. Notes the lack of a thorough assessment of the impacts on employment caused by the low carbon transition which would primarily entail a shift of jobs across sectors, and that there is a need to better identify ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ of such transition.
Amendment 295 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Draws attention to the fact that, in addition to developing new climate technologies, disseminating them is decisive; calls on the Commission to take action in this field too, for example by creating new financing arrangements;
Amendment 302 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Emphasises that the co-benefits of emissions reductions onparticularly occur for emissions reductions achieved inside the EU and where there is a strong emphasis on increased energy efficiency investment;
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Notes that the Commission has fully acknowledged that the best protection against the risk of carbon leakage would be effective global action. 1 __________________ 1 COM(2011)0112, p. 9
Amendment 333 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Notes that the Commission has fully acknowledged that there is a need to remain vigilant in order to maintain a strong industrial base in Europe.1 __________________ 1 COM(2011)0112, p. 9
Amendment 353 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Concurs with the Commission analysis that border adjustment measures or including imports in the ETS would need to be combined with full auctioning to the sectors concerned; considers that such a system could be envisaged especially for some standardised commodities, such as steel or cement, and electricity;.