2019/2158(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Draft opinion
Recital A (new)

A. whereas it is essential to analyse the lifecycle of energy generation (from assembly of materials, transport, construction and maintenance of infrastructure, through to their disposal) in order to determine precisely the environmental impact of the energy generation in question;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls the ~~EU’s sustainable~~ commitment to achieving ~~its zero-carbon climate target~~EU climate neutrality by 2050, as confirmed in the European Green Deal and the recovery plan;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Emphasises that ~~renewable energy is a key driver of decarbonisation; recalls that at least 32 % of the EU’s total energy needs should be met by renewable energy by 2030~~there are two carbon-neutral power-generating technologies that result in decarbonisation of the electricity system -- nuclear and renewable energy; recalls that according to the current climate framework at least 32 % of the EU’s total energy needs should be met by renewable energy by 2030; believes that the EU should abandon this target and let Member States decide on their energy mix according to their own energy resources and needs which differ from country to country because of, among other things, geography;

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. EHighlights that offshore wind energy is the most advanced and fast- growing of the emerging and innovative sectors of the blue economy; emphasises that renewable energy is a key driver of decarbonisation; recalls that at least 32 % of the EU’s total energy needs should be met by renewable energy by 2030;

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Emphasises that ~~renewable~~energy sources such as biomass, fuels of agricultural origin, wind, solar, geothermal, hydroelectric and nuclear energy ~~is a~~are key drivers of decarbonisation; recalls that at least 32 % of the EU’s total energy needs should be met by so-called ‘renewable’ energy by 2030;

Amendment 14 #

Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Alicia HOMS GINEL, Carlos ZORRINHO, Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, Robert HAJŠEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Emphasises that renewable energy ~~is a key driver of decarbonisation; recalls that at least 32 % of the EU’s total energy needs should be met by renewable energy by 2030;~~alongside energy savings are the drivers for reaching a net zero emissions economy; in this context, acknowledges that, by 2030, the share of EU renewable electricity production should at least double1a or even better triple2a from today's level; _________________ 1a Communication on ‘Stepping up Europe’s 2030 climate ambition’ 2a ‘Building a Paris Agreement Compatible (PAC) energy scenario’, CAN-Europe / EEB, June 2020

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Emphasises that energy efficiency and renewable energy isare a key driver of decarbonisation; recalls that at least 32 8- 40% of the EU’s total energy needs should be met by renewable energy by 2030 as highlight in the communication on "Stepping up Europe's 2030 climate ambition";

Amendment 16 #

Morten PETERSEN, Mauri PEKKARINEN, Christophe GRUDLER, Ivars IJABS, Iskra MIHAYLOVA, Martin HOJSÍK, Klemen GROŠELJ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Emphasises that renewable energy is a key driver of decarbonisation; ~~recall~~stresses that at least 328-40 % of the EU’s total energy needs should be met by renewable energy by 2030 to reach at least 55 % reduction of emissions;

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Emphasises that renewable energy is aone of the key drivers of ~~decarbonisa~~sustainable environmental protection; recalls that at least 32 % of the EU’s total energy needs should be met by renewable energy by 2030;

Amendment 18 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Highlights the fact that the expansion of renewable energy sources enhances the EU’s energy security and decrease the imports of hydrocarbons from countries that do not respect the rule of law and have a record in the abuse of human rights;

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Stresses that the do no harm principle should be a key element of the new strategy and the Sustainable Taxonomy Regulation and should apply for future investments in offshore renewable energy schemes;

Amendment 2 #

Draft opinion
Recital B (new)

B. whereas it is essential to take into account the ‘rebound effect’ of any given energy policy, that is to say all the behavioural changes brought about, in this case in fisheries, in order to determine precisely the social and environmental impact of this policy;

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Highlights that an increase in offshore wind energy production is essential for the clean energy transition; stresses that, as offshore wind capacity currently stands at just 25 GW, the building of offshore wind farms must be accelerated so as to provide up to 450 GW of capacity by 2050; should be subject to a moratorium in each of the Member States — since they have a high carbon footprint: they produce intermittent energy which can ‘put a strain’ on power grids and all too frequently call for the activation of back- up thermal power stations — and that while they can be part of the energy mix to achieve the objectives of the clean energy transition, offshore wind turbines do not represent a credible and sufficiently holistic alternative in order to embody this transition; notes that offshore wind capacity currently stands at just 25 GW, and that this low proportion of electricity generation in the EU is due to the low efficiency and cost-effectiveness of offshore wind farms;

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Highlights that an increase in offshore wind energy production is essential for the ~~clean~~ energy transition; highlights that without a rapid phase out of fossil fuels and increase in offshore wind energy production realisation of renewable energy goals and limiting global warming to less than 1.5°C by the end of the century would be impossible; stresses that, as offshore wind capacity currently stands at just 253 GW, the building of offshore wind farms must be accelerated so as to provide ~~up to~~at least 450 GW of capacity by 2050;

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Highlights that an increase in offshore wind energy production is essential for the clean energy transition and to achieve competitive energy prices and guarantee affordable energy supplies; stresses that, as offshore wind capacity currently stands at just 25 GW, the building of offshore wind farms must be accelerated so as to provide up to 450 GW of capacity by 2050;

Amendment 23 #

Morten PETERSEN, Mauri PEKKARINEN, Christophe GRUDLER, Ivars IJABS, Iskra MIHAYLOVA, Klemen GROŠELJ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Highlights that an increase in offshore wind energy production is not essential for the clean energy transition; ~~stresses that, as offshore wind capacity currently stands at just 25 GW, the building of offshore wind farms must be accelerated so as to provide up to 450 GW of capacity by 2050~~as there are viable other options such as nuclear energy;

Amendment 24 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Highlights that an increase in offshore wind energy production is essential for the clean energy transition; stresses that, as offshore wind capacity currently stands at just 25 GW, the building of offshore wind farms must be accelerated ~~so as~~at least threefold by 2030 and beyond in order to be able to provide ~~up to~~at least 450 GW of capacity by 2050;

Amendment 25 #

Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Alicia HOMS GINEL, Carlos ZORRINHO, Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, Robert HAJŠEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Highlights that an increase in offshore wind energy production is essential for the clean energy transition; stresses that, as EU offshore wind capacity currently stands at just 125 GW, the building of offshore wind farms must be accelerated sto ~~as to provide up to~~reach the potential of 450 GW1a of capacity by 2050; _________________ 1a Communication on ‘Stepping up Europe’s 2030 climate ambition’

Amendment 26 #

Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Alicia HOMS GINEL, Carlos ZORRINHO, Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, Robert HAJŠEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Stresses that the energy use of the sea, while ensuring environmental protection and the sustainable development of fisheries and other economic activities, requires joint planning and a rigorous assessment of cumulative impacts, including socio- economic effects;

Amendment 27 #

Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Alicia HOMS GINEL, Carlos ZORRINHO, Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, Robert HAJŠEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Stresses that offshore wind farms for the production of electricity tend to be more efficient than onshore wind farms due to higher wind resources available in offshore areas compared to onshore areas;

Amendment 28 #

Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Alicia HOMS GINEL, Carlos ZORRINHO, Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that ~~the decision to find space for up to 450 GW of offshore wind energy capacity is of the utmost importanc~~while nuclear requires a tiny bit of land to provide a whole lot of power at a low cost, wind requires a whole lot of land to provide a tiny bit of power at a high cost; stresses that when searching for space for offshore wind energy capacity impacts on the fishery sector and/or the environment should be taken into account; reminds that it should not be forgotten that potential European offshore areas also have a biological and economic value;

Amendment 29 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that the decision to find space for ~~up to~~ 450 GW of offshore wind energy capacity is of the utmost importance; underlines in this context the necessity of exploring all the EU offshore wind resources and promoting marine renewable energy projects in a way compatible with the rest of the uses of the maritime space, seeking synergies and protecting biodiversity;

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Recital C (new)

C. whereas offshore wind turbines cause serious disturbance to the marine environment, with the result that fishing activities are also impacted, encouraging in particular overfishing in smaller areas to the detriment of small-scale fishing;

Amendment 30 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that the decision to find space for up to 450 GW of offshore wind energy capacity is of the utmost importance; considers that the Member States have to declare, as soon as possible, their exclusive economic zones, according to the International Law of the Sea, in order to proceed with planning their offshore installations, without further due;

Amendment 31 #

4. Stresses that the decision to find space for up to 450 GW of offshore wind energy capacity is of the utmost importance; highlights that spatial expansion of offshore wind farm installations is accompanied by a sharp increase of conflict potential with other marine sectors, such as fisheries, over the next five years, especially in the North Sea, Baltic Sea, and Mediterranean;

Amendment 32 #

Morten PETERSEN, Mauri PEKKARINEN, Ivars IJABS, Iskra MIHAYLOVA, Martin HOJSÍK, Klemen GROŠELJ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that the decision to find space for up to 450 GW of offshore wind energy capacity is of the utmost importance; highlights the offshore wind potential of 212 GW in the North Sea, 83 GW in the Baltic Sea, 85GW in the Atlantic Ocean and 70 GW in the Southern European Seas; notes that this potential will continue to grow due to technological developments;

Amendment 33 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that ~~the decision to find space for up to 450 GW of offshore wind energy capacity is of the utmost importance~~preserving the aesthetic and environmental nature of European coastlines is of the utmost importance; notes that the ambition to provide up to 450 GW of offshore wind energy by 2050 would correspond to the creation of an offshore wind farm of 22.5 km², given that wind farms provide on average 20 GW.h per km²;

Amendment 34 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that the decision to find space for ~~up to~~at least 450 GW of offshore wind energy capacity is of the utmost importance; underlines in this context that to bring the EU on track to 450 GW in 2050, space for around 130 GW should be identified before 2023/2024 to allow construction by 2030;

Amendment 35 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that the decision to find space for up to 450 GW of offshore wind energy capacity in the limited areas where the continental shelf is sufficiently shallow is of the utmost importance;

Amendment 36 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Stresses that the decision to find space for up to 450 GW of offshore wind energy capacity is of the utmost importance and should be considered a priority;

Amendment 37 #

Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Alicia HOMS GINEL, Carlos ZORRINHO, Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, Robert HAJŠEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Stresses that floating wind farms technology, capable of deployment in waters deeper than 60 metres have the potential to significantly increase the sea space available for offshore wind farms, especially in deep sea areas, such as the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Coast, without the constraints associated with turbines in shallower waters or closer to shore and to overcome some type of conflicts with other sectors; points out that floating wind farms could generate large amounts of energy, reduce visual impact, provide better accommodation for fishing and shipping lanes, act as fish aggregating devices and reach stronger and more consistent winds;

Amendment 38 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Recalls the offshore wind electricity production also creates an opportunity for clean hydrogen production as the "EU Strategy for Energy System Integration strategy" and “A hydrogen strategy for a climate- neutral Europe highlight; calls the Commission and the Member States to integrated the decarbonized hydrogen production plans into the development of the offshore wind capacity;

Amendment 39 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Stresses the need to give priority to far-shore wind turbines, over 30 km from the coast, in order to limit their impact on fisheries and landscapes and increase their efficiency; especially since, with semi-floating structures, they are less costly and have a lower impact on posidonia and thus on the marine environment and consequently on fishing;

Amendment 4 #

Draft opinion
Recital D (new)

D. whereas human activities, in particular production, consumption and transport activities, are energy intensive and require, in the absence of profound societal changes, ever greater sustainable sources of energy;

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Stresses that dedicated offshore wind farms for hydrogen production are a promising option to unlock the full potential of offshore wind energy, attain decarbonisation and energy security targets in electricity and other sectors, as well as cope with grid expansion constraints;

Amendment 41 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Believes that cooperation across sectors active in the offshore environment, will also be a driver for a just transition and that initiatives that activate local economies and find synergies between sectors can be the bedrock of a future-proof economic recovery;

Amendment 42 #

Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Alicia HOMS GINEL, Carlos ZORRINHO, Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, Robert HAJŠEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Highlights that offshore wind electricity yields surpass those of onshore turbines while causing less acceptance problems with citizens; emphasises that if designed and built sensibly, offshore windfarms can benefit marine biodiversity;

Amendment 43 #

Sven SCHULZE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Stresses that offshore wind farms can also have positive aspects as regards fisheries, such as a possible use for aquaculture and the introduction of new species;

Amendment 44 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Highlights the need to exploit offshore renewable energy in deep waters; calls on the Commission and Member States to promote research, development, monitoring, and innovation efforts on innovative technologies such as floating platforms; stresses that is an outstanding opportunity for the EU to become a global leader in offshore renewable technologies that will be key for decarbonisation and will be exportable to a myriad of deep costal regions;

Amendment 45 #

Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Alicia HOMS GINEL, Carlos ZORRINHO, Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, Robert HAJŠEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Recalls the significant potential of offshore wind for the production of renewable hydrogen; points out that this would not require undersea cables if plants to obtain hydrogen were to be placed in the seas or oceans; calls therefore the Commission and the Member States to fully integrate future hydrogen demand in offshore wind deployment plans;

Amendment 46 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)

4c. Highlights that floating technology allows to access locations where wind speeds are higher and more constant. It can also minimize the turbine’s environmental impact and reduce the pressure associated with coastal planning; calls on the Commission and the Member States to assess these benefits and the possible impacts on fisheries and marine biodiversity and ecosystems;

Amendment 47 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)

4c. Highlights the need to deploy offshore wind in deep waters of the EU (i.e. Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Atlantic Ocean), thus calls on the Commission and Member States to extend research, development and innovation efforts on floating wind farms and to assess the feasibility of establishing an IPCEI for a large-scale project;

Amendment 48 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Highlights that a strong expansion of offshore wind energy production requires an intelligent approach to ensure its coexistence, co-location and cooperation with the activities that already take place in the affected areas; stresses that early stakeholder consultation, long- term planning and engagement of all relevant sectors, including local communities, but also research into potential synergies and selection of strategic solutions designed to prevent conflicts, as well as more localised solutions and measures for mitigating conflicts, such as compensation payments, creation of transparent guidelines and mutual agreements could contribute to the smooth expansion of offshore wind energy renewables;

Amendment 49 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. HStresses that in order to limit the devastating effects of global warming on marine aquatic ecosystems, rising water temperatures and ocean acidification, changes in water flow, and fish habitat loss, productivity of marine and freshwater species, combating climate change with the take up of offshore energy is vital; highlights however that a strong expansion of offshore wind energy production requires an intelligent approach to ensure its coexistence with the activities that already take place in the affected areas as well as to do least possible harm to environment;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls the EU’s sustainable commitment to achieving its zero-carbon climate target by 2050, as confirmed in the European Green Deal and the recovery plan; stresses that tackling the problem of climate change requires global fossil energy consumption to be reduced by a factor of 2 to 4 as soon as possible and, in developed countries, by a factor of 4 to 12 (that is a reduction of 75% to 92%), and that wind power, which in 2013 replaced 1% of this consumption, continues to provide only marginal room for manoeuvre;

Amendment 50 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. HTaking into account that the development of OR varies greatly in size and capacities across the different European sea basins, highlights that a strong expansion of offshore wind energy production requires an intelligent approach to ensure its coexistence with the activities that already take place in the affected areas, especially since most of the European offshore wind capacity will be concentrated in the North and Baltic seas, where conditions are more favourable;

Amendment 51 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Highlights that a strong expansion of offshore wind energy production ~~requi~~will de facto reduce fishing areas and that this strategy may in the long term lead to conflicts between stakeholders; stresses that an intelligent approach, revised to ensure ~~its coexistence with the activities that already take place in the affected areas~~the maintenance of fishing areas and their exploitation by artisanal fisheries, is essential for the proper coexistence with current and future energy production;

Amendment 52 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Highlights that a strong expansion of offshore wind energy production requires an intelligent approach to ensure its coexistence with the activities that already take place in the affected areas; calls for efficient spatial planning process, including the site selection constrained by technical (wind resource, coastal distance, seafloor) and environmental (impacts) factors and competence of uses;

Amendment 53 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Highlights that a strong expansion of offshore wind energy production requires an intelligent approach to ensure its coexistence with the activities that already take place in the affected areas; believes that the European Institute of Innovation and Technology should have a role in the planning and deployment of the projects;

Amendment 54 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Draws attention to the recommendations of Horizon 2020 funded project on The Multi-Use in European Seas (MUSES) exploring the opportunities for multi-use in European seas across five EU sea basins; recalls its guidance that sustainable development of the ocean can no longer rely on a single- sector management, but requires a more holistic, integrated approach and that multi-use is not limited to sharing the ‘same’ maritime space, but could encompass joint use of installations and joint activities;

Amendment 55 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Points out that the quantitative growth of wind farms inevitably results in a reduction in or alteration of fishing areas, in particular as a result of the laying of cables connecting wind turbines to the grid and the building of infrastructure; notes, in this connection, that this results in a change and degradation of marine habitats, which may affect fish populations;

Amendment 56 #

Robert ROOS, Grzegorz TOBISZOWSKI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Acknowledges that offshore wind farms in some cases co-occur with biodiverse marine ecosystems with high ecological, economic, and cultural value, however, there are many uncertainties about how wind farms affect marine organisms and their environment;

Amendment 57 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Points out that that when analysing the cost of offshore wind energy, all relevant costs should be taken into account, including the transmission and distribution costs and the costs of backup systems;

Amendment 58 #

Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Alicia HOMS GINEL, Carlos ZORRINHO, Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, Robert HAJŠEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to assess the impact of the offshore wind farms, which are already in operation, on the regeneration of marine habitats and the biodiversity;

Amendment 59 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls on the Member States to promote the development of offshore wind investments under the scheme of energy communities which ensures public participation and acceptance;

Amendment 6 #

Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Alicia HOMS GINEL, Carlos ZORRINHO, Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, Robert HAJŠEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls the EU’s ~~sustainable~~ commitment to achieving ~~its~~net zero~~-carbon climate~~ greenhouse gases emissions target by 2050, a~~s confirmed in the European Green Deal and the recovery plan~~t the latest; stresses that these emissions should be reduced by at least 65% by 2030 compared to 1990 emissions in order for the Union to contribute to limiting global warming to less than 1.5°C by the end of the century, in line with the latest scientific evidence;

Amendment 60 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Stresses that there are already examples of coexistence between the fishing sector and the offshore wind energy sector, and this experience should be used to find and share the best available practices for the entire life cycle of marine infrastructure;

Amendment 61 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Considers that multi-use needs should be pro-actively facilitated and incentivised through respective support programmes, going well beyond mere spatial planning solutions;

Amendment 62 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Reminds that the cost of offshore wind will increase, as the reservoir of plots that are easy to build on depletes;

Amendment 63 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Recalls that the displacement of fishing activities can be very harmful to fisheries; stresses, therefore, that the multiple use of sea areas must be considered from the outset, and that offshore wind farms must be positioned in a way that takes into account the needs of the fishing sector; stresses that integrated place-based management approaches, such as marine spatial planning should be used to favour offshore wind energy project proposals that enable synergies, co-existence with fishing activities both spatially and temporally; points out that marine spatial planning processes should give high priority on the assessment of co- location; underlines the importance of the development of an EU best practice guidance on the implementation of mitigation measures to ease conflict potential between offshore wind farms and fisheries and to promote co-operation between sectors; notes that artificial reef effects inside offshore wind farms could improve the opportunities for sea angling and increase a market for tourism and recreational fisheries;

Amendment 64 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

Amendment 65 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

Amendment 66 #

Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Alicia HOMS GINEL, Carlos ZORRINHO, Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, Robert HAJŠEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Recalls that the displacement of fishing activities and over-fishing can be very harmful to fish stocks and fisheries; stresses, therefore, that the ~~multiple use of sea areas must be considered from the outset, and that offshor~~re is a need to tackle over-fishing and to consider the multiple use of sea areas from the outset, in a way that balances the win~~d farms must be positioned in a way that takes in~~terests of the offshore wind sector, the fishing sector a~~ccount the needs of the fishing sector~~nd the fulfilment of EU energy, climate and biodiversity objectives;

Amendment 67 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

Amendment 68 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Recalls that the restrictions to or displacement of fishing activities can be very harmful to fisheries; stresses, therefore, that the multiple use of sea areas must be considered from the outset, and that offshore wind farms must be positioned in a way that takes into account the needs of the fishing sector;

Amendment 69 #

Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Alicia HOMS GINEL, Carlos ZORRINHO, Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, Robert HAJŠEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6

6. Recalls that the displacement of fishing activities can be very harmful to fisheries; stresses, therefore, that ~~the multiple use of sea area~~all options must be considered from the outset, and that offshore wind farms must be positioned in a way that takes into account the needs of the fishing sector;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls the EU’s sustainable commitment to achieving its zero-carbon climate target by 2050~~, as confirmed~~ at the latest; and that these emissions should be reduced by at least [60%] by 2030 compared to 1990 emissions as set in the [European ~~Green Deal and the recovery plan;~~ Climate Law] in order for the Union to contribute to limiting global warming to less than 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

Amendment 70 #

Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Alicia HOMS GINEL, Carlos ZORRINHO, Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, Robert HAJŠEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Highlights that collaboration is critical to the safe coexistence of fishing and wind farm operations: The wind industry should support the exchange of real-time data of exact location of wind farms, cables and related assets as well as exclusion areas (temporary or permanent) and security zones, while data from the fishing industry should also be shared at the project design stage;

Amendment 71 #

6a. Stresses that the cooperation across sectors active in the offshore environment and economy will also be a driver for a just transition; calls on the Commission to assess initiatives that activate local economies and economic activities offshore and find synergies between sectors that can be the bedrock of a future-proof economic recovery;

Amendment 72 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Underlines that support for using wind energy for local electricity supply is the most important predictor for local acceptance of renewable energy projects such as offshore wind farms, and this variable mediates the relationship between energy security and community acceptance;

Amendment 73 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6a. Emphasises that the possibilities of storing energy are still very limited;

Amendment 74 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses that long-term options for multiple uses of offshore areas must be explored at an earlier stage in order to enable the expansion of offshore wind farms while addressing their impact on fisheries; considers therefore the need to adopt guidelines and policies that promote co-existence of the offshore wind farms and fishery at the pre-planning stage and to ensure better involvement of the fishing sector in the offshore windfarms planning process to identify the most suitable long and short term options; points out the role of bi-sectoral national coordination body that could help to maintain regular dialogue and facilitate agreements for the industries involved; draws attention to good practices of granting concession to build and operate an offshore wind farm under the condition that the prior agreement with other stakeholders, such as fishing sector, is reached;

Amendment 75 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses that long-term options for multiple uses of offshore areas must be explored at an earlier stage in order to enable the expansion of offshore wind farms while addressing their ~~impact on fisheries~~direct and indirect impact on fisheries; highlights in this regard that co-design approaches for the co-location of offshore wind energy renewables with other uses can reduce the potential impact on fisheries, strengthen the relationship of the sectors of concern and enable beneficial co-operation between them;

Amendment 76 #

Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Alicia HOMS GINEL, Carlos ZORRINHO, Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, Robert HAJŠEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7

7. Stresses that long-term options for multiple uses of offshore areas must be explored at an earlier stage in order to not to enable the expansion of offshore wind farms w~~hile addressing~~ithout first taking account of their impact on fisheries;

Amendment 77 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7a. Stresses that EU regulatory framework should contribute to ensure environmental impacts are monitored and actions are taken to prevent and minimize the impacts; climate, energy, fisheries and marine biodiversity policies should reinforce each other when developing an EU offshore wind strategy;

Amendment 78 #

Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES, Alicia HOMS GINEL, Carlos ZORRINHO, Lina GÁLVEZ MUÑOZ, Robert HAJŠEL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. CStresses that space allocation should be the result of a joint maritime spatial planning (MSP) that goes beyond national borders; calls on the Commission to collaborate closely with Member States and neighbouring countries on maritime spatial planning and to make legislative proposals to establish mandatory cross- border MSP, with a view to optimising the use of sea space and cross-sector cooperation, and minimising spatial conflicts in this regard reminds and encourages Member States to provide their Marine Spatial Plans by 31 March 2021;

Amendment 79 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission to collaborate closely with Member States and neighbouring countries on maritime spatial planning, with a view to optimising the use of sea space and cross-sector cooperation, and minimising spatial conflicts; stresses that the maritime spatial plans ordered by Directive 2014/89/EU shall be established as soon as possible, and at the latest by 31 March 2021;

Amendment 8 #

Morten PETERSEN, Mauri PEKKARINEN, Christophe GRUDLER, Ivars IJABS, Iskra MIHAYLOVA, Martin HOJSÍK, Klemen GROŠELJ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls the EU’s sustainable commitment to achieving its zero-carbon climate target by 2050, as confirmed in the European Green Deal and the recovery plan; takes note of Commission's proposal to increase reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 55%, reminds of European Parliament's position to increase this target to 60% by 2030;

Amendment 80 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission to enable more research to understand the effect of OR and collaborate closely with Member States and neighbouring countries on maritime spatial planning, with a view to optimising the use of sea space and cross- sector cooperation, and minimising spatial conflicts;

Amendment 81 #

Sven SCHULZE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission to collaborate closely with Member States and neighbouring countries on maritime spatial planning and the development of innovative fisheries technologies and methods, with a view to optimising the use of sea space including in wind farms and cross-sector cooperation, and minimising spatial conflicts;

Amendment 82 #

Morten PETERSEN, Mauri PEKKARINEN, Christophe GRUDLER, Ivars IJABS, Iskra MIHAYLOVA, Martin HOJSÍK, Klemen GROŠELJ

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

Amendment 83 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission to collaborate closely with Member States ~~and neighbouring countries~~ on maritime spatial planning, with a view to optimising the use of sea space and cross- sector cooperation, and minimising spatial conflicts;

Amendment 84 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8

8. Calls on the Commission to collaborate closely with the Member States ~~and neighbouring countries~~ on maritime spatial planning, with a view to optimising the use of sea space and cross-sector cooperation, and minimising spatial conflicts;

Amendment 85 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Insists that a proper Maritime Spatial Planning (MSP) process needs to be accompanied with a solid approach to public participation so that all stakeholders’ and coastal communities' views are taken into consideration;

Amendment 86 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8a. Calls on the EIB to examine the creation of funding schemes in order to support investments in large-scale projects in the EU seas;

Amendment 87 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. CRecognises that existing knowledge on the impact of offshore renewable installations on fisheries is focused mainly on ecological and environmental impacts and that current case studies often neglected the assessment of future expansions of offshore wind energy sector; stresses that integrated and spatially assessments of cumulative effects of offshore wind farms are indispensable in order to inform strategic planning and marine conservation and enable a sustainable integration of human activities; calls on the Commission to carry out an impact assessment to examine the expected direct and indirect economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts of constructing new offshore wind facilities in areas where they are likely to come into conflict with the fishing sector.

Amendment 88 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. CRecalls that EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 stipulates that that offshore wind projects will be possible only if in compliance with relevant environmental and nature protection legislation; calls on the Commission to carry out an impact assessment to examine the expected economic~~, social and environment~~ and social impacts of constructing new offshore wind facilities in areas where they are likely to ~~come into conflict with the~~interact with the fishing sector with a view of developing synergies between the energy and fishing sector.s;

Amendment 89 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Calls on the Commission to carry out an impact assessment to examine the expected economic, social and environmental impacts ~~of constructing new offshore wind facilities in areas where they are likely to come into conflict with the fishing sector~~(in particular on climate and biodiversity) and benefits of constructing new offshore wind facilities in areas that are of interest of other economic activities such as aquaculture, fisheries or tourism and calls further on the Commission to provide regulatory guidance on the co-use of these areas.

Amendment 9 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Recalls the EU’s sustainable commitment to achieving its zero-carbon climate target by 2050 at latest, as confirmed in the European Green Deal, the European Climate Law and the recovery plan;

Amendment 90 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9

9. Calls on the Commission to carry out an impact assessment to examine the expected economic, social and environmental ~~impacts of constructing new offshore wind facilities in areas where they are likely to come into conflict with the fishing sector~~, in particular on climate and biodiversity, impacts and benefits of allocating offshore wind facilities in areas that are of interest of other economic activities such as aquaculture, fisheries or tourism; calls further on the Commission to provide regulatory guidance on the co- use of these areas.

Amendment 91 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Considers its essential to ensure integrated approach to the life cycle processes of offshore windfarms and that decommissioning strategies envisaging alternative future use or removal of the constrictions must be integrated into design and installation plans from the beginning and long-term sustainable impact must be considered to adhere to the principles of a circular economy;

Amendment 92 #

Sven SCHULZE

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Calls on the Commission to examine the possibility of combining the construction of offshore wind farms and marine nature conservation, for example, by setting up wind farms in marine areas where a fishing ban is particularly relevant for marine protection;

Amendment 93 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)

9a. Clarifies that the creation of refugia can increase the number of fish in the region; highlights that the recovery of dumped ammunition during construction of windfarms and cables increases fishers’ safety.

Amendment 94 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)

9b. Stresses the necessity to establish a collaborated and co-ordinated research and innovation programme to ensure suitable data collection and monitoring, technology innovations (e.g. cable installations, moorings, fishing friendly cable protection measures), and managements strategies and technologies to minimise risks, and testing in the real environment;

Amendment 95 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 c (new)

9c. Highlights that in order to ensure significant deployment of new offshore wind energy capacities, further research on the multiple use of sea space as well as on enhancing generation efficiency of offshore wind turbines must be continued;

Amendment 96 #