Activities of Radvilė MORKŪNAITĖ-MIKULĖNIENĖ related to 2012/0042(COD)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on accounting rules and action plans on greenhouse gas emissions and removals resulting from activities related to land use, land use change and forestry PDF (479 KB) DOC (667 KB)
Amendments (31)
Amendment 78 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) This Decision lays down the obligations of Member States in implementing these accounting rules and action plans. It does not lay down any accounting or reporting obligations for private parties including farmers and foresters.
Amendment 85 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) The accounting rules applicable to the Union LULUCF sector should not generate an additional administrative burden, therefore the reports submitted in accordance with those rules should not be required to include information that is not required pursuant to the decisions of the Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC and the Meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol;
Amendment 86 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The LULUCF accounting rules should reflect efforts made in the agriculture and forestry sectors to enhance the contribution of changes made to the use of land resources to the reduction of emissions. This Decision should provide for accounting rules applicable on a mandatory basis to the forestry activities of afforestation, reforestation, deforestation and forest management, and. It should also provide for accounting rules applicable on a voluntary basis to the agricultural activities of grazing land management and cropland management. It should also provide for accounting rules applicable on a voluntary basis to and revegetation and wetland drainage and rewetting activities.
Amendment 98 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) To ensure the environmental integrity of the accounting rules applicable to the Union LULUCF sector, these rules should be based on the accounting principles laid down in Decision -/CMP.7, and Decision 16/CMP.1 of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol. , taking into account the differences between Member States and their specificities.
Amendment 101 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) The accounting rules should accurately represent human-induced changes in emissions and removals. In that regard, this Decision should provide for the use of specific methodologies in respect of different LULUCF activities. Emissions and removals related to afforestation, reforestation and deforestation are the direct result of human intervention and should therefore be accounted for in their entirety. However, given that not all emissions and removals from forest management are anthropogenic, the relevant accounting rules should provide for the use of reference levels to exclude the effects of natural and country-specific characteristics. Reference levels constitute estimates of the annual net emissions or removals resulting from forest management within the territory of a Member State for the years included in an accounting period, and should be set transparently in accordance with Decision - /CMP.7. They should be updated to reflect improvements to methodologies or data available in the Member Stsynchronised with the UNFCCC decisions and they should be updated only if the reference levels adopted by the bodies of the UNFCCC or the Kyoto are updatesd. The accounting rules should provide for an upper limit applicable to net greenhouse gas emissions and removals for forest management that may be entered into accounts, given underlying uncertainties in the projections on which the reference levels are based.
Amendment 110 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Since inter-annual fluctuations in greenhouse gas emissions and removals resulting from agricultural activities are much smaller than those related to forestry activities, Member States should have the option of accounting for greenhouse gas emissions and removals from cropland and grazing land management activities relative to its base year in accordance with their reviewed initial report on base year emission data as submitted to the UNFCCC pursuant to Decision 13/CMP.1 of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (‘Decision 13/CMP.1’).
Amendment 116 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Member State LULUCF Action Plans should set out measures to limit or reduce emissions and to maintain or increase removals from the LULUCF sector. Member States should be allowed to include the Action Plans within their current programmes for the LULUCF sector, in order to avoid red tape. Each LULUCF Action Plan should contain certain information as specified in this Decision. Moreover, to promote best practice, an indicative list of measures that may also be included in those plans should be set out in Annex to this Decision. The Commission should periodically evaluate the content and implementation of Member States‘ LULUCF Action Plans and, where appropriate, provide recommendations to enhance Member State action.
Amendment 123 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) The power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission to update the definitions laid down in Article 2 in the light of changes to definitions adopted by the bodies of the UNFCCC or the Kyoto Protocol or other multilateral agreement relevant to climate change concluded by the Union, to amend Annex I to add accounting periods and ensure consistency between those accounting periods and the relevant periods applicable to Union emission reduction commitments in other sectors, to amend Annex II with updated reference levels in accordance with the proposed reference levels submitted by Member States pursuant to Article 6 subject to corrections made in accordance with this Decision and in the light of changes to reference levels adopted by the bodies of the UNFCCC or the Kyoto Protocol, to revise the information specified in Annex III in accordance with scientific progress and to revise the conditions relating to the accounting rules for natural disturbances laid down in Article 9(2) in the light of scientific progress or to reflect revisions to acts adopted by the UNFCCC or Kyoto Protocol bodies. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing-up delegated acts, should ensure a simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and Council.
Amendment 127 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) The power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission to update the definitions laid down in Article 2 in the light of changes to definitions adopted by the bodies of the UNFCCC or the Kyoto Protocol or other multilateral agreement relevant to climate change concluded by the Union, to amend Annex I to add accounting periods and ensure consistency between those accounting periods and the relevant periods applicable to Union emission reduction commitments in other sectors, to amend Annex II with updated reference levels in accordance with the proposed reference levels submitted by Member States pursuant to Article 6 subject to corrections made in accordance with this Decision, to revise the information specified in Annex III in accordance with scientific progress and to revise the conditions relating to the accounting rules for natural disturbances laid down in Article 9(2) in the light of scientific progress or to reflect revisions to acts adopted by the UNFCCC or Kyoto Protocol bodies. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level. The Commission, when preparing and drawing-up delegated acts, should ensure a simultaneous, timely and appropriate transmission of relevant documents to the European Parliament and Council. Delegated acts, however, should be adopted only when appropriate, safeguarding the European Parliament's right to object to the measures adopted by the Commission.
Amendment 130 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) Since the objectives of the proposed action cannot, by their very nature, be sufficiently achieved by the Member States alone and can therefore by reason of scale and effects of the action be better achieved at Union level, the Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. LULUCF- issues, such as forest policy, are under Member States' competence. The Union should not intervene in relation to national forest policies and should respect the competence of Member States in this field. In accordance with the principle of proportionality, as set out in that Article, this Decision does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve those objectives,
Amendment 132 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1
Article 1
This Decision sets out accounting rules applicable to emissions and removals resulting from land use, land use change and forestry activities. It also provides for Member State LULUCF Action Plans to limit or reduce emissions and to maintain or increase removals, and for the evaluation of those plans by the Commission.
Amendment 136 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1
Article 1
This Decision sets out accounting rules for Member States applicable to emissions and removals resulting from land use, land use change and forestry activities. This Decision does not lay down accounting or reporting obligations for private parties. It also provides for Member State LULUCF Action Plans to limit or reduce emissions and to maintain or increase removals, and for the evaluation of those plans by the Commission.
Amendment 145 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point q
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point q
(q) ‘'forest’' is an area of land of at least 0.5 hectare, withdefined by the minimum values for area size, tree crown cover or an equivalent stocking level of at least 10 per cent of the area, covered with trees with the pote, and tree height, these values not exceeding values defined in Decision 16/CMP.1. Each Member State has to notify its values to the Commission not later than untial to reach a minimum height of at least 5 methe beginning of the accounting period specified in Annex I. Forest includes areas at maturitywith trees at their place of growth, including groups of growing young natural trees, or a plantation that has yet to reach athe minimum values for tree crown cover or equivalent stocking level of at least 10 per cent of the area or tree height of at least 5 metresr minimum tree height mentioned above, including any area that normally forms part of the forest area but on which there are temporarily no trees as a result of human intervention, such as harvesting, or as a result of natural causes, but which area can be expected to revert to forest;
Amendment 155 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2
Article 2 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 12 to amend the definitions in paragraph 1 of this Article for the purpose of updating those definitions in the light ofaccordance with changes to definitions adopted by the bodies of the UNFCCC or the Kyoto Protocol, or other multilateral agreement relevant to climate change concluded by the Union.
Amendment 165 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Amendment 174 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point f
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point f
Amendment 183 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Member States may also draw up and maintain accounts that accurately reflect emissions and removals resulting from cropland management, and grazing land management, revegetation, and wetland drainage and rewetting.
Amendment 188 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Member States may also draw up and maintain accounts that accurately reflect emissions and removals resulting from cropland management, grazing land management, revegetation, and wetland drainage and rewetting.
Amendment 200 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 4
Article 6 – paragraph 4
4. No later than one year before the end of each accounting period, Member States shall communicate to the Commission proposed revised reference levels for the following accounting period in accordance with the methodology in Decision -/CMP.7 used for calculating the reference levels set out in that decision.
Amendment 204 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 5
Article 6 – paragraph 5
5. If there are changes to the relevant provisions of Decision -/CMP.7, the Member States shall communicate to the Commission proposed revised reference levels reflecting those changes no later than six months after the adoption of those changes.
Amendment 208 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 6
Article 6 – paragraph 6
6. If improved methodologies become available allowing a Member State to calculate reference levels in a significantly more accurate manner or where there are significant improvements in the quality of data available to a Member State, the Member State concerned shall communicate to the Commission proposed revised reference levels reflecting those changes without delay.
Amendment 212 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 7
Article 6 – paragraph 7
7. For the purposes of paragraphs 4, 5 and 6, Member States shall specify the amount of annual emissions resulting from natural disturbances which have been included in their proposed revised reference levels and the manner in which they estimated that amount.
Amendment 217 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 8
Article 6 – paragraph 8
Amendment 224 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 9
Article 6 – paragraph 9
Amendment 251 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. In accounts relating to cropland management and grazing land managementWhere a Member State elects to draw up and maintain accounts for cropland management and grazing land management, revegetation, and/or wetland drainage and rewetting, Member States shall reflect emissions and removals resulting from such activities, calculated as emissions and removals in each accounting period specified in Annex I, minus the value obtained by multiplying the number of years in that accounting period by a Member State's emissions and removals resulting from such activities in its base year, as submitted to the UNFCCC in that Member State's reviewed initial report on base year emission data pursuant to the Annex of Decision 13/CMP.1.
Amendment 252 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 266 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
No later than six monthsone year after the beginning of each accounting period specified in Annex I, Member States shall draw up and transmit to the Commission draft LULUCF Action Plans as a separate document or as a part of their national low-carbon development strategies or other strategic documents to limit or reduce emissions and maintain or increase removals resulting from the activities referred to in Article 3(1). Member States shall ensure that a broad range of stakeholders are consulted.
Amendment 276 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Member States shall consider includeing in their draft LULUCF Action Plans the following information relating to each of the activities referred to in Article 3(1):
Amendment 294 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The Commission shall evaluate a Member State's draft LULUCF Action Plan within three months of receiving all relevanmay collect information from thaton Member State. The Commission shall publish the results of that evaluation and may issue recommendations, as appropriate, with a view to enhance Member States‘ efforts to limit or reduce emissions and maintain or increase removals actions and publish it in a report with a view to facilitating the exchange of knowledge and best practices among Member States.
Amendment 299 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Article 10 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 311 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 10 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
Article 10 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 2
The Commission shall publish those reports and the results of that evaluation and may issue recommendations, as appropriate, with a view to enhance Member States‘' efforts to limit or reduce emissions and maintain or increase removals. Member States shall take due account of the Commission's findings.