Activities of Judith A. MERKIES related to 2011/2056(INI)
Plenary speeches (2)
An effective raw materials strategy for Europe (debate)
An effective raw materials strategy for Europe (debate)
Amendments (52)
Amendment 4 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Communication and in particular its broad focus on raw and recovered raw materials from mineral resources and biotic resources, its emphasis on resource efficiency and recycling, and its recognition of the importance of urban mining as a valuable source for retrieving, recycling and upcycling RM; notes that recycling often results in downgrading the value of the material, and that more focus should be given to the upcycling of materials which would render a higher value to the retrieved material; points out the potential of re-use as a separate category, to extend the life of products and urges the Commission (EC) to develop re- use;
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 22 a (new)
Citation 22 a (new)
– having regard to Article 208 of the TFEU on policy coherence for development,
Amendment 8 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Highlights that - especially with regard to the subject of raw materials - a coherent policy, a strategic and long-term vision, as well as a coordinated approach of all involved actors, especially within the Commission, are of utmost importance;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1 c. Stresses that further data and more studies are needed to ensure a more targeted approach, especially as regards analyses of waste streams, but also the potential of innovative technologies for recycling and substitution;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1 d. Welcomes its recognition of the importance of urban mining as a valuable source for retrieving, recycling and upcycling raw materials and is of the opinion that there is a dire need for more information on urban mining and therefore asks the Commission to assess especially the potential, but also possible limitations in this regard; points out the potential of re-use as a separate category, to extend the life of products and urges the Commission (EC) to develop re-use;
Amendment 10 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A (new)
Recital A (new)
A. whereas the Raw Materials Initiative has been criticized by developing countries and NGOs for undermining the development objectives of poor countries and for not complying with the EU’s commitment to policy coherence for development,
Amendment 12 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B (new)
Recital B (new)
B. whereas labour productivity has developed much faster in the last decades than resource productivity, with estimates showing that labour costs represent less than 20% of a product and resources costs represent 40%, whereas this implies that swift action is needed to improve resource efficiency,
Amendment 27 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Urges the EC to research the development of a RM hierarchy and to ensurecourage a broad discussion on the highest added value use of RM without compromising the environment; calls on the EC to map the competition for the same materials and to address non-essential consumption of RM;
Amendment 30 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Calls on the Commission to gather, analyse and publish data on the availability and accessibility and the commercial exchange of raw and recovered materials at EU level; considers furthermore that data should be collected to enable a comparison of material characteristics, options for substitution, most efficient use and exchange of best practices;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the fact that the Commission spearheaded the issue of non-energy, non- agricultural raw materials (RM) with its Raw Materials Initiative (RMI) in 2008; calls strongly on the commission to move towards swift implementation of the RMI;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the importance of the development, promotion and implementation of a life cycle approach for RM, thus extending the highest quality and life of such materials, and the need for indicators to measure efficient and effective resource use, and points to the importance of the full implementation of the Ecodesign Directive in this regard;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes the new Commission Communication and its move beyond the RMI to include commodity markets; calls on the Commission to give adequate focus to commodity markets and the RMI separately; notes, however, that the raw materials strategy must be anchored in a strong innovation and industrial policy for Europe;
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Encourages the Commission to develop a recycling strategy with retrieval as close to the source of waste as possible, including the purification of waste water, as this would enable the retrieval of higher concentrations of raw material, prevent irretrievability, lower the negative impact on the environment and possibly be more energy efficient,
Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Points out the importance of the full implementation of the Ecodesign Directive; believes that the role of designers and scientists should be actively taken into account when ensuring the efficient and effective use of raw materials in the whole life cycle of products, as high quality recycling can only take place when the whole supply chain is closed and all stakeholders cooperate to ensure a high recollection rate;
Amendment 41 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the EC and Member States to further increase producer responsibility in legislation to ensure a higher level of RM recovery, reusability and re- and upcyclability and to stimulate efficient use of RM, highlights the importance of an effective circular economy in this respect;
Amendment 44 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the EC and Member States to further increase producer responsibility in legislation to ensure a higher level of RM recovery, reusability, re-manufacturability and re- and upcyclability and to stimulate an efficient use of RM;
Amendment 48 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Amendment 55 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the EC to develop a system of chain of custody for all RM, instructing producers to record the origin of RM through a transparent system, following existing examples (already in place (e.g. FSC and FLEGT for illegal RM), and to be extended to mineral and biotic RM, allowing for the future development of sustainability criteria for RM;
Amendment 60 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls for proper and swift implementation of the Waste Framework Directive and a landfill ban on recyclable RM and strict and ambitious efficiency criteria for incineration with energy recovery, which should aim at reuse and recycling of RM instead of incineration. as a tool to retrieve as many useful RM as early and as close to the source of waste as possible, to prevent irretrievability, to reduce any negative impact on the environment and to increase energy efficiency;
Amendment 65 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Insists that the European Parliament be regularly informed on the development of the RMI via an annual progress reporand the fulfilment of its objectives via an annual progress report; asks for this report also to include an assessment of the RMI from the point of view of the EU’s commitment to policy coherence for development;
Amendment 66 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Believes that targets that have already been set in several Directives regarding the collection and separation of waste, should be further elaborated and set for the highest and most qualitative recovery of materials in each of the phases of recycling: collection, dismantling, pre- processing and recycling/refinery;
Amendment 71 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the EC to integrate the biodiversity action plan objectives into the RM strategy to strengthen links between the economy and environment and to take account of the environmental effects of extraction, production, use and disposal of RM; urges the EC to support the development of strategic land use planning in all Member States to balance raw material extraction with other land use demands and to safeguard the environment and biodiversity; states that a new approach should be taken for the extraction of raw materials, as by default only non-residential or non-industrial sites, such as fragile Natural 2000 areas are considered for extraction, whereas the best extraction sites might already be in use for other purposes;
Amendment 73 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Welcomes the development of instruments and indicators, such as TEEB which reassess the monetary value of biodiversity and ecosystems and give an important indication of the real price of extraction, use and disposal of raw materials, thus internalising external costs; urges the Commission to promote and stimulate the development of these instruments and its use;
Amendment 76 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that the RM challenges are also an opportunity to invigorate the EU’s industrial base and, increase competitiveness and create high and stable levels of qualified employment, via an ambitious industrial innovation strategy; notes that in the medium to long term increasing efficiencies, recycling and lowering resource use will be key to competitiveness, sustainability and supply security; remarks that social innovation, lifestyle changes and new concepts such as eco-leasing, chemical leasing and sharing should be supported by the Commission;
Amendment 79 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Underlines that development policy is not a raw materials diplomacy tool; agrees that trade agreements should provide the necessary flexibility to support developing countries in creating linkages from the extractive industry towards local industry; believes that countries’ resource sovereignty must be respected and asks the Commission in this context to employ a differentiated approach taking account of the various national contexts so that development goals and industrialisation of development countries are not put at risk;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. WelcomesUnderlines that economic growth must be decoupled from the increased use of resources; welcomes therefore the Commission’s plan to launch a flagship initiative on resource efficiency; calls on the Commission to incorporate a resource efficiency improvement target of 3% per year net of GDP evolution; calls on the Commission to develop a reliable methodology for measuring resource efficiency; and taking into account the environmental impact of the resource used;
Amendment 96 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Encourages the Commission to continue preparations for an Innovation Partnership on raw materials in line with the 'Innovation Union' flagship initiative and stresses the importance of close cooperation already at an early stage between all institutions concerned in this regard;
Amendment 97 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Believes that the extension of the lifetime of products and therefore also raw materials and biotic materials, should be promoted as their extraction, use and disposal have a major impact on land use, water, energy and transport; points out that the raw materials strategy must be incorporated into the wider EU 2020 strategy as an essential part of its overall aims, calls for more targeted resource efficiency innovation and points out that a higher efficiency rate in material use has a major impact on the industry and transport sector;
Amendment 97 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Believes thatUrges the Commission to commission a study on the effects of a tax foron mineral resources is not an adequate tool, but calls on the Commission to investigate whether a tax on water and land use could be of benefit, non energy raw materials, water and land use, with specific attention to possible non-intended repercussions, such as a rebound effect, non sustainable substitution, evasion or a shift of economic activities to non-EU countries;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission to extend the ecodesign instruments to RM, to work with standardisation bodies, to evaluate the feasibility of a top-runner programme for products with regard to resource efficiency, to strengthen advisory services on resource efficiency, particularly for SMEs, and calls on companies to make use of the Eco- Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS); calls on the Commission and the Member States to leverage public procurement in order to enhance resource-efficient products and products utilizing secondary RM; stresses the value of including resource use in product information and eco-labels in order to empower consumers; calls on the European standardisation bodies to streamline the issue of resource efficiency in the setting of standards; insists that the Commission launch a study on the hierarchy of raw materials, being a study to the setting of supply chains and the use of raw materials according to its highest added value in economic, environmental and social perspective;
Amendment 113 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes the contribution of recycling and re-use to reducing greenhouse gases; calls on the Commission to launch an in-depth EU material flow analysis particularly to identify waste streams; with the ultimate aim to make the use of raw materials sustainable and create overall security over supply; the analysis should be conducted on the bases of life cycle analyses for the life cycle of a material (mining, production, consumption, waste stage); the knowledge base would enable industries, policy makers and the broader society to advance in making European Society more sustainable;
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. As the use of raw materials is a significant source of GHG production, it is important to make the use of resources more efficient; calls the Commission to strengthen the legal framework for the circular economy, where material cycles are closed and nothing is lost;
Amendment 129 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Urges the Commission to investigate and promote projects on urban mining as urban mining deposits can be much richer than primary mining ores, and a large part of valuable secondary raw materials can be extracted, re-used and recycled;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Calls on the Commission to stimulate/ invest in projects that bring about a societal change that reduces the use of raw materials and promotes the clever use and re-use of materials amongst consumers;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Requests the Commission to evaluate how the European Investment Bank (EIB) can help reduce financial risks for investments in breakthrough-technology recycling plants and in investing in initiatives of companies working together in closing life cycle circles;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to develop economic incentives for recycling currently uneconomical CRM including rare earths (REE), to investigate how markets for recycled materials can be supported by inter alia green certificates for recycled materials, eco-design requirements and fiscal incentives, and to ensure that cohesion policy and budgets are also leveraged to promote resource efficiency and recycling;
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls on the Commission to identify priorities and allocate budgets for research into lifecycle recycling, substitution and resource efficiency using FP7 and FP8 funding, particularly for CRM such as REE; insists on the importance of a European Innovation Partnership on RM; calls on the Commission to launch such a partnership in 2011;
Amendment 157 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Regrets that substitution isand re-use are not included in the Communication; therefore, calls on the Commission to ramp up its work in this field, particularly for REE, by leveraging research funding;
Amendment 162 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Welcomes co-operation between national geological surveys and the publication of an annual European RM Yearbook (ERMY); stresses that data on secondary resources and urban mining should be included; asks the Commission to assess whether the creation of an EU Geological Service that pools the work of national surveys and works with international partners is necessary; supports the Commission'’s work in improving the EU'’s geological knowledge base; calls on the Commission to publish a resource map of the Union in order to attract investments in natural resources and exploration;
Amendment 166 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Welcomes the fact that other raw materials such as wood and natural rubber are included under the scope of the RMI; urges the Commission to also take materials other than minerals and metals fully into consideration as it proceeds with the implementation and further development of the RMI;
Amendment 180 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Urges the Commission to put as much effort as legally possible into stopping the export of recyclable materials and waste containing useful raw materials, thus improving Europe’s energy efficiency and carbon footprint; asks the Commission to consider the further use of the producer responsibility concept in support of this goal;
Amendment 183 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Underlines the need for more transparent and predictable framework conditions on regulatory approval processes for setting up new mines for extraction of metals and minerals, while at the same time not compromising environmental standards;
Amendment 186 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Emphasises the importance of encouraging the use of a combination of economic and legal instruments comparable to those used in the best performing Member States, including landfill bans and extension of the producer responsibility to prevent the further useless waste of raw materials through (illegal) export, land filling and incineration;
Amendment 202 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses the importance of skills and training and the role played by geologists and, engineers, miners and other employees; calls on the Commission to engage in a close dialogue with social partners in this context;
Amendment 208 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Believes that stock-piling of raw materials, as suggested by the Commission, is not an appropriate instrument for securing the supply of raw materials; underlines the fact that the role of the EU in any potential stock-piling program should be limited to providing the legal framework and regulatory oversight;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Urges the Commission to intensify raw material recovery by means of ambitious recycling rules, proper and swift implementation of the waste framework directive, products recyclability objectives and the promotion of recycling and reuse in all EU legislation;
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. WelcomNotes the EU'’s intention to pursue an RM diplomacy, particularly for CRM; believes that priority actions for REE need to be developed in the very short term;
Amendment 223 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Europe´s raw materials policy should take the sustainable economic growth in the developing countries and their specific social standards into full account (as enshrined in Art. 208 TFEU) and ensure coherence between development policy and the RMI; therefore believes that the EU also should support developing countries to diversify their economies, reduce their dependence on raw materials exports and increase the value of their products through domestic manufacturing and processing;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Notes the importance of Africa-EU relations and the Addis Ababa agreement of June 2010; insists that this partnership be based on mutual interests; in fostering sustainable mining practices it is important to exchange best practises on good governance, increased resource efficiency, reuse and recycling, management of tailings and waste-rock, rehabilitation of mine legacy, health and safety, protection of workers and the eradication of child labour;
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Is concerned that a strategy for co- operation with China and other key international players is not identified; stresses the need for a technology dialogue with China; calls on the Commission to examine how pilot projects on sustainable mining, substitution or recycling of CRM can be established with Chinakey international players;
Amendment 259 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Concurs that development policy plays a role in helping countries turn their resource wealth into sustainable and inclusive growth, inter alia by enhancing governance and transparency; does not considerunderlines that development policy is not an RM diplomacy tool; agrees that trade agreements should provide the necessary flexibility to support developing countries in creating linkages from the extractive industry towards local industry; believes that countries'’ resource sovereignty must be respected in this context; and asks the Commission, in this context, to balance its opposition to export taxes in developing countries by employing a differentiated approach taking account of the various national contexts so that development goals and industrialisation of development countries are not put at risk; underlines that free and fair trade is of central importance to the development of the global RM sector and wealth creation in all societies;
Amendment 272 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Stresses the role that corporate social responsibility plays by adhering to high environmental and social and labour standards abroad and applying best available technologies; calls on EU companies to develop an appropriate code of conduct for those operating in third countries, and to base their activities on the OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises and ISO 26000; calls on the Commission to follow the spirit of the US Dodd-Frank bill concerning conflict minerals and urges the Commission to present a legislative proposal; supports the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI); believes that these standards should particularly be applied for projects receiving EU funding, such as from the EIB; calls on the Commission to strengthen the use of ‘fingerprinting’ technology in this context and to promote pilot projects based on the experiences of the ‘coltan fingerprint’;