Activities of Matthias ECKE 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 (25)
Amendment 18 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 45
Recital 45
(45) Member States canshould provide support from cohesion policy programmes in line with applicable rules under Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council57 to encourage the take up of net-zero strategic projects in less developed and transition regionsall regions, especially in less developed, transition regions and Just Transition Fund Territories, through investment packages of infrastructure, productive investment in innovation, manufacturing capacity in SMEcompanies, services, training and upskilling measure, including support to capacity building of the public authorities and promoters. The applicable co-financing rates set in programmes may be up to 85% for less developed regions and up to 60% or 70% for transition regions and 40% to 50% for more developed regions, depending on the fund concerned and the status of the region but Member States may exceed these ceilings at the level of the project concerned, where feasible under State aid rules. The Technical Support Instrument can help Member States and regions in preparing net-zero growth strategies, improve the business environment, reducing red tape and accelerating permitting. Member States should be encouraged to promote the sustainability of net-zero strategic projects by embedding these investments in European value chains, building notably on interregional and cross border cooperation networks. _________________ 57 Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159).
Amendment 71 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3
Article 10 – paragraph 3
3. Net-zero technology manufacturing projects corresponding to a technology listed in the Annex and located within the EU, especially in ‘less developed and transition regions’ and Just Transition Fund Territories and eligible for funding under cohesion policy rules, shall be recognised by Member States as net- zero strategic projects under Article 11(3) upon request of the project promoter without the project promoter having to submit a formal application under Article 11(2).
Amendment 131 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) The net-zero transformation is already causing huge industrial, economic, and geopolitical shifts across the globe, which will become ever more pronounced as the world advances in its decarbonisation efforts. The road to net zero translates into strong opportunities for the expansion of Union’s net-zero industry, making use of the strength of the Single Market, by promoting investment in technologies in the field of renewable energy technologies , electricity and heat storage technologies, heat pumps, grid technologies, renewable fuels of non- biological origin technologies, electrolysers and fuel cells, fusion, small modular reactors and related best-in-class fuels, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies, and energy-system related energy efficiency technologies and their supply chains, as well as circular manufacturing technologies for improving energy and material efficiency in industrial processes, allowing for the decarbonisation of our economic sectors, from energy supply to transport, buildings, and industry. A strong net zero industry within the European Union can help significantly in reaching the Union’s climate and energy targets effectively, as well as in supporting other Green Deal objectives, while creating jobs and growth.
Amendment 184 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) The development of carbon capture and storage solutions for industry is confronted with a coordination failure. On the one hand, despite the growing CO2 price incentive provided by the EU Emissions Trading System, for industry to invest into capturing CO2 emissions making such investments economically viable, they face a significant risk of not being able to access a permitted geological storage site. On the other hand, investors into first CO2 storage sites face upfront costs to identify develop and appraise them even before they can apply for a regulatory storage permit. Transparency about potential CO2 storage capacity in terms of the geological suitability of relevant areas and existing geological data, in particular from the exploration of hydrocarbon production sites, can support market operators to plan their investments. Member State should make such data publicly available and report regularly in a forward-looking perspective about progress in developing CO2 storage sites and the corresponding needs for injection and storage capacities above, in order to collectively reach the Union-wide target for CO2 injection capacity. At the same time, CO2 injection capacity sites must comply with the applicable environmental standards and ensure the safety of their operations, including the rules laid down in Directive 2009/31/EC and the "Do No Significant Harm"-principle within the meaning of Regulation (EU) 2020/852
Amendment 315 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 45
Recital 45
(45) Member States canshould provide support from cohesion policy programmes in line with applicable rules under Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council57 to encourage the take up of net-zero strategic projects in all regions, especially in less developed andregions, transition regions and Just Transition Funds territories, through investment packages of infrastructure, productive investment in innovation, manufacturing capacity in SMEcompanies, services, training and upskilling measure, including support to capacity building of the public authorities and promoters. The applicable co-financing rates set in programmes may be up to 85% for less developed regions and, up to 60% or 70% for transition regions and 40% to 50% for more developed regions, depending on the fund concerned and the status of the region but Member States may exceed these ceilings at the level of the project concerned, where feasible under State aid rules. The Technical Support Instrument can help Member States and regions in preparing net-zero growth strategies, improve the business environment, reducing red tape and accelerating permitting. Member States should be encouraged to promote the sustainability of net-zero strategic projects by embedding these investments in European value chains, building notably on interregional and cross border cooperation networks. _________________ 57 Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159).
Amendment 384 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 62 a (new)
Recital 62 a (new)
(62a) Member States may designate Net- Zero Industry Valleys as areas that are particularly suitable to develop net-zero manufacturing projects and projects, in order to further accelerate permitting procedures and allocate financial support. When designating Net-Zero Industry Valleys, Member States shall respect the 'Do No Significant Harm' principle and should not establish valleys in designated Natura 2000 areas or areas protected by the Nature Restauration Regulation. Member States can designate Net-Zero Industry Valleys specific for one or more types of net-zero technologies and should indicate the type or types of projects that are suitable for each Net-Zero Industry Valley. When allowing companies to set up projects in Net-Zero Industry Valleys, Member States shall assess the compliance of these companies with the highest social standards, including wages, trade union promotion and education programmes. Member States and the Commission should furthermore ensure financial support including through the European Social Fund, Just Transition Fund, European Regional Development Funds and Single Market Programme.
Amendment 413 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. 1. This Regulation establishes the framework of measures for innovating and scaling up the manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies and promoting their use in their upstream and downstream value chains, as well as the roll-out of existing and new applications and infrastructures 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 strengthen the international competitiveness of those technologies and the relevant value chains 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.
Amendment 502 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) ‘net-zero technologies’ means renewable energy technologies66 such as wind, solar (solar thermal and solar photovoltaic) and geothermal energy; electricity and heat storage technologies; heat pumps; grid technologies; renewable fuels of non-biological origin technologies; sustainable alternative fuels technologies67 ; electrolysers and fuel cells; advanced technologies to produce energy from nuclear processes with minimal waste from the fuel cycle, small modular reactors, and related best-in-class fuels; carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies; and energy-system related energy efficiency technologies and circular manufacturing technologies for improving energy and material efficiency in industrial processes. They refer to the final products, specific components and specific machinery primarily used for the production of those products. They shall have reached a technology readiness level of at least 8. _________________ 66 ‘renewable energy' means ‘renewable energy’ as defined in 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 67 ‘sustainable alternative fuels’ means fuels covered by the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport, COM/2021/561 final and by the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and Council on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport COM/2021/562 final.
Amendment 581 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point q
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point q
(q) ‘CO2 injection capacity’ means the annual amount of CO2 that can be injected in an operational geological storage site, permitted under Directive 2009/31/EC and in line with the "Do No Significant Harm"-principle within the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852, with the purpose to reduce emissions or increase carbon removals, in particular from large scale industrial installations and which is measured in tonnes per annum;
Amendment 762 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 a (new)
Article 9 a (new)
Article9a Setting up Net-Zero Industry Valleys 1. From [4 months after the entry into force], Member States may identify land areas dedicated to Net-Zero Industry Valleys. 2. When identifying areas for setting up the Net-Zero Industry Valleys, Member States shall take into account: (a) the need to favour multiple uses of the areas identified to ensure the expansion, reindustrialisation or creation of European industrial clusters; (b) the availability of relevant transportation and network infrastructure, storage and other flexibility tools or the potential to create such infrastructure and storage; (c) the just transition and its objectives, particularly coal regions in transition; (d) any planned or already existing project pipeline and plan; (e) the potential to organise education and training provisions for the availability of skills in net-zero technology products; (f) the potential for the creation of quality jobs and the employment of local employees at potential production sites; (g) the need to select areas where the construction or expansion of a specific type or types of net-zero technology products manufacturing projects does not lead to significant environmental impacts; 2. For the purposes of reducing the environmental impact of the construction or expansion of a specific type or types of strategic net-zero technology products manufacturing project in Net-Zero Industry Valleys to the minimum, Member States shall set appropriate rules when designating a Valley, in particular: (a) giving priority to artificial and built surfaces, industrial sites, brownfield sites, and, where appropriate, greenfield sites not usable for agriculture; (b) refraining from setting up Net-Zero Industry Valleys in areas subject to restoration measures according to the National Restoration Plans prepared under the Regulation on Nature Restoration or designated Natura 2000 areas. 3. Before adopting a plan or plans designating Net-Zero Industry Valleys, Member States shall carry out an environmental assessment in accordance with Directive 2001/42/EC, and where applicable, the assessment referred to in Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC, as well as a consultation of the public pursuant to the rules set out in Article 8 of Directive 2011/92/EU. 4. Member States shall ensure that the designation of the Net-Zero Industry Valley fulfils the requirements of the 'Do No Significant Harm’ principle within the meaning of Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852. 5. Member States shall make any decision designating a Net-Zero Industry Valley public and shall review such decision periodically, and at least in the context of the update of the national energy and climate plans referred to in Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.
Amendment 763 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 a (new)
Article 9 a (new)
Amendment 765 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 b (new)
Article 9 b (new)
Amendment 772 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Member States shall recognise as net-zero strategic projects net-zero technology manufacturing projects corresponding to a technology listed in the Annex on Assessment of the recognition criteria for Strategic Projects, and located in the Union that contributes to the realisation of the objectives set out in Article 1 of this Regulation and meet at least one of, fulfilling the criteria listed in Annex on Assessment of the recognition criteria for Strategic Projects , of this Regulation under the condition that the project promoter complies with applicable obligations in the fields of social and labour law established by international, EU or national law and his obligations under Articles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 15 of Directive 2022/0051(COD) and Article 19a of Directive (EU) 2022/2464, and meet the following criteria:
Amendment 793 #
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, including through apprenticeships, in close cooperation withtraineeships, continuing or post graduate academic education in close cooperation with regional and local authorities and social partners;
Amendment 797 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii a (new)
(iiia) it is implemented sustainably, in particular as regards the monitoring, prevention and minimisation of environmental impacts, the use of socially responsible practices including respect of human and labour rights, and meaningful engagement with local communities and the use of transparent business practices with adequate compliance policies to prevent and minimise risks of adverse impacts on the proper functioning of public administration, including corruption and bribery;
Amendment 848 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 b (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. local and regional authorities have been consulted on the CO2 storage project
Amendment 849 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3
Article 10 – paragraph 3
3. Net-zero technology manufacturing projects corresponding to a technology listed in the Annex and located in the Union, especially in ‘less developed and transition regions’ and Just Transition Fund Territories and eligible for funding under cohesion policy rules, shall be recognised by Member States as net- zero strategic projects under Article 11(3) upon request of the project promoter without the project promoter having to submit a formal application under Article 11(2). This is without prejudice to the obligations of the project promoter arising from Article 10 (1) in conjunction with recitals 25 and 26 with regard to environmental and social sustainability.
Amendment 1180 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) social and environmental sustainability going beyond the minimum requirements in applicable legislation including job quality criteria, mechanisms to incentivise quality apprenticeship, measures to improve diversity at work as well as the respect of collective agreements and trade unions' right to negotiate;
Amendment 1202 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) the tender’s contribution to resilience, taking into account the proportion of the products as well as the precursors necessary for their production originating from a single source of supply, as determined in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council72 , from which more than 65% of the supply for that specific net-zero technology within the Union originates in the last year for which data is available for when the tender takes place. _________________ 72 Regulation (EU) No 952/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 October 2013 laying down the Union Customs Code (OJ L 269, 10.10.2013, p. 1).
Amendment 1225 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 3
Article 19 – paragraph 3
3. Contracting authorities and contracting entities shall give the tender’s sustainability and resilience contribution a weight between 15% and 340% of the award criteria, without prejudice of the application of Article 41 (3) of Directive 2014/23/EU, Article 67 (5) of Directive 2014/24/EU or Article 82 (5) of Directive 2014/25/EU for giving a higher weighting to the criteria referred to in paragraph 2, points (a) and (b).
Amendment 1238 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 4
Article 19 – paragraph 4
4. The contracting authority or the contracting entity shall not be obliged to apply the considerations relating to the sustainability and resilience contribution of net-zero technologies where their application would oblige that authority or entity to acquire equipment having disproportionate costs, or technical characteristics different from those of existing equipment, resulting in incompatibility, technical difficulties in operation and maintenance. Cost differences above 10% may be presumed by contracting authorities and contracting entities to be disproportionate.This provision shall be without prejudice of the possibility to exclude abnormally low tenders under Article 69 of Directive 2014/24/EU and Article 84 of Directive 2014/25/EU, and without prejudice to other contract award criteria according to the EU legislation, including social aspects according to Articles 30 (3) and 36 (1), second intent of Directive 2014/23/EU, Articles 18 (2) and 67 (2) of Directive 2014/24/EU and Articles 36 (2) and 82 (2) of Directive 2014/24/EU.
Amendment 1313 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The Commission shall support, including through the provision of seed- funding, and building upon relevant existing initiatives such as the EU sectoral skills blueprints, and after consultation with European and national cross- sectoral social partners, the establishment of European Net Zero Industry Academies, which have as their objectives to:
Amendment 1318 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) develop learning programmes, content and learning and training materials for training and educationin full respect of national competences on vocational training as defined in Article 166 TFEU, support Member States to develop learning and re- skilling programmes, content and learning and training materials for training and education in support of the existing programmes in Member States and with the support of social partners on developing, producing, installing, commissioning, operating, maintaining and recycling net- zero technologies along the entire value chain, on raw materials, as well as to support the capacities of public authorities competent to issue permits and authorisations referred to in Chapter II and contracting authorities referred to in Chapter IV of this Regulation;
Amendment 1356 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1
Article 26 – paragraph 1
1. Member States including local and regional authorities, may at their own initiative establish net-zero regulatory sandboxes, allowing for the development, testing and validation of innovative net- zero technologies and other innovative technologies considered useful to reach the objectives set in Art. 1 paragraph 1, in a controlled real- world environment for a limited time before their placement on the market or putting into service, thus enhancing regulatory learning and potential scaling up and wider deployment. Member States shallmay establish nNet-z Zero regulatory sandboxes in close collaboration with industry and research institutes in accordance with paragraph 1 at the request of any company developing innovative net- zero technologies, and other innovative technologies, which fulfils the eligibility and selection criteria referred to in paragraph 4(a) and which has been selected by the competent authorities following the selection procedure referred to in paragraph 4(b).
Amendment 1469 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 8
Article 29 – paragraph 8
8. Where appropriate, tThe Platform or the Commission mayshall invite experts and other third parties such as trade unions and civil society organisations to Platform and sub- group meetings or to provide written contributions.