Activities of Elena KOUNTOURA related to 2021/0200(COD)
Shadow 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 (18)
Amendment 26 #
Proposal for a regulation
Title 1
Title 1
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 and beyond contributing to climate action to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement (Text with EEA relevance)
Amendment 27 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The Paris Agreement, adopted in December 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), entered into force in November 2016 (“the Paris Agreement”). Its Parties have agreed to hold the increase in the global average temperature well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1,5 °C above pre-industrial levels, while reflecting the principles of equity and of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities of nations.
Amendment 28 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
Amendment 29 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The European Green Deal31 provides a starting point for the achievement of the Union’s climate- neutrality objective by 2050 at the latest and the aim to achieve negative emissions thereafter as laid out in Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1119. It combines a comprehensive set of mutually reinforcing measures and initiatives aimed at achieving climate neutrality in the Union by 2050 at the latest, and sets 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 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 citizenspeople from environment-related risks and impacts. At the same time, this transition affects women and menall genders differently and has a particular impact on some disadvantaged groups, such as older people, persons with disabilities and persons with a minority racial or ethnic background. It must therefore be ensured that the transition is just and inclusive, leaving no one behind. __________________ 31 Commission Communication - The European Green Deal, COM(2019) 640 final of 11 December 2019.
Amendment 32 #
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 at the latest and the aim to achieve negative emissions thereafter. 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. __________________ 32Regulation (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 44 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
Amendment 49 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11 a) The Commission, on the basis of the latest scientific knowledge and taking into account the advice of the Advisory Board established in Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1119, should propose intermediate targets for Member States for the years 2035, 2040, 2045 and 2050 under this regulation. Demonstrating a rising ambition, these intermediate targets should set out a goal for Union-wide reduction targets for the sectors under Regulation (EU) 2018/842 as a sum of legally binding and enforceable Member State targets. The Commission should propose intermediate targets for the years 2035 and 2040 no later than six months after the adoption of the Union’s new climate target for 2040 pursuant to Article 4(3), (4) and (5) of Regulation 2021/1119. The Commission should propose the intermediate targets for the years 2045 and 2050 no later than 1January 2035. Together with other relevant Union legislation, the intermediate targets for Regulation (EU)2018/842 for the years 2035, 2040, 2045 and 2050 should ensure the achievement of the Union’s climate- neutrality by 2050 at the latest and the aim to achieve negative emissions thereafter laid out in Article 2(1) in Regulation 2021/1119.
Amendment 53 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
Amendment 60 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Under Regulation (EU) 2018/842, the cancellation of a limited quantity of emission allowances in the European Union emission trading system may be taken into account for some Member States’ compliance under Regulation (EU) 2018/842. Given the particular structure of Malta’s economy, the national reduction target of that Member State based on Gross Domestic Product per capita is significantly above its cost- effective reduction potential, is is therefore appropriate to increase Malta’s access to that flexibility, without compromising the 2030 target of the Union on emission reductionshall be repealed to enhance emission reduction efforts.
Amendment 66 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) In addition to that flexibility, a limited quantity of net removals and net emissions from land use, land-use change and forestry (‘LULUCF’) may be taken into account for Member States’ complianceshall be repealed under Regulation (EU) 2018/842 (‘the LULUCF flexibility’). In order to ensure that sufficient mitigation efforts are deployed until 2030, it is appropriate to limit the use of the LULUCF flexibility by separating the use of such flexibility into two separate time periods, each capped by a limit corresponding to half of the maximum amount of total net removals set out in Annex III to Regulation (EU) 2018/842. It is also appropriate to bring the title of Annex III in line with the amendment to Regulation (EU) 2018/841 carried out by Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/268 of 28 October 202037 . As a consequence, there is no longer a need for Regulation (EU) 2018/842 to provide for a legal basis allowProgress in one sector cannot compensate for the lack of progress in other sectors. Moreover, removals of GHGs by natural carbon sinks are fragile and potentially reversible, which leads to increased uncertainty in measuring emissions and removals ing the Commission to adopt delegated acts to amend the title of its Annex III. Article 7(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/842 should therefore be deletedland sector compared to sectors under Regulation (EU) 2018/842. __________________ 37Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/268 of 28 October 2020 amending Annex IV to Regulation (EU) 2018/841 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the forest reference levels to be applied by the Member States for the period 2021-2025 (OJ L 60, 22.2.2021, p. 21).
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
Amendment 80 #
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 “40%”; is replaced by the following: "This Regulation lays down obligations on Member States with respect to their minimum contributions for the period from 2021 to 2030 to fulfilling the Union’s target of reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 40 % below 2005 levels in 2030 in the sectors covered by Article 2 of this Regulation and contributes to achieving the objectives of the Paris Agreement. This Regulation also lays down rules on determining annual emission allocations and for the evaluation of Member States’ progress towards meeting their minimum contributions and for determining Member States emission reduction targets for 2035, 2040, 2045 and 2050 in the sectors covered by Article 2(1) of this Regulation. Or. en (REGULATION (EU) 2018/842)
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 a (new)
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 2 – paragraph 3
Article 2 – paragraph 3
(2 a) Article 2, paragraph 3 is replaced by the following: 3. For the purposes of this Regulation,: (a) CO 2 emissions from IPCC source category ‘1.A.3.A civil aviation’ shall be treated as zero. (b) only biofuels, bioliquids, as well as biomass fuels which comply with the sustainability and greenhouse gas emission savings criteria established by the Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council shall be considered to have zero emissions. (c) If the share of biofuels and bioliquids, as well as of biomass fuels consumed in transport, where produced from food and feed crops, is higher than the maximum share established in article 26 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council, they shall no longer be considered to have zero emissions for the purpose of this Regulation. Or. en (REGULATION (EU) 2018/842)
Amendment 84 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 b (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 b (new)
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 3
Article 3
(2 b) Article 3 is replaced by the following: "For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions apply: (1) ‘Greenhouse gas emissions’ means emissions in terms of tonnes of CO 2 equivalent of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), methane (CH 4 ), nitrous oxide (N 2 O), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), nitrogen trifluoride (NF 3 ) and sulphur hexafluoride (SF 6 ) determined pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 and falling within the scope of this Regulation; (2) ‘Annual emission allocations’ means the maximum allowed greenhouse gas emissions for each year between 2021 and 2030 determined pursuant to Article 4(3) and Article 10; (3) ‘EU ETS allowance’ means an ‘allowance’ as defined in point (a) of Article 3 of Directive 2003/87/EC. (4) 'Biomass' as defined in point (24) of Article 2 of the Directive (EU)2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council. (5) ‘Bioliquid' as defined in point (32) of Article 2 of the Directive(EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council. (6)'Biofuel' as defined in point (23) of Article 2 of the Directive (EU) 2018/2001of the European Parliament and of the Council. Or. en (REGULATION (EU) 2018/842)
Amendment 86 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 c (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 c (new)
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 4
Article 4
(2 c) Article 4 is replaced by the following: "Annual emission levels for the period from 2021 to 2030 and beyond 1. Each Member State shall, in 2030, limit its greenhouse gas emissions at least by the percentage set for that Member State in Annex I in relation to its greenhouse gas emissions in 2005, determined pursuant to paragraph 3 of this Article. 2. Subject to the flexibilities provided for in Articles 5, 6 and 7 of this Regulation, to the adjustment pursuant to Article 10(2) of this Regulation and taking into account any deduction resulting from the application of Article 7 of Decision No 406/2009/EC, each Member State shall ensure that its greenhouse gas emissions in each year between 2021 and 2029 do not exceed: do not exceed, in the years 2021 to 2030 the limit defined by a linear trajectory, starting on the average of its greenhouse gas emissions during 20168, 20179 and 2018 determined20, as set out pursuant to paragraph 3 of this Article, and ending in 2030 onat the limit set for that Member State in Annex I to this Regulation. The linear trajectory of a Member State shall start either at five- twelfths of the distance from 2019 to 2020 or in 2020, whichever results in a lower allocation for that Member Statefrom 2020. 3. The Commission shall adopt implementing acts setting out the annual emission allocations for each Member State for the years from 2021 to 2030 in terms of tonnes of CO 2 equivalent as specified in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this Article. For the purposes of those implementing acts, the Commission shall carry out a comprehensive review of the most recent national inventory data for the years 2005 and 2016 to 2018 submitted by Member States pursuant toin accordance with the linear trajectory set out in paragraph 2. Those 5. The implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 14. 6. With a view to achieving the Union’s climate-neutrality objective by 2050 at latest and the aim to achieve negative emissions thereafter laid out in Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1119, and in view of the Union-wide climate target for 2040 pursuant to Article 4(3), (4) and (5) of Regulation 2021/1119, the Commission, supported by the Advisory Board established in Article 73 of Regulation (EU) No 525/2013.EN L 156/32 Official Journal of the European Union 19.6.2018 implementing acts shall indicate the value2021/1119, shall make a legislative proposal, as appropriate, based on a detailed impact assessment, to amend this Regulation to distribute the Union’s climate target as a sum of legally binding Member State targets for the years 20035 greenhouse gas emissions of each Member State used to determine the annual emission allocatand 2040. This proposal shall be published no later than 6 months after the adoption of the Union’s specified in paragraphsnew climate target for 2040. 7. By 1 Jand 2. 4. Those implementing acts shall also specify, based on the percentages notified by Member States under Article 6(3), the total quantities that may be taken into account for a Member State’s compliance under Article 9 between 2021 and 2030. If the sum of all Member States’ total quantities were to exceed the collective total of 100 milluary 2035 at the latest, with a view to achieving Union’s climate- neutrality objective by 2050 at latest and the aim to achieve negative emissions thereafter laid out in Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1119, the Commission, supported by the Advisory Board established in Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1119, shall make a legislative proposal, as appropriate, based on a detailed impact assessment, to amend this Regulation to distribute the Union’s climate target as a sum of legally binding Member State targets for the years 2045 and 2050. 8. In order to contribute to the Union’s climate-neutrality objective by 2050 at latest and the aim to achieve negative emission,s the total quantities for eachreafter laid out in Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1119, and view of the Union’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, Member States shall be reduced on a pro rata basis so that the collective total is not exceeded. 5. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure refalance their greenhouse gas emissions covered by sectors pursuant to Article 2(1) of this Regulation and other relevant Union legislation with removals at the latest by 2050, thus reducing emissions to net-zero by that date. From 2051onward, Member States shall aim to achieve net negative emissions ensuring that removals exceed the amount of emissions covered by this regulation and other red to in Article 14. levant Union legislation. Or. en (REGULATION (EU) 2018/842)
Amendment 117 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 6
Article 6
(4 a) Article 6 Flexibility for certain Member States following reduction of EU ETS allowances 1. The Member States listed in Annex II to this Regulation may have a limited cancellation of up to a maximum of 100 million EU ETS allowances collectively taken iis deleted (This amendmento account for their compliance under this Regulation. Such cancellation shall be made from the auctioning volumes of the Member State concerned pursuant to Article 10 of Directive 2003/87/EC. 2. The EU ETS allowances taken into account under paragraph 1 of this Article shall be considered as EU ETS allowances in circulation for the purposes of Article 1(4) of Decision (EU) 2015/1814. In its first review pursuant to Article 3 of that Decision, the Commission shall consider whether to maintain the accounting set out in the first subparagraph of this paragraph.EN 19.6.2018 Official Journal of the European Union L 156/33 3. The Member States listed in Annex II shall notify the Commission by 31 December 2019 of any intention to make use of the limited cancellation of EU ETS allowances referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, up to the percentage listed in Annex II for each year of the period from 2021 to 2030 for each Member State concerned, for its compliance under Article 9. The Member States listed in Annex II may decide to revise the notified percentage downwards once in 2024 and once in 2027. In such case, the Member State concerned shall notify the Commission thereof by 31 December 2024 or by 31 December 2027, respectively. 4. At a Member State’s request, the Central Administrator designated pursuant to Article 20(1) of Directive 2003/87/EC (‘the Central Administrator’) shall take into account an amount up to the total quantity determined pursuant to Article 4(4) of this Regulation for that Member States’ compliance under Article 9 of this Regulation. One-tenth of the total quantity of EU ETS allowances determined pursuant to Article 4(4) of this Regulation shall be cancelled pursuant to Article 12(4) of Directive 2003/87/EC for each year from 2021 to 2030 for that Member State. 5. Where a Member State, in accordance with paragraph 3 of this Article, has notified the Commission of its decision to revise the previously notified percentage downwards, a correspondingly lower quantity of EU ETS allowances shall be cancelled for that Member State in respect of each year from 2026 to 2030 or from 2028 to 2030, respectively. pplies throughout the text. Adopting it will necessitate corresponding changes throughout.) Or. en (REGULATION (EU) 2018/842)
Amendment 119 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)
Regulation (EU) 2018/842
Article 7
Article 7