30 Amendments of Jonás FERNÁNDEZ related to 2020/0100(COD)
Amendment 32 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The Commission adopted a Communication on the European Green Deal on 11 December 20199 , drawing its roadmap towards a new growth policy for Europe and setting ambitious objectives to counter climate change and for environmental protection. In line with the objective to achieve climate neutrality in the Union by 2050 in an effective and fair manner, while striving for socio-economic sustainability, the European Green Deal announced a Just Transition Mechanism to provide means for facing the climate challenge while leaving no one behind. The most vulnerable regions and people are the most exposed to the harmful effects of climate change and environmental degradation. At the same time, managing the transition requires significant structural changes. In order to be successful, the transition should reduce inequalities, create a net employment effect with new high quality jobs, and be fair and socially acceptable for all. _________________ 9 COM(2019) 640 final.
Amendment 37 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The Commission adopted a Communication on the European Green Deal Investment Plan10 on 14 January 2020, establishing the Just Transition Mechanism which focuses on the regions and sectors that are most affected by the transition given their dependence on fossil fuels, including coal, peat and oil shale or greenhouse gas-intensive industrial processes but have less capacity to finance the necessary investments. The Just Transition Mechanism consists of three pillars: a Just Transition Fund implemented under shared management, a dedicated just transition scheme under InvestEU, and a public sector loan facility to mobilise additional investments to the regions concerned. All three pillars are to complement each other to support the implementation of the Green Deal and address the economic, social, energy sustainability, energy security, energy affordability and regional challenges and opportunities of the transition to a sustainable, climate-neutral and climate- resilient, resource-efficient, and circular economy by 2050 at the latest. _________________ 10 COM(2020) 21 final.
Amendment 38 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The Commission adopted a Communication on the European Green Deal Investment Plan10 on 14 January 2020, establishing the Just Transition Mechanism which focuses on the regions and sectors that are most affected by the transition given their dependence on fossil fuels, including coal, peat and oil shale or greenhouse gas-intensive industrial processes but have less capacity to finance the necessary investments. These regions and sectors are the ones identified by the Commission and Members States and object to a territorial just transition plan established in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation [JTF Regulation] and approved by the Commission . The Just Transition Mechanism consists of three pillars: a Just Transition Fund implemented under shared management, a dedicated just transition scheme under InvestEU, and a public sector loan facility to mobilise additional investments to the regions concerned. _________________ 10 COM(2020) 21 final.
Amendment 42 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The proposal for establishing the Just Transition Fund was adopted by the Commission on 14 January 202011 . For the better programming and implementation of the Fund, territorial just transition plans are to be adopted, setting out the key steps and timeline of the transition process towards the achievement the Union 2030 climate targets and a climate neutral economy by 2050, in a way that leaves no one behind, and identifying the territories most negatively affected by the transition towards a climate neutral economy and with less capacity to deal with the transition challenges. Only Member States that are committed to the EU 2050 climate neutrality target should benefit from the Facility. _________________ 11 COM(2020) 22 final
Amendment 50 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) A public sector loan facility (the ‘Facility’) should be provided. It constitutes the third pillar of the Just Transition Mechanism, supporting public sector entities in their investments. Such investments should meet the development needs resulting from the transition challenges described in the territorial just transition plans as adopted by the Commission and contribute towards achieving the goals of the Green Deal and the European Pillar of Social Rights. The activities envisaged for support should be consistent with and complement those supported under the other two pillars of the Just Transition Mechanism.
Amendment 80 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7 a) The loans provided by the EIB and other finance partner to public sector entities to support projects identified by the Commission as eligible, financially and technically independent, should be exempt of a Member State's deficit and debt calculation as defined by the Stability and Growth Pact.
Amendment 91 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) In order to ensure that all Member States are granted the possibility to benefit from the grant component to the highest level possible, and understanding that it is transition regions that might be mostly financially and socially hit by the transition, a mechanism should be set up to establish earmarked national shares to be respected during a first stage, based on the distribution key proposed in the Just Transition Fund Regulation. However, in order to reconcile that objective with the need to optimise the economic impact of the Facility and its implementation, such national allocations should not be earmarked after 31 December 2024. Thereafter, the remaining resources available for the grant component should be provided without any pre-allocated national share and on a competitive basis at Union level, while ensuring predictability for investment and following a needs-based and regional convergence approach. An interim evaluation report should be published by 30 June 2024 to provide input into allocating the remaining resources.
Amendment 103 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) Specific eligibility conditions and award criteria, which may include relevant criteria established by Regulation (EU)… (Regulation on establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment), should be set out in the work programme and the call for proposals. Those eligibility conditions and award criteria should take into account the relevanceability of the project in the context of theto meet the objectives and development needs described in the territorial just transition plans, the contribution to ensuring the climate transition is achieved in a manner leaving no one behind, the overall objective of promoting regional and territorial convergence and the significancrole of the grant component for the viaffordability of the project. Union Support established by this Regulation should thus only be made available to Member States with at least one territorial just transition plan adopted. The work programme and calls for proposals will also take into account the territorial just transition plans submitted by Member States to ensure that coherence and consistency across the different pillars of the mechanism is ensured.
Amendment 120 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19 a) Financial support through the Facility should not be granted to companies registered in the countries placed on the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, unless they prove they have a legitimate business activity there.
Amendment 133 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
The Facility shall provide support benefitting Union territories identified in the territorial just transition plans prepared by Member States in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation[JTF Regulation], facing serious social, environmental and economic challenges deriving from the transition process towards a climate-neutral economy of the Union by 2050.
Amendment 141 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Only Member States that are committed to achieving the EU 2050 climate neutrality target and adhere to the fundamental values of the Union, including the rule of law principle, may benefit from the Facility. Respect for the rule of law is an essential precondition for sound financial management and effective EU funding.
Amendment 147 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5
5. 'territorial just transition plan' means a plan established in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation [JTF Regulation], prepared by relevant local and regional authorities and consulted with social partners, regional civil society and the private sector representatives, and approved by the Commission;
Amendment 150 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
6 a. 'additionality' means the support for projects that do not generate a sufficient stream of own resources to cover investment costs, and would thus not otherwise materialise in the same timeframe, and that contribute to the general objectives laid down in Article 3.
Amendment 155 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of the Facility is to address serious socio- economic challenges deriving from the transition process towards a climate-neutral economy for the benefit of the Union territories identified in the territorial just transition plans prepared by the Member States in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation [JTF Regulation] in line with Paris Agreement objectives and ensuring that the transition reduces inequalities, creates a net employment effect with new high quality jobs, and is fair and socially acceptable for all.
Amendment 170 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) assigned revenue as referred to in paragraph 2 up to a maximum amount of EUR 1 2752 170 000 000 in current prices.
Amendment 174 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. The resources referred to in paragraph 1(b) shall be provided by repayments stemming from financial instruments established under the programmes listed in Annex I to this Regulation up to a maximum amount of EUR 2751 000 000 000 and from the surplus of the provisioning for the EU guarantee established by the EFSI Regulation up to a maximum amount of EUR 1 0700 000 000.
Amendment 207 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the projects achieve measurable impact in addressing serious social, economic or environmental challenges deriving from the transition process towards a climate-neutral economy ensuring that the climate transition is achieved in a just manner leaving no one behind and benefit territories identified in a territorial just transition plan, even if they are not located in those territories;
Amendment 225 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(d a) By derogation from paragraph 1(b), it is possible for projects receiving Union support under the Facility to receive advisory and technical assistance support for their preparation, development or implementation from other Union programmes.
Amendment 228 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
The projects supported with loans provided by the EIB and other finance partner under the Facility and that respect the eligibility criteria as defined in paragraph 1, shall be exempt of a Member State's deficit and debt calculation as defined by the Stability and Growth Pact.
Amendment 239 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
1. In addition to the grounds specified in Article 131(4) of the Financial Regulation and after consulting the finance partner, the amount of the grant mayshall be reduced or the grant agreement may be terminated, if within two years from the date of signature of the grant agreement, the economically most significant supply, works or services contract has not been signed, in cases where the conclusion of such contract is envisaged pursuant to the grant agreement.
Amendment 242 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
In such cases and after consulting the finance partner, the amount of the grant mayshall be reduced or the grant agreement may be terminated, and any related amounts paid may be recovered, in accordance with the conditions set out in the grant agreement.
Amendment 248 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
The Facility shall be implemented by work programmes established in accordance with Article 110 of the Financial Regulation. The work programmes shall specify the eligibility conditions and award criteria for the selection. Such award criteria may include relevant criteria out of those laid down in Regulation (EU)... (Regulation on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment), the project's ability to meet the objectives and needs identified in the territorial just transition plans, the contribution to ensuring that the climate transition is achieved in a just manner leaving no one behind, the overall objective of promoting regional and territorial convergence and the grant's contribution to the affordability of projects. The Commission shall ensure that gender equality and the integration of gender perspective are taken into account and promoted in the work programme. The work programmes shall set out the national shares of resources, including any additional resources, for each Member State in accordance with Articles 4(1) and 6(2) of this Regulation.
Amendment 263 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. The interim evaluation of the Facility shall be performed by 30 June 20254, when sufficient information is expected to be available about the implementation of the Facility. The evaluation shall in particular demonstrate how the Union support provided under the Facility shall have contributed in addressing the needs of territories implementing the territorial just transition plans.
Amendment 264 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3
Article 15 – paragraph 3
3. At the end of the implementation period and no later than 31 December 2031, a final evaluation report on the results and long-term impact of the Facility shall be established. and submitted by the Commission to the Parliament and the Council. The beneficiaries and the finance partners shall contribute to such evaluation by providing the Commission all relevant information necessary to enable it to perform that evaluation.
Amendment 267 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. The evaluation shall present an assessment of the Facility's contribution to meeting the objectives of the European Social Pillar and the EU sustainability policy objectives, in particular the Union's 2030 targets for climate and energy and the transition towards a climate neutral economy in the Union by 2050.
Amendment 272 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1
1. The beneficiaries and the finance partners shall ensure, to the highest possible level, the visibility and details of the Union support provided under the Facility, in particular when promoting the projects and their results, by providing targeted information to multiple audiences, including the mediapublic and privately-owned media, the social partners and the public.
Amendment 276 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 18 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The finance partners shall disclose all relevant financial information on each project co-financed by the Facility on their website.
Amendment 291 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – point 7 a (new)
Annex II – point 7 a (new)
7 a. Employment and unemployment rate
Amendment 294 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – point 7 b (new)
Annex II – point 7 b (new)
7 b. Depopulation rate
Amendment 295 #
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – point 7 c (new)
Annex II – point 7 c (new)
7 c. Population of regions/territories benefitting from projects carried out under the Facility