24 Amendments of Carmen AVRAM related to 2020/0006(COD)
Amendment 17 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The regulatory framework governing the Union’s cohesion policy for the period from 2021 to 2027, in the context of the next multi-annual financial framework, contributes to the fulfilment of the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by concentrating Union funding on green objectives as well as the European Pillar of Social Rights. This Regulation implements one of the priorities set out in the Communication on the European Green Deal (‘the European Green Deal’)11 and is part of the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan12 providing dedicated financing under the Just Transition Mechanism in the context of cohesion policy to address the economic and social costs of the transition to a climate-neutral and circular economy, where any remaining greenhouse gas emissions are compensated by equivalent absorptions. _________________ 11 COM(2019) 640 final, 11.12.2019. 12 COM(2020) 21, 14.1.2020.
Amendment 34 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) In order to be successful, the transition has to be fair, inclusive and socially acceptable for all. Therefore, both the Union and the Member States must take into account its economic and social implications from the outset, and deploy all possible instruments to mitigate adverse consequences. The Union budget has an important role in that regard.
Amendment 89 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) As set out in the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan, a Just Transition Mechanism should complement the other actions under the next multi-annual financial framework for the period from 2021 to 2027. It should contribute to addressing the social and economic consequences of transitioning towards Union climate neutrality byin particular taking into account those areas and Member States most affected by the energy mix transition, bringing together the Union budget’s spending on climate and social objectives at regional level.
Amendment 105 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) In view of the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement, the commitment regarding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the increased ambition of the Union as proposed in the European Green Deal, the JTF should provide a key contribution to mainstream climate actions. Resources from the JTF own envelope are additional and come on top of the investments needed to achieve the overall target of 25% of the Union budget expenditure contributing to climate objectives. Resources transferred from the ERDF and ESF+, according to the development needs identified at regional and local level in the national just transition plans, will contribute fully to the achievement of this target.
Amendment 109 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) The resources from the JTF should complement the resources available under cohesion policy which should be kept as a distinct and separate investment instrument which has proven its merits for many EU regions; moreover, the JTF and the cohesion funds allocations should avoid increasing the disparities between EU Member States in particular during and after the Covid-19 crisis.
Amendment 112 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15 a) Member States should favour the adoption of bottom-up strategies in the preparation and implementation of the territorial just transition plans, ensuring the active participation of the relevant public authorities, economic and social partners from all sectors of activity, and other relevant civil society stakeholders, including from the agricultural sector. For an effective action at local level, the stakeholders at the level of the territories affected should, where feasible, be actively involved in the preparation of the territorial just transition plans.
Amendment 116 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
Amendment 118 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Transitioning to a climate-neutral economy is a challenge for all Member States. It will be particularly demanding for those Member States that rely heavily on fossil fuels or greenhouse gas intensive industrial activities which need to be phased out or which need to adapt due to the transition towards climate neutrality and that lack the financial means to do so. Particular attention should also be given to those Member States that largely depend on energy generated by nuclear power plants that cannot be closed in one day and investments in nuclear research and waste management must continue. The JTF should therefore cover all Member States, but the distribution of its financial means should reflect the capacity of Member States to finance the necessary investments to cope with the transition towards climate neutrality.
Amendment 131 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) This Regulation identifies types of investments for which expenditure may be supported by the JTF. All supported activities should be pursued in full respect of the climate and environmental priorities of the Union. The list of investments should include those that support local economies and are sustainable in the long- term, taking into account all the objectives of the Green Deal. The projects financed should contribute to a transition to a climate-neutral and circular economy. Moreover, investments should also keep in mind those Member States that are largely dependent on energy generated by nuclear power plants that cannot be closed in one day; investments in nuclear research and nuclear waste management must continue. For declining sectors, such as energy production based on coal, lignite, peat and oil shale or extraction activities for these solid fossil fuels, support should be linked to the phasing out of the activity and the corresponding reduction in the employment level. As regards transforming sectors with high greenhouse gas emission levels, support should promote new activities through the deployment of new technologies, new processes or products, leading to significant emission reduction, in line with the EU 2030 climate objectives and EU climate neutrality by 205013 while maintaining and enhancing employment and avoiding environmental degradation. Particular attention should also be given to activities enhancing innovation and research in advanced and sustainable technologies, as well as in the fields of digitalisation and connectivity, provided that such measures help mitigate the negative side effects of a transition towards, and contribute to, a climate- neutral and circular economy. __________________ 13 As set out in “A Clean Planet for all European strategic long-term vision for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate neutral economy”, Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, the Committee of the Regions and the European Investment Bank - COM(2018) 773 final.
Amendment 148 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) productive investments in SMEs, including start-ups, leading to job creation, economic diversification and reconversion;
Amendment 153 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12a) The planned revision of State Aid rules should aim at reinforcing and simplifying investment capacities in sustainable solutions and concrete tools for national, regional and local authorities whose role will be instrumental in an effective and innovative implementation of the Just Transition Fund.
Amendment 204 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point j a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point j a (new)
(j a) the creation and development of social services of general interest;
Amendment 208 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point k a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point k a (new)
(k a) capacity building to collect, harmonise and disseminate data on labour.
Amendment 208 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The JTF shall support the Investment for jobs and growth goal in all Member Statefund the social, socio-economic and environmental impact of the transition in affected regions.
Amendment 220 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The resources for the JTF under the Investment for jobs and growth goal available for budgetary commitment for the period 2021-2027 shall be EUR 7.5 billion in 2018 prices, which may be increased, as the case may be, by additional fresh resources allocated in the Union budget, and by other resources in accordance with the applicable basic act.
Amendment 236 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) productivsustainable investments in SMEs, including start-ups, leading to economic diversification and reconversion;
Amendment 249 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) investments in the creation of new firms relevant for the transition to sustainable development, including through business incubators and consulting services;
Amendment 258 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) investments in sustainable research and innovation activities and fostering the transfer of advanced technologies;
Amendment 259 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) an assessment of the transition challenges faced by the most negatively affected territories, including the social, economic, and environmental impact of the transition to a climate-neutral economy, identifying the potential number of affected jobs and job losses, the development needs and objectives, to be reached by 2030 linked to the transformation or closure of greenhouse gas-intensive activities in those territories and the challenges regarding energy poverty;
Amendment 264 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) investments in the deployment of technology and social infrastructures for affordable clean, safe and sustainable energy, in greenhouse gas emission reduction, energy efficiency and renewable energy;
Amendment 307 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point j a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point j a (new)
(ja) any other specific activities, as agreed between the relevant local and regional authorities for the territory concerned, the Member State and the European Commission, that are in line with local development strategies and contribute to the transition towards a carbon-neutral EU economy by 2050;
Amendment 325 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
Amendment 339 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) investment related to the production, processing, distribution, storage or combustion of fossil fuels with the exception of investments aimed at switching from coal-fired power plants to small flexible gas power plants in order to replace existing more carbon-intensive infrastructure and to ensure the transition to climate neutrality;
Amendment 422 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraphs 1 a – 1 d (new)
Article 8 – paragraphs 1 a – 1 d (new)