Activities of Emmanouil FRAGKOS related to 2020/0006(COD)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Just Transition Fund
Amendments (17)
Amendment 25 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The transition to a climate-neutral and circular economy constitutes one of the most important policy objectives for the Union. On 12 December 2019, the European Council endorsed the objective of achieving a climate-neutral Union by 2050, in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement. While fighting climate change and environmental degradation will benefit all in the long term and provides opportunities and challenges for all in the medium term, not all regions and Member States start their transition from the same point or have the same capacity to respond. Some are more advanced than others, whereas the transition entails a wider social and economic impact for those regions that rely heavily on fossil fuels - especially coal, lignite, peat and oil shale - or greenhouse gas intensive industries. Such a situation not only creates the risk of a variable speed transition in the Union as regards climate action, but also of growing disparities between regions, detrimental to the objectives of social, economic and territorial cohesion. The Union budget has an important role in that regard. While Member States may be given full autonomy in the way they distribute national climate plans, some are still using an unfair area-based system, with no account taken of sectors most in need or areas most negatively affected.
Amendment 72 #
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. The projects financed should help to achieve the Union’s objectives of developing a digital infrastructure network and promoting green and sustainable multimodal mobility. 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 98 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) In order to provide flexibility for the programming of the JTF resources under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, it should be possible to prepare a self- standing JTF programme or to programme JTF resources in one or more dedicated priorities within a programme supported by the European Regional Development Fund (‘ERDF’), the European Social Fund Plus (‘ESF+’) or the Cohesion Fund. In accordance with Article 21a of Regulation (EU) [new CPR], JTF resources should be reinforced with complementary funding from the ERDF and the ESF+. The respective amounts transferred from the ERDF and the ESF+ should be consistent with the type of operations set out in the territorial just transition plans. The JTF should complement also various Union funds, including the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (‘EAFRD’), the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund ('EMFF'), the Asylum and Migration Fund ('AMIF') and the Internal Security Fund ('ISF'), to contribute to greener agriculture and support the transition plans to the decarbonisation of the economy.
Amendment 113 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) In order to enhance the result orientation of the use of JTF resources, the Commission, in line with the principle of proportionality, should be able to apply financial corrections in case of serious underachievement of targets established for the JTF specific objective. The JTF should provide financial support to national efforts to eliminate the main disparities and correct regional imbalances within the Union, paying particular attention to rural areas, where social gap continues to widen, to areas affected by an industrial transition with differences between rural and urban areas and regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps with very low population density and island, cross- border and mountain regions, stricken with poverty and stagnation.
Amendment 135 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
The creation of the JTF shall not be detrimental to other headings, in particular to the Union structural policies (cohesion policy and CAP).
Amendment 144 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The specific objectives of the JTF shall not overlap with other Union funds. The creation of the JTF, which incorporates the objectives of existing funds, shall not generate administrative and procedural confusion, or create fragmentation.
Amendment 154 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) investments in research and innovation activities and fostering the transfer of advanced technologies and improving access to these technologies and their use and quality;
Amendment 157 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) investments in research and innovation activities to promote European energy independence;
Amendment 170 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e
(e) investments in digitalisation and digital connectivity, reaping the benefits of digitalisation for citizens, companies, public services and governments;
Amendment 172 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e
(e) investments in digitalisation and digital connectivity, in particular for the roll-out of broadband in remote and rural regions;
Amendment 177 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f
(f) investments in regeneration and decontamination of sites, land restoration and repurposing projects, to improve the urban environment, to revitalise cities, regenerate and decontaminate brownfield sites, reduce air, water, soil, noise and light pollution as well as waste;
Amendment 186 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f a (new)
(f a) investments in research and innovation activities to enhance biodiversity and green infrastructure in the urban and rural environment;
Amendment 206 #
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) public market intervention measures to deal with difficult market situations in the use of clean energy, particularly in rural areas with lower populations that are not as attractive to commercial plans and private investments;
Amendment 210 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Additionally, the JTF may support, in areas designated as assisted areas in accordance with points (a) and (c) of Article 107(3) of the TFEU, productive investments in enterprises other than SMEs, provided that such investments have been approved as part of the territorial just transition plan based on the information required under point (h) of Article 7(2). Such investments shall only be eligible where they are necessary for the implementation of the territorial just transition plan and especially for rural, island and coastal areas, helping the rural population gain access to valuable employment options.
Amendment 217 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The JTF shall guarantee income stability, increasing the socioeconomic integration of marginalised communities and disadvantaged groups, including those who work in isolated rural areas such as farmers and fishermen.
Amendment 224 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
Amendment 229 #
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, or waste incineration, unless it promotes a faster European energy independence and enhances energy efficiency, related to low carbon high efficiency co-generation and efficient district heating systems;