Activities of Davor ŠKRLEC related to 2015/2324(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on an EU Strategy for the Alpine region PDF (435 KB) DOC (228 KB)
Shadow opinions (2)
OPINION on an EU strategy for the Alpine Region
OPINION on an EU strategy for the Alpine region
Amendments (41)
Amendment 3 #
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas Article 1(1) of Directive 2002/49/EC1a makes it clear that a common approach should be developed in the European Union ‘to avoid, prevent or reduce on a prioritised basis the harmful effects, including annoyance, due to exposure to environmental noise’; __________________ 1a Directive 2002/49/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2002 relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise - Declaration by the Commission in the Conciliation Committee on the Directive relating to the assessment and management of environmental noise, OJ L 189, 18.07.2002, p.12.
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas macro-regional strategies are a fundamental tool for applying the principle of territorial cohesioncontributing to the objective of territorial cohesion and reconciling the interests of different sectors in a functional area with shared characteristics and challenges;
Amendment 9 #
Draft opinion
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the specific geomorphology of the macro-region should not be considered solely an obstacle to connectivity, but rather an opportunity to combine the transport systemdevelop sustainable intermodal transport services, based on regional best practice model, combined with protection of the climate as well as natural and cultural heritage as well as climate change mitigation;
Amendment 10 #
Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas climate change mitigation and biodiversity preservation policies include the need for securing resilience of the ecosystems with enough habitat connectivity to allow for species migration;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas macro-regional strategies represent a model of multi-level governance in which the involvement of stakeholders representing local, regional and national levels is essential for the success of the strategies; whereas mutual cooperation between different macro- regions needs to be established in order to improve their policy coherence in line with European goals;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the strong bottom-up and partnership approach adopted by the regions of the Alpine area has ledfirst led to the entry into force and ratification of the Alpine Convention and more recently to the development of the European Union Strategy for the Alpine Region (EUSALP), aimed at effectively addressing challenges that are common to the entire Alpine region;
Amendment 24 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that in the Alpine region largely human-made urbanised environments coexist alongside areas of sparsely populated mountain country; takes the view that the strategy should focus primarily on the latter because they have immense potentipreserving natural fcor the region as a wholeridors for species migration;
Amendment 25 #
Draft opinion
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas financial resources should mainly be invested in the development of local connectivity, improving existing rail connections, specifically cross-border transport, in promoting small town centres, facilitating the accessibility of sustainable tourist facilities and ensuring essential health services;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas this region constitutes an interconnected macro-region with environmental, demographic, transport, tourism, climate change and energy- related issues, and whereas coordinated territorial planning couldis a pre-requisite to produce better results and added value for territorial cohesion of Alpine and peri- Alpine areas;
Amendment 31 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. BelievesIs concerned that climate change poses serious risks from the point of view of hydrogeological instability and biodiversity and that the melting of glaciers is a further cause of concern; points to the need, therefore, to promote protection of alpine rivers, agroecology and production models based on the circular economy, with the emphasis on preference for local materials, reuse, and service sharing that could be optimally encouraged and employed by green public procurement;
Amendment 37 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Takes note of the Commission's action plan aimed at improving the sustainability of transport connectivity within and to the region and promoting intermodality and interoperability in passenger and freight transport; this should be oriented towards the quality of intermodal transport and mobility systems and services as shown by the Swiss good practice model;
Amendment 39 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Welcomes the opening of the Gotthard basis tunnel on 01st June 2016 and encourages the Commission and the respective Alpine Member States to first evaluate the change of traffic flows by the use of the Simplon-Loetschberg and Gotthard tunnels, before planning additional big and expensive basis tunnels through the Alps;
Amendment 40 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers that investment needs to be channelled, as a matter of priority, towards climate change adaptmitigation and adaptation, counteracting hydrogeological instability, including transition to a zero carbon model in forest management, tourism and agriculture;
Amendment 41 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Reminds the Commission of its 'Transport White Paper of 2011, Goal No. 3' to shift road freight onto other modes such as rail and invites the Commission in this regard to analyse the fall of the rail freight share through the Brenner during the last years and to undertake or support short term measures to stop this negative development;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Highlights the valuable experience gained in the implementation of the Alpine Convention which balances-out economic, social and environmental interests; Calls on the participating countries not to undermine these agreements reached and to maintain a high level of commitment for the sustainable development and protection of the Alps;
Amendment 47 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Considers that the challenge of remaining ‘white spots’ in mobile coverage in the region can be changed into an opportunity both for ecotourism and medical research;
Amendment 52 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Considers that investments should be channelled towards equal and effective access to healthcare for the whole population of the region;
Amendment 52 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Emphasises that the Transport and Tourism Protocols within the Alpine Convention as ratified by the EU and the Alpine Member States, are a solid basis for the further sustainable development of cross-border transport and tourism policy in the macro-region;
Amendment 59 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that the connectivity and accessibility of the region should be improved and promoted by ensuring respect for the environment, the protection of water resources and the involvement of local populations, by fully engaging regional and local political actors as well as representative civil organisations and also by promoting referendums;
Amendment 63 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Considers it necessary to tap local, renewable and alternative energy sources;
Amendment 67 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
Amendment 72 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Maintains that land use and occupation need to be regulated in order to ensure that land is used sustainably; therefore is of the opinion that a noise analysis of the new tunnel for the Lyon-Turin railways should be conducted prior to the construction works;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Supports strategic planning among both urban and rural areas of the Alpine areasgion, with a view to promoting networking and common targets in a coordinated and integrated policy framework (e.g. with reference to renewable energies, welfare, logistics, and business and social innovation);
Amendment 79 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Member States to invest in tourism infrastructure and to facilitate sustainable access via public transport to tourist destinations such as ski resorts and cycling in combination with train travelling.
Amendment 83 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Underlines the importance of supporting networking and publishing of best practice examples of sustainable tourism initiatives, as it is for instance the case with the 'Alpine Pearls' network;
Amendment 91 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. BelievNotes that citizens, civil society and local businesses haveare legitimate stakeholders and therefore need to be involved in decision- making on all governance levels.
Amendment 96 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Recalls the principle of universal access to public services to be guaranteed in all territories of the EU which can create specific challenges in those ones with shrinking population; Stresses the need for the participating countries to encourage alternative and innovative solutions for the Alpine region in the provision of public services including tailor-made solutions adapted to local and regional needs if necessary;
Amendment 105 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Emphasises that a macro-regional strategy for the Alps should secure the preservation ofprovide opportunities for forms of traditional economic activity to sustain and adapt where appropriate as well as fostering innovation and the development of new initiatives in this field;
Amendment 110 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Highlights the opportunities of the strategy for the development of its labour market which has significant levels of cross-border commuting; Calls on the participating Member States and regions to promote and facilitate employment and job mobility across the Alps including by fully exploiting the opportunities of EURES services for the Alpine region;
Amendment 121 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Supports the diversification of tourism supply by such means as tourist theme parks and routes, food and wine tourism and sporting tourism, in order to prolong the tourist season, enhance the competitiveness of tourist destinations, and promote new tourist activities that are better adapted to climate change and environmental protection;
Amendment 128 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Underlines the need for further diversification of the economic activities and employment opportunities in the Alpine region while preserving and promoting mountain agriculture; Notes that extensive grassland dairy farming in the Alps contributes to the protection of the landscape which is an important factor for sustainable tourism; Considers that appropriate regulatory measures are necessary to protect mountain dairy farming;
Amendment 142 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Calls on the participating countries not to launch new transport infrastructure projects as long as the existing infrastructures are not fully exploited; urges the Member States concerned to better respect and align with the objectives of the EU's White Paper on Transport (COM(2011)144), in particular the contribution to the target set for greenhouse gas emission reduction of 60% by 2050;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Draws attention to the lack of effective connections within mountain areas; urges the Commission and the Member States to facilitate better connection, notably for rail networks, at local level in order to enhance cohesion and quality of life in these areas and encourage resettlement;
Amendment 155 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls on effective measures to prevent the circulation of Euro I, II and III heavy duty vehicles in the Alpine region;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Underlines the necessity to prioritise modal transfers to shift from road transport to rail transport, in particular for freight traffic;
Amendment 172 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Underlines the importance of protecting biodiversity in the Alpine region, and calls for joint efforts to introduce innovative measures for preserving the environment and reducing pollution whilst fully complying with the Union acquis on the protection of the environment, biodiversity and waters;
Amendment 176 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Stresses the importance of minimising the water drainage induced by underground works while physical infrastructure projects are being carried out;
Amendment 188 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Stresses the importance of preserving and protecting the unique habitat of mountainous regions and to develop it in a sustainable way including by restoring biodiversity and soil, promoting natural heritage and ecosystem services and providing green infrastructure thus also offering job opportunities in those sectors;
Amendment 201 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Points to the scarcity of useable land in the Alps, both mountainous and valley areas, which provides for potential conflicts due to diverging or overlapping interests on land classification and use; calls therefore on Member States to develop and apply spatial planning tools that facilitate coordination and public participation in territorial development; considers the Protocol on spatial planning and sustainable development of the Alpine Convention an important example to further capitalise on;
Amendment 210 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Calls on the participating countries to continue their efforts to diversify energy supply sources and to develop the renewable sources available, such as solar and wind energy, within the energy production mix; underlines the importance to guarantee sustainability and competitiveness of hydropower plants; calls on the participating countries to contribute to the setting-up of well- functioning electricity infrastructure networks in the macro- region;
Amendment 216 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Supports investment in smart energy infrastructure for both the production and the transport of electricity and gas, in line with the TEN-E network and in implementation of the concrete projects mentioned in the list of Projects of Energy Community Interest (PECIs)distribution, storage and transmission systems and in the integration of sustainable energy generated from renewable sources, in line with the investment priorities for the ESI Funds;