Activities of Margarita DE LA PISA CARRIÓN related to 2023/0081(COD)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act)
Amendments (28)
Amendment 28 #
Proposal for a regulation
Title 1
Title 1
Proposal for a REGULATION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry(European Union Industry Reinforcement Act) (Text with EEA relevance)
Amendment 32 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) The European Union needs to reinforce its industry, in view of global trends and a strategy to reduce its dependency with regards to key components and technologies, not least by supporting the Member States in preparing a workforce who is updated for the design and production of such key components and technologies.
Amendment 40 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) In addition, the Communication on the Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net- Zero Age42 sets out a comprehensive approach to support a clean energy technology scale up based on four pillars. The first pillar aims at creating a regulatory environment that simplifies and fast-tracks permitting for new net-zero technology manufacturing and assembly sites and facilitates the scaling up of the net-zero industry of the Union. The second pillar of the plan is to boost investment in and financing of net-zero technology production, through the revised Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework adopted in March 2023 and the creation of a European Sovereignty fund to preserve the European edge on critical and emerging technologies relevant to the green and digital transitions. The third pillar relates to developing the skills needed to make the transition happenMember States' industrial sectors stronger and increase the number of skilled workers in the clean energy and technology sectors. The fourth pillar focuses on trade and the diversification of the supply chain of critical raw materials. That includes creating a critical raw materials club, working with like-minded partners to collectively strengthen supply chains and diversifying away from single suppliers for critical input. _________________ 42 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: A Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age, COM/2023/62 final, 01.02.2023.
Amendment 43 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26 a (new)
Recital 26 a (new)
(26a) In particular, it is important that the reinforcement of industry within the European Union as per this Regulation translates into the increase of fixed labour contracts versus temporary contracts, as a clear sign of social sustainability. This should be a priority for Member States when applying this Regulation.
Amendment 51 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 49 a (new)
Recital 49 a (new)
(49a) Compliance with environmental, social and safety requirements to be granted the status of Net-Zero Strategic Project should be assessed through a fast- track and less cumbersome procedure for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in comparison to other undertakings.
Amendment 57 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 64
Recital 64
(64) The scaling up of European net- zero technology industries requires significant additional skilled workers which implies important investment needs in re-skilling and upskilling, including in the field of vocational education and training. This should contribute to the creation of quality jobs in line with the targets for employment and training of the European Pillar of Social Rights. The energy transitionreinforcement of European industry will require a significant increase in the number of skilled workers in a range of sectors, including renewable energy and energy storage, and has a great potential for quality job creation. The skill needs for the fuel cell hydrogen sub-sector in manufacturing alone are estimated at 180.000 trained workers, technicians and engineers by the year 2030, according to the Commission’s European Strategic Energy Technology Plan65 . In the photo- voltaic solar energy sector, up to 66.000 jobs would be needed in manufacturing alone. The European network of employment services (EURES) is providing information, advice and recruitment or placement for the benefit of workers and employers, including across internal market borders. _________________ 65 European Commission, Directorate- General for Research and Innovation, Joint Research Centre, The strategic energy technology (SET) plan, Publications Office, 2019, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2777/04888.
Amendment 68 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 65
Recital 65
(65) Since strengthening the manufacturing capacity of key net-zero technologies in the Union will not be possible without a sizeable skilled workforce, it is necessary to introduce measures to boost the activation of more people to the labour market, notably women and young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs), and legally residing migrant workers, including via skills first approaches as a complement to qualifications-based recruitment. In addition, in line with the objectives of the Council Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate-neutrality, specific support for job-to-job transition for workers in redundant and declining sectors are important. This means investing in skills and in quality job creation required for net-zero technologies in the Union. Building on and fully taking into account existing initiatives such as the EU Pact for Skills, EU level activities on skills intelligence and forecasting, such as by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) and the European Labour Authority, and the Blueprints for sectoral cooperation on skills, the objective is to mobilise all actors: Member States authorities, including at regional and local levels, education and training providers, social partners and industry, in particular SMEs, to identify skills needs, develop education and training programmes and deploy these at large scale in a fast and operational manner. Net-zero strategic projects have a key role to play in this regard. Member States and the Commission may ensure financial support including by leveraging the possibilities of the Union budget through instruments such as the European Social Fund Plus, Just Transition Fund, European Regional Development Funds, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the Modernisation Fund, REPowerEU and the Single Market Programme.
Amendment 69 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 65 a (new)
Recital 65 a (new)
(65a) The reinforcement of industry within the Union as fostered in this Regulation should particularly focus on Member States and regions with a higher degree of unemployment and youth unemployment. The European Commission should assess how the implementation of this Regulation impacts positively on the reduction of such unemployment rates.
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 65 b (new)
Recital 65 b (new)
(65b) Social partners must play a key role in the reinforcement of industry within the Union as provided for in this Regulation. In order to achieve this, it is of utmost importance that professionalism of social partners in line with the new technologies fostered is assured. Furthermore, the principle of subsidiarity requires that contribution by social partners be first achieved at national level and at Union level only if and in so far as insufficiently achieved at Member State level.
Amendment 71 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 66
Recital 66
(66) Building on previous experiences, such as the EU Pact for Skills and the European Battery Alliance, European Net- Zero Industry Academies should develop and deploy education and training content to upskill and reskill workers required for key net-zero technology value chains, such as solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies, renewable hydrogen technologies and raw materials. The academies would aim to enable the training and education of 100.000 learners each, within three years of their establishment, to contribute to the availability of skills required for the net- zero technologies, including in small and medium-sized enterprisebe integrated within Member States education institutions. That content should be developed and deployed with education and training providers in Member States, relevant Member States authorities and social partners. Education and training providers, industry and other actors involved in up- and reskilling in the Member States, such as Public Employment Services, should deliver the content produced by the academies. To ensure skills transparency and portability and the mobility of workers, the European Net-Zero Industry Academies will develop and deploy credentials, including micro- credentials, covering learning achievements. They should be issued in the format of European credentials for learning and could be integrated in EUROPASS and, where relevant, included in National Qualifications Frameworks. Member States are encouraged to support the continuous reskilling and upskilling offered via the academies and the relevant education and training providers in their territories through national programmes and Union funding, including from the European Social Fund Plus, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the European Regional Development Fund, the Just Transition Mechanism, the Modernisation Fund and the Technical Support Instrument. The Net-Zero Europe Platform should assist in guiding the work of the Academies and providing oversight.
Amendment 82 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation establishes the framework of measures for innovating and scaling up the manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies in the Union to support the Union’s 2030 target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % relative to 1990 levels and the Union’s 2050 climate neutrality target, as defined by Regulation (EU) 2021/1119, and to ensure the Union’s access to a secure and sustainable supply of net-zero technologies needed to safeguard the resilience of the Union’s energy system and to contribute to the creation of quality jobs, particularly in industry.
Amendment 96 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
(b) the net-zero technology manufacturing project has positive impact on the Union’s net-zero industry supply chain or downstream sectors, beyond the project promoter and the Member States concerned, contributing to the competitiveness and quality job creation of the Union’s net-zero industry supply chain, according to at least three of the following criteria:
Amendment 97 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
(i) it adds significant manufacturing capacity in the Union for net-zero technologies where the Union needs to enhance its autonomy vis-a-vis other global actors;
Amendment 101 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
(iii) it puts into place measures to attract, upskill or reskill a workforce required for net-zero technologies where the Union needs to enhance its autonomy vis-a-vis other global actors, including through apprenticeships, in close cooperation with social partners;
Amendment 150 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2
Article 23 – paragraph 2
2. European Net Zero Industry Academies shall counter gender stereotypes andpay particular attention to women who so wish and who are not in education, employment or training for the labour market. Similarly, the European Net Zero Industry Academies shall pay particular attention to the need to activate more women and young people, who are not in education, employment or training for the labour market, most particularly in Member States and regions where youth unemployment is higher. European Net Zero Industry Academies shall be free from ideology and focus on professional development.
Amendment 158 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1
Article 24 – paragraph 1
1. By 31 December 2024 and every two years thereafter, Member States shall identify whetherassess the learning programmes developed by the European net-zero industry academies are equivalent toin order to assure their alignment with the specific qualifications required by the host Member States to access regulated activities within the scope of a profession with particular interest for the net-zero industry sector. Member States shall ensure that the results of the assessments are made public and easily accessible online. The European Commission will assure coordination among Member States' assessments.
Amendment 160 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2
Article 24 – paragraph 2
2. Ifn order for a Member State concludes there is equivalenceto assure alignment, as described in the first paragraph of this Article, it shall facilitate the recognition of credentials issued by education and training providers on the basis of the learning programmes developed by the academies, under Title III Chapter I of Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council74 , whenevefor a holder of such a credential requests to gain access to a regulated profession within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a) of Directive 2005/36/EC, and of particular importance for the net-zero industry sector, by accepting the credential as a general principle of sufficient evidence of formal qualifications. _________________ 74 Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications (Text with EEA relevance), (OJ L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 22).
Amendment 161 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 3
Article 24 – paragraph 3
3. Where access to a profession of particular importance for the net-zero industry sector is regulated within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a) of Directive 2005/36/EC, Member States shall work towards developing a common set of minimum knowledge, skills and competences necessary for the pursuit of this specific profession with the purpose of establishing a Common Training Framework as referred to in Article 49a (1) of Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council to enable automatic recognition of qualifications. The Net Zero Industry Platform may also submit suggestions as referred to in Article 49a (3) of Directive 2005/36/EC.
Amendment 164 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) assist the Commission in assessing, continuously monitoring and forecasting the demand and supply of a workforce with the skill sets needed in net-zero technologies where the European Union needs to enhance its autonomy vis-a-vis other global actors, and the availability and uptake of corresponding education and training opportunities, informing as appropriate the activities of the European Net-Zero Industry Academies;
Amendment 166 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 2
(2) monitor the activity of the European Net-Zero Industry Academies and of education and training providers who offer the learning programmes developed by the Academies, foster synergies with other national and Union skills initiatives and projects, and provide oversight;
Amendment 168 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 3
(3) assist the mobilisation of stakeholders including industry, social partners and education and training providers for the roll-out of learning programs developed by the European Net- Zero Industry Academies;
Amendment 170 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 4
(4) assist the uptake and recognition of learning credentials of the European Net- Zero Industry Academies in the Member States to promote the recognition of skills and the matching of skills and jobs, inter alia by promoting the validity and acceptance of the credentials throughout the labour market of the European Union;
Amendment 173 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 5
(5) facilitate the development of European occupation profiles consisting of a common set of knowledge, skills and competences for key professions in the net- zero technologies where the Union needs to enhance its autonomy vis-a-vis other global actors, drawing inter alia upon the learning programmes developed by the European Net-Zero Industry Academies, and, where appropriate, using the terminology provided by the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) classification to facilitate transparency and mobility between jobs and across internal market borders;
Amendment 176 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 6
(6) promote adequate working conditions in jobs in net-zero technology industries, the activation of youth, women and seniorsother workers, particularly unemployed, to the labour market for net- zero technology industries, and the attraction of skilled workers from third countries, and thereby achieve a more diversewhen necessary to support the Union workforce;
Amendment 181 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 7
(7) facilitate closer coordination and the exchange of best practices between Member States to enhance the availability of skills in the net-zero technologies where the Union needs to enhance its autonomy vis- a-vis other global actors, including by contributing to Union and Member States policies to attract new talents from third countries. Such attraction should take place when and where it is necessary to support Union workforce in each Member State.
Amendment 194 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) net-zero technology developments and market trends, including average manufacturing investment costs and production costs, and market prices for the respective net-zero technologies;
Amendment 195 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) net-zero technology manufacturing capacity and related activities, including data on employment and skills and progress towards achieving the 2030 targets referred to in recital 13autonomy vis-a-vis other global actors;
Amendment 196 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) value and volume of imports into the Union and exports outside of the Union of net-zero technologies where the Union needs to enhance its autonomy vis-a-vis other global actors;