Activities of Pär HOLMGREN related to 2020/0006(COD)
Shadow opinions (2)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Just Transition Fund
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council Establishing the Just Transition Fund
Amendments (82)
Amendment 35 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The regulatory framework governing the Union’s cohesion policy for the period from 2021 to 2027, in the context of the next multi-annual financial framework, contributes to the fulfilment of the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement, in particular the objective of limiting the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by concentrating Union funding on greenenvironmentally and socially sustainable objectives. This Regulation implements one of the priorities set out in the Communication on the European Green Deal (‘the European Green Deal’)11 and is part of the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan12 providing dedicated financing under the Just Transition Mechanism in the context of cohesion policy to support the Union territories and its inhabitants, in particular the most vulnerable, in addressing the economic and social costhallenges of the transition to a climate- neutral and circular economy, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource and energy efficient, and circular economy as early as possible and by 2040 at the latest, where any remaining greenhouse gas emissions are compensated by equivalent absorptions through nature-based solutions, and where the Union's natural capital and the health and wellbeing of people are protected and enhanced, within the planetary boundaries. _________________ 11 COM(2019) 640 final, 11.12.2019. 12 COM(2020) 21, 14.1.2020.
Amendment 39 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) As set out in the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan, a Just Transition Mechanism should complement the other actions under the next multi-annual financial framework for the period from 2021 to 2027. It should contribute to addressing the social and economic consequences ofThe Union should accompany and support regions and the people living there in transitioning towards Union climate neutrality by bringing together the Union budget’s spending on climate, on cohesion and social objectives at regionalall relevant levels.
Amendment 41 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The regulatory framework governing the Union’s cohesion policy for the period from 2021 to 2027, in the context of the next multi-annual financial framework, contributes to the fulfilment of the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement, in particular the objective of limiting the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by concentrating Union funding on greenenvironmentally and socially sustainable objectives. This Regulation implements one of the priorities set out in the Communication on the European Green Deal (‘the European Green Deal’)11 and is part of the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan12 providing dedicated financing under the Just Transition Mechanism in the context of cohesion policy to support the Union territories and its inhabitants, in particular the most vulnerable, in addressing the economic and social costhallenges of the transition to a climate- neutral and circular economy, where any remaining greenhouse gas emissions are compensated by equivalent absorption, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource and energy efficient, and circular economy as early as possible and by 2040 at the latest, where any remaining greenhouse gas emissions are compensated by equivalent absorptions through nature-based solutions, and where the Union’s natural capital and the health and wellbeing of people are protected and enhanced, within the planetary boundaries. _________________ 11 COM(2019) 640 final, 11.12.2019. 12 COM(2020) 21, 14.1.2020.
Amendment 48 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) In view of the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement, the commitment regarding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the increased ambition of the Union as proposed in the European Green Deal, the JTF should provide a key contribution to mainstream climate actions to create opportunities of a more prosperous and inclusive as well as a healthier and greener continent, the JTF should provide a key contribution to mainstream climate actions and hasten the transition to a climate-neutral, fully renewables-based, resource- and energy-efficient and circular economy as early as possible and by 2050 at the very latest. Resources from the JTF own envelope are additional and come on top of the investments needed to achieve the overall target of 250 % of the Union budget expenditure contributing to climate objectives. Resources transferred from the ERDF and ESF+ will contribute fully to the achievement of this target.
Amendment 58 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) The resources from the JTF should complement the resources available under cohesion policy and the CAP's rural development policy, as well as national and regional investments and private capital, and should by no means replace such investments.
Amendment 59 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The transition to a climate-neutral and circular economy constitutes one of the most important policy objectives, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource and energy efficient, and circular economy constitutes the new socio-economic development strategy for the Union. On 12 December 2019, the European Council endorsed the objective of achieving a climate-neutral Union by 2050, in line with as a way to contribute to the objectives of the Paris Agreement. While fighting climate change and environmental degradation will benefit all in the long term and provides opportunities and challenges for all in the medium term, not all regions and Member Statpeople and territories start their transition from the same point or have the same capacity to respond. Some are more advanced than others, whereas the transition entails a wider social and economic impact for those regionpeople and territories that rely heavily on fossil fuels - especially coal, lignite, peat and oil shale - or greenhouse gas intensive industries. Such a situation not only creates the risk of a variable speed transition in the Union as regards climate action, but also of growing disparities between regionand within people and territories, detrimental to the objectives of social, economic and territorial cohesion.
Amendment 69 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) In order to be successful, the transition has to be fair and socially acceptable for allpeople-centred, fair, inclusive and provide opportunities for all, leaving no one behind. Therefore, both the Union and the Member States must take into account its economic and social implications from the outset, and deploy all possible instruments to mitigate adverse consequencesavoid, and where unavoidable, mitigate adverse consequences, and create new opportunities for people and territories most affected by the transition. The Union budget has an important role in that regard.
Amendment 73 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) This Regulation identifies types of investments for which expenditure may be supported by the JTF. All supported activities should be pursued in full respect of the climate and environmental priorities of the Union. The list of investments should include those that support local economies and are sustainable in the long- term, taking into account allfully aligning with all the objectives of the Green Deal and the objectives of the Green Deal2015 Paris Agreement of limiting increase in global temperature to 1,5 degrees C above pre-industrial levels. The projects financed should contribute to a transition to a climate-neutral and circular economy. For declining sectors, such as energy production based on coal, lignite, peat and oil shale or extraction activities for these solid fossil fuels, support should be linked to the phasing out of the activity and the corresponding reduction in the employment level. As regards transforming sectors with high greenhouse gas emission levels, support should promote new activities through the deployment of new technologies, new processes or products, leading to significant emission reduction, in line with the EU 2030 climate objectives and EU climate neutrality by 205013 while maintaining and enhancing employment and avoiding environmental degradation. Particular attention should also be given to activities enhancing innovation and research in advanced and sustainable technologies, as well as in the fields of digitalisation and connectivity, provided that such measures help mitigate the negative side effects of a transition towards, and contribute to, a climate- neutral and circular economy. _________________ 13 As set out in “A Clean Planet for all European strategic long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate neutral economy”, Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the European Investment Bank - COM(2018) 773 final.
Amendment 80 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) To protect citizensgroups of people who are the most vulnerable tolikely to require support to achieve the climate transition, the JTF should also cover the up-skilling and reskilling of the affected workers, with the aim of helping them to adapt to new employment opportunities, as well as providing job-search assistance to jobseekerspaying particular attention to the most vulnerable people as defined in the [ESF+ Regulation] with the aim of helping them to adapt to new employment opportunities, and achieving gender balance across sectors, as well as providing active labour market and skills policies targeted towards future oriented sectors and employment, providing assistance to those affected by the transition, and personalised job-search assistance to all categories of jobseekers and ensuring equal access to all groups of people without discrimination and their active inclusion into the labour market.
Amendment 81 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) As set out in the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan, a Just Transition Mechanism should complement the other actions under the next multi-annual financial framework for the period from 2021 to 2027. It should contribute tosupport people and territories in addressing the social and economic consequenceimpacts of transitioning towards Union climate neutrality by bringing together the Union budget’s spending on climate, environmental and social objectives at regional and local level.
Amendment 86 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11 a) Member States and the Commission should ensure that the implementation of the priorities financed by the JTF contributes to the respect and the promotion of equality between women and men in accordance with Article 8 TFEU. Evaluations have shown the importance of taking the gender-equality objectives into account in all dimensions and in all stages of the preparation, monitoring, implementation and evaluation of operational programmes, in a timely and consistent manner while ensuring that specific actions are taken to promote gender equality, the economic independence of women, education and skills upgrading and the reintegration of female victims of violence into the labour market and into society.
Amendment 87 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) This Regulation establishes the Just Transition Fund (‘JTF’) which is one of the pillars of the Just Transition Mechanism implemented under cohesion policy. The aim of the JTF is to avoid, and where unavoidable mitigate, the adverse effects of the climate and environmental transition by supporting the most affected territories and workersand providing new opportunities to the most affected people and territories, in particular the workers directly concerned. In line with the JTF specific objective, actions supported by the JTF should directly contribute to alleviate the impact of the transition by financing the diversification and modernisation of the local economy and by mitigating the negative repercussions on employmentstrengthening its resilience through direct support to environmentally and socially sustainable activities, and by mitigating the adverse social consequences of the transition. This is reflected in the JTF specific objective, which is established at the same level and listed together with the policy objectives set out in Article [4] of Regulation EU [new CPR].
Amendment 88 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) In order to enhance the economic diversification of territories impacted by the transition, the JTF should provide support to productive investment in SMEs involved in activities defined as environmentally sustainable pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2020/... [Taxonomy Regulation] and which contributes to the Union’s aim towards a circular economy. Productive investment should be understood as investment in fixed capital or immaterial assets of enterprises in view of producing goods and services thereby contributing to gross-capital formation and employment. For enterprises other than SMEs, productive investments should only be supported if they are necessary fordirectly linked to the development of new activities in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2020/... [Taxonomy Regulation], thereby mitigating job losses resulting from the transition, by creating or protecting a significant number of jobs and they do not lead to or result from relocation. Investments in existing industrial facilities, including those covered by the Union Emissions Trading System, should be allowed if they contribute to the transition to a climate-neutral economy by 2050 and go substantially below the relevant benchmarks established for free allocation under Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council14 and if they result in the protection of a significant number of jobs. Any such investment should be justified accordingly in the relevant territorial just transition plan. In order to protect the integrity of the internal market and cohesion policy, support to undertakings should comply with Union State aid rules as set out in Articles 107 and 108 TFEU and, in particular, support to productive investments by enterprises other than SMEs should be limited to enterprises located in areas designated as assisted areas for the purposes of points (a) and (c) of Article 107(3) TFEU. _________________ 14Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC (OJ L 275, 25.10.2003, p. 32).
Amendment 101 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The JTF support should be conditional on the effective and measurable implementation of a transition process in a specific territory in order to achieve a climate-neutral economy. In that regard, recipient regions in Member States should prepare, in cooperationtogether with the relevant stakeholders, including civil society and the local communities concerned, and supported by the Commission, territorial just transition plans, detailing the transition process, consiincluding job creation measures, investmently with their National Energy and Climate Plans in local social infrastructure, in line with at least the ambition of their National Energy and Climate Plans, the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the European Pillar of Social Rights. To this end, the Commission should set up a Just Transition Platform, which would build on the existing platform for coal regions in transition to enable bilateral and multilateral exchanges of experience on lessons learnt and best practices across all affected sectors. ctors and sectors concerned. The existing platform should be used to disseminate best practices during the planning phase.
Amendment 105 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) In view of the importance of tackling climate changelimiting the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels in line with the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement, the commitment regarding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the increased ambition of the Union as proposed in the European Green Deal and the European Climate Law, the JTF should provide a key contribution to mainstream climate actions. Resources from the JTF own envelope are additional and come on top of the investments needed to achieve the overall target of 25at least 50% of the Union budget expenditure contributing to climate objectives. Resources transferred from the ERDF and ESF+ will contribute fully to the achievement of this target.
Amendment 120 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation establishes the Just Transition Fund (‘JTF’) to provide support to territories facing serious socio- economic challenges deriving from the transition process towards a climate- neutral economy of the Union by 2050to the groups of people and the territories which require additional support to make the transition to a fully renewables-based, resource- and energy-efficient, and climate-neutral economy of the Union by 2050 at the latest and to turn the challenges into opportunities, particularly in terms of creation of new, decent and sustainable green jobs and the up- and re- skilling of workers, education and training, and to promote a new economic model working within the limited natural resources on the Earth.
Amendment 127 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Transitioning to a climate-neutral economy is a challenge for all Member States. I, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource and energy efficient, and circular economy by 2040 at the latest is a challenge for all Member States. While it will create new opportunities and benefit all in the long term, it will be particularly demandchallenging for those Member Statpeople and territories that rely heavily on fossil fuels or greenhouse gas intensive industrial activities which needhave to be phased out or which need to adapt due to the transition towards climate neusubstantially transformed to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industriality levels and that lack the financial means to do so. The JTF should therefore cover all Mo ensure the efficient use of public spending, the JTF should cover all Member States provided they have adopted legally binding targets and measures for the phase out of all fossil fuels in a timeframe compatible with the objective of limiting the tembper States, but tature increase to 1.5°C above pre- industrial levels, including the phase out of solid fossil fuels by 2030 at the latest, and for reaching economy-wide climate- neutrality by 2040 at the latest. The distribution of its financial means should reflect the capacity of Member States to finance the necessary investments to cope with the transition towards climate neutrality.
Amendment 129 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The JTF shall support the Investment for jobs and growth goal in all Member States, respecting and supporting the overarching objectives of the European Green Deal, and in particular the Union-wide climate-neutrality objective as laid down in Regulation (EU) 2020/…. (the European Climate Law), in order to tackle climate and environmental challenges while ensuring a just transition that leaves no-one behind.
Amendment 146 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) productive investments in SMEs, including start-ups, leading to economic diversification and reconverstargeting activities defined as environmentally sustainable pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2020/…[Taxonomy Regulation;]
Amendment 148 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) In order to set out an appropriate financial framework for the JTF, the Commission should set out the annual breakdown of available allocations per Member State under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, based on objective criteria and clear conditionalities.
Amendment 156 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) This Regulation identifies types of investments for which expenditure may be supported by the JTF. All supported activities should be pursued in full respect of the climate and environmental priorities of the Union, in particular the Union and Member States commitment to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre- industrial levels. The EU Taxonomy for sustainable activities has an important role in that regard. The list of investments should include those that support local communities and economies and are sustainable in the long- termenvironmentally and socially sustainable, taking into account all the objectives of the Green Deal. The projects financed should contribute to a transition to a climate- neutral and circular economy, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource and energy efficient, and circular economy by 2040 at the latest. For declining sectors, such as energy production based on coal, lignite, peat, gas and oil shale, or extraction activities for these solid fossil fuels, support should be linkconditioned to the full phasing out of the activity in a timeframe consistent with the objective of limiting the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and the corresponding reduction in the employment level. As regards transforming sectors with high greenhouse gas emission levels, support should promote new activities through the deployment of new technologies, new processes or products, leading to significant emission reduction, in line with the EU 2030 climate objectiveand energy targets and the EU climate neutrality by 205013 while maintaining and enhancing employment and avoiding environmental degradationobjective as defined in the European Climate Law, while maintaining and enhancing high- quality jobs and avoiding any harm to the environment. Particular attention should also be given to activities enhancing innovation and research in advanced and sustainablezero- emission technologies, as well as in the fields of digitalisation and connectivity, provided that such measures help mitigate the negative side effects of a transition towards, and contribute to, a climate- neutral and circular economy. _________________ 13 As set out in “A Clean Planet for all European strategic long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate neutral economy”, Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the European Investment Bank - COM(2018) 773 finalcontribute to significantly reduce GHG emissions and use of natural resources.
Amendment 174 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) To protect citizenspeople who are most vulnerable to the climate and environmental transition, the JTF should also cover the up-skilling and reskilling of the affected workers as well as the unemployed and most deprived persons, with the aim of helping them to adapt to new employment opportunities, as well as providing active and personalised job-search assistance to all categories of jobseekers and their active inclusion into the labour market. society, while pursuing an active gender balance and anti-discrimination approach.
Amendment 181 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f
(f) investments in regeneration and decontamination of sites, land restoration and repurposing projects, while ensuring appropriate respect for the ‘polluter pays" principle;
Amendment 190 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) In order to enhance the economic diversification and resilience of territories impacted by the transition, the JTF should provide support to productive investment in SMEs in sectors necessary for the transition towards a climate-neutral, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource and energy efficient, and circular economy by 2040 at the latest. Productive investment should be understood as investment in fixed capital or immaterial assets of enterprises in view of producing goods and services thereby contributing to gross- capital formation and employment. For enterprises other than SMEs, productive investments should only be supported if they are strictly necessary for mitigating job losses resulting from the transition, by creating or protecting a significant number of jobs and they do not lead to or result from relocation. Investments in existing industrial facilities, including those covered by the Union Emissions Trading System, should be allowed if they contribute to the transition to a climate-neutral economy by 2050 and go substantially below the relevant benchmarks established for free allocation under Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council14 and if thethe successful implementation of the territorial just transition plan, and are contributing to mitigating job losses resulting from the transition, by cresult in theating or protection ofng a significant number of jobs. Any such investment should be justified accordingly in the relevant territorial just transition pla and they do not lead to or result from relocation. In order to protect the integrity of the internal market and cohesion policy, support to undertakings should comply with Union State aid rules as set out in Articles 107 and 108 TFEU and, in particular, support to productive investments by enterprises other than SMEs should be limited to enterprises located in areas designated as assisted areas for the purposes of points (a) and (c) of Article 107(3) TFEU. _________________ 14Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC (OJ L 275, 25.10.2003, p. 32).
Amendment 199 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point j
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point j
(j) active inclusion of jobseekers, ensuring equal access and promoting and ensuring gender equality;
Amendment 203 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The JTF support should be conditional on the effective implementation of a just transition process in a specific territory in order to achieve a climate-neutral economy. In that regard,, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource and energy efficient, and circular economy by 2040 at the latest. In that regard, the competent authorities in each Member States should prepare, in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders and supported by the Commission, territorial just transition plans, detailing the transition process, including legally binding dates for the phase out of all fossil fuels in a timeframe consistently with their National Energy and Climate Plan objective of limiting the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and a timeline for key transition steps and measures to contribute to the objectives of the latest Union Environmental Action Plan and to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. To this end, the Commission should set up a Just Transition Platform, which would build on the existing platform for coal regions in transition to enable bilateral and multilateral exchanges of experience on lessons learnt and best practices across all affected sectors and communities.
Amendment 211 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Additionally, the JTF may support, in areas designated as assisted areas in accordance with points (a) and (c) of Article 107(3) of the TFEU and in compliance with Union State aid rules as set out in Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU, productive investments in enterprises other than SMEs, provided that such investments have been approved as part of the territorial just transition plan based on the information required under point (h) of Article 7(2). Such investments shall only be eligible where they are necessary for the implementation of the territorial just transition plan.
Amendment 218 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The territorial just transition plans should identify the people and territories most negatively affected, where JTF support should be concentrated and describe specific actions to be undertaken to reach a climate-neutral economy, and precise targets and timelines to be achieved, to reach a climate-neutral, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource and energy efficient, and circular economy by 2040 at the latest, notably as regards the conversion or closure of facilities involving fossil fuel production or other greenhouse gas intensive activities. Those territories should be precisely defined and correspond to NUTS level 3 regions or should be parts thereof. The plans should detail the challenges and, opportunities and investment needs of those territories and identify the type of operations needed in a manner that ensures the coherent development of climate-resilient economicenvironmentally sustainable activities that are also consistent wnecessary to limith the transition to climate-neuemperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industriality and levels and achieve the objectives of the Green Deal. Only investments in accordance with the transition plans should receive financial support from the JTF. The territorial just transition plans should be part of the programmes (supported by the ERDF, the ESF+, the Cohesion Fund or the JTF, as the case may be) which are approved by the Commission.
Amendment 230 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) investment directly or indirectly related to the production, processing, distribution, storage or combustion of fossil fuels, or other fuels whose positive net climate impact has not been sufficiently and scientifically demonstrated at the time of the funding request;
Amendment 234 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
No Union funding shall be provided for activities that relate to the scheduling of new fossil fuel extraction or peat extraction, including the re-opening of temporarily decommissioned extraction facilities in the NUTS 2 region in which the territory falls, during the duration of the programme.
Amendment 235 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) The objectives of this Regulation, namely to support people and territories facing economic and social transformation in their transition to a climate-neutral economy, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource and energy efficient, and circular economy by 2040 at the latest, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States alone. The main reasons in this regard are, on the one hand, the disparities between the levels of development of the various territories and the backwardnesspecific challenges of the least favoured people and territories, as well as the limit on the financial resources of the Member States and territories and, on the other hand, the need for a coherent implementation framework covering several Union funds under shared management. Since those objectives can better be achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 TEU. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives,
Amendment 241 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation establishes the Just Transition Fund (‘JTF’) to provide support to people and territories facing seriousin addressing the socio- economic challenges deriving fromlinked to the transition process towards a climate- neutral economy of the Union by 2050, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource- and energy-efficient and circular economy as early as possible and by 2040 at the latest, in a just and inclusive way, leaving no one behind, in pursuit of the Union and Member States commitment under the Paris Agreement to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre- industrial levels.
Amendment 251 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall prepare, together with the relevant authorities of the territories concerned, one or more territorial just transition plans covering one or more affected territories corresponding to level 3 of the common classification of territorial units for statistics (‘NUTS level 3 regions’) as established by Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 8682016/20146617 or parts thereof, in accordance with the template set out in Annex II. Those territories shall be those most negatively affected based on the economic and social impacts resulting from the transition, in particular with regard to expected job losses in fossil fuel production and use and the transformation needs of the production processes of industrial facilities with the highest greenhouse gas intensity. _________________ 17 Commission Regulation (EU) 2016/2066 of 21 November 2016 amending the annexes to Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on the establishment of a common classification of territorial units for statistics (NUTS) (OJ L 154 21.6322, 29.11.200316, p. 1).
Amendment 252 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) a description of the transition process at national level towards a climate- neutral economy, including a timeline by 2050 at the latest, including a clear date for the phase-out of all fossil fuels as well as a pre-2030 date for the phase-out of coal, and a precise timeline including 2030 milestones for key transition steps which are consistent with the latest version of the National Energy and Climate Plan (‘NECP’);
Amendment 262 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(e a) a complete and detailed list of the different partners and stakeholders consulted representing people living in the territory concerned, in particular workers of the region concerned;
Amendment 264 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Territorial just transition plans shall be consistent with the territorial strategies referred to in Article [23] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR], with relevant smart specialisation strategies, the NECPs and the European Pillar of Social Rights, the Union’s commitment under the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Amendment 272 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The JTF shall support the Investment for jobs and growth goal in all Member States. provided they have adopted legally binding targets and measures for the phase out of all fossil fuels in a timeframe compatible with the objective of limiting the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, including the phase out of solid fossil fuels by 2030 at the latest, and for reaching economy-wide climate-neutrality by 2040 at the latest.
Amendment 284 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The resources for the JTF under the Investment for jobs and growth goal available for budgetary commitment for the period 2021-2027 shall be EUR 7.530 billion in 2018 prices, which may be increased, as the case may be, by additional resources allocated in the Union budget, and by other resources in accordance with the applicable basic act.
Amendment 290 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The resources for the JTF under the Investment for jobs and growth goal available for budgetary commitment for the period 2021-2027 shall be EUR 7.530 billion in 2018 prices, which may be increased, as the case may be, by additional resources allocated in the Union budget, and by other resources in accordance with the applicable basic act.
Amendment 292 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission shall adopt a decision by means of an implementing act setting out the annual breakdown of resources, taking into account the conditionality set out in paragraph 1 and including any additional resources referred to in paragraph 2, by Member State in accordance with the methodology set out in Annex I.
Amendment 311 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) productive investments in SMEs, including start-ups, leading to economic diversification and reconversionin sectors necessary for the just transition towards a climate- neutral, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource and energy-efficient and circular economy by 2040 at the latest;
Amendment 325 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) investments in the creation of new firms, including through business incubators and consulting services; , in sectors necessary for the just transition towards a climate-neutral, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource and energy-efficient, and circular economy by 2040 at the latest, and provided they publicly disclose how they intend to align their economic activities to the objective of limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and to minimise their global environmental footprint, implementing, as a minimum requirement, the 2019 Guidelines of the European Commission on reporting climate-related information1a; _________________ 1ahttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52019 XC0620%2801%29
Amendment 334 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) investments in research and innovation activities and fostering the transfer of advanced technologies leading to a significant reduction of GHG emissions, resource or energy use, enabling the transition to a climate- neutral, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource and energy efficient, and circular economy by 2040 at the latest;
Amendment 358 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) investments in the deployment of technology and infrastructures for affordable clean energy, inrenewable energy, significant greenhouse gas emission reduction, resource and energy efficiency and renewable energy;
Amendment 367 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) targeted energy efficiency retrofit measures to address energy poverty and poor housing conditions;
Amendment 377 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e
(e) investments in digitalisation and digital connectivity, taking into account the need to significantly reduce the use of resources and energy to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre- industrial levels;
Amendment 385 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f
(f) investments in regeneration and decontamination of sites, land restoration and repurposing projects, with the exception of preventive and remedial actions due under EU law and national legislation on environmental liabilities, in accordance with the’polluter pays' principle pursuant to Article 45 of Commission Regulation (EU) No 615/2014;
Amendment 408 #
(g) investments in enhancing thefostering a non- toxic circular economy, including through waste prevention, reduction, resource efficiency, reuse, repair and recycling;
Amendment 421 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point h
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point h
(h) upskilling and reskilling of workers; people with the aim of bridging the skills gap necessary for the just transition towards a climate-neutral, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource and energy efficient, and circular economy by 2040 at the latest, while pursuing an active gender balance and anti-discriminatory approach;
Amendment 426 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point i
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point i
(i) job-search assistance to jobseekers; personal and active match-making on the labour market and job-search assistance to jobseekers while pursuing an active gender balance and anti- discriminatory approach, including through income support for transitioning workers;
Amendment 428 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point j
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point j
(j) active inclusion of jobseekers guaranteeing the same access to all individuals, with a particular focus on the most vulnerable ones, the youth and the elderly, those NEETs and persons with disabilities, while pursuing an active gender balance and anti- discriminatory approach;
Amendment 437 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Activities referred to in points (a) to (g) shall be eligible exclusively is they are considered environmentally sustainable in accordance with Article 3 of Regulation.../... [Taxonomy Regulation].
Amendment 443 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Additionally, the JTF may support, in areas designated as assisted areas in accordance with points (a) and (c) of Article 107(3) of the TFEU and in compliance with Union State aid rules as set out in Articles 107 and 108 of the TFEU, productive investments in enterprises other than SMEs, provided that such investments have been approved as part of the territorial just transition plan based on the information required under point (h) of Article 7(2). Such investments shall only be eligible where they are strictly necessary for the implementation of the territorial just transition plan., and where the enterprise has publicly disclosed how it intends to align its economic activities to the objective of limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre- industrial levels, and to minimise its global environmental footprint, implementing, as a minimum requirement, the 2019 Guidelines of the European Commission on reporting climate-related information1a;. _________________ 1ahttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52019 XC0620%2801%29
Amendment 453 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Amendment 460 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the decommissioning or, the construction of nuclear power stationsr the lifetime extension of nuclear power stations, the management or storage of nuclear waste, or any other form of activity related to nuclear power;
Amendment 478 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) investment directly or indirectly related to the exploration, production, processing, distribution, storage or combustion of any fossil fuels, including natural gas and biomass co-combustion;
Amendment 489 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) investments related to the production, processing, distribution, storage or combustion of biofuels that are not considered as’advanced biofuels' under Directive (EU) 2018/20011a; _________________ 1ahttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32018 L2001
Amendment 498 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) investment in facilities for the treatment of residual waste, including waste-to-energy;
Amendment 501 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
(eb) operations that are inconsistent with the achievement of the Union's climate objectives as set out in Regulation (EU) … /… [European Climate Law] or are detrimental to the Union environmental objectives as referred to in the latest Union Environmental Action Programme adopted in accordance with Article 192(3) TFEU;
Amendment 506 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Within 3 months of the extension of the scope of Regulation (EU) 2020/... [Taxonomy Regulation] to cover activities that significantly harm environmental sustainability, the Commission shall revise this Article to ensure the JTF does not support any activity that significantly harm environmental sustainability.
Amendment 513 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The JTF resources shall be programmed for the categories of regions where the people and territories concerned are located, on the basis of the territorial just transition plans established in accordance with Article 7 and approved by the Commission as part of a programme or a programme amendment. The resources programmed shall take the form of one or more specific programmes or of one or more priorities within a programme.
Amendment 514 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The Commission shall only approve a programme where the identification of the people and territories most negatively affected by the transition process, contained within the relevant territorial just transition plan, is duly justified and the relevant territorial just transition plan is consistent with the Union and Member States commitment to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre- industrial levels, the Union's climate objectives as defined under Regulation (EU) … /… [European Climate Law], the National Energy and Climate Plan and the Long-term Strategy of the Member State concerned and the Commission's recommendations thereto, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Amendment 541 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. In each Member State, the competent authorities shall prepare, together with the relevant authorities of the territorstakeholders including civil society, trade unions and the local communities concerned, one or more territorial just transition plans covering one or more affected territories corresponding to level 3 of the common classification of territorial units for statistics (‘NUTS level 3 regions’) as established by Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 868/201417 or parts thereof, in accordance with the template set out in Annex II. Those territories shall be those most negatively affected based on the economic and social impacts resulting from the transition, in particular with regard to expected job losses in fossil fuel production and use and the transformation needs of the production processes of industrial facilities with the highest greenhouse gas intensity. _________________ 17Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on the establishment of a common classification of territorial units for statistics (NUTS) (OJ L 154 21.6.2003, p. 1).
Amendment 549 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) a description of the transition process at national and regional level towards a climate- neutral economy, including a timeline for key transition steps which are consistent with the latest versionneutral, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource and energy efficient, and circular economy by 2040 at the latest, including legally binding dates for the phase out of all fossil fuels within the concerned territory in a timeframe consistent with the objective of limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and a timeline for key transition steps and measures to contribute to the objectives of the Nlatest Unional Energy and Climate Plan (‘NECP’)vironmental Action Plan and to the UN Sustainable Development Goals;
Amendment 563 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) a justification for identifying the people and territories as most negatively affected by the transition process referred to in point (a) and to be supported by the JTF, in accordance with paragraph 1;
Amendment 565 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) an assessment of the transition challenges faced by the most negatively affecteand opportunities faced by the most affected people and territories, including the social, economic, and environmental impactand gender- related impacts, both positive and negative, of the just transition to a climate- neutral, economy, identifying the potential number of affected jobs and job lossnvironmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource and energy-efficient, and circular economy by 2040 at the latest, and identifying the development needs and objectives, to be reached by 2030 linked to the transformation or, in particular those related to the necessary closure of greenhouse gas-intensive activities in those territories or to any other substantial socio-economic transformation necessary to the fulfilment of the Member States commitment to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre- industrial levels;
Amendment 575 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) a description of the expected contribution of the JTF support to addressing the social, economic and, environmental and gender-related impacts of the just transition to a climate-neutral economy, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource and energy efficient, and circular economy by 2040 at the latest;
Amendment 584 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point f
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) a description of the governance mechanisms consisting of the partnership arrangements and a list of partners involved as referred to in paragraph 3, the monitoring and evaluation measures planned and the responsible bodies;, in line with Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 240/20141a; _________________ 1ahttps://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32014 R0240
Amendment 587 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point g
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point g
(g) a description of the type of operations envisaged and their expected contribution to alleviate the impact of the transitionthe challenges referred to in point (c);
Amendment 591 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point h
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point h
(h) where support is provided to productive investments to enterprises other than SMEs, an exhaustive list of such operations and enterprises and a justification of the necessity of such support through a gap analysis demonstrating that the expected job losses would exceed the expected number of jobs created for the success of the transition process referred to in point (a) and for overcoming the absence of the investmentchallenges referred to in point (c);
Amendment 593 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point i
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point i
Amendment 606 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
A territorial just transition plan shall be consistent with the objective of limiting the global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and of halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030. It shall not lead to environmentally harmful lock-in effects, in particular carbon intensive lock-in effects.
Amendment 616 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Where the Commission concludes, based on the examination of the final performance report of the programme, that there is a failure to achieve at least 675% of the target established for one or more output or result indicators for the JTF resources, it may make financial corrections pursuant to Article [98] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR] by reducing the support from the JTF to the priority concerned in proportion to the achievements.
Amendment 667 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – point 2 – introductory part
Annex II – point 2 – introductory part
2. Assessment of transition challenges, and opportunities for each of the identified territory
Amendment 669 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – point 2 – point 2.1 – introductory part
Annex II – point 2 – point 2.1 – introductory part
2.1. Assessment of the economic, social and territorial impacts, both positive and negative, of the just transition to a climate- neutral economy, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource and energy efficiency, and circular economy by 2040 at the latest
Amendment 670 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – point 2 – point 2.2 – introductory part
Annex II – point 2 – point 2.2 – introductory part
2.2. Development needs and objectives by 2030 in view of reaching climate neu, within the identified territory, in view of fulfilling the Member States commitment to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre- industriality levels
Amendment 671 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point 1.1
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point 1.1
1.1. Outline of the expected transition process towards a climate-neutral economy in line with the Union and Member States commitment to limit, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource- and energy-efficient and circular economy by 2040 at the latest, in line with the Union and Member States commitment to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C below pre-industrial levels, the objectives of the National Energy and Climate Plans and other existing transition plans with a legally-binding timeline for ceasing or scaling down activities, such asactivities that are inconsistent with the Union and Member States commitments under the Paris Agreement, such as all activities related to coal and lignite mining or coal fired electricity production from fossil fuels
Amendment 672 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point 1.2
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point 1.2
1.2. Identifying the people and territories expected to be the most negatively affected and justifying this choice with the corresponding estimation of the economic and employment impacts based the outline of Section 1.1
Amendment 672 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – point 2 – point 2.4 – paragraph 3
Annex II – point 2 – point 2.4 – paragraph 3
Amendment 677 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point 1.1
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point 1.1
1.1. Outline of the expected transition process towards a climate-neutral economy in line with, environmentally sustainable, fully renewables-based, highly resource- and energy-efficient and circular economy by 2040 at the latest, in line with the Union and Member States commitment to limit the global temperature increase to 1.5°C below pre-industrial levels, the objectives of the National Energy and Climate Plans and other existing transition plans with a legally-binding timeline for ceasing or scaling down activities, such asactivities that are inconsistent with the Union and Member States commitments under the Paris Agreement, such as all activities related to coal and lignite mining or coal fired electricity production from fossil fuels
Amendment 678 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point 1.2
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point 1.2
1.2. Identifying the people and territories expected to be the most negatively affected and justifying this choice with the corresponding estimation of the economic and employment impacts based the outline of Section 1.1
Amendment 684 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 2 – point 2.4 – Reference: Article 7(2)(i)
Annex II – paragraph 2 – point 2.4 – Reference: Article 7(2)(i)