26 Amendments of Maria da Graça CARVALHO related to 2020/0006(COD)
Amendment 62 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The transition to a competitive, 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. This will require significant new investments, particularly in innovation. 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 energy transition entails a wider social and economic impact for those regions that rely heavily on solid 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 100 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) The resources ofrom the JTF should complement the resources available under cohesion policy. be substantial and consistent with its ambitious objective and should complement the resources available under cohesion policy. The establishment of the JTF should under no circumstance lead to cuts in or transfers from the funds covered by Regulation (EU) ../.. [new CPR], particularly from funds such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF+) or the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
Amendment 115 #
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 solid fossil fuels or greenhouse gas intensive industrial activities 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 climate neutrality.
Amendment 123 #
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 priorities of the Union. The list of investments should include those that support local economies, and arere technologically feasible and sustainable in the long- term, taking into account all the objectives of the Green Deal. The projects financed should contribute to a gradual transition to an innovative, competitive, climate-neutral and circular economy. For dseclining sectortors with high CO2 emissions levels, 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 gradual phasing out of the activity and the corresponding reduction in the employment level. As regards transforming sectors with high greenhouse gas emission level conducted in cooperation with social partners and within a reasonable timeframe. With the aim of transforming these sectors, support should promote enewrgy efficiency and lower carbon activities through the deployment of new technologies, new processes or products, leadingthe renewable energy sources and investments in the deployment of infrastructure and technology for affordable low emission energy as well as new processes or products. Gas has to be recognised as a bridge technology that needs to play an important role in the transition to a low-emission economy. Further, security of supply must remain intact by technical innovations, including the roll-out of hydrogen which has the potential to become one of the major energy carriers of the 21st century. Such activities should lead to significant life- cycle emission reduction, in the energy system of the territory and be in line with the EU 2030 climate objectives and EU climate neutrality by 205013 while maintaining and enhancing skilled employment and, avoiding environmental degradation and enhancing the robustness of an energy system based predominantly on renewable energy sources, including through flexible balancing technologies and storage solutions. 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 competitive, 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 157 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12a) In order to achieve the objectives of the JTF, the European Commission should consider changes to the Environmental Protection and Energy Aid Guidelines, “EEAG Guidelines”, which are necessary to facilitate private investments and successful implementation of the JTF. A strong state aid framework is needed to prevent that any aid for decarbonisation leads to undue distortions in the internal market. The revision of the EEAG has to accompany the Green Deal, in particular by taking into account recent and new regulatory developments, technological progress and opportunities as well as market evolutions in the energy sector. The planned revision of the EEAG should allow for national support for structural changes due to coal phase-out following the same conditionality as the Just Transition Fund. When revising the guidelines, the Commission should therefore also take into account the problems of structural change in the regions concerned, in order to ensure that these region are given sufficient flexibility to carry out their projects in a socially and economically viable manner.
Amendment 161 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 b (new)
Recital 12 b (new)
(12b) Support for productive investment in enterprises other than SMEs through the Just Transition Fund should not be limited to the areas eligible for State aid under the applicable State aid rules pursuant to Article 107(3)(a) and (c) TFEU. On the contrary, State aid rules should allow all regions receiving assistance through the JTF to effectively address the threat of job losses at an early stage. This should also be ensured by adapting the general block exemption Regulation accordingly;
Amendment 162 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 c (new)
Recital 12 c (new)
(12c) The areas most affected by the transition to a climate-neutral economy should be given the opportunity to actively address the associated structural change as early as possible. This requires adjustments to state aid law, e.g. through a new guideline of the European Commission on the basis of Article 107 (3) (b) or (c) TFEU, so that it is ensured that aid is permissible under the applicable rules regardless of the status of the assisted regions;
Amendment 175 #
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 solid fossil fuel production or other greenhouse gas intensive activities , while preserving existing and developing new job opportunities to avoid social exclusion in the affected territories. 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, where possible synergetic with other relevant Union and national funding schemes and programmes, as well as the objectives of the Green Deal. Cannibalisation between schemes should be avoided. Only investments in accordance with the transition plans should receive financial support from the JTF. 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. The investment guidance identified by the European Commission in Annex D to the Country Reports 2020 should not limit the Member States in proposing new areas and priorities for the JTF support that will contribute to the transition towards EU climate neutrality by 2050.
Amendment 190 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) The objectives of this Regulation, namely to support territories facing economic, energy and social transformation in their transition to a climate-neutral 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. Policy coherence with other policies has to be ensured, most notably industrial policy and public procurement rules, with a view to ensuring a level playing field to enable European industry, including SMEs, to produce the sustainable goods and services in line with the Green Deal and to provide jobs. 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 195 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation establishes the Just Transition Fund (‘JTF’) to provide support to territories facing serious socio- economic , energy security and environmental challenges deriving from the energy transition process towards a climate-neutral economy of the Union by 2050, namely to all regions where coal is still harvested or where important structural changes take place after phasing out coal-mining activities as well as to regions with greenhouse gas intensive industrial activities.
Amendment 208 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
In accordance with the second subparagraph of Article [4(1)] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR], the JTF shall contribute to the single specific objective ‘supporting actions targeted at achieving a solidary and effective energy transition towards a climate-neutral economy, taking into account the development of territorial just transition plans to give planning security to workers, energy sector, industry, investors and communities as well as enabling regions and people to address the social, economic, energy security and environmental impacts of the transition tow’ in line with the Pardis aAgreement goals, the Union’s goal of climate- neutral economy’ity by 2050 and the 2030 emission reduction targets.
Amendment 217 #
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, primarily in regions heavily dependent on coal and whose GDP per capita is below the EU’s average. 80% of the resources of the JTF should be allocated to coal regions as listed in the Annex of the Terms of Reference for the Platform on Coal and Carbon-Intensive Regions (Coal Regions in Transition Platform) to address social, economic, energy security and environmental impacts of their energy transition.
Amendment 225 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The resources for the JTF under the Investment for jobs and growth goal available for budgetary commitment for the period 2021-2027 shall be EUR 7.at least EUR 18,75 billion in 2018 prices, which and shall not be transferred from the allocations of the funds covered by the Regulation (EU) [new CPR], particularly from funds such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the European Social Fund (ESF+) or the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD). That amount may be increased, as the case may be, by additional resources allocated in the Union budget, and by other resources in accordance with the applicable basic act.
Amendment 246 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) productive investments in SMEs, includingexisting companies, including regional and local publicly-owned companies, SMEs and start-ups, leading to economic diversification and reconversion; as well as contributing to the creation of new jobs;
Amendment 255 #
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 andparticularly SMEs and start-ups leading to economic diversification and contributing to new jobs creation and including the provision of relevant business consulting services;
Amendment 274 #
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 and services for an affordable clean energy, low-carbon, safe and flexible energy system, in greenhouse gas emission reduction, energy efficiency and renewable energystorage solutions;
Amendment 281 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) investments related to the production, processing, transportation, distribution, storage or combustion of natural gas, renewable gas and hydrogen;
Amendment 293 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d b (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d b (new)
(db) cross-border electricity interconnection, with a view to achieving the target of 15 % by 2030;
Amendment 303 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e
(e) investments in digitalisation and digital connectivity, including investments in very high capacity networks and 5G technology as well as smart energy solutions and related infrastructure and technologies;
Amendment 308 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f
(f) investments in regeneration and decontamination of sites, land restoration and repurposing project, decontamination, environmental remediation, revitalization, access and renovation of former coal mine and power station as well as brownfield sites and facilities, land restoration and repurposing projects, including afforestation of post coal mine sites;
Amendment 316 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) investments in environmentally- friendly multimodal urban mobility and alternative transport fuels accelerating the transition towards zero-emission mobility;
Amendment 348 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Additionally, the JTF may support, in areas designated as assisted areas in accordance with points (a) and (c) of Article 107(3) of the TFEUthe respective territories, productive investments in enterprises other than SMEs, provided that such investments have been approved as part ofincluded in the territorial just transition plan as necessary for energy transition, based on the information required under point (h) of Article 7(2). Such investments shall only be eligible where they are necessary for the implementation of the territorial just transition plan.
Amendment 451 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Territorial just transition plans where possible shall be consistent with the territorial strategies referred to in Article [23] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR], with relevant smart specialisation strategies, the NECPs and, the European Pillar of Social Rights and other relevant strategies and programmes, including on clean air, clean steel, energy poverty and energy prosumers.
Amendment 482 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point a – point ii
(ii) employment in mining of coal and, lignite and oil shale (weighting 250%),
Amendment 495 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point a – point iv
(iv) production of peat (weighting 0,951%),
Amendment 496 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point a – point v
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point a – point v