Activities of Marco AFFRONTE related to 2016/2228(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
An integrated EU policy for the Arctic (debate) IT
Amendments (22)
Amendment 29 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes that arctic marine ecosystems are crucial for the preservation of a global biodiversity. The reduction of arctic sea ice and other environmental changes in the Arctic, combined with the limited scientific knowledge about marine resources in this area, necessitate a precautionary approach to establish the appropriate international measures to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of resources in the arctic high seas;
Amendment 34 #
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Highlights that marine protected areas are critically important to preserving arctic ecosystems; reminds of the necessity to fully involve local communities in the planning, realisation and management of these protected areas;
Amendment 40 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EU has gradually built and enhanced its Arctic policy; whereas the evolving engagement and common EU interests are best served by well coordinated common means; whereas the challenges relating to the Arctic call for a joint regional and international response;
Amendment 48 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas interest in the Arctic and its resources is increasing because of the changing environment of the area, and resource scarcity; whereas the region’s geopolitical importance is growing; whereas climate change effects and growing competition for access to the Arctic and its natural resources, and increasing economic activities have brought (security) risks to the region, including challenges to human security, but also new opportunities; whereas as a result of climate change new navigation routes will open and new fishing grounds and natural resources will become available resulting in an increase in human activity and environmental challenges in the region;
Amendment 131 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the importance of UNCLOS in providing a complementary multilateral legal framework for settling intra-Arctic sovereignty issues; notes that only very few unresolved issues of jurisdiction exist in the Arctic; considers respect for international law in the Arctic essential; advocates a strong role for the EU in promoting effective multilateral arrangements and a global rules-based order through the strengthening and consistent implementation of relevant international, regional and bilateral agreements, frameworks and arrangements; underlines that the EU should have a strong role in reaching an agreement to maintain the Arctic, which is not under any country’s jurisdiction, as an area of common heritage to be used exclusively for peaceful and scientific purposes; notes that this does not concern navigation and traditional livelihoodsurges the EU to work closely with Member States to prohibit oil and gas activities in order to support the safety and preservation of the environment in the region and to work toward the setting up of an internationally protected area covering the international waters that will become available for economic exploitation as consequence of melting ice shelves; notes that this does not concern traditional livelihoods and needs of indigenous people;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take a stronger role in the effective implementation of international conventions such as the Paris Agreement, the Minimata Convention, the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution, the Gothenburg Protocol, the Stockholm Convention and the Convention on Biological Diversity; asks the Commission to pay special attention to the ongoing international process by the Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee to further restricphase out the urelease of persistent organic pollutants and black carbon as suggested in the joint EC/HR Communication;
Amendment 160 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to step up their efforts within the EU legislative framework by agreeing on ambitious reduction targets in the negotiations on the National Emission Ceilings Directive, by reducing local pollution levels through the Clean Air Package, and by negotiating ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and measures on both the emission trading and effort-sharing sectors, bearing in mind the target of limiting the temperature increase to 1.5°C by 2100; reminds that the EU's Arctic policy is fundamental to implement the global agreement reached at the COP21, which sets out a global action plan to limit global warming to well below 2 °C, and to accelerate the transition to a climate resilient and neutral global economy; furthermore, notes that adaptation strategies are needed to protect the arctic environment and conserve arctic natural resources, supporting actions that promote sustainable and resilient ecosystems over the long term;
Amendment 161 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to step up their efforts within the EU legislative framework by agreeing on ambitious reduction targets in the negotiations on the National Emission Ceilings Directive, by reducing local pollution levels through the Clean Air Package, and by negotiating ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and measures on both the emission trading and effort-sharing sectors, bearing in mind the target of limiting the temperature increase to 1.5°C by 2100; notes that the EU should continue to support work at international level to prohibit the release of persistent organic pollutants into the environment and for the phase out use of black carbon;
Amendment 167 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses the importance for the EU to encourage a rapid ratification of the Minamata Convention with a view to preventing and reducing emissions of mercury;
Amendment 221 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Encourages close cooperation between EU Institutions and relevant EU Member States on Arctic issues; invites those Member States that are full members of the AC to keep the other Member States and the HR informed of any matter of common interest in the AC in accordance with Article 34(2) of the Treaty on the European Union; highlights the importance of this strategy to respond effectively to challenges arising from significant increases in Arctic activity due to the fast melting of sea ice and the emergence of new available resources in the Arctic environment;
Amendment 240 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Suggests further enhancing coordination between the Commission and the EEAS on Arctic issues, as well as considering creating a unit for Northern policies at the EEAS and strengthening EEAS-Commission inter-service cooperation to ensure a coherent, coordinated and integrated policy approach across the relevant key policy areas; reminds the need for a solid framework in the Arctic since large parts of the high seas areas beyond national jurisdiction and are currently not covered by specific arrangements for managing economic activities;
Amendment 241 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Stresses the need to protect the Arctic high seas in view of climatic changes and the increasing human activity in the region;
Amendment 252 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
Amendment 262 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Expresses concerns over the increasing militarisation in the region; reminds that Arctic states have on several occasions demonstrated commitment to prevent and resolve possible conflicts of interests in accordance to the principles of international law and through diplomatic means;
Amendment 301 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for better and earlier involvement of indigenous people in the making of a citizen-centred Arctic policy; stresses the need to safeguard their rights, culture and language; stresses the need to develop renewable energy resources in the Arctic region in a sustainable manner, that also respects the fragile environment and with full involvement of indigenous peoples;
Amendment 311 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Underlines the importance of enhancing regular exchanges of information and consultations on Arctic- related topics with regional, local and indigenous stakeholders in the Arctic, in order to facilitate mutual understanding;
Amendment 313 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Stresses the importance for the EU to work with international partners to promote a high level of biodiversity protection with a view to halting the loss of biodiversity and to strengthen ecosystem resilience.
Amendment 314 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Calls for a stronger UE involvement to protect Arctic wildlife; notes that climate change is the biggest threat facing the Arctic and its wildlife and that polar bears, foxes, narwhals, walrus, and other ice-dependent species are endangered from the accelerating loss of Arctic sea ice;
Amendment 321 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Highlights the role of local communities and indigenous people in keeping the Arctic region viable and sustainable; calls on the Commission to target these communities in providing access to all relevant information on EU single market requirements, best practices and funding instruments; underlines the role of fluent transport, communication and electricity networks in creating economic activity in the area; is of the view that the EU should support the deployment of innovative technologies in the Arctic, developing Arctic renewables sources;
Amendment 324 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Stresses that Arctic waters are vulnerable to the offshore drilling of fossil fuels whose use will contribute and accelerate the climate change threatening the region; is of the view that the EU must cooperate with international partners to end to offshore drilling in the Arctic waters;
Amendment 334 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Notes that Arctic marine ecosystems are crucial for the preservation of a global biodiversity; notes that the reduction of Arctic sea ice and other environmental changes in the Arctic, combined with the limited scientific knowledge about marine resources in this area, necessitate a precautionary approach to establish the appropriate international measures to ensure the long-term conservation and sustainable use of resources in the Arctic high seas;
Amendment 353 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Welcomes the Commission’s determination to promote the establishment of marine protected areas in the Arctic; reminds the Commission and the Member States of the at least 10 % protection target of coastal and marine areas as part of the Sustainable Development Goals; highlights that marine protected areas are critically important to preserving Arctic ecosystems; reminds of the necessity to fully involve local communities in the planning, realization and management of these protected areas;