Activities of Herbert REUL related to 2013/2135(INI)
Plenary speeches (3)
A 2030 framework for climate and energy policies (debate)
A 2030 framework for climate and energy policies (debate)
A 2030 framework for climate and energy policies (debate)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on a 2030 framework for climate and energy policies PDF (377 KB) DOC (227 KB)
Amendments (59)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
- having regard to the Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2013 on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure and repealing Decision No 1364/2006/EC and amending Regulations (EC) No 713/2009, (EC) No 714/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 together with the first Union-wide list of energy infrastructure projects of common interest (PCIs) adopted by the European Commission on 14 October 2013;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas security of supply, competitiveness and climate objectives are of the utmost importance for the EU, are inextricably linked and must be addressed and considered on an equal footing; whereas there are trade-offs among these objectives that must be openly addressed and made known to the public;
Amendment 70 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas this is acknowledged in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which stipulates that the objectives of the Union’s energy policy include the functioning of the energy market, security of supply, energy efficiency, energy saving, new and renewable energy sources and interconnections;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the IEA estimates that the EU is responsible for only 11 % of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the proportion is set to decrease in the future so that, even if it has limited capacity in lowering global emissions by means of unilateral action, it has a significant role to play in particular; as regards the achievement of a binding agreement in Paris in 2015 whereas the EU therefore has to define a clear position, bearing in mind that climate action can only be successful if addressed at a global level in order to reach the internationally agreed goal to limit global warming to 2°C compared with pre-industrial level;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas according to the International Energy Outlook 2013 global energy use will grow by 56% between 2010 and 2040 (and non-OECD Asian states will account for 60% of the increase) and fossil fuels (with a remarkable share of coal) will continue to supply almost 80% of world energy use through 2040;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas the IEA has also shown that energy prices in the EU increased by 38% in between 2005 and 2012 and that EU electricity prices are expected to increase to be the second highest in the world by 2035;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas there is growing understanding that a revised economy- wide greenhouse gas reduction target, in combination with a well-functioning Emissions Trading System and effective actions in non-ETS sectors, is the most cost-effective approach to reducing emissions as well as promoting energy efficiency and renewable energies, and should not be disturbed by other targets or measures;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the EU spent EUR 573 billion on imported fossil fuels’s import bill on fossil fuels amounted to EUR 406 billion in 2011 and its dependency on energy imports is expected to grow;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the Member States clearly differ both in terms of their economic potential and emissions per capita thus justifying more diverse levels of commitments towards the EU’s climate goals;
Amendment 153 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the European CO2 reduction policy is proving successful, with industrial emissions falling by 1.3% in Europe in 2012, and the United States, thanks to its substantial gas deposits, achieving a reduction of as much as 4%; whereas it can be expected that over half the CO2 emissions ever produced will come from the developing countries;
Amendment 171 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas studies indicate that upgrading the grids and interconnections is the best way to improve the internal market, reduce energy costs and boost the competitiveness of industry;
Amendment 193 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas the various subsidies for various energy sources and technologies, without coordination and cost-effective implementation, distort competition and hinder the completion of the internal energy market without increasing investment certainty;
Amendment 194 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I b (new)
Recital I b (new)
Ib. whereas according to the Commission energy efficiency measures, the penetration rate of renewables and the evolution of the high energy prices have contributed to the current surplus of the emission trading allowances;
Amendment 202 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I c (new)
Recital I c (new)
Ic. whereas according to the European competitiveness report 2012 the sustainable energy and environmental technology sector offer significant business and job creation opportunities;
Amendment 216 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Welcomes that the Commission has announced to present additional data by the end of this year, such as on the composition of energy prices in the Member States; calls for this data to be available for end-consumers and integrated in the process of any future policy proposals;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Asks the Commission to take a multifaceted and flexible approach, the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of which ought to be enhanced by coordinated and coherent policies that address in equal measure issues such as competitiveness, energy security and climate objectives (e.g. GHG emission reduction, renewable energy sources and energy efficiency); believes, to this end, that the most effective GHG emission reduction objective will be reached by a policy that is technologically neutral and set at a level that is in accordance with progress in international commitments;
Amendment 228 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Asks the Commission to take a multifaceted approach, the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of which ought to be enhanced by coordinated and coherent policies that address in equal measure issues such as competitiveness, energy security and climate objectives (e.g. GHG emission reduction, renewable energy sources and energy efficiency); calls on the Commission to ensure that the achievement of objectives is subject to strict monitoring so that risks of conflicting objectives can be identified in good time and neutralised;
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Asks the Commission to take a multifaceted approach, the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of which ought to be enhanced by coordinated and coherent policies that address in equal measure issues such as competitiveness, energy security and, climate objectives (e.g. GHG emission reduction, renewable energy sources and energy efficiency); (The current energy and climate policy framework is pushing up energy costs and unfairly burdening European industry, and is therefore at odds with the Commission's recently adopted reindustrialisation objective ofand reindustrialisation; underscores the fact that future EU energy and climate policy must be geared towards supporting the Commission's plan to raisinge industry's share of EU GDP to 20% (which has declined from 15.5% in 2012 to 15.1%).); Or. de
Amendment 242 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Is of the opinion that multiple targets can create obligations to invest in areas that may be both expensive and ineffective, and that Member States should be given the flexibility to pursue climate change objectives by the most cost-effective means;
Amendment 282 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Is convinced that the best way of securing Europe's current and future energy needs is a balanced and differentiated energy mix, where dependencies on single sources of energy are reduced without creating other new dependencies, bearing in mind that the Commission advises to reduce our fossil energy dependency; urges Member States to take these factors into account;
Amendment 289 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Is of the opinion that the EU is well on the way to achieving the 2020 renewables expansion target of 20%; stresses that expansion at national level, which is uncoordinated to some extent and is proceeding extremely quickly, is seriously impacting on the EU internal energy market (inter alia through loop flows); is of the opinion that, in future, energy supply systems must be more reliant on renewables; insists that all relevant aspects of energy supply systems be factored in to decisions on further expansion of renewables;
Amendment 302 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Calls on the European Commission to develop, together with the affected industry sectors and within the 2030 climate and energy framework sector- specific roadmaps allowing for sufficient flexibility for industry actors;
Amendment 310 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Reiterates that a 2030 energy and climate framework has to deliver on its objectives in a more cost-efficient manner; believes that this could be achieved by reducing the negative mutual effects of the current policy instruments, and through more flexibility between policy instruments and measures;
Amendment 316 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. Sees broad consensus for the establishment of a new binding CO2 reduction target, based on a revised and well-functioning Emissions Trading Scheme;
Amendment 319 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 e (new)
Paragraph 3 e (new)
3e. When revising the Emissions Trading Scheme, it should be ensured that the scheme remains a fully market-based system and at the same time its ability to adapt to economic upturns and downturns in order to avoid future attempts for market interventions is increased; furthermore, the Commission should propose a mandatory earmarking of auctioning revenues for innovative environmentally friendly technologies; the provisions regarding sectors and subsectors affected by a risk of carbon leakage should be maintained and may be reviewed in the light of a binding international agreement on combatting climate change in order to ensure the highest possible certainty for industry;
Amendment 321 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 f (new)
Paragraph 3 f (new)
3f. Insists that any national support schemes for RES should move towards a European system of support; is convinced that in a more integrated system for promoting RES at the EU-level for post- 2020 forward, taking fully account of regional and geographical differences as well as existing supranational initiatives, which is integrated in a general effort towards decarbonisation, could help to provide a more cost-effective framework for renewables, investment certainty and a level-playing field in which their full potential can be realised;
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is of the opinion that any support schemes, if better used, could be an appropriate tool to incentivise the development of renewable energy sources (RES) and energy efficiency; sees an important role for the Commission in providing guidance in this regardnew and close-to-market technologies for renewable energy sources (RES) where they are geographically most effective, as well as for energy efficiency with the aim of making them competitive; sees an important role for the Commission in providing guidance in this regard, bearing in mind as well the importance of the Horizon 2020 Programme for research and innovation;
Amendment 347 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is of the opinion that support schemes, if better used, could be an appropriate tool to incentivise the development of as yet uncompetitive renewable energy sources (RES) and energy efficiency; sees an important role for the Commission in providing guidance in this regard; (In its current form - with highly varying arrangements across the EU, in part as a result of cost-inefficient models based on feed-in systems - support for if, in particular, support for renewables were based on cost- efficiency principles, were harmonised across the EU to a greater extent in the short to medium term, and, in the long term, were discontinued so that renewables g-enerates additional costs, in particular for consumers, which could be prevented by an intelligently designed support scheme.)gy technologies could be brought to market; notes that, in particular, support models with guaranteed prices for producers of renewables are market-distorting and must therefore be discontinued as quickly as possible; sees an important role for the Commission in ensuring this; Or. de
Amendment 373 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that some RESthe long-term design of a number of national RES support schemes has led to overcompensation and that some technologies should now be considered mature energy sources and; believes that their subsidies should therefore be phased out on time while avoiding retro- active changes, in order to be able to reallocate these to research and development (R&D) programmes ands well as to RES that are not yet cost- effective; asks the Commission to study the impact of RES priority dispatch on general energy costhe functioning of the energy internal market and on general energy costs; urges the Commission and the Member States to consider all relevant aspects of the integration of renewables into the electricity markets;
Amendment 409 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that increased energy efficiency and energy savings will play an essential role in the decarbonisation of the energy sector; believes that the move towards a better energy efficiency policy should focus on the whole energy supply and demand chain, including transformation, transmission, distribution and supply, alongside industrial, building and household consumption;
Amendment 422 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that increased energy efficiency, energy intensity and energy savings will play an essential role in the decarbonisation of the energy sector;
Amendment 437 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Asks the Commission to develop better methods and tools for calculating and monitoring progress which could help to draw up a more consistent EU approach to energy efficiency; calls, in this connection, for energy efficiency to be expressed in terms of energy input per unit of GDP (energy intensity); notes that energy intensity in relation to economic output has been declining for decades, even without political measures; believes that more should be done to help EU industries to further reduce their energy intensity;
Amendment 453 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Agrees with the Commission that any further European legislative action on energy efficiency should be discussed in the light of the review of the Energy Efficiency Directive and of the effectiveness of its tools;
Amendment 477 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Acknowledges that if the EU ETS is a truly liquid market and if it is intended to function in a cost-effective and economically efficient manner, the cost of allowances cannot be envisaged as market forces of supply and demand must determine the price;
Amendment 478 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Welcomes the Commission Communication on delivering the internal electricity market and making the most of public intervention; concurs with the Commission that the European level can help reduce or avoid the need for state intervention at regional, national or local level; calls on the Commission therefore to continue to work to reduce state intervention in the internal energy market;
Amendment 482 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Emphasises that climate policy must at all events sufficiently protect industries vulnerable to carbon leakage; calls for industrial plants that are at very vulnerable to carbon leakage and produce CO2 ‘efficiently’ (‘Benchmark’) to be issued with a 100 per cent free allocation of allowances without any subsequent deductions.
Amendment 487 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Emphasises that for energy-intensive sectors such as the steel industry, a CO2 price provides no incentives for corresponding investment within the EU and that technologically oriented instruments and arrangements would therefore be more effective than CO2 pricing; emphasises the need for ETS auction revenues in future imperatively to be used 100 per cent for investments by industry in low-carbon technologies and to compensate for indirect CO2 costs ;
Amendment 522 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -11 b (new) – after subheading 2
Paragraph -11 b (new) – after subheading 2
-11 b. Is of the opinion that EU climate goals, notwithstanding their legitimacy, must not impair EU competitiveness and security of supply; demands therefore that any new policy instrument related to these climate objectives undergo a mandatory and thorough macroeconomic impact assessment as regards its effect on the EU's and individual Member States' competitiveness and security of supply; believes that the existing legal framework should be subject to such an assessment;
Amendment 523 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -11 a (new) – after subheading 2
Paragraph -11 a (new) – after subheading 2
-11 a. Calls on the EU to consider the full integration of the heating and cooling sector in the pathways towards a low- emission energy system; notes that this sector represents today ca. 45% of the final energy consumption in Europe, and that a better understanding of the important role of heating and cooling towards low-emission energy systems is needed; therefore, calls on the Commission to gather the required data reflecting the sources and the uses of heating and cooling, as well as the distribution of heat to the different groups of final consumers (e.g. residential, industry, tertiary);
Amendment 533 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Asks Member States for better cooperation and interaction at EU level in order to make national measures more consistent; believes that the 2030 climate and energy framework should include some mandatory elements requiring Member States to consult with their neighbouring countries in case they plan significant changes in their energy supply; urges that the Commission takes appropriate steps to coordinate Member States' actions in defining their energy policies which have cross-border consequences;
Amendment 534 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Notes that under the 2020 framework, multiple regulations for the same target have led to confusing investment signals, excessive complexity and regulatory burden for industry thus undermining efforts to create an integrated, competitive EU energy market; calls for measures at both the EU and the national level to mitigate these impacts and limit the erosion of the EU citizens' expendable income and industries' global competitiveness;
Amendment 535 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Takes the view that the future European energy and climate policy must reduce regulatory diversity and complexity and should always seek to set a simple, consistent and effective European framework, allowing Member States flexibility and freedom within this agreed framework and providing industry with stability and clarity for investment decisions; calls on the Member States to respect the European framework;
Amendment 552 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Asks the Commission to examine the interactions between climate and energy objectives in order to achieve the most efficient policies at EU level avoiding problems encountered so far with the three target approach, taking also into consideration not only national GDP but also each Member State’'s capacity;
Amendment 570 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Believes that Member States and regions should be encouraged to improve cooperation in order to optimise the efficiency of renewables expansion; in this context, the Commission has an important role to play as a facilitator in coordinating, financially supporting and preparing appropriate analyses of renewable energy resources and potential for the Member States and in doing more to bring about a continuous approximation of support systems;
Amendment 600 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Urges the Commission and Member States to integrate Europe's industrial competitiveness as fully as possible in all other policy areas;
Amendment 626 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines the importance of an energy strategy focused on boosting energy security and economic and industrial competitiveness in the EU, job creation, social aspects and environmental sustainability by means of measures such as the diversification of supply routes, suppliers and sources and by increasing theuse of own resources (including an increased deployment of RES);
Amendment 647 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that, when bringing about security of supply, Member States must be able to freely choose their energy mix and take advantage of all of their indigenous energy resources (including unconventional hydrocarbons such as shale gas) in accordance with policies that ensure the safe and sustainable exploration, extraction, manufacture and use of these resources and related products;
Amendment 681 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Believes that the lack of full implementation of internal energy market legislation remains one of the main obstacles to completion of the single market; highlights the importance of eliminating remaining infrastructure bottlenecks and instances of market failure and of ensuring that no new barriers to electricity and gas market integration are created; stresses that the abolition of regulated prices to the final consumer throughout the EU is essential for the completion of the internal market in energy;
Amendment 684 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Believes that the lack ofCalls on the Member States to timely and fully implementation of and apply the internal energy market legislation remains one of the to remove all remaining obstacles to completion of the single market; highlights the importance of eliminating remaining infrastructure bottlenecks and instances of market failure and of ensuring that no new barriers to electricity and gas market integration are created;
Amendment 707 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Notes that in order to ensure security of supply there must be enough capacity to meet demand in peak periods ands well as in periods of (political or technological) difficulties and that excess capacity orand backup must therefore be ensured and maintained; points out the need for energy storage and reserve capacities where required and more grid flexibility and dynamics as a response to the intermittence of some sources of RES;
Amendment 715 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Notes that in order to ensure security of supply there must be enough capacity to meet demand in peak periods and in periods of (political or technological) difficulties and that excess capacity or backup must therefore be ensured and maintained; points out the need for storage and more grid flexibility as a response to thebecause of the rising supply of very intermittence of somet sources of RES;
Amendment 767 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new) – after subheading 4
Paragraph 27 a (new) – after subheading 4
27a. Notes that EU has the highest environmental standards globally, an ageing population, high unemployment rates in many Member States and that current economic growth is low or inexistent and that this can only be rectified by increasing its competitiveness;
Amendment 803 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29b. Stresses that energy prices for individuals as well as for industrial clients are a very important element of their household budget and production costs respectively, and that in general the energy prices determine the competitiveness of the EU's entities against their counterparts in other developed economies in the world;
Amendment 812 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Notes that the EU’s main competitors on the global market place great emphasis on technological developments, innovation and improving industrial processes; notes also that their economies grow at a much faster pace than the EU; concludes that the EU must give priority to R&D and innovation; takes the view that, in particular, revenue from sales of ETS certificates should therefore be 100% ring-fenced in future to permit investments in innovation in the low- carbon sector and to avoid indirect CO2 costs;
Amendment 834 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Urges the Commission to carefully weigh up the impact of new policies in terms of estimated "green job" creation vs. the loss of industrial competitiveness and existing jobs in other sectors, with a special emphasis on heavy industries and acknowledging different circumstances in Member States;
Amendment 841 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Strongly underlines that any future EU policy must address the comparative strengths and weaknesses of its economy, particularly with regard to any free trade agreement the EU signs up to, especially in light of the planned free trade agreement (TTIP) with the US where energy prices and CO2 emissions have been decreasing significantly while efforts to re(duce GHG emissions are not on par with the progress already achieved in the EUto the "shale gas revolution");
Amendment 862 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Points out that adopting a decarbonisation strategy that does not take into account the situation of some Member States may lead to a massive increase in energy poverty in those countries;
Amendment 901 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Observes that, according to the IEA, energy prices in Europe rose by 38% between 2005 and 2012, whereas in the USA they fell by 4% over the same period; expresses its concern about the impact of this on Europe’s competitiveness; stresses the importance of the Transatlantic Free Trade Agreement for the field of energy;
Amendment 908 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 38
Paragraph 38
38. Notes that it is important for the EU to maintain its leading role and for Member States to speak with one voice in order to define a strong and common position to defend during the 2015 Paris negotiations that will aim at reaching a new global climate binding agreement; stresses that only joint global efforts can successfully combat climate change, while on the other hand an ongoing commitment on the part of the EU alone would endanger Europe’s industrial base; stresses therefore that the outcome of the international climate negotiations must determine any ambitions to reduce CO2 which the EU may assume;