Activities of Vlad-Marius BOTOŞ related to 2021/0200(COD)
Opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2018/842 on binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States from 2021 to 2030 contributing to climate action to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement
Amendments (30)
Amendment 1 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The European Green Deal31 combines a comprehensive set of mutually reinforcing measures and initiatives aimed at achieving climate neutrality in the Union by 2050, and sets out a new growth strategy that aims to transform the Union into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient technology neutral and competitive economy based on research and innovation as well as green jobs, 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 in all regions from environment-related risks and impacts. At the same time, this transition affects women and men differently and has a particular impact on some disadvantaged groups, such as older people, persons with disabilities, people and families with lower incomes and persons with a minority racial or ethnic background. The transition also challenges regions in different ways. It must therefore be ensured that thesuch transition is just and inclusive, leaving no one behind. and that it takes into account the regions, industries and domestic sectors, which will face the greatest challenges, and that it leaves no one behind. Different starting points of Member States, regions, cities and their different capacity to respond should be taken into consideration in order to empower local and regional authorities and provide them with adequate funds and administrative capacity to reach climate neutrality through an inclusive approach that respects the principles set out in the “Green Deal Going Local” initiative of the Committee of the Regions. _________________ 31 Commission Communication - The European Green Deal, COM(2019) 640 final of 11 December 2019.
Amendment 2 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) In Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council32 ( ‘European Climate Law’), the Union has enshrined into legislation the target of economy-wide climate neutrality by 2050, while ensuring that the competitiveness and technological neutrality of the Union economy is maintained. That Regulation also establishes a binding Union domestic reduction commitment of net greenhouse gas emissions (emissions after deduction of removals) of at least 55% below 1990 levels by 2030, taking into account the different starting positions in Member States and regions as well as the principle that no one should be left behind in transition. That Regulation also lays down an obligation on the Commission to make a legislative proposal, as appropriate, to introduce a further intermediary target for 2040, to ensure a swift and irreversible reduction of greenhouse gas emissions over time so as to reach the Union climate-neutrality objective by 2050 at the latest and negative emissions thereafter. _________________ 32 Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’) (OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, p. 1).
Amendment 3 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In order to implement those commitments as well as the Union’s contributions under the Paris Agreement33 adopted under the UNFCCC, the Union regulatory framework to achieve the greenhouse gas emission reduction target should be adapted as well as the development strategies at national, regional and local level, taking into account the importance of the domestic energy efficiency, self-sufficiency and independence, as well as the social consequences of the transition. For this, it is important to involve private and public actors at regional and local level in order to ensure the effectiveness and acceptability of the necessary measures. Locally-produced sustainable energy, as well as energy efficiency that create positive effects on the regional economy should be taken into account. _________________ 33 Paris Agreement (OJ L 282, 19.10.2016, p. 4).
Amendment 4 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Regulation (EU) 2018/842 lays down obligations on Member States with respect to their minimum contributions for the period from 2021 to 2030 to fulfilling the Union’s current target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 % below 2005 levels in 2030 in the sectors covered by Article 2 of that Regulation. It also lays down rules on determining annual emission allocations and for the evaluation of Member States’ progress towards meeting their minimum contributions. For that purpose, an appropriate flexibility should be provided to Member States in the choice of means and methods of achieving that objective. The programming of the Cohesion Policy Funds should consider the updated development strategies aimed at boosting the capacities of the Member States in greenhouse gas emission reduction and thus at contributing to a better convergence in their targets already in this programming period.
Amendment 5 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) While emissions trading will also apply to greenhouse gas emissions from road and maritime transport as well as buildings, the scope of Regulation (EU) 2018/842 will be maintained. Regulation (EU) 2018/842 will therefore continue applying to the greenhouse gas emissions from domestic navigation, but not to those from international navigation. Greenhouse gas emissions of a Member State within the scope of Regulation (EU) 2018/842 to be taken into account for compliance checks will continue to be determined upon completion of inventory reviews in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and the Council34 corroborated with available data at Union and international level, whereby it is imperative that the latest available data at national, Union and international level are taken into account for the compliance check, providing a realistic picture of the situation. _________________ 34 Regulation (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, amending Regulations (EC) No 663/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 94/22/EC, 98/70/EC, 2009/31/EC, 2009/73/EC, 2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU and 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1).
Amendment 6 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) In its Communication of 17 September 202035 the Commission indicated that the increased 2030 overall target can only be achieved with the contribution of all sectors. However, the social aspect of the transition needs to be taken into account, ensuring that green jobs are maintained or created, including through research and innovation, and that the achievement of overall targets does not lead to energy poverty, in which the economically weakest are the most affected. _________________ 35 COM/2020/562 final.
Amendment 7 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) In its conclusions of 11 December 2020 the European Council mentioned that the 2030 target will be delivered collectively by the Union in the most cost- effective manner possible, that all Member States will participate in this effort, taking into account considerations of fairness and solidarity, while leaving no one behind, and that the new 2030 target needs to be achieved in a way that preserves the Union’s economic competitiveness, including industry and agriculture, and takes account of Member States’ different starting points and specific national circumstances and, geographical characteristics and natural conditions as well as emission reduction potential, including those of island Member States and island, islands and remote regions, as well as efforts made.
Amendment 8 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) In order to achieve the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 55%, the sectors covered by Regulation (EU) 2018/842 will need to reduce their emissions progressively until they reach- at least -40% in 2030, compared to 2005 levels. At the same time, it is important to maintain industrial competitiveness through the implementation of innovative and climate-neutral technologies.
Amendment 9 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) For that purpose, the greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2030 needs to be revised for each Member State, taking due account of the social aspect and the social impact that could result from the consequences of the emission reduction measures. The revision of the greenhouse gas emission reduction target should use the same methodology that was followed when Regulation (EU) 2018/842 was first adopted, where the national contributions were determined in consideration of the different capacities and cost-efficiency opportunities in Member States so to ensure a fair and balanced distribution of the effort and to ensure social cohesion and development within each country as well as at Union level. The reduction of the maximum greenhouse gas emissions for each Member State in 2030 should thus be determined in relation to the level of its 2005 reviewed greenhouse gas emissions covered by this Regulation, excluding verified greenhouse gas emissions from installations that operated in 2005 and which were only included in the emission trading system of the Union after 2005.
Amendment 10 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11 a) The development strategies at national, regional and local level need to be adapted as well in order to achieve the targets set out in the European Green Deal and in the Paris Agreement to include clear and measurable objectives, taking into account the specificities of the regions and the development needs and aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in all regions in order not only to contribute to the achievement of the targets but also to increase the quality of the environment all over the Union.
Amendment 11 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) As a consequence, it will be necessary to set, as from the year of adoption of this Regulation, new binding national limits, expressed in annual emission allocations, progressively and with flexibility for Member States about how to reach this limit, leading to the 2030 target of each Member State, while keeping in force the annual limits established for the years preceding it as set in Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/212636 . _________________ 36 Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2020/2126 of 16 December 2020 on setting out the annual emission allocations of the Member States for the period from 2021 to 2030 pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 426, 17.12.2018, p. 58).
Amendment 12 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Union’s economy and its level of emissions to a degree that cannot yet be fully quantified. On the other hand, the Union is deploying its largest stimulus package ever, also having a potential impact on the level of emissions. Due to those uncertainties, it ismight be appropriate to review the emissions data in 2025 and, if necessary, readjust the annual emission allocations in a way that is realistic and socially responsible, taking into account the most recent data. This should not endanger the Union’s climate-neutrality objective by 2050.
Amendment 13 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13 a (new)
Recital 13 a (new)
(13 a) If an adjustment is needed, Member States should adapt their development strategies at all levels accordingly, taking into account the specificities and the development needs of every region and also adapt the programming of the European Structural and Investment Funds. The Commission should assess the objectives related to the reduction of the greenhouse gas emissions and ensure technical assistance in setting measurable objectives, revising the development strategies and establishing the optimal path to achieve those objectives where needed, especially for the regions with intensive polluting industries, in order to ensure the targets are achieved by each Member State.
Amendment 14 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) It is thereforn so far as the data of Member States deviate significantly from the limit defined by a linear trajectory, it might be appropriate to update in 2025 the annual emission allocations for the years 2026 to 2030. This should be based on a comprehensive review of the national inventory data corroborated with the available data at the Union and international level carried out by the Commission in order to determine the average of the greenhouse gas emissions of each Member State during the years 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Amendment 15 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) The setting of more ambitious, but realistic, targets under Regulation (EU) 2018/841 will decrease the capacity of Member States to generate net removals that can be used for compliance under Regulation (EU) 2018/842. In addition, the split of the use of the LULUCF flexibility into two separate time periods, will further limit the availability of net removals for the purpose of compliance with Regulation (EU) 2018/842. As a result, some Member States may face challenges in meeting their targets under Regulation (EU) 2018/842, while some Member States, the same or other, may generate net removals that cannot be used for compliance with Regulation (EU) 2018/842. As long as the Union objectives as set out in Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 are met, in particular with regard to the maximum limit of the contribution of net removals, it is appropriate to create a new voluntary mechanism, in the form of an additional reserve, that will help adhering Member States to comply with their obligations.
Amendment 16 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 a (new)
Recital 18 a (new)
(18 a) Keeping the 1,5 °C target of the Paris Agreement within reach requires a collective effort of all sectors of the economy, including from agriculture, as outlined in the long-term strategic vision of the Commission for a prosperous, modern, competitive and climate-neutral economy1a. Member States are required to develop long-term strategies in order to fulfil their commitments to the Paris Agreement objectives and the achievement of long-term greenhouse gas emission reductions and enhancements of removals by sinks in all sectors in line with the Union's climate neutrality objective. Those strategies, as well as other Member State plans and reports under Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, should be used by the Commission to set and monitor the collective achievement of EU- level Effort Sharing Regulation sector targets.
Amendment 17 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 1
Article 1
(1) In Article 1, “30%” is replaced by “at least 40%”;
Amendment 18 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) do not exceed, in the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 to 2030, the limit defined by a linear trajectory starting in 2022 at the annual emission allocation for that Member State, as set out pursuant to paragraph 3 of this Article for that year, and ending in 2030 at the limit set for that Member State in column 2 of Annex I to this Regulation;
Amendment 19 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In order to implement those commitments as well as the Union’s contributions under the Paris Agreement33 adopted under the UNFCCC, the Union regulatory framework to achieve the greenhouse gas emission reduction target should be adapted as well as the development strategies at national, regional and local level taking into account the importance of the domestic energy efficiency and independence. Energy efficiency should be considered at the level of the energy system and in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and not through detailed sector-specific regulations. The different circumstances in the Member States, cost-effectiveness, emissions trading and the work already done in the Member States need to be better taken into account. In energy and climate work, it is important to involve private and public actors at regional and local level in the Member States in order to ensure the effectiveness and acceptability of local measures. This should be done through national plans and strategies. Local energy solutions should be considered as part of energy efficiency from the point of view of economic, social and ecological sustainability. Fossil energy sources should be replaced where possible by locally produced sustainable energy sources that create positive effects on the regional economy. _________________ 33 Paris Agreement (OJ L 282, 19.10.2016, p. 4).
Amendment 19 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point c
Amendment 20 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
For the years 2021 and 2022, it shall determine the annual emission allocations based on a comprehensive review of the most recent national inventory data for the years 2005 and 2016 to 2018 submitted by the Member States pursuant to Article 7 of Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 corroborated with available data at the Union and international level and indicate the corresponding value for the 2005 greenhouse gas emissions of each Member State used to determine those annual emission allocations.
Amendment 21 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
For the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 to 2030, it shall determine the annual emission allocations based on the value for the 2005 greenhouse gas emissions of each Member State indicated pursuant to the second subparagraph corroborated with available data at the Union and international level and the reviewed values of the national inventory data for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 referred to in the second subparagraph.
Amendment 22 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 4
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 4
Amendment 23 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 4 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Where a Member State has exceeded the annual emission allocations for three years, the Commission shall provide technical assistance in setting the objectives and measurable targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, adapting the development strategies and establishing paths to achieve those objectives in particular for the regions with intensive-polluting industries and domestic sectors, and ensuring that the transition is just and inclusive, reduces the energy poverty and leaves no one behind.
Amendment 24 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point a
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 8 – paragraph 3
Article 8 – paragraph 3
(5a) In Article 8, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following: 3. The Commission shall issue an opinion, accessible to the public, regarding the robustness of the corrective action plans submitted in accordance with paragraph 1 and shall in that case do so within four months of receipt of those plans. The Member State concerned shall take utmost account of the Commission’s opinion and shall revise its corrective action plan accordingly. The Member State concerned shall provide reasons where it does not address a recommendation or a substantial part thereof and shall make them public.
Amendment 25 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 9 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. If a Member State exceeds its annual emissions allowance in two consecutive years it shall undertake a review of its National Energy and Climate Plan and national Long-Term Strategy. This review shall be completed within 12 months. The Member State shall notify the revised plan to the Commission together with a statement setting out how the proposed revisions will remedy non- compliance with the national annual emission allowances. If the national energy and climate plan or national long- term strategy remains substantially unaltered, the Member State shall publish an explanation setting out its reasoning.
Amendment 52 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) do not exceed, in the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 to2030, the limit defined by a linear trajectory starting in 2022 at the annual emission allocation for that Member State, as set out pursuant to paragraph 3 of this Article for that year, and ending in 2030 at the limit set for that Member State in column 2 of Annex I to this Regulation;
Amendment 53 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point c
Amendment 55 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
For the years 2023, 2024 and 2025 to 2030, it shall determine the annual emission allocations based on the value for the 2005 greenhouse gas emissions of each Member State indicated pursuant to the second subparagraph and the reviewed values of the national inventory data for the years 2016, 2017 and 2018 referred to in the second subparagraph.
Amendment 56 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 4
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 4