Activities of Peter LIESE related to 2019/2712(RSP)
Plenary speeches (1)
Climate and environmental emergency - 2019 UN Climate Change Conference (COP25) (debate)
Institutional motions (1)
MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the 2019 UN Climate Change Conference in Madrid, Spain (COP 25)
Amendments (43)
Amendment 23 #
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas around 10% of the EU’s GHG emissions are absorbed by growing forests;
Amendment 28 #
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas it asked the Commission already several times, for example in its resolution on the net zero strategy in March 2019, to examine CO2 pricing in sectors that are not yet covered by the EU ETS;
Amendment 38 #
Paragraph 2
2. Acknowledges that the serious risks of climate change are at the heart of citizens’ concerns; welcomes the fact that people across the world, in particular younger generations, are increasingly active in fighting for climate action; welcomes their calls for greater collective ambition and swift action in order not to overshoot the 1.5°C limitline with the Paris Agreement and the request of scientific bodies like the IPCC; believes that national, regional and local governments, as well as the EU, should heed these calls;
Amendment 54 #
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Acknowledges the crucial role of science and science-based innovations for the successful fight against climate change and attendance of the strategical goals of the Paris agreement and any more ambitious climate program; stresses the necessity of EU leadership in both fighting climate change and promoting technological progress to climate-resilient development;
Amendment 62 #
Paragraph 5
5. Expresses concern at the UN Environment 2018 Emissions Gap Report, which finds that current unconditional nationally determined contributions (NDCs) far surpass the Paris Agreement warming limit of well below 2°C, leading instead to an estimated 3.2°C4 warming by 2100 assuming that climate action continues consistently throughout the 21st century; highlights that there is a high risk that with a warming of 3.2°C certain tipping points are passed and a massive additional warming is induced; _________________ 4UN Environment Programme, ‘Emissions Gap Report 2018’, p.21.
Amendment 70 #
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that the IPBES 2019 Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services recognises climate change as one of the main direct drivers of biodiversity loss during the past 50 years, and underlines that its negative effects on nature and biodiversity are projected to become increasingly important in the next decadess well as the fact that species extinction rates are accelerating and might lead to the extinction of up to 1 000 000 species, and underlines that its negative effects make the loss of biodiversity not only an environmental issue, but a developmental, economic, security, social and moral issue as well;
Amendment 80 #
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on all Parties, including regions, states and non-state actors to contribute constructively to the process to be put in place towards 2020 when NDCs need to be updated so as to ensure their compatibility with the long-term temperature goal of the Paris Agreement; acknowledges that current pledges are not yet sufficient to reach the goals of the Agreement; stresses, therefore, that global GHG emissions should peak as soon as possible and that all Parties, especially the EU and all G20 nations, should step up their efforts and update their NDCs by 2020;
Amendment 88 #
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses the importance of an ambitious EU climate policy in order to act as a credible and reliable partner globally and of maintaining the EU’s global climate leadership; encourages therefore the investment and advancement of the Union in research and industrially applicable innovations;
Amendment 98 #
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the country holding the EU Presidency and the Commission to submit to the UNFCCC as soon as possible the Union’s long-term strategy to reach domestic net-zero emissions in 2050; stresses that in order to reach domestic net- zero GHG emissions in 2050 in the most cost-efficient manner, and in order to avoid relying on carbon removal technologies that would entail significant risks for ecosystems, biodiversity and food security, the 2030 ambition level will need to be raised; believes it to be of the utmost importance for the Union to send a clear message during the UN Climate Summit in September 2019as soon as possible that it stands ready to enhance its contribution to the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 101 #
Paragraph 11
11. Supports an update of the Union’s NDC; calls, therefore, on EU leaders to support an increase in the level of ambition of the Union’s NDC; calls also on other global economies to update their NDCs to bring about global effects in line with the political guidelines of the Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with an economy-wide target of at least 50 % domestic GHG emission reductions by 2030 compared with 1990 levels, with a view to put forward a comprehensive plan to increase the EU target for 2030 towards 55% in a responsible way in the framework of international negotiations; calls, therefore, on EU leaders to support an increase in the level of ambition of the Union’s NDC; calls also on other global economies to update their NDCs to bring about global effects; believes that before updating the Union's NDC the Commission must run a comprehensive impact assessment thoroughly evaluating the consequences of a higher climate goal on the economic and social situation of each Member State;
Amendment 127 #
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to advocate for strict and robust international rules relating to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement to; recognises the many problems for environmental integrity and sustainability created by a big amount of CDM and JI projects under the Kyoto Protocol; calls for the prevention of loopholes in accounting or double counting and regarding additionally of emission reductions; expresses concern at the potential use towards NDC targets of units issued under the Kyoto Protocol as this would seriously deteriorate the environmental integrity of the future mechanisms established under Article 6; underlines that emission rights traded under the new market mechanisms must be additional and increase the mitigation efforts of the current and subsequent NDCs;
Amendment 137 #
Paragraph 17
17. Underlines the importance of the EU speaking, including regions, states and non-state actors with a single and unified voice at COP25 in order to ensure its political power and credibility; urges all Member States to support the EU mandate in the negotiations and in bilateral meetings with other actors;
Amendment 158 #
Paragraph 21
21. Recognises that the EU and its Member States are the largest provider of public climate finance; welcomes the decision at COP24 to decide on a new more ambitious target from 2025 onwards, beyond the current commitment to mobilise $100 billion per year as of 2020, but expresses concern that the actual pledges by developed countries still fall far short of their collective goal of $100 billion per year; expects that emerging economies contribute from 2025 onwards to the then higher amount of international climate financing;
Amendment 167 #
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses that the EU’s budget should be coherent with its international commitments on sustainable development and with its mid- and long-term climate and energy targets and should not be counterproductive to these targets or hampering their implementation; calls therefore on the Commission to put forward, where applicable, harmonised and binding rules on climate and biodiversity proofing of EU investments; stresses the need for a more ambitious financing of research and industrially applicable innovation;
Amendment 173 #
Paragraph 23
23. Stresses the importance of a just transition to a climate neutral economy and the need for an anticipatory approach to ensure a just transition for citizens and to support the most vulnerable regions and communities; stresses the importance of creating a just transition fund, to guarantee an inclusive transition for the people and the regions most affected by decarbonisation, such as the coal mining regions; acknowledges that compensation funds alone are not a guarantee for just transition and a comprehensive European strategy for the development and modernisation of coal regions should be the core of any transition policy; stresses that the mining and industrial regions be politically and financially encouraged to hold the lead in innovative and climate- resilient energy and industrial investments; believes that Europe’s climate transition must be ecologically, economically and socially sustainable and that the vulnerable mining and industrial regions should keep their standard of living and demographic perspectives; calls on the Union and the Member States to put in place appropriate policies and financing in this regard, conditioned to clear, credible and enforceable short and longer term economy-wide decarbonisation commitments from the concerned Member States;
Amendment 176 #
Paragraph 23
23. Stresses the importance for the EU of a just transition to a climate neutral economy and the need for an anticipatory approach to ensure a just transition for citizens and to support the most vulnerable regions and communities; stresses the importance of creating a just transition fund, to guarantee an inclusive transition for the people and the regions most affected by decarbonisation, such as the coal mining regions; believes that Europe’s climate transition must be ecologically, economically and socially sustainable; calls on the Union and the Member States to put in place appropriate policies and financing in this regard, conditioned to clear, credible and enforceable short and longer term economy-wide decarbonisation commitments from the concerned Member States;
Amendment 184 #
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Stresses the importance to get discussions started with those countries worldwide, which are at the moment dependent on the export of fossil fuels, on how a strategy of joint energy and climate security can be implemented in a way that gives a future perspective to those regions;
Amendment 193 #
Paragraph 24
24. Expresses its satisfaction with the growing global mobilisation of an ever- broader range of non-state actors committed to climate action with concrete and measurable deliverables; highlights the critical role of civil society, the private sector and sub-state governments in pressurising and driving public opinion and state action; calls on the EU, the Member States and all Parties to stimulate, facilitate and engage with non-state actors, who increasingly become frontrunners in the fight against climate change; furthermore, citizens should be involved as well awareness should be raised through incentives and funding actions;
Amendment 197 #
Paragraph 25
25. Stresses that the effective participation of all parties is needed in order to pursue the objective of limitthe Paris Agreement of holding the increase in the global average temperature to 1.5°Cwell below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, which in turn requires that the issue of vested or conflicting interests be addressed; reiterates, in this context, its support for the introduction of a specific conflicts-of-interest policy within the UNFCCC; calls on the Commission and the Member States to take the lead in that process without compromising the aims and the objectives of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 208 #
Paragraph 27
27. Encourages the Commission to explore linkages and other forms of cooperationof cooperation and later linkages with carbon markets of third states and regions as well as to stimulate the setup of further carbon markets and other carbon pricing mechanisms which will bring extra efficiencies, cost savings,lead to an acceleration of global mitigation efforts by using cost savings, and promoting economic cooperation on low emission development and reduce the risk of carbon leakage and economic distortions by creating a global level playing field; calls on the Commission to establish safeguards to ensure that any linkage with the EU ETS will continue to deliver additional and permanent mitigation contributions within the linked regions and will not undermine the Union’s domestic greenhouse gas emission commitments;
Amendment 209 #
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Stresses the utmost importance of achieving in the Paris Agreement targets while at the same time keeping jobs and an industrial base inside Europe to give people in this sector a positive perspective and to show the world that industry and climate neutrality is no contradiction. Strongly welcomes the commitment and efforts of many industrial players in Europe to become carbon neutral and encourages those sectors or companies that are still hesitant to follow the many good examples;
Amendment 212 #
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Asks the Commission to establish a specific Directorate for climate neutrality in industry and publish, as soon as possible, a strategy on the topic; considers that the strategy should include financial support from the European Union for example from the Innovation Fund and Horizon Europe, flexible application of state aid rules to enable the necessary innovations and reduce red tape that hinders innovation in the area, which means that the “one in, one out” strategy should focus on these kind of regulatory obstacles for the necessary innovation and investment;
Amendment 214 #
Paragraph 27 c (new)
27c. Warmly welcomes the announcement of the designated Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to extend the ETS to sectors not yet covered by the EU trading system and asks the Commission to immediately start preparatory work to introduce a CO2 pricing system, which avoids social hardship and does not increase the overall burdens of citizens;
Amendment 222 #
Paragraph 28
28. Regrets that the transport sector is the only sector in which emissions have grown since 1990; stresses that this is not compatible with long-term sustainable development, which instead requires reductions in emissions from all sectors of society at a great and faster rate; stresses that the interests of citizens and businesses from geographically remote or isolated countries and regions should be duly considered; recalls that the transport sector will need to be fully decarbonised by 2050; notes that the Commission’s analysis shows that the current global targets and measures envisaged by the International Maritime Organisation and the International Civil Aviation Organisation respectively, even if fully implemented, fall short of the necessary emissions reductions, and that significant further action consistent with the economy-wide objective of net-zero emissions is needed;, considers that in order to ensure the consistency of NDCs with the economy- wide commitments required by the Paris Agreement, Parties should be encouraged to include emissions from international shipping and aviation and to agree and implement measures at international, regional and national level to address emissions from these sectors;
Amendment 225 #
Paragraph 29
29. Expresses concern about the level of ambition of ICAO’s Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) given the ongoing work on the standards and recommended practices meant to implement the scheme from 2019; stresses that so far the standards are not acceptable and further dilution of the CORSIA scheme is unacceptable; calls upon the Commission and the Member States to do their utmost in strengthening CORSIA’s provisions and in supporting the adoption of a long-term goal to significantly reduce in-sector emissions of the aviation sector;
Amendment 230 #
Paragraph 31
31. Recalls that shipping CO2 emissions are projected to increase by 50% to 250% in the period to 2050; welcomes the agreement on the initial IMO Strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships as a first step for the sector to contribute to the realisation of the temperature goals in the Paris Agreement; regrets that the IMO has not, so far, madeurges the IMO to make swift progress on the adoption of short and medium-term measures to reach the objectives of the strategy; stresses the importance and urgency of implementing short and medium-term measures before 2023; underlines that further measures and action are needed to address maritime emissionsincluding carbon pricing instruments on the international level need to be explored immediately in order to address maritime emissions in line with the sectoral low emission transformation strategy and calls, therefore, on the EU and the Member States to closely monitor the impact and implementation of the IMO agreementinitial strategy and urges the Commission to considerpropose as soon as possible additional EU action, as part of its 2050 decarbonisation strategy and a cooperation strategy with other Parties willing to act as early as possible, to reduce maritime emissions in line with the temperature targetgoals of the Paris Agreement and to drive investments into zero-emission ships and the necessary enabling infrastructures to enable the beginning of a market ramp up before 2030;
Amendment 233 #
Paragraph 31
31. Recalls that shipping CO2 emissions are projected to increase by 50% to 250% in the period to 2050; welcomes the agreement on the initial IMO Strategy on reduction of GHG emissions from ships as a first step for the sector to contribute to the realisation of the temperature goal in the Paris Agreement; regrets that the IMO has not, so far, made progress on the adoption of short and medium-term measures to reach the objectives of the strategy; stresses the importance and urgency of implementing short and medium-term measures before 2023; underlines that further measures and action are needed to address maritime emissions and calls, therefore, on the EU and the Member States to closely monitor the impact and implementation of the IMO agreement and urges the Commission to consider additional EU action, as part of its 2050 decarbonisation strategy, to reduce maritime emissions in line with the temperature target of the Paris Agreement and to drive investments, and ambitious research into zero-emission ships and the necessary enabling infrastructures;
Amendment 238 #
Paragraph 32
32. Notes that approximately 60 % of the world’s methane is emitted by sources such as agriculture, landfills and wastewater, and the production and pipeline transport of fossil fuels; recalls that methane is a potent GHG with a 100- year global warming potential, 28 times more powerful than CO2 ; reminds the Commission of its legal obligation to explore as soon as possible policy options for rapidly addressing methane emissions, without hampering the competitiveness and quality of European food production, as part of a Union strategic plan for methane, and to present legislative proposals to Parliament and the Council to that effect;
Amendment 247 #
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Stresses the importance of understanding the positive effects of sustainable and active managed forests in Europe to adapt to climate change and avoid damages in forests;
Amendment 249 #
Paragraph 32 b (new)
32b. Underlines that sustainably managed forests are enormously important in fighting climate change via increased CO2 sequestration by growing forests, carbon storage in wood products and the substitution of fossil-based raw materials and energy while at the same time reducing the risks of forest fires, pest infestations and diseases;
Amendment 250 #
Paragraph 32 c (new)
32c. Calls for greater efforts at all political levels to prevent the deterioration of the state of forests in Europe and to restore their good condition where necessary; asks therefore the Commission and the Member States to support measures for reforestation on degraded soils and those unsuitable for agricultural use;
Amendment 252 #
Paragraph 32 d (new)
32d. In view of the fundamental role played by forests in the fight against climate change, believes that forest owners in Europe must receive adequate financial support for sustainable forest management;
Amendment 254 #
Paragraph 32 e (new)
32e. Underlines the important role of natural sinks in achieving greenhouse gas neutrality in the EU; calls on the Commission to develop a detailed EU strategy for the sustainable enhancement of natural sinks in line with the 2050 objective of greenhouse gas neutrality; and encourages Member States to cover this aspect thoroughly in their long-term strategies as required by Art. 15 (4) b of the Governance Regulation;
Amendment 255 #
Subheading 9
Amendment 256 #
Paragraph 32 f (new)
32f. Welcomes the commitment and concrete activities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in many parts of the world, for example the very ambitious commitments of many developing countries and small island states; regrets, however, the lack of ambition and the lack of debate on increasing the NDC in many major economies; recalls that the greenhouse gas emissions of the EU are 9 % of the global emissions compared to 6.7 % share of the citizens, which means that increased ambition in Europe is of crucial importance especially because of the historical responsibility and the necessity to give a good example to the rest of the world, while it will be impossible to achieve the Paris Agreement goal and avoid tipping points if increased ambition in other major economies will not follow;
Amendment 257 #
Paragraph 32 g (new)
32g. Asks the Commission to immediately analyse the options to increase the activities to motivate other major economies to increase their NDC and their concrete action and also consider innovative approaches;
Amendment 260 #
Paragraph 33
33. Strongly supports the continuation and further strengthening of the Union’s political outreach and climate diplomacy, which is essential for raising the profile of climate action in partner countries and global public opinion; considers that at the same time the efforts have definitely not been enough and the human resources foreseen in the European Commission and the External Service are far from sufficient, therefore proposes a drastic increase of human resources in this area;
Amendment 264 #
Paragraph 34
34. Emphasises the deepening implications of climate change for international security and regional stability stemming from environmental degradation, loss of livelihood, climate-induced displacement of people and associated forms of unrest where climate change can often be regarded as a threat multiplier; urges the EU and the Member States therefore, to work with their partners around the world to better understand, integrate, anticipate and manage the destabilising effects of climate change; encourages the implementation of an early warning programme for the big potential tipping points which have the potential to undermine sustainable structures and eco systems in bigger regions or continents;
Amendment 275 #
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Urges the Commission and the Council to use bilateral trade agreements more actively as a tool to fight climate change through mutual demands;
Amendment 276 #
Paragraph 35 b (new)
35b. Calls on the Commission and the Council to incorporate the Paris agreement in trade agreements in order to incentivize trading partners to reach the goals set in the Paris agreement. Also calls on the Commission and the Council to revise trade agreements in order to incorporate ambitious climate obligations in these bilateral agreements and thus incentivizing partners to adopt climate strategies in accordance with the Paris agreement;
Amendment 278 #
Paragraph 36
36. RAcknowledges the outmost importance of EU-US partnership for the achievement of the strategic goals of the Paris Agreement and any more ambitious strategy. Therefore, reiterates its regret of the announcement by US President Donald Trump of his intention to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement; strongly welcomes the continued mobilisation for climate action of major US states, cities, universities and other non-state actors under the ‘we are still in’ campaign; expresses the hope, that the US shall once again join the fight against climate change, and in partnership with the EU, to form the frontline in the process of worldwide agreements on trade, industry and energy, in compatibility with the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 279 #
Paragraph 36
36. Reiterates its regret of the announcement by US President Donald Trump of his intention to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement; strongly welcomes the continued mobilisation for climate action of major US states, cities, universities and other non-state actors under the ‘we are still in’ campaign; strongly welcomes the announcement of Russia to implement the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 282 #
Paragraph 37
37. Strongly deplores the lacklustre reaction by the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and the Brazilian Government to the unprecedented number and scale of forest fires in the Brazilian Amazon: urges the EU and its Member States to do their utmost to combat the environmental devastation of this key area in the global ecosystem and to take into account the potential role of its own trade policy;