Activities of Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES related to 2019/2158(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the impact on the fishing sector of offshore windfarms and other renewable energy systems
Amendments (28)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
— having regard to the Agreement adopted at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC (COP21) in Paris on 12 December 2015 (the Paris Agreement),
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
— having regard to Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources,
Amendment 7 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls the EU’s sustainable commitment to achieving its zero-carbon climate target by 2050, as confirmed at the latest; and that these emissions should be reduced by at least [60%] by 2030 compared to 1990 emissions as set in the [European Green Deal and the recovery plan; Climate Law] in order for the Union to contribute to limiting global warming to less than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU is aiming to become climate neutral by 2050 at the latest; whereas the Commission has proposed a greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction objective of at least 55% by 2030, while the Parliament has called for a GHG emission reduction target of 60% by 2030; whereas offshore renewable energy should play a key role in achieving thisese objectives;
Amendment 15 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that energy efficiency and renewable energy isare a key driver of decarbonisation; recalls that at least 32 8- 40% of the EU’s total energy needs should be met by renewable energy by 2030 as highlight in the communication on "Stepping up Europe's 2030 climate ambition";
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that an increase in offshore wind energy production is essential for the clean energy transition; stresses that, as EU offshore wind capacity currently stands at just 125 GW, the building of offshore wind farms must be accelerated sto as to provide up toreach the potential of 450 GW1a of capacity by 2050; _________________ 1a Communication on ‘Stepping up Europe’s 2030 climate ambition’
Amendment 26 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses that the energy use of the sea, while ensuring environmental protection and the sustainable development of fisheries and other economic activities, requires joint planning and a rigorous assessment of cumulative impacts, including socio- economic effects;
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Stresses that offshore wind farms for the production of electricity tend to be more efficient than onshore wind farms due to higher wind resources available in offshore areas compared to onshore areas;
Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the decision to find space for up to 450 GW of offshore wind energy capacity is of the utmost importance; underlines in this context the necessity of exploring all the EU offshore wind resources and promoting marine renewable energy projects in a way compatible with the rest of the uses of the maritime space, seeking synergies and protecting biodiversity;
Amendment 38 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Recalls the offshore wind electricity production also creates an opportunity for clean hydrogen production as the "EU Strategy for Energy System Integration strategy" and “A hydrogen strategy for a climate- neutral Europe highlight; calls the Commission and the Member States to integrated the decarbonized hydrogen production plans into the development of the offshore wind capacity;
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Amendment 46 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Highlights that floating technology allows to access locations where wind speeds are higher and more constant. It can also minimize the turbine’s environmental impact and reduce the pressure associated with coastal planning; calls on the Commission and the Member States to assess these benefits and the possible impacts on fisheries and marine biodiversity and ecosystems;
Amendment 46 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
I a. Highlights that harnessing offshore energy, while ensuring environmental protection and the sustainable development of fisheries and other economic activities, requires joint planning and a rigorous assessment of cumulative impacts, including socio- economic effects;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I b (new)
Recital I b (new)
Amendment 54 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Is concerned about theNotes the need to assess the potential negative long-term impact that offshore wind turbines may have on ecosystems, fish stocks and biodiversity, and consequently on fisheries as a whole, over their life cycle, from construction through operation and decommissioning; stresses that only a few studies have analysed the potential negative impacts of offshore wind farms on the fisheries sector;
Amendment 58 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Amendment 60 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Stresses that there are already examples of coexistence between the fishing sector and the offshore wind energy sector, and this experience should be used to find and share the best available practices for the entire life cycle of marine infrastructure;
Amendment 67 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls that the displacement of fishing activities can be very harmful to fisheries; stresses, therefore, that the multiple use of sea areas must be considered from the outset, and that offshore wind farms must be positioned in a way that takes into account the needs of the fishing sector to avoid negative impacts and take advantage of the mutual synergies;
Amendment 71 #
6a. Stresses that the cooperation across sectors active in the offshore environment and economy will also be a driver for a just transition; calls on the Commission to assess initiatives that activate local economies and economic activities offshore and find synergies between sectors that can be the bedrock of a future-proof economic recovery;
Amendment 74 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. StreNotes the need to assess the impact that the large-scale roll-out of offshore wind farms (OWFs) risks harmingmay have on the physical functioning of the sea basin, in particular sea and air currents, which might contribute to a mixing of the stratified water column and consequently influence the nutrient cycle, wave generation, tidal amplitudes and bedload sediment transport, while infrasonic noise from rotating blades could chase fish away from OWFs, and electromagnetic fields from underwater cables, as well as underwater noise from pile driving, could have severe negative impacts on marine life;
Amendment 77 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses that EU regulatory framework should contribute to ensure environmental impacts are monitored and actions are taken to prevent and minimize the impacts; climate, energy, fisheries and marine biodiversity policies should reinforce each other when developing an EU offshore wind strategy;
Amendment 79 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission to collaborate closely with Member States and neighbouring countries on maritime spatial planning, with a view to optimising the use of sea space and cross-sector cooperation, and minimising spatial conflicts; stresses that the maritime spatial plans ordered by Directive 2014/89/EU shall be established as soon as possible, and at the latest by 31 March 2021;
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that potential artificial reefe need to investigate the potential benefits of offshore renewable installations for fisheries; stresses that empirical evidence of the ecological benefits resulting from the construction of artificial reefs is gradually increasing, but that these effects armay be limited to the operational phase of an offshorthe wind turbine and that decommissioning may makcause any benefits to be temporary;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that small-scale fishing enterprises willfleet could be particularly affected by displacement as they may not have the capacity to move to fishing grounds further afield or to change fishing method;
Amendment 126 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that today, fishing activities (active or passive) in OWFs are limited or prohibited in most Member States; there are some examples of cooperation of (active or passive) fishing activities in offshore wind farms; stresses that co-operative co-design approaches regarding the siting of OWFs to combine them with other uses can reduce the potential impact on fisheries, strengthen the relationship between the various sectors involved and allow for beneficial cooperation between them.
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Highlights that assessments of the economic and socio-cultural effects of offshore renewables on fisheries are lacking in recent empirical studies; urges the Commission, therefore, to carry out further research looking beyond environmental impacts in order to assess the possible negative economic and social impacts on fisheries of investments in OWFs;
Amendment 165 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Stresses that cooperation across the sectors active in the offshore environment and economy will also be a driver for a just transition; calls on the Commission to assess initiatives that stimulate local economies and economic activities offshore and find synergies between sectors that can serve as a basis for a future-proof economic recovery;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18 b. Highlights that there already are examples of coexistence between the fishing sector and the offshore wind energy sector, and this experience should be used to find and share the best available practices for the whole life cycle of marine infrastructure;