Activities of Pär HOLMGREN related to 2020/0300(COD)
Plenary speeches (2)
General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030 (debate)
General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030 (debate)
Opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on a General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030
Amendments (32)
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a decision
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
Having regard to the 2020 report on Biodiversity and Pandemics by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)1a; _________________ 1ahttps://ipbes.net/sites/default/files/2020- 12/IPBES%20Pandemics%20Report%20 Media%20Release.pdf
Amendment 75 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) According to the EEA report ‘The European environment – state and outlook 2020, Knowledge for transition to a sustainable Europe’ (‘SOER 2020’), 2020 represents a unique window of opportunity for the Union to show leadership on sustainability and to faceby tackling the urgent sustainability challenges requirthat can only be met by ensuring rapid and far-reaching systemic solutionschange. As stated in SOER 2020, the changes in the global climate and ecosystems observed since the 1950s are unprecedented over decades to millennia. The global population has tripled since 1950, while the population living in cities has quadrupled. With the current growth model, environmental pressures are expected to increase further, causing direct and indirect harmful effects on human health and well-being. This is especially true for the sectors with the highest environmental impact – food, mobility, energy as well as infrastructure and buildings. SOER 2020 concludes that the 8th EAP vision of 'living well within the limits of our planet' cannot be achieved by continuing to promote economic growth whilst seeking to manage harmful side effects with environmental and social policy tools.
Amendment 78 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The European Commission responded to the challenges identified in the SOER 2020 by adopting the European Green Deal25 : (EGD)25 which it referred to as a new growth strategy for the twin green and digital transition that aims to transform the Union into a fair and prosperous society, with a competitive, climate-neutral and resource-efficient economy. However, this framing as a 'growth strategy' risks undermining the primary aim of the European Green Deal, which must be to ensure shared prosperity within planetary boundaries as set down in the 2050 vision of the 8th EAP. When choosing between different policy options under the EGD, swiftly achieving climate and other environmental targets must be the priority. Regulation (EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council26 enshrines into law the Union target to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. _________________ 25 COM(2019) 640 final. 26 COM(2020) 80 final.
Amendment 80 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5 a) The 2020 report on Biodiversity and Pandemics by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), highlighted that the underlying causes of pandemics are the same global environmental changes that drive biodiversity loss and climate change, with land use change and agricultural expansion and intensification as key drivers. The risk of pandemics can only be significantly reduced by reducing human activities that fuel biodiversity loss, and bold political action is required, meaning no less than a transformation of humanity's relationship with nature, in order to escape from the very real prospect of pandemics emerging more often, spreading more rapidly and killing more people than ever before. From an economic perspective, the estimated cost of reducing the risk of pandemics is 100 times less than the cost of responding to them1a; The current Covid 19 pandemic, which has led to an unprecedented and historic economic crisis, has brought into sharp focus the fact that economic prosperity, stability and resilience is clearly linked with, and dependent on, citizens' health and well-being. The pandemic has also underlined the need for a 'One health' approach, which recognises the interconnection between the human, animal and environmental spheres, and that diseases may be transmitted from one pillar to another and must therefore be tackled in a holistic approach, to be mainstreamed and integrated into policy making across all levels.
Amendment 82 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Environment action programmes have guided the development of EU environment policy since the early 1970s. The 7th EAP will expire on 31 December 2020 and its Article 4 (3) requires the Commission, if appropriate, to present a proposal for an Eighth Environment Action Programme (8th EAP) in a timely manner with a view to avoiding a gap between the 7th and the 8th EAP. The European Green Deal announced the adoption of a new environment action programme. to complement the European Green Deal that will include a new monitoring mechanism to ensure that Europe remains on track to meet its environmental objectives. The EGD also announced that the Commission will launch a dashboard to monitor progress against all of the European Green Deal objectives.
Amendment 87 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The 8th EAP should supportendorse and build on the environment and climate action objectives of the European Green Deal in line with the long-term objective to “live well, within the planetary boundaries” by 2050, which is already established in the 7th EAP. It should contribute to achievingalso be fully aligned with and drive forward the implementation and achievement of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.
Amendment 89 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8 a) The SDGs cover the three dimensions of sustainable development (environmental, social and economic) which are integrated and indivisible. The environmental objectives underpin the social and economic objectives because the basis for sustainable development is a healthy biosphere, and therefore a fair and just society and economy cannot be achieved without the attainment of the environmental SDGs. Full implementation by the Union of the UN's 2030 agenda for sustainable development and active support for implementation in other regions will be essential if the Union is to provide global leadership in achieving sustainability transitions. As the global food system is both a prime driver and generally a first victim of the Anthropocene, a rapid global food transformation towards healthy diets from sustainable food systems is necessary in order for the world to meet the targets set in the SDGs1a. _________________ 1a https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/handle /10568/106652/Planet_Rockstrom_2020.p df
Amendment 96 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The 8th EAP should accelerate the transition to a regenerative economy that gives back to the planet more than it takes. A regenerative growth model recognises that the wellbeing and prosperity of our societies depend on a stable climate, a healthy environment and thriving ecosystems, which provide a safe operating space for our economies. As the global population and the demand for natural resources continues to grow, economic activity should develop in a way that does no harm but, on the contrary, reverses climate change and environmental degradation, minimises pollution and results in maintaining and enriching natural capitalresources, therefore ensuring the abundance of renewable and non- renewable resources. Through continuous innovation, adaptation to new challenges and co-creation, the regenerative economy strengthens resilience and protects present and future generations’ wellbeing.
Amendment 98 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The 8th EAP should set out thematic priority objectives in areas of climate neutrality, adaption to climate change, protecting and restoring biodiversity, circular economy, the zero pollution ambition and reducing environmental pressures from production and consumption. It should furthermore identify the enabling conditions to achieve the long-term and the thematic priority objectives for all actors involved, as well as laying down actions necessary to achieve these conditions.
Amendment 105 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Environment policy being highly decentralised, action to achieve the priority objectives of the 8th EAP should be taken at different levels of governance, i.e. at the European, the national, the regional and the local level, with a collaborative approach to multi-level governance. The integrated approach to policy development and implementation should be strengthened with a view to maximising the synergies between economic, environmental and social objectives, while paying careful attention to potential trade-offs and, to the needs of vulnerable groups and potential gendered impacts of policies and measures. Moreover, transparent engagement with non- governmental actors is important for ensuring the success of the 8th EAP and the achievement of its priority objectives.
Amendment 108 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11 a) The United Nations Environment Programme and OECD Global Forum on Environment have highlighted that environmental changes have gender- specific impact. Gender-differentiated roles also cause differentiated vulnerabilities of women and men to the effects of climate change, and climate change impacts exacerbate gender inequalities1a. Therefore, a gender perspective on actions and goals related to the achievement of the priority objectives of the 8th EAP, including gender impact assessment of planned actions and a focus on gender mainstreaming and gender- responsive actions, is necessary in order to ensure that gender inequalities are not perpetuated. The 8th EAP recognises that gender equality is also a prerequisite for sustainable development and the efficient management of climate and environment challenges. _________________ 1a https://op.europa.eu/en/publication- detail/-/publication/9ef701cd-3c76-48a7- 8739-eb1fc126ffa7 AND https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/doc ument/A-8-2017-0403_EN.html
Amendment 109 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11 b (new)
Recital 11 b (new)
(11 b) Action to achieve the Union's environmental and climate objectives needs to be carried out in conjunction with, and must be fully compatible with, the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Amendment 118 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) In order to take account of evolving policy objectives and the progress made, the 8th EAP should be evaluated by the Commission in 2029, and the Commission should present a proposal for the 9th EAP in a timely matter, with a view to avoiding a gap between the 8th and 9th EAP. Moreover, to assess progress on the 8th EAP and to inform the priorities of the incoming Commission, a mid-term evaluation should be carried out in 2024. Also, the Commission should take into account the results in its political guidelines and produce a report by 31 March 2025 in which it would outline its environment and climate priorities for the years to follow, and how these priorities and related actions shall ensure the full achievement of the 8th EAP’s priority objectives and 2050 vision, in a European Green Deal II.
Amendment 123 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This decisions sets out a general action programme in the field of the environment for the period up to 31 December 2030 (‘8th EAP’). It lays down its priority objectives, identifies enabling conditions and related actions necessary for their achievement and sets a framework to measure whether the Union and its Member States are on track to meet those priority objectives.
Amendment 125 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. The 8th EAP aims at accelerating the transition to a climate-neutral, resource-efficient, clean and circular economy in a just and inclusive way, and at protecting, restoring and improving the quality of the environment, including air, water, and soil, halting and reversing biodiversity loss, including cultivated biodiversity, and tackling the degradation of ecosystems. It endorses the environmental and climate objectives of the European Green Deal and its initiatives.
Amendment 135 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
3. The 8th EAP forms the basis for achieving the environmental and climate objectives defined under the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals and its monitoring framework constitutes the environment and climate part ofshall contribute to the EU’s efforts to measure progress towards greater sustainability, including climate neutrality and resource efficiency, wellbeing and resilience.
Amendment 160 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) protecting, preserving and restoring biodiversity, including cultivated biodiversity, and enhancing natural capital, notably air, water, soil, and forest, freshwater, wetland and marine ecosystems;
Amendment 172 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3
— paying careful attention to synergies and potential trade-offs between economic, environmental and social objectives so as to ensure that citizens’ needs for nutrition, housing and mobility are met in a sustainable way that leaves no- one behind, recognising the gender- specific impacts of environmental degradation and climate change, and that, in order to achieve the priority objectives, a gender approach must be an integral part of all policies and actions at all levels;
Amendment 181 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 4 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 4 a (new)
- ensuring that impact assessments fully and systematically take into account environmental impacts, for example, impacts on biodiversity loss, including cultivated biodiversity, pollution and resource use;
Amendment 182 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 4 b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 4 b (new)
- ensuring a gender perspective on actions and goals related to the achievement of the priority objectives, including gender impact assessments of planned actions and initiatives and a focus on gender mainstreaming and gender-responsive actions;
Amendment 183 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 4 c (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 4 c (new)
- ensuring that initiatives to achieve the priority objectives are fully compatible with the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights;
Amendment 190 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(e a) making the best use of gender- responsive green budgeting and financing tools, including those required to ensure a socially fair transition, and supporting businesses and other stakeholders in applying standardised natural capital accounting practices whilst refraining, at Union and Member State level, from trading in ecosystem services or promoting such trade;
Amendment 192 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
(e b) scaling up the measures against illegal exploitation of natural resources, associated corruption and money laundering and increasing cooperation with third countries in relation to these measures;
Amendment 198 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(f a) closing gaps in, and optimising, relevant indicator sets such as those relating to planetary boundaries, environmental footprints, governance, sustainable finance, inequalities, production and consumption systems;
Amendment 199 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f b (new)
(f b) identifying and quantifying environmental limits, such as planetary boundaries, with the aim of defining a safe operating space for the Union, and monitoring whether Union policies and legislation are ambitious enough to keep the Union within the planet’s safe operating space, with a view to identifying and submitting, where appropriate, legislative proposals in order to prevent going beyond these thresholds; recognising and taking into account the critical need to scientifically define and move towards a safe operating space for food within planetary boundaries, necessitating a shift from the conventional focus on reducing environmental impacts at the farming system scale towards defining science- based targets for food at the planetary scale, using a food systems approach;
Amendment 203 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) making full use of nature based solutions and social innovationecosystem based solutions and social innovation including by investing more into biodiversity protection and restoration, including cultivated biodiversity, in line with the minimum spending targets agreed in the Union budget and with the funding objectives in the EU Biodiversity Strategy, which should be tracked through a strong methodology that builds on the Union’s taxonomy criteria as they become available;
Amendment 210 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 1 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 1 a (new)
- promoting the compliance of corporate due diligence, including along agricultural supply chains, to set legal standards for clarity, certainty, transparency and equality in global competition;
Amendment 217 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 5 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 5 a (new)
- strengthening the capacity of citizens to act, through awareness raising, lifelong education and civic involvement; raising awareness of the priority objectives set down in Article 2(1) and (2), and enabling democratic debate at all levels of governance and society on progress made towards their achievement;
Amendment 218 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Amendment 222 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission, supported by the European Environment Agency and the European Chemicals Agency, shall assess and report on the progress of the Union and the Member States with regard to achieving the priority objectives laid down in Article 2 on a regularn annual basis, taking into consideration the enabling conditions laid down in Article 3.
Amendment 226 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point b a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point b a (new)
(b a) working on closing gaps in, and optimising, relevant indicator sets, such as those relating to planetary boundaries, environmental footprints, governance, sustainable finance, inequalities, including gender inequalities, production and consumption systems; developing further methods to operationalise planetary boundaries for use at the Union and national levels in order to monitor performance against planetary boundaries; this applies in particular to food and farming related indicators in order to achieve a holistic, more localised, low-input, nature-based food system in a way that fits planetary and local boundaries;
Amendment 229 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
By 31 March 2029, the Commission shall carry out an evaluation of the 8th EAP. The Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council containing the main findings of that evaluation, accompanied, if the Commission deems appropriate, by a legislative proposal for the next environmental action programme. Such a legislative proposal shall be presented in a timely manner, with a view to avoiding a gap between the 8th and the 9th EAP.