38 Amendments of Asger CHRISTENSEN related to 2020/0036(COD)
Amendment 68 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The Commission has, in its Communication of 11 December 2019 entitled ‘The European Green Deal’19 , set out a new growth strategy that aims to transform the Union into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050 and where economic growth is decoupled from resource use. It also aims to protect, conserve and enhance the Union’s natural capital, and protect the health and well- being of citizens from environment-related risks and impacts. At the same time, this transition must be just and inclusive, leaving no one behind, while also aiming at creating economic growth, jobs and a predictable environment for investment. _________________ 19 Commission Communication - The European Green Deal, COM(2019) 640 final of 11 December 2019.
Amendment 134 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The transition to climate neutrality requires changes across the entire policy spectrum and a collective effort of all sectors of the economy and society, as illustrated by the Commission in its Communication ‘The European Green Deal’. The European Council, in its Conclusions of 12 December 2019, stated that all relevant Union legislation and policies need to be consistent with, and contribute to, the fulfilment of the climate- neutrality objective while respecting a level playing field, and invited the Commission to examine whether this requires an adjustment of the existing rules. Union policies should be designed to minimise the risk of carbon leakage across all sectors.
Amendment 139 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Achieving climate neutrality should require a contribution and cooperation from all economic sectors. In light of the importance of energy production and consumption on greenhouse gas emissions, the transition to a sustainable, affordable and secure energy system relying on a well-functioning internal energy market is essential. The digital transformation, and technological neutrality, innovation, and research and development are also important drivers for achieving the climate- neutrality objective.
Amendment 145 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) As it will be difficult to reach climate neutrality with reduction and streamlining measures and policies alone, it is necessary to utilise available technology. The role of technologies like carbon capture storage and utilisation should be explored and considered as contributors for the Union to meet its targets. The technologies should be developed further for upscaling through R&D funds.
Amendment 208 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12 a) Union-wide emissions and removals of greenhouse gases regulated in Union law should be balanced by 2050 at the latest, and as from that date, the Union and Member States greenhouse gas removals should exceed emissions in order to meet the Paris Agreement target of 1.5oC degrees above pre-industrial levels. Until that date a special focus should be directed to the enhancement of research, the development of sinks and carbon capture technology.
Amendment 236 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) Adaptation is a key component of the long-term global response to climate change. Therefore, Member States and the Union should enhance their adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change, as provided for in Article 7 of the Paris Agreement, as well as maximise the co- benefits with other environmental policies and legislation. Member States should adopt comprehensive national adaptation strategies and plans, where they should aim for setting national targets.
Amendment 247 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) In taking the relevant measures at Union and national level to achieve the climate-neutrality objective, Member States and the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission should take into account the contribution of the transition to climate neutrality to the well- being of citizens, the prosperity of society and the competitiveness of the economy; any red tape or other legislative barriers possibly hindering economic actors or the sectors of fulfilling the climate goals, energy and food security and affordability; fairness and solidarity across and within Member States considering their economic capability, national circumstances and the need for convergence over time; the need to make the transition just and socially fair; best available scientific evidence, in particular the findings reported by the IPCC; the need to integrate climate change related risks into investment and planning decisions; cost-effectiveness and technological neutrality in achieving greenhouse gas emissions reductions and removals and increasing resilience; the current infrastructure status and possible needs for updating of and investments in Union infrastructure ; progression over time in environmental integrity and level of ambition.
Amendment 262 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The transition to climate neutrality requires changes across the entire policy spectrum, including existing legislation, and a collective effort of all sectors of the economy and society, as illustrated by the Commission in its Communication ‘The European Green Deal’. The European Council, in its ConclusionsA significant amount of the legislation that will lead the way to climate neutrality is already in place, but in many cases not fit for or aimed at the updated and higher Union ambitions on climate and this could represent unnecessary barriers for economic actors, industry and national and local authorities and halt innovation and technological progress. In reference to the Better Regulation strategy and objectives and following the Council’s conclusion of 12 December of 2019, where it was stated that all relevant Union legislation and policies need to be consistent with, and contribute to, the fulfilment of the climate- neutrality objective while respecting a level playing field, and invited the Commission toshould examine whether this requires an adjustment of the existing rules.
Amendment 269 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
(16a) To signal the importance and weight of climate policy and to give political actors the necessary information in the legislative process, the Commission should assess all future legislation through a new lens, where climate and the consequences on climate is included and determine the effect any proposed legislation will have on the climate and environment on the same level as the Commission assess legal basis, subsidiarity and proportionality.
Amendment 273 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 b (new)
Recital 16 b (new)
(16b) Taking into account the risk of carbon leakage, the transition to and the continued work to maintain climate neutrality should be a true, green transition, lead to an actual decrease in emissions, and not create a false EU- based result, given that production and emissions have relocated to outside of the EU. To achieve this, Union policies should be designed to minimise the risk of carbon leakage and explore technological solutions.
Amendment 273 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a a (new)
(aa) the benefits of active and sustainable forest management and afforestation;
Amendment 300 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) To ensure the Union and the Member States remain on track to achieve the climate-neutrality objective and progress on adaptation, the Commission should regularly assess progress. Should the collective progress made by Member States towards the achievement of the climate-neutrality objective or on adaptation be insufficient or Union measures inconsistent with the climate- neutrality objective or inadequate to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience or reduce vulnerability, the Commission should take the necessary measures in accordance with the Treaties. The Commission should also regularly assess relevant national measures, and issue recommendations where it finds that a Member State’s measures are inconsistent with the climate-neutrality objective or inadequate to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change. Where a Member State fails to implement the measures in response to the Commission’s recommendations, the Commission should take the necessary and appropriate measures in accordance with the Treaties and should make these measures publicly available.
Amendment 312 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 a (new)
Recital 18 a (new)
(18a) Reaching climate neutrality is only possible if all Member States share the burden and commit fully to transitioning to climate neutrality. Every Member State has an obligation to meet the interim and end targets and if these obligations are not met as assessed by the Commission, the Commission should be empowered to take measures against Member States. The measures should be proportionate, appropriate and in accordance with the Treaties.
Amendment 312 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point f a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point f a (new)
(fa) the prevention of possible carbon leakage;
Amendment 315 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 b (new)
Recital 18 b (new)
(18b) In acknowledgment of the fact that the Member States have different starting points and financial circumstances for reaching climate neutrality, it will be possible for Member States to receive EU financial support in order to even out these differences from the outset. Most notable is the Just Transition Fond. Every recipient of financial EU-support or other EU-funding to facilitate the transition to climate neutrality is expected to show real and measureable progress towards reaching and achieving climate neutrality.
Amendment 323 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) TAs valid research should be at the core of the EU’s climate actions, the Commission should ensure a robust and objective assessment based on the most up to date scientific, technical and socio- economic findings, and representative of a broad range of independent expertise, and base its assessment on relevant information including information submitted and reported by Member States, reports of the European Environment Agency, best available scientific evidence, including the reports of the IPCC. Given that the Commission has committed to exploring how the EU taxonomy can be used in the context of the European Green Deal by the public sector, this should include information on environmentally sustainable investment, by the Union and Member States, consistent with Regulation (EU) 2020/… [Taxonomy Regulation] when such information becomes available. The Commission should use European statistics and data where available and seek expert scrutiny. The European Environment Agency should assist the Commission, as appropriate and in accordance with its annual work programme.
Amendment 330 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) Energy system modelling plays a crucial role in informing policy makers on climate mitigation options and their consequences. It is therefore of the utmost importance that assumptions underpinning such modelling exercises are based on latest available data through the publication of an annual technology catalogue, are transparent and remain open to external consultation.
Amendment 350 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Commission shall develop a set of indicators to assess the resilience of society, environment and economy to climate change. The European Environment Agency shall assist the Commission in development of these indicators in accordance with its annual work plan.
Amendment 399 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
This Regulation sets out a binding objective of climate neutrality in the Union and in each Member States at the latest by 2050 in pursuit of the long-term temperature goals set out in Article 2 of the Paris Agreement, and provides a framework for achieving progress in pursuit of the global adaptation goal established in Article 7 of the Paris Agreement.
Amendment 431 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. Union-wide emissions and removals of greenhouse gases regulated in Union law shall be balanced in the Union at the latest by 2050, thus reducing emissions to net zero by that date. Each Member State shall reach net zero emissions at the latest by 2050.
Amendment 454 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2
Article 2 – paragraph 2
2. The relevant Union institutions and the Member States shall take the necessary measures at Union and national level respectively, to enable the collective achievement of the climate-neutrality objective in the Union and in all Member States set out in paragraph 1, taking into account the importance of promoting fairness and solidarity among Member States.
Amendment 513 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. In the impact assessment the Commission will complete when submitting any Union legislation, the effect the legislation will have on climate and environment and relevant EU- policies shall be equated with the considerations and conclusions on legal basis, proportionality and subsidiarity and the findings shall be presented in the explanatory memorandum.
Amendment 572 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. When setting a trajectory in accordance with paragraph 1, the Commission shall considertake into account the following criteria:
Amendment 674 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point f a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point f a (new)
(fa) the prevention of possible carbon leakage;
Amendment 685 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point g a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point g a (new)
(ga) the current standing of important infrastructure and the possible need for updating;
Amendment 692 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point h a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point h a (new)
(ha) the need to create economic growth and new job opportunities in the green economy;
Amendment 711 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j
(j) the best available and most recent scientific evidence, including the latest reports of the IPCC and IPBES.
Amendment 722 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j a (new)
(ja) any red tape or legislative barriers that prevent economic actors or sectors in reaching the expected targets;
Amendment 723 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j a (new)
(ja) ensuring stable, long lasting and climate effective natural sinks over time.
Amendment 740 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j c (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j c (new)
(jc) the progress of relevant sectors;
Amendment 760 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. The relevant Union institutions and the Member States shall meet national and Union objectives for climate adaptation, and shall ensure continuous progress in enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate change in accordance with Article 7 of the Paris Agreement.
Amendment 806 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) the progress made by each Member State and the collective progress made by all Member States on adaptation as referred to in Article 4.
Amendment 902 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) the adequacy and effectiveness of relevant national measures to ensure progress on adaptation as referred to in Article 4.
Amendment 915 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. Where the Commission finds, under due consideration of the progress made by each Member State and the collective progress assessed in accordance with Article 5(1), that a Member State’s measures are inconsistent with thate Union’s climate-neutrality objective as expressed by the trajectory referred to in Article 3(1) once the trajectory is established, or inadequate to ensure progress on adaptation as referred to in Article 4, it mayshall issue recommendations to that Member State. The Commission shall make such recommendations publicly available at the moment it issues the recommendation.
Amendment 938 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) the Member State concerned shall set out, in its first progress report submitted in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, in the year following the year in which the recommendation was issued, how it has taken due account of the recommendation. If and the Member State concerned decides not to address a recommendation or a substantial part thereof, that Member State shall provide the Commission its reasoning;measures it has adopted in response
Amendment 945 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)
(ca) if a Member State fails to meet objectives as defined in Article 2(1) and the Commission recommendations in Article 6(3), the Commission shall take the necessary and appropriate measures in accordance with the Treaties.
Amendment 966 #
(d) best available scientific evidence, including the latest reports of the IPCC and IPBES; and
Amendment 990 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
The Commission shall engage with all parts of society to enable and empower them to take action towards a climate- neutral and climate-resilient society. The Commission shall facilitate an inclusive and accessible process at all levels, including at national, regional and local level and with social and economic partners, citizens and, civil society and sector and industry representation, for the exchange of best practice and to identify actions to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of this Regulation. In addition, the Commission may also draw on the multilevel climate and energy dialogues as set up by Member States in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.