69 Amendments of Sirpa PIETIKÄINEN related to 2020/0006(COD)
Amendment 18 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) As set out in the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan, a Just Transition Mechanism should complement the other actions under the next multi-annual financial framework for the period from 2021 to 2027. It should contribute to addressing the social and economic consequences of transitioning towards Union climate neutrality by 2050 by bringing together the Union budget’s spending on climate and social objectives at regional level.
Amendment 21 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) This Regulation establishes the Just Transition Fund (‘JTF’) which is one of the pillars of the Just Transition Mechanism implemented under cohesion policy. The aim of the JTF is to mitigate the adverse effects of the climate transition by supporting the most affected territories and workers concerned and to help achieve fair transition towards climate neutrality by 2050. In line with the JTF specific objective, actions supported by the JTF should directly contribute to alleviate the impact of the transition by financing the diversification and modernisation of the local economy and by mitigating the negative repercussions on employment. This is reflected in the JTF specific objective, which is established at the same level and listed together with the policy objectives set out in Article [4] of Regulation EU [new CPR].
Amendment 36 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The regulatory framework governing the Union’s cohesion policy for the period from 2021 to 2027, in the context of the next multi-annual financial framework, contributes to the fulfilment of the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by concentrating Union funding on green objectives. This Regulation implements one of the priorities set out in the Communication on the European Green Deal (‘the European Green Deal’)11 and is part of the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan12 providing dedicated financing under the Just Transition Mechanism in the context of cohesion policy to address the economic and social costs of the transition to a climate-neutral and circular economy, where any remaining greenhouse gas emissions are compensated by equivalent absorptionsile avoiding environmental degradation and not causing significant harm to any ecosystem, where any remaining greenhouse gas emissions are compensated by equivalent absorptions, where there is closed loop on resources and emissions, where resource efficiency is factored to ten times from the current level, and where waste is designed out from products and the economy. _________________ 11 COM(2019) 640 final, 11.12.2019. 12 COM(2020) 21, 14.1.2020.
Amendment 42 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The regulatory framework governing the Union’s cohesion policy for the period from 2021 to 2027, in the context of the next multi-annual financial framework, contributes to the fulfilment of the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by concentrating Union funding on green objectives. This Regulation implements one of the priorities set out in the Communication on the European Green Deal (‘the European Green Deal’)11 and is part of the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan12 providing dedicated financing under the Just Transition Mechanism in the context of cohesion policy to address the economic and social costs of the transition to a climate-neutral and circular economy, where any remaining greenhouse gas emissions are compensated by equivalent absorptionsile avoiding environmental degradation and not causing significant harm to any ecosystem, where any remaining greenhouse gas emissions are compensated by equivalent absorptions, where there is closed loop on resources and emissions, where resource efficiency is factored to ten times from the current level, and where waste is designed out from products and the economy. _________________ 11 COM(2019) 640 final, 11.12.2019. 12 COM(2020) 21, 14.1.2020.
Amendment 44 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Transitioning to a climate-neutral economy is a challenge for all Member States. It will be particularly demanding for those Member States that rely heavily on fossil fuels or, greenhouse gas intensive industrial activities or manufacturing of products incompatible with the climate neutrality objective which need to be phased out or which need to adapt due to the transition towards climate neutrality and that lack the financial means to do so. The JTF should therefore cover all Member States, but the distribution of its financial means should reflect the capacity of Member States to finance the necessary investments to cope with the transition towardsachieve climate neutrality by 2050.
Amendment 52 #
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 ofInvestments shall only be eligible if they are in line with the climate and environmental prioriobjectives of the Union and with the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance. 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 and be in line with the do no harm principle. 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 53 #
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. To reach these goals, it is crucial to ensure that the benchmarks and indicators for measuring progress of programmes financed under JTF are at the right ambition level to reach the target. This requires non-linear, exponential improvements in transition efforts and a science-based back-casting approach to raise the ambition level to avoid sunk investments and lock in effects in the economy. 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.
Amendment 55 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) The Just transition fund should support activities and deployment of technologies, which are viable in a long term and will not depend on subsidies to operate after initial scaling up. Supported activities should not hamper the development and deployment of low- carbon alternatives and lead to a lock-in in assets incompatible with the objective of climate neutrality, considering their lifecycle.
Amendment 60 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The regulatory framework governing the Union’s cohesion policy for the period from 2021 to 2027, in the context of the next multi-annual financial framework, contributes to the fulfilment of the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by concentrating Union funding on green objectives. This Regulation implements one of the priorities set out in the Communication on the European Green Deal (‘the European Green Deal’)11 and is part of the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan12 providing dedicated financing under the Just Transition Mechanism in the context of cohesion policy to address the economic and social costs of the transition to a climate-neutral and circular economy, where any remaining greenhouse gas emissions are compensated by equivalent absorptions. while avoiding environmental degradation and not causing significant harm to any ecosystem, where any remaining greenhouse gas emissions are compensated by equivalent absorptions, where there is closed loop on resources and emissions, where resource efficiency is factored to ten times from the current level, and where waste is designed out from products and the economy. __________________ 11 COM(2019) 640 final, 11.12.2019. 12 COM(2020) 21, 14.1.2020.
Amendment 66 #
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. To reach these goals, it is crucial to ensure that the benchmarks and indicators for measuring progress of programmes financed under JTF are at the right ambition level to reach the target. This requires non-linear, exponential improvements in transition efforts and a science-based back-casting approach to raise the ambition level to avoid sunk investments and lock in effects in the economy. 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.
Amendment 75 #
(3a) Transition to carbon neutral economy is also an opportunity to create more jobs. According to European Commission 2019 Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) review, the transition to a carbon-neutral economy will increase the number of jobs available. By 2030, the transition is expected to create an additional 1.2 million jobs in the EU, on top of the 12 million new jobs already expected. According to the Commission, the transition could mitigate the ongoing job polarisation resulting from automation and digitalisation by creating jobs also in the middle of the wage and skill distributions, particularly in construction and manufacturing.
Amendment 80 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) As set out in the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan, a Just Transition Mechanism should complement the other actions under the next multi-annual financial framework for the period from 2021 to 2027. It should contribute to addressing the social and economic consequences of transitioning towards Union climate neutrality by 2050 and reaching Union’s all other environmental objectives by bringing together the Union budget’s spending on climate and social objectives at regional level.
Amendment 84 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) Transition to carbon neutral economy is also an opportunity to create more jobs. According to European Commission 2019 Employment and Social Developments in Europe (ESDE) review, the transition to a carbon-neutral economy will increase the number of jobs available. By 2030, the transition is expected to create an additional 1.2 million jobs in the EU, on top of the 12 million new jobs already expected. According to the Commission, the transition could mitigate the ongoing job polarisation resulting from automation and digitalisation by creating jobs also in the middle of the wage and skill distributions, particularly in construction and manufacturing.
Amendment 86 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) This Regulation establishes the Just Transition Fund (‘JTF’) which is one of the pillars of the Just Transition Mechanism implemented under cohesion policy. The aim of the JTF is to mitigate the adverse effects of the climate transition by supporting the most affected territories and workers concerned, by ensuring the take up of new and innovative sustainable public and private projects and other endeavours that can transform the local economy, worklife and private companies climate neutral, circular, non-toxic and sustainable in other environmental aspects. In line with the JTF specific objective, actions supported by the JTF should directly contribute to alleviate the impact of the transition by financing the diversification and modernisation of the local economy and by mitigating the negative repercussions on employment, through education, reskilling and financing of labour intensive projects that create new jobs, such as sustainable construction and green infrastructure projects. This is reflected in the JTF specific objective, which is established at the same level and listed together with the policy objectives set out in Article [4] of Regulation EU [new CPR].
Amendment 87 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The JTF support should be conditional on the effective implementation of a transition process in a specific territory in order to achieve a climate-neutral economy. In that regard, Member States shouldwill prepare, in close cooperation with all the relevant stakeholders and supported by the Commission, territorial just transition plans, detailing the transition process, consistently with their National Energy and Climate Plans. To this end, the Commission should set up a Just Transition Platform, which would build on the existing platform for coal regions in transition to enable bilateral and multilateral exchanges of experience on lessons learnt and best practices across all affected sectors.
Amendment 90 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) As set out in the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan, a Just Transition Mechanism should complement the other actions under the next multi-annual financial framework for the period from 2021 to 2027. It should contribute to addressing the social and economic consequences of transitioning towards Union climate neutrality by 2050 and reaching Union’s all other environmental objectives by bringing together the Union budget’s spending on climate and social objectives at regional level.
Amendment 91 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) This Regulation establishes the Just Transition Fund (‘JTF’) which is one of the pillars of the Just Transition Mechanism implemented under cohesion policy. The aim of the JTF is to mitigate the adverse effects of the climate transition by supporting the most affected territories and workers concerned, by ensuring the take up of new and innovative sustainable public and private projects and other endeavours that can transform the local economy, work life and private companies climate neutral, circular, non-toxic and sustainable in other environmental aspects. In line with the JTF specific objective, actions supported by the JTF should directly contribute to alleviate the impact of the transition by financing the diversification and modernisation of the local economy and by mitigating the negative repercussions on employment, through education, reskilling and financing of labour intensive projects that create new jobs, such as sustainable construction and green infrastructure projects. This is reflected in the JTF specific objective, which is established at the same level and listed together with the policy objectives set out in Article [4] of Regulation EU [new CPR].
Amendment 103 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) In view of the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement, the commitment regarding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the increased ambition of the Union as proposed in the European Green Deal, the JTF should provide a key contribution to mainstream climate actions based on the EU Taxonomy, particularly the do no significant harm principle. Resources from the JTF own envelope are additional and come on top of the investments needed to achieve the overall target of 25% of the Union budget expenditure contributing to climate objectives. Resources transferred from the ERDF and ESF+ will contribute fully to the achievement of this target.
Amendment 107 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) In view of the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement, the commitment regarding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the increased ambition of the Union as proposed in the European Green Deal, the JTF should provide a key contribution to mainstream climate actions based on the EU Taxonomy, particularly the do no significant harm principle. Resources from the JTF own envelope are additional and come on top of the investments needed to achieve the overall target of 25% of the Union budget expenditure contributing to climate objectives. Resources transferred from the ERDF and ESF+ will contribute fully to the achievement of this target.
Amendment 120 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Transitioning to a climate-neutral economy is a challenge for all Member States. It will be particularly demanding for those Member States that rely heavily on fossil fuels or greenhouse gas intensive industrial activities or manufacturing of products incompatible with the climate neutrality objective which need to be phased out or which need to adapt due to the transition towards climate neutrality and that lack the financial means to do so. The JTF should therefore cover all Member States, but the distribution of its financial means should reflect the capacity of Member States to finance the necessary investments to cope with the transition towards achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
Amendment 125 #
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 prioriobjectives of the Union and the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance, including the do no significant harm principle. 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 while not harming any other environmental objective set out in the EU Taxonomy Regulation and in line with the do no significant harm principle. 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, rail connectivity and high-speed trains, energy networks such as smart and super grids, provided that such measures help mitigate the negative side effects of a transition towards, and contribute to, a climate- neutral and circular economy. Technical support should be enhanced in the form of local and national level incubators and project nurseries bringing together financers and project promoters. These incubators should particularly facilitate different start-ups, public and private partnerships and disruptive technologies and service models, to help these project proposals mature to receive finance at national and EU level. __________________ 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 126 #
1a. Investments under JTF shall only be eligible if they are in line with the do no harm principle and the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance. Activities which would hamper the development and deployment of low-carbon alternatives and lead to a lock-in in assets incompatible with the objective of climate neutrality, considering their lifecycle, shall not be eligible under JTF.
Amendment 132 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) investments in the creation of new firms, including through business incubators and consulting services;
Amendment 135 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Transitioning to a climate-neutral economy is a challenge for all Member States. It will be particularly demanding for those Member States that rely heavily on fossil fuels or greenhouse gas intensive industrial activities or manufacturing of products incompatible with the climate neutrality objective, which need to be phased out or which need to adapt due to the transition towards climate neutrality and that lack the financial means to do so. The JTF should therefore cover all Member States, but the distribution of its financial means should reflect the capacity of Member States to finance the necessary investments to cope with the transition towards achieve climate neutrality by 2050.
Amendment 144 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point g
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point g
(g) investments in enhancing the circular economy, including through waste prevention, reduction, resource efficiency, reuse, repair and recycling;
Amendment 153 #
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 prioriobjectives of the Union and the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance, including the do no significant harm principle. 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 while not harming any other environmental objective set out in the EU Taxonomy Regulation and in line with the do no significant harm principle. 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, rail connectivity and high-speed trains, energy networks such as smart and super grids, provided that such measures help mitigate the negative side effects of a transition towards, and contribute to, a climate- neutral and circular economy. Technical support should be enhanced in the form of local and national level incubators and project nurseries bringing together financers and project promoters. These incubators should particularly facilitate different startups, public and private partnerships and disruptive technologies and service models, to help these project proposals to mature to receive finance at national and EU level. _________________ 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 167 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The territorial just transition plans should identify the territories most negatively affected, where JTF support should be concentrated and describe specific actions to be undertaken to reach a climate-neutral economy, notably as regards the conversion or closure of facilities involving fossil fuel production or other greenhouse gas intensive activities. Those territories should be precisely defined and correspond to NUTS level 3 regions or should be parts thereof. The plans should detail the challenges and needs of those territories and identify the type of operations needed in a manner that ensures the coherent development of climate-resilient economic activities that are also consistent with the transition to climate-neutrality and the objectives of the Green Deal. Only investments in accordance with the transition plans should receive financial support from the JTF, the do no significant harm principle of the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance, and not hampering the low carbon transition or leading to lock in effects or stranded assets should receive financial support from the JTF. No activities or programmes supporting the continued use of fossil fuels should be eligible. The territorial just transition plans should be part of the programmes (supported by the ERDF, the ESF+, the Cohesion Fund or the JTF, as the case may be) which are approved by the Commission.
Amendment 173 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Activities or investments which would hamper the development and deployment of low-carbon alternatives and lead to a lock-in in assets incompatible with the objective of climate neutrality, considering their lifecycle.
Amendment 174 #
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. In order to measure progress on the transition, companies receiving finance from JTF are requested to report on their sustainability impact according to the EU’s Non-Financial Reporting Directive.
Amendment 175 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
(16a) The programmes financed by JTF shall be assessed ex ante and ex post by climate tracking, natural capital accounting and life cycle methodologies to measure their sustainability impact based on harmonised indicators and LCA. A method for ‘sustainability proofing’ shall be put in place, in line with the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan, on the basis of which promoters of projects above a certain size will be required to assess the environmental, climate and social impact of those projects.
Amendment 176 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Amendment 177 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 c (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 c (new)
Activities or investments which are at increased risk of long-term unviability and dependency on subsidies to operate after initial scaling up.
Amendment 178 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) In order to supplement and amend certain non-essential elements of this Regulation, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 TFEU should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the amendment of the elements contained in Annex III of this Regulation regarding the common output and result indicators, based on the harmonised sustainability indicators and LCA measuring sustainability impact as set out in Taxonomy Regulation and Disclosure Regulation. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making15 . In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts; these experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. __________________ 15 OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p.13.
Amendment 183 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) The objectives of this Regulation, namely to support territories facing economic and social transformation in their transition to a climate-neutral and circular economy, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States alone. The main reasons in this regard are, on the one hand, the disparities between the levels of development of the various territories and the backwardness of the least favoured territories, as well as the limit on the financial resources of the Member States and territories and, on the other hand, the need for a coherent implementation framework covering several Union funds under shared management. Since those objectives can better be achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 TEU. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives,
Amendment 192 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. It lays down the specific objective of the JTF, its geographical coverage and resources, the scope of its support with regard to the Investment for jobs and growth goal referred to in [point (a) of Article 4(2)] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR] as well as specific provisions for programming and sustainability indicators necessary for monitoring, deploying Life Cycle Assessment and Natural Capital Accounting methodologies.
Amendment 203 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The JTF shall support the Investment for jobs and growth goal in all Member States, while supporting the objective of a climate-neutral economy of the Union by 2050 and Union’s environmental objectives, and in line with the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance.
Amendment 217 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The territorial just transition plans should identify the territories most negatively affected, where JTF support should be concentrated and describe specific actions to be undertaken to reach a climate-neutral economy, notably as regards the conversion or closure of facilities involving fossil fuel production or other greenhouse gas intensive activities. Those territories should be precisely defined and correspond to NUTS level 3 regions or should be parts thereof. The plans should detail the challenges and needs of those territories and identify the type of operations needed in a manner that ensures the coherent development of climate-resilient economic activities that are also consistent with the transition to climate-neutrality and the objectives of the Green Deal. Only investments in accordance with the transition plans should receive financial support from the JTF, the do no significant harm principle of the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance, and not hampering the low carbon transition or leading to lock in or stranded assets should receive financial support from the JTF. No activities or programmes supporting the continued use of fossil fuels should be eligible. The territorial just transition plans should be part of the programmes (supported by the ERDF, the ESF+, the Cohesion Fund or the JTF, as the case may be) which are approved by the Commission.
Amendment 226 #
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. In order to measure progress on the transition, companies receiving finance from JTF are requested to report on their sustainability impact according to the EU’s Non-Financial Reporting Directive.
Amendment 230 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
(16a) The programmes financed by JTF shall be assessed ex ante and ex post by climate tracking, natural capital accounting and life cycle methodologies to measure their sustainability impact based on harmonised indicators and LCA. A method for ‘sustainability proofing’ shall be put in place, in line with the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan, on the basis of which promoters of projects above a certain size will be required to assess the environmental, climate and social impact of those projects.
Amendment 232 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) In order to supplement and amend certain non-essential elements of this Regulation, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 TFEU should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the amendment of the elements contained in Annex III of this Regulation regarding the common output and result indicators, based on the harmonised sustainability indicators and LCA measuring sustainability impact as set out in Taxonomy Regulation and Disclosure Regulation. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making15 . In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States’ experts; these experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. _________________ 15 OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p.13. 15
Amendment 232 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Amendment 237 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) The objectives of this Regulation, namely to support territories facing economic and social transformation in their transition to a climate-neutral and circular economy, cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States alone. The main reasons in this regard are, on the one hand, the disparities between the levels of development of the various territories and the backwardness of the least favoured territories, as well as the limit on the financial resources of the Member States and territories and, on the other hand, the need for a coherent implementation framework covering several Union funds under shared management. Since those objectives can better be achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 TEU. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives,
Amendment 257 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. It lays down the specific objective of the JTF, its geographical coverage and resources, the scope of its support with regard to the Investment for jobs and growth goal referred to in [point (a) of Article 4(2)] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR] as well as specific provisions for programming and sustainability indicators necessary for monitoring, deploying Life Cycle Assessment and Natural Capital Accounting methodologies.
Amendment 263 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) investments in the deployment of technology and infrastructures for affordable clean energy, in greenhouse gas emission reduction, energy efficiency and renewable energy, energy networks such as smart and super grids;
Amendment 276 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The JTF shall support the Investment for jobs and growth goal in all Member States. , while supporting the objective of a climate-neutral economy of the Union by 2050 and Union’s environmental objectives and in line with the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance.
Amendment 279 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) investments in rail connectivity and high-speed trains;
Amendment 288 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point g
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point g
(g) investments in enhancing the circular economy, including through waste prevention, reduction, resource efficiency, reuse, repair and, recycling, and designing out the waste from products;
Amendment 291 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point g a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) investments contributing substantially to the other environmental objectives laid out in the Taxonomy Regulation;
Amendment 303 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Investments under JTF shall only be eligible if they are in line with the do no harm principle and the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance. Activities which would hamper the development and deployment of low-carbon alternatives, circular economy and other environmentally sustainable alternatives, lead to a lock-in or stranded assets, or be incompatible with the objective of climate neutrality or, considering their entire lifecycle using the Life Cycle Assessment, shall not be eligible under JTF.
Amendment 309 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point k
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point k
(k) technical assistance, including local and national level incubators and project nurseries bringing together financers and project promoters.
Amendment 352 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) investments in the deployment of technology and infrastructures for affordable clean energy, in greenhouse gas emission reduction, energy efficiency and renewable energy, energy networks such as smart and super grids;
Amendment 353 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) activities or investments incompatible with the do no harm principle set out in the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance;
Amendment 355 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
(e b) activities or investments, which are at an increased risk of creating lock in effects or stranded assets, considering their lifecycle;
Amendment 357 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e c (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e c (new)
(ec) activities or investments which are at increased risk of long-term unviability and dependency on subsidies to operate after initial scaling up;
Amendment 358 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e d (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e d (new)
(ed) activities or investments, which would hamper the development and deployment of low-carbon alternatives and lead to a lock-in effect, incompatible with the objective of climate neutrality, considering their lifecycle.
Amendment 362 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The Commission shall only approve a programme where the identification of the territories most negatively affected by the transition process, contained within the relevant territorial just transition plan, is duly justified and the relevant territorial just transition plan is consistent with the National Energy and Climate Plan of the Member State concerned, and adheres to the do no significant harm principle set out in the Taxonomy Regulation.
Amendment 384 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e a (new)
Amendment 403 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point g
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point g
(g) investments in enhancing the circular economy, including through waste prevention, reduction, resource efficiency, reuse, repair and recycling, and designing out the waste from products;
Amendment 408 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point i
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point i
(i) where support is provided to investments to achieve the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from activities listed in Annex I to Directive 2003/87/EC, an exhaustive list of operations to be supported and a justification that they contribute to a transition to a climate neutral economy and lead to a substantial reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions going substantially below the relevant benchmarks established for free allocation under Directive 2003/87/EC, or a substantial contribution to other environmental objectives in line with the EU Taxonomy, and provided that they are necessary for the protection of a significant number of jobs;
Amendment 414 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point g a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) investments contributing substantially to the other environmental objectives laid out in the Taxonomy Regulation;
Amendment 423 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. For output indicators, which should include the sustainability indicators set out in the Taxonomy Regulation and Disclosure Regulation (EU 2019/2088), baselines shall be set at zero. The milestones set for 2024 and targets set for 2029 shall be cumulative. Targets shall not be revised after the request for programme amendment submitted pursuant to Article [14(2)] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR] has been approved by the Commission.
Amendment 432 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point k
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point k
(k) technical assistance, including local and national level incubators and project nurseries bringing together financers and project promoters.
Amendment 497 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) activities or investments incompatible with the do no harm principle set out in the EU Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance;
Amendment 502 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
(eb) activities or investments, which are at an increased risk of creating lock in effects or stranded assets, considering their lifecycle;
Amendment 503 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e c (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e c (new)
(ec) activities or investments which are at increased risk of long-term unviability and dependency on subsidies to operate after initial scaling up;
Amendment 504 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e d (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e d (new)
(ed) activities or investments, which would hamper the development and deployment of low-carbon alternatives and lead to a lock-in in assets incompatible with the objective of climate neutrality, considering their lifecycle.
Amendment 517 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The Commission shall only approve a programme where the identification of the territories most negatively affected by the transition process, contained within the relevant territorial just transition plan, is duly justified and the relevant territorial just transition plan is consistent with the National Energy and Climate Plan of the Member State concerned, and adheres to the do no significant harm principle set out in the Taxonomy Regulation.
Amendment 595 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point i
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point i
(i) where support is provided to investments to achieve the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from activities listed in Annex I to Directive 2003/87/EC, an exhaustive list of operations to be supported and a justification that they contribute to a transition to a climate neutral economy and lead to a substantial reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions going substantially below the relevant benchmarks established for free allocation under Directive 2003/87/EC, or a substantial contribution to other environmental objectives in line with the EU Taxonomy, and provided that they are necessary for the protection of a significant number of jobs;
Amendment 609 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. For output indicators, which should include the sustainability indicators set out in the Taxonomy Regulation and Disclosure Regulation (EU 2019/2088), baselines shall be set at zero. The milestones set for 2024 and targets set for 2029 shall be cumulative. Targets shall not be revised after the request for programme amendment submitted pursuant to Article [14(2)] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR] has been approved by the Commission.