Activities of Sabine WILS related to 2012/2103(INI)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the Energy roadmap 2050, a future with energy
Amendments (36)
Amendment 1 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 1
Section 1 – paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the EU'Calls on the EU to step up its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to realise the 2°C goalat least 30% in 2020 compared to 1990 in order to stay below a 2°C increase in global temperature rises and to consider strengthening the long-term goal referencing various matters by science, including in relation to temperature rises of 1.5°C;
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recognises the benefits to Member States of working together for an energy system transformation which must start now; endorses, therefore, the Commission's Energy Roadmap 2050 as the basis for proposing legislative and other initiatives on energy policy with a view to developing a policy framework for 2030, including milestones and targets; notes that defining energy targets for 2050 assumes pan- European governance; pursues, within the spirit of the Union, a strategy that will allow Member States to cooperate and not feel repressed under the Roadmap; calls on the Commission to propose a Climate and Energy Package, including strong 2030 targets for renewables, greenhouse gas emission reductions and energy efficiency;
Amendment 14 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 2
Section 1 – paragraph 2
2. Finds it regrettable that the Commission has based all decarbonisation scenarios on the assumption of global climate action and has not carried out any analysis to identify the EU's ambitions in the event that global action is delayedStresses that the EU needs to act on climate change regardless of progress towards a global climate change agreement due to fossil fuel cost savings and the significant benefits of fostering renewable energies;
Amendment 22 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 3
Section 1 – paragraph 3
3. Supports the conclusion that decarbonisation of the EU by 2050 is feasible and will require high levels of investmentsthat the overall system costs for all decarbonisation pathways will be very similar; cCalls on the Commission to create stability for investors by reducing over-regulation and by setting a clear, technology-neutral goalputting forth proposals on the post-2020 policy framework;
Amendment 36 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 4
Section 1 – paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to propose a clear 2030 goal by setting a singleClimate and Energy Package, including strong 2030 targets for CO2 reductionrenewables, greenhouse gas emission reductions and energy efficiency; reiterates the need to meet the milestones for emission reduction stated in the low-carbon roadmap and to put forward all needed measures promptly;
Amendment 49 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 5
Section 1 – paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to develop sound ways of financpropose a binding renewable energy target for 2030; points out that such action gives industry the investment certainty it requires and therefore enables investments ing the energy transition, including a strengthened ETS, innovation initiatives such as Horizon 2020, and market-based mechanisms; towards a sustainable European energy system; calls on the Commission to take into account the benefits of a transition to renewable energies that will occur in other sectors, for example a decline in chronic diseases due to reduced air pollution;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights the importance of the EU's energy policy amidst the financial crisis; emphasises the role that energy could potentially play in spurring growth and competitiveness in the EU; calls on the Commission to propose post-2020 strategies and to present aa binding renewable energy target for 2030; policy framework for European energy policy; encourages the Member States to step up their ongoing efforts to reach the current 2020 targets in the area of EU energy policyints out that such action give industry the investment certainty it requires, significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions, creates employment, promotes the EU's energy independence, and fosters technological leadership and industrial innovation;
Amendment 55 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Section 1 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Amendment 58 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 6
Section 1 – paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to step up the development and deployment of low- carbonrenewable technologies, to strengthen the role of renewable energy sources – including by increasing their commercialisation, to step up the efficient use of energy sources, and to phase out fossil fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that a clear policy and regulatory framework will stimulate the necessary investments for low-carbonrenewable energy investments; Underlines the importance of an energy strategy focused on increasing the EU's energy security and economic competitivenessindependence through measures such as the diversification of supply routes and sources, namely renewable energies and energy efficiency;
Amendment 82 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Section 1 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Amendment 84 #
Draft opinion
Section 1 – paragraph 7 b (new)
Section 1 – paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Notes the increased activity surrounding the exploration of oil and gas fields Mediterranean Sea and the Arctic; believes that the EU should promote the development of an international legal framework for the protection of the High Arctic, as it has been established for the Antarctic in the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol on Environmental Protection; For other parts of the Arctic in exclusive economic zones of EU member states and the European Economic Area (EEA), there is an urgent need for the proposed regulation on the safety of offshore oil and gas to include drilling requirements that ensure that remote areas are not exposed to a higher risk than other areas and that extreme operating conditions, such as long lasting darkness, icy conditions or deep water, are accurately reflected in the authorisation process;
Amendment 104 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recognises the conclusions reached in the Energy Roadmap that the transition of the energy sector on an EU-wide scale is technically and economically feasible, and could be less costly in the long-run than a continuation of current policies under certain assump, even more so when taking into account benefits occurring in other sectors such as a decline in chronic diseases due to reduced air pollutions;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that the transition of the energy sector should follow the principle of coherence with Community policies in the field of the environment, for example the 6th Environmental Action Programme targets for the reduction of outdoor air pollution;
Amendment 122 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Stresses that an assessment of the costs and benefits of different scenarios for energy transition should include the costs and benefits that will occur in other sectors, such as decreasing rates of chronic cardiovascular and respiratory diseases resulting from reductions in air pollution;
Amendment 145 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recognises that a higher share of renewable energy beyond 2020 is a key aspect of a more sustainable energy system; recognises, furthermore, that all of the decarbonisation scenarios explored in the Commission communication assume an increased share of renewable energy in the EU energy mix of around 30% in gross final energy consumption in 2030; highlights the lack of a high renewables and energy efficiency scenario in the Energy Roadmap 2050 that could assume a greater share of renewable energy in the EU energy mix;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that improved energy efficiency and energy savings will play an essential role in the transformation of the energy system, and that meeting the 2020 objectives is an important basis for further progress up to 2050; recommends, in this respect, that an energy efficiency be integrated into national educational curricula in the Member Statestarget for 2030 be proposed as part of a new Climate and Energy Package;
Amendment 206 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that a more European approach to renewable policy is key in the medium to long term while acknowledging the need for a differentiated approach between Member States to continue post- 2020; encourages Member States to work together in order to optimise the cost efficiency of renewables expansion and to ensure that investments are made where they will be most productive and efficient, taking into account the specific characteristics of Member States; highlights, in this context, the Commission's important role as a facilitator; points out that renewables will, in the long term, move to the centre of the energy mix in Europe, as they progress from technology development to mass production and deployment, from small- scale to larger-scale – integrating local and more remote sources – and from subsidised tobecome more competitive; emphasises that the changing nature of renewables requires changes in policy to be made with a view to achieving greater market integrataking into account the benefits of a transition to renewable energies that will occur in other sectors, for example a decline in chronic diseases due to reduced air pollution; highlights the need for support schemes to be phased out ascontinued for specific technologies ands supply chains mature and market failureachieve competitiveness and market distortions of fossil fuels are resolved;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Highlights the new challengesAcknowledges the elements of a new energy system, such as the need for flexible resources in the power system (e.g. flexible generation, storage, demand management), that will arise as the contribution of variable renewable generation increases; stresses the need to have sufficient capacity availabledevelop these elements without delay to ensure security of electricity supply; stresses, in this regard, that policy developments in Member States should not create new barriers to electricity- or gas- market integration;
Amendment 290 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
Amendment 299 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
Amendment 313 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Agrees with the Commission that natural gas will be critical forcknowledges that conventional natural gas will play a role as a transition fuel in the transformation of the energy system, since it represents a quick and cost-efficient way of reducing reliance on other more polluting fossil fuels, therebywhich could help lowering greenhouse gas emissions;
Amendment 341 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Recognises the keycentral role of garenewables, both in the transition to a low-carbonsustainable energy system and as a flexible back-up, and in balancing capacity where renewable energy supplies are variabl options in a future European energy system with a greater share of variable renewables, including greater interconnection and storage;
Amendment 352 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Believes that unconventional gas has a role to play in the future EU energy mix, and calls onRecognises the significant environmental and health risks of unconventional gas, and calls on the Member States to establish a moratorium on all related activities until such time as the Commission and the Member States to take the developments surrounding unconventional gas into account when formulating future energy outlookhave carried out full scientific assessments of the impacts surrounding unconventional gas. Any decision to lift a national moratorium must take the results of these scienariostific assessments into account;
Amendment 368 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
Amendment 400 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. While recognising that the EU operates in a global context, recalls the November 2011 TTE Council Conclusions on strengthening the external dimension of the EU energy policy, the need for a broader and more coordinated EU approach to international energy relations in order to meet global energy challenges and climate change, address competitiveness and carbon leakage related issues and maintain and promote the highest nuclear safety standards, while at the same time ensuring the safe, secure and diversified supply of energy;
Amendment 404 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. StressNotes the need to ensure the energy security of the EU through alternativeincreased activity sources of energy and to reduce import dependency; highlights, therefore, the emerging importance ofrounding the exploration of oil and gas fields in the Mediterranean Sea and the Arctic; believes that there is an urgent need to develop an EU policy on oil and gas drilling at sea, including delineation of EU should promote the development of an international legal framework for the protection of the High Arctic, as it has been established for the Antarctic in the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol on Environmental Protection; For other parts of the Arctic in exclusive economic zones (EEZs) of EU Mmember Sstates and relevant third countries in accordance with the UNCLOS Convention, to which all EU Member States and the EU as such are signatoriethe European Economic Area (EEA), there is an urgent need for the proposed regulation on the safety of offshore oil and gas to include drilling requirements that ensure that remote areas are not exposed to a higher risk than other areas and that extreme operating conditions, such as long lasting darkness, icy conditions or deep water, are accurately reflected in the authorisation process;
Amendment 414 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Emphasises that the granting of licensing rights for drilling and the delineation of EEZs will become a source of friction with third countries, and the EU should maintain a high political prseek to preclude international discord by pursuing a policy ofi le in this respectgal environmental protection under international law; underlines that energy should be used as a motor for environmental integrity of the Arctic, peace, cooperation and stability;
Amendment 417 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Notes the importance of broad cooperation in the Arctic region, particularly among countries in the Euro- Atlantic sphere; calls, therefore, on the Commission to come forward with a holistic assessment of the benefits and risks of EU involvement in the Arctic, including consideration a policy of legal environmental protection under international law of the uninhabited area of the High Artic that lies around the North Pole in line with the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty and the promotion of international scientific cooperation in the Arctic region;
Amendment 435 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Recognises that the ETS is the principalan important – though not the only – instrument for reducing industrial emissions and promoting investment in low carbonsustainable technologies; notes that further improvement of the ETS is necessary; notes that anyonly structural changes to the ETS would require a careful assessment of the impact on electricity prices and on the competitiveness of energy-intensive industriesocial, environmental and economic effects; calls on the Commission and the Member States to facilitate the development of innovative, safe and sustainable technological solutions by European industries; Calls on the Commission to come forward with structural measures to strengthen the ETS as done so by Council and Parliament in the Energy Efficiency Directive;
Amendment 447 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Calls on the EU to continue to play an active role in the international negotiations on the global climate deal; takes the opinion that climate diplomacy should come under the umbrella of the European External Action Service (EEAS); stresses that the EU needs to know what the consequences of a failure to conclude a global climate change agreement would be; stresses that the EU needs to act on climate change regardless of a global climate change agreement due to fossil-fuel cost savings and the significant benefits of fostering renewable energies;
Amendment 467 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Believes that prices play a crucial role in energy-related investment and energy production; notes that the differentreforms by some Member States' of policies to promote renewable energy show both successes and problemshave contributed to investor uncertainty; takes the opinion that the trecent relativend of increasingly higher prices of fossil fuels promotes the development of renewable energy; notes, however, that in some Member States that the promotion of renewable energy by means of financial support could leads to highcheaper energy prices in the long term;
Amendment 494 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32 a (new)
Paragraph 32 a (new)
32a. Recognises the fact that current ETS carbon price will not incentivise investments in low carbon technologies and thus will have a very limited role in driving emission reductions, while risking to lock the EU into carbon-intensive infrastructures for the decades to come;
Amendment 505 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Recognises that the ETS is experiencing problems not originally anticipated, and that the accumulating surplus of allowances will depress the incentive to promote low carbon investments for many years to come; notes that this endangers the effectiveness of the ETS as the EU's principal mechanism to reduce emissions in a manner that creates a level playing field for competing technologies, gives companies flexibility to develop their own mitigation strategy, and provides for specific measures to combat carbon leakage. Calls on the Commission to adopt measures to correct the failings of the ETS and to allow it to function as originally envisaged. These measures may include: (a) presenting as soon as possible a report to Parliament and the Council which shall examine, amongst others, the impacts on incentives for investments in low carbon technologies and the risk of carbon leakage. Before the start of the third phase, the Commission shall, if appropriate, amend the regulation referred to in article 10(4) of Directive 2003/87/EC in order to implement appropriate measures which may include withholding the necessary amount of allowances; (b) proposing legislation at the earliest appropriate date to modify the 1.74 % annual linear reduction requirement so as to meet the requirements of the 2050 CO2 reduction target; (c) undertaking and publishing an assessment of the value of establishing a reserve price for the auction of allowances; (d) taking steps to increase the input of relevant information and the transparency of the ETS registry, so as to enable more effective monitoring and evaluation;