Activities of Martin HÄUSLING related to 2022/2053(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on sustainable carbon cycles
Amendments (73)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
— having regard to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD) having regard to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) having regard to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) having regard to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) special report on global warming of 1.5°C its sixth assessment report (AR6) and its synthesis report thereon, and to the IPCC Special Reports of 8 August 2019 on Climate Change and Land and of 25 September 2019 on the Ocean and Cryosphere,
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
— having regard to Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’),1a having regard to Decision (EU) 2022/591 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 April 2022 on a General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030, _________________ 1a OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, p. 1
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7
Citation 7
— having regard to the European Parliament position 1a on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulations (EU) 2018/841 as regards the scope, simplifying the compliance rules, setting out the targets of the Member States for 2030 and committing to the collective achievement of climate neutrality by 2035 in the land use, forestry and agriculture sector, and (EU) 2018/1999 as regards improvement in monitoring, reporting, tracking of progress and review (COM/2021/0554), _________________ 1a Texts adopted, P9_TA(2022)0233
Amendment 7 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8
Citation 8
— having regard to the Commission communication entitled ‘A Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food system’ (COM/2020/0381), and the Parliament resolution of 20 October 2021 on the same topic1a, _________________ 1a Texts adopted, P9_TA(2021)0425
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
— having regard to the Commission communication entitled ‘EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030: Bringing nature back into our lives’ (COM(2020)0380), and the Parliament resolution of 9 June 2021 on the same topic1a, _________________ 1a Texts adopted_P9_TA(2021)0277
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 b (new)
Citation 8 b (new)
— having regard to the Commission communication entitled ‘An EU strategy to reduce methane emissions’ (COM/2020/663), and the Parliament resolution of 21 October 2021 on the same topic1a; _________________ 1a Texts adopted P9_TA(2021)0436
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9
Citation 9
— having regard to the Commission communication entitled ‘A new Circular Economy Action Plan For a cleaner and more competitive Europe’ (COM/2020/0098), and the Parliament resolution of 10 February 2021 on the same topic1a, _________________ 1a Texts adopted, P9_TA(2021)0040
Amendment 14 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
Amendment 15 #
— having regard to the Commission observation letters on the Member States CAP strategic plans1a, having regard to the European Court of Auditors Special Report 12/2021 entitled ‘The Polluter Pays Principle: Inconsistent application across EU environmental policies and actions’ having regard to the European Court of Auditors Special Report 16/2021 entitled, 'Common Agricultural Policy and Climate: Half of EU climate spending but farm emissions are not decreasing' _________________ 1a https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming- fisheries/key-policies/common- agricultural-policy/cap-strategic- plans/obervation-letters_en
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13
Citation 13
Amendment 18 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 14
Citation 14
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15
Citation 15
Amendment 24 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
Citation 12 a (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 28 November 2019 on the climate and environment emergency1a, _________________ 1a Texts adopted, P9_TA(2019)0078
Amendment 36 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas agriculture and food policies facilitateurgently require to be fully transformed to fully contribute to the transition to sustainable food systems in line with the ambitions of the European Green Deal for a climate-neutral EU economy inby 2050 at the latest;
Amendment 51 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas different sustainable carbon cycles must be considered in a holistic manner, react differently and should therefore be treated separately, whereas increasing natural carbon sinks and replacing fossil carbon as much as possible will require more biomass production, thuson the one hand and drastically reducing emissions from the fossil based economy and transitioning towards a sustainably sourced, circular bioeconomy, on the other hand affecting the land sector; whereas carbon farming schemes can be part of an incentivising market-based toolbox for delivering on climatemeasures support and encourage land and forest owners and managers to store more carbon in their land and forests, prioritising ecosystem- based approaches and biodiversity- friendly practices, in full respect of ecological principles to foster biodiversity restoration and circular economy to contribute to the Green Deal objectives;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas reaching economy-wide net-zero GHG emissions as soon as possible and by 2050 at the latest within the Union requires a significant reduction of the current use of fossil carbon energy in the EU final energy consumption by at least 95%, and the substantial reduction of other greenhouse gas emissions, in particular livestock methane emissions and emissions generated from food waste;
Amendment 62 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas methane (CH4) emissions from agriculture form part of the biogenic carbon cycle which is over 80 times more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide (CO2) and is a major source of ground level ozone (O3) that can significantly affect air quality, human and plant health and is a significant contributor to global warming and climate change; whereas the fossil carbon cycle lasts around 100-200 million years and the biogenic carbon cycle typically lasts from a few years to a few decades;
Amendment 63 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas methane emissions from agriculture are primarily driven by livestock numbers, particularly ruminants, and livestock emissions from manure and enteric fermentation represent approximately 32% of anthropogenic methane emissions1a; _________________ 1a United Nations Environment Programme and Climate and Clean Air Coalition (2021). Global Methane Assessment: Benefits and Costs of Mitigating Methane Emissions. ISBN: 978-92-807-3854-4
Amendment 64 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas every tonne of fossil CO2 that is not emitted or is or will be sustainably stored in cycles is the best contribution to achieving climate targets; whereas storing CO2 from the atmosphere or other cycles should be used as one among many methods for achieving climate targetustainably, safely and permanently storing CO2 from unavoidable emissions from the atmosphere should be used for achieving climate targets but it is less sustainable, as safe, sustainable and permanent storage remains a major challenge; whereas carbon removals cannot substitute the need to substantially reduce emissions in all scopes and all sources to reach residual emissions;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas enhancing carbon removal plays a crucial role in achieving a climate-neutral EU economythe current situation is necessary to achieve a balance between Union-wide greenhouse gas emissions and removals within the Union by 2050, ast they can balance the emissions that are very difficult to eliminate and create a new market-based income source for farmers latest and to achieve negative emissions thereafter; whereas a drastic reduction of our reliance on fossil fuels is necessary; whereas carbon removals remain more limited than absolute reductions, but can balance the unavoidable emissions where no direct emission reduction options are available;
Amendment 82 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas the protection and restoration of ecosystems greatly contributes to maintaining and enhancing natural carbon sinks while promoting biodiversity, and is therefore one of the best tools in fighting the twin climate and biodiversity crises;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
Dc. whereas regenerative agriculture as an approach to food production and land management could mitigate those challenges, helping the transition towards a highly resilient agricultural system based on the appropriate management of lands and soils;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)
Recital D d (new)
Dd. whereas good soil health improves capacity for food production, water filtration and carbon absorption, thus contributing not only to stabilising the climate but also to ensuring food security, restoring biodiversity, protecting our farmland bioeconomies and building sustainable food systems;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D e (new)
Recital D e (new)
De. whereas research shows that livestock farms in Europe can reduce emissions by 12-30% by 2030 which would imply a potential mitigation range between 26-66 Mt CO2; whereas technical mitigation potential for enteric fermentation and manure management could mitigate an absolute maximum of 45 Mt CO2 emissions per annum;
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D f (new)
Recital D f (new)
Df. whereas the UN SDG 12 on ‘ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns’ by 2030 also includes food waste reduction targets throughout the various stages of agricultural production, processing, post-harvest handling through to storage, distribution and consumption stages;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D g (new)
Recital D g (new)
Amendment 94 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the biogenic carbon cycle is natural and must be used in a sustainable way to substitute fossil carbonflows are natural processes largely influenced by human interventions which must be used in a sustainable way; whereas policies should differentiate between biogenic and fossil carbon cycles; whereas fossil carbon should be reduced to close-to-zero as soon as possible;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges the contribution of the sustainable carbon cycles initiative to reaching the EU net carbon removal target of 310 megatons (Mt) by 2030, as mentioned in the Commission communication on sustainableReiterates its position to enhance net greenhouse gas removals by natural sinks to at least 310 million tonnes CO2 equivalent by 2030 while taking into account the ‘do no significant harm’ principle, and to supplement that target by additional measures and initiatives at Union level to support carbon cyclesfarming;
Amendment 143 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that the absolute priority is to drastically and permanently reduce the release of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere; acknowledges that increased carbon removals will be needed in the longer term to reach net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 at the latest and negative emissions thereafter, but stresses that carbon removals are fragile and potentially reversible, and that the risk of reversal of removals by natural carbon sinks in particular is further aggravated by anthropogenic climate change;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Recalls that the objective to reach net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 at the latest and aim for negative emissions thereafter applies to the entire economy; stresses therefore that individual sectors or companies should not be allowed to claim ownership of a specific quantity of carbon removals units, but that the increase of carbon removals necessary to reach climate-neutrality should be accounted for and regulated in a strictly separated framework than those in place to account and regulate GHG emissions reductions;
Amendment 145 #
1c. Underlines that the Glasgow Climate Pact recognised that limiting global warming to 1.5°C requires rapid, deep and sustained reductions in global greenhouse gas emissions, including reducing global carbon dioxide emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 relative to the 2010 level and to net zero around mid-century, as well as deep reductions in other greenhouse gases; stresses therefore that purely offsetting emissions can never contribute to the objectives of the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 146 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1d. Stresses that there is great confusion regarding what constitutes and is referred to as “carbon removals”; considers that should only be considered “carbon removals” practices or technologies that physically removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and safely and permanently store it, where upstream and downstream GHG emissions associated with the removal, transport and permanent storage processes are fully accounted for, where the total quantity of CO2 removed and safely and permanently stored is greater than the total quantity of CO2 emitted during the removal, transport and permanent storage process, and where usage of other natural resources, such as water or land, are minimised;
Amendment 147 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 e (new)
Paragraph 1 e (new)
1e. Cautions against many IPCC scenarios that greatly rely on future carbon dioxide removals; considers that, given the many uncertainties related to those technologies and the risks that most of them incur for land use, water resources, biodiversity protection and food security, priority should be given to scenarios that minimise the use of carbon dioxide removals, such as low energy demand scenarios; calls on the EU Independent Advisory Board on Climate Change, when assessing what could be a 1.5°C compatible EU GHG emissions budget to prioritise those scenarios, and to carefully consider the use of carbon dioxide removals options and technologies in a socially, environmentally and economically conscious manner;
Amendment 148 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 f (new)
Paragraph 1 f (new)
1f. Stresses that the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon removals is still subject to uncertainties; considers that failing to monitor all GHG emissions can result in paradoxical outcomes, for example, evidence shows that planting trees in peatlands can result in negative carbon storage, thus carbon needs to be effectively monitored; calls therefore to ensure the highest degree of transparency, robustness and accountability in the accounting of carbon removals regulated under Union law;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the agriculturale and forestry sectors can play a significant role in this process, given by facilitating ecosystem restoration and thatus they have the capacity to remove and store carbon through carbon reservoirthe protection, sustainable use and management of carbon stock; underlines that good management in the agricultural and forestry sectors should fully contribute to the overall goaleconomy-wide effort to become the first climate- neutral continent;
Amendment 163 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that regulations and measures should be put in place to enable each sector must first and foremost to reduce its own CO2 emissions independently and only use the storage capacity of other sectors, such as agriculture and forestry, for non- reducible emissionsand other greenhouse gas emissions to as close to zero as possible and recognises that that fossil and biogenic carbon cycles are not fungible; emphasises that carbon removals cannot compensate for continuous emissions reductions and must be accounted for separately; notes that a separate framework and separate regulations should be put in place to increase carbon removals so as to reach net-zero by 2050 at the latest and negative emissions thereafter;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises that sustainable food production models and the availability of renewable raw materials aremain the primary among several objectives of agriculture and forestry; underlines that both sectors are themselves being massively affected bycurrent unsustainable agricultural and forestry practices contribute to climate change and biodiversity loss, while both sectors are at the same time themselves being massively affected by climate change and biodiversity loss; emphasises that agro- ecological agriculture, agroforestry and permaculture have the greatest potential to both sequester CO2 and adapt to the challenges of climate change;
Amendment 182 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers that carbon conservation is alreadythe conservation and sequestration of carbon in soils, ecosystem and biodiversity protection and restoration is a deeply interlinked and important issue and will continue to be in the future, especially for preserving soil fertility and for climate change mitigation and adaptation;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Amendment 191 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Stresses that for the sustainable soil management, increasing organic matter is vital, recalls that practices that will improve soil organic carbon include: i) cover cropping, ii) crop rotation and in particular legumes and other nitrogen fixing crops, iii) maintaining grasslands (without ploughing), iv) conversions from cropland to permanent grassland, v) organic farming vi) optimisation of livestock densities;
Amendment 192 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recognises thatTakes note of the announcement made in the Commission communication on sustainable carbon cycles sets out the first steps towardsthat each tonne of CO2 captured, transported, used and stored will be reported and accounted for by its fossil, biogenic or atmospheric origin by 2028; stresses that this MRV framework is a first step and that it should be fully in place, operational and have demonstrated its effectiveness on delivering a highly transparent, science- based, robust and accountable accounting framework before the Commission presents further measures for regulating carbon sinks, and carbon removal and recyclings;
Amendment 198 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that any carbon dioxide which is only temporarily removed from the atmosphere, used and later released again amounts to delayed emissions and therefore plays no role in the economy- wide effort to reach net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 at the latest and negative emissions thereafter;
Amendment 203 #
6b. Strongly emphasises that monitoring, reporting and verification processes are especially important for the credibility of measures aiming to incentivise carbon farming; Therefore, a robust MRV framework should include random and targeted auditing and secure registries with long-term reporting obligations to address the issues around permanence and reversal. Without these elements, there is a significant risk to the carbon mitigation potential of carbon farming;
Amendment 209 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Emphasises that the blue carbon economy could contribute to the storage of CO2 in coastal regions after careful researchmarine, coastal and freshwater ecosystems can act as carbon sinks; encourages the Commission to collect further knowledge and data on bluthe carbon capturepacity of those ecosystems to capture and store carbon;
Amendment 215 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Invites the industry sectors involved in carbon cyclingCalls on the Commission, in cooperation with stakeholders, including civil society organisations, involved in carbon removal practices and technologies to come forward with innovativconcrete solutions and initiatives aiming to gradually replace fossil carbon with sustainable streams of recycled carbon;
Amendment 239 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading II
Subheading II
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. ConsiderRecognises that carbon farming can be a new business model which should be additional and voluntary, and which aims to upscale climate mitigation by paying farmers to implementinvolves land management practices that restore ecosystems and contribute to climate mitigation and the adaption should take a holistic and multidimensional approach to scale-up practices that increase carbon sequestration while preserving and promoting biodiversity; recognises that carbon farming has the potential to drive positive action for soils, climate, biodiversity, water and farmers and should lead to a new business model which should be deployed throughout the value chain to trigger systemic change, for instance by implementing sustainable and climate-friendly farm or forest management practices using nature-based solutions and, by tapping into the potential of blue carbon ecosystems and by streamlining the industrial use of carbregenerative aquaculture and blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass, salt and tidal marshes for ocean regeneration and improved oxygen production; sequestered for different purposestresses that humus formation is already part of the obligatory conditionality of the CAP;
Amendment 256 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Recognises that organic farming contributes to increased organic soil carbon stocks, whilst sustaining on average 30% more biodiversity on farms; considers that an effective approach to carbon farming should be deployed throughout the value chain and/or landscape to make farmers and collective organisations more capable of implementing the systemic changes needed, which are difficult to achieve at an individual level and which should not lead to trade-offs between environmental protection goals, and, incentivise the adoption of agricultural practices that can deliver carbon sequestration in synergy with benefits for biodiversity, and, should not reward practices that entail an increased use of synthetic fertilisers, insecticides or herbicides;
Amendment 273 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines the requirementneed to take into account preliminary work on this issue, Member States’ and farmers' having different starting points and conditions, and the effects of climate change on carbonpotential to sequester carbon; emphasises that an effective carbon farming scheme should not penalise those seeking to take the first step towards more sustainable carbon farming practices, like organic farmers and extensive grassland-based livestock models, who are already contributing to higher carbon stocks by applying beneficial farming practices but considers that benefits still can be found by including continuous improvement requirements regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation and on the longevity of carbon stocks when evaluating climate change mitigation practices;
Amendment 280 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Stresses that in agricultural production a large contribution to climate change is linked to the production and application of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers; urges, therefore, the Commission and the Member States to limit its use in favour of high-quality organic fertilisers to prevent the release of large volumes of GHG emissions; reiterates that improving nutrient management practices is both a low cost and effective way to increase soil organic matter, which can supply enough nutrients to maintain current crop yields while simultaneously reducing the need for synthetic fertilisers;
Amendment 285 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10b. Notes that the use of biological and chemical nitrification inhibitors should not be considered as a panacea in delaying the nitrification process, especially since some inhibitors carry a risk of high ammonia NH3 emissions that can be ecotoxic for terrestrial and aquatic organisms;
Amendment 288 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10c. Reiterates that the livestock sector accounts for 81-86 % of Europe’s agricultural emissions and the mitigation potential varies widely across the different types (confined systems, high intensity) and locations of livestock farms; considers actions to be included by livestock farmers should include directly reducing enteric methane through the use of feed additives, and improving digestibility efficiency that better feed management can provide, reducing nitrous oxide emissions through effective manure management (storage, processing, anaerobic digestion and biomethane); considers that farmers can also increase soil carbon sequestration through grazing and grassland management of permanent pasture land, and a strong re-diversification of agro- ecosystems, and increasing the scaling up of organic farming practices would better support global climate objectives;
Amendment 291 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines that CO2 storage is already being used in many areas through the implementation of the commover a quarter of all 2014-2020 spending under the common agricultural policy (CAP) was earmarked for climate spending, but recalls the findings of the EU Court of Auditors that concluded that this has had little impact on agricultural policy (CAP)emissions; emphasises that the land and forestry sector have a natural maximum carbon storage capacity; stresses that, except for storage, the conservation of carbon in the soil and emissions avoided and mitigated on farms should be considered valuable contributions to addressing ongoing climate change;
Amendment 298 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Reiterates that, increasing soil carbon content contributes to enhanced soil resilience and climate adaptation by improving soil structure, increases water retention capacity and has a positive impact on plant and crop health, while simultaneously decreasing the risk of soil erosion, thus healthy soils has a positive impact on agricultural productivity; stresses that soils are essential to the achievement of the Paris Agreement, climate neutrality, biodiversity restoration, sustainable food systems and a resilient bioeconomy; calls in that regard on the Member States to introduce coherent soil protection in national CAP strategic plans and for the scaling-up of organic farming models that can deliver both climate benefits between soils and water whilst also protecting and restoring biodiversity;
Amendment 307 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that carbon farming must be regulated in line with the current CAP and be seen as a complementary and additional topping-up option; underlines, however, that in the longer term carbon farming should be market-based; and can already be funded under the current CAP; notes that the Strategic Plans Regulation1a sets the specific objective of the plans to "halting and reversing biodiversity loss, enhanced ecosystem services and preserve habitats and landscapes"; underlines, however, that in the longer term carbon farming practices that increase carbon sequestration while preserving and promoting biodiversity should be an integral part of the CAP and should be primarily directed to support the systemic and sustainable transition towards sustainable farming systems by rewarding farmers for the climate benefits they deliver; underlines the need to ensure that carbon farming must be implemented through existing and forthcoming legislation and not only the CAP but also the nature restoration laws, soil health laws as well as sustainable food systems laws; _________________ 1a Article 6.1(f) of Regulation 2021/2115 OJ L 435, 6.12.2021, p. 1–186.
Amendment 321 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Stresses, however, that agricultural and farming practices with significant negative impacts on climate, biodiversity, soil, water, air, and on animal welfare should not receive climate funding, nor be incentivised or rewarded; considers that this could be achieved on the basis of a clear, multi-dimensional and evaluation and certification framework developed and taking into account the ‘One health’ approach; highlights the importance of a multidimensional and transdisciplinary approach that goes beyond focusing only on carbon but also takes into account biodiversity restoration, soil health, water quality and other ecosystem functions;
Amendment 328 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Welcomes the initiative of the Commission to carry out a study to assess the potential of applying the polluter-pays principle to GHG emissions from agricultural activities, calls on the Commission to propose adequate measures and necessary reforms to apply the polluter-pays principle to agricultural emissions; calls on the Commission and the Member States in that regard to completely phase out peat extraction and to apply a complete ban on the sale and use of peat-based composts in the Union by 2027 at the latest to better support the achievement of the proposed 2030 net removal target;
Amendment 338 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Considers that carbon capture and storage (CCS) cand carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) can play a crucial role as future technologies for achieving climate neutrality in Europe and for creating a successful decarbonised economy in Europe play a role for capturing and safely and permanently storing unavoidable emissions where no direct emissions reductions options are available; stresses that Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) only contributes to temporarily avoid CO2 emissions being emitted in the atmosphere and that, unless those emissions are eventually safely and permanently stored, they are usually released later in the atmosphere, often on a very short timeframe, and therefore amount to delayed emissions which is not compatible with meeting the Union’s climate objectives;
Amendment 355 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. UnderlinNotes that CCS is not allowed in all Member States; stresses that the Commission has to sufficiently document the long-term effect of CCS in regions with deep soil and support experimental projects to obtain more data on thi and that member States should be free to decide whether to authorise the geological storage of CO2 on their territory; encourages the Commission, Member States and independent research centres to further assess the long-term effect of CCS in regions with deep soil in view of obtaining more data on the overall environmental impact, energy efficiency, social acceptability, economic costs and risk of carbon leakage and geological perturbations;
Amendment 361 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Underlines that widespread deployment of CCS is contingent on availability and social acceptance of sustainable, safe and permanent storage facilities on the differentiation between permanent and short- to medium-term carbon storage; stresses that post- injection environmental monitoring should be mandatory; strongly encourages the Commission to clarify the issue of liability if or when carbon removals are reversed and the resulting harm caused to human health (toxicological effects), the climate and environment or property including ground-water contamination and seismicity as well as the long-term effects on ecosystems;
Amendment 368 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Notes that Biomass Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) processing chain is energy intensive and prone to carbon dioxide leakage that could be counterproductive to achieving net zero emissions depending on the feedstock used and the land use changes involved; notes that burning biomass emits a high level of pollutants including nitrogen oxides (NOx) sulphur dioxide (SO2), lead, mercury as well as other hazardous air pollutants (HAPs); highlights that the precautionary principle and zero pollution should be applied, and points out that biochar has a pollutant input on soil, especially due to Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs); calls to intensify cross- disciplinary research and data collection to assess the overall impacts and effectiveness of BECCS and biochar production and use in relation to climate change mitigation and adaption, soil and plant health, energy efficiency as well as considering epidemiological public health risks of burning biomass and HAPs in rural and urban environments;
Amendment 377 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines that the new certification framework for carbon farming should be as simple as possible in its design and not result in disproportionate administrative burdens for land and forestry managers and owners; emphasises that the future Union certification framework will need to take into accountregulatory framework for the certification of carbon removals should be fully transparent, science-based, robust and accountable in its design and ensure environmental integrity and respect for ecological principles favourable to ecosystem and biodiversity restoration as a condition of eligibility for receiving climate funding for carbon removal; stresses that the use of the future Union certification framework should be accompanied with technical advice and assistance, in particular to facilitate land and forestry managers and owners to use the certification framework; takes note of already existing national initiatives being developed must be consistent with the same restorative objectives;
Amendment 403 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Emphasises the need to develop a robust new framework for the quantification and certification of carbon removals that must at the same time avoid greenwashing and carbon leakagescience-based, robust and accountable new framework setting criteria for activities that result in permanent carbon removals and ecosystems restoration as well as the quantification and certification of carbon removals that must offer sufficient guarantees on sustainable, safe and permanent storage and on the management of the risk of reversal to ensure no harm to other environmental objectives and avoid greenwashing; stresses that the certification of carbon removal activities must not result in carbon offsetting and emphasises the need to approach technological and land-based carbon capture differently; underlines the need to promote high- quality carbon certificates that can ensure the achievement of the criteria of additionality, permanence, no double counting and authenticity in order to incentivise improved land management practices, thus resulting in enhanced carbon capture;
Amendment 440 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading V a (new)
Subheading V a (new)
Highlights that the uncertainties around exact sequestration levels and associated monitoring, reporting and verification costs present a potential risk for farmers that decide to engage in voluntary carbon markets, as the price for those removals credits are not determined by the actual cost of carbon sequestration, but by the buyers themselves; is therefore of the opinion that prices will be influenced by companies who have a large or dominant market potential that will place small and emerging operators at a competitive disadvantage;
Amendment 441 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Stresses that carbon farming should be market-based and financed by public and/or private funds; calls on the Commission to create a genuinelymeasures to increase carbon removals, whether land-based or through technologies, can be financed by public and/or private funds; recognises that voluntary carbon certification schemes already exist and need to be regulated to avoid greenwashing; furthermore, clear guidelines are required to avoid double counting where carbon removals are claimed several times by different actors; calls on the Commission to encourage new business models for farmers and foresters; notes that financing from the value chain or through the creation of a voluntary carbon market is possible; stresses that the CAP is not a viable source of funding, as the CAP is not a business model; that ensure the uptake of sustainable management practices that contribute to enhanced natural carbon sequestration, while preserving and promoting biodiversity; notes that financing from the value chain or from other public or private actors can play a role as long as they do not amount to purely offsetting fossil emissions; stresses that the CAP can already contribute to financing carbon farming;
Amendment 457 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Recognises that a uniform, results- based approach could present barriers to small-scale farm holdings interested in implementing carbon farming practices; considers that additional flexibility is required to mitigate a situation where farmers might not be fairly remunerated for their increased efforts and contributions; recommends using a mixed or hybrid approach that offers a baseline (basic) payment for the implementation of carbon farming practices which could then be eligible for further top up (bonus) payments when key performance climate mitigations and adaptations are most effective;
Amendment 462 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Commission to revise current funding options in order to adapt them to carbon cycle business demandsreward practices whose climate and environmental benefits are scientifically proven and lead to the sustainable and long-term increase of carbon sequestration in soils and biomass while ensuring societal co-benefits: this could be underpinned by a taxonomic approach with clearly defined environmental practices and safeguards to develop a coherent policy mix in line with the Union environmental and climate objectives; calls for the Commission to define minimum criteria around what constitutes a “significant contribution to climate change mitigation";
Amendment 467 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes the increased interest of the European Investment Bank in funding climate and environment initiatives; calls for the creation of a dedicated financial instrument for carbon cycling investmentsustainable, safe, reliable and permanent carbon removals and clear ecosystem restoration outcomes that yield multiple benefits while minimising risks;
Amendment 480 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls for increased cooperation and exchange of best practices among stakeholders in order to promote better implementation of carbon cycling initiativeknowledge and deeper understanding of the opportunities and risks of various carbon removal options;
Amendment 486 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for advisory services in agriculture, such as the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS), to contribute with broader knowledge and information to support sustainable carbon practicesagricultural practices that enhance carbon sequestration while preserving and promoting biodiversity and to ensure easy access to this information;
Amendment 491 #
22. Insists on the need to enhance international cooperation with third countries in order to promote European carbon cyclingfully understand the overall effects and impacts of carbon farming methodologies to enhance international cooperation with third countries and achieve the global goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C and develop a gold standards at global level and contribute to the future implementation of Article 6 (on carbon markets) of the Paris Agreement, while avoiding double counting to ensure a reliable, verifiable and science- based accounting method for mitigation measures that can contribute to the future implementation of Article 6 of the Paris Agreement; recalls that the Union's NDC excludes the use of international credits and stresses, therefore, that the future EU regulatory framework for the accounting and certification of carbon removals should only focus, for now and in the future, on carbon removals taking place within the Union;