Activities of Emmanouil FRAGKOS related to 2020/0300(COD)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on a General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030
Amendments (30)
Amendment 88 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The 8th EAP should support the environment and climate action objectives of the European Green Deal in line with the long-term objective to “live well, within the planetary boundaries” by 2050, which is already established in the 7th EAP. It should contribute to achieving the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The 8th EAP should accelerate the transition towards a resource efficient, clean and circular bio-based economy, in a just and inclusive way, protecting, preserving, sustainably using and restoring biological resources and enhancing the Union's natural capital as well as protecting the health and well- being of citizens from environment- related risks and impacts. By doing so, the 8th EAP should contribute to a regenerative economy of well-being that gives back to the planet more than it takes. A regenerative growth model recognises that the wellbeing and prosperity of our societies depend on a stable climate, a healthy environment and thriving ecosystems, which provide a safe operating space for our economies. As the global population and the demand for natural resources continues to grow, economic activity should develop in a way that does no harm but, on the contrary, reverses climate change and environmental degradation, minimises pollution and results in maintaining and enriching natural capital, therefore ensuring the abundance of renewable and non-renewable resources. Through continuous innovation, adaptation to new challenges and co-creation, the regenerative economy strengthens resilience and protects present and future generations’ wellbeing.
Amendment 94 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The 8th EAP should accelerate the transition to a regenerative economy that gives back to the planet more than it takes. A regenerative growth model recognises that the wellbeing and prosperity of our societies depend on a stable climate, a healthy environment and thriving ecosystems, which provide a safe operating space for our economies. As the global population and the demand for natural resources continues to grow, economic activity should develop in a way that does no harm but, on the contrary, reverses climate change and environmental degradation, minimises pollution and results in maintaining and enriching natural capital, promoting a sustainable bioeconomy, therefore ensuring the abundance of renewable and non- renewable resources. Through continuous innovation, adaptation to new challenges and co-creation, the economy of wellbeing and the regenerative economy strengthens resilience and protects present and future generations’ wellbeing. .
Amendment 100 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The 8th EAP should set out thematic priority objectives in areas of climate neutrality, adaptation to climate change, protecting, sustainably using and restoring biodiversity, soil, circular economy, the zero pollution ambition and reducing environmental pressures from production and consumption. It should furthermore identify the enabling conditions to achieve the long-term and the thematic priority objectives for all actors involved.
Amendment 104 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Achieving the priority objectives requires enabling conditions. Environment policy being highly decentralised, action to achieve the priority objectives of the 8th EAP should be taken at different levels of governance, i.e. at the European, the national, the regional and the local level, with a collaborative approach to multi-level governance. Implementation and enforcement are particularly important. The integrated approach to policy development and implementation should be strengthened with a view to maximising the synergies between economic, environmental and social objectives, while paying careful attention to potential trade-offs and to the needs of vulnerable groups. Moreover, action by local and regional authorities, transparent engagement with non- governmental actors is important for ensuring the success of the 8th EAP and the achievement of its priority objectives.
Amendment 113 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The assessment of progress towards the priority objectives of the 8th EAP should reflect the latest developments as regards the availability and relevance of data and indicators. ITaking into account a systemic approach, it should be coherent with and without prejudice tobuild upon existing monitoring or governance tools covering more specific aspects of environment and climate policy, such as in particular Regulation 1999/2018 of the European Parliament and of the Council30 , the Environmental Implementation Review or monitoring tools relating to circular economy, zero pollution, biodiversity, air, water, soil, waste, or any other environment policies. Together with other tools used in the European Semester, the Eurostat SDG Monitoring and in the Commission’s Strategic Foresight Report31 , it would be part of a coherent interconnected set of monitoring and governance tools. _________________ 30Regulation (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, OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1–77. 31 COM/2020/493 final.
Amendment 115 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The Commission and the EEA and other relevant agencies should access and re-use the data and indicators provided by the Member States in accordance with applicable Union legal acts. In addition, other data sources, such as satellite data and processed information from the European Earth MonitoringObservation Programme (Copernicus), the European Forest Fire Information System and the European Flood Awareness System, or data platforms such as European Marine Observation and Data Network or the Information Platform for Chemical Monitoring should be utilised. The application of modern digital tools and artificial intelligence allows managing and analysing the data in an effective and transparent way and thereby reducing administrative burden whilst increasing timeliness and quality.
Amendment 116 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) To reach the priority objectives of the 8th EAP, the EEA and ECHA, as well as the Member States, should be equipped with adequate capacity and sufficient resources to ensure a sound, accessible and transparent knowledge and evidence base to support the implementation of the strategic priorities of the European Green Deal and the assessment of progress under the programme.
Amendment 117 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
(17 a) As the Commission Communication on the European Green Deal contains a roadmap of key actions relevant for the field of environment and climate in the coming years, the 8thEAP exceptionally does not define actions to achieve its priority objectives until 2025. However, there will be a need to do so when the European Green Deal's key actions have been put in place, so that the thematic priority objectives set out in this decision can be achieved and the 8th EAP continues to set the overarching vision of the EU Union's environmental policy. For that purpose, there should be amid-term review in 2024, followed, at the latest by 31 March 2025, by a legislative proposal amending the 8th EAP to allow the legislator to complete the 8th EAP with the necessary key actions to be taken until 2030. Such a review should take into account the main findings available from the European Environment Agency’s report “The European environment – state and outlook”.
Amendment 120 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) In order to take account of evolving policy objectives and the progress made, the 8th EAP should be evaluated by the Commission in 2029. A proposal for a 9th EAP should be presented in a timely manner with a view to avoiding a gap between the 8th and the 9th EAP.
Amendment 121 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 18 a (new)
Recital 18 a (new)
(18 a) Pursuant to Article 191(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), Union policy on the environment is to aim at a high level of protection taking into account the diversity of situations in the various regions of the Union, and is to be based on the precautionary principle and on the principles that preventive action should be taken, that environmental damage should, as a priority, be rectified at source and that the polluter should pay.
Amendment 122 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This decisions sets out a general action programme in the field of the environment for the period up to 31 December 2030 ('the 8th Environment Action programme' or ‘8th EAP’). It lays down its priority objectives, identifies enabling conditions for their achievement and sets a framework to measure whether the Union and its Member States are on track to meet those priority objectives.
Amendment 131 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. The 8th EAP aims at accelerating the green transition to a climate-neutral, resource-efficient, clean and circular economy in a just and inclusive way, and endorses the environmental and climate objectives ofat supporting and strengthening an integrated policy and implementation approach, building upon the European Green Deal and its initiatives.
Amendment 134 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
3. The 8th EAP forms the basis forcontributes to achieving the environmental and climate objectives defined under the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, and its monitoring framework constitutes well as to those pursued by multilateral environmental agreements, such as the envirRio Conmventions and climate part ofthe Paris Agreement. Its monitoring framework shall contribute to the EU’s efforts to measure progress towards greater sustainability, including climate neutrality and resource efficiency, wellbeing and resilience.
Amendment 140 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. The 8th EAP shasll have the long- term priority objective for 2050 that citizens live well, within the planetary boundaries in an economy of wellbeing and a regenerative economy where nothing is wasted, no net emissions of greenhouse gases are producclimate neutrality in the EU is achieved and economic growth is decoupled from resource use and environmental degradation. A healthy environment underpins the well-being of citizens, biodiversity thrives and natural capital is protected, restored and valued in ways that enhance resilience to climate change and other environmental risks. The Union sets the pace for ensuring the prosperity of present and future generations globally.
Amendment 143 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The 8th EAP shasll have the following six thematic priority objectives :
Amendment 152 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) advancing towards an economy of wellbeing and a regenerative growth model that gives back to the planet more than it takes, decoupling economic growth from resource use and environmental degradation, and accelerating the transition to a circular economy, through a more efficient use of resources and by applying the waste hierarchy;
Amendment 156 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) pursuing a zero-pollution ambition for a toxic free-environment, including for air, water and soil, and protecting the health and well-being of citizens from harmful chemicals and other environment-related risks and negative impacts;
Amendment 165 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Achieving the priority objectives of the 8th EAP will requirshall require from the European Commission, the Member States, local and regional authorities and stakeholders, as appropriate:
Amendment 166 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) ensuring effective and efficient implementation of Union legislation on environment and climate and striving for excellence in environmental performance at Union, national, regional and local levels including through providing appropriate administrative and compliance assurance capacity, as laid out in the regular Environmental Implementation Review, supporting and cooperating with networks of practitioners, such as for example the European Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law, the European Network of Prosecutors for the Environment and the European Union Forum of Judges for the Environment , as well as stepping up action against environmental crime,
Amendment 169 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) ensuring effective and efficient implementation of Union legislation and strategies on environment and climate and striving for excellence in environmental performance at Union, national, regional and local levels including through providing appropriate administrative and compliance assurance capacity, as laid out in the regular Environmental Implementation Review, as well as stepping up action against environmental crime,
Amendment 173 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3
— paying careful attention tooptimising synergies and potential trade-offs between economic, environmental and social objectives, namelyby ensuring a sustainable urban development, so as to ensure that citizens’ needs for healthy nutrition, housingwater and air quality, energy, water access tohousing and green infrastructures and mobility are met in a sustainable way that leaves no- one behind;
Amendment 180 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 4
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 4
— – regularly evaluating existing policies and preparing impact assessments for new initiatives, which are based oposing new legislation where appropriate, based on impact assessments building upon wide consultations following procedures that are accountable, inclusive, informed and simple to implement, and which pay due regard to projected impacts on environment and climate;
Amendment 186 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) mobilising resources and sustainable investments from public and private sources, including of funds and instruments available under the Union budget, via the European Investment Bank and at national level, consistent with the Union's sustainable finance policy agenda;
Amendment 188 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) strengthening environmentally positive incentives as well as phasing out environmentally harmful subsidies at Union and national level, making the best use of market-based instruments and green budgeting tools, including those required to ensure a socially fair transition, and supporting businesses and other stakeholders in developing standardised natural capital accounting practices;
Amendment 206 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) making full use of biodiversity- friendly and nature based solutions and social innovation;
Amendment 209 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point j
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point j
(j) making the data and evidence linked to the implementation of the 8th EAP publicly available, and eacomprehensibly accessible, without prejudice to provisions on confidentiality in domain specific legislation;
Amendment 223 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. The assessment referred to in paragraph 1 shall take into account a systemic approach and aim at facilitating strategic political communication. It shall be based on a limited number of headline indicators, identified by the end of 2021 as a result of a broad stakeholder consultation process involving Member States and relevant stakeholders, which brings together environment policy experts and indicator experts, and which shall be supported by the European Environment Agency. It shall reflect the latest developments as regards the availability and relevance of data and indicators, and building on data available in the Member States and at the Union level, in particular those operated by the European Environment Agency and the European Statistical System. This, with a view to minimising administrative burden. The assessment shall be coherent with and without prejudice to existingother monitoring, reporting and governance frameworks and exercises covering social, economic, environment and climate policy.
Amendment 228 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Article 4a – Mid-term Review 1. Before the end of its current term, the Commission shall carry out a mid-term review of the progress achieved in reaching the thematic priority objectives defined in Article 2(2), taking into consideration the enabling conditions laid down in Article 3, based on the assessments carried under Article 4(1) and any other relevant findings, and shall submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council. 2. In the light of that the review referred to in paragraph 1, and of other relevant policy developments, and of the European Environment Agency’s report “The European environment – state and outlook”, the Commission shall present at latest by 31 March 2025 a legislative proposal for adding an annex to the present 8thEnvironment Action Programme, for the period after 2025, containing a list of actions necessary for reaching the thematic priority objectives defined in Article 2(2), as well as the respective timeline of these actions.
Amendment 230 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
By 31 March 2029, the Commission shall carry out an evaluation of the 8th EAP. The Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council containing the main findings of that evaluation, accompanied, if the Commission deems in each of the thematic priority objectives set out in Article 2 (2), followed, if appropriate, by a legislative proposal for the next environmental action programme, at the latest, by 31 December 2029.