Activities of Martina WERNER related to 2014/2153(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
European energy security strategy (debate) DE
Amendments (61)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation -1 (new)
Citation -1 (new)
- having regard to the Commission Communication "Roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy in 2050" (COM(2011)112)
Amendment 27 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the EU’s prosperity and security require a rational, highly efficient use of energy and a stable, affordable and sustainable energy supply;
Amendment 38 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas 61 % of gas consumedall imported gas in the European Union is used infor the heating of buildings and 75% of these are residential buildings; whereas any interruptions in gas supply leading to inadequate heating puts at risk the health and wellbeing of a large proportion of EU citizens;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas 61 % of gas consumedall imported gas in the European Union is used infor the heating of buildings and 75% of these are residential buildings; whereas any interruptions in gas supply leading to inadequate heating puts at risk the health and wellbeing of a large proportion of EU citizens;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. Whereas the global price for oil has dropped significantly taking the stress off economies all across the EU, thus providing an opportunity to take major steps in transforming our energy landscape into a sustainable one, by investing highly in renewable energy production and by grasping the energy efficiency potential tied up in several sectors including existing buildings;
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
J a. whereas a further 3 million jobs could be created in the field of renewable energies by 2030;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital J b (new)
Recital J b (new)
J b. whereas, according to the Commission, energy intensity in industry fell by 19% between 2001 and 2011, more efficient household appliances could provide energy savings worth EUR 100 billion by 2020 and new buildings now consume only half as much energy as they did in the 1980s, and we must continue along this successful path;
Amendment 80 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. Whereas the conclusions from the European Council meeting of 22nd May 2013 called for priority to be given to phasing out environmentally or economically harmful subsidies, including for fossil fuels;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
La. whereas the European Parliament has asked for a binding EU 2030 energy efficiency target of 40 % implemented by means of individual national targets;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L a (new)
Recital L a (new)
L a. whereas binding targets on energy efficiency and renewable energies create economic growth and jobs and secure the EU’s technological leadership in this field;
Amendment 89 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L b (new)
Recital L b (new)
Lb. whereas the European Parliament has asked for a binding EU 2030 target of producing at least 30 % of total final energy consumption from renewable energy sources, implemented by means of individual national targets;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital L c (new)
Recital L c (new)
Lc. whereas the European Parliament has asked for a binding EU 2030 target of reducing domestic greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40 % compared with 1990 levels;
Amendment 106 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital N a (new)
Recital N a (new)
N a. whereas energy security is a key element in EU trade policy, and many energy partnerships have been established with third countries whose energy supply is largely dependent on fossil energies;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O
Recital O
O. wWhereas an energy security strategy must include a framework of actions to moderate energy demand and equally effective actions to overcome major and imminent disruptions, as well as solidarity and coordination mechanisms to protect and strengthen energy generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure and interconnectors; whereas this infrastructure must be capable of handling variable renewables, as well as essential baseload power, in a cost-effective way and be built into a fully integrated and well-functioning internal energy market that includes a market for moderating energy demand, as an essential part of an Energy Union with diversified external supplies;
Amendment 120 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)
Recital O a (new)
Oa. Whereas the Commission's Energy Roadmap 2050 finds that decarbonisation of the energy sector and a high renewables scenario is cheaper than a continuation of current policies, and that over time prices of energy from nuclear and fossil fuels will continue to rise, whereas the cost of renewables will decrease;
Amendment 152 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Points out that an Energy Union framed by a strong political commitment to boost energy efficiency and expand renewable energies must be based on ambitious binding targets for 2030 in these areas;
Amendment 198 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that the increasing uptake of renewables requires changes in the energy market structure to be made with a view to adapting markets to this reality and achieving greater market integration, in particular in increasing flexibility and improving interconnections between member states;
Amendment 203 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Stresses that the creation of an Energy Union must be accompanied by a comprehensive industrial strategy, in the area of energy efficiency and renewable energies in particular, that is capable of contributing to the EU’s reindustrialisation with the aim of bringing industry’s share of EU GDP to 20% by 2020;
Amendment 217 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls that the moderareduction of energy demand through energy efficiency is triply crucial on many grounds, impacting positively on the EU’s energy security, competitiveness and sustainability; underlines that the European Union should promote a long-term strategy of energy reduction
Amendment 219 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses the importance of recognising Energy Efficiency as "the first fuel", emphasising the great unrealised potential for reducing energy demand in Europe;
Amendment 233 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that the EU is not yet on track to meet its commitment of saving 20 % of energy (371 Mtoe) by 2020, and that over one third of reduced energy consumption is actually attributable to lower levels of economic activity; therefore emphasizes that stronger measures need to be put in place to speed up energy efficiency actions and asks the Commission to propose new and strengthened measures to ensure that the 2017 National Energy Efficiency Action Plans deliver and to urgently come forward with a clear ambitious and binding policy framework for 2030;
Amendment 234 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that the EU is not yet on track to meet its commitment of saving 20 % of energy (371 Mtoe) by 2020, and that over one third of reduced energy consumption is actually attributable to lower levels of economic activity; calls, therefore, on the Commission to establish binding national energy efficiency targets as a matter of urgency;
Amendment 249 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses that energy demand in the building sector is responsible for about 40 % of energy consumption in the EU and a third of natural gas use, and that it is therefore necessary to speed up and expand the renovation of buildings in order to reduce energy demand while encouraging greater involvement of the European Investment Bank and promoting energy services for which EU funds can complement national financing schemes. This will also create benefits for citizens including a reduction in energy bills and an improvement in standards of living;
Amendment 257 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. Calls on the Commission to set clear targets for the renovation of building stock across the EU;
Amendment 299 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to closely monitor the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and to carry out a limited review of the Energy Efficiency Directive in order to update the provisions relevant to the indicative 2030 EU energy efficiency improvement target of at least 27 %; believes that increased EU funding should be allocated to these areas and that measurement and verification of energy efficiency improvements should be an integral part of the annual European semester reporting;
Amendment 306 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to closely monitor the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and to carry out a limited review of the Energy Efficiency Directive in order to update the provisions relevant to the indicative 2030 energy efficiency improvement target of at least 27 %; believes that measurement and verification of energy efficiency improvements should be an integr; believes that a binding EU 2030 energy efficiency target of 40 % to be implemented by means of individual national ptart of the annual European semester reportinggets is the most cost-efficient way to reduce Europe's energy dependency while at the same time protecting industry and households from rising energy bills;
Amendment 310 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Commission to closely monitor the implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive and the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive and to carry out a limited review of the Energy Efficiency Directive in order to update the provisions relevant to the indicative 2030 EU energy efficiency improvement target of at least 27 %; believes that increased EU funding should be allocated to these areas and that measurement and verification of energy efficiency improvements should be an integral part of the annual European semester reporting and to ensure the full and timely transposition and implementation of these Directives in the Member States;
Amendment 316 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls also on the Commission to update existing Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Directives to ensure a renewed focus on energy efficiency in consumer products;
Amendment 332 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Considers that investment to moderate energy demand, especially in buildings, is a significant contribution to energy security and also to job creation, tackling energy poverty and environmental concerns, and that this should be taken into account when considering financial allocations;
Amendment 341 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on the Commission to consider starting an awareness-raising campaign for European citizens on how to reduce energy consumption in households with easy and cost-efficient methods highlighting the possible savings on their energy bills; calls on the Commission to consider declaring 2016 the European year of Energy Savings
Amendment 346 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3
Subheading 3
Increasing indigenous sustainable energy production
Amendment 348 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3 a (new)
Subheading 3 a (new)
Underlines the increasingly important role of energy from renewable sources for securing energy supply in the European Union in the long term; Draws the attention to the fact that the production costs of renewables have considerably dropped during the last years
Amendment 351 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses that a long-term strategy for developing indigenous energy sources should be further promoted in the EU, with a particular focus on renewable and sustainable energy sources; emphasises that increased indigenous energy production must not increase nor prolong European dependence on fossil fuels;
Amendment 358 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses that a long-term strategy for developing indigenous sustainable energy sources should be further promoted in the EU, in line with the EU's agreed objective to reduce GHG emissions by up 95% by 2050;
Amendment 362 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses that a long-term strategy for developing safe and sustainable indigenous energy sources should be further promoted in the EU;
Amendment 366 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. On the basis of the precautionary principle and on the principle that preventive action should be taken, taking into account the risks and the negative climate, environmental and health impacts involved in hydraulic fracturing for the exploitation of unconventional fracking and the gaps identified in the EU regulatory regime for shale gas activities, urges Member States not to authorise any new unconventional hydraulic fracturing operations in the EU
Amendment 376 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Emphasises that, particularly given the increased decoupling of plants and the development of industrial production in general, it is essential to increase the participation of European industry and technology in the entire energy production chain, which includes not only raw materials but also generation, transportation and distribution, since these are crucial elements for decreasing the EU’s dependence on energy imports;
Amendment 385 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considers that any energy source that might contribute to energy security in the Union should be taken into account andEurope faces a fundamental energy transition towards a sustainable energy model; Therefore energy efficiency and energy from renewable sources should be taken into account with absolute priority when it comes to the financing of new projects and be developed in full compliance with environmental requirements; with a view to meet Europe's two degree climate target
Amendment 394 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Amendment 405 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. ConsiderUnderlines that nuclear energy, w entails hicgh is carbon-neutral, continues to be a significant alternative for electricity productionenvironmental risks and uncertainty over decommissioning costs; notes that the choice of whether to use nuclear energy remains the competence of Member States; calls on the Commission to phase out subsidies for the construction of new nuclear energy plants as a strong political signal and commitment to a sustainable energy model
Amendment 476 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Emphasises that a more decentralised energy system can facilitate small-scale energy generation and therefore empower consumers to be more involved in the energy market and control their own energy use;
Amendment 479 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Stresses the need for better coordination of support schemes for renewables in the EU in order to avoid distortion of competition in the European internal energy market and safeguard effective support for renewables;
Amendment 497 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Stresses that effective use of research and technological innovations fosterstrengthens the leadership of European industry, creates jobs and contributes to the main EU energy and climate policy goals, including security of supply, competitiveness and sustainable development of energy production, transportation and consumption particular the EU targets regarding GHG emissions, renewable energy resources and energy efficiency;
Amendment 504 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Emphasises the need to give priority to education, training programmes and sharing of best practices between Member States in the field of innovative energy technologies that have the potential to secure our future energy supplies;
Amendment 507 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23b. Recognises that without intensive investment in Europe's world-leading science research projects it will not be possible to develop existing and new low carbon technologies to help address the climate crisis facing the planet;
Amendment 541 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to make full use, for the purposes of increased energy security and the transition to a low-carbon economy, of the possibilities allowed for financing sustainable energy projects through state aid, as well as the financial instruments available through the European Regional Development Fund, Horizon 2020, the European Neighbourhood Policy Instrument, and the investment facilities of the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and public and private intermediaries; emphasises that national subsidy schemes should by no means be granted for the construction of new nuclear energy plants.
Amendment 563 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Acknowledges that in order to reduce energy dependence, diversify and consolidate supply options, optimise energy network infrastructure and increase energy efficiency in the medium and long term, it is necessary to develop new sustainable energy technologies, using funds from the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation;
Amendment 566 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to increase IT security and the protection of strategic energy infrastructures which provide crucial services for consumers, particularly with regard to the development of industrial production and the increasing role of ICT in the energy sector;
Amendment 578 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls for the development of well- integrated and competitive regional electricity and gas markets – including, where necessary, capacity markets – covering all parts of the Union; demands that the Commission act decisively against all instances of anti-competitive behaviour and barriers to market entry and exit;
Amendment 596 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Believes that one of the most important factors of the completion of a transparent, well-functioning and fully integrated gas and electricity market is the full implementation of the Third Energy Package; Calls on the Commission to increase its efforts to enforce the implementation of the third energy package;
Amendment 674 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Emphasises that energy must be made affordable to all citizens of the EU; considers that avoiding unnecessary consumption, efficiency improvements and sustainable energy investment, particularly in buildings, would enable many households to escape energy poverty which affected one in four EU citizens in 2012; highlights that the problem is likely to worsen given unstable energy security and underlines that while fuel subsidies can provide a respite, this is a temporary solution and subsidies remain an unsustainable option for reducing energy poverty; highlights the inequality of energy poverty in that the pricing structure for customers means that the poor pay more for their energy; invites the Commission to present a communication on energy poverty in Europe, accompanied by an action plan to fight against it; believes that the communication should contain a definition of energy poverty and develop national indicators in order to measure the incidence and evolution of energy poverty in the Union, as well as the efficacy of the measures to be undertaken;
Amendment 678 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Emphasises that energy must be made affordable to all citizens of the EU; considers that avoiding unnecessary consumption, efficiency improvements and sustainable energy investment, particularly in buildings, would enable many households to escape energy poverty; invites the Commission to present a communication on energy poverty in Europe, accompanied by an action plan to fight against it; believes that the communication should contain a definition of energy poverty and develop national indicators in order to measure the incidence and evolution of energy poverty in the Union, as well as the efficacy of the measures to be undertaken;
Amendment 683 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. calls on the European Commission to present an action plan to fight against energy poverty which should be implemented by coordinated action plans in the Member States and the exchange of best practices; calls on the European Commission to revise regulation 994/2010 on the security of gas supply in view to present a common definition of "protected customers" to whom gas providers must secure supplies in case of supply disruption for at least 30 days of high demand
Amendment 684 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37a. Notes that ACER plays a pivotal role in ensuring the proper and efficient functioning of a truly integrated Internal European Energy Market; reminds the Commission of ACER's difficult budgetary situation and encourages the Commission to ensure that ACER receives the necessary resources to effectively fulfil its duties;
Amendment 727 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. ExpStresses the opinion that Russia can no longer be considered a reliable partnerat there are problems with Russia, as it explicitly questions EU law, including at the World Trade Organisation, and uses energy supply for political purposes; stresses, therefore, that more attention should be concentrated on the development and further expansion of the gas supply infrastructure with Norway, the Southern Gas Corridor and the Mediterranean gas hub;
Amendment 749 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Stresses that third-country companies participating in the whole EU energy production chain, which includes raw materials, generation, transportation and distribution, as well as gas storage, must respect all the requirements of the EU legislation, so as to avoid market distortion and safeguard a competitive and transparent internal energy market in the overall interests of energy security; calls on the Commission to ensure that these companies also act in line with the EU’s climate and energy policy objectives;
Amendment 754 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41 a (new)
Paragraph 41 a (new)
41a. Stresses that progress made by the EU must be taken into account in energy partnerships with non-EU countries;
Amendment 807 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 a (new)
Paragraph 48 a (new)
48a. Stresses that, owing to the common European internal energy market, EU energy agreements with third countries have repercussions for EU energy policy; calls, therefore, for all intergovernmental agreements in the field of energy to be integrated into the common European energy policy and dealt with under the ordinary legislative procedure, in order to guarantee democratic, transparent procedures and compatibility with EU law;
Amendment 808 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 48 b (new)
Paragraph 48 b (new)
48b. Points out that the principle of reciprocity must play a significant role in energy agreements with third countries, whereby quality standards and compliance with regulatory frameworks must be guaranteed;
Amendment 809 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49
Paragraph 49
49. Fully aAgrees with the European Council that a reliable, democratic and transparent governance system should be developed to help ensure that the EU meets its energy policy goals, with the necessstrengthen according to the Treaties and following the ordinary flexibility for Member States and on a basis of full respect for their freedom to determine their energy mixgislative procedure in order to help ensure that the EU meets its energy and climate policy goals;
Amendment 814 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 49 a (new)
Paragraph 49 a (new)
49 a. Stresses the need for a strong and proactive role for the European Parliament with regards to the development, implementation and review of governance systems in relation to Energy Security, the Energy Union and the 2030 Climate and Energy Framework; underlines that energy policy is a shared competence between Member States and the European Union institutions; stresses in this regard that all proposals impacting European energy policy are to be decided upon using the ordinary legislative procedure and that any attempt to circumvent this procedure would constitute a breach of the Lisbon Treaty;