Activities of Jutta PAULUS related to 2020/0300(COD)
Plenary speeches (2)
General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030 (debate)
General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030 (debate)
Shadow 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 (92)
Amendment 23 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The Commission’s evaluation of the 7 EAP24 concluded that its 2050 vision th and priority objectives are still valid; that it has helped to provide more predictable, faster and better-coordinated action in environment policy; and that its structure and enabling framework have helped create synergies, thus making environment policy more effective and efficient. Moreover, the evaluation concluded that the 7th EAP anticipated the United Nation’s 2030 Agenda by insisting that economic growthdevelopment and social wellbeing depend on a healthy natural resource baseenvironment, and facilitated delivering on the Sustainable Development Goals. It also enabled the Union to speak with one voice on the global stage on climate and environmental matters. In its evaluation of the 7th EAP, the Commission also concluded that progress related to nature protection, health and policy integration was not sufficient. _________________ 24 COM(2019) 233 final. Shortcomings can be attributed to the absence of meaningful indicators and monitoring schemes, deficient resources for the enforcement of environmental law, missing prioritisation and a lack of integration of environmental concerns into other policy areas. Moreover, the Commission noted in its evaluation24a that, despite increasingly ambitious environmental targets, spending on environmental protection has remained low in Europe over many years and the failure to implement environmental legislation costs the EU economy around EUR 55 billion each year in health costs and direct costs to the environment. _________________ 24 COM(2019) 233 final. 24a https://ec.europa.eu/environment/action- programme/pdf/COM_2019_233_F1_RE PORT_FROM_COMMISSION_ET_V3_ P1_1020956.pdf
Amendment 24 #
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 uniquethere is a unique but narrow window of opportunity for the Union in the next decade to show leadership on sustainability and to faceby tackling the urgent sustainability challenges requirthat can be only 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 and ultimately destroying our means of livelihood.. This is especially true for the sectors with the highest environmental impact – food, mobility, energy as well as infrastructure and buildings. In that regard, it is important to ensure that the Union and its Member States promote healthy lifestyles, including active mobility through walking and cycling, thereby enabling a green regeneration of the public space in urban areas and enable investments in developing appropriate infrastructure for environmentally sustainable zero- emission mobility, including intermodal platforms to promote modal shift and reinforcing the role of the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) in supporting the transition towards smart, sustainable and safe mobility in the Union.
Amendment 27 #
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 : a new growthdevelopment 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 and healthy, resilient ecosystems. The European Green Deal calls as well on accelerating the shift to sustainable and smart mobility since transport accounts for a quarter of the EU’s greenhouse gas emissions, and is still growing. To achieve climate neutrality, a 100% reduction in transport emissions is needed by 2050. In that regard, the Commission has adopted the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy25a that addresses this challenge and tackles all emission sources. Regulation (EU) of the European Parliament and of the Council26 enshrines into law the Union target to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest . _________________ 25 COM(2019) 640 final. 25a COM(2020) 789 final. 26 COM(2020) 80 final.
Amendment 29 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5 a) It is regrettable that the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, which has been adopted by the European Commission, only sees the need for a 90% reduction in transport emissions by 2050 at latest and does not even include any proposal how the EU should deal with the remaining emissions in light of the 2050 climate neutrality target.
Amendment 30 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 5 b (new)
Recital 5 b (new)
(5 b) The European Parliament’s resolution of 28 November 2019 on the climate and environment emergency26a declared such emergency in Europe and globally, and urged the new Commission to take fast and important actions in that regard, including by remedying inconsistencies of current Union policies with the necessity of meeting the challenges of the climate and environment emergency, by ensuring that all relevant future legislative and budgetary proposals would be fully aligned with the objective of limiting global warming to 1,5°C and would not contribute to biodiversity loss. The Commission’s reflection paper of 30 January 2019 ‘Towards a sustainable Europe by 2030’ concluded that the ecological crisis is Europe’s most pressing sustainability challenge. On 10 December 2019, the General Affairs Council adopted conclusions expressing regret that the use of natural resources is becoming increasingly unsustainable. In that respect, the European Parliament called on the Commission to develop a target to reduce the global footprint of Union’s consumption and production with respect to the Earth’s planetary boundaries. _________________ 26a Texts adopted, 28.11.2019, P9_TA(2019)0078.
Amendment 31 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) The European Green Deal underpins the Next Generation EU Recovery Plan which promotes the investments in key green sectors and nature-based solutions needed to build resilience, and create growth and jobs in a fair and inclusive society. The Recovery and Resilience Facility which will power the Union’s economic recovery from the coronavirus crisis together with the Union budget for 2021-2027, is also based on the priority objectives set out in the European Green Deal. The economic recovery presents a unique opportunity to accelerate the pace of transition towards climate neutrality by prioritising investments into decarbonisation and sustainable technologies. There must be safeguards to ensure that no EU money will flow into obsolete projects, like fossil fuel infrastructure, leaving us with stranded investments. Reaching this target will require action by all sectors of the economy, including the rolling-out of sustainable forms of private and public transport and freight service and a new approach to urban planning ensuring a just and fair transition leaving no one behind. Furthermore, all initiatives under Next Generation EU Recovery Plan should respect the European Green Deal’s “do no harm” oath.
Amendment 36 #
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 eEnvironment action programme. Action Programme to complement the European Green Deal that would include a new monitoring mechanism to ensure that Europe remains on track to meet its environmental objectives. The European Green Deal also announced that the Commission would launch a dashboard to monitor progress against all of the European Green Deal objectives.
Amendment 38 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The 8th EAP should support 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 at the latest, which is already established in the 7th EAP. It should contribute to achieving the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goal and in the Commission's communication “A clean planet for all: a European strategic long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate neutral economy”1 while taking into account the lessons learnt from evaluation of the 7th EAPa. The EU should, with the EAP and other policies, strive for global leadership in achieving the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, enabling a systemic change towards a Union economy that guarantees wellbeing within planetary boundaries.
Amendment 39 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
Amendment 40 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 8 b (new)
Recital 8 b (new)
(8 b) The 8th EAP in line with the goals of the European Green Deal is an opportunity to provide the as yet missing EU 2030 strategy to align our policies with the UN 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals by setting concrete and measurable targets and using monitoring and correction mechanisms.
Amendment 41 #
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 leading to an improvement in the state of nature, in the functioning of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, and committing to ecosystem-based management and investments in restoration to enable future generations to inherit the world in a better state. A regenerative economy should be compatible with a sustainable wellbeing economy which 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 and future generations. 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, safeguards biodiversity, minimises pollution and results in maintaining and enriching natural capital, therefore ensuring the abundance of renewable andresources and decreasing the loss of non-renewable resources. Through continuous innovation, reduction and efficiency of resource consumption, adaptation to new challenges and co- creation, the regenerative economy strengthens resilience and protects present and future generations’ wellbeing.
Amendment 44 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9 a) The Union should commit to a shift towards a sustainable well-being economy with the SDGs as the foundation. A wellbeing economy considers that public interests should determine economics, and not the other way around. It prioritises what truly matters: the wellbeing of all citizens, combining prosperity with equity and with social progress within planetary boundaries, protecting the planet’s resources for future generations and other species. Shifting to a wellbeing economy requires a governance approach which puts people and their wellbeing at the centre of policy and decision-making. In order to achieve that, the Union will need to establish new indicators of economic performance and social progress 'beyond GDP'.
Amendment 45 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 9 b (new)
Recital 9 b (new)
(9 b) According to the OECD, annual global biodiversity finance from all sources (estimated at USD 78-91 billion) is vastly outweighed by annual government support that is potentially harmful to biodiversity (estimated at around USD 500 billion)1a. The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for Transport must be therefore undergo a biodiversity proofing process. Phasing out environmentally harmful subsidies at Union and Member State level without delay was one of the objectives under the 7th EAP, adopted in 2013. Furthermore, the European Parliament has already called for a rapid phase-out of direct and indirect fossil fuel subsidies by 2020 in the Union and in each Member State2a, a goal which the G20 have so far failed to reach3a. In order to the achieve the thematic objectives of the 8th EAP, one of its enabling conditions should be to phase out all direct and indirect (such as tax exemptions ) environmentally harmful subsidies, including fossil fuel subsidies, without delay and by 2022 at the latest at Union, national, sub-national and local level. _________________ 1a OECD (2020), A Comprehensive Overview of Global Biodiversity Finance. 2aEuropean Parliament resolution of 15 January 2020 on the European Green Deal (P9_TA(2020)0005). 3ahttps://sdg.iisd.org/commentary/guest- articles/all-change-and-no-change-g20- commitment-on-fossil-fuel-subsidy- reform-ten-years-on/
Amendment 48 #
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 economensuring a non-toxic circular economy, sustainable mobility, the zero pollution ambition and reducing environmental pressures from production and consumption in all economic sectors, including transport and tourism. It should furthermore identify the enabling conditions to achieve the long-term and the thematic priority objectives for all actors involved so that no one is left behind as well as laying down actions necessary to achieve these conditions.
Amendment 51 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10 a) The 8th EAP long-term and thematic priority objectives should ensure that sustainability, GHG emissions reduction and biodiversity protection are inherently integrated in the preparation and implementation of all relevant policy fields, including policies related to mobility, tourism, urban planning and transport infrastructure, life-long development of new skills for transport workers while creating synergies between the relevant policy areas.
Amendment 53 #
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. Implementation, enforcement and accountability are essential. 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 by the provision of clear criteria, while systematically evaluating the potential trade-offs between them as well as systematically evaluating the needs of vulnerable groups. Moreover, transparent engagement with non- governmental actors is important for ensuring the success of the 8th EAP and the achievement of its priority objectives. That includes publishing the impact assessments the policies are based on and making them accessible immediately upon their completion, in light of the judgment of the European Court of Justice in Case C-57/16 P1a. Implementation and enforcement of environmental law are key to a successful environment policy. Especially lower levels of governance need support and guidance in order to integrate environmental policy into other sectors. _________________ 1a C-57/16 P, ClientEarth v Commission, ECLI:EU:C:2018:660.
Amendment 55 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11 a) The United Nations Environment Programme and the OECD Global Forum on Environment have highlighted that environmental changes have gender- specific impacts. Therefore, a gender perspective on actions and goals related to the achievement of the priority objectives of the 8th EAP, including gender mainstreaming and gender-responsive actions, is necessary in order to ensure that gender inequalities are not perpetuated.
Amendment 56 #
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. This should be especially taken into account in the transport sector, where social dumping not only harms people´s wellbeing but also fuels unsustainable modes of transport.
Amendment 58 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Enhanced cooperation with partner countries, good global environmental governance as well as synergies and coherence between all internal and external Union policies in order to attain Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD) are key to reaching the Union’s environmental and climate objectives. Achievement of those is also dependent on achieving all the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. The EU should also step up its climate diplomacy especially in sectors that must be tackled on a global level like aviation and maritime transport. Our policies must become an example for institutions like ICAO and IMO which should adopt ambitious standards on a global level.
Amendment 62 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) The European Commission should assess the progress in achieving the priority objectives of the 8th EAP by the Union and the Member States in the context of the transition towards greatera resilient sustainability,le wellbeing and resilienceeconomy within the planetary boundaries . This is in line with calls of the Council27 and the European Economic and Social Committee28 for measuring economic performance and societal progress “beyond GDP”, and moving towards using well- being as a compass for policy, which is also supported by the OECD29 . To achieve this objective, existing frameworks should be considered and, if necessary, adapted to meet the Union’s requirements. _________________ 27See e.g. https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/docu ment/ST-10414-2019-INIT/en/pdf 28https://www.eesc.europa.eu/en/our- work/opinions-information- reports/opinions/reflection-paper-towards- sustainable-europe-2030. 29See e.g. the OECD Well-being Framework, the OECD Framework for Policy Action on Inclusive Growth, the Better Life Initiative and the New Approaches to Economic Challenges Initiative.
Amendment 63 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The assessment of progress towards the priority objectives of the 8th EAP should reflect the latest developments as regards the availability and relevance of reliable data and robust indicators and should be based on a distance-to-target methodology. It should be coherent with and without prejudice to monitoring or governance tools covering more specific aspects of environment and climate policy, such as in particular Regulation 1999/2018 of the European Parliament and of the Council30 , the Environmental Implementation Review, the Eurofound’s European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS) or monitoring tools relating to non-toxic circular economy, zero pollution, biodiversity protection, air, water, soil, waste, or any other environment policies. Together with other tools used in the European Semester, the Eurostat SDG Monitoring and in the Commission’s Strategic Foresight Report31 , it wassessment of progress towards the 8th EAP’s priority objectives should beform part of a larger, coherent and interconnected set of monitoring and governance tools, covering not only environmental, but also social and economic factors. The Commission should carry out an assessment of existing monitoring frameworks and indicators at Union level, the results of which should lead to the establishment of a set of 'beyond GDP' indicators which measure progress towards a sustainable wellbeing economy. _________________ 30Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1–77. 31 COM/2020/493 final.
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The Commission and the EEA and other relevant agencies should access and, re- use and improve the data and indicators provided by the Member States in accordance with applicable Union legal acts. In addition, other data sources, such as satellite data and processed information from the European Earth Monitoring Programme (Copernicus), with particular regard to Air Quality within the Copernicus Athmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS), the European Forest Fire Information System and the European Flood Awareness System, or data platforms such as the European Marine Observation and Data Network or the Information Platform for Chemical Monitoring should be utilised. The application of modern digital tools and artificial intelligence allows managing and analysing the data in an effective way and thereby reducing administrative burden whilst increasing timeliness and quality. Robust and meaningful indicators, based on a distance-to-target methodology, are needed to properly monitor the progress of the European Green Deal’s objectives.
Amendment 67 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Furthermore, in accordance with the requirements set out in Directives 2003/4/EC, 2007/2/EC, 2016/2284/EU and 2019/1024/EU from the European Parliament and the Council, Member States should ensure that the relevant data, information and indicators for monitoring the implementation of the 8th EAP are freely available, non-discriminatory, with open access, adequate, of high quality, comparable, up-to-date, user friendly and easily accessible online and offline.
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
(17 a) To assess progress on the 8th EAP and to inform the priorities of the incoming Commission, a mid-term evaluation should be carried out by 31 March 2024. The incoming Commission after the 2024 European Parliament elections should be required to produce a report within the first 100 days of its mandate in which it outlines the environment and climate priorities on which it plans to take action during its mandate and how this action is to ensure the full achievement of the 8th EAP’s priority objectives, in light of progress outlined in the mid-term evaluation.
Amendment 71 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 17 b (new)
Recital 17 b (new)
(17 b) Whilst monitoring progress towards the 8th EAP priority objectives will initially be based on existing indicators, there is a need to transition to a way of measuring progress toward these objectives via an evolved monitoring framework, which can take into account and measure progress on systemic change. Such a monitoring framework would need to take into account the effects of feedback loops, tipping points, policy incoherence and lock-in effects. The mid-term evaluation of the 8th EAP should include, inter alia, an assessment of progress made towards the development of such an evolved monitoring framework with the aim of deploying it in the context of the 8th EAP for the 2025-2030 period.
Amendment 72 #
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. 4 and 2029. The mid- term evaluation should provide an overview taking into account all indicators and an assessment of their usefulness in achieving the EAP’s and the European Green Deal’s objectives. The 2029 evaluation should be accompanied, if appropriate, by a legislative proposal for the next environmental action programme. This legislative proposal should be presented in a timely manner, to avoid a gap between the 8th and 9th EAP.
Amendment 73 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 18 a (new)
Recital 18 a (new)
(18 a) Pursuant to Article 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), Union policy on the environment must aim for a high level of protection and is to be based on the precautionary principle and on the principles that preventive action should be taken, that environmental damage should, as a priority, be rectified at source and that the polluter should pay.
Amendment 74 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 18 b (new)
Recital 18 b (new)
(18 b) Regular monitoring, reporting and consideration of progress and lack of progress and the obstacles hindering the progress are essential to appreciate whether advances are sufficient for given objectives and hence whether adaptive management measures are needed. It is particularly important to understand enabling and blocking measures, lock-in issues and system effects in a timely manner. In addition, metrics to monitor the systemic transformation in the Union, ecosystem and societal resilience, and well-being are needed in each area where existing metrics could be strengthened. It is also essential to understand cases where there is a lack of policy coherence that requires attention if commitments are to be met. The monitoring should include specific measures on system change and lock-in, policy coherence, and identification of feedback loops, interactions and non-linearities that could significantly affect understanding and hence policy response; and integrate emerging knowledge and scientific evidence.
Amendment 76 #
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 77 #
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 endorses the environmental and climatsustainable, non-toxic, resource-efficient, nature-friendly, circular, renewable energy-based and resilient economy in a just and inclusive way, and at protecting, restoring and improving the quality of the environment including air, water, and soil, and at halting and reversing biodiversity loss and tackling the degradation of ecosystems. It endorses and builds on the objectives of the European Green Deal and its initiatives.
Amendment 83 #
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 of the EU’s efforts to measure progress towards greater sustainability, including climate neutrality and resource efficiency, wellbeingclean and smart mobility, wellbeing of citizens, environmental health and resilience.
Amendment 85 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. The 8th EAP has the long-term priority objective for 2050 at the latest that citizens live well, within the planetary boundaries in a regenerative economy where nothing is wasted, no net emissions of greenhouse gases are producedclimate neutrality is achieved, healthy ecosystems provide protection for species and reconomic growth is decoupled from resource use and environmental degradationreation for humans, no pollution occurs and mobility needs are covered in a sustainable way. A healthy environment underpins the well- being of citizens, biodiversity thrives and natural capitale is protected, restored and valued in ways that enhance resilience to climate change and other environmental risks. The Union strives to sets the pace for ensuring the prosperity of present and future generations globally and respects the planetary boundaries as safe operating space.
Amendment 88 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The 8th EAP shasll have the following six thematic priority objectives, to be achieved by 2030 at the latest :
Amendment 89 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) irreversible and gradualswift and predictable reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and enhancement of removals by natural and other sinks in the Union to attainsinks in the Union, in line with the Union’s climate and environment objectives, to attain or outperform the 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction target and achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest as laid down in Regulation (EU) …/…32 ; _________________ 32 COM/2020/80 final.
Amendment 91 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) continuous progress in enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate changeof society and nature to climate change through nature- based solutions;
Amendment 92 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) advancing towards a regenerative growth modeland sustainable well-being economy that gives back to the planet more than it takes, decoupling economic growth from resource use and environmental degradation, and accelerating the transition to a circular economyshifting the focus to the well-being of citizens and fulfilling the transition to a non-toxic circular economy, including in the transport and tourism sectors, not only with economic incentives to reduce their waste generation, but also with a policy framework ensuring the recycling and re- use of all the possible components of vehicles, ships and aircrafts and phasing- out land-based internal combustion engines by 2030 at the latest;
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) pursuing a zero-pollution ambition for a toxic free-environment, including for air, water and soil, and protecting the health and well-being of citizens from environment-related risks and impacts from breathing air, consumption of food and water, mobility and use of everyday items;
Amendment 96 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) protecting, preserving and restoring biodiversity and enhancing natural capitalimproving the health of the environment, notably air, water, soil, and forest, freshwater, wetland and marine ecosystems by minimising soil sealing through halting superfluous road and settlement expansion as well as fully implementing the Biodiversity Strategy and mainstreaming biodiversity protection in all other policy areas;
Amendment 98 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point f
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) promoting environmental sustainability and reducing key environmental and climate pressures related to production and consumption, with the primary aim to ensure efficiency and reduction in the resource use and also to prioritise electrification, directly or indirectly fully renewables-based, in particular in the areas of energy, industrial development, buildings and infrastructure, mobility and, the food system, trade and tourism.
Amendment 103 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The thematic priority objectives laid down in paragraph 2 shall cover the targets and actions set out in the European Green Deal strategies as well as the targets in Union legislation that contribute to the achievement of these objectives including, inter alia, the Union’s 2030 Climate and Energy Framework, the Circular Economy Action Plan, the EU Biodiversity Strategy to 2030, the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Fisheries and Marine Ecosystems Action Plan, the EU Forest Strategy, the Zero Pollution Action Plan, the EU Chemicals Strategy, the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and the EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism and the EU Industrial Strategy.
Amendment 104 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. In order to achieve the priority objectives, a transformative system change, as well as an integrated, systems- thinking analysis addressing inter- dependencies, feedback loops, and system lock-in effects, are needed together with coherent whole-of-government approaches. As part of a new Union overarching framework to measure and establish progress towards a sustainable well-being economy, that is in line with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and helps guide the development of new policies and initiatives, the Commission shall develop a comprehensive dashboard of “beyond GDP” indicators. To that end, the Commission shall produce a report by 31 December 2022 in which it identifies the interlinkages between the various social, economic and environmental progress and monitoring frameworks that are in use at Union level, and highlight how these interlinkages can be streamlined and better captured by making use of headline indicators which are to guide and inform future policy making.
Amendment 105 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – title
Article 3 – title
Enabling conditions to achieve this programme’s priority objectives and the actions necessary to achieve these conditions
Amendment 106 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Amendment 109 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) prioritising implementation and enforcement of Union environmental law, with a systematic follow-up of infringement proceedings, including by ensuring that sufficient financial and human resources are allocated at Union and national level for this purpose, inter alia, by regularly organising open competitions for administrators in the field of environment, focussing on applicants with a STEM background to provide the skills needed for the aforementioned tasks
Amendment 111 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
(a b) ensuring full implementation and respect of the precautionary principle, the principles of preventive action and of rectification of pollution at source, and the polluter-pays principle;
Amendment 112 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 1
— mainstreaming the priority objectives set out in Article 2 in all relevant strategies, legislative and non- legislative initiatives, programmes, investments and projects at Union, national, regional and local levels so that they and their implementation do no harm to any of the priority objectives set out in Article 2;
Amendment 114 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 2
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 2
— maximising the benefits from implementing the Directives 2014/52/EU33 and 2001/42/EC34 of the European Parliament and of the Council, not only in respect of the highest procedural standards but also regarding their underlying spirit, which is of particular concern in relation to transport-related infrastructure planning; _________________ 33 Directive 2014/52/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 April 2014 amending Directive 2011/92/EU on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment Text with EEA relevance, OJ L 124, 25.4.2014, p. 1–18. 34Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2001 on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, OJ L 197, 21.7.2001 .
Amendment 115 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3
— paying careful attention tosystematically evaluating synergies and potential trade-offs between economic, environmental and social objectives for all initiatives so as to ensure that citizens’ needs for nutrition, housing and mobility, clean intermodal transport, smart mobility and recreation are met in a sustainable way that leaves no- one behind;
Amendment 118 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3 a (new)
- adopting a ‘think sustainability first’ approach in the Better Regulation Guidelines, embedding the transition towards a sustainable wellbeing economy within policy-making and evaluation processes by ensuring that all future legislative and non-legislative initiatives actively contribute to achieving the SDGs, and reflecting this in the Union’s political priorities and annual programming;
Amendment 119 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3 b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3 b (new)
- setting out guiding actions for local and regional authorities and promoting the adoption of objectives and plans, which will aid the implementation of the 8th EAP and environmental legislation in general, while allowing for some flexibility, in order to take into account local and regional needs, resources, capacities, knowledge and expertise;
Amendment 120 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3 c (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3 c (new)
- considering the costs of inaction while evaluating existing policies and carrying out impact assessments for new initiatives and ensuring due regard is paid to the costs related to environment and health; safeguarding that those evaluations and impact assessments take into account, where data exists, environmental feedback loops and non- linearities to provide a more robust picture of risks and hence urgency of action, and where no adequate studies exist, carrying out appropriate research to accomplish this goal; also providing guidelines for local and regional authorities on cost-benefit analysis that follow this objective
Amendment 125 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) effectively integrating the SDGs, environmental and climate sustainability as well as biodiversity protection in the European Semester of economic governance, including in the National Reform Programmes and National Recovery and Resilience plans;
Amendment 126 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) establishing an overarching Union framework to measure and establish progress towards a sustainable wellbeing economy, that is in line with the UN SDGs and helps guide the development of new policies and initiatives;
Amendment 127 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) mobilising sustainable investments from public and private sources, including of funds and instruments available under the Union budget, via the European Investment Bank and at national level, in full accordance with the EU Taxonomy Regulation, and particularly further developed prioritisation specifically within the field of transport in accordance to the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy;
Amendment 128 #
(e) phasing out environmentally harmful subsidies at Union and national levelstrengthening environmentally positive incentives while phasing out as early as possible all direct and indirect environmentally harmful subsidies, including fossil fuel and their related infrastructure subsidies, at Union and national, subnational and local level by 2022 at the latest, making the best use of market-based instruments and implementing the polluter-pays- principle and green budgeting tools, including those required to ensure a socially fair transition, and supporting businesses and other stakeholders in developing standardised natural capital accounting practices;
Amendment 132 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(e a) ensuring that taxation is comprehensively designed to reflect these priority objectives, namely abolishing any exemptions to certain modes of transport such as the VAT on aviation and maritime fuel or on flight tickets, in order to also internalise all the respective external costs and ensure a level playing field between different modes of transport which should further contribute to the modal shift towards cleaner collective transport modes, particularly rail and promote active mobility such as walking and cycling.
Amendment 134 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
(e b) adopting policies to reduce distances between production and consumption towards a “km 0 approach”, hence avoiding unnecessary transport of goods, as well as of corporate and institutional travelling of passengers
Amendment 135 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e c (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e c (new)
(e c) making the best use of 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 136 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) ensuring that environmental policies and action are based on the best available scientific knowledge and strengthening the environmental knowledge base and its uptake of officials and ordinary citizens, including by research, innovation, fostering green skills, engagement with civil society, greater use of citizens science as well as open science, e.g. in the area of air quality, taking into account the social dimension of the transition to a circular economy in the transport and tourism sector, including the upskilling and retraining of the workforce, the need for adequate information to change consumer behaviour and further building up environmental and ecosystem accounting;
Amendment 137 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(f a) building up the knowledge base on the requirements for a deep transformative change, including on how to effectively identify, evaluate, assess and measure inter alia the effects of feedback loops, tipping points, the lack of policy coherence and lock-in effects
Amendment 138 #
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, which represent tipping points, with the aim of defining a safe operating space for the Union, and monitoring whether Union policies and law are ambitious enough to keep the Union within this safe operating space, with a view to identifying and submitting, where appropriate, legislative proposals in order to prevent going beyond these limits;
Amendment 139 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) harnessing the potential of digital and data technologies to support environment policy while minimising their environmental footprint, by setting clear standards for energy and resource consumption of data centers and software in corresponding legislation and ensuring transparency and public accessibility of this data;
Amendment 143 #
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 innovation; , including by investing more into biodiversity protection and restoration in line with the minimum spending targets agreed through the Union budgets and with the funding objectives in the EU Biodiversity Strategy, which should be tracked by way of a robust methodology that builds on the Union's taxonomy criteria as soon as they become available
Amendment 145 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point i
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) effectively applying high standards for transparency, public participation and access to justice in accordance with the Convention on access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters (Aarhus Convention)35 and promoting these standards in foreign and trade policy; _________________ 35 https://www.unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/en v/pp/documents/cep43e.pdf.
Amendment 146 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point j
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point j
(j) making the data, indicators and evidence linked to the implementation of the 8th EAP publicly available and easily accessible and evaluable, without prejudice to provisions on confidentiality in domain specific legislation;
Amendment 149 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 1
— engaging with partner countries on climate and environmental action, encouraging and supporting them to adopt and implement rules in these areas that are at least as ambitious as those of the Union, promptly adopting the latest science-based criteria on human and environmental health, such as the Air Quality Guidelines of the World Health Organisation (WHO), and ensuring that all products placed on the Union market or exported from the Union fully comply with relevant Union requirements in line with the Union’s international commitments while learning from countries, regions and communities with programmes and policies to live well within the planetary boundaries;
Amendment 152 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 3
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 3
— – strengthening the implementation of the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity and other multilateral environmental agreements by the Union and its partners, including by increasing transparency and accountability as regards progress on the commitments made under those agreements while safeguarding that indigenous communities are not ignored or deprived from their rights;
Amendment 153 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 4
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 4
— – strengthening international environmental governance by closing remaining gaps and strengthening respect for and application of recognised international environmental principles and labour standards also through trade policy and import standards;
Amendment 154 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 5
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 5
— – ensuring that the Union and the Member States’ financial assistance to third countries promotes the UN 2030 Agenda. and does not undermine any of the SDGs
Amendment 155 #
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
Amendment 156 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k a (new)
(k a) promoting the compliance of corporate due diligence to set legal standards for clarity, certainty, transparency and equality in global competition;
Amendment 157 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Amendment 158 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. In order to achieve the enabling condition set out in point (e) of Article 3(1), the Union and Member States shall phase out without delay and by 2025 at the latest all direct and indirect environmentally harmful subsidies. Fossil fuel subsidies shall be phased out without delay and by 2022 at the latest, including subsidies in the form of tax rebates. In relation to environmentally harmful subsidies other than fossil fuel subsidies, the Commission shall produce an assessment, in cooperation with Member States, by 30 June 2022, in order to capture the current situation at Union, national, sub-national and local level, identifying pathways for a full and swift phase out, and for repurposing the expenditures saved from those subsidies to provide incentives for environmental protection. That assessment shall build on, inter alia, the existing framework laid down by Regulation (EU) No 691/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 20111a. __________________ 1a Regulation (EU) No 691/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2011 on European environmental economic accounts (OJ L 192, 22.7.2011, p. 1).
Amendment 162 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Public authorities at all levels shall work with businesses and social partners, civil society and individual citizens in implementing the 8th EAP.
Amendment 163 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – title
Article 4 – title
Amendment 164 #
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 monitor, 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 165 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Following a consultation process with all relevant stakeholders, the Commission shall present, by 31 December 2021, a set of harmonised headline indicators to measure progress towards the achievement of the priority objectives in Article 2(1) and (2). This set of indicators shall build upon and take account of existing monitoring frameworks and processes.
Amendment 166 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. The assessment referred to in paragraph 1 shall include information on: – progress made towards systemic change that is needed in order to achieve the priority objectives set out in Article 2(1) and (2), as soon as the monitoring framework allows for this; – distance to the targets set in place to achieve the priority objectives; – the means and resources that have been invested, at Union and national level, into implementing legislation and other measures to ensure the achievement of the thematic priority objectives, and whether these are adequate and sufficient;the assessment of adequacy and sufficiency of measures should be based on sound scientific evidence and methodology; – proposed corrective measures to address potential shortfalls and challenges.
Amendment 167 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1 c (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 c (new)
1 c. The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission shall annually discuss the report referred to in paragraph 1 and identify, as part of the Union’s annual programming, additional legislative and non-legislative measures and actions when progress towards the achievement of the priority objectives is considered to be insufficient or in order to overcome barriers which are identified.
Amendment 168 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. The assessment referred to in paragraph 1 shall reflect the latest developments as regards the availability and relevance of data and indicators, building on data available in the Member States and at the Union level, in particular those operated by the European Environment Agency and the European Statistical System. This assessment shall be without prejudice to existing monitoring, reporting and governance frameworks and exercises covering environment and climate policy and shall be based on a robust methodology that enables measurement of progress.
Amendment 170 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) working towards closing the relevant monitoring data and assessment gaps;
Amendment 171 #
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, 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;
Amendment 172 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)
Amendment 173 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point c b (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point c b (new)
(c b) issuing country or region specific recommendations where weak progress has been identified;
Amendment 174 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point c c (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point c c (new)
(c c) reviewing legislation where inconsistencies are found between the priority objectives set out in Article 2 and the Union measures and policies, including sectoral legislation, the Union’s external action and the Union’s budget;
Amendment 175 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point d
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point d
(d) integrating data on environmental, social and economic impacts, and exploiting fully other available data, such as those delivered by Copernicus or citizen science programmes;
Amendment 176 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point e
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point e
(e) further improving and promoting access to data through Union programmes;
Amendment 178 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 4
Article 4 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall regularly examine data and knowledge needs at Union and national level, including the capacity of the European Environment Agency and the European Chemicals Agency to carry out the tasks referred to in paragraph 3 and ensure that these Agencies have sufficient human and financial resources to perform additional tasks.
Amendment 179 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. By 31 May 2024, the Commission shall carry out a mid-term evaluation of the progress achieved towards the priority objectives set out in Article 2(2), including the targets under the European Green Deal, based on the assessment referred to Article 4(1), and the outcome of a public consultation, and shall submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council. While the monitoring of the progress towards achieving the 2050 vision and the thematic priority objectives shall be initially based on existing indicators, there is a need to transition to a more sophisticated way of measuring progress which can identify and take into account the effects of feedback loops, tipping points, policy incoherence and lock-in effects. The mid-term evaluation of the 8th EAP shall include an assessment of progress made towards the development of such an evolved monitoring framework with the aim of deploying it in the context of the 8th EAP for the period 2025-2030.
Amendment 180 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
In 2024, the Commission shall carry out a mid-term evaluation of the 8th EAP, assessing the framework, the division of work and the progress to date. By 31 March 2029, the Commission shall carry out anthe final evaluation of the 8th EAP. The Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council containing the main findings and conclusions of that evaluation, accompanied, if the Commission deems appropriate, including its observations, accompanied 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.
Amendment 181 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point 1 (new)
Amendment 182 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
In light of progress set out in the mid- term evaluation referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission incoming after the 2024 European Parliament elections shall, within the first 100 days of its mandate, present to the European Parliament and to the Council the actions it plans to take during its mandate in order to ensure the full achievement, by 2030 and 2050 respectively, of the 8th EAP’s priority objectives.