Activities of Josianne CUTAJAR
Plenary speeches (114)
Statement by the candidate Commission President (debate)
The UK’s withdrawal from the EU (debate)
Iran, notably the situation of women's rights defenders and imprisoned EU dual nationals
Fight against cancer (debate)
Effects of the bankruptcy of Thomas Cook Group (debate)
Children rights in occasion of the 30th anniversary of the Convention of the Rights of the Child (debate)
Public discrimination and hate speech against LGBTI people, including LGBTI free zones (debate)
The European Green Deal (debate)
The Rule of Law in Malta, after the recent revelations around the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia (debate)
Conflict of interest and corruption affecting the protection of EU's financial interests in Member States (debate)
EU disability strategy post 2020 (debate)
Gender pay gap (debate)
Commission Work Programme 2020 (debate)
SMEs and better regulation (debate)
A social Europe in a Digital world (topical debate)
European coordinated response to the COVID-19 outbreak (debate)
EU coordinated action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences (continuation of debate)
Conclusions of the extraordinary European Council meeting of 23 April 2020 - New MFF, own resources and Recovery plan (debate)
Tourism and transport in 2020 and beyond (debate)
Conclusions of the extraordinary European Council meeting of 17-21 July 2020 (continuation of debate)
State of the Union (topical debate) (continuation of debate)
Combatting the sexual abuse and sexual exploitation of children (debate)
Women in decision making on company boards, including the state of play on the directive on improving the gender balance among non-executive directors of companies listed on stock exchanges and related measures (debate)
Digital Services Act: Improving the functioning of the Single Market - Digital Services Act: adapting commercial and civil law rules for commercial entities operating online - Digital Services Act and fundamental rights issues posed - Framework of ethical aspects of artificial intelligence, robotics and related technologies - Civil liability regime for artificial intelligence - Intellectual property rights for the development of artificial intelligence technologies (debate)
Serious security threats through the sale of EU passports and visas to criminals (debate)
General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2021 – all sections (continuation of debate)
The new LGBTIQ Equality Strategy (continuation of debate)
A new strategy for European SMEs (debate)
Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 10-11 December 2020 – MFF, Rule of Law Conditionality and Own Resources – Council regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027 – Proposal for an Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission on budgetary discipline, on cooperation in budgetary matters and on sound financial management, as well as on new own resources, including a roadmap towards the introduction of new own resources – Regulation on the protection of the Union’s budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States (debate)
Revision of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) guidelines (debate)
Inauguration of the new President of the United States and the current political situation (debate)
Democratic scrutiny of social media and the protection of fundamental rights (debate)
Tackling the economic impact of the COVID pandemic by focusing on investment, competitiveness and skills (debate)
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 25 and 26 March 2021 – Digital Green Certificate (debate)
European strategy for data – Commission evaluation report on the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation two years after its application (debate)
Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta (debate)
Establishing Horizon Europe – laying down its rules for participation and dissemination - Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation - European Institute of Innovation and Technology - Strategic Innovation Agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (debate)
Saving the summer tourism season - EU support to the hospitality sector (debate)
Digital Green Certificate - Union citizens - Digital Green Certificate - third country nationals - The accessibility and affordability of Covid-testing (debate)
Digital Europe programme (debate)
Just Transition Fund (debate)
The right of information of the Parliament regarding the ongoing assessment of the national recovery and resilience plans (debate)
Revised industrial strategy for Europe (debate)
Digital future of Europe: digital single market and use of AI for European consumers (debate)
State of the SMEs Union – Implementation of better regulation agenda / Reduction target for administrative burden (debate)
Promoting gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers (debate)
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 24-25 June 2021 – Relaunch of the Malta Declaration and the use of an effective solidarity mechanism (debate)
Public sector loan facility under the Just Transition Mechanism (debate)
Connecting Europe Facility - Streamlining measures for the realisation of the TEN-T - Railway safety and signalling: Assessing the state of play of the ERTMS deployment (debate)
A new ERA for Research and Innovation (continuation of debate)
Decent working and employment conditions in the aviation sector - Impact of the COVID-19 crisis on aviation (debate)
Presentation of the Fit for 55 package after the publication of the IPCC report (debate)
Brexit Adjustment Reserve - Draft amending budget No 1/2021: Brexit Adjustment Reserve (debate)
State of the Union (continuation of debate)
The impact of intimate partner violence and custody rights on women and children (debate)
Assessing the Union’s measures for the EU tourism sector as the end of the Summer season nears (debate)
European solutions to the rise of energy prices for businesses and consumers: the role of energy efficiency and renewable energy and the need to tackle energy poverty (debate)
The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU (debate)
Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe (debate)
The European Education Area: a shared holistic approach (debate)
European Partnership on Metrology (debate)
State of the Energy Union (debate)
A European Action Plan Against Rare Diseases (debate)
Digital Markets Act (debate)
EU response to the transport poverty (debate)
MeToo and harassment – the consequences for the EU institutions (continuation of debate)
Digital Services Act (continuation of debate)
One youth, one Europe (topical debate)
Harmonised EU approach to travel measures (debate)
Russian aggression against Ukraine (continuation of debate)
Implementation of the 2021-2027 cohesion policy (debate)
Rising energy prices and market manipulation on the gas market (debate)
European Semester for economic policy coordination: annual sustainable growth survey 2022 – European Semester for economic policy coordination: employment and social aspects in the annual sustainable growth strategy survey 2022 (debate)
Data Governance Act (debate)
Global approach to research and innovation: Europe’s strategy for international cooperation in a changing world (debate) (debate)
Mental Health (debate)
Impact of Russian illegal war of aggression against Ukraine on the EU transport and tourism sectors (debate)
The REPowerEU Plan: European solidarity and energy security in face of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, including the recent cuts of gas supply to Poland and Bulgaria (debate)
EU islands and cohesion policy (debate)
Revision of the EU Emissions Trading System - Social Climate Fund - Carbon border adjustment mechanism - Revision of the EU Emissions Trading System for aviation - Notification under the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) (joint debate – Fit for 55 (part 1))
Inclusion measures within Erasmus+ 2014-2020 (debate)
State of the Union (debate)
The Rule of Law in Malta, five years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia (debate)
Mental health (debate)
Eliminating violence against Women (debate)
Establishing the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 (debate)
Addressing persistent challenges in the aviation sector and the impacts on passengers, workers, capacity and safety (debate)
Surge of respiratory infections and the shortage of medication in Europe (debate)
Preparation of the Special European Council meeting of February, in particular the need to develop sustainable solutions in the area of asylum and migration (debate)
A Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age (continuation of debate)
Access to strategic critical raw materials (debate)
Availability of fertilisers in the EU (debate)
2022 Rule of Law Report - The rule of law situation in the European Union - Rule of law in Greece - Rule of law in Spain - Rule of law in Malta (debate)
Cohesion dimension of EU state aid and de minimis rules (debate)
Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence – EU accession: institutions and public administration of the Union - Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence - EU accession: judicial cooperation in criminal matters, asylum and non-refoulement (debate)
Start of the European Year of skills (debate)
Artificial Intelligence Act (debate)
Make Europe the place to invest (debate)
COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future (debate)
State of the SME Union (debate)
Towards a more disaster-resilient EU - protecting people from extreme heatwaves, floods and forest fires (debate)
Medicine shortages and strategic healthcare autonomy in the EU (debate)
Establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) (debate)
Rule of Law in Malta: 6 years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the need to protect journalists (debate)
New European innovation agenda (debate)
Mental health (short presentation)
Addressing urgent skills shortages and finding the right talents to boost job creation (European Year of Skills) (debate)
Measures for a high level of public sector interoperability across the Union (Interoperable Europe Act) (debate)
Empowering farmers and rural communities - a dialogue towards sustainable and fairly rewarded EU agriculture (debate)
The fight against hate speech and disinformation: responsibility of social platforms within the Digital Services Act (topical debate)
Association agreements for the participation of third countries in Union programmes (debate)
Data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services (debate)
Artificial Intelligence Act (debate)
Managed security services (A9-0307/2023 - Josianne Cutajar) (vote)
Reports (1)
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2019/881 as regards managed security services
Shadow reports (7)
REPORT on a new strategy for European SMEs
REPORT on the gender dimension in cohesion policy
REPORT on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on the participation of the Union in the European Partnership on Metrology jointly undertaken by several Member States
REPORT on the proposal for a Council regulation establishing the Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe
REPORT on EU islands and cohesion policy: current situation and future challenges
REPORT on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the 2030 Policy Programme “Path to the Digital Decade”
REPORT on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down measures for a high level of public sector interoperability across the Union (Interoperable Europe Act)
Opinions (4)
OPINION on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2018, Section III –Commission and executive agencies
OPINION with recommendations to the Commission on Digital Services Act: Improving the functioning of the Single Market
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down harmonised rules on artificial intelligence (artificial intelligence act) and amending certain union legislative acts
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on data collection and sharing relating to short-term accommodation rental services and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1724
Shadow opinions (10)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) 2015/757 in order to take appropriate account of the global data collection system for ship fuel oil consumption data
OPINION with recommendations to the Commission on civil liability regime for artificial intelligence
OPINION on Artificial intelligence: questions of interpretation and application of international law in so far as the EU is affected in the areas of civil and military uses and of state authority outside the scope of criminal justice
OPINION on a European strategy for data
OPINION on shaping the digital future of Europe: removing barriers to the functioning of the digital single market and improving the use of AI for European consumers
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on contestable and fair markets in the digital sector (Digital Markets Act)
Opinion on the proposal for a Regulation establishing a Union certification framework for carbon removals
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the collection and transfer of advance passenger information (API) for enhancing and facilitating external border controls, amending Regulation (EU) 2019/817 and Regulation (EU) 2018/1726, and repealing Council Directive 2004/82/EC
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the collection and transfer of advance passenger information for the prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime, and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/818
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on Measures to strengthen solidarity and capacities in the Union to detect, prepare for and respond to cybersecurity threats and incidents
Oral questions (6)
The backlash against children’s rights due to COVID-19 containment measures
Breaches of EU law and of the rights of LGBTIQ citizens in Hungary as a result of the adopted legal changes in the Hungarian Parliament
An EU Commissioner for Animal Welfare
An EU Commissioner for Animal Welfare
The outcome of the European Year of Youth
Medicine shortages and strategic healthcare autonomy in the EU
Written explanations (503)
Draft amending budget No 2/2019: reinforcement of key programmes for EU competitiveness: Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+ (A9-0004/2019 - John Howarth)
. ‒ This draft amending budget aims to add a further EUR 100 million to the 2019 budget as already agreed. I was pleased that the negotiations went further, as the results may be very positive. I voted in favour, so as to reinforce research under Horizon 2020, for Europe to keep on leading the way on decarbonisation, and to invest in youth in Europe by reinforcing Erasmus+ and providing young people with the right opportunities to travel, work and study across the continent.
The UK’s withdrawal from the EU (B9-0038/2019, B9-0039/2019)
I voted in favour of this resolution as, though I strongly believe that democratic votes ought to be respected, I am very concerned about the repercussions of a withdrawal of the UK without a deal for millions of European and British citizens alike. I believe there is still time for an agreement providing more certainties or for a further electoral test. I also note that the UK Government has not provided any viable proposals during the negotiations with the European Union and therefore a withdrawal without a deal will be entirely the responsibility of the UK Government.
Foreign electoral interference and disinformation in national and European democratic processes (B9-0108/2019, B9-0111/2019)
The European Parliament took a step further in guaranteeing that our politics and elections are shielded from attempts made to weaken the democratic process of our Union. I voted in favour of the resolution on foreign electoral interference and disinformation, a resolution necessary to protect the principles on which our Union is based. The recent episodes that saw foreign non-state actors attempting to distort the outcome of democratic elections are troubling, as most attempts supported extremist candidates, often through cyberattacks and digital propaganda, spreading hate speech against minorities. This is unacceptable. Starting with this resolution, the EU, united, must keep the protection of free and fair elections, which are so crucial to our democratic society, among its main priorities of the legislature.
Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027 and own resources: time to meet citizens' expectations (B9-0110/2019, B9-0112/2019, B9-0113/2019)
I voted in favour of this resolution as in general it meets the set priorities and goals for the sustainable development of our society. However, I still have concerns especially about macro-conditionality, as there are insufficient guarantees on whether this mechanism will be used in order to limit the scope of economic programming and initiatives of Member States in their development.
Employment and social policies of the euro area (A9-0016/2019 - Yana Toom)
I vote in favour of this report because, although the European Union is facing an economic upturn, I think that there is still much work to do to fight inequalities across the Member States and the different areas of our Union, especially the most remote ones. While I acknowledge that a one-size-fits-all approach is not suitable, I am glad that this Parliament calls for a strong commitment to reduce gender imbalances and to concretely tackle the problem of structural skills mismatches and skills shortages.
European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (2014-2020) (A9-0015/2019 - Vilija Blinkevičiūtė)
I voted in favour of a report that clarifies how the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund can be used for redundancies resulting from a No-Deal Brexit. Although this proposal will not modify the maximum annual budget set for the fund, I supported the text, as it is consistent with my idea of protecting European workers and businesses from a very adverse economic scenario.
Implementation and financing of the EU general budget in 2020 in relation to the UK's withdrawal from the EU (A9-0018/2019 - Johan Van Overtveldt)
. ‒ The recommendation in question will guarantee that all legal commitments undertaken between the UK and EU, signed or adopted both before the date of withdrawal and during the period between such date and the end of 2019, are processed in an orderly manner. In order to avoid any severe disruptions to the programmes and considering the important role EU spending plays in the everyday activities of European citizens and business, I firmly express my support for this dossier.
Draft general budget of the European Union for 2020 - all sections
I voted in favour of the report on the draft general budget since it includes relevant measures for workers, SMEs, digitalisation, artificial intelligence, and cancer research. I also welcome the recognition of the crucial role that the Connecting Europe Facility will play in helping to address the transition towards a climate-neutral society and the completion of all the aspects of the Energy Union, including the enhancement of the security of supply.
Financial assistance to Member States to cover serious financial burden inflicted on them following a UK's withdrawal from the EU without an agreement (A9-0020/2019 - Younous Omarjee)
I voted in favour of this report as I believe that the European Union should do whatever it takes to minimize the risks arising from Brexit, especially in the case of a no deal. Our citizens and our enterprises insist we must act. Through this report, the scope of the European Union Solidarity Fund will be broadened for a limited period. This will provide support to businesses and workers strongly affected by a no-deal Brexit, including measures to preserve existing employment and to ensure the functioning of border, customs, sanitary and phytosanitary controls.
Effects of the bankruptcy of Thomas Cook Group (RC-B9-0118/2019, B9-0118/2019, B9-0119/2019, B9-0120/2019, B9-0121/2019, B9-0122/2019, B9-0124/2019)
I welcome the fact that the European Parliament has taken a strong stance on the negative impact of the bankruptcy of Thomas Cook on European tourism. This event has demonstrated once again the cost that normal people have to bear for the irresponsible management of companies. I thus voted in favour of this resolution, because it not only calls to guarantee a high level of consumer protection, but it also highlights the importance of social dialogue as a tool to find consensual solutions in case of corporate crisis.
Search and rescue in the Mediterranean (B9-0130/2019, B9-0131/2019, B9-0132/2019, B9-0154/2019)
The resolution in question is aimed at strengthening search and rescue missions in the Mediterranean with the objective of reducing the loss of human lives, an urgent humanitarian matter that remains to be addressed. The text attempted to strike a balance between ensuring increased safety, together with humane treatment, to persons in distress at sea while guaranteeing the security and control of the Union’s external borders. The motion would have represented a positive step towards providing better clarity and a standardised approach vis-à-vis the activities of vessels operated by non-governmental organisations.Following this vote, the European Union remains in need of a long-term holistic approach to migration, especially a lasting agreement for disembarkation and relocation of migrants and an asylum policy that does not put unbalanced pressure on Member States in the Southern Mediterranean.
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund - EGF/2019/001 BE/Carrefour - Belgium (A9-0021/2019 - José Manuel Fernandes)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund to provide assistance to Carrefour workers in Belgium hit by a severe industrial crisis. I consider this Fund a concrete instrument through which European solidarity is expressed and a tool to address consequences of major structural changes in world trade patterns.
Macro-financial assistance to Jordan (A9-0045/2019 - Luisa Regimenti)
. ‒ The proposed macrofinancial assistance is meant to help a key ally for Europe in the Middle East. The Kingdom of Jordan has in fact played a key role in fighting Islamic terrorism, helping Europe and its allies become more secure. Unfortunately, continuous political unrest, particularly in neighbouring Syria and Iraq, has had dire consequences on Jordan’s economy. For this reason, I am in favour of assisting financially the Kingdom to further demonstrate that the EU does not focus exclusively on welfare within its borders but aims at making all regions in the world safe, healthier and peaceful.
EU-Switzerland Agreement on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime (A9-0043/2019 - Roberta Metsola)
I offered my support to a procedure meant to strengthen further our bond with Switzerland. The international agreement will improve the exchange of information between law enforcement authorities guaranteeing the safety of EU and Swiss citizens. Higher levels of international police cooperation will indeed help us better fight terrorism and organized crime. Collaboration with our partners helps us to better fight trans-border crimes.
EU-Liechtenstein Agreement on the stepping up of cross-border cooperation, particularly in combating terrorism and cross-border crime (A9-0044/2019 - Roberta Metsola)
Protocol to EU-Switzerland Agreement concerning the criteria and mechanisms for establishing the State responsible for examining a request for asylum lodged in a Member State or in Switzerland regarding the access to Eurodac for law enforcement purposes (A9-0025/2019 - Jadwiga Wiśniewska)
Accession of Solomon Islands to the EU-Pacific States Interim Partnership Agreement (A9-0050/2019 - Bernd Lange)
Allowing the Solomon Islands to join the Pacific EPA might not have a significant impact on EU trade but it surely does on the islands’ economy. Certainly, the Solomon Islands will benefit from increased trade, especially with regard to fisheries. I supported the report hoping this decision will help boost their economy, while allowing the EU to share best practices on sustainable development and sanitary measures.
Requirements for payment service providers (A9-0048/2019 - Lídia Pereira)
I voted in favour of a report that aims at establishing new stringent requirements for Payment Service Providers. Europe needs greater cooperation between tax authorities and payment service providers if it wants to solve VAT fraud coming from e-commerce transactions. We need to address the challenges of the digital economy through new tools and enhanced collaboration.
Measures to strengthen administrative cooperation in order to combat VAT fraud (A9-0047/2019 - Lídia Pereira)
The proposal in question lays down rules for Member States to collect in a harmonised manner records made available by payment service providers. I supported the text, as it goes hand in hand with new requirements established for service providers and it sets up a new central electronic system for the storage of information on payments. Measures like these can help Member States combat tax evasion and, on a wider scale, oppose corruption and the financing of criminal activities.
CAP: Financial discipline as from financial year 2021 and flexibility between pillars in respect of calendar year 2020 (A9-0042/2019 - Norbert Lins)
Public discrimination and hate speech against LGBTI people, including LGBTI free zones (B9-0234/2019)
I am proud to say that the European Parliament has adopted with 463 votes in favour a resolution aimed at protecting LGBTI rights. Following the appalling news coming from Poland that over eighty local governments had declared themselves ‘free of LGBTI ideology’, the EP drew up a document that firmly denounces this action. The resolution recalls that EU funding must never be used for discriminatory purposes and notes that schools should promote the security of the LGBTI community. We call on the Commission to adopt an EU LGBTI strategy to advance equality. With my vote, I hope I can do my part in helping eradicate the plague of homophobia from our society.
Fair taxation in a digitalised and globalised economy - BEPS 2.0 (B9-0238/2019)
I voted against this resolution. It is in the interest of the European Union as a whole and its citizens that every Member State ensure high levels of fiscal transparency and vigilance in this regard. However, this resolution fails to take cognisance of the economic reality of smaller Member States. Fiscal competitiveness is especially necessary for smaller Member States with an open economy, as an economic lever to compete globally.
The Rule of Law in Malta, after the recent revelations around the murder of Daphne Caruana Galizia (B9-0240/2019)
Ivvutajt kontra din ir-riżoluzzjoni għax filwaqt li jiena rrid bil-qawwa li ssir ġustizzja u li toħroġ il-verità kollha, din ir-riżoluzzjoni naqset milli tagħti stampa sħiħa tas-sitwazzjoni attwali f’Malta.Għal raġunijiet politiċi qed tara li taqbeż dettalji pertinenti li jixhdu li Malta tinsab f’perjodu ta’ tranżizzjoni mhux biss politika sa ma jinħatar Prim Ministru ġdid, imma wkoll istituzzjonali u kostituzzjonali li se jsaħħaħ id-demokrazija u s-Saltna tad-Dritt.Ir-riżoluzzjoni tidher timbotta lejn azzjoni kontra Malta u dan ma jkunx ġust meta tqis li l-pajjiż dejjem ta widen għar-rakkomandazzjonijiet li sarulu inkluż mill-Kummissjoni Venezja. Ma jkunx ġust lanqas meta tqis li diġa’ daħlu fis-seħħ riformi bħall-qasma fir-rwoli tal-Uffiċċju tal-Avukat Ġenerali bil-ħolqien tal-uffiċċju tal-Avukat tal-Istat, l-introduzzjoni ta’ liġijiet ġodda u progressivi dwar il-midja, u t-tisħiħ istituzzjonali li għaddej f’entitajiet importanti bħalma hija l-FIAU.Dawn ir-riformi jixhdu li l-pajjiż beda proċess biex sistematikament isaħħaħ is-Saltna tad-Dritt u mhux bil-kontra, għalhekk tali azzjoni tkun inġusta mal-poplu Malti u Għawdxi.Fil-kuntest bl-investigazzjonijiet miftuħin kif inhuma, ir-riżoluzzjoni hija prematura u kull pożizzjoni li tittieħed tinħass mgħaġġla u mhux affidabbli.Ikun ħafna aktar għaqli li l-UE tadotta mekkaniżmu oġġettiv b’esperti indipendenti li jissorveljaw l-istat tad-Dritt fl-iStati Membri kollha.
EU Pollinators Initiative (B9-0233/2019)
The world is facing a climate emergency and therefore must be united in finding solutions to preserve our environment. Although most attention is focused on GHG emissions, the focus must not be diverted from the damage we are doing to our ecosystems by other means. Pesticide use, environmental pollution, pathogens, among others, are causing the death of pollinators, animals such as bees, that are essential in the pollination process, a vital step in the reproduction of plants. Without pollinators, we will witness the death of our flora and fauna throughout the world. For these reasons, I supported the resolution in question, hoping to preserve the beauty of nature for generations to come.
Enabling the digital transformation of health and care (B9-0239/2019)
The digitalisation process is an opportunity for our society as a whole. Nowhere is this truer than in healthcare. Technology is in fact transforming the sector. Artificial Intelligence is detecting cancer prematurely, allowing doctors to intervene on time. Robots are helping surgeons operate on patients from one hospital to another, saving lives from afar. Machine learning is predicting what treatment must be adopted based on the specificities of a patient, guaranteeing quality diagnoses to all. The implications for our society are enormous and Europe must be at the forefront of this evolution. Therefore, I voted in favour of the resolution; with a warning, however. As we digitalize our healthcare systems, we must be cautious, making sure that privacy and social rights are always respected, leaving no one behind.
Commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Romanian revolution of December 1989 (B9-0241/2019)
Thirty years have passed since the days of political unrest that rocked Romania, bringing to an end the forty-two-year-long Communist rule of the country. Thirty years later, it is of utmost importance to keep alive the sentiment of freedom that pushed so many Romanians to march in the streets and demand the rights they deserved. Thirty years later, in a phase in which European unity is being questioned in favour of nationalistic ideas, it is even more essential to remember the damage and suffering called by authoritarian rule. I congratulate Romania as we celebrate its thirty years of freedom.
Situation of the Uyghur in China (China-cables) (RC-B9-0246/2019, B9-0246/2019, B9-0247/2019, B9-0248/2019, B9-0249/2019, B9-0250/2019)
In no instance should an individual be persecuted for his or her religious beliefs or for belonging to a group. I cannot condone the existence of re-education camps and their use anywhere in the world. We have witnessed the shocking effects of persecution, as close as on our continent, from genocides to ethnic cleansing operations. I voted in favour of the resolution hoping that the Uyghur population can be given the dignity that all human beings are entitled to.
Situation of human rights and democracy in Nicaragua (RC-B9-0251/2019, B9-0251/2019, B9-0252/2019, B9-0253/2019, B9-0254/2019, B9-0255/2019)
The protests in Nicaragua have been ongoing for over a year and a half with no solution in sight. The government has been ignoring the population’s requests, responding with force. Many have been killed while others have been arrested and detained with no fair trial. For this reason, I back a resolution that aims at protecting the Nicaraguan population and calls for a rapid solution to the protests.
Violent crackdown on recent protests in Iran (RC-B9-0271/2019, B9-0271/2019, B9-0272/2019, B9-0273/2019, B9-0274/2019, B9-0275/2019, B9-0276/2019)
The European Green Deal (RC-B9-0040/2020, B9-0040/2020, B9-0041/2020, B9-0042/2020, B9-0043/2020, B9-0044/2020, B9-0045/2020, B9-0046/2020)
I voted in favour of this resolution as I feel a responsibility towards society and future generations. This resolution represents a decision that Europe is intent on changing its direction, exiting its comfort zone, to make significant alterations in its services and industry in order to achieve climate neutrality by 2050.The resolution sets very ambitious goals on reductions to carbon emissions, which will pose their own challenges. However, with a respectable social dimension ensuring a just transition to all, this European Green Deal may be the cultural upgrade the planet is urgently yearning from us.
European Parliament's position on the Conference on the Future of Europe (B9-0036/2020, B9-0037/2020, B9-0038/2020)
I voted in favour of this resolution as we are at a very crucial point and the sustainability of our Union for the future requires a consolidation of the values and principles that bind us, and a renewal of the ways in which this Union works.I look forward to a bottom-up conference that involves as many people as possible and in a way that best encapsulates the diversity that this Union represents. I also look forward to a conference that redefines the European Union project in a way that puts a well-deserved emphasis on the social aspect of it.
Situation in Venezuela after the illegal election of the new National Assembly Presidency and Bureau (parliamentary coup) (B9-0051/2020, B9-0052/2020, B9-0053/2020, RC-B9-0048/2020, B9-0048/2020, B9-0049/2020, B9-0050/2020)
I abstained on this resolution as I draw a distinction between the European Union’s positive role as a promoter of human rights, rule of law and democracy around the world, and direct interference by the European Union in a sovereign third country’s national affairs.I opine that our role as European politicians is to facilitate discussion and foster friendship and a positive environment where democracy and dialogue, even between opposing sides, thrives. I do not believe the international political role adopted by the European Union should emulate other powers’ actions, which often, with the benefit of hindsight, we have criticised.
Ongoing hearings under article 7(1) of the TEU regarding Poland and Hungary (B9-0032/2020)
I supported this resolution, as I believe the rule of law is a fundamental value at the heart of our Union, and any government undermining it is undermining our identity and the European way of life.As I said in debates on the rule of law in other Member States under different circumstances, it is still necessary for the European Commission to propose an independent rule of law monitoring mechanism for all Member States.
Agreement on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community (A9-0004/2020 - Guy Verhofstadt)
The United Kingdom leaving the European Union is an unfortunate occurrence. However, I voted in favour of the Withdrawal Agreement because it ensures stability for the short term for all those involved, especially EU citizens studying and working in Britain. Going forward, I believe that this experience should enlighten our course towards strengthening our Union into a more social and open political space.
Gender pay gap (B9-0069/2020, B9-0073/2020, B9-0083/2020, B9-0084/2020)
. ‒ I voted in favour of this resolution as there is no room for discrimination based on gender in working conditions in the European Union. However, to this day women do not only have lower hourly earnings, but they also work less hours in paid jobs and have lower employment rates. In view of a Gender Strategy to be presented by the European Commission I look forward to more legislative endeavours and social policy measures to ensure gender mainstreaming in all aspects of life.
Conclusion of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (A9-0003/2020 - Geert Bourgeois)
I voted in favour of the free trade agreement between the EU and Vietnam because strong bilateral relations are key to consolidating Europe’s role in the world. It was crucial, however, that Vietnam committed to guaranteeing decent working conditions and to sustainable development. It is important for me as a progressive that our economic success does not rely on the abuse of workers or environmental degradation elsewhere. Such agreements are essential opportunities for the European Union to influence positively by means of its human rights values and standards.
An EU strategy to put an end to female genital mutilation around the world (B9-0090/2020, B9-0092/2020)
I voted in favour of this resolution because this barbaric and heinous practice is not acceptable and we must eradicate it wherever and under whatever pretext it takes place. No tradition or belief system can justify this practice, which has at its core the divestment of femininity and the dignity of the woman.
European Central Bank - annual report 2018 (A9-0016/2020 - Costas Mavrides)
I voted in favour of the European Central Bank annual report as it pays due attention to SMEs, the real backbone of our economy, and calls for concrete support in favour of these essential actors for our growth. The report recalls the gender dimension of the EU economic and monetary affairs nominations. I welcome this aspect. The appointment of a woman leading the European Central Bank is an important step forward, although it is not enough.
The illegal trade in companion animals in the EU (B9-0088/2020)
The EU priorities for the 64th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (B9-0093/2020, B9-0095/2020)
I voted in favour of this resolution as the need to struggle for women’s rights across the globe is far from over. This is even true within the confines of the European Union despite the Member States’ commitments especially under the Istanbul Convention. It is crucial to safeguard education and healthcare as basic human rights as tampering with such fundamentals is an attack on the fabric of society.
Allocation of slots at Community airports: common rules
I voted in favour of amending the Slots Regulation as I believe that it is necessary to help airlines, especially the smaller national carriers, weather the COVID-19 crisis with the least possible impact. It is not yet clear when travel restrictions will be eased, however we all know it will take time for airlines to be able to return to their full capacity even in the aftermath of COVID-19. We should be prepared for the applicability of such temporary amendments to be extended after October 24th.
Specific measures to mobilise investments in the health care systems of the Member States and in other sectors of their economies in response to the COVID-19 outbreak (Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative)
I voted in favour of the Coronavirus Response Investment Initiative as it represents the first European intervention to cope with the emergency generated by the COVID-19 pandemic. I welcome that European institutions have acted responsibly and fast in this time of crisis.The proposal we approved today will be able to mobilise EUR 37 billion to provide our SMEs with a first liquidity injection to face the difficult economic period we have ahead and possibly saving jobs. Research and innovation will also benefit from this European action and public health systems will be able to enhance their crisis response capacity.While I deem crucial that our Union reacts promptly to the current situation, I believe that it is just a first step. I call on the European Commission to work bilaterally with Member States in order to allow them the flexibility they need to make the most out of this initiative and to rapidly direct investment to the sectors most crucial to their present needs in the interest of the all European citizens.
Financial assistance to Member States and countries negotiating their accession to the Union that are seriously affected by a major public health emergency
I voted in favour of the enhancement of the European Solidarity Fund. While this instrument was initially conceived as a response to natural disasters, we now need to broaden its scope and make it applicable to major public health emergencies like the one we are going through right now.This is indeed a defining moment for Europe (and the world) and only solidarity will get us out of this stronger than before. Making sure that all European citizens, in whichever state they are, have access to the best possible treatment as quickly as possible for as long as it is needed, is our primary objective in these trying times.I welcome the fact that the total level of appropriations for the Fund will be increased and I look forward to the positive effect that this will leave on each Member State in the face of the COVID-19 emergency.
Draft amending budget No 2/2020: Providing emergency support to Member States and further reinforcement of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism/rescEU to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak
I voted in favour of this amendment to the EU Budget for 2020 as I believe that the Emergency Support Instrument and the Union Civil Protection Mechanism need to be financially reinforced to make it possible to better manage coordination between the Member States with regard to tackling the COVID-19 emergency. Our Union can get through this hard period if its citizens can benefit from solidarity and collaboration among the Member States.
Specific measures to provide exceptional flexibility for the use of the European Structural and Investments Funds in response to the COVID-19 outbreak
. ‒ I support the new measures on the use of the European Structural and Investments Funds as I deem that an exceptional situation like the one we are experiencing needs a strong and prompt reaction. This exceptional flexibility (including the possibility of 100% co-financing of European projects from the EU budget) will allow Member States to use the Cohesion Funds to cope with the COVID-19 crisis in a more efficient way and with less administrative burden.
Introduction of specific measures for addressing the COVID-19 crisis
I voted in favour of this report, as I believe that social inequalities arising from the COVID-19 emergency need to be addressed immediately. No one should be left behind. Through the enhancement of the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived, we intend to give Member States the instruments to respond promptly to the crisis we are facing and to make the social and the food assistance more effective for those in need.
Specific measures to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak in the fishery and aquaculture sector
I voted in favour of these specific measures in support of the fisheries and aquaculture sector. The sector plays a vital role in the economy of European States, especially islands. It provides quality food to our communities and is inherently linked to the touristic product of certain regions. Ensuring a decent livelihood to those families who depend on the sector, and enabling the sector to recover in the shortest possible time after the halt is imperative.
Medical devices (C9-0098/2020)
I voted in favour of delaying the implementation of the Medical Device Regulation by 12 months. This Regulation greatly improves the transparency of the sector and patient safety. Nevertheless, enterprises operating in this industry are currently focused on the production of devices, including masks and ventilators, that are essential for European citizens and the healthcare system to cope with the COVID-19 emergency. This is the reason why a delay of 12 months (which found a broad agreement both in the European Parliament and in the Council) in implementing the Regulation seems reasonable to allow these enterprises to better serve the interests of European citizens.
EU coordinated action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences
I supported this resolution, as only the immediate and effective adoption of the measures introduced will result in the least extensive and contracted economic and social impact. Stockpiling and a coordinated effort to ensure access to medical assistance, essential goods and services represents the solidarity the Union was built on and is fundamental to our resilience in the future. The swift implementation of the Union’s support to workers will lead to an economic recovery that is not separated from our citizens’ wellbeing. Our efforts to eliminate poverty, stop abuse including gender-based and domestic violence, provide equal opportunities to children through a Child Guarantee, shall be present in our immediate response to the crisis and beyond.
Discharge 2018: EU general budget - European Parliament (A9-0021/2020 - Maria Grapini)
Discharge 2018: EU general budget – Commission and executive agencies (A9-0069/2020 - Monika Hohlmeier)
I voted in favour of the 2018 European Commission’s discharge. Discharges are an instrument of transparency, which allows the European Parliament to make sure that core EU values are respected. It is of paramount importance therefore that the funding of the EU budget are spent in a transparent, efficient and effective way.
New MFF, own resources and Recovery plan
. – I voted in favour of an ambitious resolution on the MFF and recovery plan. In this time of crisis, the EU must show unity. The Recovery Fund needs to build on the MFF, ensuring that no individual or business is left behind. It must support businesses and SMEs through easy and direct financing, helping them get back on their feet and continue assisting them once they are up and running. Sectors such as tourism, a key industry for our country, can benefit enormously from the plan. Parliament has demanded that the fund be part of an overarching recovery package worth EUR 2 trillion.
Temporary measures concerning the operation of air services
. ‒ A liquidity crunch caused by border closures and temporary restrictions on air travel is testing the resilience of the airline industry, an industry of paramount importance for the EU and Malta. It is for this reason that I supported the urgent procedure on air services. By temporarily modifying specific provisions, the EU will help address the negative consequences of COVID-19 and mitigate the impact on the sector.
Temporary measures concerning the validity of certificates and licences (omnibus)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the urgent procedure meant to modify temporarily the Omnibus Directive. The public measures implemented by Member States in response to the COVID-19 crisis have not allowed governments, transport operators and individuals employed in transport to complete the necessary procedures demanded by European Union law for the renewal, extension or continued validity of certificates, licences or authorisations. In an effort to alleviate the burden on the transport sector the EU is temporarily extending the validity of such documentation to the benefit of all citizens and businesses.
Port infrastructure charges
. ‒ I support the urgent procedure that will allow ports to waive, suspend, reduce or defer the payment of port infrastructure charges. The measure will permit flexibility as ports evaluate on a case by case basis what strategy is the best way forward and whether to implement the changes or not. The measure is a demonstration of the EU’s continuous effort in helping a struggling key sector for various Member States including Malta.
EU disability strategy post 2020 (B9-0123/2020)
I voted in favour of this resolution as our respect for fundamental rights compels us to call for a fresh European Disability Strategy post-2020. We should acknowledge the great leaps made in the past years in terms of accessibility, especially physical. However, persons with disability are far from enjoying equal rights and access in all corners of Europe. Universal recognition of disability status will represent a first step towards ensuring the rights of persons with disabilities wherever they are. Moreover, there is more to be done both on a European level and on a national and regional level to improve access to employment, leisure and plenty of services. The digital transition, which is a priority for us Europeans, must work in favour of persons with disability and reduced mobility to ensure universal access to services.
Competition policy - annual report 2019 (A9-0022/2020 - Stéphanie Yon-Courtin)
I supported the approval of the Competition policy report 2019. Every year the European Parliament closely monitors the competition framework of the Union and I welcome that the specificities of isolated, remote or peripheral regions and islands are taken into due account. However, I believe that we still need to pay attention and recommend an even stronger flexibility when applying State aid rules, as it is essential for insular areas to keep an high level of economic competitiveness and enhance the wellbeing of their citizens.
Setting up a special committee on artificial intelligence in a digital age, its responsibilities, numerical strength and term of office (B9-0189/2020)
I support the setting up of a Special Committee for Artificial Intelligence in a digital age in the European Parliament. The fast-paced technological development occurring around us and the European ambition to maintain our global leadership status, require us to bring together members with different expertise, from a wide range of committees, to address the most pressing issues related to the setting of ethical and legal norms on human-centric Artificial Intelligence and digital policy, within the given parameters.
Guidelines for the 2021 Budget - Section III (A9-0110/2020 - Pierre Larrouturou)
I voted in favour of general guidelines for the preparation of the 2021 budget as I believe they not only provide European citizens with an effective answer to the challenges posed by COVID-19, but also pave the way for a long-term recovery of Europe. I welcome the focus on tourism, SMEs and sustainable public infrastructure, which are key to the social, economic and territorial cohesion of our Union. Nevertheless, I reiterate my opposition to a system of own resources that does not take into consideration national specificities, as I deem that fiscal and tax policy decisions should be kept at the national level.
The Anti-racism protests following the death of George Floyd (B9-0194/2020, B9-0195/2020, B9-0196/2020, B9-0197/2020)
I voted strongly in favour of this resolution as there is no place for racism anywhere in the world. It is high time countries including the United States and European states come to terms with their history, including slavery, colonialism and imperialism and avoid whitewashing on their misdemeanours and the hardship suffered by millions of people. Education is necessary but so is open, interracial, interreligious and multinational debate.Whilst it is clear that the actions leading to the death of George Floyd in the United States do not represent all disciplined forces around the world, they do well to remind us of the vital role played by police forces in a democratic society. We should condemn and take action on police brutality wherever it happens as it risks destabilising communities who feel less and less protected by the State. It is respectful dialogue and not violent conduct that will enable us to strengthen the ties among us beyond colour, race or language to live peacefully and in harmony together.
Situation in the Schengen area following the Covid-19 outbreak (B9-0165/2020)
I voted in favour of this resolution as freedom of movement is a key pillar of the European project. Any limitation to the smooth and ordinary enjoyment of such freedoms should always be questioned and limited. However, it is also true that the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented and Member States took their decisions according to the advice of their medical authorities. This experience however, should serve as an important lesson for the European Union to build its resilience in case of any future crisis, including by forging common solutions to shared risks.
Ειδικοί κανόνες για την απόσπαση οδηγών στον τομέα των οδικών μεταφορών και απαιτήσεις επιβολής (A9-0114/2020 - Kateřina Konečná) (A9-0114/2020 - Kateřina Konečná)
I support the upgrading and modernisation of the European mobility sector.Decent conditions for workers must be a priority in a Union that prides itself on its respect of fundamental rights. For this reason, precarious employment should be addressed relentlessly by means of inclusive dialogue and legislation.Abusive practices in the mobility sector have indeed become common practice, undermining the efforts to achieve a level playing field for all European operators. These practices go against the fundamental principles of the single market.As much as I can agree with the positive elements of the Mobility Package, I cannot support it. I decided to join like—minded Member States in opposing the package as, notwithstanding the aims, the means do not create the level playing field sought. The—one—size—fits all approach adopted by these reports directly impinges on the activities of operators hailing from island states, with dire consequences on their import—dependent economies. The disruption of traditional import logistics can have national security implications. Nowhere is this truer than in my country. It is in light of these considerations that I could not support this vote.
Daily and weekly driving times, minimum breaks and rest periods and positioning by means of tachographs (A9-0115/2020 - Henna Virkkunen)
. ‒ I support the upgrading and modernisation of the European mobility sector. Decent conditions for workers must be a priority in a Union that prides itself on its respect for fundamental rights. For this reason, precarious employment should be addressed relentlessly by means of inclusive dialogue and legislation.Abusive practices in the mobility sector have indeed become common practice, undermining the efforts on achieving a level playing field for all European operators. These practices go against the fundamental principles of the single market.As much as I can agree with the positive elements of the mobility package, I cannot support it. I decided to join the likeminded Member States in opposing the package as notwithstanding the aims, the means do not create the level playing field sought. The one-size-fits-all approach adopted by these reports directly impinges on the activities of operators hailing from island states, with dire consequences for their import-dependent economies. The disruption of traditional import logistics can have national security implications. Nowhere is this truer than in my country. It is in light of these considerations that I could not support this vote.
Adapting to development in the road transport sector (A9-0116/2020 - Ismail Ertug)
. ‒ I support the upgrading and modernisation of the European mobility sector. Decent conditions for workers must be a priority in a Union that prides itself on its respect for fundamental rights. For this reason, precarious employment should be addressed relentlessly by means of inclusive dialogue and legislation.Abusive practices in the mobility sector have indeed become common practice, undermining the efforts on achieving a level playing field for all European operators. These practices go against the fundamental principles of the single market.As much as I can agree with the positive elements of the mobility package, I cannot support it. I decided to join the likeminded Member States in opposing the package as notwithstanding the aims, the means do not create the level playing field sought. The one-size-fits-all approach adopted by these reports directly impinges on the activities of operators hailing from island states, with dire consequences on their import-dependent economies. The disruption of traditional import logistics can have national security implications. Nowhere is this truer than in my country. It is in light of these considerations that I could not support this vote.
Financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report 2019 (A9-0081/2020 - David Cormand)
I supported the Annual Report on the financial activities of the European Investment Bank as this institution has a key role in ensuring that investment is funnelled towards projects aiming at enhancing the economic, social and territorial cohesion of our Union. The challenges of the economic crisis and the fight against climate change urge ambitious actions to mitigate the social impact: the European Investment Bank can give its valuable contribution, also through the involvement of local communities.
Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (A9-0124/2020 -José Gusmão)
I voted in favour of the Report on guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States as I believe that their update is beneficial to better cope with the economic crisis due to COVID-19 as well as the environmental and digital transitions, which will be successful only if they do not leave anybody behind. While Member States have a relevant role in ensuring social cohesion, it is important to coordinate the implementation of employment policies, according to the national specificities. I also note the promotion of flexible working arrangements for a more accessible, worker-oriented labour market.
A comprehensive European approach to energy storage (A9-0130/2020 - Claudia Gamon)
I voted in favour of the report by the ITRE committee on Energy Storage. As Europe modernises its electricity and gas networks, gradually feeding into the grid new sources of energy, it will be paramount to develop resilient energy storage infrastructure through a technology-neutral approach in order to guarantee security of supply.I am pleased to note that the report takes into consideration the specificities of different regions, in particular islands, calling for a reliable and cost-efficient energy transition while also mentioning the importance of energy storage in combatting energy poverty.
Revision of the guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure (B9-0122/2020)
I voted in favour of the resolution on the Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E). With the objective of bringing Europe closer together, the TEN-E regulation plays a key role in laying down rules supporting the development of energy grids and provides guidelines for the selection of projects of common interest (PCIs). It is essential that a revision of such regulations allow for the upgrading of our energy networks, focusing on digitalisation and the integration of new technologies in the old electricity and gas grids. Updating the TEN-E will be key in achieving the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality objectives, while taking into account the five dimensions of the Energy Union, in particular affordability and security of supply, to make sure that no one is left behind.
A comprehensive Union policy on preventing money laundering and terrorist financing – Commission's Action plan and other recent developments (B9-0207/2020)
I fully support many of the measures proposed in this resolution and believe that they would serve to give renewed impetus to ongoing efforts to eliminate money laundering and terrorism financing, much of which happens across borders.At a time when governments are struggling to mount full-scale recovery programmes in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the war against criminals who siphon off funds that rightly belong to the community as a whole must be intensified.However, I have had to abstain on this resolution on two counts.First, it contains proposals that directly, or by implication, fail to fully satisfy the balance that should be maintained between what devolves on central EU institutional and on national – in part sovereign – competences. When such a balance is not maintained, EU programmes are likely to fail.Second, it seems to endorse a perspective on my country Malta that, to a large extent, reflects a one-sided partisan and distorted assessment of the political, economic and professional situation there. The time has come to ensure that our resolutions in this House are no longer guided by not-so-hidden agendas that end up obscuring the aims which we seek to achieve.
The EU’s public health strategy post-COVID-19 (RC-B9-0216/2020)
I voted in favour of this resolution as I strongly believe it is in the interests of European citizens to ensure Member States are resilient enough for any future health crisis. Striving towards a health union is key to making sure collaboration is encouraged so that no region is left behind in terms of any progress made in healthcare and access to medicines. Establishing basic standards expected from any healthcare system in Europe is necessary for Europe to be able to guarantee the essential elements of human decency. A comprehensive public health strategy is intrinsically linked to an industrial strategy for Europe that seeks self-sufficiency, especially in the production of essential medical devices and medicines.
Conclusions of the extraordinary European Council meeting of 17-21 July 2020 (B9-0229/2020)
. – I voted in favour of the resolution as I believe that, after a historical agreement such as the one reached in the European Council, it is crucial that the European Parliament and Member States collaborate not only to accelerate the recovery after COVID-19, but also to make it effective. While I believe that the taxation policy should be kept under the direct responsibility of Member States, I deem that the European Parliament – which forms the budgetary authority of the Union along with the Council – ought to carry on with its important priorities on research, innovation, health and digitalisation, which are future-looking investment areas that deserve more attention and funding in the next MFF.
Amending Decision No 1313/2013/EU on a Union Civil Protection Mechanism (A9-0148/2020 - Nikos Androulakis)
. ‒ I voted in favour of this report as it truly represents action over lip service to build Europe’s long-term resilience to crises. Disasters know no borders and the pandemic has displayed, to a considerable extent, that collaboration and the pooling of our resources can go a long way in addressing pressing needs in trying times for any region. The proposal will result in optimised disaster risk-management at European level, induce the logistical capacity to deliver assistance and enable better investment and more flexibility in addressing large-scale emergencies. This mechanism will strengthen the European Union’s position while assisting the operations of Member States. It is another meaningful way by which the EU positively impacts the lives of its citizens.
Global data collection system for ship fuel oil consumption data (A9-0144/2020 - Jutta Paulus)
I abstained on the MRV report, as I believed it did not reflect the opinion of the Committee on Transport and Tourism, where I worked on the file personally. The EC proposal intended to align the EU MRV with the international IMO DCS to reduce the administrative burden on EU shipping companies, facilitating their reporting of emissions. Instead, the final version of the report extended the scope, demanding provisions that, if not carefully assessed prior, could heavily damage the competitiveness of the EU maritime sector. I favour a global solution through a targeted legal instrument setting the adequate environmental targets for the sector to contribute to achieving the 2050 climate neutrality goal.
Draft Council decision on the system of own resources of the European Union (A9-0146/2020 - José Manuel Fernandes, Valerie Hayer)
I did not support the report on the draft Council decision on the system of own resources of the European Union, since I consider fiscal policies to be the exclusive competence of national governments. Fiscal leverage is crucial for Member States like Malta, which, due to their small size, need to create the most effective conditions to make their economies thrive and to overcome the systemic disadvantages caused by their geographic position.
Just Transition Fund (A9-0135/2020 - Manolis Kefalogiannis)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the Just Transition Fund (JTF) as I believe it will add the social sustainability dimension to the European decarbonisation process. While I affirm once more my commitment to the Green Deal, I strongly believe that the European Union should minimise the social costs arising from it: no one should be left behind. I welcome that the text voted today gives my country – Malta – enough flexibility to pursue its environmental commitments in line with its national specificities. I am also satisfied that the Just Transition Fund will support smart mobility solutions, yet I regret that several amendments aimed at enhancing the gender dimension of the JTF were not approved.
Determination of a clear risk of a serious breach by the Republic of Poland of the rule of law
I voted in favour of this resolution, as it is clear that the rule of law in Poland has been put at risk consistently for several years now. It is unfortunate but also dangerous on a political and social level to see the flourishing of regressive decisions and legislation undermining the rule of law in the country. Such risks are not limited to abolishing the independence of the judiciary but extend to institutionalised and systemic discrimination of different groups in Polish society, especially women and the LGBTI+ community. The gradual proliferation of a negative sentiment towards minorities and groups, rendered vulnerable by legislation and propaganda, makes the situation threatening for those experiencing it. The European Union would be falling short of its responsibilities towards its citizens if it sat back and watched without acting. Human rights are not an ideology.
Maximising the energy efficiency potential of the EU building stock
I voted in favour of a strong report that calls for a new approach for building renovation. Maximising the energy efficiency of EU buildings will have multiple benefits for European citizens and the economy. From improving public health to reducing energy waste, from decreasing emissions to creating new jobs, this strategy is at the heart of the European renovation wave. More importantly, smart, efficient buildings, complemented with on-site renewable energy sources, can contribute enormously to reducing energy poverty, while creating opportunities for EU SMEs. This is only one of the many ambitious initiatives under the European Green Deal.
Preparation of the Special European Council, focusing on the dangerous escalation and the role of Turkey in the Eastern-Mediterranean
I supported this resolution because peace is key to world order and prosperity. The EU should never tolerate that the security of any of its members is put at risk. While I note some positive recent measures, I strongly advise de-escalation in the Eastern Mediterranean, seeking dialogue and diplomatic solutions in the appropriate fora, accompanied by a strong commitment not to resort to solutions involving military actions. Conformity with international customs and respect for the Law of the Sea are not negotiable.
The Establishment of an EU Mechanism on Democracy, the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights (A9-0170/2020 - Michal Šimečka)
. ‒ I supported this report as I believe that the rule of law is a cornerstone to the European project. However, it was always my view that the performance of Member States in this regard had to be measured according to objective criteria to ensure that no political motive obscures our judgment vis-a-vis one Member State or another.The setting up of an independent panel of experts to monitor the situation in all Member States endows the proposal with confidence in the impartiality of the new system. It makes for a more cohesive and comprehensive approach and provides the Union with constant and more accurate visibility of Member States’ performance.Envisaging a stable country consonant with the rule of law in the absence of rigorous respect for fundamental rights and freedoms is highly unlikely. For this reason, it is key to the solidity of the report and the proposal to note the broadening of the scope of the mechanism established, covering the state of fundamental rights in the Member States.
Implementation of the common commercial policy – annual report 2018 (A9-0160/2020 - Jörgen Warborn)
I voted in favour of the annual report on the implementation of the common commercial policy. Through its commercial policy, the European Union not only exports its goods, but its values. Trade is the greatest instrument for the EU to foster relationships with third countries, set the foundations for future areas of cooperation, and strike deals that can improve the life of citizens in the EU and abroad. I am particularly pleased, together with the call to better enforce the Trade and Sustainable Development chapters, with the request made to include a gender chapter in all trade agreements. The EU must always promote and be proud of those principles that make it unique.
European Climate Law (A9-0162/2020 - Jytte Guteland)
I supported the approval of the European Climate Law, since I believe that, today more than ever, we should carry on the fight against global warming. The report we voted on today is very ambitious, yet I deem that, while each European Member State must contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, it is crucial to adapt the strategy, taking into account national specificities and different starting points. In addition, any inclusion of the maritime and aviation sectors among those contributing to the achievement of climate neutrality should go hand in hand with compensatory measures for those Member States, such as my own, which solely rely on these means of transport.
Further development of the Capital Markets Union (CMU): improving access to capital market finance, in particular by SMEs, and further enabling retail investor participation (A9-0155/2020 - Isabel Benjumea Benjumea)
I voted in favour of the report enhancing initiatives intended to further develop the capital markets union, as I believe that it will be beneficial for many European SMEs that still struggle to access finance. While this problem has represented a historical challenge for small businesses, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue. This is the reason why SMEs need to be supported by allowing them to easily access capital markets, an objective that can give SMEs a lifeline during the crisis we are living and offer them a chance to reach their full potential.
Reinforcing the Youth Guarantee (B9-0310/2020)
I voted in favour of the resolution on the Youth Guarantee. A testimony to European solidarity, the Youth Guarantee’s goal is to guarantee for people under thirty a quality offer for education, traineeship, and employment as soon as they have left school or have become unemployed. I particularly support the Guarantee, as it is a way to give disadvantaged citizens the same opportunities as anyone else. With this vote, the EP is calling for a binding instrument to fight discrimination, abolish precarious work, and condemn social and wage dumping.
Digital Services Act: Improving the functioning of the Single Market (A9-0181/2020 - Alex Agius Saliba)
I supported this report as it includes the type of regulation that will help the European Union attain the digital sovereignty it seeks. Adding responsibilities to digital platforms that are at least related to the verification and authentication of service providers will ensure that users or consumers are more protected against abuse. The Commission must set out a clear protocol for digital platforms to act on illegal content listed on their space. Tourists and passengers using digital platforms deserve more transparency if the service they receive is heavily influenced by pre-set algorithms, targeted advertising and pricing. Consumers deserve a fair market, but presently tech giants dominate the global digital market. Data-sharing is the solution for this, and a comprehensive forward-looking European data strategy may ensure a level playing field, which will allow European small and medium-sized enterprises to thrive.
Digital Services Act: adapting commercial and civil law rules for commercial entities operating online (A9-0177/2020 - Tiemo Wölken)
. ‒ I supported the work from the JURI committee on DSA. Tasked with the difficult role of setting the scope of the DSA regulation, the final report clearly states that the upcoming regulation should apply to content hosting platforms that host and manage online content. The document also calls for the new DSA to codify the Notice and Action procedure, a necessary element to protect the fundamental rights of users and guarantee legal certainty to businesses.
Digital Services Act and fundamental rights issues posed (A9-0172/2020 - Kris Peeters)
. ‒ The way we devise the future DSA will revolutionize digital services. In the process, we must not forget to uphold our European values, protecting at all times fundamental rights, such as citizens’ privacy and their data. For this reason, I voted in favour of the LIBE report, which sets clear boundaries to protect key values. In particular, I support the promotion of clear transparency rules for algorithms behind advertisement. We must always ensure that consumers are aware of the reasons behind the ads they are seeing.
Framework of ethical aspects of artificial intelligence, robotics and related technologies (A9-0186/2020 - Ibán García Del Blanco)
. ‒ I voted in favour of this report as at this rate of technological progress it is crucial for the European Union to have a regulatory framework of ethical principles and obligations guiding the development, deployment and use of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and new technologies. The report finds the right balance between promoting trustworthy AI and harnessing innovation in the digital sector. The laying down of technology-neutral regulation that follows a risk-based approach is fundamental for Europe’s long-term goal of reclaiming a global leadership role in the technological sector. Europe is about leading by example and by raising standards and based on the content of this report there will be no room for products that fail to respect fundamental rights, human dignity, safety and autonomy. It is key that Member States are included in the development of such a regulatory framework, in fact this report rightly calls for national supervisory authorities to identify high-risk technologies and carry out mandatory compliance assessments under the coordination of the Commission and specialised EU bodies.
Civil liability regime for artificial intelligence (A9-0178/2020 - Axel Voss)
. ‒ I supported this report because while the Product Liability Directive served us well for the past decades, the technological progress we have made in the meantime has presented us with new devices and applications entailing risks that require specialised regulation. As lawmakers our primary aim is to ensure the highest level of safety in the manufacturing of products ending up in the possession of users; however, the possibility of damage may never be excluded completely.For this reason I strongly believe that in order to ensure a market for such products including artificial intelligence within Europe, we must lay down a legal framework which clearly determines responsibility whenever damage occurs. This gives guarantees and fosters trust in the market. I also believe that it is essential that it is always a person that may be held liable for any damage inflicted by an automated product. I strongly believe that such a civil liability regime will not be comprehensive if it lacks a clear path towards an effective remedy for a victim of damage caused by an automated product.
Intellectual property rights for the development of artificial intelligence technologies (A9-0176/2020 - Stéphane Séjourné)
I voted in favour of the report on questions of intellectual property connected to the deployment of Artificial Intelligence. The European Union has always protected IP rights, a cornerstone of the global market. It is only through the strong defence of IP that we reward ingenuity, creativeness, and entrepreneurship, increasing competition and allowing innovation. The report sets the tone to protect AI-generated works, regulate the use of non-personal data by these technologies, and safeguard IP for AI systems. These are the first steps to ensure that AI is always deployed in the interest of individuals and businesses.
The future of European education in the context of Covid-19 (B9-0338/2020)
I voted in favour of this resolution as the pandemic outbreak has had a disruptive effect on the educational and social development of students. For these reasons, I fully support the digitalisation in education including by developing e-learning capabilities across Europe so that it may always serve as a reliable alternative to any student not able to attend class. Such developments must be carried out keeping in mind social and material inequalities afflicting households in the European Union and the understanding that not all households are sufficiently equipped to make sure that all the children fully benefit from virtual learning. Addressing such inequalities and ensuring equal access to education is imperative. Respect for the teaching profession and the significant role it plays in the holistic development of our upcoming generation must also always lie at the core of our education policy.
Economic policies of the euro area 2020 (A9-0193/2020 - Joachim Schuster)
I support this report as it takes due consideration of the sizeable economic impact experienced by all Member States in the past months while it acknowledges that an incomplete and unsubstantial recovery in one country may jeopardise growth and stability in other areas of the Union. The report does well to recognise the significant factor played by the flexibility afforded in the State Aid framework, which has allowed national governments to act in a timely manner and effectively to rescue and stabilise strategic entities. I fully subscribe to the adopted approach that the recovery measures be aligned with the transitions - environmental and digital - key to Europe’s long-term competitiveness.
Employment and social policies of the euro area 2020 (A9-0183/2020 - Klára Dobrev)
I support the report on social policies as it aims at strengthening the response to the economic crisis European citizens, workers and families are currently facing due to COVID-19. Most specifically, I welcome the flexibility given to Member States that will allow them to address their policies in a way that, while based on a European framework, will take into account national specificities.The report also confirms the European commitment on the Pillar of Social Rights as well as the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Whereas many measures need to be implemented at the domestic level, the approval of this report is another step towards social justice since it calls for better conditions for workers, both with traditional and atypical contracts, as well as for women and children. Their social rights, including decent housing, must be further promoted.
Deforestation (A9-0179/2020 - Delara Burkhardt)
Since 1990, 1.3 million km2 of forests have been lost due to the lack of appropriate international coordination and responsibility. We need to rethink the way we protect forests, protecting biodiversity, creating carbon sinks and supporting local communities. I voted in favour of the EU report on deforestation in light of the fact that the EU’s imports contribute to global deforestation by an astonishing 10%. Saving our planet does not end with decarbonisation. We must think holistically to preserve the marvels of nature surrounding us.
Gender Equality in EU’s foreign and security policy (A9-0145/2020 - Ernest Urtasun)
I supported this report in the belief that a focused foreign and security policy that is used to mainstream a transformative vision enhancing women’s and girls’ rights fits perfectly with the aim of attaining Sustainable Development Goal 5 to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls across the globe. European foreign and security policy ought to attempt to address existing barriers to females taking on leadership roles.Education systems have a very important role to play in this exercise to combat gender stereotypes and work towards increasing female participation in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths. In light of the current rate of technological development, this would ensure a less gender-biased influence on our collective industrial and economic development and a generally fairer, better society.
Common agricultural policy - support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States and financed by the EAGF and by the EAFRD (A8-0200/2019 - Peter Jahr)
I voted against this report since neither the initial proposal of the European Commission nor the text discussed in the European Parliament have included a derogation on the voluntary coupled support which might have been beneficial to Maltese farmers. Such a derogation represents meaningful help in terms of income support in order to enhance the resilience of the Maltese agriculture sector. I am committed to a common agriculture policy that takes into account the specificities of the Member States.
General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2021 - all sections (A9-0206/2020 - Pierre Larrouturou, Olivier Chastel)
I supported the general budget 2021 as I believe that it provides EU citizens and enterprises with the necessary resources to start weathering the health and the economic crisis that has hit our Union in 2020. I particularly welcome the provisions supporting sustainable tourism, one of the sectors most affected by the pandemic, and aiming at fighting gender inequality across our Continent. I am glad that the 2021 budget will also earmark resources to foster SMEs competitiveness. However, I did not support the budgetary amendments on the European Defence Fund, in line with the neutrality clause as written in the Maltese Constitution.
Programme for the Union's action in the field of health for the period 2021-2027 (“EU4Health Programme”) (A9-0196/2020 - Cristian-Silviu Buşoi)
The COVID-19 crisis has dramatically hit our economy and society. At the centre of it all is the sufferance of individuals, families and communities. In a time of need, Member States looked to Europe for a common response. It is for this reason that I voted in favour of the EU4Health programme, which aims at building resilient health systems across the EU, tackling cross-border threats, making medicine available and affordable, while creating synergies among them. While respecting the role of national healthcare systems, the EU must have an effective role, especially in times of crisis, ensuring that no one is left behind when it comes to health.
Sustainable Europe Investment Plan - How to finance the Green Deal (A9-0198/2020 -Siegfried Mureşan, Paul Tang)
Despite having some reservations on certain aspects, I supported this report as it sets out clear criteria for the financial backbone of the European Green Deal. The sustainable plan will mobilise EUR 1 trillion for sustainable investments over the next ten years. Part of this financial plan is the Just Transition Mechanism that will support EU workers and citizens across regions. It is essential that during the transition we keep in mind the different starting points of the different Member States and regions.
InvestEU Programme (A9-203/2020 - José Manuel Fernandes, Irene Tinagli)
The newly created InvestEU will unite different EU successful programmes. The programme will help Europe achieve its objectives, triggering EUR 650 billion between 2021 and 2027, boosting investment, creating jobs and promoting digitisation across sectors. InvestEU will improve the lives of many EU citizens and businesses, in particular SMEs, through investments in infrastructure, research and development and reskilling and upskilling programmes for workers. For these reasons, I voted in favour of the report.
The impact of Covid-19 measures on democracy, fundamental rights and rule of law (B9-0343/2020)
The measures put in place by many European governments to fight the COVID-19 pandemic can also affect – as a side-effect – EU citizens’ fundamental rights. While temporary restrictions respond to an unprecedented emergency, it is crucial to monitor the proportionality of the enforcement measures and to also protect the vulnerable. For these reasons, I decided to support this resolution
Mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund: assistance to Croatia and Poland in relation to a natural disaster and advances to Croatia, Germany, Greece,Hungary, Ireland, Portugal and Spain in relation to a public health emergency (A9-0221/2020 - Olivier Chastel)
I voted in favour of this report as I believe in the importance of effective solidarity by the European Union. In this case it will provide Croatia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Poland, Portugal and Spain with financial support through the mobilisation of the European Union Solidarity Fund in response to natural disasters and/or public health emergencies that took place in these countries.
Draft amending budget No 9/2020: assistance to Croatia, Poland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal and Spain (A9-0223/2020 - Monika Hohlmeier)
I supported the amendment to the budget 2020 in order to mobilize the EU Solidarity Fund providing financial assistance to Croatia and Poland, following natural disasters that took place in these countries in the course of 2020, as well as for advances to Croatia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Portugal and Spain, in response to the COVID-19 health emergency. I believe that the EU Solidarity Fund represents an instrument that concretely brings the European Union closer to its citizens.
Tackling homelessness rates in the European Union (B9-0363/2020)
I voted in favour of this resolution, as I believe that homelessness is a social emergency and that in the European Union this worrying phenomenon has unfortunately increased over the last ten years, exacerbated by the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The right to housing should be further promoted, also through public investment in social infrastructure, so that nobody is left behind, especially in difficult times such as those we are experiencing.
The Schengen system and measures taken during the COVID-19 crisis (B9-0362/2020)
The first wave of the pandemic hit Europe suddenly, leading to the rapid implementation of drastic measures. The first of these was the closure of EU borders, which de facto abruptly stopped the Schengen system. Freedom of movement within the EU is one of the greatest achievements of our Union. It allows EU citizens to travel for work, education or leisure. Travelling allows Europeans to get to know the culture of other Member States, bringing us closer together. I supported with my vote the call for further coordination among national health authorities during this pandemic – a call which is also essential for the recovery of the travel and tourism sectors.
Towards a more sustainable single market for business and consumers (A9-0209/2020 - David Cormand)
. ‒ Economic competitiveness, sustainability and consumer rights should go hand in hand. I voted in favour of this report, as I believe that it embeds these three crucial dimensions. Circular economy solutions will be supported by promoting the reuse of products and by tackling practices that shorten their lifespan. I welcome the fact that Parliament is calling on the Commission to grant consumers a ‘right to repair’. This right will not only have positive economic effects on citizens, but it will also boost sustainability while spurring small and medium enterprises to enter new market segments, such as the repair one.
Addressing product safety in the single market (A9-0207/2020 - Marion Walsmann)
. ‒ I supported this report, which enhances consumer rights in light of the environmental and digital transition we are experiencing nowadays. It is crucial that manufacturers are compliant with safety rules regardless of where goods are produced. I also welcome the fact that this report starts addressing the issue of misleading practices on online platforms and demands a more proactive approach by these important actors of the digital economy.
Strengthening media freedom: the protection of journalists in Europe, hate speech, disinformation and the role of platforms (A9-0205/2020 - Magdalena Adamowicz)
I voted in favour of a strong report that calls for the strengthening of media freedom and journalistic independence in our Union. Without media freedom, we would lose what makes Europe unique – diversity, openness, pluralism are all values we must cherish. The EU, in cooperation with Member States, needs to ensure that public service media run on business models that guarantee their independence. I support the condemnation of threats and intimidation against journalists. We live in a digital era of fake news, which spreads quickly on platforms. Looking positively towards the future, we need to create instruments to fight hate speech online and limit the propagation of illegal content, always protecting the truth.
A New Industrial Strategy for Europe (A9-0197/2020 - Carlo Calenda)
I voted in favour of the new industrial strategy for Europe, which includes future-looking guidelines on how the European economy should face the environmental and digital transition, while recovering from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economic fabric. I particularly welcome the measures in favour of SMEs, which are struggling to weather the crisis and need to be supported. The report also refers to taxation, including in the digital sector; with regard to this point I am still firmly convinced that fiscal policies should be decided at the national level, given that they fall under the competence of Member States. I also urge for the further assessment of the impact a carbon border adjustment mechanism will have on small insular states such as my own.
Objection pursuant to Rule 112: Lead in gunshot in or around wetlands (B9-0365/2020)
I voted in favour of the objection on lead in gunshot in or around wetlands. Whilst the main argument behind the Commission proposal’s objective is indeed valid, there are issues with the proposal as is. This is mainly due to the implications of the proposal when taking into account Malta’s geo-physical limitations; in this regard the ‘one size fits all’ approach is problematic. Malta’s geo-demographic structure would mean that the proposed restrictions would go over the scope and original intent of the proposal. Furthermore, proportionality concerns also arise when it comes to the removal of the presumption of innocence and the reversal of the burden of proof.
Stocktaking of European elections (A9-0211/2020 - Pascal Durand)
I voted in favour of this report which contains certain positive aspects. I positively note that the plenary vote removed certain contentious proposals such as calls for transnational lists and a change to the one Commissioner per Member State rule. I must say, however, that I am still sceptical as to how realistic it is to attempt to harmonise systems that reflect the various differing democratic political traditions, demographic structures, electoral laws, and especially constitutional rules, of the different Member States of the European Union.
Situation of Fundamental Rights in the European Union - Annual Report for the years 2018-2019 (A9-0226/2020 - Clare Daly)
Whilst having some reservations on parts of the texts, I supported the biannual report on the situation of fundamental rights in the EU. The European Union stands tall internationally above all regions for its strong respect for fundamental rights.Through its actions, the Union supports and promotes many rights, including economic and social rights, women’s rights, LGBTI+, rights, media freedom, and the rule of law. In the difficult times we are facing, where misinformation distorts the consideration many have for inalienable rights, the EU must continue to fight to improve the life of individuals, both within the Union and worldwide.
Escalating tensions in Varosha following the illegal actions by Turkey and the urgent need for the resumption of talks (B9-0355/2020)
I voted in favour of a resolution that condemns Turkey’s illegal activities in Varosha. The Union should never turn its back when one of its Members is facing provocation from a third country. Cyprus merits all the support possible by EU Members and institutions. Through this resolution, the European Parliament calls for the avoidance of any unilateral action that can raise tensions in Cyprus.
EU Trade Policy Review (B9-0370/2020)
I supported the resolution proposed by the INTA Committee, which feeds into the European Commission’s reflection process on a major review of the European Union’s trade policy. The resolution calls for the enhancement of collaboration with the most important commercial partners in order to ensure, among other things, that the European policy is aligned with the objectives of the Green Deal.
Transitional provisions for support from the EAFRD and EAGF in the years 2021 and 2022 (A9-0101/2020 - Elsi Katainen)
I voted in favour of a legislation that establishes transitional measures necessary to extend the current common agricultural policy framework. The need for this extension is due to ongoing negotiation for the new CAP among co-legislators. The transitional regulation is of paramount importance for our farmers and the security of our food supply chain, guaranteeing the uninterrupted disbursement of funds.
Authorising the Commission to vote in favour of the capital increase of the European Investment Fund (A9-0253/2020 - Johan Van Overtveldt)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the capital increase of the European Investment Fund (EIF). Part of the European Investment Bank group, the EIF provides risk finance to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the EU. By doing so, the EIF fosters EU objectives in the field of entrepreneurship, innovation and R&D. Over one million SMEs have benefitted from enhanced access to finance. A paramount European instrument, necessary for SMEs to overcome the pandemic.
Additional resources in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic: REACT-EU (A9-0150/2020 - Andrey Novakov, Constanze Krehl)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the agreement on REACT-EU since this instrument will provide additional funds to help the sectors that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic. I welcome that Malta and Gozo will receive a considerable amount of financial resources over the next two years, proportionally larger than those earmarked to other European countries. This allocation will help address the unfortunate impact of COVID-19 on Malta’s economy and will help heal the social fabric that was also hit hard.
Council regulation laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027 (A9-0260/2020 - Jan Olbrycht, Margarida Marques)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the agreement reached by the Parliament and the Council on the next Multi-annual Financial Framework. It is crucial that the European families and business can count on the financial support not only to overcome the current economic crisis, but also to focus on the priorities that will make our Union change in the long-term. I refer to the digital and the environmental transition – that should leave no one behind – but also to other crucial policy areas such as social inclusion, research and innovation. The negotiations on MFF are never easy, but I believe that the final agreement is a balanced compromise that will be beneficial to European citizens.
A new strategy for European SMEs (A9-0237/2020 - Paolo Borchia)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the report on a new strategy for European SMEs, which I have negotiated on behalf of my political group for the last six months. I consider this strategy ambitious and pragmatic. First, it not only addresses the structural challenges European SMEs have historically been affected by, but it also provides guidelines on how to help small and medium firms weather the economic crisis caused by COVID—19.Access to finance, reduction of the administrative burden, digitalisation and environmental transition: I welcome the guidelines the strategy gives to enhance the competitiveness of small and medium businesses, including micro-enterprises. I am particularly glad that the strategy also highlights the challenges female entrepreneurs still face and suggests possible solutions.Finally, as a Member elected from Malta and Gozo, I welcome the attention this report pays to small and medium businesses operating in islands. The specificities of these regions must be taken into account should any revision of the state-aid rules occur. I strongly supported this provision during the negotiations and I am glad that the final text includes it.
MFF, Rule of Law Conditionality and Own Resources (B9-0428/2020, B9-0429/2020)
. ‒ The multiannual financial framework is a powerful instrument to enhance European competitiveness and to reduce inequalities, while aiming at a more robust economic, social and territorial cohesion of our continent. All the objectives should go hand in hand with the commitment to the core values of the European Union – as stated in the Treaties. Even if I supported the resolution, I strongly believe that fiscal policies should be kept under the remit of Member States and I am sceptical about the creation of certain kinds of new own resources. In addition to that, I think that the unanimity rule in the Council should be preserved.
Implementation of the Dublin III Regulation (A9-0245/2020 - Fabienne Keller)
‒ I voted in favour of the report which calls for the revision of the Dublin III Regulation. For too many years now, Member States at the border of Europe have been carrying a disproportionate burden and the Report itself acknowledges that countries of first entry, such as Malta, receive a large number of asylum applications in proportion to their population. The Report further acknowledges that the Dublin III Regulation, as designed and implemented, has failed to guarantee the main objective of swiftly determining the Member State responsible for an asylum application, and thus ensuring a fair distribution of responsibility between Member States, and effective and swift access to asylum procedures. The creation of an effective solidarity mechanism and an overhaul of an inefficient Dublin system is long overdue.
European Citizens' Initiative - Minority Safepack (B9-0403/2020, B9-0405/2020)
I stand in favour of the protection of the rights of minorities. The Minority Safepack reflects the European democratic process, as the project was born from the European Citizens’ Initiative, the instrument for EU citizens to call for new laws. The European Union is united in diversity. The protection of minority languages is an important element of this resolution – the survival of languages is an essential for cultures to survive.
A strong social Europe for Just Transitions (A9-0233/2020 - Dennis Radtke, Agnes Jongerius)
. – The environmental and the digital transition will be successful only if they will be socially just. I voted in favour of this ambitious report as I firmly believe in the social market economy which is based on social justice and social fairness.I deem it crucial to carry on with the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, and I hope that, in the future, we can be even more ambitious in order to protect our citizens, especially the most disadvantaged, amid the swift dynamics that currently affect our economy and the labour market. However, I did not support the introduction of a common consolidated corporate tax base, since I believe that fiscal policies should be under the exclusive remit of the Member States.
Sustainable corporate governance (A9-0240/2020 - Pascal Durand)
European companies do not only contribute to the economic competitiveness of our Union, but also have a broader impact on the local communities they are grounded in, as well as on European society as a whole. I supported the report on sustainable corporate governance as it provides guidelines on how companies can help address the most urgent environmental and social challenges, while still contributing to the economic competitiveness of the European Union.
Council Recommendation on vocational education and training (VET) for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience (B9-0400/2020)
I supported with my vote the EU strategy on Vocational Education and Training (VET). The European Pillar of Social Rights is clear: the right to quality and inclusive education, training and life-long learning is the top priority of the initiative. I call on all Member States to allow access to education, which can improve not only the working conditions of citizens, but also their quality of life.The crisis we are facing has strongly affected the ones most in need. Many have lost their jobs and will face unprecedented difficulties in finding a new one. The EU has acted through the SURE unemployment mechanism. Yet, we must do more. We need to ensure that the VET strategy is tailored for the needs of citizens in the recovery phase, upskilling and reskilling workers, equipping them with the skills necessary to access dignifying employment.
Implementation of the EU water legislation (B9-0401/2020)
I supported a resolution, which supported the European Commission’s assessment that the Water Framework Directive (WFD) is fit for purpose. The text commends the directive for having set up an adequate governance framework, stressing that no revision of the directive is needed. The next step will be for all Member States to ensure their compliance with the WFD obligations by 2027, in order to protect the Union’s water bodies.
EU Security Union Strategy (B9-0421/2020)
I supported the resolution on the Strategy of the Security Union, which covers important policy areas affecting our citizens: the fight against organised crime and terrorism, the prevention of violent radicalisation and the resilience of critical infrastructures and public spaces and cybercrime, including fighting child sexual abuse. However, I did not support the paragraph on residency and citizenship by investment schemes. Citizenship is a national competence. We can strengthen existing programmes without eliminating them.
The need for a dedicated Council configuration on gender equality (B9-0402/2020, B9-0404/2020)
Gender equality is a fundamental value and a key objective of the European Union. Its importance is stated not only by the Treaties, but also by the European Pillar of Social Rights.As a Member of the European Parliament, I am personally committed to this value and my work in the European Parliament aims at bridging the gender gap, which many women still suffer from in many sectors of our society. I believe that, also at the Council level, there should be a configuration on gender equality that will make the work of the European institutions in this field more effective.This is the reason I supported this resolution.
Amendments to the Rules of Procedure in order to ensure the functioning of Parliament in extraordinary circumstances (A9-0194/2020 - Gabriele Bischoff)
The unprecedented emergency we have experienced this year has also shown that representative bodies such as the European Parliament need to adapt their functioning and enhance their resilience. Representative democracy should be able to work under any circumstances. This is the reason why I supported this report.
EU Strategy on adaptation to climate change (B9-0422/2020)
I voted in favour of a resolution calling for a new EU Adaptation Strategy to climate change, which ranks among the greatest threats to the globe. The EU must focus on promoting investments in projects with high adaptive and response capacity in a rapidly changing climate. The key word is resiliency. We need to build resilient infrastructure, through sustainable investments and nature—based solutions, preserving our ecosystems. In the process, we need to boost sustainable economic development, create new jobs, and guarantee water and food security, thus increasing the quality of life of our citizens and ensuring we leave no one behind.
Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions 2019 (A9-0230/2020 - Kosma Złotowski)
New general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2021 (A9-0267/2020 - Pierre Larrouturou, Olivier Chastel)
. – I supported the report on the new general budget for 2021. I welcome the fact that certain concerns of the European Parliament have been addressed compared to the first budgetary draft, including a higher level of appropriations for Horizon Europe, Erasmus+, EU4Health as well as the Connecting Europe Facility and Digital Europe. I hope that the European budget 2021 will be beneficial for the sectors that have been hit the most by the pandemic, including tourism and hospitality as well as - more generally - European SMEs.
Technical Support Instrument (A9-0173/2020 - Alexandra Geese, Othmar Karas, Dragoș Pîslaru)
I supported the creation of a Technical Support Instrument since I deem that such a mechanism will provide Member States with a useful policy tool necessary to enhance their capacity of designing and implementing reforms at the national level, especially in the field of cohesion, competitiveness, innovation and inclusive growth. It is of utmost importance that Member States can benefit from EU support in such a delicate phase of recovery without prejudice to their exclusive competences.
European Arrest Warrant and surrender procedures between Member States (A9-0248/2020 - Javier Zarzalejos)
. ‒ I voted in favour of a report that addressed the European Arrest Warrant (EAW) framework. The objective of the EAW is to avoid criminals taking advantage of our open EU borders to escape justice. Judicial cooperation is key. The report promotes a balanced view between the need for Member States to cooperate and protecting the legal and fundamental rights of suspects.
Strengthening the single market: the future of free movement of services (A9-0250/2020 - Morten Løkkegaard)
. ‒ I voted in favour of a report that aims to achieve a better implementation and enforcement of the EU legal framework on services in order to further strengthen the single market. I believe that the report strikes a good balance between economic freedoms and the social dimension, including workers’ and consumers’ rights.
Achieving an effective policy legacy for the European Year of Cultural Heritage (A9-0210/2020 - Dace Melbārde)
. ‒ The EU motto is ‘united in diversity’. No sentence could be truer as we move forward with the European project. Even if each Member State has its own culture, it is centuries of historical events which have affected all of us that led to the formation of the European Union. In a globalised world, we must fight with all our strength to protect the variety of cultures that distinguish us. For this reason, I supported the report in question, which aims at promoting an integrated EU approach towards cultural heritage, bringing together all its dimensions. We must safeguard our varied traditions, languages and arts. The report indeed condemns the illicit trafficking of cultural artefacts. These are operations that must be stopped as they contribute to the loss of culture and the enrichment of criminal networks.
Artificial intelligence: questions of interpretation and application of international law (A9-0001/2021 - Gilles Lebreton)
. ‒ Despite contributing to this report as Shadow Rapporteur of an opinion in the TRAN committee, I voted against it since the final text did not reassure me enough as regards the non-proliferation of weapons and the avoidance of misuse of AI in the military sector. In particular, the text lacked the vision necessary to ensure the non-proliferation of Lethal Autonomous Weapons (LAWS).
Revision of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) guidelines (A9-0251/2020 - Jens Gieseke)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the guidelines for a revision of the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T). The TEN-T is what in practice brings us together as a Union. Roads, airports, waterways and ports are essential elements for us to benefit of the right to free movement. It is useless to have a single market if it lacks the underling infrastructure necessary for goods to be delivered seamlessly and passengers to move rapidly. The report is a strong one, which clearly puts the focus on digitisation as the means to the success of the TEN-T of the future. We need to be ready for the challenges the future will present us. For this reason, the TEN-T core network needs to be completed as soon as possible. This will be key, especially for the economic and social development of isolated, island and outermost regions. I am also glad to see that the Motorways of the Sea and Short Sea Shipping, crucial elements for coastal and maritime regions, are given the role they deserve.
Monitoring the application of EU law 2017, 2018 and 2019 (A9-0270/2020 -Sabrina Pignedoli)
. ‒ I supported the report monitoring the application of the EU law in the period 2017-2019 for several reasons. Among others, it addresses the shortcomings in the transposition of the European Pillar of Social Rights and the fight against discrimination and accessibility to goods and services for persons with disability. The report also touches upon important issues such as solidarity when it comes to the relocation of asylum seekers.What I cannot support in this resolution, however, is the call on the European Commission to come up with a legislation banning investment and citizenship schemes. While the EU can recommend elements which it expects a residency or citizenship programme to include, these programmes form part of the exclusive competence of Member States.
Implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy - annual report 2020 (A9-0266/2020 -David McAllister)
The report did include some positive elements such as the call to improve relations with the Southern European Neighbourhood and the need to increase the security, prosperity and stability of the Mediterranean region. The report, however, presented elements that I do not agree with, including calls for the end of the unanimous voting system in the CFSP in favour of a qualified majority voting system. For such reasons, I abstained on the report.
Implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy - annual report 2020 (A9-0265/2020 - Sven Mikser)
Human Rights and Democracy in the World and the EU policy on the matter - annual report 2019 (A9-0259/2020 - Isabel Santos)
We have to continue working hard for the European Union to be at the forefront and lead by example when it comes to the respect of human rights. In this report, the EU assesses the state of human rights in the world. The text upholds many issues such as the need for corporate social responsibility, the urgency of fighting climate change, protecting religious beliefs, and ensuring access to universal healthcare. Despite having some reservations on parts of the text, I voted in favour of this important report.
FEAD: specific measures to address the COVID-19 crisis (A9-0174/2020 - Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová)
I voted in favour of this report since it enhances the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived. This Fund is an important instrument to provide the most vulnerable people with the right assistance and a useful tool to fight poverty. We need to take swift action to address the social wounds caused by the pandemic.
Measures to promote the recovery of fish stock above MSY (A9-0264/2020 - Caroline Roose)
Even though I supported the key objectives of this report, namely improving the maritime ecosystem through the promotion of fish stock recovery, I abstained on the final vote. As I find myself often repeating, ‘one size does not fit all’. We need to ensure harmonisation across regions, taking into account the diverse social, environmental and economic needs. My major concern with the report related to the possible economic consequences of blanket measures on small family-run businesses, in particular on small islands. We must continue working to devise smart measures to protect our marine ecosystems and the local communities around them.
Decent and affordable housing for all (A9-0247/2020 - Kim Van Sparrentak)
I voted in favour of this important report. Access to social housing or housing assistance is a fundamental principle embedded in the European Pillar of Social Rights to which I am strongly committed. In addition to that, the lock-down measures and pandemic restraints we have witnessed in the last year have reminded us of the importance of good quality housing.
Reforming the EU list of tax havens (B9-0052/2021)
I voted against this resolution as I disagree with the way it seeks to override the tax sovereignty that Member States are given by the treaties. In this regard, it is unfair to label the right of Member States to exercise their exclusive prerogatives in terms of fiscal policy and taxation as ‘aggressive tax planning’.
The gender perspective in the COVID-19 crisis and post-crisis period (A9-0229/2020 - Frances Fitzgerald)
I supported with my vote a report that upholds the gender perspective in the COVID-19 crisis. While initial statistics are showing that men are, in general, more at risk of death from COVID-19, it is women that are paying the highest social consequences. Pre-existing systemic problems have now been exacerbated by the pandemic. The underrepresentation of women in the labour market, the uneven sharing of parental responsibility and the notorious pay gap between women and men are only some of the problems contributing to a worsening of the current crisis for women. The present reality is the result of past inaction.Additionally, there is the harsh reality of violence against women. UN Women has reported that, since the beginning of the pandemic, all forms of gender-based violence have intensified worldwide. This is an eye-opener regarding the necessity of effective services to assist all women facing abuse. Action must go beyond reports and political statements; we must all be active and effective participants in this process.
The EU Strategy for Gender Equality (A9-0234/2020 - Maria Noichl)
I supported the report on the EU Strategy for Gender Equality since I firmly believe that there is still a long way to go to fight the inequalities European women face every day, for example domestic violence, femicide, the gender-pay gap, stereotypes, bias, low participation in the labour market (both as workers and entrepreneurs). The recovery from the pandemic can be a golden opportunity for the European Union to address these realities.
Closing the digital gender gap: women’s participation in the digital economy (A9-0232/2020 - Maria da Graça Carvalho)
I strongly support the report on closing the digital gender gap. The world needs more women in the digital sector. To do so, we need to start from education, allowing women from all parts of society to equally access STEM, together with AI training. A digitally literate workforce is of the essence. The lack of female input is already leading to undesirable outcomes. The absence of female software developers, as well as women in tech companies’ management, is leading to a gender bias in the tech sector and in software. This is highly problematic in particular when such software has decision-making powers. Female voices must also be heard through technology. Furthermore, once we have managed to create a pool of female graduates endowed with digital skills, we need to uphold their projects, supporting them through specific financial programmes for female-led start-ups and SMEs. I am convinced that gender balance in digital entrepreneurship can and will be key to solving many unresolved issues the digital world is facing today.
Establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (A9-0214/2020 - Eider Gardiazabal Rubial, Siegfried Mureşan, Dragoș Pîslaru)
I voted in favour of the regulation establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility. After a difficult year, it is essential to look forward and start healing the social and economic wounds the pandemic has inflicted on our citizens and enterprises.The Recovery and Resilience Facility will finance the national recovery plans and establishes certain minimum level of expenditure on green and digital priorities. While it is important to grasp the opportunity of recovering in a way of making our economy fit for the environmental and the technological transition, it is also key to adopt a flexible approach that takes into account the national specificities.I welcome that Malta and Gozo will receive more than 200 million euros for this decisive phase and I am confident that the collaboration between the European institutions and the national authorities will result in a positive outcome to make the Maltese economy more sustainable and resilient, while strengthening social cohesion.
European Central Bank – annual report 2020 (A9-0002/2021 - Sven Simon)
I voted in favour of the ECB Annual Report as I believe that this institution plays a pivotal role in the stability of the Eurozone and, more generally, of the European economy, including during the first phases of the COVID19 emergency. I am sure that – along with the other European institutions and national governments – it will also contribute to ensuring the conditions enabling the recovery from the pandemic.However, the exercise of ECB statutory functions should always go hand in hand with effective accountability mechanisms, with the European Parliament having a primary role, as stated by the Treaties.While I am glad that a woman leads the ECB, I am also concerned about the gender gap that still persists with reference to other management positions and I urge for effective actions to bridge it.
New Circular Economy Action Plan: see Minutes (A9-0008/2021 - Jan Huitema)
. ‒ The progressive uptake of circular economy actions aiming to build a more sustainable economy must be supported. The report on the New Circular Economy Action Plan, which I welcome, goes in the right direction.The adoption of a circular economy paradigm is of paramount importance to achieve the goals of the Green Deal, while offering opportunities for SMEs in the reparation sector and enhancing consumer rights, including the initiative to adopt the so-called ‘right to repair’.I believe that such a new paradigm could also offer plenty of opportunities for European islands, including Malta and Gozo, which can become an innovation laboratory, developing sustainable practices, able to positively affect the social and economic progress of local communities and, more generally, the wellbeing of citizens.
Implementation of the Anti-Trafficking Directive (A9-0011/2021 - Juan Fernando López Aguilar, María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos)
. ‒ I voted in favour of a text calling for the revision of the Anti-Trafficking Directive. We need to improve the way we tackle this international problem. Trafficking has no borders and, unfortunately, in the majority of cases takes advantage of vulnerable groups. Of all the people trafficked in the world, women account for a remarkable 71% and three out of four are trafficked for sexual exploitation. Children account for 27% of trafficked persons worldwide, with two out of every three being girls. Sadly, Covid-19 has only made things worse. We need as a society to start from the root causes such as gender inequality, gender-based violence, education, eradication of poverty and, no matter how many times we have seen this occurring in the past, the complete lack of international cooperation in conflict areas, where women are targeted and taken by militia, traded as sex slaves. The EU, in cooperation with international institutions, must collect data, identifying victims early and ensuring that legal systems are in place to appropriately condemn traffickers and pimps.
Implementation of Article 43 of the Asylum Procedures Directive (A9-0005/2021 - Erik Marquardt)
I voted in favour of an implementation report that evaluates the application of Article 43 on asylum procedures at borders. The report highlights the challenges of having a mandatory border procedure. It is important to recall that Article 43 leaves it to the discretion of Member States whether to apply border procedures or not. My own Member State, Malta, does not apply a border procedure and has made clear its reservations regarding the possibility of rendering such procedures mandatory.
Public access to documents for the years 2016-2018 (A9-0004/2021 - Ioan-Rareş Bogdan)
Transparency is a key value to promote in order to bridge the gap that still exists between citizens and public authorities, including at European level. Transparency is also a powerful antidote to populism, since it improves the overall accountability of democratic institutions.Transparent public access to documents is a crucial component of this process. The report monitoring the state of play for the period 2016-2018, which I supported, advocates for a similar level of transparency for all the European institutions.
Reducing inequalities with a special focus on in-work poverty (A9-0006/2021 - Özlem Demirel)
. ‒ I supported this report, which is in line with my firm commitment towards a social Europe as well as with a swift implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights.While the European social market economy has represented the model underpinning the development of our Union, inequalities persist. The progressive uptake of new forms of jobs, led by new technologies and digital platforms, has also exacerbated the phenomenon of in-work poverty. This is the reason why it is of paramount importance to ensure adequate standards of living for all citizens as well as social justice and dignity of labour.I firmly believe that the strong collaboration between the European Union and national governments is essential to put forward solutions that take into due account national specificities and the needs of local social partners.
The impact of Covid-19 on youth and on sport (B9-0115/2021)
. ‒ I supported the resolution analysing the impact of COVID-19 on youth and sport. Young generations have been hit hard by the pandemic; they deserve special attention. The development of digital skills, as well as the provision of psychosocial support and the enhancement of sporting activities are among the most effective actions to help the youth weather this delicate phase.I welcome the attention that the resolution pays to the Youth Guarantee and the support for young citizens participating in vocational education and training activities who have experienced a loss of income due to the interruption of their apprenticeship.
Slot utilisation rules at Union airports: temporary relief (C9-0420/2020)
COVID-19 has had a dramatic impact on aviation. Air traffic has dropped to a historic low, a 90% drop compared to previous years. In the midst of the crisis, the European Commission issued a full airport slot waiver, the ‘use it or lose it’ rule, allowing air carriers to flexibly manage their operations without having to fly empty planes in order to preserve their future right to claim slots. Although we are still in the middle of the pandemic, we must attempt to restart aviation. Following an initial unrealistic proposal from the Commission, pressure from Parliament led to new rules on airport slots that will allow air carriers to plan ahead for the summer. The measures will still ensure that air carriers can adapt their operations to their needs, continuing to weather the storm. For these reasons, I voted in favour of the urgent procedure.
Temporary measures concerning the validity of certificates and licences (Omnibus II) (C9-0004/2021)
I supported with my vote an important file for the transport sector. As many of you might be aware, COVID-19 has slowed down or brought to a complete halt bureaucratic procedures across Europe. The usual requirements for transport operators have not changed. Businesses and individuals must still renew their licenses, permits and authorisations in the area of road, rail, inland waterways and maritime security. In the general confusion caused by COVID-19, this has become complicated, if not impossible in some cases. The urgent procedure voted in plenary will make it possible to extend by 10 months the validity of certificates, licenses and authorisations expired between 1 September 2020 and 30 June 2021. Though a technicality, these measures are pragmatic.
Challenges ahead for women’s rights: more than 25 years after the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (B9-0114/2021)
It has been 25 years since the Beijing declaration was drafted. A landmark moment for the fight on gender equality. Almost three decades later, women and girls worldwide are still facing the same problems. Poverty, unequal access to education, gender-based violence, lack of equal opportunities, the gender pay gap, sex trafficking, and the absence of women in decision-making positions are only some of the many still existing today.Today, however, we need to do more as new problems have arisen. Social, economic and cultural factors make women worldwide more vulnerable to climate change, while the digital world has opened an entire new dimension for harassment and abuse. Fortunately, we are slowly developing new technological tools that can help us in this fight. Key to it all will be data. We need to collect sex-disaggregated data and comparative gender statistics. There is no gender equality without data equality. Although I abstained on parts of the text, with the interest of women worldwide and the fight for gender equality in my heart, I voted in favour of the resolution.
InvestEU Programme (A9-0203/2020 - José Manuel Fernandes, Irene Tinagli)
I voted in favour of the report on InvestEU. This programme, part of the next MFF 2021-2027 will be able to mobilise investment across our Union up to EUR 400 billion.In the aftermath of the pandemic, it is remarkable that the programme will focus on the promotion of investments and will support, among other things, those SMEs at risk of insolvency due to COVID-19.I also welcome that, through the funding of sustainable infrastructure, research, innovation, digitalisation, social economy and skills, this programme will give its important contribution to the twin transition.
Programme for the Union's action in the field of health for the period 2021-2027 (“EU4Health Programme”) (A9-0196/2020 - Cristian-Silviu Buşoi)
I voted in favour of the provisional agreement establishing a key element of the European recovery phase, the EU4Health Programme 2021-2027. The programme is part of Europe’s response to the Covid-19 crisis. Europe will mobilize euro 5.1 billion, helping Member States, health organisations and NGOs throughout their medical operations. EU4Health will boost an EU common response to cross border threats by creating both common reserves of medical supplies and a reserve of healthcare staff and experts to be mobilised in the event of medical emergency, while strengthening healthcare systems by helping them implement digital solutions and prevent diseases. I am particularly pleased to note the social dimension of this project. The programme will indeed improve access to medical care, making medicine and cures more affordable to all EU citizens.
A WTO-compatible EU carbon border adjustment mechanism (A9-0019/2021 - Yannick Jadot)
I voted in favour of the report aiming at the establishment a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism that would put a carbon price on the import of certain goods produced outside the European Union in order to minimise the risk of carbon leakage. I believe that such a measure will ensure a level playing field between European companies and non—EU players that will be a spur to embrace the European environmental standard.However, I urge the European Commission to set up a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism that is not detrimental to the economies of the smallest Member States, including Malta, that strongly rely on imports. An increase in prices would not be acceptable for consumers and SMEs.
Administrative cooperation in the field of taxation (A9-0015/2021 - Sven Giegold)
Corporate due diligence and corporate accountability (A9-0018/2021 - Lara Wolters)
I supported the ini-report calling for a European framework on corporate due diligence and corporate accountability. Amid the transition towards a sustainable economy and society, I believe that undertakings, especially large and publicly listed ones, need to make a step forward. The identification, assessment, prevention, mitigation and communication of the impact of their own activities on human rights, the environment, and good governance would help contribute to achieving this goal.While I think that self-regulation has so far not been sufficient, I truly believe that we should avoid an unreasonable administrative burden, especially on SMEs.
Equal treatment in employment and occupation in light of the UNCRPD (A9-0014/2021 - Katrin Langensiepen)
. ‒ I supported with my vote an important report which shed light on equal treatment in employment for persons with disabilities. Unfortunately, the reality today is far from what the EU has set out to achieve. A vast majority of persons with disabilities are excluded from the labour market. This is a violation of their right to fully participate in the society that they are a part of.The EU stands for equality and inclusiveness, but the problems surrounding the employment of persons with disabilities represent a great obstacle to these principles. The EU and its Member States must ensure adequate action in this field. Institutions should facilitate the entry in the market of persons with disabilities by ensuring basic rights, such as equal pay, social protection, reasonable accommodation, and working agreements tailored to the needs of the person. We need to ensure that the work environment becomes a welcoming environment.
Activities of the European Ombudsman - annual report 2019 (A9-0013/2021 - Sylvie Guillaume)
With my vote I supported an important report on the activities of the European Ombudsman. The role of the Ombudsman is essential to ensure that European citizens’ rights are prioritised across the EU and that good administration is guaranteed in the EU institutions. Proof of this can be found in Emily O'Reilly’s recent work. In 2019, as well as in past years, her work has focused on transparency and accountability, showing how the Ombudsman’s work can bring citizens closer to the EU.
European Semester: Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy 2021 (A9-0036/2021 - Markus Ferber)
I supported the report on European Semester for economic policy coordination since I believe it embeds positive elements to advance the political agenda for the just transition in the aftermath of COVID-19, while preserving economic competitiveness. We should have learnt from the European sovereign debt crisis we experienced between 2010 and 2012 that austerity as such cannot be the political answer to systemic crisis. I am glad that the European Union has adopted another, more inclusive, approach to cope with the economic and social effects of the pandemic.
European Semester: employment and social aspects in the Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy 2021 (A9-0026/2021 - Lina Gálvez Muñoz)
I voted in favour of the report concerning the employment and social aspects of the European Semester. COVID-19 has left deep social wounds that we need to heal. Bringing this social dimension in the European Semester is also paramount to advance the European Pillar of Social Rights in these challenging times of transition to a cleaner and digital economy that will produce significant changes in the labour market and, more generally, in the social landscape.However, I did not support the paragraphs of the report that consider fiscal competition among Member States as a harmful practice, since I deem that fiscal policies are an exclusive national remit and can be a lever to enhance the economic competitiveness of the smallest and most peripheral ones.
The Syrian conflict - 10 years after the uprising (B9-0175/2021, B9-0176/2021, B9-0177/2021, B9-0178/2021, B9-0179/2021, B9-0180/2021, B9-0181/2021)
The 15th of March 2021 marked 10 years since the beginning of the Syrian war. Ten years of countless abuses and violations of human rights, in complete disregard of international humanitarian law by all involved. Without the need to discuss how the conflict began or who specifically is at fault, we must all take a moment to underline the gravity of the situation. The people of Syria have suffered for ten long years and the conflict is far from over. I supported the resolution, which condemns operations in the country and calls to prioritize the interests of the Syrian people. The EU must continue to support Syrians through dialogue, pushing for the end of military action in favour of a political solution respectful of the needs of the people of Syria.
Declaration of the EU as an LGBTIQ Freedom Zone (B9-0166/2021, B9-0167/2021)
The European Parliament has declared the European Union an LGBTIQ Freedom Zone. I am proud to be able to state that I have supported this resolution with my vote. LGBTIQ rights are under threat across the EU. As democratic values and the rule of law are weakened, fundamental rights such as human rights and freedom of speech become an easy target for retrograde policies. We must be vigilant. Even the most progressive Member State can see a regression with regards to rights we take for granted. In the age of disinformation, more than ever, we must promote diversity and respect for one another, ensuring through constructive dialogue that LGBTIQ rights are indeed viewed at all levels of society as human rights. I stand with all those individuals that face discrimination and harassment solely for having shown the courage to be themselves and promote love.
Children's Rights (B9-0164/2021)
I voted in favour of an important resolution on the Rights of the Child. The Commission will soon publish its 10-year strategy to continue to improve the situation of children in Europe. The strategy comes at a very delicate time for children across the EU. As is too often the case, it is the most vulnerable elements of our society that suffer the most in a crisis. The pandemic has accentuated already existing issues such as poverty and access to education for children. The future strategy must be ready for the post pandemic recovery focusing on education, digital literacy, combating violence against children, and must consider the psychological damage caused by Covid-19, with adequate measures and assistance supporting our children to reintegrate. The resolution importantly calls on action to end sexual exploitation of children, especially through trafficking, while calling to streamline the gender and LGBTIQ dimension in the ten-year strategy. I also definitely support the call for a child-friendly justice system with appropriate and inclusive proceedings that listen to the need of children.
Shaping digital education policy (A9-0042/2021 - Victor Negrescu)
I voted in favour of the report on shaping digital education policy. The present and future are digital and we need to start preparing new generations for the next 20 years. We need to guarantee careers for them. This can only be done by placing education high on the agenda at both EU and national level. The report rightly mentions the need to devolve at least 20% of funds from the Recovery and Resilience Facility to digital education. What is more, we need to modernise existing curricula both for children and for adults. We must not forget how important it will be to upskill and reskill workers as the job market evolves. The report also calls for the creation of an EU Digital Certificate that recognises a person’s digital qualifications and credentials across Europe, which I support. This would be beneficial when it comes to employment and would also promote the principle of freedom of movement, a cornerstone of our Union. Lastly, the report calls for investments to decrease the gender gap existing in STEM careers. I have been campaigning in all fora possible to ensure we have more women in STEM education, hoping for a future with true gender balance in the digital job markets.
Impact on fisheries of marine litter (A9-0030/2021 - Catherine Chabaud)
I voted in favour of this important report for our marine ecosystems. Every year, at least 8 million tonnes of plastic end up in our oceans. This amounts to a total of 80% of all maritime debris. I myself come from a marvellous island, surrounded by an even more beautiful ecosystem. Our economy and people thrive off the sea, which also serves as a strong attraction to tourists. Thus, I supported the call to increase research into maritime litter and speed up the development of a circular economy in the fisheries and aquaculture sector. We need to strengthen the policies in place to ensure the survival of our ecosystem.
Cohesion Policy and regional environment strategies in the fight against climate change (A9-0034/2021 - Tonino Picula)
I voted in favour of this INI report since I believe that cohesion policy is an effective tool with which to address the environmental challenges European regions are facing in view of the green transition. I welcome the fact that the report refers to the key role of European islands as ‘innovation laboratories’ to develop clean energy, smart mobility, waste management and circular economy solutions that fit within the priorities of the Green Deal. I believe that we still have to unleash the islands’ potential in this sector and implement environmental policies within the framework of cohesion policy that can help in this regard, while ensuring that the achievement of the Green Deal will not result in undesirable negative effects in terms of mobility and connectivity that would further widen the geographical gap islands face.
European strategy for data (A9-0027/2021 - Miapetra Kumpula-Natri)
. ‒ I voted in favour of an excellent report drafted by my colleague Kumpula Natri MEP and to which I contributed with my work in both ITRE and TRAN. The EU needs to rapidly take action in creating a Single Market for data. We need to standardise the way we collect, store and process data consequently facilitating access to data sets for both private individuals and businesses, in full respect of data privacy regulation. The benefits for society would be vast. In particular, a data-sharing environment would help SMEs, which traditionally lack the means and the skills to reap the benefits of the data they create, both in expanding operations and in research. The report outlines a decentralised data-sharing ecosystem that creates a level playing field in the market running on thematic ‘data spaces’ interconnected with each other, allowing all players to control the data they produce. This last point is key. In order to ensure that the EU’s strategy succeeds, we need to ensure trust among players. This can only be done by establish a clear legal framework that establishes when, how and where the data shared by players can be used.
Guidelines for the 2022 Budget - Section III (A9-0046/2021 - Karlo Ressler)
I supported the report on the general guidelines for the preparation of the 2022 European Budget as I believe it keeps addressing the priorities we are facing in the post-COVID recovery phase. The European economy and society need to be resilient: it is thus crucial to focus on investment in strategic areas such as tourism, support for SMEs, research and innovation.I also welcome the fact that the report underlines the importance of implementing gender-responsive budgeting, striving towards giving the same opportunities to women and men.Whilst voting in favour of this report, I do not consider that financial support to the European Defence Fund should be among the main priorities of the European Budget for 2022.
Implementation of the Ambient Air Quality Directives (A9-0037/2021 - Javi López)
Ancient Greek philosophers already stated the importance of air as one of the essential elements enabling human life. In our fight for a cleaner world, it is crucial to protect this common good: nowadays air pollution causes more than 400 000 premature deaths every year. This is the reason why I voted in favour of the report on the implementation of the Ambient Air Quality Directives. However, I am of the opinion that - unlike what is stated in the report - it is important to allow Member States to use the flexibility mechanism aiming to adjust the national emission ceilings since many countries are in the process of improving the quality of their emission estimates in line with the most recent scientific standards.
New EU-Africa Strategy (A9-0017/2021 - Chrysoula Zacharopoulou)
I supported the report on a new EU-Africa Strategy as I believe it is important to develop stronger ties with this continent, home to more than one billion people and so close to our European shores. Africa is facing many challenges and the European Union, as a global player, should promote effective cooperation with African countries, on an equal footing.Whilst voting in favour of this report, which mentions several agreements, I must note that regretfully the Valletta Summit on migration and the ensuing Political Declaration have not been mentioned. Furthermore, I would have liked to see a reference to any form of Euro-Mediterranean engagement with Africa.
EU Strategy for Sustainable Tourism (A9-0033/2021 - Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar)
I have supported with my vote a paramount report for the tourism sector and its future. In the European Parliament, together with the Tourism Task Force, we have worked hard since the beginning of the pandemic to ensure the survival and recovery of the tourism sector. The report is solid, calling for concrete mechanisms to support the industry through financial aid. Tourism needs to be given the role it merits within the national recovery plans. The document also puts a strong emphasis on tourism workers. Often subject to atypical working conditions, recent events have shown how susceptible these jobs are to systemic shocks (COVID-19) or insolvencies (the Thomas Cook bankruptcy). We need to ensure the creation of quality jobs which benefit local tourism communities. This can only be done by improving their contractual conditions and supporting upskilling and reskilling programmes. The recovery of tourism has to be sustainable. We need to reduce the carbon footprint of tourism, focusing on quality over quantity. Using the Next Generation EU funds, we need to diversify the tourism offer, manage tourism flows and invest heavily in digitalisation. I support the call for an EU roadmap on sustainable tourism.
Strengthening the international role of the euro (A9-0043/2021 - Danuta Maria Hübner)
The adoption of the single currency has brought to European citizens and enterprises economic and practical benefits, including the enhancement of the Single Market and of the free movement of goods, capital, services, and people. Our common currency has been essential for the development of the European project. I welcome that the report considers the long-term international role of the euro will depend on the economic attractiveness of our Union and on the ease to do business in our Continent. For these reasons, I decided to support the report.
Commission evaluation report on the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation two years after its application (B9-0211/2021)
I voted in favour of a resolution that assessed the implementation of the GDPR thus far. The European Union is world leader in data protection. The EU has created an essential standard for the world to follow, protecting its citizen’s privacy, giving them control over the way their information is used online. However, we must continue to work hard to ensure that the rights citizens have achieved are not watered down. This is not easy in a society where privacy is constantly threatened. The report looked critically at the regulation and concluded that for the time being no review is needed.
Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (A9-0118/2021 - Christian Ehle)
I voted in favour of the decision to establish the specific programme implementing Horizon Europe. The environmental, economic and societal challenges our Union faces will benefit from this massive funding – almost EUR 100 billion – over the next 7 years. While the European Parliament had asked for even more ambition, I believe that Horizon Europe will contribute to the modernisation, the resilience and the sustainability of our continent. The implementation of the programme should be swift and effective, with a focus on excellence, while supporting innovative SMEs, as well as research on health and innovation.
European Institute of Innovation and Technology (A9-0120/2020 - Marisa Matias)
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology represents one of the tools that will make European research and innovation more effective and able to keep up with the challenges that our society and economy will face in the coming decades. This is the reason why I voted in favour of the report.
Strategic Innovation Agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (A9-0121/2020 - Maria da Graça Carvalho)
. ‒ I supported the adoption of the Strategic Innovation Agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology since I believe that the actions embedded in the document will support a widespread uptake of research and innovation throughout Europe, including in countries that are currently considered modest and moderate innovators. Through the EIT’s Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs), it will be possible to enhance large-scale partnerships between higher education, business and research organisations in order to make innovation pervasive at the local level. I welcome the future setup of a KIC on Water, Marine and Maritime Sectors and Ecosystems (Water KIC), which will be also beneficial for Malta and Gozo.
Union Civil Protection Mechanism (A9-0148/2020 - Nikos Androulakis)
Interinstitutional agreement on mandatory transparency register (A9-0123/2021 - Maria Hübner)
. ‒ The transparency of European institutions is essential in order to ensure their good functioning, public scrutiny and, ultimately, the democratic accountability of the representatives of European citizens. European decision-making is essential to deliver policies that improve citizens’ life: it is therefore crucial to enhance the openness of this process, including through instruments such as the mandatory transparency register. This is the reason why I voted in favour of the report.
More efficient and cleaner maritime transport (A9-0029/2021 - Karima Delli)
I voted in favour of an important political declaration calling on the maritime sector to contribute to decarbonisation and our European Green Deal objectives. Whilst supporting this important call, I still maintain firm my reservations on the call for the inclusion of Maritime in the ETS, as this measure would have a disproportionate effect on the Maltese economy.I emphasise that we need effective guarantees, including compensatory mechanisms, before moving forward. The maritime sector also needs adequate assistance, since it has notoriously stalled in implementing modern solutions, which will contribute towards it becoming cleaner. The first step towards achieving this goal is by strongly promoting the EU decarbonisation agenda at IMO level. Backed by a new green US administration, a common global approach would allow the EU maritime sector to compete internationally.
The EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (A9-0128/2021 - Andreas Schieder, Christophe Hansen)
I voted in favour of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement. Faced with Brexit, the European Parliament prioritised a solution that would avoid a damaging ‘no-deal’ scenario. The EU acted to protect the rights of EU citizens, protect peace and prosperity in Ireland, uphold legal order, and preserve the integrity of the customs union. The Socialists and Democrats strongly campaigned for the respect of social, environmental and regulatory rules, to avoid social dumping, protect EU jobs and safeguard our competitiveness. I note that the future Brexit Adjustment Reserve will indeed help mitigate the negative consequences of Brexit for Malta and all other Member States.
Multiannual management plan for bluefin tuna in the eastern Atlantic and the Mediterranean (A9-0149/2020 - Giuseppe Ferrandino)
. ‒ While the interinstitutional agreement presented many positive elements, I voted down this report due to a red line: the total shift of responsibility from flag states of catching vessels to farming states. Malta, being the largest farming state, will be severely impacted, especially when one considers that most of the tuna for farming comes from non-EU flag states. This would also entail a non-level playing field between different ICCAT Cooperating Non-Contracting Parties (CPCs), especially due to the fact that this proposed provision goes beyond the ICCAT recommendation which is being transposed.
Soil protection (B9-0221/2021)
. ‒ I voted in favour of a motion for a resolution calling on the need to protect soil. Soil protection is essential to tackle global societal challenges such as climate change, food security and safety, human health, protection of natural resources and biodiversity. Soils also play a major role in the nutrient, carbon and water cycle. Often forgotten, protecting soil means protecting the beauty of our territory and our people. While I agree with a wider European approach, focusing on collaboration, sharing of best practices, and support through data analysis, I would like to stress the importance for this to be achieved in full respect of the principle of subsidiarity, which always allows the local administration, the one most aware of the local scenario and needs, to implement the best solutions for the territory.
Digital Green Certificate - third country nationals (C9-0100/2021 - Juan Fernando López Aguilar)
I voted in favour of a complementary proposal to the EU Covid Certificate. As a demonstration of the EU’s effort not to discriminate against anyone when it comes to travel, this sister proposal will allow third-country nationals legally residing in the EU to enjoy the proposed certificate scheme. The reason for a different regulation is that it has to be based on a different legal basis, as freedom of movement is only enjoyed by Union citizens and their family. For third country nationals, the Schengen acquis must be used as a basis. Therefore, the main rules of the EU Covid Certificate proposal for Union citizens will also be applied to third country nationals legally residing in the EU.
Digital taxation: OECD negotiations, tax residency of digital companies and a possible European Digital Tax (A9-0103/2021 - Andreas Schwab, Martin Hlaváček)
I voted against the report since I believe that fiscal policy should be an exclusive remit of Member States. Taxation policies are one of the tools to increase the competitiveness of national economies that – especially due to their small size and peripheral position – face additional challenges to enhance their attractiveness.
Assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the rule of law in Malta (B9-0219/2021)
I am Maltese and I want justice to be served. In order to be effective, however, justice must be allowed to take its course. This resolution comes at a time when major investigations and trials are under way and key witnesses are being heard. It also comes at a time when several reforms were undertaken by the Labour Government, reforms which strengthened the rule of law. These were positively recognised by the European Commission, the Venice Commission and – just a few days ago – by the Court of Justice of the European Union. The resolution presents a distorted picture of Malta’s political and judicial reality, rooted in a specific partisan agenda, and does not do justice to the good will and huge advances that the current Labour Government has made to strengthen the country’s institutions. For all these reasons, I voted against this resolution which not only comes at an inopportune moment, but is at once unjust and insensitive to the realities of Malta.
European Defence Fund (A9-0120/2021 - Zdzisław Krasnodębski)
Parliament’s estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2022 (A9-0145/2021 - Damian Boeselager)
I supported the report on the European Parliament’s estimates of revenue and expenditure for the financial year 2022. The text we voted on strikes a good balance between the efforts to contain the expenditure due to the Parliament’s functioning, in line with the efforts European citizens are making during these tough times, and the need to invest in order to make the institution work effectively during emergencies, through the enhancement of its resilience. I therefore voted in favour of the report.
European Child Guarantee (B9-0220/2021)
Europe should be more effective to eradicate child poverty, a plague that still afflicts more than 20% of citizens aged less than 18 years. Children should have access to decent housing, to free quality healthcare and education as well as to adequate nutrition. This is the reason why I proudly supported this resolution, which is consistent with my commitment to the full achievement of the European Pillar of Social Rights. I hope that the new European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) will support the implementation of the Child Guarantee at the national level.
The accessibility and affordability of Covid-testing (B9-0233/2021, B9-0234/2021)
Accessible and affordable COVID tests will be essential to enable European citizens to travel again, for personal, work and tourism reasons alike. The resolution, which I supported, calls on the Member States to ensure universal, accessible, timely and free—of—charge testing as a way to enable the right to free movement within the EU without financial and economic discrimination, in the context of the EU COVID—19 Certificate. Citizens that are not yet vaccinated or cannot get a vaccine should not be treated in a discriminatory way compared to citizens that are already vaccinated and thus able to obtain the Certificate.
2019 Discharge: EU general budget - European Parliament (A9-0044/2021 - Petri Sarvamaa)
. – I voted in favour of the 2019 discharge for the European Parliament. The discharge procedure allows Parliament, as the sole body directly elected by EU citizens, to assess whether the EU budget allocated to the different EU bodies and agencies has been correctly utilised in a given year. This scrutiny by the Committee on Budgetary Control, based on data by the Court of Auditors, is a demonstration of EU efforts to be as transparent and cost-efficient as possible.Parliament’s discharge holds great value as we, the Members of this Parliament, must lead by example. It is therefore paramount to attentively dissect the expenditure of Parliament so as to ensure the maximum respect for workers’ rights, transparency, cost effectiveness and efficiency. I am pleased to note that the Court of Auditors once again issued a positive opinion on Parliament’s accounts. In particular, I commend the call for specific attention to gender balance in Parliament and the need to respect and promote multilingualism.
Just Transition Fund (A9-0135/2020 - Manolis Kefalogiannis)
I welcome the approval of the Just Transition Fund, which I supported. This act is the first piece of legislation enabling the Green Deal and does not only address the green issues, but, even most importantly, tackles the social consequences of the environmental transition. If we want to build public acceptance and consensus around the green transformation of our economy, claiming the crucial and undeniable benefits of the decarbonisation process is, unfortunately, not enough. This deep switch of paradigm risks to increase the inequalities already spread in our society: the most vulnerable citizens, workers and peripheral regions should not pay the highest price of this transition. The Just Transition Fund is a first and important step in the right direction, since it will enable all Member States to build a socially just transition that will build on the specific features of our communities and local economic ecosystems in order to leave no one and no region behind.
Review of the European Union Solidarity Fund (A9-0052/2021 - Younous Omarjee)
I supported the review of the European Union Solidarity Fund that represents a tangible example of European solidarity towards citizens living in regions hit by major natural disasters or by public health emergencies. This instrument shows that Europe stands with its citizens and I wish that its responsiveness as well as its mobilisation would be swift and effective.
Artificial intelligence in education, culture and the audiovisual sector (A9-0127/2021 - Sabine Verheyen)
I supported with my vote an important resolution, which noted the strong impact new technologies will have on education and culture. Applications of new technology will undoubtedly benefit society, for example, by improving education methods for persons with disabilities. Whilst taking full potential of the benefits, we need to ensure that new technologies are adequately regulated to ensure the protection of gender equality, non-discrimination and linguistic diversity. AI must be trained on unbiased data sets to avoid any form of discrimination, while an ethical framework for algorithms must be developed, especially when children interact with it. Lastly, but not less important, we need a degree of control by teachers on new educational methods. Teachers need to be fully aware of how new ways of teaching impact students way of thinking and their actions. The human element must always prevail.
A European Strategy for Energy System Integration (A9-0062/2021 - Christophe Grudler)
I supported the report on the integration of the energy system since I am convinced that we can achieve the ambitious goal of climate neutrality if we adopt a holistic approach that develops synergies and promotes energy efficiency among different sectors. Yet we must admit that, in certain cases, it is not easy to find attractive low-carbon alternatives: this is the case of the transport sector. We should encourage and support further research and innovation that will enable the uptake of this new approach towards energy integration. While I welcome the potential of European islands for the production of clean energy, I did not support references to tax harmonisation in the field of energy among Member States since taxation policies should fall within the exclusive remit of national governments.
A European Strategy for Hydrogen (A9-0116/2021 - Jens Geier)
I voted in favour of the European Strategy for Hydrogen as I believe that hydrogen has a strong potential to contribute to the decarbonisation of our economy, including in the transport sector. While I agree that - in the long term - only the clean hydrogen will have a lasting impact on the ambitious targets to reach climate neutrality by 2050, I am also convinced that we still have to fully capitalise on the potential of this fuel in order to guarantee its uptake in all Member States and make it truly affordable. I welcome the inclusion of the provisions in favour of specific solutions to ramp up hydrogen production in less connected or isolated regions, such as islands, which I put forward during the discussion in the ITRE Committee.
Human rights protection and the EU external migration policy (A9-0060/2021 - Tineke Strik)
I voted in favour of a very important report on human rights protection and the EU external migration policy. Cooperation with countries of origin, as well as other third countries, is key. In the past two months, a great number of individuals drowned at sea in the Mediterranean. If third countries are not acting effectively in avoiding these tragedies, from the EU’s side - where we pride ourselves on the respect of human dignity and rights - we must do more. However, apart from its external action, the EU must also look internally. The lack of effective solidarity among the 27 is scarring the EU, leaving countries of first entry, like Malta, with a huge burden. Mandatory burden sharing mechanisms are therefore essential.
Reversing demographic trends in EU regions using cohesion policy instruments (A9-0061/2021 - Daniel Buda)
I supported the report on reversing demographic trends in Europe. I am convinced that many areas of our Union, especially the most peripheral and the rural ones, deserve more attention to guarantee each citizen the same access to services on the same footing of those living in more urbanised and well-connected areas. Everybody should also have the right to live in his or her home community if one so wishes. I also welcome the attention to small islands and peripheral maritime regions that often witness negative demographic trends due to the lack of economic and job opportunities. As also the report has underlined, the blue economy can represent an opportunity to make these regions thrive.
Environment: The Aarhus Regulation (A9-0152/2021 - Christian Doleschal)
The Aarhus Convention guarantees access to information as well as public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters. I supported the report since I believe that the rights enshrined in the Convention should be truly enforced as a step forward to make Europe the global leading bloc on the green transition.
New Avenues for Legal Labour Migration (A9-0143/2021 - Sylvie Guillaume)
I voted in favour of a report that calls on the Commission to establish a better framework for legal migration. The European continent is facing a shortage of labour as well as an ageing population, two factors which risk slowing European progress in many fields. The EU needs to actively interact with third countries with mutually beneficial objectives to tap into global skills needed. I particularly support the idea of setting up an EU talent pool that would match employer’s needs with prospective employees. If we manage to create an efficient and solid network, this could also help in reducing irregular migrant flows.
Digital future of Europe: digital single market and use of AI for European consumers (A9-0149/2021 - Deirdre Clune)
I am proud to have contributed to this report as S&D negotiator in the Transport Committee. The future of Europe will be digital. We must make sure to fully reap the benefits of technology being developed. No sector will be exempt from modernisation. For this reason, we need a cooperative effort by all actors, private and public, to ensure that as we revolutionize our economies and everyday life, we do so by upholding our fundamental rights. We need to protect consumers; as new products are placed on the market, we need to protect data privacy and ensure non-discrimination. In the transport sector, these principles are even more important. A car driven automatically by Artificial Intelligence, Intelligent Transport Systems that manage the infrastructure of a country, and apps that use our data to facilitate our everyday commute, must all work in the interest of us humans. We need to ensure legal clarity, especially with regards to liability, to boost consumer trust but also facilitate business and its inevitable uptake of technology. Lastly, through digital solutions, we have a great opportunity to finally make the various sectors truly inclusive to people with disabilities.
The adequate protection of personal data by the United Kingdom (B9-0272/2021)
The European Union prides itself on its unmatched data privacy standards. Among the many issues caused by Brexit, serious concerns have been raised regarding the processing of EU business and citizens’ data in the UK. UK data protection does mirror in many aspects the EU’s GDPR regulation. However, many issues remain unsolved. The European Parliament has worked to close the existing gaps, always prioritising the protection of data. As it stands, the UK data protection framework raises concerns with regard to the exemptions existing in the fields of national security and immigration. Regarding the latter, we must keep in mind that immigration exemptions now apply to EU citizens. UK law allows data to be retained even if a person is not being investigated, while their onward data transfers agreements with third countries would expose EU data to violations. These measures are not in line with recent EU court rulings or with the European Data Protection Board (EDPB) recent opinions. For these reasons, I voted in favour of a strong report, which demands that the Commission does not issue an adequacy decision until these issues are resolved, ensuring true data privacy for citizens and businesses alike.
EU Digital COVID Certificate - Union citizens (C9-0104/2021 - Juan Fernando López Aguilar)
I voted in favour of the final agreement on the EU Digital COVID Certificates, a measure greatly welcomed by the Tourism Taskforce which I form part of. Whilst we are a long way from a complete return to normal, the certificates are definitely a strong step in the right direction. As the vaccination roll out progresses, the EU travel sector is reopening for summer whilst restoring traveller confidence. I would like to reiterate that the certificates are not a passport and are non-discriminatory. A traveller will have the opportunity to present a vaccine certificate or a negative test, which should exclude them from restrictive measures. Subsidised testing is also essential to facilitate travel and ensure affordable travel.
EU Digital COVID Certificate - third-country nationals (C9-0100/2021 - Juan Fernando López Aguilar)
I voted for the final agreement on a proposal closely connected to the EU Digital Certificates. The EU digital certificates have as their legal basis the free movement of people, which applies only to EU citizens and their families. However, many third-country nationals reside in the EU and are often entitled to travel freely with some limitations. To ensure that third country nationals benefit of the certificates and are not discriminated upon, a separate regulation using the Schengen acquis as legal basis has been approved.
Competition policy – annual report 2020 (A9-0168/2021 - Johan Van Overtveldt)
. ‒ I supported the annual report on competition policy that, among other things, underlines the special condition of European islands. The European Commission should pay heed to the specificities of these regions in terms of actions enabling the competition policy of the Union. We cannot overlook the systemic and structural challenges that affect the competitiveness of businesses, especially the smallest ones, based in, and operating from, European insular territories. I am strongly advocating for more flexibility on the State Aid discipline concerning islands and I welcome that the report recognises this specificity, also taking into account the consequences of the COVID-19 emergency that severely hit our islands. While I share the general approach of this dossier, I did not support the paragraph asking for the alignment of all EU competition and State aid rules to the objectives of the Green Deal, since I believe that decisions concerning the domestic energy mix should remain a national competence.
The gender dimension in Cohesion Policy (A9-0154/2021 - Monika Vana)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the report, which I negotiated in the REGI Committee on behalf of my political group, since it enhances the gender dimension in Cohesion Policy programmes. While it is not always easy to grasp the importance of gender mainstreaming in the policies for regional development, taking into account the perspective of women is crucial for two reasons. First, budgetary decisions can affect men and women in a different way, according to the sectors investments are earmarked for. Second, the projects financed by the Cohesion Policy can contribute to eradicating the plight of gender-based violence, while helping women increase their participation in the labour market, achieve a better work-life balance and, more generally, improve their well-being. I am glad that the report embeds a call for the EU to ratify the Istanbul Convention as well as to give special attention to vulnerable women and those living in disadvantaged regions, such as rural areas and islands.
EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030: Bringing nature back into our lives (A9-0179/2021 - César Luena)
. ‒ I voted in favour of an important report on protecting and restoring Europe’s biodiversity. The European Union did not achieve its 2020 biodiversity objectives. We need to protect nature, tackling five key elements: changes in land and sea use, the direct exploitation of organisms, climate change, pollution and invasive alien species. The report is calling for EUR 20 billion a year to be mobilised for biodiversity action. We need to move forward in restoring nature. I think of tourism for example. Maritime and rural tourism will only be sustainable if we not only protect the flora and wildlife living around us, but also regenerate what we have lost in the past years. I particularly support the urgent call to stop the drastic population decline of bees and other pollinators. We need to protect the work of apiarists on our islands.
75th and the 76th sessions of the United Nations General Assembly (A9-0173/2021 - María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos)
I voted in favour of the report on the recommendations to the Council on the 75th and 76th sessions of the United Nations General Assembly. I share the value of multilateralism in international relations and the promotion of dialogue among nations. I particularly welcome the support in the report to the activities carried out by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), which provide humanitarian assistance to Palestinian refugees. However, I voted against the call for using the rule of qualified majority voting in the Council on the EU’s foreign and security policy since I consider that only the use of unanimity voting protects the national interest of Malta and ensures that the voice of all European countries on such crucial topics is heard.
Meeting the Global Covid-19 challenge: effects of waiver of the WTO TRIPS agreement on Covid-19 vaccines, treatment, equipment and increasing production and manufacturing capacity in developing countries (RC-B9-0306/2021, B9-0306/2021, B9-0307/2021, B9-0308/2021, B9-0309/2021, B9-0310/2021, B9-0311/2021)
I voted in favour of the resolution calling for a temporary TRIPS waiver. It is very important to stress the temporary nature of the waiver. This waiver must be proportional to the pandemic response and end once we have vaccinated the world’s population. Intellectual property does indeed fuel research leading to new advancements in technology. For this reason, it must be protected. Yet we are in a time of emergency. We urgently need to put an end to global production constraints and supply shortages. This is the safest choice. Today, Europe is experiencing a decrease in cases, but we need to help other areas of the world vaccinate. We cannot take the risk. A global approach to vaccine production and distribution is therefore paramount.
The EU's Cybersecurity Strategy for the Digital Decade (B9-0305/2021)
The cyber-resilience of digital infrastructure has become a crucial feature of the strategy Europe needs to pursue to achieve its technological leadership. The recent cyberattacks on healthcare systems in some European Member States shows once again how important it is to take these threats very seriously. I supported this resolution since I believe that the EU’s Cybersecurity Strategy will be an essential piece to achieve the goals of the Digital Decade while supporting small and medium enterprises to build the capabilities to face a ‘cyber-secure’ digital transition.
European Parliament’s Scrutiny on the ongoing assessment by the Commission and the Council of the national recovery and resilience plans (RC-B9-0331/2021, B9-0331/2021, B9-0333/2021, B9-0334/2021, B9-0335/2021, B9-0337/2021, B9-0338/2021)
I supported the resolution on the European Parliament’s scrutiny of the assessment of the national recovery and resilience plans. In fact, I believe that the representatives democratically elected by the European citizens should ensure the proper oversight of this historical phase of recovery from the social and economic damages caused by the pandemic. While it is of utmost importance to monitor an effective implementation of the national recovery and resilience plans, I am firmly convinced that giving flexibility to Member States would enable them to undertake the projects that better fit the needs of their citizens and regions.
Promoting gender equality in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education and careers (A9-0163/2021 - Susana Solís Pérez)
Data shows that a significant gap still affects women in the digital and in the tech sector. While this issue has multiple causes, the promotion of the gender dimension in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers is crucial to reduce inequalities in this field. I supported the report since it builds the way forward to help women fully benefit from the opportunities of the digital transition. As the gender mainstreaming rapporteur in the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) I particularly welcome the focus of the report on working towards eliminating gender stereotyping and cultural discouragement that has often prevented women from undertaking a career path in sectors such as the STEM ones, which have traditionally seen a larger share of male workers. I believe that the promotion of the STEM careers should go hand in hand with the horizontal approach of the Commission and its action to promote the European Skills Agenda.
Regulations and general conditions governing the performance of the Ombudsman’s duties (A9-0174/2021 - Paulo Rangel)
The European Ombudsman has a paramount role within the European institutions, The Ombudsman holds the institutions accountable; it works for the EU citizens and businesses, investigating maladministration and complaints, while also addressing systemic problems. Transparency is always high on the agenda of the Ombudsman. Given the importance of the role, I voted in favour of the updated statute that will increase the role and capacity of the Ombudsman office in conducting its duties.
European Climate Law (Jytte Guteland - A9-0162/2020)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the final agreement on the Climate Law. The European Union is once more proving to be a world leader in the fight against climate change. EU governments and institutions are officially committing to achieving climate neutrality by 2050. This means that following this date, emissions must start decreasing. The agreement includes many fundamental issues such as a 55% net GHG emissions reduction target for 2030 and the setting up of a European Scientific Advisory Board on Climate Change.It is very important to stress the strengthened provisions for climate adaptation, intended to support vulnerable and impacted groups, communities and ecosystems within the Member States’ adaptation strategies and plans. This will be the most difficult task. As we decarbonise, we need to guarantee that our policies do not worsen the situation of some regions and their communities, ensuring that the green dimension of the fight against climate change goes hand in hand with the social one.
European High Performance Computing Joint Undertaking (A9-0177/2021 - Maria da Graça Carvalho)
. ‒ We often discuss the need for Europe to become a world leader in digital technology. The European High Performance Computing (HPC) Joint Undertaking is doing exactly this. The EU is trying to develop its own world class supercomputing ecosystem, an ecosystem that will provide computing solutions, improve cooperation in advanced scientific research, while boosting industrial competitiveness and, most importantly, ensuring European technological and digital autonomy. I am particularly pleased that the text calls for the inclusion of SMEs and start-ups to facilitate their access to HPC infrastructures through training. Europe needs to become a leader in cutting-edge technology. The only way to do so is through smart heavy investment in research and innovation.
Public sector loan facility under the Just Transition Mechanism (A9-0195/2020 - Johan Van Overtveldt, Henrike Hahn)
I voted in favour of the report on a public sector loan facility under the Just Transition Mechanism. This technical name – Public Sector Loan facility – in reality represents a key element of the just transition. It will in fact allow support to public authorities involved in helping villages, cities and regions achieving clean and inclusive policies. The Socialist and Democrats at the European Parliament worked hard for this instrument to contribute to boosting investment in social housing, smart mobility, circular economy solutions and sustainable waste management. As I always state, as we clean our cities and de-pollute our seas, we must never forget the citizens that could be impacted by such policies. This instrument will help ensure a fair, social, inclusive just transition for all.
Sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU, in the frame of women’s health (A9-0169/2021 - Predrag Fred Matić)
I abstained on the final vote on the sexual and reproductive health and rights in the EU resolution. The report contained various important points relating to sexual and reproductive healthcare, which I am in favour of. These include access to IVF, access to contraception, quality healthcare for pregnant women, as well as the importance of sexual education. With that being said, however, I am against the fact that the report also included strong references to abortion calling on Member States to change their laws in this area, an aspect that falls solely under Malta’s national competence. That is why I decided to abstain on this non-legislative report.
Regulatory fitness, subsidiarity and proportionality - report on Better Law Making 2017, 2018 and 2019 (A9-0191/2021 - Mislav Kolakušić)
I voted in favour of the report on Better Law Making. The EU has in place mechanisms to ensure collaboration between national parliaments and the institutions. The report assessed the efficiency of the subsidiarity mechanism established by the Treaties, calling for increased political dialogue, with the objective of avoiding technical and complex debates and an evaluation of EU legislation, which can lead to national parliaments not being involved. In substance, we need to continue working to ensure that the subsidiarity principle continues to work effectively through transparent and effective cooperation, better involving national parliaments.
2019-2020 Reports on Bosnia and Herzegovina (A9-0185/2021 - Paulo Rangel)
I voted in favour of the report on Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The European Union is heavily involved in improving the economic and social status of its neighbours, in particular in the Western Balkans through the Economic and Investment Plan for the region. The report calls on granting BiH candidate status to the EU. As for all future candidates, BiH must initiate a process to deliver on important values of the EU, such as judicial, electoral, institutional and constitutional reforms, adopt legislation to fight corruption and ensure the transparency of political financing, and respect the rights of all citizens, in particular those concerning minorities, women and the LGBTIQ+ community.
Use of technologies for the processing of data for the purpose of combating online child sexual abuse (temporary derogation from Directive 2002/58/EC) (A9-0258/2020 - Birgit Sippel)
I voted in favour of the agreement on combating child sexual abuse online. The proposal aims at allowing the continuation of specific activities to combat sexual abuse of children, which had become illegal under new legislation. The Socialists and Democrats worked to ensure the text respected the EU’s data protection legislation, the Charter on Fundamental Rights and the Court jurisprudence. The document is of paramount importance and a sensible one. In the final agreement, a temporary derogation is inserted to allow the use of technologies which detect the practice of grooming, the phase in which paedophiles initiate contact and ‘groom’ their victims. This was the most sensitive point of the agreement as there are strong diverging opinions. The derogation is a temporary solution waiting for a clarification on the legality under EU law of such technologies.
European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (A9-0222/2021 - Gabriel Mato)
I voted to confirm the agreement on the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF). This sector, along with the entire blue economy value chain, is crucial for Malta and was negatively affected by COVID-19. I welcome the support for fishing communities and young fishers: both are essential actors in preserving ecosystems in oceans and seas. I am also glad that EMFAF will also help tackle marine litter, especially plastic waste, as this is a crucial issue for keeping our seas clean and healthy.
Trade related aspects and implications of COVID-19 (A9-0190/2021 - Kathleen Van Brempt)
I voted in favour of the report on the trade-related aspects and implications of COVID-19. The disruptive impact of the pandemic on trade and global value chains is there for all to see. The pandemic has taught us that, when it comes to trade policy, ‘business as usual’ is not the most sensible option. We need to build ourselves up again more resilient to future systemic shocks, and trade is one of the most crucial aspects to focus on to enhance the EU’s strategic autonomy, while protecting our citizens from shortages of critical products, such as those related to healthcare. Any review of the EU’s trade policy should not overlook small and medium-sized enterprises, which often suffer as a result of their weak bargaining power within international value chains, while also enhancing the geopolitical role of the European Union as a global player.
Financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report 2020 (A9-0200/2021 - Pedro Silva Pereira)
I supported this report that represents the instrument through which the European Parliament oversees the activities of the European Investment Bank (EIB). I am convinced that the EIB can play a crucial role in supporting the investments to enable the green and the digital transition, while maintaining a strong link to the economic fabric at the local level. The recovery phase after COVID-19 will represent a turning point for European society. It is therefore essential that the EIB keeps up its support for innovation, SMEs and social infrastructure, and that it does so in line with the ambitious climate goals of our Union.
Control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank - annual report 2019 (A9-0215/2021 - Bas Eickhout)
I voted in favour of this report on the control of the financial activities of the European Investment Bank (EIB) for 2019, which forms part of the democratic scrutiny Parliament performs every year over the European financial institutions. The EIB has an important role in financing the European Green Deal and, through its lending policy, it can channel investments towards projects leading to a more sustainable Europe, from energy to mobility projects. However, we should not forget that the strategy of such an important public investment bank should also aim to increase the territorial cohesion of the Union, taking into account the specificities of Member States and regions, as they begin their path towards the environmental transition from different starting points.
Protection of the EU’s financial interests - combatting fraud - annual report 2019 (A9-0209/2021 - Caterina Chinnici)
The European Union must be committed to fighting fraud and corruption across its Member States. By doing so, we ensure that the Union’s budget is spent appropriately and in the interest of EU citizens. This is an important report which allows the European Parliament to assess the situation and make recommendations on how to tackle existing fraud and irregularities. Although I recognize the importance of such report, I abstained since two paragraphs naming and shaming Malta, which I had voted down, passed. Malta is named as having failed to appoint its prosecutor to the EPPO whilst the reason for such failure was beyond control. Indeed, the delay in naming a prosecutor was due to the inability to find a suitable appointee following the timely launch of a call for applications, a problem that had ultimately been solved.
The impact on the fishing sector of offshore windfarms and other renewable energy systems (A9-0184/2021 - Peter van Dalen)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the report on the impact on the fishing sector of offshore windfarms and other renewable energy systems. Renewable energy will be key in helping the EU achieve its 2050 climate neutral goal. In the upcoming decade, the EU will need to install new renewable energy production capacity, especially where not possible before. As costs decrease and technology improves, offshore wind, today vastly used in the North Sea, will progressively gain greater importance, especially for countries in the Mediterranean. It is for this reason that we must carefully develop our maritime spatial planning to ensure the coexistence of the fishing sector and energy production.
Citizens’ dialogues and citizens’ participation in EU decision-making (A9-0213/2021 - Helmut Scholz)
If we want to build a strong public consensus around European values and reinforce the democratic legitimacy of the EU, we need to fully involve our citizens in the decision-making process and to enhance the instruments enabling continuous dialogue with them. The European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI), the complaints to the European Ombudsman and the petitions to the European Parliament: these bottom-up tools have proved to be useful. Yet, as a member of the Conference on the Future of Europe – I look forward to this opportunity to ensure the engagement of citizens, especially the youth, in shaping the next generation Europe. For all these reasons, I decided to support this report.
EU-NATO cooperation in the context of transatlantic relations (A9-0192/2021 - Antonio López-Istúriz White)
I abstained on the resolution on EU-NATO cooperation in the context of transatlantic relations. My decision to abstain is consistent with Malta’s constitutional neutrality clause and with my previous votes on the subject. Whilst I understand the importance of cooperation, Malta’s position is clear on the issue. I appreciate that the text recalls that EU-NATO cooperation must be without prejudice to the security and defence policy of the non-NATO EU Member States, which includes Malta.
Old continent growing older - possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020 (A9-0194/2021 - Beata Szydło)
I voted in favour of the report on possibilities and challenges related to ageing policy post 2020. The European Union is facing demographic challenges, a problem which concerns all generations. Depending on the region, it can hurt both rural and urban communities. With the Socialist and Democrats, we call for a life-cycle approach based on human rights. Importantly, the policies implemented for demographic change must in no way damage the achievement of gender equality. European Union values of inclusiveness and non-discrimination must also be upheld in the process. We have called for a framework directive to support long-term care, decent employment opportunities for young people, equal access to the internet and public services in all regions, and better health and safety policies at the workplace to ensure people can actually work until the statutory retirement age.
The creation of guidelines for the application of the general regime of conditionality for the protection of the Union budget (A9-0226/2021 - Eider Gardiazabal Rubial, Petri Sarvamaa)
EU global human rights sanctions regime (EU Magnitsky Act) (B9-0371/2021)
I believe the European Union has an obligation to use its global standing to influence the world for the better. Here in Europe, we are fortunate to be able to experience the full respect of human rights. Unfortunately, far too many nations across the world experience grave violations of their right to life, to liberty, to be free from slavery and torture and freely express themselves. The European Union cannot stand idle and ignore these violations of human rights. With the creation of the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime, the EU is equipping itself with a framework to target human rights abusers. It must be clear that such sanctions will be targeted to individuals, entities and bodies responsible for, involved in or associated with serious human right violators. It is of paramount importance that sanction regimes do not hurt the local population, aggravating their situation further. As a Union, we must use this framework in an unbiased, independent manner to ensure we put an end to these unacceptable violations of human rights. We should also seek to collaborate with all like-minded countries. Whilst I voted in favour of the report, I voted down a reference to using qualified majority voting over unanimity for imposing sanctions which I stand against.
European Medicines Agency (A9-0216/2021 - Nicolás González Casares)
I supported the proposal for a regulation on a reinforced role for the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in crisis preparedness and management for medicinal products and medical devices. The pandemic, especially in the initial phases, has shown severe shortcomings in the coordination of the emergency with negative effects on European citizens and on national healthcare systems. If we want the European Health Union to become a reality, we should bolster the role of EMA, including its capacity to avoid possibly shortages of medicines. Today’s vote is coherent with my commitment to the European Pillar of Social Rights: everyone shall have the right to timely access to affordable, preventive and curative health care of good quality, especially during emergencies where a lack of swift response might be detrimental to citizens’ wellbeing.
A new ERA for Research and Innovation (B9-0370/2021)
I supported the resolution on the European Research Area since I believe that sound research and innovation policies will help Europe not only become more resilient, but – even more importantly – face the urgent societal challenges of the future.A new European Research Area will be effective if we will be able to combine ambitious research goals with robust investment, while bridging the geographical disparities that still affect EU Member States. Coming from Malta, a country that is still considered a ‘moderate innovator’ by the European Innovation Scoreboard, I strongly believe that initiatives such as the ERA should contribute to unleashing the potential of those regions still lagging behind.Horizon Europe is the first step in the right direction; yet, if we want R&I to underpin Europe’s competitiveness as well as the twin transition, we need inclusive policies in this field to engage young researchers, women in STEM careers and small and medium-sized enterprises.
Review of the macroeconomic legislative framework (A9-0212/2021 - Margarida Marques)
I supported the report on the review of the macroeconomic legislative framework since I believe that the revision of the Stability and Growth Pact will contribute to making the era of austerity a distant memory. During the last decade, the promotion of draconian economic policies, including at the European level, might have partially reduced the level of public debt of certain Member States, while having a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable citizens, such as the youth – left without hope – and the elderly – often even deprived of decent pensions.Any review of the macroeconomic legislative framework must not only aim to ensure fiscal sustainability in the long-term, but – most importantly – to increase social cohesion and citizens’ wellbeing, while allowing Member States the necessary fiscal flexibility to address the economic and the social challenges at the national level.
Establishment of Antarctic Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and the conservation of Southern Ocean biodiversity (B9-0369/2021)
I voted in favour of a resolution on establishing marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean. The EU is joining the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the UK and the USA in promoting the creation of marine protected areas for conservation of biodiversity in the East Antarctic and Weddell Sea to ensure these areas can face the challenges of climate change, such as ocean acidification. The EU is committed through diplomacy to promoting climate friendly actions and upholding its values.
Breaches of EU law and of the rights of LGBTIQ citizens in Hungary as a result of the adopted legal changes in the Hungarian Parliament (B9-0412/2021, B9-0413/2021)
I voted in favour of what was an important resolution on LGBTIQ rights in Hungary. The Hungarian Parliament passed a shocking law equating homosexuality with paedophilia. The country has been progressively weakening the rights of the LGBTIQ community. We now find ourselves at a point in which we cannot look the other way. I agree with President Von Der Leyen, who has anticipated that legal action will be taken by the Commission. Europe must defend its values enshrined in Article 2 of the Treaty of the European Union and Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. When a Member States enters the Union, it subscribes to these values. We need strong action from Europe to defend the principle of non-discrimination. What is more, it is worrisome that many young citizens will be deprived of appropriate comprehensive sexual education. The physical and mental health consequences of this law can be dramatic. The EU is an LGBTIQ freedom zone. There is no place for such regressive action.
LGBTIQ rights in the EU (B9-0431/2021)
I supported the resolution on the LGBTI rights in the EU since I believe that our Union still needs to progress to eradicate the discrimination the LGBTIQ still suffers from. Discrimination is not just about hate crime and hate speech. Discrimination affects numerous fields of LGBTIQ persons’ daily life: from social protection to healthcare, from housing to education. In many Member States, same-sex marriages or partnerships are still not recognised. In the last years, we have witnessed a dangerous surge in homophobic and transphobic violence: let us act swiftly to make love win over hate and discrimination.
Draft amending budget No 1/2021: Brexit Adjustment Reserve (A9-0263/2021 - Pierre Larrouturou)
Brexit Adjustment Reserve (A9-0178/2021 - Pascal Arimont)
Brexit has had severe consequences for the European Union, especially for the Member States that have shared significant relations with the United Kingdom. I am glad that the approval of the Brexit Adjustment Reserve, which I supported, will contribute to alleviating the negative impacts this historical event has produced, through concrete financial support. Malta is among the countries benefitting the most, in relative terms, from the Reserve, due to its political, cultural and economic ties with Great Britain.
EU Blue Card Directive (A8-0240/2017 - Javier Moreno Sánchez)
I voted in favour of the agreement on the Blue Card Directive relating to skilled third-country nationals legally attaining permission to work in the European Union. Talented, highly skilled employees hold paramount importance for the innovation of many sectors. The EU must become an attractive market for experts in all fields. If we achieve such a goal, it could contribute greatly to many of the EU’s objectives, such as in the digital and environmental field. We need more flexible criteria for their admission and we need to allow for the more efficient movement of blue card holders between EU countries. The EU needs to ensure it remains competitive in the coming decades; to do so, it needs to also welcome knowledge from beyond the EU’s borders.
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (A9-0253/2021 - Joanna Kopcińska)
. ‒ Among the lessons learnt from the pandemic, we should not forget the crucial role played by preparedness, information sharing, as well as coordination for disease prevention and control. This is the reason why I voted for the extension and the enhancement of the mandate of the ECDC (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control). Scientific knowledge is essential to work towards the prevention and control of future diseases.
Serious cross-border threats to health (A9-0247/2021 - Véronique Trillet-Lenoir)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the report calling for a regulation on serious cross-border health threats. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown weaknesses and areas of improvement for the EU in unitedly managing serious threats to the health of our population. A well-functioning EU heath-crisis and pandemic-preparedness plan are essential. We need to ensure future health threats find us prepared, coordinated and united.
Guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States (A9-0262/2021 - Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová)
The COVID19 pandemic has had a heavy impact on the European labour market and social cohesion. This is the reason why it is important that the guidelines for the employment policies of the Member States are updated to reflect this new reality. New jobs as well as new working conditions stemming from the digital transition are another area of concern in terms of working rights: measures to ensure good working conditions, fair wages and the fight to eradicate in-work poverty must be prioritised and enforced. For all these reasons, I supported the report.
Fair working conditions, rights and social protection for platform workers - New forms of employment linked to digital development (A9-0257/2021 - Sylvie Brunet)
The platform economy has created new areas of opportunities boosting entire sectors and creating new jobs. It is however the duty of the legislator to ensure that jobs are offered in full respect of labour laws and the worker’s dignity. I voted in favour of a ground-breaking report to improve the working conditions of platform workers. Platform work is not covered by any EU legal instrument, which leaves workers in a legal limbo. Indeed, such workers are often misclassified as self-employed, which results in close to no protection during crises, little to no insurance coverage, and little possibility for collective action. I encountered this issue when working on the DSA in the TRAN committee and realised the complexities of the matter. There is no doubt however that in some segments of the platform economy employer-employee relations equate to modern day slavery. We need to do more for our workers. The EU needs to propose laws that effectively protect platform workers.
Fishers for the future (A9-0230/2021 - Manuel Pizarro)
Coastal communities’ economy, including that of European islands, heavily hinges upon the fishing industry. This sector has experienced an increasing lack of interest by young generations that see jobs in the industry not particularly attractive, especially for the hard working conditions. Such a situation would represent a setback for the competitiveness of the maritime regions, also from a social perspective. Therefore, I supported the report, which draws the way forward to make the sector and maritime professions safer and more attractive for younger generations, as a precious source of employment for coastal regions.
Plans and actions to accelerate a transition to innovation without the use of animals in research, regulatory testing and education (RC-B9-0425/2021, B9-0425/2021, B9-0426/2021, B9-0427/2021, B9-0428/2021, B9-0429/2021, B9-0432/2021)
I voted in favour of a Resolution calling for phasing out the use of animals in research. There is no doubt of the benefits animal use in labs have provided to scientific progress. It has contributed greatly in helping us better understand and cure human health conditions. Today, however, technological advancement in science is helping us provide more options for testing. We need to move towards research that uses animals only where non-animal methods are not available.
Implementation of EU requirements for exchange of tax information (A9-0193/2021 - Sven Giegold)
I abstained from the vote on this report. While I support the need for transparency and information sharing on tax matters, I highlight that the exclusive competence of Member States on tax policies should still be respected. Moreover, I disagree with the way the Member State I come from, Malta, was so singled out.
Strengthening transparency and integrity in the EU institutions by setting up an independent EU ethics body (A9-0260/2021 - Daniel Freund)
I supported with my vote the creation of a new independent EU ethics body. Strongly supported by S&D, the new body will be paramount in ensuring the transparency citizens expect from the EU institutions. The ethics body will give advice on ethical rules around conflicts of interest and lobbying for Commissioners and MEPs prior and during their term in office.
The role of development policy in the response to biodiversity loss in developing countries, in the context of the achievement of the 2030 Agenda (A9-0258/2021 - Michèle Rivasi)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the report on development policy and the fight against biodiversity loss. Achieving the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 has not only significant internal implications, but also encompasses the policies that our Union has put in place to support developing countries. Development policies are also key in upholding the Sustainable Development Goals and in promoting a more sustainable agriculture, whose market globalisation has often led to biodiversity erosion.
Artificial intelligence in criminal law and its use by the police and judicial authorities in criminal matters (A9-0232/2021 - Petar Vitanov)
. ‒ I voted in favour of this paramount report for our society. Artificial Intelligence could be the answer to many problems of today’s world. It is indeed also becoming a useful tool in law enforcement, helping our police in identifying criminal activity and conduct investigations. Application of AI in criminal law must however never come at the expense of law-abiding citizens. Caution is never enough when protecting liberties. We must avoid a mass surveillance society where intelligent systems indiscriminately recognize citizens at all times through facial recognition technology. We must also avoid behavioural policing. Only individuals subject to a legally approved investigation for a crime should be identified through AI. We must also fight discrimination in the field of AI, as these systems misidentify minority groups, LGBTI people, seniors and women. This can lead to injustice within the judicial system. We need to therefore ensure that algorithms be transparent to ensure the rights of our citizens are always respected. The respect of privacy, which is an important component of human dignity, must be protected.
The impact of intimate partner violence and custody rights on women and children (A9-0254/2021 - Elena Kountoura, Luisa Regimenti)
. ‒ Intimate partner violence is still a plague that affects Europe and that we must fight in a stronger way. The pandemic and the related lockdown measures have unfortunately marked a move backwards, with a sharp surge in cases of domestic violence. This phenomenon has strong negative effects on children, whose safety should be considered a priority in the examination of custody cases. For all these reasons, I supported the report as a further step forward to eradicate intimate partner violence and to protect children.
EU Road Safety Policy Framework 2021-2030 – Recommendations on next steps towards "Vision Zero" (A9-0211/2021 - Elena Kountoura)
The European Union set the ambitious objective of zero deaths on the road by 2050. Following positive years, progress in reducing road fatalities has stagnated. Still today, 90% of road accidents are caused by human distraction, speeding and alcohol consumption. For this reason I strongly support the call on zero tolerance for drinking and driving and for the creation of a ‘driving safe mode’ on smartphones to reduce distractions. Member States need a focused approach targeting roads where the highest number of accidents occurs. We need to invest more in modernising our infrastructure, especially with regards to digital technologies that can increase safety. If correctly planned, the zero deaths on the road 2050 objective can be achieved.
Rebuilding fish stocks in the Mediterranean (A9-0225/2021 - Raffaele Stancanelli)
. ‒ I supported with my vote an important report for the Mediterranean. Many communities, living in different Member States and third countries, live off the gifts of the sea. Unfortunately, as we are all aware, overfishing is depleting fish stocks. There have been some positive signs, but more has to be done. We are all connected through the Mediterranean and need further cooperation to ensure all communities remain healthy. I fully support the report’s call for greater involvement of regional and local authorities, stakeholders and research institutes on data collection. We must recognise fishermen as the ‘guardians of the sea’, experts in their fields whose knowledge must be collected by sharing best practices aiming for a sustainable future for the sector.
The future of EU-US relations (A9-0250/2021 - Tonino Picula)
I voted in favour of this report. In today’s world, Europe must maintain positive external relations. Following dark years in the EU-US relationships, we are finally seeing some positive signals. We cannot expect relationships to change overnight, but the new US administration has so far shown a constructive approach to international cooperation engagement, and multilateralism, which are essential conditions to rebuild the transatlantic relationship. The EU and US can and must work together on post-pandemic climate strategy, combining economic growth, clean energy and social justice.
The protection of persons with disabilities through petitions: lessons learnt (A9-0261/2021 - Alex Agius Saliba)
Persons with disabilities still face significant hurdles in terms of service accessibility, social protection and access to the job market. It is crucial that the European Parliament, also through the Committee on Petitions (PETI), keeps paying heed to the voice of the most vulnerable ones and carries on the work to protect them. While there is still no mutual recognition of the disability status between Member States, the European Union is central in promoting equal opportunities as well equal access to participate in society and the economy. This is the reason why I supported the report and I will keep advocating the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030 that the Commission put forward in March 2021.
Banking Union - annual report 2020 (A9-0256/2021 - Danuta Maria Hübner)
I voted in favour of the report that annually assesses the state of play and functioning of the Banking Union. The institutional set-up of the Banking Union represents in fact one of the key achievements in the aftermath of the financial crisis in 2008. Promoting the resilience of the European banking sector as well as its transparency and stability is essential if we want the banking industry to serve its pivotal role of financing the real economy, which is ultimately represented by European SMEs and consumers.
Reforming the EU policy on harmful tax practices (including the reform of the Code of Conduct Group) (A9-0245/2021 - Aurore Lalucq)
I voted against the report on reforming the EU policy on harmful tax practices due to my reservations regarding tax harmonisation among Member States. According to the Treaties, national governments enjoy full competence on tax policies; using this leverage to promote economic competitiveness should not be labelled as aggressive tax competition. This simplistic approach fails to consider that small Member States, especially the most peripheral ones, rely on business-friendly tax policies to overcome the geographical disadvantages they structurally face.
Farm to Fork Strategy (A9-0271/2021 - Anja Hazekamp, Herbert Dorfmann)
I voted in favour of the report on a Farm to Fork strategy. For the past decades, we have been overproducing food in a non-sustainable manner. Not only have we been over producing, but we have also decreased the quality of the food we eat, with dire consequences for human health. We need to boost organic farming production whilst giving adequate support to our farmers, especially those coming from Members States or regions like Malta and Gozo where there are certain restrictions related to parcel distribution and characteristics. I welcome that the Maltese Government has set up incentives within Budget 2022 for landowners to collaborate with farmers who want to develop an organic farming model. In addition, we must find a way to decrease our use of pesticides; yet this must be done progressively as more sustainable alternatives come to the fore. I conclude by saying that we must give full support to our farmers during this transition towards higher quality products through fiscal incentives and support, training, and R&I application.
Employment and social policies of the euro area 2021 (A9-0274/2021 - Lina Gálvez Muñoz)
The annual report on employment and social policies is the good moment to assess the implementation of social rights in our Union: the 2021 report is even more important since it underlines what is at stake to achieve a social Europe after the pandemic. While we still have a long way to go in order to reduce inequality, to eradicate poverty and to build an ambitious European social agenda, I am glad that the text we voted – which I also supported – focuses on sustainability, social inclusion and people’s well-being. A Europe with a robust social framework that addresses social justice and integration, fair distribution of wealth, gender equality, a public, universal and high-quality education system as well as quality employment is what we need to address our citizens’ needs during the recovery and in the future.
Protecting workers from asbestos (A9-0275/2021 - Nikolaj Villumsen)
Asbestos is a silent killer in the EU that was traditionally used in developing building and infrastructure before its ban in 2005. By 2030, more than 300 000 citizens are expected to die from mesothelioma. What is truly concerning is that a majority of these deaths will be caused by occupational exposure to asbestos. I therefore wholeheartedly voted to ensure that our citizens’ are protected from exposure to asbestos.
Europe’s Media in the Digital Decade (A9-0278/2021 - Dace Melbārde)
I supported the report welcoming the EU Media Action Plan proposed by the European Commission. The pandemic has hit the media sector, also composed of small and micro-enterprises, which often faces the competition of global players, both online and offline. We need to preserve high quality content, while supporting the media industry through the synergies among MFF programmes such as Creative Europe and Digital Europe and enhancing the competitiveness of the whole sector.
The effectiveness of Member States' use of EU Solidarity Fund money in cases of natural disasters (A9-0273/2021 - Corina Crețu)
I supported with my vote the report assessing the use of the European Union Solidarity Fund. Set up in 2002 following severe flooding in central Europe, it became one of the EU’s most effective tools for disaster recovery. In the context of the Covid-19 health crisis, it was extended to help Member States face the pandemic. Unfortunately, this summer showed us how this instrument will probably become even more important with new floods and fires raging across the EU. The report stresses that EUSF funding might not be sufficient for upcoming challenges and underlines how it takes too long for funds to reach the Member State in need. I hope the EU will manage to strengthen this instrument in the future.
The situation of artists and the cultural recovery in the EU (A9-0283/2021 - Monica Semedo)
I voted in favour of a forward-looking report assessing the status of the European artistic sector. The pandemic has hit the cultural sector hard. Concert halls, theatres and cinemas have been shut down across the EU, greatly damaging the finances of many independent artists, venue owners and promoters. Therefore, we need to support artists with concrete measures and be forward looking: an investment guaranteeing a creative future for Europe.
EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation (A9-0265/2021 - Charlie Weimers)
I abstained from the final vote on the report addressing EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation. The Indo-Pacific region is strategic for peace and stability in the entire world. This is the reason why I believe that cooperation in this area should be grounded in dialogue and mediation, while the language used in the report is often too negative and does not favour a constructive engagement with all the players of the region, including China.
General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022 - all sections (A9-0281/2021 - Karlo Ressler, Damian Boeselager)
I voted in favour of the report embedding the guidelines of the draft general budget of the EU for 2022. As we are approaching the second year of the Multi-annual Financial Framework, I am of the opinion that Europe should strongly support inclusiveness, social rights, territorial cohesion while also incentivising research for the green and the digital priorities. Innovation can make Europe advance in health applications for its citizens, but it can also contribute to supporting sustainable and affordable transport as well as the digitalisation of our small and medium businesses. These examples show that if we earmark EU money to address strategic priorities, it can represent a powerful tool to promote effectively competitiveness and solidarity.
Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe (A9-0246/2021 - Maria da Graça Carvalho)
I welcome the strong approval by the European Parliament of its position on the European Partnerships for research and innovation. This piece of legislation, the first concrete step to implement Horizon Europe, will enhance cooperation between the public and the private sector in strategic areas for European industrial competitiveness, such as health, clean aviation, hydrogen, digital and connectivity. As the S&D negotiator on this dossier, I am convinced that Parliament’s position has shown a high degree of ambition, especially on transparency, openness to SMEs and support of skills across the whole value chain of the industries that will form part of the partnerships. These Joint Undertakings will also contribute to reducing the gender gap in research and innovation, which is still an issue preventing women from unleashing their full potential in this sector. I hope that the Partnerships will have a truly effective societal impact for Europe, making our Union live up to its ambition of being a global player.
EU transparency in the development, purchase and distribution of COVID-19 vaccines (B9-0519/2021, B9-0520/2021)
I voted in favour of this resolution, which calls for more transparency in the process of development, purchase and distribution of COVID—19 vaccines. The vaccination phase has been successful in many EU Member States, yet we owe our citizens not only a high level of transparency, but also an enhanced dialogue in order to better understand their concerns and doubts about vaccination. Communication is key and should be fostered.
An EU strategy to reduce methane emissions (A9-0277/2021 - Maria Spyraki)
I voted in favour of the report on reducing methane emissions. Methane is indeed a heavy pollutant. Therefore, we must find ways to decrease its release into the atmosphere. Whilst Member States must commit to phasing out fossil fuels as soon as feasibly, practically, economically and socially possible, I want to stress that this must be done in a way that does not compromise the security of supply aspect, which is a key pillar of EU energy policy.
UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, the UK (COP26) (B9-0521/2021)
I voted in favour of the European Parliament’s resolution on COP26. The Glasgow conference is set to be the most important climate conference since Paris 2015. The world needs to mobilise and unite in finding solutions to the greatest existing threat to our species. European youths are asking for action. The resolution calls on all G20 countries to become climate neutral by 2050. Such a commitment would send a strong message to the rest of the world.
Pandora Papers: implications on the efforts to combat money laundering, tax evasion and avoidance (B9-0527/2021, RC B9-0530/2021, B9-0530/2021, B9-0531/202)
I abstained on the final vote on the report since, as already stated numerous times, I am convinced that Member States may use their fiscal policies to enhance their economic competitiveness and attract investments. While I am against money laundering and tax evasion, I believe that the report wrongly assumes that Member States exercising their exclusive remit on tax policies is to blame for ‘aggressive tax planning’. In many cases, especially when a Member State is peripheral and thus suffers from a permanent geographical disadvantage, the use of business-friendly tax policies is one of the few ways to enhance economic competitiveness.
Situation in Tunisia (RC-B9-0523/2021, B9-0523/2021, B9-0524/2021, B9-0525/2021, B9-0526/2021, B9-0528/2021, B9-0529/2021)
. ‒ Whilst I voted in favour of the resolution, I have some reservations on parts of the text where the resolution goes one step too far. Tunisia is an important neighbour and partner and the European Union should offer its support. Tunisia has hosted EU missions that would have otherwise been impossible to host in neighbouring countries, due to instability. Following the Arab Spring, the EU fostered a strong partnership with Tunisia, and supported all the democratic structures to enable a prosperous economy. In this regard, the EU’s unwavering support to assist Tunisia is crucial, to primarily avoid greater social economic hardships. The reference to the EU’s unstinting support to Tunisia in continuing its path towards democratic consolidation is one, which reflects the EU’s actions in supporting the legitimate aspirations of the Tunisian people.
Climate, Energy and Environmental State aid guidelines (CEEAG) (B9-0534/2021, RC-B9-0535/2021, B9-0535/2021, B9-0536/2021, B9-0537/2021, B9-0538/2021)
I supported the resolution on the climate, energy and environmental State aid guidelines. The green transition should make us rethink the way we deal with State aid, which should contribute to achieving the ambitious environmental goals of our Union, while also promoting the security of energy supply and energy affordability, which are also important along with the decarbonisation goals. In order to do so, State aid guidelines should be flexible and avoid excessive administrative burden both for public authorities and for beneficiaries.
European Partnership on Metrology (A9-0242/2021 - Maria da Graça Carvalho)
I voted in favour of the report on the European Partnership on Metrology, which I negotiated in Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE) on behalf of my political group. While the science of measurement is still a niche, which is relatively unknown, successful research in this field can contribute to delivering the ambitious goals of the environmental and digital transition. The impact of metrology is horizontal and embeds many sectors of our economy and our society: let us think – for instance – about monitoring of CO2 emissions and air pollution in general, health diagnostics, smart grids, digital connectivity and advanced manufacturing. The European Partnership on Metrology will help give this science the visibility it deserves, while reducing the investment gap and the fragmentation that currently hampers it from becoming more competitive towards other global players that support the sector much better than our Union.
Serious cross-border threats to health (A9-0247/2021 - Véronique Trillet-Lenoir)
I voted in favour of a proposal to align the functioning of the European Health Emergency preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) with future regulation on cross-border health threats. The two proposals need to be coherent to ensure the safety of EU citizens. Parliament updated its position calling for greater transparency on public investments, development and manufacturing of medical countermeasures in case of a crisis. Importantly, close cooperation is requested among all relevant health bodies and authorities, especially to avoid duplication of efforts. Especially in times like these, we need to ensure the EU has a strong, comprehensive legal framework allowing the Union to prepare and respond effectively to health crises. We need to be more prepared than we were with COVID-19 for future threats.
The European Education Area: a shared holistic approach (A9-0291/2021 - Michaela Šojdrová)
I supported the report on the European Education Area as I believe that education, knowledge and skills represent essential assets that Europe has to succeed in the process of recovery from COVID-19, as well as in the challenges we are facing in the environmental and digital transition. Investing in education not only means building a highly skilled workforce, but also supports the enhancement of responsible citizenship and helps reduce gender inequality by challenging gender stereotypes which still influence the study choices many girls and women make. Education is also about inclusiveness: this is the reason why it represents the first principle of the European Pillar of Social Rights. While this subject is a national competence, I welcome a call for stronger cooperation among Member States, which is beneficial for learners, teachers, higher education institutions and businesses. I share the idea that any policy action in the field should take into account lifelong learning and vocational education and training, which can also contribute to enhancing enterprises’ competitiveness.
An intellectual property action plan to support the EU’s recovery and resilience (A9-0284/2021 - Marion Walsmann)
I voted in favour of the report on an intellectual property (IP) plan to help the EU during its recovery. IP law is a cornerstone of our economies. It allows inventors and creators to be rewarded for their work. If we want innovation, then we must ensure people see the benefits of innovation. The report pushes for the protection of inventors and creators, especially with regards to big platforms that have a dominant negotiating power. I am pleased to see strong language calling for the protection of IP rights for SMEs through the simplification of administrative procedures and the boosting of financing. The call for an EU toolbox against piracy and counterfeiting is paramount to protect EU IP right holders from any violation of laws. We are entering an era of artificial intelligence (AI); therefore, we must also establish clear rules for IP rights with regard to AI-created works. IP could be used to fuel the recovery of the EU economies. I conclude by noting that the IP regulatory framework should also strive to recognise Member State nuances and specificities.
Common agricultural policy - support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States and financed by the EAGF and by the EAFRD (A8-0200/2019 - Peter Jahr)
I voted in favour of the outcome on the inter-institutional negotiations on the EU’s common agricultural policy (CAP). The CAP has been a fundamental instrument for the European Union since 1962, supporting farmers in their activities while ensuring they have reasonable living. The new CAP presents important provisions for strengthening biodiversity and aligning it with our climate ambition. It is paramount that Europe improves support to small- and medium-sized farmers. This is done by ensuring 10% of the direct payments of the CAP go to SMEs. More importantly, we need to guarantee that youths are attracted and manage to succeed in the sector. This is why the new CAP will allocate 3% of its budget to young farmers. Malta initially had some reservations on parts of the policy, but following constructive negotiations and an enhanced text, I gave a vote in favour.
EU sports policy: assessment and possible ways forward (A9-0318/2021 - Tomasz Frankowski)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the report on EU sports policy. ‘Mens sana in corpore sano’ as the saying goes in Ancient Rome: sport is not only beneficial for physical and emotional well-being but also to promote social inclusion. Through this report, we are calling for an enhanced cooperation in EU sport policies, while keeping them grounded in the principles of solidarity, sustainability, inclusion, merit and fairness. I also welcome the proposal to improve the representation of women in lead positions of sports governing bodies. Finally, we cannot overlook that – in order to facilitate physical activity – it is necessary to develop sports infrastructure and enhance the effectiveness of physical activities in schools.
A European strategy for critical raw materials (A9-0280/2021 - Hildegard Bentele)
I supported the report on a European strategy for critical raw materials since I believe that the ambitious goals our Union has set for the green and the digital transition require both the security of critical supply chains and the safeguarding of economic competitiveness. It is undeniable that batteries, digital applications and solar panels - which are among the key enablers of the European new deal on environment and technology - will require a certain amount of critical raw materials, which are a scarce resource. Europe should minimise the reliance on third countries, which would hamper its strategic autonomy. At the same time, we should avoid that any action aiming at diversifying the supply of critical raw materials would result in negative consequences for citizens and businesses, especially those of EU Member States that completely rely on importing goods manufactured with such materials.
A Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe (A9-0317/2021 - Dolors Montserrat)
I voted in favour of the report on a pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe. The Covid-19 pandemic has shown us how important it is for Europe to collaborate on supply of medicinal products. By doing so, each national health system becomes more resilient and reliable for the population. The EU must work on decreasing its import dependency on foreign medicines and build its own stock for emergencies by establishing clear joint public procurement mechanisms. However, the most important goal, importantly stressed in the report, is to make medicines accessible and affordable across the EU. No citizen should think twice on whether to start a cure. I here also stress the urgency of creating investment incentives for medicines necessary to cure rare diseases, increasing research and development in the sector. We need our pharmaceutical strategy to be strongly patient centred.
Introduction of a European Social Security pass for improving the digital enforcement of social security rights and fair mobility (B9-0551/2021)
I voted in favour of the resolution calling for a European Social Security Pass, which is an essential tool to protect the rights of mobile workers. Such an instrument would be another step towards the achievement of the European Pillar of Social Rights and its digital format would enable real-time verification of workers’ place of work, place of employment, employment relationship, identity, as well as standardised social security benefits provisions. It would be important for the Commission to make this project operational, with additional information on its funding and on its long-term perspectives.
European Year of Youth 2022 (A9-0322/2021 - Sabine Verheyen)
I supported the agreement to make 2022 the European Year of Youth: 365 days dedicated to empower young people to become active and engaged citizens, to raise awareness of the opportunities they can grasp from EU policies and to enhance more youth-friendly policies in all relevant areas of action.For most of the youth, it has not been easy during the pandemic, in terms of uncertainty, fear, lost opportunities. This is the reason why we have the opportunity to transform 2022 in the year where, along with the recovery, we can tirelessly work to enhance the personal development, the wellbeing and the self-realisation of young people.From education to health, from sport to culture, the promotion – throughout Europe – of values such as respect, equality, justice, solidarity, volunteering, sense of belonging, is what will help youth to overcome this challenging period.
Combating gender-based violence: cyberviolence (A9-0338/2021 - Elissavet Vozemberg-Vrionidi, Sylwia Spurek)
The uptake of digital tools and platforms has unfortunately led to a new worrisome phenomenon – cyber-violence – which is particularly dangerous for children and teenagers, with severe effects on mental health. Trolling, cyberbullying, hate speech are real; we need to make the web a safe space to browse again. This is the reason why I supported this report, while reiterating the call to act swiftly to address this cross-border issue with its gender-based dimension which disproportionately affects women and the LGBTI community. I am therefore in favour of a legislative action that tackles gender-based cyber violence in the upcoming Directive addressing violence against women.
Mobilisation of the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund: application EGF/2021/003 IT/Porto Canale - Italy (A9-0345/2021 - Janusz Lewandowski)
I voted in support of the mobilisation of funds from the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund (EGF) for 109 displaced workers from the port of Cagliari, Sardinia. The EGF is one of the key instruments through which the EU shows solidarity, with the funds assisting these workers in finding a job, training opportunities and possible mentoring in business creation.
Digital Markets Act (A9-0332/2021 - Andreas Schwab)
. ‒ It was an honour to vote in favour of strong regulation of the Digital Markets after the work I carried out as Shadow Rapporteur of the Socialists via the TRAN opinion.We have to address the situation of first-movers abusing an environment regulated by a two-decade-old legislation which could not guarantee order. Fairness and competitiveness are founding principles of the EU’s Single Market. The DMA aims to ensure the Digital Single Market remains contestable, imposing specific obligations on gatekeepers, giant platforms that due to their positioning in the market are able to set their own rules to the detriment of smaller European businesses. Parliament therefore has taken a strong position, calling on measures such as a ban on self-preferencing, obligations on data sharing, and the interoperability of systems. As the voice of the tourism sector, I was pleased to see included the provision that will finally allow SMEs, for example from the HORECA sector, to promote their own activities on their websites at a different price than the one listed on platforms. Such measure will also benefit consumers when choosing their next vacation as more competition leads to better prices.
Equality between women and men in the European Union in 2018-2020 (A9-0315/2021 - Sandra Pereira)
. ‒ I supported this report on equality between women and men that shows the urgency of bridging the gender gap in Europe. Gender equality, in fact, is still far from reality and progress remains slow. I think of equal pay, work-life balance, female entrepreneurship, gender-based violence. We still miss a truly effective gender mainstreaming in EU policies as well as robust, gender-sensitive indicators and gender-disaggregated data that would help find policy solutions beneficial for the equality between women and men. If we do not address this gap, we will not be able to say that we live in a democratic, fair and social society.
Implementation of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (A9-0321/2021 - Seán Kelly)
I supported the Implementation Report of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, which assesses the state of play of the renovation of existing buildings stock and of modernisation of all buildings with smart technologies, ahead of the upcoming revision of the Directive within the ‘Fit for 55 Package’. We should not forget that buildings count for more than one third of Europe’s energy consumption and of its greenhouse gas emissions. Renovating existing buildings can be one of the drivers to significantly increase energy savings, in line with the Energy Efficiency First principle. Member States, including my own, Malta, are already working on their Long Term Renovation Strategies. These strategies, along with the revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, can be an essential contribution to Europe’s decarbonisation, while taking into account the different national starting points and the tackling of energy poverty.
Challenges and prospects for multilateral weapons of mass destruction arms control and disarmament regimes (A9-0324/2021 - Sven Mikser)
I voted in favour of a report of paramount importance on weapons of mass destruction, arms control and nuclear disarmament. In recent years, unfortunately, the international disarmament architecture has slowly begun to erode, leading to what has been called a new arms race.I stand firmly in support of a solid and comprehensive arms control, non-proliferation and disarmament international system rooted in treaties and transparent verification mechanisms. It is only in such way that we can preserve peace. The text shows full support for the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and its three pillars, still today the cornerstone of the global nuclear disarmament.Still, I supported amendments that mentioned the importance of the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), a treaty signed by Malta and which the report highlighted as being legally compatible with the NPT. The noble objective of the TPNW is for a complete ban of nuclear weapons, an objective which should be more widely supported.
MeToo and harassment – the consequences for the EU institutions (B9-0587/2021)
I voted in favour of the resolution on the consequences of MeToo for the European institutions. This campaign has had the merit to break the silence on sexual harassment that is deplorably still present in all society, including at the European Parliament. I support a truly zero—harassment policy, including compulsory training for Members of the European Parliament. This measure would represent a concrete action that goes beyond raising awareness of this phenomenon. A complete eradication of sexual harassment will only be possible if we truly address sexism and gender stereotypes. It will be challenging, but I am convinced that Members of this House should lead by example for the sake of the citizens and the institution they represent. This resolution is another step in the right direction.
European Medicines Agency (A9-0216/2021 - Nicolás González Casares)
I voted in favour of the provisional agreement concerning the regulation on a reinforced role for the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in crisis preparedness and management for medicinal products and medical devices. I have always considered the right to health a social right: I am therefore committed to its full implementation. It is important for a strong EMA to have the tools to address possible shortages of medicines or any shortcomings in terms of coordination in case of a public health crisis. I am convinced that a reinforced EMA will serve the interest of European citizens and will enhance the resilience of the healthcare system by making sure that no Member State is left behind in the management of such emergencies.
Digital Services Act (A9-0356/2021 - Christel Schaldemose)
I voted in favour of the Digital Services Act (DSA). In the past two decades, the Digital Economy has grown in ways unthinkable at the turn of the millennium, rapidly rendering obsolete legislation in place. For this reason, the European Union has put forward the DSA, a legislation first of its kind, in an attempt to establish order within digital markets. The European Parliament, in particular the Socialist and Democrats group, has fought to protect consumers and users. Parliament has always had a clear position, making what is illegal offline illegal online. This means ensuring that no content present on digital platforms violates any laws, something often easier said than done. The text is a strong one and aims to protect consumers from illegal content, allowing them to request direct compensation if a platform is in violation of DSA rules. The EP is also calling for a ban on dark patterns. The most important provision however relates to the privacy of minors. We are ensuring a ban on data collection by platforms of minors, especially when done for commercial purposes.
Protection of animals during transport (Recommendation) (B9-0057/2022)
I supported the balanced recommendation to the Council and the Commission that follows up the investigation of alleged contraventions in the application of Union law concerning the protection of animals during transport within and outside the Union. I welcome a pragmatic approach where animal welfare and socially just transition go hand in hand. The recommendation also underlines the necessity for an action plan and proposed policy actions to reduce the need for live animal transport and basing trade more on meat, carcass or genetic material transport as far as possible, while taking into account geographical specificities of remote regions, including islands.
Impact of national tax reforms on the EU economy (A9-0348/2021 - Markus Ferber)
I abstained from the vote on the report concerning the impact of national tax reforms on the EU economy. While it is important to take measures targeting abuse, tax policies should continue being a Member State competence as harmonisation in this field would not allow Member States to adapt their tax policies to the specificities of domestic economies.
European Central Bank – annual report 2021 (A9-0351/2021 - Dimitrios Papadimoulis)
. ‒ I supported the report the European Parliament drafts every year on the European Central Bank. The scrutiny we carry out has to ensure proper accountability, transparency and independence of the institution responsible for the monetary policy of the Eurozone as well as the price stability. While I welcome the need to improve the gender balance both in the ECB’s Governing Council and in senior management positions as the report rightly underlines, I did not support the reference to a European central fiscal capacity.
Implementation report on on-farm animal welfare (A9-0296/2021 - Jérémy Decerle)
. ‒ I voted in favour of an important report on animal welfare. ‘We are what we eat’ goes the saying. Indeed, the way we balance our diet has vast repercussion on our health during the course of our lives. The European Union wants to ensure that livestock farming produces the highest quality product through increased animal welfare guaranteeing healthy food for consumers. The report is a strong one that calls for new legislation to be based on sound and recent criteria to ensure we are taking the right course of action. It will be important, as new rules come into place, to effectively support small farmers, including by providing expertise and financing, helping them overcome burdens and difficulties faced while ensuring higher animal welfare.
A European strategy for offshore renewable energy (A9-0339/2021 - Morten Petersen)
The use of offshore renewable energy will contribute to achieving the ambitious environmental goals Europe has planned for the next future. In order to do so, it is key to mobilise private sector investments, to focus on research and innovation and ensure a stronger supply chain across our Union, especially to develop the capabilities of the workforce in a sector, which requires a very specific and technical skillset. While I supported the report, I still have reservations on a possible common approach and reinforced cooperation on Maritime Spatial Planning: collaboration between Member States on offshore renewable energy is important, but the tools to achieve it should ensure the necessary flexibility.
Implementation of the Toy Safety Directive (A9-0349/2021 - Brando Benifei)
I supported the report on the implementation of the Toy Safety Directive, which has proved to be a crucial instrument both to ensure a high level of protection of children across the European Union and to guarantee the free movement of toys within the Single Market. While this instrument certainly represents a milestone in terms of consumer protection, there are still challenges that we need to address such as enhancing the protection from dangerous chemicals, the security features of connected toys as well as improving data collection to better detect any accident caused by toys. This is the reason why it is time for an ambitious update of the toy safety legislation.
Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer (A9-0001/2022 - Véronique Trillet-Lenoir)
I voted in favour of a key report on strengthening our European fight against cancer. Cancer has no borders; it does not target any specific group of individuals. Unfortunately, it is a disease that brings our human society closer. It is for this reason that I am pleased to see a call for a European approach. While health policy remains a Member State competence, scientific and medicinal progress on diseases has always come through the cooperation of the international community.The first step, as noted by the report, is prevention. Forty percent of all cancers can be prevented by holistic actions targeting behaviour related, biological, work-related and socio-economic risk factors. I am pleased that our Socialist family was able to insert provisions on cancer prevention on the workplace. We need to protect our workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals. In addition, a key step will be allowing patients to achieve the best possible care, clinical trials, and access to medicines. Often with cancer, this means moving from one city to another or even crossing borders. As a true Union, we should ensure every citizen has the right to fight cancer the best way possible.
Implementation of the common security and defence policy – annual report 2021 (A9-0358/2021 - Nathalie Loiseau)
I abstained from the vote on the report concerning the implementation of the common security and defence policy as I believe that, in this field, any European approach should be respectful towards Member States’ constitutional requirements. This is the reason why I firmly believe that unanimity must still apply to defence and security matters. As a Member coming from Malta, I support the neutrality enshrined in our constitution.
Human rights and democracy in the world – annual report 2021 (A9-0353/2021 - María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos)
The European Union is one of the most stable regions in the world. At the heart of such stability is the respect for Human Rights. Human Rights, however, must never be relegated to specific regions of the world. It is for this reason that I supported the report calling for a stronger role of the EU when it comes to promoting human rights and democracy in the world. It is paramount that the EU, in its external action, promotes our values in order to ensure respect for human rights in the world.
Tackling non-tariff and non-tax barriers in the single market (A9-0336/2021 - Kosma Złotowski)
I supported this report because tackling non-tariff and non-tax barriers is crucial to guarantee the smooth functioning of the Single Market while ensuring that Member States can still act to achieve their public policy objectives in the field of environmental protection, as well as in the promotion of consumer or employment rights.
The EU priorities for the 66th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (B9-0099/2022)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the resolution embedding the EU priorities for the 66th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women, which will take place in March and will be focusing on climate change and environmental disaster risk reduction. While climate change is a global emergency that affects everybody, we cannot overlook that it has a greater disruptive impact on communities least responsible for global warming.Women and girls account for the largest sector of people displaced because of climate change. We cannot forget that women still face profound inequalities and discrimination and that the climate emergency is exacerbating these multiple gaps. It is thus important that the European Union will approach this appointment by reaffirming its commitment to gender equality as well as advocating concrete measures to protect women at risk due to climate change and environmental disasters, especially against displacement, poverty, human trafficking, gender-based violence and food insecurity.
Russian aggression against Ukraine (B9-0123/2022)
. ‒ I stood with Europe; I stood with the democratic world by voting in favour of the European Parliament’s resolution condemning the unprovoked aggression by the Russian Federation on Ukraine. There is no place for war in our ever more interconnected global society. The use of force to attain specific geopolitical ambitions is never a valid solution to differences that can and should be solved with diplomacy. The European Union has acted united in its response, understanding that violence does not have to be met with violence, but can be fought with united action.For this reason, the EU is restricting imports on the most important Russian exports, including oil and gas. We are cutting off Russian banks from the international Swift payment system, de facto blocking their ability to transfer money cross-borders. We have closed EU airspace to Russian aircraft operators. This basket of sanctions is intended to have a crippling effect on the Russian economy and, as time passes, will hopefully placate the thirst for war. We are at a critical point of EU history; a point where we must stand united more than ever.
Role of culture, education, media and sport in the fight against racism (A9-0027/2022 - Salima Yenbou)
I voted in favour of an important report which stresses the role of culture, education, media and sport in fighting racism. Unfortunately, still today we witness discrimination on the basis of racial or ethnic origin in the European Union. We need progressive media and educational programmes to promote social inclusion and to ensure the respect of the rights of all citizens. Importantly, we need to leverage the role of sports in our society by calling on sports clubs to work together to promote the fight against racism at all levels. The appointment of an EU coordinator to facilitate the EU anti-racism action plan 2020-2025 is also an important call, as is the call for the development of educational curricula that educate students on EU history and the roots of racism.
Cohesion policy: promoting innovative and smart transformation and regional ICT connectivity (A9-0010/2022 - Cristina Maestre Martín De Almagro)
The Eighth Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion, recently published by the European Commission, shows a persistent digital divide among European regions. Many of them still lack the necessary connectivity infrastructure and show a slow uptake of the digital skills to transform their economies and reap the societal benefits of the technological revolution. This is why I supported this report: I firmly believe that cohesion policy can contribute to making local communities and economic ecosystems more resilient. I particularly welcome the reference of the report to the 2030 Digital Policy Programme, which will greatly help the European Union and its regions to take concrete steps forward by setting measurable targets towards an inclusive digitalisation.
Objection pursuant to Rule 111(3): Union list of projects of common interest for the trans-European energy infrastructure (B9-0137/2022)
. ‒ I voted against the objection to the Commission delegated regulation on the Union list of projects of common interest as I believe that the Fifth PCI list the Commission put forward in November 2021 represents a tangible progress compared to the old Fourth list as a way to achieve the ambitious goals of the Green Deal, while at the same time safeguarding the security of supply and more integrated and resilient energy market. We should not forget that, especially in these difficult times, environmental ambition and the protection of EU energy supply should go hand in hand.
Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the EU (A9-0022/2022 - Sandra Kalniete)
. ‒ I voted in favour of a timely report on foreign interference in democratic processes. In the past years, it has become ever more clearer how authoritarian, undemocratic regimes, are utilising different means to interfere in democratic processes, weakening our democracies. The report rightly stresses the negative role social media platforms and many digital services play by using business models that continuously supply radical, often fake, content to citizens. For this reason, Parliament is calling for legal provisions on making algorithms transparent and for programmes to ensure media and digital literacy in order for citizens to better understand how they are being manipulated.
Citizenship and residence by investment schemes (A9-0028/2022 - Sophia in 't Veld)
I voted against the report on citizenship and residence by investment schemes as Member States have the exclusive right and competence in this area. As the report criticises these schemes, it is important to recall that their implementation follows due diligence and stringent procedures that also allow for the revocation of citizenship, including in the case of abuse.
General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030 (A9-0203/2021 - Grace O'Sullivan)
I supported the General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030 to advance towards a well-being economy and society which is not only sustainable from an environmental point of view, but is also fair and aims at reducing inequalities. I also welcome the idea of setting indicators that go beyond GDP and are more focused on assessing sustainability as a whole.
A new EU strategic framework on health and safety at work post 2020 (A9-0023/2022 - Marianne Vind)
I voted in favour of an important report on an EU strategic framework on health and safety at work post 2022. EU legislation on occupational safety and health covers and protects around 170 million workers in the EU. Unfortunately, to already existing problems on the workplace, such as exposure to harmful chemicals, the Covid-19 pandemic has added new issues especially for frontline workers. What is more, the wide spread use of teleworking has created new concerns not only with regards to possible physical illnesses (i.e. long hours spent sitting in non-ergonomic chairs) but also mental ones. On a positive note, new opportunities are being created and new jobs will emerge as the digital transition progresses. The EU must update its EU frameworks for workers to ensure the highest level of safety and health for workers across the Union while also setting the ground to reap the benefits of the evolution of work.
Gender mainstreaming in the European Parliament – annual report 2020 (A9-0021/2022 - Irène Tolleret, Gwendoline Delbos-Corfield)
While gender equality is one of the core principles underpinning the European Union, there is still a long way to go in the fight against inequalities between women and men. This is the reason why the European Parliament, the only European institution directly elected by the European citizens, must lead by example. In recent years, we have seen more women in politics in the EU, however there is much more to be done: way too often female candidates and politicians are the target of harassment, which discourages their participation in decision-making. The European Parliament should thus improve gender equality in its procedures and, more generally, in its way of functioning, while mandating anti-harassment training for all Members and staff. As a member of the Gender Mainstreaming Network, I cannot but vote in favour of this important report.
EU Gender Action Plan III (A9-0025/2022 - Chrysoula Zacharopoulou)
The European Union needs to play a stronger role in empowering women and girls worldwide. For this reason, I strongly support the report on the EU Gender Plan III on external action. The report is a pragmatic one, calling for clear, measurable objectives to achieve our goals.We need 85% of new external actions to incorporate gender as a key objective and we must ensure 20% of official development aid (ODA) be devolved to programmes that promote gender equality. What is more, no aid must go to programmes that run counter to our gender objectives.The COVID pandemic struck women and vulnerable groups the hardest. For this reason, the report calls for the EU to partner with leadership in other countries to help develop gender sensitive recovery plans that boost recovery.Finally, I support the report when it calls for the EU to lead by example. We need to achieve gender parity in the leadership and management of the EEAS and the Commission.
European Withholding Tax framework (A9-0011/2022 - Pedro Marques)
I abstained from the vote on the report on the discussion over capital taxation in the European Union as I believe that tax harmonisation would not be the right approach vis-à-vis those Member States that, due to their size and geographical position, use tax policy to enhance their economic competitiveness.
European Semester for economic policy coordination: annual sustainable growth survey 2022 (A9-0034/2022 - Irene Tinagli)
I supported the report taking stock of the challenges highlighted in the annual sustainable growth survey for the European Semester. Among other things, this report underlines the importance of the European policy intervention to mitigate the impact of the pandemic, such as the approval of the Recovery and Resilience Facility. As we are experiencing difficult times on our Eastern borders, we must be ready to ensure the resilience of our economy in 2022 recalling the lessons we learnt during the COVID-19 emergency. As the S&D, we remain committed to transform the European Semester process into a driver of change towards a sustainable recovery and transition, coupling growth and well-being.
Fair and simple taxation supporting the recovery strategy (A9-0024/2022 - Luděk Niedermayer)
I abstained from the vote on the report on fair and simple taxation supporting the recovery strategy. I am still convinced that taxation policies should remain an exclusive remit of Member States and I did not support any call to switch to Qualified Majority Voting on this matter. Unanimity guarantees that the voice of small Member States is heard on an equal footing with large ones on policy areas that greatly affect a country’s economic competitiveness.
Strengthening the application of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between men and women (A9-0056/2022 - Samira Rafaela, Kira Marie Peter-Hansen)
I supported the decision of the EMPL and FEMM parliamentary committees to enter inter-institutional negotiations to approve as soon as possible the directive on equal pay for equal work. Although such right is enshrined in Article 157 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, there is a long way to go to ensure its complete implementation. Pay transparency and enforcement mechanisms can help in this regard, while ensuring an effective dialogue among social partners, including business representatives. I am proud that my political group, the S&D, is at the forefront in advocating the European Pillar of Social Rights, with an emphasis on gender equality.
Revision of the Market Stability Reserve for the EU Emissions Trading System (A9-0045/2022 - Cyrus Engerer)
I supported the report on the revision of the ‘Market Stability Reserve’ (MSR), a mechanism that deals with the surplus of allowances in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). While I am in favour of ambitious goals to achieve a cleaner Europe, I am also convinced that we should not overlook the effects in terms of economic, social and territorial cohesion. We must assist vulnerable citizens and peripheral regions to ensure we leave no one behind.
Protection of the rights of the child in civil, administrative and family law proceedings (A9-0033/2022 - Adrián Vázquez Lázara)
I supported the report on the protection of the rights of the child in civil, administrative and family law proceedings as I deem it crucial for the EU and its Member States to act collectively to achieve a true child-friendly justice, which keeps the best interests of the child at heart.I am of the opinion that new measures, whether legislative or non-legislative, should be based on an impact assessment that takes into account the existing gaps to fulfil. This whilst also keeping in mind the principles of subsidiarity and of conferral.
Trans-European energy infrastructure (A9-0269/2021 - Zdzisław Krasnodębski)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the agreement on the regulation on trans-European energy infrastructure as I believe that it is consistent with the goals of the environmental transition and will, at the same time, contribute to all the dimensions of the energy union. I would specifically like to emphasise the importance of security of supply, which, also in light of the Russia-Ukraine war, is key to ensuring the strategic autonomy of our Union. This is the reason why I welcome the inclusion in the regulation of measures taking into account the specificities of Malta, which is currently not connected to the European gas network.
Guidelines for the 2023 budget – Section III (A9-0062/2022 - Nicolae Ştefănuță)
. ‒ I supported the report on the guidelines for the European budget 2023. Promotion of the right to health through adequate funding to the EU4Health programme and the Beating Cancer Plan, improvement of the resilience of small and medium enterprises thanks to promotion of a well-functioning single market: these are some of the important areas which will be supported to keep building back better. I welcome the attention of the report to tourism and I share the reiterated call for an EU programme on tourism, which would contribute to fostering the competitiveness of the sector, which is crucial for the European economy.
Data Governance Act (A9-0248/2021 - Angelika Niebler)
. ‒ I supported the agreement on the Data Governance Act as it is time to enable the digital transition with concrete measures that fully unleash the potential of technology in our economy and society. Data is one of the most valuable commodities of our time, however its contribution to solving the most urgent societal challenges and to generating value for our economy is still limited.The Data Governance Act will positively improve the situation of many small and medium enterprises, enabling them not only to access vast amounts of data, but also to enhance their competitiveness vis-à-vis larger players. We should not forget that harmonising data management across the EU and facilitating interoperability among sectors is a crucial component of the process to achieve, in a timely manner, the goals of the technological revolution, while contributing to the construction of a human-centric and trustworthy digital society.
Global approach to research and innovation: Europe’s strategy for international cooperation in a changing world (B9-0174/2022)
I voted in favour of the resolution on the global approach to research and innovation. I am convinced that the most pressing societal challenges we have ahead – from the environmental transition to healthcare preparedness, from the digital revolution to the protection of seas and oceans – know no borders. It is therefore crucial to enhance the cooperation with third players to make Europe fit for this changing world. Such an approach should not come at the expense of our strategic autonomy, a concept that is experiencing a momentum in the recent months; we must ensure that reciprocity and the promotion of our European values, from academic freedom to gender equality, are part of this strategy. The promotion of an ambitious science diplomacy agenda could further contribute to enhancing Europe’s positioning on research and innovation in the global arena.
Implementation of the 2021-2027 cohesion policy (B9-0173/2022)
Cohesion policy represents a tangible hallmark of European integration, with a robust record of projects and initiatives which help to reduce the economic, social and territorial gap among our regions. The implementation of the cohesion policy in the programming period 2021—2027 is particularly challenging as the prioritisation by Member States to the adoption of the national recovery and resilience plans has resulted in delays in the approval of partnership agreements and programmes, which are crucial to concretely enable the use of structural funds.We must speed up this process in order to deliver the outcomes citizens and small businesses expect, while enhancing the synergies between cohesion policy and the Recovery and Resilience Facility.For all these reasons, I supported this resolution.
Implementation of citizenship education actions (A9-0060/2022 - Domènec Ruiz Devesa)
I supported the implementation report on citizenship education actions as I am convinced that European civic education can strengthen students’ and citizens’ knowledge about the EU and what we stand for; it represents an added value to promote the positive values in which our Union is grounded. I also believe in the importance of a more structured approach towards the identification and dissemination of the results of citizenship education projects funded by EU programmes.
Right to repair (B9-0175/2022)
The right to repair is a crucial step forward to ensure a truly effective uptake of circular economy, with important positive effects for the environment, but also for small and medium businesses willing to enter new market segments, such as that of reparation. I did vote in favour of this resolution as I believe that it is crucial that all consumers be informed about a product’s reparability and estimated lifespan through labelling, as well as having full access to repair and maintenance information. Unfair commercial behaviour should not be tolerated. We must work towards implementing the right to repair in an effective manner, allowing consumers to use their products longer and enabling them to choose those that last longer and are repairable, already at the time of the purchase. Such a right is crucial to prepare the Single Market for the green transition.
EU Protection of children and young people fleeing the war against Ukraine (B9-0207/2022, B9-0212/2022, B9-0213/2022)
I voted in favour of the resolution calling for the protection of children fleeing the war against Ukraine since I am firmly convinced that we must ensure that those children who are escaping the conflict have equal access to education and health services, including the necessary psychological support. We must act to meet children’s specific needs. It is not just their right, it is also our obligation.
Election of the Members of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage (A9-0083/2022 - Domènec Ruiz Devesa)
I abstained from the final vote on the report on the European Electoral Law. The text includes the transnational lists proposal, a proposal which was also endorsed during the Conference on the Future of Europe. It, however, goes further than this. While I am in favour of measures ensuring better gender representation and access for persons with disabilities, I cannot overlook that – on a series of elements – there should be further discussion with the national electoral authorities, including on the common election day on Europe Day. The report contains provisions that do not take proper account of the electoral traditions and procedures of various Member States. I therefore also deem it necessary to defend the unanimity clause that has helped my country preserve its interests in the national fora.
A sustainable blue economy in the EU: the role of fisheries and aquaculture (A9-0089/2022 - Isabel Carvalhais)
I voted in favour of the blue economy report. Whilst protecting the environment and biodiversity, we must also ensure the efficiency and competitiveness of our economy. The blue economy encompasses a wide range of economic activities, including coastal and marine tourism, maritime transportation, fisheries and aquaculture, and offshore renewable energy, which could also contribute towards coastal areas’ and islands’ economic growth. We need to continue fostering the potential contribution of the blue economy to long-term job creation, food security, clean energy supply, the circular economy and sustainable mobility.
EU strategy to promote education for children in the world (A9-0058/2022 - David Lega)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the report regarding an ‘EU strategy to promote education for children in the world: mitigating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic’. Education is a globally accepted fundamental human right that is considered essential for the exercise of all other human rights. The pandemic and school closures put at risk not only children’s health and safety, with domestic violence and child labour on the rise, but also had a major impact on student learning. Therefore, it is key to assess these impacts. I also concur with the attention to digital learning and teaching methods and the importance of ensuring universal internet access. As I reiterated on many occasions, access to the internet should become a fundamental human right.
Artificial intelligence in a digital age (A9-0088/2022 - Axel Voss)
. ‒ I supported the report on Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Age as I strongly believe that the EU’s ambitions as an AI leader must concentrated on a human-centric approach to AI development and application for the common good and the best interests of our citizens and business. For this to be achieved, the emphasis put in the report on fundamental rights, ethical principles, digital literacy, gender gap and workers’ rights is indeed key.
Distortive foreign subsidies (A9-0135/2022 - Christophe Hansen)
. ‒ Foreign direct investment is a crucial economic driver to ensure technological transfer and employment, especially in small Member States that – due to their size – cannot rely on a large industrial system. While it is important to ensure a level playing field within the internal market vis-à-vis non-European and European operators, I did not support this report as I am not convinced it strikes the right balance between ensuring such a level playing field and safeguarding the competitiveness of the Union as an attractive FDI destination.
Competition policy – annual report 2021 (A9-0064/2022 - Andreas Schwab)
I supported the annual report evaluating the EU competition policy in 2021 as I believe that it was the right choice to allow more flexibility in terms of state aid due to the devastating economic consequences of the COVID-19 emergency. While the protection of the single market and of small and medium-sized enterprises is of paramount importance, especially in terms of ensuring smooth competition, I am convinced that there are circumstances where state aid could greatly help overcome permanent disadvantages. This is the case of insularity: I cannot but stress that such a constraint needs long-lasting solutions, including in terms of state aid flexibility. This is the reason why I welcome the approval of an amendment calling on the Commission to pay due attention to state aid decisions as regards the connectivity of insular, peripheral and remote regions.
Minimum level of taxation for multinational groups (A9-0140/2022 - Aurore Lalucq)
I abstained from the final vote on the European Parliament’s position on the Council directive on ensuring a global minimum level of taxation for multinational groups in the Union. Whilst I am not against the provisions based on the OECD model rules, the report of the Parliament includes certain divergences from the compromise text presented during the ECOFIN Council of April 2022. As I believe that Member States should have exclusive competence on taxation matters, I deem that the Council is the best places to address such policies and therefore I decided to abstain from the final vote on the Parliament’s report.
Establishing the European Education Area by 2025 – micro credentials, individual learning accounts and learning for a sustainable environment (B9-0266/2022)
I supported the resolution on the role of micro-credentials in establishing the European Education Area as I believe that such an instrument can contribute to making learning paths more flexible, while broadening opportunities not just for the youth, but also for workers and citizens interested in lifelong learning. The role of higher education and vocational education and training institutions is crucial in this regard: we should keep working towards the setup of individual learning accounts and a common definition of micro-credentials in order to support personal development and upward social mobility.
The fight against impunity for war crimes in Ukraine (B9-0272/2022, RC-B9-0281/2022, B9-0281/2022, B9-0282/2022, B9-0283/2022, B9-0284/2022, B9-0285/2022)
The dreadful images from Ukraine, the sound of weapons, the arrogance that prevails over dialogue, the reported atrocities, including rape and mass execution of civilians, are outrageous and it is a moral imperative to bring to justice, as soon as possible, to those responsible for such atrocities, war crimes and violations of international humanitarian law. The European Union must take all necessary action to support the work undertaken in international fora, including at international courts. For all these reasons, I supported this resolution.
Social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine – reinforcing the EU’s capacity to act (RC-B9-0267/2022, B9-0267/2022, B9-0271/2022, B9-0273/2022, B9-0278/2022, B9-0279/2022, B9-0280/2022)
I supported the resolution addressing the social and economic consequences for the EU of the Russian war in Ukraine. Putin’s aggression has made us become accustomed to a new normal of uncertainty and fear that another social and economic crisis will soon loom over Europe, with unprecedented effects. Rising energy prices are certainly an issue that should make us think about how we want to approach security of supply in the future; yet we should also be ready to address the consequences of any disruption in the global value chains, especially in the food sector. We must do whatever it takes to minimise these risks. Citizens and businesses are asking for tangible actions: we cannot let the crisis further deteriorate their purchasing power.
EU islands and cohesion policy (A9-0144/2022 - Younous Omarjee)
. ‒ I staunchly supported the report on European islands and Cohesion Policy, which I negotiated on behalf of my political family. Coming from the island of Gozo, I welcome that insular territories are back on the European political agenda: I have been advocating for this since the beginning of my parliamentary mandate. Now, it is time to move forward. This report is the first milestone paving the way for a strong Pact for Islands with tangible actions that would finally contribute to solving the most urgent challenges our regions are facing: the right to mobility, extra-costs for businesses, fragmented energy markets. Additionally, it is important to keep in mind that islands are lands of opportunities. With adequate assistance, they can pioneer the environmental transition through a strong focus on sectors such as circularity, blue economy, research and innovation as well as sustainable tourism. A European Union that does not leave any region behind should strive to fully apply Article 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union on disadvantaged areas, such as islands. I urge the Commission to pay heed to the call the report has made and put forward the Pact for Islands as swiftly as possible.
Revision of the EU Emissions Trading System for aviation (A9-0155/2022 - Sunčana Glavak)
I abstained from the final vote on the revision of the EU Emissions Trading System for aviation as I am still concerned about the effects that such a reform may imply for countries like Malta that heavily rely on such a means of transport to ensure the right to mobility and free movement. While the fight against climate change is an utmost priority of this parliamentary mandate, the rightful ambitions of the environmental transition should go hand in hand with ensuring the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the European Union and its Member States. The proposal we have voted upon today and, more generally, the Fit for 55 Package still do not adequately recognise and address the challenges islands face, not only in terms of losing competitiveness vis-à-vis better connected regions, but - more importantly - in ensuring that Europe honours its pledge of not leaving anyone behind. Upholding this commitment is also essential to provide a stronger guarantee to the rights of citizens living on the periphery.
CO2 emission standards for cars and vans (A9-0150/2022 - Jan Huitema)
I supported this ambitious report as I deem it an important opportunity to support the environmental transition and targets that we are promoting as a European Union. The revised regulation on new CO2 standards for cars and light duty vehicles will be critical for cutting down on GHG emissions from road transport, opening the market for new investment opportunities for manufactures, whilst responding to the increasing demand from consumers. The revised legislation will further decrease the gap of price convergence, facilitating the deployment and uptake of zero-low emission vehicles in the market. This is even more relevant for a small-island Member State like Malta, which is highly dependent on the import of newly available and economically feasible technologies, shifting consumers’ uptake towards alternative vehicles.
The call for a Convention for the revision of the Treaties (B9-0305/2022, B9-0307/2022)
The Conference on the Future of Europe has facilitated an inspiring dialogue with – and among – citizens across Europe about how they see the EU’s role in the coming years. While the ideas presented by our citizens at the Conference of the Future of Europe deserve careful analysis, and I am definitely supportive of following-up on the conclusions of the Conference, the focus should be on the outcome in terms of policy and effective results for our citizens and not on the means. Certain institutional calls for Treaty revision, including the call for the end of unanimity in certain areas, are truly sensitive and thus require thorough discussions and consideration. This is why I did not vote in favour of certain parts of the text and abstained on the final vote.
Revision of the EU Emissions Trading System (A9-0162/2022 - Peter Liese)
Maritime transport is essential to guarantee the territorial continuity of islands, both for passengers and goods. The increasingly higher inflationary pressures we are experiencing at the international level expose peripheral Member States to rising prices on a wide range of products. The small size of certain countries, their strong dependence on imports and their sole reliance on maritime and aviation transport risk further exacerbating an already difficult situation.The revision of the EU Emissions Trading System is an ambitious project and its introduction has proven to be successful in reducing the negative externalities of certain polluting industries. However, the possible extension to the maritime sector, to buildings and road transport still does not sufficiently consider the effects on those territories that strongly rely on these means of transport and addresses – only partially – the consequences in terms of energy and mobility poverty. While it is essential to push these sectors towards swift decarbonisation, such a process should be shaped in a way that is not detrimental to the most vulnerable groups and to citizens and businesses from the periphery. Unfortunately, this is still not case; I therefore abstained from the vote on the report.
Social Climate Fund (A9-0157/2022 - David Casa, Esther de Lange)
I supported the report on the Social Climate Fund as I consider it crucial to provide citizens and micro-businesses with support to cope with the costs the environmental transition will inevitably cause. Addressing energy and mobility poverty is essential to prevent populism from gaining momentum in Europe, fuelling the discontent of the most vulnerable against a process – that of decarbonising our economy – which is very much needed, but should go hand in hand with tangible actions and financial means accompanying citizens’ efforts.The Social Climate Fund goes in the right direction; however, we should make sure that its uptake involves all Member States, including the small and peripheral ones. This is the reason why I welcome the introduction of the new Article 10a in the Parliament’s position on the specific challenges facing island Member States, islands and the outermost regions. I hope that it will be a part of the final position co-legislators adopt in the coming weeks.
Carbon border adjustment mechanism (A9-0160/2022 - Mohammed Chahim)
I voted in favour of the report outlining the parliamentary position on the carbon border adjustment mechanism, which would help prevent the risk of carbon leakage that might arise following the ambitious legislation the EU has put forward on emission reduction. While equalising the price of carbon between domestic products and imports will help the competitiveness of European enterprises vis-à-vis possible unfair competition from third countries that do not follow the same environmental legislation, it is important to monitor the effects of this mechanism on price dynamics, especially for those countries that mainly rely on imports. I also welcome the idea, embedded in Parliament’s report, of having a more centralised management of the CBAM, as this would decrease the burden on national competent authorities.
Gas storage (C9-0126/2022 - Cristian-Silviu Buşoi)
I supported the agreement on gas storage as I believe that that it is a step in the right direction in order to enhance energy security for European citizens and businesses for next winter. Such a swift approval by the co-legislators is one of the first concrete moves to address concerns about Europe’s energy supply amid the geopolitical tensions we have witnessed in the last four months.This Regulation will make it possible for Member States to access a joint procurement mechanism, while giving them enough flexibility and taking into account national specificities, including those of Member States which are still not connected to the European gas grid.
Implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals (A9-0174/2022 - Barry Andrews, Petros Kokkalis)
I voted in favour of the report because I believe in the importance of ensuring an adequate budget and financial instruments, as well as a holistic approach particularly in the National Recovery and Resilience Plans, to reach these important goals. We must act effectively to address the current reversal of progress toward Agenda 2030, providing a new impetus for the realisation of the SDGs ahead of the 2030 deadline and mainstreaming them alongside EU activities both internally and externally, while ascertaining a clear high-level EU strategy and a roadmap for their implementation.
Implementation of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (A9-0171/2022 - Eider Gardiazabal Rubial, Siegfried Mureşan, Dragoş Pîslaru)
The Recovery and Resilience Facility represents the hallmark of European response to the economic and social damages caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Monitoring its implementation is of paramount importance not only to ensure that we are spending public money efficiently, but also to assess the effectiveness of the actions undertaken at the national level. I supported the report as I agree with its main messages: the European support to Member States has proved to be positive and has shown the added value of a common reaction to an unprecedented challenge, while fostering meaningful social and territorial dialogue with stakeholders has contributed to a successful implementation and a strong democratic accountability of the Facility. The European Parliament should keep being involved in this process of scrutiny.
Inclusion measures within Erasmus+ 2014-2020 (A9-0158/2022 - Laurence Farreng)
I voted in favour of the report’s full implementation. The European Year of Youth 2022 aims to raise young people’s awareness about opportunities made available to them by programmes such as Erasmus+. I applaud the efforts made, particularly by Erasmus+ National Agencies, in developing tools and activities to help implement the inclusion and diversity strategy (IDS). Given that there is insufficient availability of quality data to properly assess the state of play and progress made in the implementation and impact of the IDS, we must make all efforts to make the best use of such tools and continue monitoring the situation to reach the target persons. On the basis of the available information, administrative obstacles that affect a wide range of target groups may be addressed.
Digital Services Act (A9-0356/2021 - Christel Schaldemose)
I voted in favour of the agreement on the Digital Services Act. The digital environment has become an increasingly important component of our daily lives and the update of its regulation is crucial to protect citizens, enhance consumer rights and foster innovation, also by improving the transparency and accountability of algorithms. Very large online platforms and very large search engines will now contribute to making digital services safer, including by tackling cyber-violence, a rising phenomenon that we must address also through the DSA.
Digital Markets Act (A9-0332/2021 - Andreas Schwab)
I supported the agreement on the Digital Markets Act. It is important to equip digital markets with ambitious tools that not only ensure fair competition, but also enhance consumer welfare and choices. Personal data is also protected in line GDPR procedures, while respecting the principles of data minimisation and informed consumer choice. Now that this important piece of legislation is approved, it is crucial that regulation and innovation go hand in hand so that the potential of the European digital ecosystem can be fully unleashed.
Women’s poverty in Europe (A9-0194/2022 - Lina Gálvez Muñoz)
I staunchly supported the report on addressing women’s poverty. This phenomenon is not – as some might think – just a matter of material deprivation; it goes much deeper. It is also a lack of access to resources and services, often driven by gender stereotypes, which the pandemic certainly did not help. In our fight to eradicate female poverty, we must be more vocal in our pressure to move forward on initiatives such as the gender equality strategy and the Pay Transparency Directive, and also when advocating for a more gender-sensitive cohesion policy. Some of these aspects are rightfully stressed in the report we voted on. However, we should not overlook how crucial it is to strive to uproot the societal causes linked to it: the division of labour at home and at the workplace, access to power and decision-making. The transition to equality cannot wait any longer!
Indo-Pacific strategy in the area of trade and investment (A9-0170/2022 - Jan Zahradil)
I voted in favour of the report because I believe that this agreement will be beneficial for the development of future ties between the EU and the Indo-Pacific. The strategy of strengthening the EU’s autonomous position at the international level includes increased interaction with the Indo-Pacific region. As a member of the delegation for relations with Australia and New Zealand, I believe that this is an important opportunity for stronger economic and industrial cooperation, which will create new opportunities based on common values.
Common European action on care (A9-0189/2022 - Milan Brglez, Sirpa Pietikäinen)
. ‒ I voted in favour of this important social report, which calls for stronger social-security and healthcare systems, also taking into account the effects and lessons learnt from the pandemic. Prioritisation of care in European and national policies, including the necessary investment, is needed also as a response to the long-standing challenges in the care sector that have been further increased by the COVID-19 pandemic. Reassessing the economic and social value of care, which is mainly provided by women, is essential both when it comes to formal care, where working conditions are often precarious, but also with regard to informal and unpaid care, which needs to be better divided between men and women in order to allow women to enter the labour market and achieve economic independence.
Mental health in the digital world of work (A9-0184/2022 - Maria Walsh)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the Mental Health in the Digital World of Work Report. With the tools that digitalisation offers, we can build more effective and beneficial market models. However, we must also address the negative consequences, especially those related to mental health, consequences which have increased due to the pandemic. The new technologies brought on by the digital transformation must remain human-centric. Safe and positive working conditions in the digital world of work are essential to counter the increase in mental health issues such as anxiety, sadness, and burnout. Technology must serve humans, not the other way around.
Objection pursuant to Rule 111(3): Amending the Taxonomy Climate Delegated Act and the Taxonomy Disclosures Delegated Act (B9-0338/2022)
I voted against the objection to Commission’s delegated regulation of 9 March 2022 that amends the delegated regulation on taxonomy. The debate over this topic has gained momentum in the last months and is less technical than one could think, especially due to the current geopolitical scenario and the need for an environmental transition that needs to be gradual and should not leave anyone behind. Such a backdrop shows how important it is to ensure the security of energy supply, which – I believe – should include gas as a transitional source as it is less pollutant than coal and oil: its role should therefore be reflected in the taxonomy. While I voted against the objection, I am not in favour of the exclusion from the delegated regulation of the new hydrogen-ready gas transmission infrastructure as a transitional activity. As my country, Malta, is currently not connected to the European gas network, the absence of a hydrogen ready gas pipeline interconnection to Europe represents a disadvantage to access the market of hydrogen or low-carbon gases; the exclusion of this infrastructure from the taxonomy is thus a missed opportunity.
The EU and the defence of multilateralism (A9-0172/2022 - Javi López)
Multilateralism is an important means to organise relations among sovereign states and to defend peace in a world which faces increasingly difficult challenges, from geopolitical threats to climate change, and witnesses a shift in the balance of power from the traditional bipolar system to a multipolar system.Multilateralism must be preserved. While I definitely support the call towards such a value, I cannot overlook the fact that the report we voted includes certain references to going beyond unanimity and promoting qualified majority voting in foreign policy matters. I still think that unanimity is the best way to ensure that the voice of each Member State is heard.
National vetoes to undermine the global tax deal (RC-B9-0339/2022, B9-0339/2022, B9-0340/2022, B9-0341/2022, B9-0342/2022, B9-0343/2022, B9-0344/2022)
I abstained from the vote on the resolution concerning national vetoes to undermine the global tax deal. Even if I am not against the provisions based on the OECD model rules, I cannot but stress that Member States should have exclusive competence on taxation matters. Thus, while the Council represents the forum to discuss these policies, I am against any call to qualified majority voting - as stated in this resolution - as unanimity best protects the national interests of Member States, irrespective of their size.
Sustainable aviation fuels (ReFuelEU Aviation Initiative) (A9-0199/2022 - Søren Gade)
I voted against the Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport (SAF). Whilst I am definitely in favour of the decarbonisation of the aviation sector and a strong market and uptake of SAF, there needs to be realistic targets and provisions that leave no one behind, especially islands and island Member States like Malta that depend upon the aviation sector for connectivity, tourism and economic development. I supported parts of the text concerning innovation, green technologies and research, but have strong concerns over several aspects of the European Parliament’s position. The green transition must be a social transition with due account being taken of island specificities; this is after all a question of social justice and free movement for our islanders.
Energy efficiency (recast) (A9-0221/2022 - Niels Fuglsang)
I supported this Report, as energy efficiency is essential to combat climate change, reduce energy costs for consumers, and increase the energy security of the Union. Especially during troubled times such as the ones we are currently experiencing, we need solutions that help tackle the rising prices of energy and opt towards smarter consumption.The strong social dimension in this report is an important aspect, as we need to ensure that we do not leave our vulnerable citizens behind. Whilst voting in favour of this Report, I still have reservations on Article 8 as proposed by the European Parliament. The targets set therein are too ambitious for Malta due to its insularity and the reality of its small energy market. This is why I support the Maltese Government’s call for a differentiated approach and for flexibility in this regard.
Adequate minimum wages in the European Union (A9-0325/2021 - Dennis Radtke, Agnes Jongerius)
I voted in favour of the Directive on adequate minimum wages. I consider this Directive to be one of the colossal successes of Social Europe, which now encompasses the right and fair premises for social justice and for the mitigation of inequalities. The proposal builds the path towards decent and fair wages; the strengthening of collective bargaining; the reduction of wage inequalities; and upward social convergence. It presents a balanced framework that gives the Member States the impetus to work for a more Social Europe while considering their own national specificities. With my vote, I supported this important EU-coordinated attempt to address in-work poverty and to support low-income earners, many of whom are women and young people.
Renewable Energy Directive (A9-0208/2022 - Markus Pieper)
I strongly believe that boosting renewables will make our energy system more sustainable, more resilient and more autonomous. This switch will, however, only be successful if the ambitious targets being put forward are also balanced by a pragmatic consideration of how they will affect our citizens, especially our most vulnerable ones, as well as our various regions. A green transition which takes into account the different starting points and diverging realities of our Member States is essential to ensure the successful uptake of renewables, whilst keeping in mind security of supply and affordability. Whilst I fully support the need for a higher uptake of renewable energy, Parliament’s report did not adequately consider Malta’s specificities and concerns especially those relating to the maritime and transport sector. I therefore abstained on the final vote.
The new European Bauhaus (A9-0213/2022 - Christian Ehler, Marcos Ros Sempere)
I voted in favour of the Report on the New European Bauhaus. This initiative has the potential to improve the quality of our lives by creating a stable interaction between design and the green transition. It is inclusive in terms of not only solutions and ideas, but also in terms of expertise. We asked the Commission to empower this initiative with its own budget and to provide clear criteria to support the transformation of our spaces towards energy efficiency. This would facilitate the transition by involving better urban planning as well as active citizens.
Economic, social and territorial cohesion in the EU: the 8th Cohesion Report (A9-0210/2022 - Constanze Krehl)
The 8th Report on Economic, Social and Territorial Cohesion in the EU contains a lot of important and positive aspects which I definitely support. One such important element is advocating for adequate funding to be made available for climate change mitigation and adaptation measures in future cohesion policy. This is important for all Member States and EU regions as it helps ensure that national policy measures are coherent and aligned with addressing the urgent climate change reality we are facing. However, I abstained on the final vote given that I do not agree with parts of the report, including the part that invites the Commission to evaluate the legal possibility of creating two different parts within the Common Provisions Regulation, namely, the content-related part and the MFF-related part, for the programming period post-2027.
Implementation of the Updated New Industrial Strategy for Europe: aligning spending to policy (A9-0214/2022 - Tom Berendsen)
I voted in favour of the Report on the Implementation of the Updated New Industrial Strategy for Europe. The industry needs measures that strengthen the Single Market and foster technological development, which nurture green and digital technologies. I consider that the European Parliament’s report draws attention to measures which address both new challenges and deep-rooted flaws in Europe’s industrial structure. Whilst the Commission needs to mobilise the right resources, Member States need to align their Resilience and Recovery plans with the Industrial Strategy, taking into account current realities. This will lead to a more resilient internal market and to higher quality and more stable jobs.
Flexible Assistance to Territories (FAST-CARE) (A9-0232/2022 - Niklas Nienaß)
I voted in favour of this new comprehensive package, which extends the support already provided under Cohesion’s Action for Refugees in Europe (CARE) by offering support and additional flexibility to the use of cohesion policy to assist our Member States. Russian aggression in Ukraine has created a situation that will necessitate more funding, including when it comes to tackling the socio-economic effects. The revised FAST-CARE will also provide additional flexibility for the implementation of investments under the cohesion policy investments
An EU approach for Space Traffic management - an EU contribution addressing a global challenge (B9-0423/2022)
I voted in favour of the resolution on the EU approach for Space Traffic management as a contribution addressing a global challenge. Although it is a less debated subject, space traffic management (STM) is of strategic significance for the Union and the Member States. Ensuring long-term sustainability of outer space has only recently started emerging as an issue concerning secure and autonomous access to outer space and connectivity.In light of the new technologies, as well as of our efforts towards a digital transition, it is essential to support reliable solutions with regard to space traffic, congestion and collision risks. Research and innovation in this field are paramount, as well as investment and collaboration between the public and private sector, along with adequate regulatory and implementation frameworks.
Sustainable maritime fuels (FuelEU Maritime Initiative) (A9-0233/2022 - Jörgen Warborn)
The EU maritime sector is responsible for almost 4% of the bloc’s emissions annually and it is important that we have policy and legislation in place aiming to steer the maritime sector off highly polluting fuels by stimulating the use of low-carbon fuel. I voted in favour of Parliament’s report, which pushes for the needed environmental ambition whilst also seeking to preserve competitiveness, fostering sustainable economic growth targets and ensuring that the situation of peripheral regions and islands like ours is taken into account. Indeed, I welcome the inclusion of amendments that I had put forward in the TRAN Committee aiming to recognise the importance of the maritime sector to our islands, including when it comes to connectivity, trips performed by passenger ships locally as well as the monitoring of cargo diversions.
Deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (A9-0234/2022 - Ismail Ertug)
Decarbonising transport and providing the required infrastructure to do so is essential. The shift towards sustainable, renewable and efficient energy solutions across all transport modes is not only needed to address climate change; it ultimately improves our quality of life and health, as well as that of our future generations. Whilst putting forward ambitious targets, however, we must gradually integrate them, taking into account the particular realities and conditions of various regions and Member States. For example, the targets for the supply of electricity to stationary aircrafts and the requirement to provide preconditioned air systems could be better adjusted to take into account the characteristics of small airports, which cannot deliver these facilities at every gate.
Growing hate crimes against LGBTIQ people across Europe in light of the recent homophobic murder in Slovakia (B9-0476/2022, B9-0477/2022)
I voted in favour of the resolution condemning hate speech and hate crimes against the LGBTIQ community as a response to the horrific homophobic murder of Matúš Horváth and Juraj Vankulič. I supported the call on all EU governments to fight the use of offensive, aggressive and homophobic language, to educate the population and to harshly sanction, investigate and prosecute hate crimes. At the same time, as the heart of European democracy, we stressed the need for school curricula to include the topic of different ideologies and their consequences. We must not forget the terrible nature of ideologies such as fascism that promoted discrimination against LGBTIQ+ people, ethnic minorities and the Jewish population. Since those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it, I endorsed the call for campaigns against anti-LGBTIQ+ narratives. The list of EU crimes must include speech and hate crimes.
UN Climate Change Conference 2022 in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt (COP27) (B9-0461/2022)
. ‒ I voted in favour of the European Parliament’s position in view of the upcoming COP27 Climate Conference taking place in Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt, in November. I believe in the need to strengthen international coalitions for a positive outcome at COP27 and beyond; an outcome that is both environmentally ambitious and socially just.
Implementation report on the European Innovation Council (A9-0268/2022 - Christian Ehler)
I voted in favour of the implementation report on the European Innovation Council as I believe that the recommendations made by the European Parliament would ensure a better management of the accelerator, pathway and transition funds, reflecting the ambitious and transformative nature of the EIC as the investor of reference for breakthrough innovation in Europe.The report also includes additional measures to reduce the geographic divide, making the programme more easily accessible for smaller projects coming from low-income countries. Moreover, more efforts are expected to boost women’s involvement in high-risk innovation.
Establishing the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030 (A9-0159/2022 - Martina Dlabajová)
I voted in favour of the provisional that the European Parliament’s negotiators, amongst which I had the pleasure to work as Shadow Rapporteur, and the Council reached on the Digital Decade programme.Apart from empowering Member States to cooperate and guarantee a secure and connected continent through investments in infrastructure, the programme will have a very tangible impact on our everyday life.By 2030 at least 80% of those aged 16-74 will have at least basic digital skills and more than 90% of Union SMEs should reach at least a basic level of digital intensity. This will equip both our citizens and our businesses to fully participate in the digital society.Far from being a goal in itself, digitalisation must entail reliable, fast and secure connectivity for all everywhere in the Union, including in rural and remote areas, such as islands and outermost regions.Moreover, the programme includes something which I fought for, the attentiveness to the disadvantaged, who cannot access the Internet and who should still benefit from offline accessibility of public administration services while transiting to digital services.This programme is an important step for the Europe of 2030 to be more connected, more skilled, digital-ready and more inclusive, leaving no one behind.
Towards equal rights for persons with disabilities (A9-0284/2022 - Anne-Sophie Pelletier)
I voted in favour of the European Parliament’s call for better defending the rights of persons with disabilities and for effectively tackling discrimination. While many of the hardships persons with disabilities face still go unaddressed, today I supported the call for a system that promotes social participation, a system based on accessible communities that provide the services and care needed.In light of the European Disability Strategy, to which we are committed, we must enact the much-needed measures for inclusive mainstream educational settings and healthcare. There should be no place at all for stereotypes in our educational and health systems. Adjusting the social, legal and political framework for disability rights, and helping eradicate misconceptions are necessary steps towards a more inclusive society and European Union.
Digital divide: the social differences created by digitalisation (B9-0550/2022)
I voted in favour of the resolution on the digital divide, underlining the need to ensure that the EU’s regulatory framework on digitalisation is human-centric and that workers’ and fundamental rights are fully respected in the digital economy. Whereas the Union has recently set its digital targets for 2030, digitalisation must not become a goal in itself, but it must remain a means to improve our lives while mitigating existing disparities.I strongly believe that the digital transition must be inclusive and accessible, helping us close the existing gender, pay and social gaps. Therefore, until we transit successfully, I support the call for inclusive digitalisation that keeps the door open to non-digital solutions for those who do not have the access, the skills or the possibility to use electronic and digital instruments.We must design our digital transformation to include each and every region and each and every one of us.
Renewable Energy, Energy Performance of Buildings and Energy Efficiency Directives: amendments (REPowerEU) (A9-0283/2022 - Markus Pieper)
I voted in favour of the proposal to accelerate the procedure to grant permits for new renewable energy power plants or to adapt existing ones. The boosting of the EU’s domestic production of energy will help us out of the energy crisis, also preventing skyrocketing prices in the next years. The new act will require a faster approval of renewable energy projects, addressing the delays we currently see in the process – delays which may prevent further investments and which need to be addressed for us to reach our targets for a greener, more sustainable and more strategically autonomous Europe.
Upscaling the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (A9-0281/2022 - Jan Olbrycht, Margarida Marques)
I voted in favour of the call for a reform of the EU budget to respond more effectively to evolving needs, increasing our capacity to immediately and efficiently respond to crises as the ones we have been going through the last two years. The upscaling of the 2021-2027 MFF must be considered in the light of the new challenges we are facing, especially taking into account the needs of the most vulnerable and of the voiceless. In this regards, I endorsed the call to step up efforts to fight the alarming child poverty rates and to contribute to the eradication of child poverty. This will only be possible if funding for the European Child Guarantee is increased with a dedicated budget.Whilst I stand behind the call for better and increased allocation of resources towards unexpected challenges, I remain committed to the legal provisions and procedures as enshrined in the Treaties, giving the Member States the power to decide upon the budget in accordance with the competences allocated in the Treaties.
EU/New Zealand Agreement: exchange of personal data between Europol and New Zealand (A9-0003/2023 - Annalisa Tardino)
I voted in favour of the European Parliament giving its consent to the Agreement between New Zealand and the European Union on the Exchange of Personal Data between Europol and the competent authorities of New Zealand for Fighting Serious Crime and Terrorism. The agreement will enable the lawful exchange of personal data between Europol and domestic law enforcement authorities in New Zealand that are responsible for preventing and fighting criminal offences. This exchange will assist in preventing and fighting crimes, while aligning with the required privacy and human rights’ safeguards.As Vice-Chair for the Delegation for relations with Australia and New Zealand, I support the approach taken in this agreement, which will further deepen our collaboration with one of our trusted partners. While Europe is defining its strategic autonomy, it is important to forge our alliances with like-minded partners who share our values.
Consumer protection in online video games: a European Single Market approach (A9-0300/2022 - Adriana Maldonado López)
I voted in favour of the report on consumer protection in online video games. Video games represent a robust cultural and creative sector in Europe. I do believe that we can have positive spill-over effects of technological advancement made by the video games’ industry to education, marketing and retail.However, whilst video games may foster digital skills, their impact on young and vulnerable minds is still to be systematically studied. In this regard, I believe that it is our responsibility to monitor aggressive practices and deceptive game designs, in particular dark patterns, and to address these adequately.While we are still trying to understand the effects of the incredibly fast uptake of new technologies, we need to encourage greater transparency from video game developers. This would allow better protection of consumers, especially the vulnerable, youth, our children, ensuring the fair and ethical development of the industry.
Small-scale fisheries situation in the EU and future perspectives (A9-0291/2022 - João Pimenta Lopes)
I voted in favour of the Report on the situation of small-scale fisheries in the EU. Whilst reconciling fisheries with environmental sustainability is definitely essential, the use of traditional and low impact gears and techniques should benefit from a differentiated approach. Fisheries, especially the small-scale sector, is a crucial element of the socio-economic fabric and reality of islands and coastal regions. They represent one of the sectors that continued with their activity even during the pandemic, giving EU citizens access to seafood, especially in remote, peripheral and insular regions. Additionally, the creation of markets of origin will encourage the sale of these traditional, locally sourced products, which present important attributes such as freshness, seasonality, cultural heritage and sustainability.I also supported the important call on the EU and on the Member States to strive to make the fishing activity attractive for young people through support and apprenticeship schemes.
European system of national and regional accounts in the European Union (ESA 2010) (A9-0202/2022 - Irene Tinagli)
I supported the report reaffirming the European System of Accounts’ conceptual basis and creating common statistical standards for national accounts data. A common set of statistical standards will ensure less fragmented data transmission, facilitating the system’s response to technical developments, emerging risks and new economic structures.
Conservation of the Southern Bluefin Tuna: conservation and management measures (A9-0134/2022 - Grace O'Sullivan)
I voted in favour of the agreement reached on the regulation, which integrates the conservation and management measures adopted by the Commission for the Conservation of Southern Bluefin Tuna into EU law, ensuring a better and more sustainable use of fishing resources and supporting the improvement of the international ocean governance.
Transparency and targeting of political advertising (A9-0009/2023 - Sandro Gozi)
I voted in favour of the report on transparency and targeting of political advertising, recognising that, while forming part of the democratic process, political ads must also be regulated, fair and informed.It is essential that the digitalisation of press and of mass media transmissions builds towards free and fair elections at EU level, combating disinformation. The regulation comes at a moment when the European Parliament is sending a message of stronger transparency and better protection against interference.
Revision of the European Works Councils Directive (A9-0295/2022 - Dennis Radtke)
I voted in favour of this report calling for the reinforcement of the European Works Councils and of social dialogue, including employee information and consultation, as a key element of the European social model. I am a strong supporter of the idea that the success of labour market transformations, especially in the context of the digital and the green transition, depends on ensuring the well-being of, and constant dialogue with, workers. Therefore, we must ensure that workers are truly informed and consulted in a timely manner by management on decisions that affect their employment or working conditions.
Joint Undertakings under Horizon Europe: Chips Joint Undertaking (A9-0012/2023 - Eva Maydell)
I voted in favour of the Report on the Joint Chips Undertaking, allowing the European Parliament and the Council to soon start negotiations on securing the EU’s supply of chips by boosting production and innovation within our Union. The Joint Chips Undertaking will guarantee investments in openly accessible research, development and innovation infrastructure.
The EU priorities for the 67th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (B9-0100/2023, B9-0103/2023)
I supported EU’s priorities for the 67th session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women. A gender-responsive transition can prevent the perpetuation of discriminatory patterns of employment and encourage women’s representation in better-paid high-growth sectors such as ICT and STEM occupations, building towards the achievement of the targets set in the 2030 Digital Decade programme. I am a strong believer in the idea that involvement in designing and disseminating the digital transformation will contribute to bridging the digital and gender gap.
An EU strategy to boost industrial competitiveness, trade and quality jobs (B9-0085/2023, B9-0086/2023, B9-0087/2023, B9-0088/2023, B9-0089/2023, B9-0090/2023, B9-0091/2023, B9-0104/2023, B9-0105/2023, RC-B9-0107/2023, B9-0107/2023, B9-0108/2023, B9-0110/2023, B9-0111/2023, B9-0115/2023)
I supported the European Parliament’s request for a more comprehensive strategy towards achieving the goals of the Green Deal. Our ambition to relocate and reshore industrial capacity in Europe will necessitate not only investments in clean technologies, but also in skills, so as to create the quality jobs that will allow Europeans to fully enjoy the benefits a more sustainable economy. The road to a green and digital future becomes realistic only when aligned with our ability to ensure the necessary capabilities, green and digital literacy, as well as technical skills. Increased industrial competitiveness should be founded upon increased investment in people, skills and education.
One year of Russia’s invasion and war of aggression against Ukraine (RC-B9-0123/2023, B9-0123/2023, B9-0126/2023, B9-0131/2023, B9-0132/2023, B9-0134/2023, B9-0139/2023)
One year on since this war has started, I voted in favour of a resolution which condemns Russia’s aggression and calls for the EU’s continued support to Ukraine. Such support and the provision of humanitarian assistance to people living this tragedy, brought about by Russia’s illegal and unjustified actions is essential. This, however, should be done in a way which respects Member States’ constitutional orders, including Malta’s military neutrality, and which does not shut the door to peace processes.In this spirit, whilst I voted in favour of the resolution, as a condemnation of the terrible ongoing war and all forms of aggression and breaches of international law by Russia, I still hold reservations on parts of the text. Indeed, I voted down the part of the text calling for further military escalation by the European Union and its Member States, including the deployment of missiles and fighter jets.Whilst standing firm in supporting Ukraine and the vulnerable impacted, Europe should pursue alternative ways of bringing peace back to its continent.
Developing an EU cycling strategy (B9-0102/2023)
Cycling is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable, bringing important benefits to both the individual and the overall society. Whilst helping to deliver emission reductions and energy efficiency, cycling represents an alternative, relatively inexpensive mode of transport, providing EU citizens with an opportunity to unlock potential within this field. With a view to developing a dedicated European cycling strategy, I voted in favour of the Parliament’s resolution.
Availability of fertilisers in the EU (B9-0101/2023)
I supported the Parliament’s resolution calling for a more comprehensive EU strategy which would ensure the availability and affordability of fertilisers. I agree that as Union we need to take action to strengthen our autonomy and to diversify our sources mitigating the dependencies on imported fertilisers. In order to secure our food supply and support European farmers, I supported the use of reliable alternatives such as RENURE (‘REcovered Nitrogen from manURE’) and a further flexibilisation of the use of natural fertilisers.
European Year of Skills 2023 (A9-0028/2023 - Loucas Fourlas)
I voted in favour of the agreement reached on the European Year of Skills 2023, a decision aimed at strengthening the skills of our workforce, crucial to ensuring a socially, fair and just, green and digital transition. Whilst setting ambitious targets for a market that changes its structure and business models more often than in the past, the EU will also need to ensure effective and inclusive investment into training and upskilling, supporting workers in managing job transitions, active ageing, and benefitting from the new opportunities brought about by the ongoing transformations.It is important to collaborate with all stakeholders to address staff shortages, which were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the healthcare, hospitality, construction and service sectors, as well as in STEM, including through adequate skilling and ensuring attractive conditions.The European Year of Skills needs to correlate workers’ needs and aspirations with labour market and twin transition requirements.
General Product Safety Regulation (A9-0191/2022 - Dita Charanzová)
I voted in favour of the revision of the General Product Safety Regulation, a revision which will ensure that the EU legal framework provides for all consumer products and safety risks, especially those linked to new technologies, including the use of AI and connected devices, while addressing the product safety challenges in the online marketplaces. The new law safeguards and reinforces consumers’ right by extending the controls and responsibility for products imported from third countries into the EU and by making product recalls more effective and efficient.New partnerships and the uptake of emerging technologies depend on the ability of the market to build trust in products and ensuring a fair liability mechanism.
Strengthening the application of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between men and women (A9-0056/2022 - Kira Marie Peter-Hansen, Samira Rafaela)
I voted in favour of the agreement reached on the application of the principle of equal pay for equal work or work of equal value between men and women, as I believe in a Europe of fairness and non-discrimination, and further concrete action to address the current gender pay gap which is affecting women.Indeed, it is our common duty to eliminate discrimination on grounds of sex, as well as intersectional discrimination with regard to all aspects and conditions of remuneration. In order to achieve this, the Union will now impose reporting obligations concerning the gender pay gap in European companies and on measures taken to mitigate it, asking companies to disclose to their employees information on the level of pay of workers, which are performing the same work or a work of equal value.
Sustainable carbon cycles (A9-0066/2023 - Alexander Bernhuber)
I voted in favour of the own initiative Report on sustainable carbon cycles because apart from offsetting our greenhouse emissions, we need to also allow and incentivise the development of technologies and techniques that will help mitigate the environmental harm done, using the principles of circular economy. I believe that the Report promotes a holistic approach that takes into consideration the different circumstances and challenges faced by Member States and regions. Whilst stimulating research and innovation aimed at advancing carbon removal, we asked for thorough consideration of the economic, social, and environmental benefits and risks of these activities, including on the security of the food supply.Carbon removal must create opportunities for small farmers and foresters, fostering rural development and improve social inclusion while achieving the Green Transition targets.I also supported the call on further mapping of marine and freshwater ecosystem, allowing for the development of the blue carbon sector, which has great potential to contribute to the storage of CO2 in coastal regions such as Malta and Gozo.
eGovernment accelerating digital public services that support the functioning of the single market (A9-0065/2023 - Tomislav Sokol)
I voted in favour of the Report calling for the increased availability of online public services, ensuring equal and full accessibility to Government services. The digitalisation and modernisation of the public administration shall also enhance connectivity and cater for the needs of the disadvantaged, of people with disabilities, the elderly, and people living in rural and remote areas. At the same time, I strongly believe that the modernisation of public services should improve and increase the availability of high-speed internet in less connected areas, including on islands and peripheral regions.Accessible, inclusive and efficient eGovernment services can facilitate public administration for all, citizens and businesses alike.
Combating discrimination in the EU - the long-awaited horizontal anti-discrimination directive (B9-0201/2023, B9-0202/2023)
I voted in favour of the resolution calling on the Council to adopt a position on the 2008 Commission proposal for a Horizontal anti-discrimination Directive, in light of the right to non-discrimination enshrined in the Charter and in the founding Treaties. Whilst respecting Member States’ competence, we cannot continue to ignore the need to create a comprehensive framework for combating discrimination at EU level, ensuring protection outside the labour market.Our citizens have a right to equality and protection irrespective of their sex and racial or ethnic origin of their religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation. Insufficient awareness and lack of implementation of the Charter of Fundamental Rights, along with the absence of adequate action at European level, must not perpetuate discriminatory treatment, leaving the disadvantaged behind.
Universal decriminalization of homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda (RC-B9-0219/2023, B9-0219/2023, B9-0220/2023, B9-0221/2023, B9-0222/2023, B9-0223/2023, B9-0224/2023)
I supported the Resolution on the Decriminalisation of Homosexuality, condemning the laws against homosexuality and transgender identity, which contravene human rights, infringing on the right to life, liberty, personal security, protection from discrimination, and private life.These laws represent a clear incitement to hatred, disrespecting human dignity.I endorsed the call on the immediate and universal decriminalisation of homosexuality and transgender identity, while promoting a culture of tolerance and equality. LGBTIQ rights are human rights.
Methane emissions reduction in the energy sector (A9-0162/2023 - Pascal Canfin, Jutta Paulus)
I voted in favour of the report on the regulation on methane emissions reduction in the energy sector setting clear standards for the measurement, quantification, monitoring, reporting and verification of methane emissions. Since methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and air pollutant and responsible for approximately a third of current global warming, the EU must have a comprehensive strategy to address this issue in the energy sector, guaranteeing a fair deal for the climate and the impacted workers.
Schools scheme for fruit, vegetables, milk and dairy products (A9-0096/2023 - Carmen Avram)
I voted in favour of the report on the implementation of the school scheme for fruit, vegetables, milk and dairy products, facilitating children’s access to fresh fruit, vegetables and milk, in line with a healthy diet and lifestyle. Since data shows that the scheme failed to reach a significant portion of schoolchildren, we ask for the increase of the EU’s allocation so as to respond to the inflation in food prices and ensure that more schools join the programme. At the same time, as for some children the scheme may provide the main meal of the day, it is essential that the food included caters for children with severe medical conditions and allergies.In order to ensure the freshness and quality of the food, I supported the call for the scheme to prioritise local supply chains, found in the very proximity of the school, and aligning with the seasonality of the products.
Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence – EU accession: institutions and public administration of the Union (A9-0169/2023 - Łukasz Kohut, Arba Kokalari)
I endorsed the historical vote on the European Union’s accession to the Istanbul Convention in line with the Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025. After years of unnecessary delay, this procedural vote is essential for the EU to finally accede to the first legally binding international instrument for the prevention and combating of violence against women and girls. We must ensure that we have in place the necessary legislation as well as coordinated policies on education and training for all professionals in the field, but also for our citizens, starting from a young age schools. This will help to bring more sensitivity and understanding of the warning signs of gender-based violence and awareness as to where to seek help.
Roadmap on a Social Europe: two years after Porto (B9-0235/2023, B9-0236/2023)
Ahead of the Social Forum in Porto, I voted in favour of the Parliament’s resolution on the future of a social Europe, which must address structural challenges, as well as their impact on citizens and on social cohesion. The resolution outlines Parliament’s position, in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights, highlighting the need for social rights to be safeguarded to the same level as economic and environmental standards, also through the twin transition, in particular through equal and easy access to skilling and reskilling opportunities. At the same time, we call on the Commission and the Member States to take all measures necessary to address poverty, including through the allocation of more funding to the European Child Guarantee, with a dedicated budget of at least EUR 20 billion. We have a duty to ensure that our most vulnerable benefit from strengthened protection, that the elderly benefit from adequate pension rights that enable them to live a rewarding and dignified retirement. The Member States should also guarantee that periods of caregiving in which the career shifts to part-time working arrangements or gives up paid employment are counted towards their pension contributions, thus reducing the social and gender divide.
Towards a strong and sustainable EU algae sector (B9-0233/2023)
While developing in a way that does not affect the equilibrium of marine ecosystems, the overall demand for algae is expected to increase in the coming years, creating economic and employment opportunities for coastal and insular regions. From food to fish feed, pharmaceuticals, packaging, cosmetics and biofuels, algae can contribute to the emergence of a stronger blue economy sector that contributes to Europe’s security of supply, especially if included in the national and regional spatial plans. In this regard, I supported the call on the Commission and the Member States to conduct further research in order to maximise the sector’s potential and to provide a more coherent regulatory framework and support, including by setting up ‘one-stop shops’ for actors interested in starting or expanding algae farming operations.
Act in Support of Ammunition Production (C9-0161/2023)
. – Ivvutajt kontra dan l-Att li jitlob li fondi ddedikati għall-familji u negozji Ewropej, jispiċċaw jintużaw għall-produzzjoni, munizzjoni u armi tal-gwerra. Filwaqt li naqbel mal-għan li ngħinu lil Ukranja tiddefendi lilha nnifisha kontra l-invażjoni Russa, invażjoni li tmur kontra l-liġi internazzjonali, ma nistgħux nużaw din iċ-ċirkostanza biex riżorsi Ewropej, fondi ta’ koeżjoni, fondi li huma meħtieġa biex il-Maltin, Għawdxin u Ewropej jirkupraw mill-isfidi tagħhom, inkluż l-effetti tal-pandemija, jintużaw, minflok, biex jiġu manifatturati u mibgħuta armamenti tal-gwerra.
Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence (A9-0184/2023 - Lara Wolters)
. – I voted in favour of the directive, which establishes a horizontal framework integrating human rights and environmental considerations into the governance system of European businesses. As the Single Market is flourishing and our companies are growing and operating, the complexity of their value chains must not lead to an oversight of the fundamental principles and values we are guided by in the European Union. Therefore, today, we are taking a step forward towards a framework helping European companies identify and mitigate risks in their value chains linked to respect of human rights or environmental impacts. Supporting our European values should go hand in hand with adequate support to smaller actors, including SMEs that comply with the established rules.
EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles (A9-0176/2023 - Delara Burkhardt)
. – I supported the call for a more sustainable production, use and disposal of textile products sold in the EU in line with the Green Deal objectives. As the consumption of clothing and footwear is steadily increasing, the environmental and social standards behind the fashion industry have to live up to the responsibility that comes with this development. Garments must be more durable, easier to reuse, amend and recycle; moderation and sustainability should come before abundance.
Sexual harassment in the EU and MeToo evaluation (A9-0178/2023 - Michal Šimečka)
. – I voted in favour of a call for comprehensive minimum rules, which address the persisting problem of sexual harassment and psychological harassment in a holistic manner. One in two women has been sexually harassed in the EU at least once since the age of 15, proving that old patterns still stand against our fight for equality and a Union where no one is left behind, feeling unsafe and unprotected; patterns that were aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. This all emphasises the need that harassment, together with gender-based violence, should be universally recognised as a crime and prosecuted faster and more transparently, whilst ensuring that victims are provided with all the necessary assistance, taking into account their specific needs with full respect and dignity
Assessment of the new Commission communication on outermost regions (A9-0156/2023 - Álvaro Amaro)
I voted in favour of the European Parliament’s Assessment of the new Commission communication on the outermost regions, underlining the natural and economic disadvantages that these regions suffer from. Whilst the report refers to outermost regions, it also has the merit of having recognised and reiterated the specificities and inherent handicaps of regions which bear insularity and double insularity, amongst which are higher transportation costs, decreased connectivity and brain drain. In this regard, I supported the call for a significant increase of the de minimis and GBER thresholds and a positive differentiation for outermost regions. At the same time, while restating the need for a Pact for Islands, I believe it is high time we declared 2024 the European Year of Islands.
Large transport infrastructure projects in the EU (A9-0181/2023 - Andrey Novakov)
I voted in favour of the Report concerning large transport infrastructure projects in the EU as I do believe we need to strengthen our efforts to consolidate important transport infrastructure, reducing bottlenecks and ensuring connectivity. When it comes to the TEN-T core and comprehensive network, funding made available through direct or shared management programmes, must be flexible and sufficient, facilitating the deployment of infrastructure projects along the TEN-T corridors, taking into account the particularities of island Member States that rely on air and maritime transport for passengers and freight. At the same time, whilst we aim at the alignment between the Union’s and Member States’ strategic priorities, we must also guarantee that monitoring and the indicators used are not transformed into excessive bureaucracy. Shorter deadlines and simultaneous simplified procedures should apply to core and comprehensive TEN-T network projects.
Artificial Intelligence Act (A9-0188/2023 - Brando Benifei, Dragoş Tudorache)
I voted in favour of this historic piece of legislation that will regulate artificial intelligence in a comprehensive and human-centric manner. AI will continue to evolve, with or without this Act. As a result, it is our responsibility to appropriately regulate the industry in order to guarantee growth in a way that stimulates innovation and investment, while also protecting our fundamental rights and European values.The new law will incorporate a risk-based approach and regulate the potential danger posed by AI – specifically, the possibility of algorithmic biases and the risks presented by ‘generative AI’ – whilst also imposing restrictions on uses such as real-time biometric identification.Many of our human-centric ideals, particularly those aimed at fostering trust among workers, companies and customers, were effectively included in the Act. Through this Act, we should not only protect the most vulnerable among us but allow them to additionally reap the tangible benefits of this fast-evolving industry.
Batteries and waste batteries (A9-0031/2022 - Achille Variati)
I voted in favour of endorsing the overhaul of EU rules on batteries and waste batteries. The endorsement of this deal with the Council is a critical component of the green transition that aims to bring current regulation in line with today’s technological realities and our prospects for development.I consider that the agreement reached is a balanced approach, which, while introducing more stringent targets for waste collection, recycling efficiency and material recovery, will not seek to excessively regulate smaller industry players.In addition, this legislation will also leave a marked impact on the daily lives of citizens. The consumer will now benefit from a new industry obligation to install replaceable portable batteries in the appliances we use every day, as well as from measures that mandate clearer labelling standards for electric vehicles, among others.
Ensuring food security and the long-term resilience of EU agriculture (A9-0185/2023 - Marlene Mortler)
I supported Parliament’s resolution calling for actions to ensure food security and the long-term resilience of EU agriculture. While we do need to diversify the supply of critical elements such as feed, raw materials and fertiliser, it is also crucial that proper transition periods are foreseen. The use of reliable alternatives such as RENURE (‘REcovered Nitrogen from manURE’) and further flexibility when it comes to the use of natural fertilisers would help ensure both the food stocks and the support farmers need. Along with these measures, I strongly believe that more funding should be directed towards helping our farmers understand the benefits of digital solutions, which can greatly facilitate their work, and raise their profits.
Quality traineeships in the EU (A9-0186/2023 - Monica Semedo)
I supported this report on quality traineeships in the Union because I believe that it is our duty to ensure that all work pays. This report calls on the Commission to draft a directive that will protect young people by banning unpaid traineeships across the EU. Such a measure would pave the way for a more equitable and diverse labour market for years to come. The idea to ban unpaid traineeships originally came from youth activists across the EU, including Malta. This is why the strong vote in favour of quality traineeships serves as a clear signal towards our willingness to listen and learn from our young people.
Investigation of the use of Pegasus and equivalent surveillance spyware (Recommendation) (B9-0664/2022, B9-0260/2023)
I voted in favour of the resolution outlining a series of reforms and measures necessary to prevent spyware abuse, an illegal practice that puts our democratic society in danger. Whilst legislative changes are needed in some Member States, there is no doubt that the essence of our efforts in eliminating the illicit use of technology also lies in better enforcement of the existing rules and more transparent and veritable investigations.
Sustainable reconstruction and integration of Ukraine into the Euro-Atlantic community (RC-B9-0270/2023, B9-0270/2023, B9-0274/2023, B9-0275/2023, B9-0277/2023, B9-0278/2023, B9-0281/2023)
Whilst I voted in favour of the call for a comprehensive and adequate recovery package for Ukraine, I have some reservations on parts of the resolution. Specifically, when it comes to the call for Ukraine to join NATO after the war, we should respect Ukraine’s autonomy, sovereignty and independence in this regard. This whilst we look forward towards welcoming Ukraine within the European family, with full respect for the relevant Treaty procedures and conditional upon the fulfilment of the established criteria and helping it ‘build back better’.
Lessons learnt from the Pandora Papers and other revelations (A9-0095/2023 - Niels Fuglsang)
I voted in favour of the report on lessons learnt from the Pandora Papers upholding the need to revisit and follow up on the past recommendations on recognising and combating illegal practices. I believe that addressing the lack of compliance with national and international rules is prerequisite in a democratic society built on the rule of law and on the trust of its citizens. However, I disagree with certain inferences, including that tax competition is, under all circumstances, damaging the market. Correlating the exercise of Member States’ competence and prerogatives on taxation, residency and visas with the wrongdoings in certain cases also merits caution so as not to risk perpetuating a generic stereotype.
Industrial Emissions Directive (A9-0216/2023 - Radan Kanev)
I supported the Parliament’s mandate for the negotiations on updating the Industrial Emissions Directive, aiming to steer the integrated pollutant prevention and control to the Green transition objectives.The text I supported contains a series of provisions marking a necessary change of pace and conceptions when it comes to the contribution the industrial sector needs to give in the fight to protect the environment and people’s health, ensuring future generations are not left without clean air or other essential resources.Whilst I agreed that some industries, such as the extractive industry installations (mines) and certain large installations manufacturing batteries should be included under the scope of the Directive, I supported more lenience towards pig and poultry farms, as well as cattle. This would allow us to focus on the highly polluting industries without placing additional burdens on farmers and on the security supply of food in Europe.
Deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure (A9-0234/2022 - Petar Vitanov)
I voted in favour of the agreement reached by the Parliament and the Council on updating Europe’s alternative fuels infrastructure, guaranteeing a fast, safe and necessary deployment of means to achieve decarbonisation in the transport sector. Whilst green targets are imposed gradually, we are now making sure that we have the sufficient infrastructure network for recharging or refuelling road vehicles, stationary aircraft or ships with alternative fuels, preparing the market for an effective transition. Whilst the Act is both ambitious as well as considerate towards the different starting points and needs of the Member States, it is essential that we continue working together on innovative solutions and market preparedness in the field.
Sustainable maritime fuels (FuelEU Maritime Initiative) (A9-0233/2022 - Jörgen Warborn)
I voted in favour of the agreement reached on FuelEU Maritime, which represents another important building block to ignite the sustainable transformation of Europe’s transportation via a gradual approach, enabling a switch to sustainable fuels.The new Act will ensure a level playing field and make sure that fuel suppliers, ships and maritime operators are given the necessary time to adapt to increasing the demand and consistent use of renewable and low-carbon.I applaud the practical and considerate approach taken; whilst achieving the objectives of the green transition, the particular needs of islands that depend on maritime transport for connectivity purposes, are taken into account, a point which I strongly supported through related amendments. Indeed, I welcome the provision that until the 31st of December 2029 passenger ships other than cruise passengers calling at a port located in an island with fewer than 200 000 permanent residents can be temporarily exempted from the application of the new Act.
Energy efficiency (recast) (A9-0221/2022 - Niels Fuglsang)
I voted in favour of Europe’s commitment to tackling energy poverty and to increasing the supply of renewable and affordable energies, by committing to collectively ensure a reduction in energy consumption of at least 11.7% at EU level by 2030. Whilst our dependency on foreign energy sources has brought us to a crisis in the past months, it is clear that apart from ramping up our efforts in producing sustainable and largely available energy within the EU, we must also be mindful of how much we are consuming.In this respect, the revised Directive puts forward saving targets to be met through local, regional and national measures, in different sectors, with the public sector having to champion the movement and set an example of sustainability. This whilst also embracing the fact that savings additionally depend on solidarity and on the common effort to be more conscious, limiting unnecessary consumption where possible.
European Chips Act (A9-0014/2023 - Dan Nica)
I supported the agreement which co-legislators reached on the Chips Act, a piece of legislation that guarantees that existing and next-generation technologies essential for the digital transition will be sustainably produced in Europe, limiting our dependency on value chains originating outside the Union.Whilst securing a total of €3.3 billion coming from the Digital Europe Programme as well as from Horizon Europe, the Act brings production and research together, creating clean and safe technologies together with additional jobs in the sector. In this regard, I am glad that a more inclusive definition of first-of-a-kind facilities, which I supported through amendments, will give new and existing retrofitted semiconductor producers across Europe, a chance to improve their processes, in partnership with Member States and with the Union. Moreover, the same operators can be part of a network of competence centres providing expertise and improving capacities whilst closing the skills gap for workers.
Implementation of ‘passerelle’ clauses in the EU Treaties (A9-0208/2023 - Giuliano Pisapia)
I voted against this report, which seeks to impinge on the competences of the Member States by advocating for a number of key policy areas – namely taxation, defence and foreign policy – to cease being subject to Council unanimity. I find it difficult to reconcile how the aims of this report adequately cater to the differing realities in the 27 Member States making up our Union, especially smaller states with individual characteristics, and those states which wish to continue exercising their right to remain militarily neutral.
Nature restoration (A9-0220/2023 - César Luena)
I voted in favour of the historic Nature Restoration Law, which as a core part of the European Green Deal and recognises that the biodiversity crisis is just as serious as the climate crisis. This law, based on robust scientific evidence, is critical to accelerate our work towards sustainability for generations to come.In the implementation of this important legislation, we need to take into account the realities of the different Member States and the importance of streamlining with other policy areas and legislation, creating a comprehensive approach to successfully address our challenges.
COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future (A9-0217/2023 - Dolors Montserrat)
I voted in favour of this Report which makes detailed reference to varying lessons that can be learnt from the recent COVID-19 pandemic, ensuring that we make our Union significantly more resilient to any future challenges. Having worked extensively on this report, I am particularly proud of its recognition of the pivotal role played by all essential workers, including those in transport and logistics who ensured that the shelves remained stocked and necessary medications, including vaccines, reached their destination, regardless of the virus’ severity. Furthermore, I welcome the report’s emphasis on how digitalisation, with all its opportunities and challenges, advanced during the pandemic. The digital space proved to be a lifebuoy not only for much of the economy to keep on going safely, but also in the provision of essential public and health services. Lastly, I am glad to have successfully facilitated the Report’s reference to the pandemic's mental health and gender dimensions. This being especially so with the report's recognition of women's role as the main household caregivers to vulnerable family members, as well as having taken on the home-schooling of their children, whilst still carrying on with other work and duties.
State of the SME Union (RC-B9-0346/2023, B9-0346/2023, B9-0347/2023, B9-0348/2023, B9-0349/2023)
I supported this resolution, as it is line with my commitment towards a competitive, equitable, and resilient SME Union. This Resolution duly calls not just for the Commission’s urgent adoption of the Late Payments Directive but in light of the burden placed on SMEs, first by the pandemic, and now by inflation, for the prompt delivery of a comprehensive SME Relief Package. I also commend the Resolution’s commitment to support SMEs in their twin transition of decarbonisation and digitalisation and the specific reference towards supporting micro-enterprises to overcome difficulties in accessing funding opportunities. I additionally continue to encourage a differentiated approach towards SMEs based in our peripheries and islands, which need specific consideration for equitable single market access.
Renewable Energy Directive (A9-0208/2022 - Markus Pieper)
I supported the provisional agreement intending to update the 2008 Renewable Energy Directive. This revised proposal for a directive aims to bring this legislation in line with ambitions on the Green Deal by increasing the 2030 renewable targets. The new Act lays the basis of the creation of an energy efficient system that takes into account all measures for the development of renewables. It is essential that the uptake of clean and low-carbon energy needs translates into lower energy prices for European citizens and paves the way to a greener, more resilient, and autonomous Union ready to face the energy shocks of tomorrow.
Sustainable aviation fuels (ReFuelEU Aviation Initiative) (A9-0199/2022 - José Ramón Bauzá Díaz)
I voted in favour of the provisional agreement which seeks to incrementally increase the supply and use of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF). This will ensure that the aviation industry can begin to transition towards the aim of a net-zero future. Aviation is essential especially for residents of island communities and other peripheral regions for whom air travel is not a luxury, but a necessity for economic and social prosperity and for the procurement of essential goods such as food and medicines. Therefore, it is key that that along with environmental objectives, the particular needs of islands and local communities are taken into account.
Framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials (A9-0260/2023 - Nicola Beer)
I supported this report, as I believe this Act is a prerequisite towards ensuring that the European economy has the critical raw materials it needs to complete the green and digital transitions in a competitive manner. As part of the Green Deal Industrial Plan, the Critical Raw Materials Act will facilitate strengthening the different stages of the value chain for raw materials, including when it comes to raw materials which are particularly crucial for the twin transition, termed ‘strategic raw materials’. Aside from this, whilst mitigating rising demand, the Act aims to increase the circularity of such critical raw materials wherever possible by incentivising further reusability and recyclability.
Regulation of prostitution in the EU: its cross-border implications and impact on gender equality and women’s rights (A9-0240/2023 - Maria Noichl)
I abstained on Parliament’s resolution on prostitution as I believe that the best way to regulate prostitution merits further consideration and does not necessarily fit in a single model.Apart from there being different policy solutions and legal regimes applied in different Member States, none of which have proved to be flawless, I believe that what we need is better and more interoperable data from different Member States who are trying different policy solutions. This would lead to more informed and data-driven decisions and policy-making when it comes to deciding what truly is the best approach to protect women.
Parliamentarism, European citizenship and democracy (A9-0249/2023 - Alin Mituța, Niklas Nienass)
I abstained on the report on parliamentarism, European citizenship and democracy. While this report explores a number of ways of rejuvenating European democracy, it does not take into proper account the specificities and needs of small Member States.I am especially concerned by recommendations such as switching from unanimity to qualified majority voting. Such measures not only infringe on Member States’ competences but risk negatively impacting EU citizens in smaller states with different circumstances and specific needs that deserve equal representation.
Intelligent Road Transport Systems (A9-0265/2022 - Rovana Plumb)
I voted in favour of the agreement reached on the revision of the Directive on Intelligent Transport Systems in order to ensure that the legal act aligns with the new priorities on better multimodal and digital services, whilst guaranteeing a coordinated and coherent deployment of interoperable ITS throughout the EU. The automotive automation comes with our responsibility to ensure that the vehicles entering our roads today will be able to communicate effectively with the more advanced vehicles of the near future. This entails the digitisation of crucial roads, travel and traffic data which can be made available on mobility apps, as well as better ‘short range’ communication between different vehicles and between vehicles and the necessary infrastructure. The new Act will also include reference to multimodal digital mobility services - a point I had also brought up with the Commission as key for cross-border comparison of choices and prices, as well as other important provisions with a particular focus on the impact on SMEs, safety, privacy, and innovation.
European Media Freedom Act (A9-0264/2023 - Sabine Verheyen)
The proper functioning of democratic life necessitates the proper functioning of the media as a watchdog. I thus supported this report aiming to strengthen the transparency, independence, and plurality of the EU media landscape, introducing various obligations in the field as well as stronger provisions for the protection of journalists against surveillance and against pressure to reveal their sources.
Ensuring European transportation works for women (A9-0239/2023 - Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska)
I have heard one too many harrowing stories by women and girls of what they had to endure on public transportation, sometimes even in the light of day. This fact alone makes it clear to me that transportation does not yet work for women in Europe. I endorsed the report, which highlights the multifaceted difficulties women have – not only while using public transportation – and the added challenges for women who work in this male-dominated sector.Transportation still does not work for women in Europe and passenger safety and employment policies are not yet tailored to prevent harassment and discrimination, especially in a sector where women come from vulnerable groups, which include people with disabilities, migrants, or low-income households.An inclusive, safe, and sustainable transport system can only be designed through the collection and analysis of more sex-disaggregated data and through ensuring that women’s safety and fair representation are taken up. Transport and city planning must effectively meet women’s needs.
Segregation and discrimination of Roma children in education (B9-0394/2023)
I voted in favour of this resolution seeking to tackle the segregation and discrimination of Roma children in education. This resolution calls on the Commission and the Member States to address the major hurdles children from Roma communities – the largest EU ethnic minority – face in attaining a decent education.I support the resolution’s analysis and conclusion that Roma children face intersectional discrimination and obstacles to equal participation in education, and that more political will, especially from Member States with significant Roma populations, is needed to address this long-running structural and systemic discrimination, which is notably worse for Roma women and girls.
Harmonising the rights of autistic persons (B9-0390/2023)
I strongly supported the European Parliament’s call for the harmonisation of the rights of autistic persons by including the autism diagnosis in the disability status in all Member States. While it is estimated that 5 million Europeans, amounting to 1 in 100 people, are on the autism spectrum, 40% of them lack any form of disability status since they have no associated intellectual disability.It is clear that disparities still exist across the Member States in terms of recognition, support and inclusion. I believe that it is high time we acknowledge the diversity among people on the autism spectrum and do more at a Union level to foster an inclusive society that respects and values the uniqueness of each individual. We need to work together to build an EU where every autistic individual can live a fulfilling life, free from discrimination and full of opportunities.
Standardised dimensions for carry-on luggage (B9-0391/2023)
I supported this resolution, which calls for the removal of price supplements for carry-on luggage in accordance with the case law of the Court of Justice of the EU. In this regard, the resolution rightfully calls for the EU-wide harmonisation of specific requirements relating to reasonable carry-on baggage weight and dimensions by addressing the complexity of different airlines’ standards, as a necessary next step to forge a simpler and fairer market, by addressing the hidden costs and uncertainties we have today.As an MEP representing Malta, a Member State composed of islands that require air travel for fundamental connectivity with the rest of the Union, I firmly believe that such a measure would make life easier and more efficient for our citizens, better enabling the free movement of persons.
Financial services contracts concluded at a distance (A9-0097/2023 - Arba Kokalari)
I voted in favour of the provisional agreement for the directive on financial services contracts concluded at a distance. The scope of this revision of a previous directive, which entered force in 2002, is to simplify the rules for citizens and businesses while at the same time increasing consumer protection and forging a level playing field for financial services concluded remotely. I particularly support the idea that consumers have the right to request human intervention so as to better understand the effects of any contract being signed. This right will become more important as AI-powered chatbots will take over more of such tasks. At the same time, I endorsed the extension of the withdrawal function to all distant contracts, allowing consumers more freedom and fair contractual conditions. What is certain is that the world is a vastly different and more digitalised place since the year 2002 – therefore this revision was key to address today’s needs and realities.
Urban wastewater treatment (A9-0276/2023 - Nils Torvalds)
I supported this proposal for a directive on urban wastewater treatment seeking to tackle the numerous pollutants such as micro-pollutants not already covered by the previous Directive on this topic. This revision, will not only be part of the drive to achieve a pollution-free environment by 2050, but will also ensure that wastewater treatment reaches energy neutrality sooner, updating provisions to better collect necessary data of viruses in waste waters for the benefit of all. It is essential that the operations necessary to mitigate the impact of residue of pharmaceuticals should not be borne by the end consumer especially by medical patients that are a vulnerable group that need to be protected.
The new European strategy for a better internet for kids (BIK+) (B9-0386/2023)
I voted in favour of a strategy that recognises the internet as a vast resource, teeming with opportunities for learning, creativity, and connection, whilst also being mindful of the challenges and risks it presents, especially for our youngest users. We must focus on the potential of children’s access to digital education tools and information, whilst also addressing any potential negative effects on their physical and mental health. I strongly believe in the power of collaboration by continuously working closely with educators, parents, technology companies, and children themselves to ensure that our strategy is inclusive and effective, keeping children’s rights policy high on the EU agenda.
Farm Sustainability Data Network (A9-0075/2023 - Jérémy Decerle)
I supported the provisional agreement reached on the conversion of the farm accountancy data network (FADN) into a farm sustainability data network (FSDN) with a view to collecting farm-level data on sustainability, benchmarking farm performance.Whilst the new act extends the scope of data collection to cover the environmental and social dimension in addition to the economic dimension, it is also simplifying and modernising the datasets. The new measures are also set to help Member States motivate farmers to participate in the data network, with the process being voluntary and flexible.At the same time, advisory services for farmers shall be improved, in full compliance with data protection, giving actors big or small the opportunity to learn more about the reporting process, its results and benefits.
Establishing the Ukraine Facility (A9-0286/2023 - Michael Gahler, Eider Gardiazabal Rubial)
I voted in favour of the new Ukraine Facility that aims to promote recovery as well as modernise the country whilst supporting the transition towards a green, digital and inclusive economy that is progressively aligned with EU rules and standards.The Facility will contribute to the stability of the country, whilst providing funds for reconstruction with a focus on Ukraine’s social, health and education and its most vulnerable facilities. In turn, Ukraine’s reconstruction and EU accession process must align, amongst others, with the European Pillar of Social Rights, paying particular attention to the most vulnerable, including persons with disabilities and children.
Fisheries control (A9-0016/2021 - Clara Aguilera)
I voted in favour of the provisional agreement reached on fisheries control, looking forward to the digitalisation of the fishing sector by 2023 and to its contribution to the sustainability agenda.The act, which will soon come into force, provides better transparency of data throughout the whole food chain, making information available to consumers and establishing full traceability of fresh and frozen fishing products. This will give consumers more visibility to the processing of the fish they consume and contribute to safeguarding food security.
Implications of Chinese fishing operations for EU fisheries and the way forward (A9-0282/2023 - Pierre Karleskind)
I voted in favour of the European Parliament’s report on the implications of Chinese fishing operations for EU fisheries. This report defends the interests of the small-scale fleet and of the EU’s fishermen who must benefit from a level playing field in relation to third-country fleets. By ensuring more transparency in the field, we aim to mitigate the lack of catch and operation data concerning Chinese fisheries and to improve the management of resources and the sustainability of the sector.The report also stresses the importance of continuing the dialogue between the EU and China in order to ensure that food security, especially where fishing resources are essential to feeding local populations, are not jeopardised by unfair practices and excessive and irregular fishing activities.
General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2024 - all sections (A9-0288/2023 - Siegfried Mureşan, Nils Ušakovs)
Although I voted in favour of a more ambitious social investment for our Union as well as a specific budget line dedicated to sustainable tourism, I still supported the European Parliament’s final position within the annual budgetary exercise. The budget aims to address the recent challenges, such as the energy and inflation crises, providing solutions for citizens and businesses hit by the recent repercussions of instability in Europe.At the same time, as we are continuing investments in the green and digital transition, especially in energy efficiency, we must focus on Europe’s reindustrialisation, securing investments to improve the competitiveness of our economy and supporting SMEs and job creation. The new budgetary lines also have the merit of creating the necessary funding for strategic technologies, as well as investments in digital, clean and biotechnologies.I also endorsed the increase of European investments in the Connecting Europe Facility – Transport, a programme that has proven to be an essential one in ensuring connectivity between Europe’s regions in the past budgetary period.
The despicable terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israel, Israel’s right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law and the humanitarian situation in Gaza (RC-B9-0436/2023, B9-0436/2023, B9-0438/2023, B9-0442/2023, B9-0444/2023, B9-0445/2023, B9-0447/2023, B9-0448/2023)
Hekk kif is-sitwazzjoni fl-Iżrael u Gaża qed tkompli tiggrava, ivvutajt favur riżoluzzjoni tal-Parlament Ewropew li tikkundanna l-attakki terroristiċi mill-Ħamas kontra l-Iżrael, li tisħaq fuq l-importanza ta’ difiża b’rispett sħiħ lejn il-liġi umanitarja u internazzjonali u li tenfasizza l-azzjoni u l-għajnuna msaħħa li hemm bżonn biex tiġi indirizzata s-sitwazzjoni umanitarja f’Gaża.Filwaqt li vvutajt favur din ir-riżoluzzjoni, nixtieq nenfasizza l-punti li ġejjin. Inaċċettabli l-qtil barbaru tal-Iżraeljani mill-Ħamas. Inaċċettabbli l-qtil tal-Palestinjani innoċenti li qed ibatu minħabba r-reazzjoni tal-Iżrael għall-attakki li saru mill-Ħamas.F'mumenti bħal dawn huwa importanti li l-mexxejja Ewropej ikunu sensibbli fl-azzjonijiet u d-diskorsi tagħhom; importanti li nżommu f'moħħna lil tant u tant nies innoċenti.Is-sitwazzjoni fir-reġjun hija waħda kkumplikata, bil-karba tal-Palestinjani fl-okkupazzjoni li tmur lura ħafna snin.Jekk irridu s-sigurtà fir-reġjun, hemm bżonn tal-isforzi kollha sabiex din il-ġerħa tiġi indirizzata bi ftehim diplomatiku li jiggarantixxi l-paċi, id-dinjità, l-ugwaljanza u r-rispett lejn kull mara, raġel, tifel u tifla, irrispettivament mil-liema naħa ġejjin.L-Unjoni Ewropea għandha l-obbligu li tippromwovi l-paċi u l-istabbiltà fir-reġjun, stabbiltà, li kif qed naraw, taffetwa wkoll is-sigurtà ta’ nħawi oħra.
Rule of Law in Malta: 6 years after the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the need to protect journalists (B9-0449/2023)
Whilst I once again condemn the brutal assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and other journalists who are killed in the course of their work, I voted against this resolution. This is because I cannot accept yet another politically charged text, which includes speculations and half-truths, downplaying or omitting progress made so far in Malta. A resolution which should have focused on the six-year remembrance since the assassination of Daphne Caruana Galizia and the need to protect journalists, but includes content significantly diverging from the main scope of the resolution. The text of the resolution even goes as far as to call on the Maltese Government to enshrine the right to safe and legal abortion in national law, despite abortion legislation being the competence of the national parliament.In view of the above, I decided not to participate in the split votes and amendments to the text and voted minus on the collective text of the resolution.
European protein strategy (A9-0281/2023 - Emma Wiesner)
I joined the call for a sustainable increase in the EU production of plant protein, bearing in mind that plant protein production raises the circularity in the food and feed value chains, offering a wide range of choices, essential for maintaining a healthy diet and overall wellbeing. We are, therefore, advocating for a strategy that places farmers in the centre, helping them convert their crops to attractive products for food and feed, resulting in shorter supply chains, in line with the Farm to Fork Strategy ambitions, as well as in lowering our dependency on third countries.Moreover, I believe that such a strategy should also recognise the small fisheries sector’s role in promoting sustainable food systems, and provide for education for the public and support for the sector, encouraging young people to take up these activities.
Generational renewal in the EU farms of the future (A9-0283/2023 - Isabel Carvalhais)
I voted in favour of this report, which recognises the barriers that the agricultural sector faces. Given that farming remains a predominantly family activity, the lack of generational renewal represents a threat that ultimately endangers food security within the EU, failing to attract new workers.Therefore, generational renewal requires more young people from agricultural backgrounds to remain on this professional path and newcomers to be encouraged to enter the sector. This can be done through national strategies to promote generational change, including through financial support for land transfers, pension protection, lower interest rates, support for the first loan instalment for young farmers, as well as advisory bodies for their better financial literacy.
Data Act (A9-0031/2023 - Pilar del Castillo Vera)
I endorsed the agreement reached on the Data Act, which will boost innovation by removing barriers obstructing consumers’ and businesses’ access to data, clarifying the rules around data sharing. The framework establishes clear rights and obligations, indicating who, and under which conditions, is entitled to use accessible data collected, obtained or otherwise generated by connected products or related services, empowering the users to participate in the data economy and to harness the value of data they generate.In this regard, I am supportive of the provision that the European Parliament introduces on data literacy, to promote awareness on the rights and obligations arising from this Act.Following the same consumer-oriented approach, the new law also establishes that data accessed from a connected product should be provided free of charge to the user, whilst all safeguards imposed by the GDPR are respected.
European environmental economic accounts: new modules (A9-0296/2023 - Pascal Canfin)
I voted in favour of the Report on European Environmental Economic accounts in order to allow European statistics to better monitor progress towards a green, competitive and resilient circular economy, which would contribute to the fulfilment of environment, sustainability and climate change duties. By incorporating new modules, Member States will be provided with relevant and granular data about their climate, energy and environment investment gaps, leading to more concise and efficient policymaking.In line with the Green Deal and the Fit for 55 package, the new elements on the Environmental Dashboard will ensure that the information on climate pathways, biodiversity, pollution, forests and other environmental issues is made available in a clear and transparent manner.
Waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) (A9-0311/2023 - Anna Zalewska)
I supported the codification of the Court of Justice of the European Union’s judgment in Case C-181/20 that declared as partially invalid Article 13(1) of Directive 2012/19/EU on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE Directive) by reason of non-justified retroactive effect, overriding the obligation of the producers of electrical and electronic equipment to bear the costs for the collection, treatment, recovery and environmentally sound disposal of waste from users other than private households resulting from products placed on the market after 13 August 2005. The amendment clarifies the time from when producers of different electrical and electronic equipment have to provide for the financing of the management of the waste that occur from their products, while emphasising the importance of avoiding the transfer of burden and costs unto citizens and consumer.
Type-approval of motor vehicles and engines with respect to their emissions and battery durability (Euro 7) (A9-0298/2023 - Alexandr Vondra)
I voted against this file dealing with new emissions and battery durability standards for motor vehicles. While this new set of standards, known as Euro 7, offers a marginal improvement to the previous Euro 6 standards, the text we had before us, with a number of additional amendments, which passed at plenary stage, would significantly water down the Euro 7 standards originally proposed by the European Commission. In light of this serious lack of ambition towards cleaner air and a healthier society, I decided not to support Parliament’s position in its current state.
Minimum requirements on minimum breaks and daily and weekly rest periods in the occasional passenger transport sector (A9-0370/2023 - Henna Virkkunen)
Framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials (A9-0260/2023 - Nicola Beer)
I supported this landmark agreement for a Critical Raw Materials Act, which will make our Union more sovereign and competitive by enhancing our access to secure and sustainable critical raw materials necessary for the green and digital transition.This Act, which simultaneously strengthens the EU’s extraction, processing, and recycling capacities of these resources, will aim to diversify our supply chains and to lessen our dependency on any single third country.In addition, this legislation provides for more efficient permitting procedures that support SMEs throughout the value chain, and has a strong focus on research and innovation.
Mental health (A9-0367/2023 - Sara Cerdas)
I fully support this report on mental health. The core principle underlying this report is that any person, at any stage of life, may experience mental health issues, especially following traumatic events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. For this reason, the report advocates for a mental-health-in-all-policies approach backed up by the necessary funding, and a European Year of Mental Health. It is my hope that this report will be pivotal to instigate effective policies and legislative action in favour of the well-being of our citizens.
Addictive design of online services and consumer protection in the EU single market (A9-0340/2023 - Kim Van Sparrentak)
Digitalisation has revolutionised the way we live, with online services such as social media networks fundamentally transforming the way we communicate and relate to others. This transformation may have empowered citizens in many ways, but it also has caveats, which actively deter our quality of life – without a doubt, addiction is one prime example of this. It is well known that addictive social media use can have harmful effects, like increased pressure, stress, or even depression and anxiety.Much like we have done to keep big tech accountable in the DSA and most recently with the AI Act to provide human-centric guardrails to the further evolution of this brimming sector, it’s time to act with a set of concrete EU rules to ensure that the consumers’ psychological vulnerabilities are not leveraged for commercial gain, to the detriment of their mental health.This is why I commend, and voted in favour of, this report on the addictive design of online services as an important first step to ensuring that the social values we have strived so hard for offline, effectively extend to cyberspace.
European Health Data Space (A9-0395/2023 - Tomislav Sokol, Annalisa Tardino)
I voted in favour of this resolution, which aims to make a key lesson we learnt during the COVID-19 pandemic a reality. This lesson being that electronic health data is crucial for policy-making in response to health emergencies, for health threats preparedness and mitigation, as well as for treatment, but also for research and innovation.I particularly support the European Parliament’s position here, as such a proposal would also facilitate cross-border access to electronic health records, something essential, also for citizens with rare diseases. Mindful of privacy concerns, I welcome the resolutions’ call for strong safeguards such as an opt-out system for the secondary use of health data.
Implementation of the Treaty provisions on special legislative procedures (A9-0384/2023 - Victor Negrescu)
I abstained on the report on the implementation of the Treaty provisions on special legislative procedures. While this report makes reference to a number of valid points with regards to the need for mutual and sincere cooperation between the EU institutions, it does not take into proper account the specificities of small Member States. I am especially concerned by this report’s recommendations on the need to ‘overcome’ unanimity voting in the Council, provisions that I specifically voted down. Such measures not only infringe on Member States’ competences but risk negatively affecting EU citizens in smaller states with different circumstances and specific needs that deserve equal representation.
30 years of Copenhagen criteria - giving further impetus to EU enlargement policy (RC-B9-0500/2023, B9-0500/2023, B9-0501/2023, B9-0502/2023, B9-0504/2023, B9-0505/2023, B9-0506/2023)
I abstained on this resolution on EU enlargement. The resolution makes a number of strong points on the importance of the Copenhagen criteria and the principle of a merit-based procedure for accession into the European Union.However, I have fundamental reservations on parts of this resolution including the call to ‘overcome’ unanimous decision-making during the negotiation process.
Implementation of the 2018 Geo-blocking Regulation in the digital single market (A9-0335/2023 - Beata Mazurek)
I voted in favour of this report on the implementation of the 2018 Geo-blocking Regulation which, while showing some positive developments, outlines a number of challenges which still need to be addressed, such as limited consumer awareness, delays in enforcement and persisting reluctance by traders to offer cross-border delivery options.This is of added importance to citizens in smaller Member States which, because of inadequate implementation, still do not benefit equally from the single market in this regard.On the question of assessing the possibility of including audio-visual services in the Geo-blocking Regulation, it is essential that the protection of the cultural and linguistic diversity of the European audio-visual market is also thoroughly considered.While the increase in cross-border access to such services for our consumers is key, especially where there is clear demand, this must not come at the expense of the financial feasibility and diversity offered by local industry.Going forward, I believe that it is important to work on striking an effective balance with regard to the aforementioned considerations, a balance that can only be achieved following an in-depth analysis and impact assessment on future possibilities relating to the EU audio-visual market.
Increasing innovation, industrial and technological competitiveness (A9-0383/2023 - Tsvetelina Penkova)
I voted in favour of this report aiming to unlock the full potential of start-ups and scale-ups in driving innovation and enhancing the EU’s industrial and technological competitiveness. While start-ups and scale-ups share many obstacles with SMEs, such as a lack of single market integration, regulatory discrepancies, and excessive administrative burden, it would be a mistake to treat all the same way. Start-ups and scale-ups face specific challenges such as a high rate of failure, and generally a high degree of uncertainty such as with regards to seed funding. This is why a comprehensive definition for start-ups and scale-ups is a necessary step to creating tailored incentives and funding mechanisms to support these kinds of businesses and their potential for cross-sectoral projects and other collaborations.
Jurisdiction, applicable law, recognition of decisions and acceptance of authentic instruments in matters of parenthood and creation of a European Certificate of Parenthood (A9-0368/2023 - Maria-Manuel Leitão-Marques)
I supported this report that seeks to end discrimination towards children based on the way they were born or the type of family they were born into. This report will ensure that the legal relationship between parents and a child established in one Member State, is duly recognised in the entirety of our Union. This creation of a European Certificate of Parenthood, which will also protect children of rainbow families, will ensure that no child will ever have to suffer the legal loss of a parent simply because of crossing an internal border.
Implementation of the Erasmus+ programme 2021-2027 (A9-0413/2023 - Milan Zver)
I voted in favour of this report, which provides an overview of the implementation of the Erasmus + programme and the challenges it still incurs. Progress must be made to guarantee access to mobility for all EU students, mainly by reducing financial and administrative obstacles. The European Parliament has recognised the insufficient level of grants awarded, and has called for more frequent inflation and cost-of-living adjustments, as well as simplification of the administrative process and improved recognition of credits, from one institution to another.
Implementation of the Creative Europe programme 2021-2027 (A9-0425/2023 - Massimiliano Smeriglio)
I voted in favour of this report that assesses and evaluates the implementation of the Regulation that established the Creative Europe programme. I commend the budgetary increases in this programme amidst the ongoing challenges for the creative sector. It remains empirical that, especially after the impact of COVID-19 and with the increasing pressure due to inflation, we remain committed to supporting and encouraging our artists and creatives.
Implementation of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme 2021-2027 – citizens' engagement and participation (A9-0392/2023 - Łukasz Kohut)
I supported this report, which provides a preliminary assessment of the implementation of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV) programme. With most projects still in the initial implementation phase and despite COVID-19 pandemic causing delays and reduced applications, the European Parliament was still able to recognise its effectiveness in fostering democratic engagement. Designed as a bottom-up programme, CERV encourages dialogue between authorities and citizens in the implementation of Union strategies, such as those relating to climate change, digitisation, and autonomy, as well as relevant national challenges. To enhance accessibility, the European Parliament pointed out that a review of the application portal, an improved communication strategy and measures to address shrinking civic space are necessary.
Implementation of territorial development (CPR, Title III, Chapter II) and its application in the European Territorial agenda 2030 (A9-0420/2023 - Marcos Ros Sempere)
I supported this file on the implementation of territorial development and its application in the European Territorial Agenda 2030. This being so especially due to its calls for more funding for rural areas and regions that suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps.This report duly recognises the huge potential of the Territorial Agenda 2030’s current and future projects to better address the diverse needs of different regions, such as islands and coastal areas. In addition, I also commend this report’s call for more gender mainstreaming and rural proofing.Notwithstanding this, it is important to explore how tools such as ITIs and CLLDs can be designed in a more flexible fashion that accentuates their benefit even further for disadvantaged regions like our islands.
Electric aviation – a solution for short- and mid-range flights (A9-0438/2023 - Erik Bergkvist)
I supported this report, which recognises the potential of electric aviation to ensure sustainable connectivity. Electric and hybrid aviation offer a cleaner, faster and more convenient means of transport that could greatly improve regional air mobility, especially between remote and geographically isolated regions.However, the transition to electric aircraft will require, among other things, significant investments in infrastructure and innovation, a coordinated EU strategy on the development, certification and deployment of the new generation of aircraft, and the development of high-power batteries.
Empowering consumers for the green transition (A9-0099/2023 - Biljana Borzan)
I voted in favour of this report because I believe it will strengthen consumers’ ability to make informed choices, by improving product labelling and combating greenwashing. To prevent consumers from being misled, we need greater control of sustainability labels and information tools, as well as a ban on generic environmental claims without proof. To improve the sustainability of our goods, the report also draws attention to the harmful effects of early obsolescence, and calls for greater transparency on the durability and reparability of purchased goods. A new, harmonised lifespan label will be highly beneficial for consumers, as most of them are looking for products that last in time.
Implementation of the Treaty provisions on national parliaments (A9-0429/2023 - Paulo Rangel)
I voted in favour of this report, which seeks to assess the use of current mechanisms for national parliaments’ participation in the European political process and discusses future steps forward to see that national parliaments, as stalwarts for subsidiarity, can cooperate with, contribute to and scrutinise the European political sphere more effectively.
Implementation of the Treaty provisions on EU citizenship (A9-0436/2023 - Maite Pagazaurtundúa)
Building a comprehensive European port strategy (A9-0443/2023 - Tom Berendsen)
I fully support this report in favour of a comprehensive European port strategy. This report, which focuses on the strategic value of ports for European transport, as well as for maintaining our economic competitiveness and resilience, was also mindful of the essential role of ports for islands like Malta and Gozo.The text not only duly recognises ports’ role as a social and economic lifeline for islands and outermost regions, but also refers to the green transition, the blue economy and the importance of skilling. Furthermore, I welcome this report’s recognition of the risk the Emissions Trading System (ETS) for shipping has for EU container transhipment activities for ports like the Malta Freeport; an aspect which I emphasised through amendments presented at committee level.
Measures for a high level of public sector interoperability across the Union (Interoperable Europe Act) (A9-0254/2023 - Ivars Ijabs)
I voted in favour of this provisional agreement, which I contributed to as shadow rapporteur, and which confirms greater interoperability and a strengthened digital future for our public administrations within the EU with a focus on achieving more efficient and cost-effective public services across the EU. The Act focuses on reducing administrative burdens, ensuring equal access, and enhancing the skills of public sector workers. This means that European citizens, public sector workers, businesses, and SMEs will now rely on public services with more confidence, whilst aligning further with the Digital Decade programme’s targets. This Act also refers to maintaining offline services for the less digitally skilled, as well as addressing the unique challenges faced by disadvantaged regions like islands, important provisions that I pushed for.
Plants obtained by certain new genomic techniques and their food and feed (A9-0014/2024 - Jessica Polfjärd)
I voted in favour of this report, as I believe that new genomic technologies have the potential of becoming a valuable tool for our farmers. Nevertheless, I regret that some important amendments which were promoting important coexistence measures, protection of organic farming and the opt-out option of NGT cultivation for Member States, were rejected in plenary. I hope that the future negotiations will lead to a safe use of new genomic techniques, finding the right balance between innovation as well as human and environmental safety, based on science.
Establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) (A9-0290/2023 - José Manuel Fernandes, Christian Ehler)
I voted in favour of the provisional agreement on the establishment of the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform, as it will contribute to the financing of innovative technologies crucial to achieve a more sustainable future. It is, however, regrettable that the compromise reached is limited in scope and I thus look forward to the guidelines to be published by the Commission, in the hope that they will reflect the reality in all Member States in a way that they could all benefit from this important instrument.
Nature restoration (A9-0220/2023 - César Luena)
I supported the provisional agreement on the landmark Nature Restoration Law, as it is an important step towards better management of our environmental biodiversity. We need to take the biodiversity crisis as seriously as the climate crisis, and this law, based on solid scientific evidence, will help us do so.
Amending Decision (EU) 2017/1324: continuation of the Union’s participation in PRIMA under Horizon Europe (A9-0378/2023 - Paolo Borchia)
I support this decision to continue the EU’s participation in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) as it is indeed a prime example of the kind of cooperation that is sorely needed in an increasingly geo-politically volatile and ecologically fragile region. Covering themes such as agricultural development and water management, PRIMA is a solid step towards a more climate-resilient Mediterranean basin.
Improving the Union’s protection against market manipulation on the wholesale energy market (A9-0261/2023 - Maria da Graça Carvalho)
I supported this report aiming to improve the Union’s protection against market manipulation in the wholesale energy market, which is very timely in the context of the energy crisis and the geopolitical landscape that we are facing. Indeed, more than ever we cannot tolerate malpractices that could undermine the stability of the EU energy markets. To ensure this, the proposal contains numerous measures aimed at increasing legal coherence and transparency, strengthening the European dimension and consolidating the market.
European Digital Identity framework (A9-0038/2023 - Romana Jerković)
I voted in favour of this report establishing a framework for a European digital identity, as I believe it could be of great benefit to our European citizens. As our world becomes increasingly connected, having cross-border digital access to key public services could help to streamline our citizens’ administrative procedures and digital exchanges. I particularly welcome the guarantees introduced to ensure that the new European wallet is secure and does not jeopardize users’ privacy. Another very important requirement, which was well integrated into the final text, was that the EU wallet must remain on a voluntary basis and not replace offline services.
The need for unwavering EU support for Ukraine, after two years of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine (RC-B9-0143/2024)
I voted in favour of this resolution on the need for continued EU support for Ukraine as I remain steadfast in my belief that every state has the right to defend itself in the face of an illegal war of aggression. However, I did diverge on specific votes on increased defence spending, which should not come at the cost of cutting vital socially-oriented programmes and should not prejudice the constitutional neutrality of countries like Malta.
Deepening EU integration in view of future enlargement (A9-0015/2024 - Petras Auštrevičius, Pedro Silva Pereira)
The report makes a number of strong points such as on the importance of the principle of merit-based enlargement, and on the need to look at the functioning of the EU in a holistic way to facilitate the accession of new Member States. However, I have fundamental reservations on parts of this resolution, especially on the call to ‘overcome’ unanimous decision-making. I therefore abstained on this report.
Common procedure for international protection in the Union (A8-0171/2018 - Fabienne Keller)
While voting in favour of the rest of the Migration and Asylum Pact, I abstained on the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation, alongside the Asylum Procedure Regulation. A comprehensive and effective reform is crucial to ensure a balance between the fair sharing of responsibility among Member States and effective solidarity towards the frontline Member States, whilst safeguarding human rights. The reason why I abstained on two of the files pertains to the fact that I believe that a better balance could have been achieved, including when it comes to the fair and effective sharing of responsibility.
Asylum and migration management (A9-0152/2023 - Tomas Tobé)
While voting in favour of the rest of the Migration and Asylum Pact, I abstained on the Asylum and Migration Management Regulation, alongside the Asylum Procedure Regulation. A comprehensive and effective reform is crucial to ensure a balance between the fair sharing of responsibility among Member States and effective solidarity towards the frontline Member States, whilst safeguarding human rights. The reason why I abstained on two of the files pertains to the fact that I believe that a better balance could have been achieved, including when it comes to the fair and effective sharing of responsibility.
Standards for equality bodies in the field of equal treatment and equal opportunities between women and men in matters of employment and occupation (A9-0354/2023 - Sirpa Pietikäinen, Marc Angel)
I supported this report, which aims to harmonise minimum requirements for equality bodies across the EU and to strengthen their capabilities. Gender equality is a fundamental right that must be rigorously enforced. The enhanced competence of these equality bodies, which include increased powers to conduct inquiries, mandated consultation by public institutions on discrimination-related matters, provision of adequate human, technical, and financial resources, as well as better protection against external influences, is key to achieve this.
Temporary derogation: combating online child sexual abuse (A9-0021/2024 - Birgit Sippel)
I voted in favour of the temporary extension of the current e-Privacy derogation until 3 April 2026 instead of August 2024, for the purpose of combating online child sexual abuse. Without this extension, we would have faced a legal vacuum in the fight against these heinous crimes. The possibility of such a scenario is unacceptable and underscores the urgency of finding a long-term solution to fight and prevent child sexual abuse online.
Establishing a Head Office Tax system for micro, small and medium sized enterprises, and amending Directive 2011/16/EU (A9-0064/2024 - Lídia Pereira)
I voted in favour of this directive establishing a Head Office Tax System for SMEs. SMEs are the backbone of the EU’s economy, accounting for 99 % of businesses in our Union. I believe that this component of the SME relief package is important to help simplify the legal and administrative framework in which small businesses within the EU create jobs and generate wealth, especially in a cross-border context.
Union code relating to medicinal products for human use (A9-0140/2024 - Pernille Weiss)
While I am in support of the pharmaceutical package’s aim of creating a Health Union, addressing the fragmentation of the internal market and improving access to medicines across the EU, the directive and regulation do not guarantee that the supply chain will adequately cater for the specific and varying needs of individual Member States, especially smaller states like Malta, which remain at a disadvantage. There can be no Health Union if it does not tackle the key issue of small market unattractiveness. It is for these reasons that I decided to vote against both files in this package.
Union procedures for the authorisation and supervision of medicinal products for human use and rules governing the European Medicines Agency (A9-0141/2024 - Tiemo Wölken)
While I am in support of the pharmaceutical package’s aim of creating a Health Union, addressing the fragmentation of the internal market and improving access to medicines across the EU, the directive and regulation do not guarantee that the supply chain will adequately cater for the specific and varying needs of individual Member States, especially smaller states like Malta, which remain at a disadvantage. There can be no Health Union if it does not tackle the key issue of small market unattractiveness. It is for these reasons that I decided to vote against both files in this package.
Combating late payment in commercial transactions (A9-0156/2024 - Róża Thun und Hohenstein)
I abstained on the report on the revision of the rules on late payment in commercial transactions. Whilst I definitely support the aim of addressing an issue that has a major impact on businesses, especially SMEs, I believe that the means chosen to do so should be further analysed to avoid the ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach.Businesses rely on a variety of models, circumstances and clients, which requires that certain contractual freedom is allowed to cater for each sector’s specificities. For instance, several businesses, especially those in the tourism sector, use longer payment terms with long-standing clients.
Trans-European transport network (A9-0147/2023 - Barbara Thaler, Dominique Riquet)
I supported the new TEN-T Regulation, as I believe it is of key importance for interconnectivity and mobility within the EU, as well as for the realisation of the objectives of the European Green Deal. It will enable more sustainable, accessible and modern passenger and freight transport across Europe and improve both citizens’ mobility and the conditions for transport workers. The updated regulation has a strong commitment towards the integration of islands into the core network, with a renewed focus on the importance of intermodality and maritime infrastructure.
Ambient air quality and cleaner air for Europe (A9-0233/2023 - Javi López)
I voted in favour of this report aimed at tackling air pollution in Europe. It sets stricter 2030 limits for several air pollutants, reinforces the traceability of pollution in cities and enables citizens to seek legal recourse and compensation for health damages. While acknowledging the challenges some Member States may encounter in meeting these targets, I firmly believe that, faced with a major public health risk such as air pollution, we must take decisive action.
Cross-border exchange of information on road-safety related traffic offences (A9-0396/2023 - Kosma Złotowski)
I voted in favour of this file on cross-border exchange of information on road-safety related traffic offences. Non-resident drivers accounted for about 5 % of road traffic in the EU (in terms of vehicle-km) but commit around 15 % of speeding offences. They are thus relatively more likely to commit speeding offences than resident drivers in a Member State. Therefore, this directive is vital to tackle impunity, with the aim of increasing road safety.
European Health Data Space (A9-0395/2023 - Tomislav Sokol, Annalisa Tardino)
I voted in favour of the report on the European Health Data Space (EHDS), which aims to streamline the management and sharing of health data across the EU. This should facilitate cross-border healthcare for patients and professionals, while supporting research and innovation. In addition, the EHDS aims to give patients greater control over their data and ensure strong privacy protection. By supporting this initiative, I have contributed to improving healthcare accessibility, strengthening patients’ rights and advancing healthcare practices across the EU.
European Disability Card and European Parking Card for persons with disabilities (A9-0003/2024 - Lucia Ďuriš Nicholsonová)
I supported the two reports aimed at enabling people with disabilities to move freely around Europe. As a strong advocate of inclusivity and a member of the Disability Intergroup, I strongly oppose the current situation where people lose recognition of their disability and associated rights when crossing borders. The European disability card and the European parking card for people with disabilities established by these reports, which will also benefit third-country nationals legally residing in a Member State, aim to remedy this problem by providing clear recognition valid throughout the EU.
Surface water and groundwater pollutants (A9-0238/2023 - Milan Brglez)
I chose to abstain on this report, because while I definitely believe that it is urgent to tackle water pollution in order to safeguard human health and the aquatic environment, certain provisions of the Commission’s proposal pose considerable problems for Malta.In particular, Malta has no national laboratory for the analysis of water samples and relies heavily on foreign facilities. The reduction in the number of laboratories available, as a result of certain provisions contained in the proposal, would exacerbate Malta’s sample analysis difficulties. I hope that, in the next legislature, the co-legislators will reach a balanced agreement on this issue, taking into account the various needs and challenges faced by all Member States.
Company law - Further expanding an upgrading the use of digital tools and processes (A9-0394/2023 - Emil Radev)
I voted in favour of this directive that further expands the use of digital tools and processes in EU company law. The new measures to digitalise EU company law will enhance transparency about companies, making more information about companies publicly available at EU level through the Business Registers Interconnection System (BRIS). These new rules will also reduce administrative burden and contribute to a more integrated and digitalised single market for companies and stakeholders.
Statistics on population and housing (A9-0284/2023 - Irena Joveva)
I have supported this report, which aims to create a more relevant, consistent and comparable collection of data on population and housing in the EU, as I firmly believe that data is essential for tackling social challenges.Although the adoption of this report marks another step in the negotiations, it is essential that the co-legislators reach a balanced agreement during the next legislature. This agreement should give priority to necessary data collection, safeguarding fundamental rights and avoiding excessive burdens.
Advance passenger information: enhancing and facilitating external border controls (A9-0409/2023 - Jan-Christoph Oetjen)
Advance passenger information: prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of terrorist offences and serious crime (A9-0411/2023 - Assita Kanko)
Framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act) (A9-0343/2023 - Christian Ehler)
I supported the provisional agreement reached on the Net-Zero Industry Act – a law which aims to promote investments in the production capacity of products that are key to the green and digital transition. By simplifying the regulatory framework for the manufacturing of these technologies, the act will incentivise their deployment, limiting the EU’s strategic dependencies.Departing from the initial proposal, the final act provides for strengthened funding and support for strategic sustainable fuels technologies, which are crucial for the decarbonisation of transport, including in peripheral and insular regions.As a socialist, I am glad to see that net-zero industry academies will be set up after an assessment of the existing skills gaps in specific net-zero industries – an assessment which is paired with adequate funding.
Written questions (40)
Initiatives in favour of islands in the EU and the implementation of the resolution on the special situation of islands
Use of privately held data of public interest
COVID-19 emergency
Gender budgeting
The Commission’s decision to award a contract to BlackRock to oversee the development of ESG factors in the EU banking sector and corporate investment policies
Rare diseases and employability
Tourism support measures
COVID-19’s impact on aircrew employment
Freelance interpreters
Inappropriate terms used by Eurostat
Creation of an EU access board
Exclusion of students with disabilities from PISA tests
The European Schools
A new strategy for European SMEs
Educational inequalities due to the physical closure of schools
Individualised academic learning pathways for students with disabilities
Delivering the principle of multilingualism through digital tools
Protective measures for children online – TikTok case
Summer season 2021
Recovery of travel
Minimum 10 % allocation for education in national plans and the RRF evaluation process.
Access to finance for SMEs in the context of the review of the Non-Financial Reporting Directive
Situation of women and girls with disabilities
LGBTIQ inclusion in ESF+ project selection
EU web accessibility for persons with disabilities
The internet as a human right
Awareness-raising of the need for an action plan for rare diseases and the need to tackle health inequalities in the EU
Unpaid traineeships in EU institutions
The exclusion of trainees in EU institutions from Erasmus grants
Ukrainian refugees with disabilities
Child oncological refugees from Ukraine
Major disruptions in EU air transport
The accession of Bulgaria and Romania to the Schengen area
Revision of the de minimis aid ceiling for island-based companies
The involvement of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Horizon Europe
The rights of Rainbow families in Italy
Removing the minimum liver weight requirement for foie gras production
The right of persons with disabilities to participate in the electoral process
Commission communication ‘A comprehensive approach to mental health’ and phenylketonuria patients
The risks of transferring trans-shipment activities to ports outside the EU
Amendments (1930)
Amendment 1 #
2023/2184(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
– having regard to Commission Communication of 18 May 2021 on the 'Global Approach to Research and Innovation. Europe's strategy for international cooperation in a changing world',
Amendment 4 #
2023/2184(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
Citation 17 a (new)
– having regard to the recommendations of Strategic Forum for International S&T Cooperation,
Amendment 5 #
2023/2184(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the freedom of scientific research is an essential element of democracy and is one of the constituent parts of academic freedom and is under pressure in the Union2 ; _________________ 2 STOA study: State of play of academic freedom in the EU member states: Overview of de facto trends and developments
Amendment 70 #
2023/2184(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Annex I – point 4
Annex I – point 4
4. Scientific researchers should be defined broadly in line with the Council Recommendation on a European framework to attract and retain research, innovation and entrepreneurial talents in Europe. It should not extend on a voluntary basis to researchers performing research in circumstances where the freedom of scientific research can clearly not apply, such as scientific research for a private, for-profit company where such research is conducted to give the company a legitimate competitive advantage compared to its competitors.
Amendment 87 #
2023/2184(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Annex I – point 8 – point a (new)
Annex I – point 8 – point a (new)
a) Scientific research organisations should engage in international cooperation to strengthen bilateral and multilateral relation to further develop a strong science diplomacy component addressing the freedom of scientific research and possible consequences in case of breaches.
Amendment 89 #
2023/2184(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Annex I – point 9
Annex I – point 9
9. Aspects to be considered for establishing institutional autonomy include organisational autonomy, financial autonomy and transparency, staffing autonomy and scientific autonomy.
Amendment 90 #
2023/2184(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Annex I – point 9 – point i (new)
Annex I – point 9 – point i (new)
i) New generations of researchers and scientists are key to Europe's future research area. Therefore, encourages to further promote science and research careers and opportunities for young scientists. Member States should encourage universities and research institutions to establish clearer and more structured career opportunities and to foster transparent recruitment procedures and provide appropriate social security coverage to all researchers, including doctoral candidates, who are engaged in remunerated research activity.
Amendment 91 #
2023/2184(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Annex I – point 9 – point ii (new)
Annex I – point 9 – point ii (new)
ii) Gender equality should be considered as a crucial element to promote scientific research and innovation, thus ensuring that the unique perspectives of women researchers are incorporated into solutions to the various challenges of advancing sustainable and equitable development;
Amendment 92 #
2023/2184(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Annex I – point 9 – point iii (new)
Annex I – point 9 – point iii (new)
iii) Scientific researchers should be provided with quality jobs and decent working conditions, decent wages, work security and access to social protection, safe and healthy workplaces, including good work-life balance and ensuring trade union representation and bargaining rights.
Amendment 106 #
2023/2184(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Annex I – point 17
Annex I – point 17
17. Promoting the freedom of scientific research means that governmental bodies have to engage actively with third parties to advocate for the respect, protection and ensuring of the freedom of scientific research, including non-EU researches whose freedom of scientific research is under threat in third countries by making EU a “safe haven” for their freedom, integrity and institutional autonomy.
Amendment 110 #
2023/2184(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Annex I – point 18 – point i (new)
Annex I – point 18 – point i (new)
i) The legislative proposal should envisage a solidarity mechanism to address breaches of freedom of scientific research in close cooperation with EU Member States and associated countries.
Amendment 111 #
2023/2184(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Annex I – point 18 – point ii (new)
Annex I – point 18 – point ii (new)
ii) The legislative proposal should include the creation of a monitoring system for reporting breaches of scientific research once identified.
Amendment 112 #
2023/2184(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Annex I – point 18 a (new)
Annex I – point 18 a (new)
18a. The legislative proposal should reflect that the current research assessment and evaluation system needs a reform to guarantee the right of freedom of scientific research.
Amendment 113 #
2023/2184(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Annex I – point 18 b (new)
Annex I – point 18 b (new)
18b. Freedom of scientific research will only truly be accomplished if there is transparency of funding. Science has a responsibility towards society to ensure clarity, transparency and making public when sharing and communicating research findings about the financing which made the research possible.
Amendment 2 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
– having regards to the European Innovation Council (EIC) established under the Horizon Europe Regulation (EU) 2021/695).
Amendment 8 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Commission has various initiatives in place aimed at promoting entrepreneurship, innovation and digital transformation in the EU, such as the start-up and scale-up initiative, eco- innovation scoreboard, Knowledge & innovation Communities (KICs), the European cluster collaboration platform, the digital decade and the digital single market strategy, ;
Amendment 10 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EU is committed to improving its industrial and technological competitiveness in the global market and recognises the need to reinforce its position through sustained support for the growth of start-ups and scale-ups as those can foster innovation and further the objectives of green and digital transition;
Amendment 37 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is convinced that dedicated definitions will increase the opportunities for support through measures that are tailored to the specific needs and features of start-ups and scale-ups andby boosting their access to European capital markets and private investors; calls on the Commission to develop a comprehensive European start- up and scale-up strategy that promotes innovation and addresses the challenges faced by start-ups and scale-ups in the EU;
Amendment 39 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, to assess how start-ups and a scale-ups respectively can contribute to the EU’s decarbonisation objectives and factor in their role in planning processes such as the National Energy and Climate plans
Amendment 74 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Welcomes the creation of the European Innovation Council Fund to support innovative start-ups; and bring new funding opportunities, ensuring that the processes to apply and the use of the EICF are startup-friendly
Amendment 76 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Emphasises the critical role of start-ups and scale-ups in fostering innovation and technological advancement across various sectors, including digital technologies, artificial intelligence, clean energy, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing
Amendment 84 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to assess the barriers which start-ups and scale-ups face in accessing finance and tailor funding application processes in a way that allows project developers to easily access finance.
Amendment 85 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Calls on the Commission to explore ways in which start-ups and scale- ups can be supported in follow-up planning for implementing the innovations they have developed.
Amendment 87 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes the EU’s objectives concerning the Net Zero Industry Act2 and calls on the Commission to consider how additional fiscal incentives could be put forward forto increase the competitiveness of European start-ups and scale-ups, in order to encourage investments in net-zero technologies and participation in net-zero projects and facilitate the deployment of net-zero technologies in EU industrial green value chains; _________________ 2 Commission proposal of 16 March 2023 for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act) (COM(2023)0161).
Amendment 88 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Urges the Commission to enhance the funding mechanisms for start-ups and scale-ups, including public procurement and the provision of grants, loans and venture capital, and to explore the possibility of optimising and/or reorienting existing funds to target European start-ups and scale-ups more effectively, including special call for projects for deeptech and greentech and the possibility of establishing a dedicated European start-up and scale-up fund;
Amendment 123 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Highlights the significant impact late payments have on cash flow for start- ups and scale-ups and the use of digital solutions to facilitate increased invoice transparency and faster invoice payments
Amendment 131 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Urges the Commission and the Member States to finance communication campaigns to promote the jobs in digital and industrial environments, with a specific focus on attracting more female talents in these sectors
Amendment 138 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Stresses the importance of safeguarding the principle of non- discrimination, promoting diversity and inclusivity within the start-up and scale up ecosystem, ensuring equal opportunities for all, including young people, established professionals and underrepresented groups
Amendment 145 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Recommends the establishment of regional start-up ecosystems that support local entrepreneurship, innovation hubs and incubators, and leverage each region’s strengths and resources; Recommends that such regional start-up ecosystems become a forum for ecosystem leaders to exchange ideas and best practices
Amendment 149 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Notes the success stories of start- up ecosystems in other regions, such as Silicon Valley, Tel Aviv, and Shenzhen, and the lessons learned from their experiences,
Amendment 150 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Encourages the Commission and Member State to put in place measures and initiatives that foster an innovation ecosystem by enhancing the cooperation between academia, national labs, larger businesses, funding agencies and enabling consortia building.
Amendment 163 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Encourages the Commission to ensure the swift, harmonised and effective implementation of recent digital regulations, notably the Digital Services Act, the Digital Markets Act, the Data Act and the upcoming Artificial Intelligence Act, to assess the financial and administrative costs imposed on start-ups and scale-ups to evaluate their impact and effectiveness.
Amendment 165 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Encourages the Commission to appoint start-up and scale-up contact points in relevant DGs to better coordinate dedicated policies
Amendment 169 #
2023/2110(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Implores the Commission to develop and adopt a ‘Start-up Test’, along the same lines as the SME Test that it adopted in 2021, in order to better assess the impact of legislation focusing on innovation, financing and competitiveness;, ensuring overregulation doesn’t disincentivise starting up in Europe.
Amendment 25 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas our ports are the European Union’s gateways to the world, the backbone of the EU economy and competitiveness, and an entry into the Blue Economy, and as such play a crucial role in our economy, providing wealth and jobs, both by facilitating external trade and in the energy transitionvestment, and connecting to the hinterland;
Amendment 30 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas ports are crucial energy hubs that are vital for the supply, production, provision and storage of energy and are therefore crucial assets in the EU’s quest to become strategically autonomous and more resilient;
Amendment 34 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas ports have played an indispensable role in EU crisis management, by ensuring the continuance of supply chains and setting up of alternative routes;
Amendment 38 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas ports carry out a vital public service and should be valued as such, especially for islands and outermost regions where ports often serve as the only social and economic connection lifeline to the rest of the Union, and should be valued as such; whereas this vital role was especially demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic when essential workers in ports continued to deliver vital services and to ensure the continuity of supply of goods to islands, and isolated communities;
Amendment 39 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas ports carry out a vital public service, are making the transition towards carbon neutrality, strengthen the EU’s objective to make supply chains more resilient, and are enablers in the just transition, and should hence be valued as such;
Amendment 42 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas ports form a vital node for clusters of industry and the blue economy, allowing local businesses, especially SMEs, to thrive on the international market and to contribute towards the energy transition by enabling the production, supply and import of clean energies and technologies, including hydrogen;
Amendment 44 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas ports are essential for the decarbonization of waterborne transport, in accordance with the objectives of the European Green Deal and related legislation;
Amendment 45 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Amendment 46 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas ports are part of a wider waterborne eco-system comprising a wide range of activities, including shipping, shipbuilding, maritime equipment manufacturing, inland navigation, and logistics;
Amendment 74 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that the maritime and port sector are characterized by different governance structures, and have different means to allow investments, ranging from licensing and concession schemes, over the granting of ownership of port infrastructure, to full operational power over port authorities;
Amendment 87 #
2023/2059(INI)
2a. Asks the Commission to further research the specific impact on local and EU economic indicators (such as employment and trade) from non-EU investments in European ports to accurately understand implications of decreasing non-EU influence;
Amendment 112 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines the importance of information sharing about threats and opportunities, and increasing EU cooperation in screening and blocking inbound investments in critical infrastructures, where major negative impacts on other Member States or the whole EU cannot be excluded, in a spirit of finding a balance between keeping an open investment environment, and mitigating potential risks ;
Amendment 154 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Warns that with accelerated digitalization comes an increased risk of cyber-attacks, with significant knock-on effects for society; asks the Commission to further research and collect data on the coverage and risks of non-EU companies’ involvement in cyber and data security in critical infrastructure;
Amendment 159 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Asks the Commission to support cyber resilience, by urging ports to increase their monitoring capacity and support the development of comprehensive contingency plans; stresses that the Commission should support this development by sharing guidelines, providing training and adequate financial means, as well as providing access to data and intelligence;
Amendment 163 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Asks the Commission to support and facilitate the sharing of best practices on digital innovation and cybersecurity among ports and member states;
Amendment 164 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Stresses the importance of cooperation between ports, and with European, national, regional and international institutions to gain information on threat vectors or intelligence indicators, ensuring a more coordinated support towards threat analysis so ports can optimize their resilience and contingency planning;
Amendment 173 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines that EU ports are key entry points for illicit drugs and calls on the Commission to present measures for effective European cooperation to combat drug trafficking, extraction and criminal subversion; welcomes in this respect the Commission’s intent to combat drug trafficking with an EU coordinated approach; further highlights the need to combat all kinds of transnational organized crime;
Amendment 183 #
Amendment 206 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Underlines the role of ports as energy clusters for the blue economy, including offshore wind energy production and storage, and their role in the energy transition and calls for public and private investments in shore-to-ship facilities and in increasing the shipping sector's capacity to meet the surging demand of container ships as well as in the development of large-scale electricity storage and transport of green hydrogen;
Amendment 207 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Reiterates the importance of the targets of climate neutrality as set in the new growth strategy of the EU (Green Deal), including for the maritime and ports sector;
Amendment 208 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Highlights the crucial role that ports can play as enablers of the green transition, where industrial policy and climate policies can go hand in hand; asks the Commission to raise awareness around existing best practices and case studies in leading EU ports and to enhance cooperation between ports in the Union and between Member States to share such best practises;
Amendment 210 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 d (new)
Paragraph 17 d (new)
17d. Asks the Commission to prioritize ports in its Circular Economy strategy and assist Member States and local Port Authorities by providing guidance on implementing projects related to circularity;
Amendment 214 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Underlines that an energy transition in ports will not be possible without a skilled workforce; calls on the Commission and on Member States to continue collaborating with the private sector on finding new pathways towards attracting and retaining talent, upskilling and reskilling the workforce, including through public-private partnerships or partnerships with educational and vocational institutions;
Amendment 215 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Underlines that an energythe just transition in ports will not be possible without a skilled workforce; urges the Commission to provide future-proof training, education and life-long learning opportunities to put port workers in the center of the digital and green transition, and to make the industry more attractive to women;
Amendment 221 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Reiterates the important societal role of ports in providing many direct and indirect jobs and stresses the need to safeguard fair and safe working conditions for all port and maritime workers;
Amendment 224 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Highlights that crisis episodes have shown that seafarers, crew members, fishers and port workers are essential ‘front line’ workers and their wellbeing is vital to keep the world moving;
Amendment 226 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 d (new)
Paragraph 18 d (new)
18d. Asks the Commission to address social dumping in the maritime sector, especially related to third-nationals on board of ships docking into EU ports and to increase the number of social inspections as well as to improve monitoring;
Amendment 227 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 e (new)
Paragraph 18 e (new)
18e. Reiterates the importance of social dialogue, in which all stakeholders involved in the maritime supply chain should take part, to ensure that the digital and green transitions do not happen on the shoulders of workers;
Amendment 242 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Emphasizes the importance of effective and timely dialogue between ports and other logistics stakeholders (including shipping lines) in order to ensure well-functioning supply chains, avoid stranded assets, and to increase transparency about mutual needs;
Amendment 243 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19c. Highlights that ports play a crucial role in a well-functioning Customs Union, which is fundamental to the EU’s competitiveness, security, sustainability and resilience;
Amendment 252 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Amendment 269 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Emphasises the need to improve and update the available infrastructure in ports and to guarantee the resilience thereof in order to ensure the free movement of net zero technologies placed on the Single market and to facilitate the development of strategic projects provided for under the Net-Zero Industry Act, especially with regards to onshore wind and offshore renewable energy and carbon capture and storage;
Amendment 275 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Amendment 277 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Calls on the Commission to research and assess the impact of Europe’s dependence on foreign shipbuilding and maritime equipment manufacturing (especially equipment necessary for port infrastructure) and take adequate measures to enhance the competitiveness and resilience of Europe’s shipyards and their entire supply chains;
Amendment 281 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Highlights the strong acceleration in the digitalization in many EU ports in recent years; believes this can be an enabler for Europe's competitiveness, energy transition and sustainability, innovation capacity, and fight against organized crime;
Amendment 286 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 c (new)
Paragraph 26 c (new)
26c. Encourages the European Commission to support and facilitate the roll-out of digital innovations, such as drones, AI, smart shipping, etc., in the context of a port environment by allowing and encouraging for testbed environments;
Amendment 292 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Asks the Commission to raise awareness among and support Ports and relevant Member States authorities related to the implementation of existing and new European initiatives and legislation;
Amendment 293 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)
Paragraph 27 c (new)
27c. Asks the Commission to take ownership in accelerating the green and digital transition, also by increasing its capacity in people and means to enhance dialogue and commitment with ports and relevant Member State authorities;
Amendment 294 #
2023/2059(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 d (new)
Paragraph 27 d (new)
27d. Emphasizes that adequate funding and financing instruments will need to be allocated to ports to remain competitive, play an enabling role in the green transition, and contain risks of foreign influence; asks the Commission to increase the percentage funding designated to ports under the Connecting Europe Facility and Innovation Europe funding schemes;
Amendment 38 #
2023/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas fostering talent demand, supply, and retention are inherently linked and must be assessed from a quality of life perspective;
Amendment 96 #
2023/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Is gravely concerned with the fact that one in four children in the European Union is at risk of poverty or social exclusion, and its known mental, social, and economic life-long impact. Stresses that such impact hampers these citizens from harnessing their talents to the full;
Amendment 97 #
2023/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Acknowledges the pandemic of homelessness, which affects over 895,000 people in Europe1a and calls on Member States and the Union to increase efforts to ensure that every citizen has access to the basic material conditions needed for a dignified life, including access to shelter and sanitary facilities, which are also needed for them to effectively participate in the labour market; __________________ 1a FEANTSA (2023), Report: 8th Overview of Housing Exclusion in Europe 2023, available at https://www.feantsa.org/en/report/2023/09 /05/report-8th-overview-of-housing- exclusion-in-europe-2023?bcParent=27 >
Amendment 98 #
2023/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Highlights the mental, social, and economic toll of societal, and in many Member States, institutionalised, prejudice and discrimination against LGBTIQ+ citizens and recalls that this state of affairs can represent an impediment to the full harnessing of their talents;
Amendment 116 #
2023/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Notes that citizens experiencing poverty, social exclusion and marginalisation in the Union face a disproportionate impediment in harnessing their own potential, in accessing education as well as the labour market;
Amendment 117 #
2023/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Notes the importance of encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle as a precursor to attracting, training and retaining talent;
Amendment 118 #
2023/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Recognises the fact that the recent geopolitical developments have exposed gaps in the EU's cybersecurity and defence and that as acknowledged in the recent Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on Closing the cybersecurity talent gap to boost the EU’s competitiveness, growth and resilience1a, the security of the EU cannot be guaranteed without the EU’s most valuable asset: its people; therefore, calls on the EU and its Member States to propose a realistic roadmap towards closing the cyber skills gap, including through integrating cybersecurity in educational and training programmes, whilst ensuring access to apprenticeships and traineeships for young people, including for persons living in disadvantaged regions, such as islands, sparsely populated, rural and remote areas. __________________ 1a Commission communication of 18 April 2023 on Closing the cybersecurity talent gap to boost the EU’s competitiveness, growth and resilience ('The Cybersecurity Skills Academy'), COM(2023) 207 final
Amendment 119 #
2023/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 d (new)
Paragraph 6 d (new)
6d. Notes that disadvantaged regions, such as islands, are disproportionately affected by brain and skill drain and calls for effective measures to address this reality, including by improving accessibility for vulnerable groups, amongst others, to education, professional training, upskilling, innovative and sustainable entrepreneurship;
Amendment 127 #
2023/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Reaffirms the need to ensure gender convergence on the labour market and highlights the importance of attracting female talent, especially in the STEM fields, by actively creating incentives and opportunities for girls and women to pursue education and careers in these fields and conducting awareness campaigns that counter stereotypes and biases;
Amendment 130 #
2023/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Recognises the urgent need to prepare the Union workforce for the green and digital transition and calls on the Member States to address this issue early in the educational process, by including elements of digital and environmental knowledge and understanding in schools' curricula; calls for the development of a strategy for vocational education and business- education partnerships together with social partners, to boost digital and green skills;
Amendment 132 #
2023/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7c. Reiterates the role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in the EU's economy and calls on the Member States and on the Commission to propose measures to enhance the uptake of ready- for-market innovations by SMEs and to establish incentives for SMEs to train and improve the skills of their personnel and workers, especially in the field of digital skills;
Amendment 156 #
2023/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Considers it essential that the next programming period also includes dedicated measures to ensure physical and digital accessibility, including in areas with low connectivity, to education infrastructure, especially for children and persons with decreased mobility or with disabilities;
Amendment 169 #
2023/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Also urges the Commission and Member States to increase investments in ensuring widespread digital connectivity, especially in remote and disadvantaged regions, thus strengthening economic and educational opportunities for all; calls, in this regards, for the recognition of the access to Internet as a fundamental right;
Amendment 180 #
2023/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Urges all Member States to make child care more affordable and accessible, to help ensure the fair and unhindered participation in the labour market of caregivers, who are predominately women;
Amendment 194 #
2023/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Recognises the shortage of available workforce in Europe, including in the care and tourism sectors, and restates the need for legal migration pathways and other measures to address the various skills gaps in Europe;
Amendment 197 #
2023/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Understands that a digital, competitive, and resilient economy is an essential prerequisite to harnessing talent and stresses the role of digitalisation as a tool to increase the competitiveness of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, particularly in the Union’s peripheral, insular and disadvantaged regions.
Amendment 203 #
2023/2044(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)
Paragraph 13 d (new)
13d. Calls, in this regard, on the Commission and on the Member States to increase efforts to raise awareness on Erasmus+ programmes, including on Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs, facilitating the exchange of knowledge, the development of linguistic and entrepreneurial skills and encouraging talent mobility;
Amendment 8 #
2023/0207(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
Having regard to the Commission Communication on the 'Global Approach to Research and Innovation. Europe's strategy for international cooperation in a changing world' COM(2021)252 final,
Amendment 9 #
2023/0207(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) The Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) under Horizon Europe constitutes a successful tool to advance in research and innovation, particularly in the research and innovation systems of the participating countries, in science diplomacy in the Mediterranean region and with an added value for the Union. The Partnership is also contributing to support the region becoming a leader in climate-resilient solutions, to encourage scientific progress and to provide technical solutions for the water and agro-food areas and their interconnected nexus.
Amendment 26 #
2023/0207(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The extension of PRIMA requires monitoring and evaluation of this partnership in accordance with Horizon Europe related provisions. The Commission should conduct an interim evaluation of PRIMA by 31 December 2025 at the latest, and, a final evaluation by 31 December 2031 at the latest, that should feed into the overall interim and final evaluations of Horizon Europe. The evaluations should assess the quality and efficiency of PRIMA and the progress made towards achieving its objectives, implementing the monitoring and evaluation of this partnership in accordance with both Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe related provisions. The Commission should publish and disseminate the results and conclusions of those evaluations. In accordance with Article 10(2), point (c), of Regulation (EU) 2021/695, PRIMA should have a clear life- cycle approach, be limited in time and include the conditions for phasing-out the funding under Horizon Europe.
Amendment 28 #
2023/0207(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) To improve the impact and the results of PRIMA, synergies with other instruments of Horizon Europe should be reinforced. In addition, synergies between the projects should be intensified to boost the exchange between individual projects, to foster the building of longer-lasting communities, increasing the overall number of beneficiaries and Southern- Southern cooperation.
Amendment 39 #
2023/0207(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Decision (EU) 2017/1324
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
1. The PRIMA- IS shall provide the Commission access to all information related to the indirect actions it funds. Such information shall include contributions and results of beneficiaries participating in indirect actions, or any other information deemed necessary for developing, implementing, monitoring and evaluating Union or where applicable Participating States’ policies or programmes. Such information shall also be accessible to the European Parliament and authorities of the Participating States where it refers to indirect actions which include beneficiaries established in their respective territories. Such access rights are limited to non-commercial and non- competitive use and shall comply with applicable confidentiality rules.
Amendment 43 #
2023/0207(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 14
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 14
Decision (EU) 2017/1324
Article 14 – paragraph 3
Article 14 – paragraph 3
3. TBy December 2025 the Commission shall conduct an interim evaluation and by 31 December 2031 a final evaluation of PRIMA in the framework of the Horizon Europe evaluations, in accordance with Article 52 of Regulation (EU) 2021/695, with the assistance of external independent experts selected on the basis of an open and transparent process.
Amendment 5 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The uptake and scaling up in the Union of deep and digital technologies, clean technologies, and biotechnologies will be essential to seize the opportunities and meet the objectives of the green and digital transitions, thus promoting the competitiveness of the European industry and its sustainability and in the same time to further preserve economic, social, and territorial cohesion and solidarity among member states and their regions. Therefore, immediate action is required to support the development or manufacturing in the Union of such technologies, safeguarding and strengthening their value chains thereby reducing the Union’s strategic dependencies, and addressing existing labour and skills shortages in those sectors through trainings and apprenticeships and the creation of attractive, quality jobs accessible to all., as well as to reduce disparities in development of the various regions;
Amendment 5 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The uptake and scaling up in the Union of deep and digital technologies, clean technologies, and biotechnologies will be essential to seize the opportunities and meet the objectives of the green and digital transitions, thus promoting the competitiveness of the European industry and its sustainability and in the same time to further preserve economic, social, and territorial cohesion and solidarity among member states and their regions. Therefore, immediate action is required to support the development or manufacturing in the Union of such technologies, safeguarding and strengthening their value chains thereby reducing the Union’s strategic dependencies, and addressing existing labour and skills shortages in those sectors through trainings and apprenticeships and the creation of attractive, quality jobs accessible to all., as well as to reduce disparities in development of the various regions;
Amendment 16 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Strengthening the manufacturing capacity of key technologies in the Union will not be possible without a sizeable skilled workforce. However, labour and skills shortages have increased in all sectors including those considered key for the green and digital transition and endanger the rise of key technologies, also in the context of demographic change, especially in disadvantaged regions, including rural and remote areas and islands, which suffer from brain drain. Therefore, it is necessary to boost the activation of more people to the labour market relevant for strategic sectors, in particular through quality and inclusive skilling, upskilling and re-skilling measures and through the creation of jobs and apprenticeships for young, disadvantaged persons, in particular, young people not in employment, education or training as well as for people living in sparsely and depopulated rural and remote areas and islands. It is also necessary to increase support for the provision of enhanced information sessions and advisory services concerning skills development and EU-funded opportunities. Such support will complement a number of other actions aimed at meeting the skills needs stemming from the transition, outlined in the EU Skills Agenda.45 _________________ 45 Communication on a European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience, COM(2020) 274 final.
Amendment 16 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Strengthening the manufacturing capacity of key technologies in the Union will not be possible without a sizeable skilled workforce. However, labour and skills shortages have increased in all sectors including those considered key for the green and digital transition and endanger the rise of key technologies, also in the context of demographic change, especially in disadvantaged regions, including rural and remote areas and islands, which suffer from brain drain. Therefore, it is necessary to boost the activation of more people to the labour market relevant for strategic sectors, in particular through quality and inclusive skilling, upskilling and re-skilling measures and through the creation of jobs and apprenticeships for young, disadvantaged persons, in particular, young people not in employment, education or training as well as for people living in sparsely and depopulated rural and remote areas and islands. It is also necessary to increase support for the provision of enhanced information sessions and advisory services concerning skills development and EU-funded opportunities. Such support will complement a number of other actions aimed at meeting the skills needs stemming from the transition, outlined in the EU Skills Agenda.45 _________________ 45 Communication on a European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience, COM(2020) 274 final.
Amendment 20 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Strengthening the development and manufacturing capacity of key technologies in the Union will not be possible without a sizeable skilled workforce. However, labour and skills shortages have increased in all sectors including those considered key for the green and digital transition and endanger the rise of key technologies, also in the context of demographic change. Therefore, it is necessary to boost the activation of more people to the labour market relevant for strategic sectors, in particular through the creation of jobs and apprenticeships for young, disadvantaged persons, in particular, young people not in employment, education or training. Such support will complement a number of other actions aimed at meeting the skills needs stemming from the transition, outlined in the EU Skills Agenda.45 _________________ 45 Communication on a European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience, COM(2020) 274 final.
Amendment 20 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Strengthening the development and manufacturing capacity of key technologies in the Union will not be possible without a sizeable skilled workforce. However, labour and skills shortages have increased in all sectors including those considered key for the green and digital transition and endanger the rise of key technologies, also in the context of demographic change. Therefore, it is necessary to boost the activation of more people to the labour market relevant for strategic sectors, in particular through the creation of jobs and apprenticeships for young, disadvantaged persons, in particular, young people not in employment, education or training. Such support will complement a number of other actions aimed at meeting the skills needs stemming from the transition, outlined in the EU Skills Agenda.45 _________________ 45 Communication on a European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience, COM(2020) 274 final.
Amendment 21 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) With a view to ensuring the availability of skilled workforce and to consolidating the digital and green transition, it is necessary to encourage cooperation, mobility programmes and exchange of knowledge and best practices between educational, research and innovation institutions, businesses, and local communities, especially young people
Amendment 21 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) With a view to ensuring the availability of skilled workforce and to consolidating the digital and green transition, it is necessary to encourage cooperation, mobility programmes and exchange of knowledge and best practices between educational, research and innovation institutions, businesses, and local communities, especially young people
Amendment 55 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) The regulatory framework for the implementation of the 2014-2020 programmes has been adapted over the past years to provide Member States and regions with additional with additional flexibility in terms of implementation rules and more liquidity to tackle the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war or aggression against Ukraine. These measures, introduced at the end of the programming period, require sufficient time and administrative resources to be fully exploited and implemented; also at a time where Member States will focus resources on revising the 2021-2027 operational programmes linked to the STEP objectives. With a view to alleviate the administrative burden on programme authorities and to prevent possible loss of funds at closure for purely administrative reasons, the deadlines for the administrative closure of the programmes under the 2014-2020 period should be extended in Regulation (EU) No 1303/201361 and Regulation (EU) No 223/201462 . More specifically, the deadline for the submission of that final payment application should be extended by 12 months. Furthermore, the deadline for the submission of the closure documents should also be extended by 12 months. The last accounting year of the period should accordingly be extended until June 30, 2025 in order to give Member States sufficient time to finalise the processes linked to the closure of projects. In the context of this amendment, it is appropriate to clarify that distribution of food and material bought until the end of the eligibility period (end-2023) may continue after that date. In order to ensure a sound implementation of the EU budget and respect for the payment ceilings, payments to be made in 2025 should be capped at 1 % of the financial appropriations from resources under the Multiannual Financial Framework per programme. Amounts due exceeding the ceiling of 1% of programme appropriations per fund for 2025 would not be paid in 2025 nor in subsequent years but only used for the clearance of pre- financing. Unused amounts shall be decommitted in accordance with the general rules for decommitment at closure. _________________ 61 Regulation (EU) 1303/2013 laying down common provisions (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 320). 62 Regulation (EU) 223/2014 on the Fund for European Aid on the Most Deprived (OJ L 72, 12.3.2014, p. 1).
Amendment 55 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) The regulatory framework for the implementation of the 2014-2020 programmes has been adapted over the past years to provide Member States and regions with additional with additional flexibility in terms of implementation rules and more liquidity to tackle the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and the war or aggression against Ukraine. These measures, introduced at the end of the programming period, require sufficient time and administrative resources to be fully exploited and implemented; also at a time where Member States will focus resources on revising the 2021-2027 operational programmes linked to the STEP objectives. With a view to alleviate the administrative burden on programme authorities and to prevent possible loss of funds at closure for purely administrative reasons, the deadlines for the administrative closure of the programmes under the 2014-2020 period should be extended in Regulation (EU) No 1303/201361 and Regulation (EU) No 223/201462 . More specifically, the deadline for the submission of that final payment application should be extended by 12 months. Furthermore, the deadline for the submission of the closure documents should also be extended by 12 months. The last accounting year of the period should accordingly be extended until June 30, 2025 in order to give Member States sufficient time to finalise the processes linked to the closure of projects. In the context of this amendment, it is appropriate to clarify that distribution of food and material bought until the end of the eligibility period (end-2023) may continue after that date. In order to ensure a sound implementation of the EU budget and respect for the payment ceilings, payments to be made in 2025 should be capped at 1 % of the financial appropriations from resources under the Multiannual Financial Framework per programme. Amounts due exceeding the ceiling of 1% of programme appropriations per fund for 2025 would not be paid in 2025 nor in subsequent years but only used for the clearance of pre- financing. Unused amounts shall be decommitted in accordance with the general rules for decommitment at closure. _________________ 61 Regulation (EU) 1303/2013 laying down common provisions (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 320). 62 Regulation (EU) 223/2014 on the Fund for European Aid on the Most Deprived (OJ L 72, 12.3.2014, p. 1).
Amendment 62 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. To strengthen European sovereignty and security, accelerate the Union’s green and digital transitions and enhance its competitiveness, reduce its strategic dependencies, favour a level playing field in the Single Market for investments throughout the Union, foster cross-border participation, including of SMEs, and promote inclusive access to attractive, quality jobs, the Platform shall pursue the following objectives:
Amendment 62 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. To strengthen European sovereignty and security, accelerate the Union’s green and digital transitions and enhance its competitiveness, reduce its strategic dependencies, favour a level playing field in the Single Market for investments throughout the Union, foster cross-border participation, including of SMEs, and promote inclusive access to attractive, quality jobs, the Platform shall pursue the following objectives:
Amendment 65 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. To strengthen European sovereignty and security, accelerate the Union’s green and digital transitions and enhance its competitiveness, reduce its strategic dependencies, favoensure a level playing field in the Single Market for investments throughout the Union, and promote inclusive access to attractive, quality jobs, the Platform shall pursue the following objectives:
Amendment 65 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. To strengthen European sovereignty and security, accelerate the Union’s green and digital transitions and enhance its competitiveness, reduce its strategic dependencies, favoensure a level playing field in the Single Market for investments throughout the Union, and promote inclusive access to attractive, quality jobs, the Platform shall pursue the following objectives:
Amendment 69 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – introductory part
(a) supporting the development or, manufacturing or related services throughout the Union, or safeguarding and strengthening the respective value chains, of critical technologies in the following fields:
Amendment 69 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – introductory part
(a) supporting the development or, manufacturing or related services throughout the Union, or safeguarding and strengthening the respective value chains, of critical technologies in the following fields:
Amendment 73 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) preserving and strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion and solidarity among member states and regions.
Amendment 73 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) preserving and strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion and solidarity among member states and regions.
Amendment 74 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) bring an innovative, cutting-edge element with significant economic potential to the Single Market or to the region in which investment occurs;
Amendment 74 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) bring an innovative, cutting-edge element with significant economic potential to the Single Market or to the region in which investment occurs;
Amendment 78 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) contribute to reduce or prevent strategic dependencies of the Union, its Member States and its regions.
Amendment 78 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) contribute to reduce or prevent strategic dependencies of the Union, its Member States and its regions.
Amendment 82 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4
Article 2 – paragraph 4
4. The value chain for the manufacturing of critical technologies referred to in the first paragraph relates to final products, as well as key components, specific machinery and critical raw materials primarily used for the production of those products and related services ranging from raw materials to end user.
Amendment 82 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4
Article 2 – paragraph 4
4. The value chain for the manufacturing of critical technologies referred to in the first paragraph relates to final products, as well as key components, specific machinery and critical raw materials primarily used for the production of those products and related services ranging from raw materials to end user.
Amendment 88 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The EU industry has proven its inbuilt resilience but is being challenged. High inflation, labour shortages, post- COVID supply chains disruptions, rising interest rates, and spikes in energy costs and input prices are weighing on the competitiveness of the EU industry. This is paired with strong, but not always fair, competition on the fragmented global market. The EU has already put forward several initiatives to support its industry, such as the Green Deal Industrial Plan,40 the Critical Raw Materials Act41 , the Net Zero Industry Act42 , the new Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework for State aid,43 and REPowerEU.44 While these solutions provide fast and targeted support, the EU needs a more structural answer to the investment needs of its industries, safeguarding cohesion, quality job creation, and the level playing field in the Single Market and to reduce the EU’s strategic dependencies. _________________ 40 Communication on A Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age, COM(2023) 62 final. 41 COM(2023) 160 final 42 COM(2023) 161 final 43 Communication on a Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework for State Aid measures (OJ C 101, 17.3.2023, p. 3). 44 Regulation (EU) 2023/435 as regards REPowerEU (OJ L 63, 28.2.2023, p. 1).
Amendment 97 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. The annual report shall include consolidated information on the progress made in implementing the Platform objectives under each of the programmes and funds. It shall include qualitative and quantitative information on how Europe's economic, social and territorial cohesion is being reinforced.
Amendment 97 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. The annual report shall include consolidated information on the progress made in implementing the Platform objectives under each of the programmes and funds. It shall include qualitative and quantitative information on how Europe's economic, social and territorial cohesion is being reinforced.
Amendment 110 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Strengthening the manufacturing capacity of key technologies in the Union will not be possible without a sizeable skilled workforce. However, labour and skills shortages have increased in all sectors including those considered key for the green and digital transition and endanger the rise of key technologies, also in the context of demographic change, especially in disadvantaged regions, including rural and remote areas and islands, which suffer from brain drain. Therefore, it is necessary to boost the activation of more people to the labour market relevant for strategic sectors, in particular through quality and inclusive skilling, upskilling and re-skilling measures and through the creation of jobs and apprenticeships for young, disadvantaged persons, in particular, young people not in employment, education or training as well as for people living in sparsely and depopulated rural and remote areas and islands. It is also necessary to increase support for the provision of enhanced information sessions and advisory services concerning skills development and EU-funded opportunities. Such support will complement a number of other actions aimed at meeting the skills needs stemming from the transition, outlined in the EU Skills Agenda.45 _________________ 45 Communication on a European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience, COM(2020) 274 final.
Amendment 112 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Strengthening the manufacturing capacity of key technologies in the Union will not be possible without a sizeable skilled workforce. However, labour and skills shortages have increased in all sectors including those considered key for the green and digital transition and endanger the rise of key technologies, also in the context of demographic change. Therefore, it is necessary to boost the activation of more people to the labour market relevant for strategic sectors, in particular through the creation of jobs anquality jobs and decently paid apprenticeships for young, disadvantaged persons, in particular, young people not in employment, education or training. Such support will complement a number of other actions aimed at meeting the skills needs stemming from the transition, outlined in the EU Skills Agenda.45 _________________ 45 Communication on a European Skills Agenda for sustainable competitiveness, social fairness and resilience, COM(2020) 274 final.
Amendment 115 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) With a view to ensuring the availability of skilled workforce and to consolidating the digital and green transition, it is necessary to encourage cooperation, mobility programmes and exchange of knowledge and best practices between educational, research and innovation institutions, businesses, and local communities, especially young people.
Amendment 165 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) In order to help accelerate investments and provide immediate liquidity for investments supporting the STEP objectives under the ERDF, the ESF+59 and the JTF, an additional amount of exceptional pre-financing should be provided in the form of a one-off payment with respect to the priorities dedicated to investments supporting the STEP objectives. The additional pre-financing should apply to the whole of the JTF allocation given the need to accelerate its implementation and the strong links of the JTF to support Member States towards the STEP objectives. The rules applying for those amounts of exceptional pre-financing should be consistent with the rules applicable to pre-financing set out in Regulation (EU) 2021/1060. Moreover, to further incentivise the uptake of such investments and ensure its faster implementation, the possibility for an increased EU financing rate of 100% for the STEP priorities should be available. When implementing the new STEP objectives, managing authorities are encouraged to apply certain social criteria orand promote social positive outcomes, such as creating quality jobs, decently paid apprenticeships and quality jobs for young disadvantaged persons, in particular young persons not in employment, education or training, applying the social award criteria in the Directives on public procurement when a project is implemented by a body subject to public procurement, and paying the applicable wages as agreed through collective bargaining. _________________ 59 Regulation (EU) 2021/1057 establishing the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 21).
Amendment 186 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. To strengthen European sovereignty and security, accelerate the Union’s green and digital transitions and enhance its competitiveness, reduce its strategic dependencies, favour a level playing field in the Single Market for investments throughout the Union, foster cross-border participation, including of SMEs, and promote inclusive access to attractive, quality jobs, the Platform shall pursue the following objectives:
Amendment 192 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – introductory part
(a) supporting the development or, manufacturing or related services throughout the Union, or safeguarding and strengthening the respective value chains, of critical technologies in the following fields:
Amendment 196 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point i
(i) deep and digital technologies contributing to the objectives of the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030
Amendment 213 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) bring an innovative, cutting-edge element with significant economic potential to the Single Market and/or the region of the investment;
Amendment 216 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) contribute to reduce or prevent strategic dependencies of the Union and/or of its regions.
Amendment 223 #
2023/0199(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4
Article 2 – paragraph 4
4. The value chain for the manufacturing of critical technologies referred to in the first paragraph relates to final products, as well as key components, specific machinery and critical raw materials primarily used for the production of those products and related services ranging from raw materials to end user.
Amendment 32 #
2023/0172(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
Directive 2009/21/EC
Article 3 – point i
Article 3 – point i
(i) ‘flag State inspector’ means a public-sector employee, working exclusively for and duly authorised by the competent authority of a Member State or a person non-exclusively employed, and duly authorised by the competent authority of a Member State, on an ad hoc basis or on a contractual situation with the competent authority of a Member State, to carry out supplementary flag State inspections, and who fulfils the independence requirement specified in Article 8(1), and the minimum criteria specified in Annex XI to Directive 2009/16/EC;
Amendment 29 #
2023/0164(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The available staff, as well as the operational resources of the Member States’ marine safety investigation authorities vary distinctly, resulting in ineffective and inconsistent reporting on and investigation of marine casualties. Therefore, the Commission, with the assistance of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) should provide highly specialised analytical support during an individual investigation (soft skills), as well as analytical tools and equipment (hardware). For compliance with environmental, social, public health and labour law standards, safety on board of ships calling at EU ports for both seafarers and dockworkers, with a special focus on the needs for female workers.
Amendment 40 #
2023/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The Agency shall assist the Commission and the Member States:
Amendment 46 #
2023/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The Agency shall assist the Commission and the Member States in the development and maintenance of the databases provided for in Articles 24 and 24a of Directive 2009/16/EC. On the basis of the data collected, the Agency shall assist the Commission in the analysis of the relevant information and the publication of information concerning ships and companies with low and very low performance pursuant to Directive 2009/16/EC.
Amendment 48 #
2023/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 7
Article 4 – paragraph 7
7. The Agency shall assist the Commission and the Member States in the implementation of Directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council39 by providing its technical assessment on safety aspects, providing recommendations with lists of the respective design, construction and performance requirements and testing standards, developing and maintaining the database provided for in Article 35(4) of that Directive and facilitating cooperation between notified assessment bodies acting as the technical secretariat for their coordination group. _________________ 39 Directive 2014/90/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 July 2014 on marine equipment and repealing Council Directive 96/98/EC (OJ L 257, 28.8.2014, p. 146).
Amendment 57 #
2023/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 8
Article 5 – paragraph 8
8. The Agency shall assist the Commission and the Member States in the implementation of Regulation (EU) No 1257/2013 and any other relevant legislation of the European Parliament and of the Council42 by issuing appropriate guidance and through the collection and analysis of data on compliance with the provisions of that Regulation. _________________ 42 Regulation (EU) No 1257/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 November 2013 on ship recycling and amending Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 and Directive 2009/16/EC (OJ L 330, 10.12.2013, p. 1).
Amendment 65 #
2023/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. The Agency shall provide technical assistance to the Commission and the Member States in the performance of the inspection tasks assigned to it pursuant to Article 9(4) of Regulation (EC) No 725/2004.
Amendment 69 #
2023/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The Agency shall assist the Commission in the implementation of the Regulation (EU) 2019/1239 and any other relevant legislation of the European Parliament and of the Council43 , with the following tasks: _________________ 43 Regulation (EU) 2019/1239 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 establishing a European Maritime Single Window environment and repealing Directive 2010/65/EU (OJ L 198, 25.7.2019, p. 64).
Amendment 72 #
2023/0163(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. In order to assist the Commission in fulfilling its duties under the TFEU and/or internacional commitments, and in particular the assessment of the effective implementation of relevant Union law, the Agency shall carry out visits to Member States in accordance with a methodology established by the Management Board. Such methodology shall take into account an integrated approach by each visit aiming to verify more than one piece of legislation each time pertinent to the function of flag, port or coastal State of the examined Member State during the visit.
Amendment 288 #
2023/0131(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 60 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 60 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) are orphan medicinal products and are likely to address a high unmet medical need as referred to in Article 70(1);
Amendment 322 #
2023/0131(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 68 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The orphan medicine sponsor mayshall, prior to the submission of an application for marketing authorisation, request advice from the Agency on the following:
Amendment 336 #
2023/0131(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) there is no medicinal product authorised in the Union for such condition orwhere, despite medicinal products being authorised for such condition in the Union, the applicant demonstrates that the orphan medicinal product, in addition to having a significant benefit, will bring exceptional therapeutic advancement;
Amendment 339 #
2023/0131(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 70 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the use of the orphan medicinal product results in a meaningful reduction in disease morbidity or mortality for the relevant patient population.
Amendment 514 #
2023/0131(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 150 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 150 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The Committee for Human Medicinal Products shall establish for the evaluation of specific types of medicinal products or treatments, working parties with scientific expertise in the fields of pharmaceutical quality, methodologies, non- clinical and, clinical evaluations, rare diseases and paedriatic medicine.
Amendment 22 #
2023/0108(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4 a) The Union certification scheme for managed security services should ensure the availability of secure and high quality services which guarantee a safe digital transition and contribute to the achievement of targets set up in the Path to the Digital Decade Policy Programme8a, especially with regards to the goal that 75% of EU companies start using Cloud/AI/Big Data, that more than 90% of SMEs reach at least a basic level of digital intensity and that key public services are offered online. __________________ 8a Decision (EU) 2022/2481 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 December 2022 establishing the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030
Amendment 24 #
2023/0108(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In addition to the deployment of ICT products, ICT services or ICT processes, managed security services often provide additional service features that rely on the competences, expertise and experience of their personnel. A very high level of these competences, expertise and experience as well as appropriate internal procedures should be part of the security objectives in order to ensure a very high quality of the managed security services provided. In order to ensure that all aspects of a managed security service can be covered by a certification scheme, it is therefore necessary to amend Regulation (EU) 2019/881. The certification scheme established under this Regulation should also take into account the results and recommendations of the evaluation and review provided for under Article 67 thereof. The European Data Protection Supervisor was consulted in accordance with Article 42(1) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council and delivered an opinion on [DD/MM/YYYY
Amendment 29 #
2023/0108(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
Amendment 16 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) To fulfil those commitments, the Union must accelerate its pace of transition to clean energy, notably by increasing energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy sources. This will contribute to achieving the EU targets of the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan for 2030 of an employment rate of at least 78% and participation in training of at least 60% of adults. It will also contribute to ensuring that the green transition is fair and equitable, leaving no person and no place behind 34 . _________________ 34 Council Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutrality, adopted on 16 June 2022 as part of the Fit for 55 package.
Amendment 22 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) The net-zero transformation is already causing huge industrial, economic, and geopolitical shifts across the globe, which will become ever more pronounced as the world advances in its decarbonisation efforts. The road to net zero translates into strong opportunities for the expansion of Union’s net-zero industry, making use of the strength of the Single Market, by promoting rapid and sufficient investment in technologies in the field of renewable energy technologies , electricity and heat storage technologies, heat pumps, grid technologies, including technologies enabling fast and bi-directional charging of electric vehicles, renewable fuels of non- biological origin technologies, electrolysers and fuel cells, fusion, small modular reactors and related best-in-class fuels, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies, and energy-system related energy efficiency technologies and their supply chains, allowing for the decarbonisation of our economic sectors, from energy supply to transport, buildings, and industry. A strong net zero industry within the European Union can help significantly in reaching the Union’s climate and energy targets effectively, as well as in supporting other Green Deal objectives, while creating jobs and growth.
Amendment 27 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The Union’s decarbonisation objectives, security of energy supply, digitalisation of the energy system and electrification of demand, for example in mobility and the need for fast recharging points, require an enormous expansion of electricity grids in the European Union, both at transmission level and at distribution level. At transmission level, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems are needed to connect offshore renewable energies; while at distribution level, connecting electricity providers and managing demand-side flexibility builds on investments in innovative grid technologies, such as electric vehicles smart charging (EVSC), energy efficiency building and industry automation and smart controls, advanced meter infrastructure (AMI) and home energy management systems (HEMS). The electricity grid needs to interact with many actors or devices based on a detailed level of observability, and hence availability of data, to enable flexibility, smart charging and smart buildings with smart electricity grids enabling demand side response from consumers and the uptake of renewables. Connecting the net-zero technologies to the network of the European Union requires the substantial expansion of manufacturing capabilities for electricity grids in areas such as offshore and onshore cables, substations and transformers, as well as the adequate modernisation and adaptation of transport connectivity infrastructure to and from manufacturing sites.
Amendment 28 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The Union’s decarbonisation objectives, security of energy supply, digitalisation of the energy system and electrification of demand, for example in mobility and the need for fast recharging points, require an enormous expansion of electricity grids in the European Union, both at transmission level and at distribution level. At transmission level, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems are needed to connect offshore renewable energies; while at distribution level, connecting electricity providers and managing demand-side flexibility builds on investments in innovative grid technologies, such as electric vehicles smart charging (EVSC) and the potential of improving system ingtegration while reducing costs for users through bi- directional charging, energy efficiency building and industry automation and smart controls, advanced meter infrastructure (AMI) and home energy management systems (HEMS). The electricity grid needs to interact with many actors or devices based on a detailed level of observability, and hence availability of data, to enable flexibility, smart charging and smart buildings with smart electricity grids enabling demand side response from consumers and the uptake of renewables. Connecting the net-zero technologies to the network of the European Union requires the substantial expansion of manufacturing capabilities for electricity grids in areas such as offshore and onshore cables, substations and transformers.
Amendment 32 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) To achieve the 2030 objectives a particular focus is needed on some of the net-zero technologies, also in view their significant contribution towards the path to net zero by 2050. These technologies include solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies, onshore and offshore renewable technologies, sustainable alternative fuels technologies, battery/storage technologies, heat pumps and geothermal energy technologies, electrolysers and fuel cells, sustainable biogas/biomethane, carbon capture and storage technologies and grid technologies. These technologies play a key role in the Union’s open strategic autonomy, ensuring that citizens have access to clean, affordable, secure energy. Given their role, these technologies should benefit from even faster permitting procedures, obtain the status of the highest national significance possible under national law and benefit from additional support to crowd-in investments. Where necessary, the modernisation and adaptation of the relevant transport connectivity infrastructure, to and from manufacturing sites, should also benefit from the same favourable permitting and investment provisions.
Amendment 42 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 a (new)
Recital 20 a (new)
(20a) Net-zero technologies will be of key importance to ensure that the Union meets its objective under the European Green Deal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector by 90 percent by 2050. Furthemore, the decarbonisation of transports achieved through net-zero technologies and the swift phasing out of fossil fuels will also deliver significant benefits for human health and the environment in terms of reduced fossil-fuels induced pollution in the air, soil and water.
Amendment 45 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21 a (new)
Recital 21 a (new)
(21a) In order to achieve the Union’s climate targets for 2030 and to create stability and trust in the long-term benefits of investments in clean energy and fuels, low and zero carbon shipping should be facilitated by the inclusion of sustainable alternative fuels technologies, including sustainable aviation and maritime fuels, as a strategic net-zero technology.
Amendment 47 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
Recital 35
(35) Households and final consumers are an essential part of the Union’s demand for net-zero technologies final products and public support schemes to incentivize the purchase of such product by households, in particular for vulnerable low- and lower middle-class income households and consumers, including those suffering from transport poverty, are important tools to accelerate the green transition. Under the solar rooftop initiative announced in the EU solar strategy52 , Member States should for instance set-up national programmes to support the massive deployment of rooftop solar energy. In the REPowerEU plan, the Commission called Member States to make full use of supporting measures which encourage switching to heat pumps. Such support schemes set up nationally by Member States or locally by local or regional authorities should also contribute to improving the sustainability and resilience of the EU net-zero technologies. Public authorities should for instance provide higher financial compensation to beneficiaries for the purchase of net-zero technology final products that will make a higher contribution to resilience in the Union. Public authorities should ensure that their schemes are open, transparent and non-discriminatory, so that they contribute to increase demand for net-zero technology products in the Union. Public authorities should also limit the additional financial compensation for such products so as not to slow down the deployment of the net-zero technologies in the Union. To increase the efficiency of such schemes Member States should ensure that information is easily accessible both for consumers and for net-zero technology manufacturers on a free website. The use by public authorities of the sustainability and resilience contribution in schemes targeted at consumers or households should be without prejudice to State aid rules and to WTO rules on Subsidies. _________________ 52 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions : EU Solar Energy Strategy, COM(2022) 221 final, 18.05.2022.
Amendment 57 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 57
Recital 57
(57) The environmental assessments and authorisations required under Union law, including in relation to water, air, ecosystems, habitats, biodiversity and birds, are an integral part of the permit granting procedure for a net zero technologies manufacturing project and an essential safeguard to ensure negative environmental impacts are prevented or minimised in line with the 'Do No Significant Harm' principle. However, to ensure that permit granting procedures for net zero technologies manufacturing projects are predictable and timely, any potential to streamline the required assessments and authorisations while not lowering the level of environmental protection should be realised. In that regard, it should be ensured that the necessary assessments are bundled to prevent unnecessary overlap and it should be ensured that project promoters and responsible authorities explicitly agree on the scope of the bundled assessment before the assessment is carried out to prevent unnecessary follow-up.
Amendment 60 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 65
Recital 65
(65) Since strengthening the manufacturing capacity of key net-zero technologies in the Union will not be possible without a sizeable skilled workforce, it is necessary to introduce measures to boost the activation of more people to the labour market, notably women and young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs), including via skills first approaches as a complement to qualifications-based recruitment. In addition, in line with the objectives of the Council Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate-neutrality, specific support for job-to-job transition for workers in redundant and declining sectors are important. This means increasing investments investing in skills and in quality job creation required for net-zero technologies in the Union. Building on and fully taking into account existing initiatives such as the EU Pact for Skills, EU level activities on skills intelligence and forecasting, such as by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) and the European Labour Authority, and the Blueprints for sectoral cooperation on skills, the objective is to mobilise all actors: Member States authorities, including at regional and local levels, education and training providers, social partners and industry, in particular SMEs, to identify skills needs, develop education and training programmes and deploy these at large scale in a fast and operational manner. Net-zero strategic projects have a key role to play in this regard. Member States and the Commission mayshould ensure financial support including by leveraging the possibilities of the Union budget through instruments such as the European Social Fund Plus, Just Transition Fund, European Regional Development Funds, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the Modernisation Fund, REPowerEU and the Single Market Programme.
Amendment 71 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
ba) good working conditions in all jobs in net-zero technology industries.
Amendment 79 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) ‘net-zero technologies’ means renewable energy technologies66 ; electricity and heat storage technologies; heat pumps; grid technologies; renewable fuels of non-biological origin technologies; sustainable alternative fuels technologies used for maritime and aviation transports 67 ; electrolysers and fuel cells; advanced technologies to produce energy from nuclear processes with minimal waste from the fuel cycle, small modular reactors, and related best-in-class fuels; carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies; and energy-system related energy efficiency technologies. They refer to the final products, specific components and specific machinery primarily used for the production of those products. They shall have reached a technology readiness level of at least 8. _________________ 66 ‘renewable energy' means ‘renewable energy’ as defined in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources 67 ‘sustainable alternative fuels’ means fuels covered by the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport, COM/2021/561 final and by the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and Council on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport COM/2021/562 final. 'Conventional aviation fuel' as defined in COM/2021/561 final, and conventional fossil fuels used in maritime transports, are not considered as 'alternative fuels' under this Regulation.
Amendment 89 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) 'Net-zero enabling technologies means the following list of technologies: 1.Solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies 2.Onshore wind and offshore renewable technologies 3.Battery/storage technologies 4.Heat pumps and geothermal energy technologies 5.Electrolysers and fuel cells 6.Sustainable biogas/biomethane technologies 7.Carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies 8.Grid technologies 9. Sustainable Alternative Fuels technologies, including sustainable aviation and maritime fuels.
Amendment 111 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
(b) the net-zero technology manufacturing project has positive impact on the Union’s net-zero industry supply chain or downstream sectors, beyond the project promoter and the Member States concerned, contributing to the competitiveness and quality job creation of the Union’s net-zero industry supply chain, including SMEs, according to at least three of the following criteria:
Amendment 128 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. The Net-Zero Europe Platform as established in Article 28 shall discuss financial needs and bottlenecks of net-zero strategic projects, potential best practices, in particular to develop EU cross-border supply chains, notably based on regular exchanges with the relevant industrial alliances, including SMEs and/or their representatives.
Amendment 132 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) oblige entities holding an authorisation as defined in Article 1, point 3, of Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council71 on their territory to make publicly available all geological data relating to production sites that have been decommissioned or whose decommissioning has been notified to the competent authority. , as well as data on whether transport infrastructure suitable for CO2 to reach the site is available or can be constructed . _________________ 71 Directive 94/22/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 1994 on the conditions for granting and using authorizations for the prospection, exploration and production of hydrocarbons (OJ L 164, 30.6.1994, p. 3).
Amendment 134 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 a (new)
Article 18 a (new)
Amendment 147 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The Union’s decarbonisation objectives, security of energy supply, digitalisation of the energy system and electrification of demand, for example in mobility and the need for fast recharging points, require an enormous expansion of electricity grids in the European Union, both at transmission level and at distribution level. At transmission level, high-voltage direct current (HVDC) systems are needed to connect offshore renewable energies; while at distribution level, connecting electricity providers and managing demand-side flexibility builds on investments in innovative grid technologies, such as electric vehicles smart charging (EVSC), energy efficiency building and industry automation and smart controls, advanced meter infrastructure (AMI) and home energy management systems (HEMS). The electricity grid needs to interact with many actors or devices based on a detailed level of observability, and hence availability of data, to enable flexibility, smart charging and smart buildings with smart electricity grids enabling demand side response from consumers and the uptake of renewables. Connecting the net-zero technologies to the network of the European Union requires the substantial expansion of manufacturing capabilities for electricity grids in areas such as offshore and onshore cables, substations and transformers, as well as the adequate modernisation and adaptation of transport connectivity infrastructure to and from manufacturing sites.
Amendment 150 #
2023/0081(COD)
(ha) the participation of SMEs in net- zero strategic projects and net-zero technology manufacturing.
Amendment 157 #
Amendment 158 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – subheading 1
Annex I – subheading 1
Amendment 161 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) To achieve the 2030 objectives a particular focus is needed on some of the net-zero technologies, also in view their significant contribution towards the path to net zero by 2050. These technologies include solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies, onshore and offshore renewable technologies, sustainable alternative fuels technologies, battery/storage technologies, heat pumps and geothermal energy technologies, electrolysers and fuel cells, sustainable biogas/biomethane, carbon capture and storage technologies and grid technologies. These technologies play a key role in the Union’s open strategic autonomy, ensuring that citizens have access to clean, affordable, secure energy. Given their role, these technologies should benefit from even faster permitting procedures, obtain the status of the highest national significance possible under national law and benefit from additional support to crowd-in investments. Where necessary, the modernisation and adaptation of the relevant transport connectivity infrastructure, to and from manufacturing sites, should also benefit from the same favourable permitting and investment provisions.
Amendment 236 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) In order to maintain competitiveness and reduce current strategic import dependencies in key net- zero technology products and their supply chains, while avoiding the formation of new ones, the Union needs to continue strengthening its net zero industrial base and become more competitive and innovation friendly. The Union needs to enable the development of manufacturing capacity faster, simpler and in a more predictable way, reducing administrative burden and levelling the playing field with international competitors.
Amendment 240 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21 a (new)
Recital 21 a (new)
(21a) In order to achieve the Union’s climate targets for 2030 and to create stability and trust in the long-term benefits of investments in clean energy and fuels, sustainable alternative fuels technologies, including sustainable aviation and maritime fuels, should be considered a strategic net-zero technology.
Amendment 245 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) In addition, the Communication on the Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net- Zero Age 42 sets out a comprehensive approach to support a clean energy technology scale up based on four pillars. The first pillar aims at creating a regulatory environment that simplifies and fast-tracks permitting for new net-zero technology manufacturing and assembly sites and facilitates the scaling up of the net-zero industry of the Union. The second pillar of the plan is to boost investment in and financing of net-zero technology production, through the revised Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework adopted in March 2023 and the creation of a European Sovereignty fund to preserve the European edge on critical and emerging technologies relevant to the green and digital transitions, in particular to provide resources for upstream research and innovation for strategic industrial projects to decarbonise hard to abate sectors in particular energy intensive industries supplying key raw materials and components for net zero technologies. The funding accessibility should be predictable, provided that clear predefined criteria are met, making both the development and implementation of new technologies and CCS, in combination with Direct Air Capture with Carbon Storage (DACCS), eligible for achieving net-zero at the installation level. The third pillar relates to developing the skills needed to make the transition happen and increase the number of skilled workers in the clean energy technology sector. The fourth pillar focuses on trade and the diversification of the supply chain of critical raw materials. That includes creating a critical raw materials club, working with like-minded partners to collectively strengthen supply chains and diversifying away from single suppliers for critical input. _________________ 42 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: A Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age, COM/2023/62 final, 01.02.2023.
Amendment 263 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27 a (new)
Recital 27 a (new)
(27a) In hard-to-abate sectors, including energy-intensive industries, the number of commercially available and scalable net zero technologies is currently limited. For those net zero technologies already in use or in the early stages of development, major reductions in cost and improvements in performance will be needed. Therefore, investments in research and innovation both at Union and national level continue to be important. Together with joint and coordinated efforts across the Member States notably through the Strategic Energy Technology Plan, research and innovation activities increase the resilience of the Union’s clean energy sector. Moreover, net zero technologies that are at demonstration or prototype stage today also make significant contributions in the long term to the achievement of net-zero industries in the Union and should be supported through the net zero industry act Financial support should be provided irrespective of the number of technologies implemented over time, as long as the costs associated with implementing these technologies remain additional and cannot be fully transferred to customers. Half of the greenhouse gas emissions reductions expected by 2050 will require technologies that are not yet ready for the market, so research and innovation activities are a crucial component to increase the EU’s technological sovereignty and global competitiveness.
Amendment 293 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
Recital 39
(39) As indicated in the Communication on the Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age, published on 1 February 2023, the Union’s industry’s market shares are under strong pressure, due to subsidies in third countries which undermine a level playing field. This translates in a need for a rapid and ambitious reaction from the Union in modernising its legal framework and promoting European standards for key net zero technologies.
Amendment 378 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 58 a (new)
Recital 58 a (new)
Amendment 389 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 64
Recital 64
(64) The scaling up of European net- zero technology industries requires significant additional skilled workers which implies important investment needs in re-skilling and upskilling, including in the field of vocational education and training. The creation of quality jobs should cover a wide range of sectors including both skilled and unskilled workers and as such contribute to a qualification of the entire workforce not leaving anyone behind. This should contribute to the creation of quality jobs in line with the targets for employment and training of the European Pillar of Social Rights. The energy transition will require a significant increase in the number of skilled workers in a range of sectors, including renewable energy and energy storage, and has a great potential for quality job creation. The skill needs for the fuel cell hydrogen sub-sector in manufacturing alone are estimated at 180.000 trained workers, technicians and engineers by the year 2030, according to the Commission’s European Strategic Energy Technology Plan65 . In the photo- voltaic solar energy sector, up to 66.000 jobs would be needed in manufacturing alone. The European network of employment services (EURES) is providing information, advice and recruitment or placement for the benefit of workers and employers, including across internal market borders. _________________ 65 European Commission, Directorate- General for Research and Innovation, Joint Research Centre, The strategic energy technology (SET) plan, Publications Office, 2019, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2777/04888.
Amendment 413 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. 1. This Regulation establishes the framework of measures for innovating and scaling up the manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies and promoting their use in their upstream and downstream value chains, as well as the roll-out of existing and new applications and infrastructures in the Union to support the Union’s 2030 target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % relative to 1990 levels and the Union’s 2050 climate neutrality target, as defined by Regulation (EU) 2021/1119, and to strengthen the international competitiveness of those technologies and the relevant value chains and to ensure the Union’s access to a secure and sustainable supply of net-zero technologies, needed to safeguard the resilience of the Union’s energy system and to contribute to the creation of quality jobs.
Amendment 426 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a
a) that by 2030, manufacturing capacity in the Union of the strategic net- zero technologies listed in the AnnexArticle 3 of this Regulation and their components as well as machinery required for their manufacture and entire supply chain approaches or reaches a benchmark of at least 40% of the Union’s annual deployment needs for the corresponding technologies necessary to achieve the Union’s 2030 climate and energy targets;
Amendment 451 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b b (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b b (new)
bb) The creation of quality jobs.
Amendment 534 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) 'Net-zero enabling technologies means the following list of technologies: 1. Solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies 2. Onshore wind and offshore renewable technologies 3. Battery/storage technologies 4. Heat pumps and geothermal energy technologies 5. Electrolysers and fuel cells 6. Sustainable biogas/biomethane technologies 7. Carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies 8. Grid technologies 9. Sustainable Alternative Fuels technologies, including sustainable aviation and maritime fuels
Amendment 592 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point s a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point s a (new)
(sa) 'quality jobs' means a work providing good wages, ensuring work security via standard employment contract and access to social protection, giving access to good quality lifelong learning opportunities, securing good working conditions in safe and healthy workplaces, including a reasonable working time with good work-life balance, while ensuring trade union representation and bargaining rights.
Amendment 613 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. The national or regional competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 shall be the sole point of contact for the project promoter in the permit-granting process leading to a comprehensive decision for a given project and shall coordinate the submission of all relevant documents and information. The European Commission and the InvestEU Advisory Hub shall provide technical and financial support to the national competent authorities and Member States to carry out the permit- granting process.
Amendment 654 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 8 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 8 a (new)
Amendment 781 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
(b) the net-zero technology manufacturing project has positive impact on the Union’s net-zero industry supply chain or downstream sectors, beyond the project promoter and the Member States concerned, contributing to the competitiveness and quality job creation of the Union’s net-zero industry supply chain, including SMEs, according to at least three of the following criteria:
Amendment 785 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
(i) it adds significant manufacturing capacity in the Union for net-zero technologies or related components along their supply chain and fosters the ability to compete in increasingly global markets, both at home and abroad, and to build competitive advantage for the EU in key sectors;
Amendment 793 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
(iii) it puts into place measures to attract, upskill or reskill a workforce required for net-zero technologies, including through apprenticeships, in close cooperation withtraineeships, continuing or post graduate academic education in close cooperation with regional and local authorities and social partners;
Amendment 809 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iv a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iv a (new)
(iva) it contributes to increasing the competitiveness of SMEs
Amendment 826 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Member States shall recognise as net-zero strategic projectsprojects CO2 capture projects, and CO2 infrastructure projects necessary for the transport of captured CO2 to CO2 storage sites, and CO2 storage projects that meet the following cumulative criteria:
Amendment 952 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Member States may provide administrative support to net-zero strategic projectsprojects, in particular involving SMEs, to facilitate their rapid and effective implementation, including by providing:
Amendment 965 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The European Commission may mobilise the InvestEU Advisory Hub to provide technical assistance to net-zero projects in order to reinforce their technical, economic, environmental and social viability.
Amendment 972 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. The Net-Zero Europe Platform as established in Article 28 shall discuss financial needs and bottlenecks of net-zero strategic projects, potential best practices, in particular to develop EU cross-border supply chains, notably based on regular exchanges with the relevant industrial alliances, including SMEs and/or their representatives.
Amendment 996 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Commission shall propose to the Council and Parliament no later than 31 December 2024 means of coordinating the various sources of public funding for net-zero projects from the EU and Member States with the object of accelerating their deployment.
Amendment 1045 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) make publicly available data on areas where CO2 capture facilities and transportation pipelines can be permitted on their territory.
Amendment 1050 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) CO2 capture projects in progress and an estimation of the corresponding needs for injection and storage capacities and CO2 transport;
Amendment 1055 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) CO2 storage and transport projects in progress on its territory, including the status of permitting under Directive 2009/31/EC, expected dates for Final Investment Decision (FID) and entry into operation;
Amendment 1180 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) social and environmental sustainability going beyond the minimum requirements in applicable legislation including job quality criteria, mechanisms to incentivise quality apprenticeship, measures to improve diversity at work as well as the respect of collective agreements and trade unions' right to negotiate;
Amendment 1192 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) social sustainability aiming at ensuring high-quality jobs, incentivising quality apprenticeship and providing supporting measures to improve diversity at work as well as the respect of collective agreements and trade unions' right to negotiate;
Amendment 1195 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point b d (new)
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point b d (new)
(bd) contribution to decent wages and working conditions including and where relevant inclusion of apprenticeships.
Amendment 1305 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 2
Article 22 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall make available and regularly update a list of eachall of the net-zero technology final products listed in the Annexcomponents, materials and machinery, listed in Article 3 of this Regulation , broken down by the share of Union supply originating in different third countries in the last year for which data is available. The Commission and the Net-Zero Europe Platform shall consult industrial stakeholders’ associations and industrial players to this end.
Amendment 1318 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) develop learning programmes, content and learning and training materials for training and educationin full respect of national competences on vocational training as defined in Article 166 TFEU, support Member States to develop learning and re- skilling programmes, content and learning and training materials for training and education in support of the existing programmes in Member States and with the support of social partners on developing, producing, installing, commissioning, operating, maintaining and recycling net- zero technologies along the entire value chain, on raw materials, as well as to support the capacities of public authorities competent to issue permits and authorisations referred to in Chapter II and contracting authorities referred to in Chapter IV of this Regulation;
Amendment 1328 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2
Article 23 – paragraph 2
2. European Net Zero Industry AcademiesThe supporting training material and programmes developed by the European Net Zero Industry Academies will contribute to the overall EU objectives of gender equality and labour market activation and shall counter gender stereotypes and pay particular attention to the need to activate more women and young people, who are not in education, employment or training for the labour market.
Amendment 1334 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 23 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. provide dedicated training on upskilling and re-skilling of personnel from permitting bodies in so far as to support the growing needs of national or regional authorities for highly qualified workforce in order for them to deliver on the shortened deadlines listed in this regulation.
Amendment 1393 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 27 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The InvestEU Advisory Hub should be mobilised to provide assistance to small and medium enterprises in benefiting from the permitting and financing conditions necessary to contribute to the achievements of the objectives set in Article 1.
Amendment 1494 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(ca) the participation of SMEs in net- zero projects and net-zero technology manufacturing
Amendment 1497 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point h a (new)
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point h a (new)
Amendment 1498 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point h a (new)
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point h a (new)
(ha) the participation of SMEs in net- zero strategic projects and net-zero technology manufacturing.
Amendment 1504 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 7
Article 31 – paragraph 7
7. On the basis of the draft permit applications submitted pursuant to Article 10 of the Directive 2009/31/EC and on the reports submitted pursuant to Articles 17(2) and Article 18(4) and 18(6) of this Regulation, the Commission shall monitor the progress towards reaching the Union- wide target for CO2 injection capacity referred to paragraph 1 point (b) of this Article and shall report annually to the European Parliament and the Council. To this aim, the Commission shall create a centralised public database of all available data related to CO2 storage in the EU to contribute to map CO2 storage sites and monitor the achievement of the overall target set in article 16.
Amendment 1526 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – table 1
Annex I – table 1
Amendment 160 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) A global decrease of geologist and geoscientist students and graduates has been observed in Europe and major mining jurisdictions. Therefore, action at EU and national level is needed to resource education and training of professionals and achieve the set goals of extraction, process, and recycling.
Amendment 165 #
2023/0079(COD)
(7a) Given the globalised nature of the critical and strategic raw materials supply chain, international cooperation with third countries is an important element to achieve the resilience of the Union’s raw materials ecosystem. The Commission, assisted by the European Critical Raw Materials Board, should cooperate and build partnerships with third countries in accordance with the applicable procedural requirements with a view to seeking solutions to strengthen the security of supply and address, to the extent possible, disruptions of the raw materials supply chain. To that end, the European Critical Raw Materials Board should advise the Commission on matters concerning coordinating these efforts and enhancing cooperation between the Union and third countries. This could involve coordinating with partners through diplomatic dialogues and at international fora in accordance with the applicable procedural requirements.
Amendment 225 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27 a (new)
Recital 27 a (new)
Amendment 229 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28 a (new)
Recital 28 a (new)
(28a) Continuous efforts at EU and national level are needed to foster and support research and innovation regarding critical raw materials, as fundamental research will be key to discover new materials and substitute materials.
Amendment 230 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28 b (new)
Recital 28 b (new)
(28b) Specific financial and support instruments and targeted research and innovation funds to improve efficiency, substitution, recycling processes and closed material cycles are needed at EU and national level via R&I programmes and other instruments to boost innovation, particularly on waste processing, advanced materials and substitution, and for the development of new and innovative technologies in the field of sustainable mining of critical raw materials in the EU.
Amendment 241 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32 a (new)
Recital 32 a (new)
(32a) In order to ensure the efficient use of financial and human resources, the general exploration over parts of the territory that are deemed to be non- priority Critical Raw Materials prospective areas should not be mandatory for the Member States.
Amendment 268 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42 a (new)
Recital 42 a (new)
(42a) The implementation of circularity principles with regards to the exploitation of critical raw materials should take into account the particularities of disadvantaged regions and of Island Member States that possess a limited market size and that due to their natural handicaps incur several logistic barriers as well as higher prices for transport, waste collection and treatment systems.
Amendment 270 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42 b (new)
Recital 42 b (new)
(42b) Disadvantaged regions and small Island Member States should receive additional technical and financial support in implementing good sustainability and circularity strategies in the exploitation of critical raw material, whilst protecting their fragile ecosystems, mitigating the negative impacts of climate change and promoting sustainable tourism.
Amendment 648 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 (new)
The Commission shall carry out an assessment of the gap between Strategic Projects financing needs and the available Union financing required to enable Member States meeting the obligations set out in this Regulation. Based on that assessment, the Commission shall evaluate and identify potential solutions to bridge this gap in the Union budget.
Amendment 924 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 2
Article 35 – paragraph 2
2. Each Member State shall appoint a high-level representative to the Board. Where relevant as regards the function and expertise, a Member State may appoint different representatives in relation to different tasks of the Board. Each member of the Board shall have an alternate. Only Member States shall have voting rights. Each Member State shall have only one vote regardless of the number of representatives.
Amendment 64 #
2023/0046(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) Digitalisation has a profound impact on the daily social, economic, political and cultural life of citizens, workers and consumers and concerns all areas of society. For this reason, limited access and insufficient network expansion can deepen social inequalities, thus creating a new digital divide, not only between well-connected urban areas and rural and remote areas, but also between those people who can fully benefit from an efficient and secure digital connectivity allowing them to access a wide range of services, and those who cannot do so. In this regard, the inclusion of social housing in the rolling-out of high capacity networks should be a relevant priority for public and private investment projects, as broadband connectivity is a key aspect for social inclusion.
Amendment 65 #
2023/0046(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 b (new)
Recital 1 b (new)
(1b) In order to close the Digital Divide across the Union, and in line with the EU Decision "Establishing the Digital decade policy programme 2030", investments in digital infrastructure should aim to ensure connectivity accessible and affordable to all and everywhere in the Union, with available internet access, with a particular focus on the divide between different geographical areas. In particular, by 2030, networks with gigabit speeds should become available to those who need or wish to have such capacity.
Amendment 66 #
2023/0046(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 c (new)
Recital 1 c (new)
(1c) Recalling that EU's rural areas are home to 137 million people, 30.6% of the EU's population, and cover about 83% of EU's land, adequate coverage of networks with gigabit speeds, digital capacity building and enabling environment for rural and remote areas' digital innovation, are key conditions for those areas to be able to benefit from the new opportunities that the digital transition. Such coverage could provide significant potential to improve people's lives and mitigate the negative impact of reduced connectivity, insularity and remoteness, by enabling the application of new technologies such as e-health, e- government and education services.
Amendment 85 #
2023/0046(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Measures aiming to make using public and private existing infrastructures more efficient and reduce costs and obstacles in carrying out new civil engineering works should contribute substantially to ensuring a fast and extensive deployment of very high capacity networks in all areas, including rural and remote areas. These measures should maintain effective competition without harming the safety, security and smooth operation of the existing infrastructure.
Amendment 193 #
2023/0046(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) where they are not part of a network and are owned or controlled by public sector bodies: buildings or, including rooftops, and entries to buildings, and any other asset including street furniture, such as light poles, street signs, traffic lights, billboards, bus and tramway stops and metro stations.
Amendment 226 #
2023/0046(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) the need to ensure that the access provider has a fair opportunity to recover the costs it incurs in order to provide access to its physical infrastructure, taking into account specific national conditions, different business models, and any tariff structures put in place to provide a fair opportunity for cost recovery; in the case of electronic communications networks, any remedies imposed by a national regulatory authority shall also be taken into account.
Amendment 382 #
2023/0046(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 11 b (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Member States may maintain or introduce simplified authorization procedures or prior communications procedures, in accordance with Union legislation, where they serve to enable a more efficient deployment of new physical infrastructure for very high capacity network or associated facilities.
Amendment 449 #
2023/0046(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. By [DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE + 53 YEARS], the Commission shall present a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the implementation of this Regulation. The report shall include a summary of the impact of the measures set out in this Regulation and an assessment of the progress towards achieving its objectives, including whether and how the Regulation could further contribute to achieving the connectivity targets set out in the Decision establishing the Digital Decade Policy Programme 2030.
Amendment 8 #
2022/2140(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. Whereas in the transport workforce, women are dramatically underrepresented. Only 221a% of transport employees in the European Union are female. Women are particularly rare in management roles in the transport, logistics and infrastructure sectors _________________ 1a https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport- themes/social-issues-equality-and- attractiveness-transport- sector/equality/women-transport-eu- platform-change_en
Amendment 13 #
2022/2140(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. Whereas the transport sector is facing an unprecedented crisis of shortages of people willing to work in the industry due to deteriorating working conditions and poor salaries, particularly during and in the aftermath of COVID-19
Amendment 24 #
2022/2140(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas too little attention is still being paid to women’s needs in public transport or infrastructure planning, including safety issues; whereas most users of public transport are affected by transport -poverty and have a low-income.
Amendment 68 #
2022/2140(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls on Member States to implement the Woman on Boards directive (COM/2012/0614) in transport companies, also by applying penalties for non-compliance.
Amendment 70 #
2022/2140(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Calls on all Member States to address the gender pay gap and to implement the Pay Transparency- Directive. Stress that no country has yet achieved equal earnings for men and women in the EU. Highlights the difficulty of earning equal pay for men and women in the transport sector, as well as equal pay for equal value of work.
Amendment 74 #
2022/2140(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Calls the Commission and Council to address the lack of workforce, in particular female workforce, promoting social dialogue and collective bargaining that promote gender balance and inclusion.
Amendment 90 #
2022/2140(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Calls on the Commission to promote equal training opportunities for men and women. Highlights that training is one of the cornerstones of professional and personal development to maintain an equivalent professional level for men and women, including specific training in equality and work-life balance.
Amendment 96 #
2022/2140(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Council and all Member States to promote initiatives to prevent all kinds of discrimination, as well as to promote measures ensuring safe and secure workplaces, and training aimed at preventing violence and harassment in all transport-related workplaces. Calls for the Commission to include in future transport legislation to offer protection to women who have been victims of gender violence as well as reporting procedures for incidents of psychological or sexually motivated harassment, supported by practical strategies for prevention and risk assessment of gender violence, including psychosocial risks.
Amendment 104 #
2022/2140(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission to promote systems for collecting and recording data on incidents, reviewing and learning from incidents and building this into organisational changes and improvements in working conditions; Calls Council and Members State to address the issue of lack of sanitary facilities for women at the workplace, particularly in the transport sector.
Amendment 112 #
Amendment 117 #
2022/2140(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Emphasizes that women should always be able to use transportation without threats, uncomfortable situations or the presence of danger.
Amendment 121 #
2022/2140(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3d. Calls on the Commission and Member States to analyse the needs of women of all ages taking public transport to ensure that the transport system is inclusive, accessible and safe for everybody;
Amendment 124 #
2022/2140(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 e (new)
Paragraph 3 e (new)
3e. Calls on the Commission and Member States to always integrate the gender perspective and social dimension when developing policies in the transportation sector, through gender mainstreaming, and gender budgeting.
Amendment 127 #
2022/2140(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 f (new)
Paragraph 3 f (new)
Amendment 130 #
2022/2140(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 g (new)
Paragraph 3 g (new)
3g. Calls on the Commission and Member State to share best practices on how to ensure safety for women using transportation, also by facilitating this dialogue for transportation companies.
Amendment 30 #
2022/2023(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Welcomes the trend of replacing fossil fuel vehicles with electric or alternative energy vehicles. However, the associated cost of acquiring or converting to such vehicles is not affordable for all social groups and would not reduce the volume of the EU's vehicle fleet, and could generate or further increase the associated spatial and territorial development differences.
Amendment 32 #
2022/2023(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Taken into account the creation of marginalised, mobility-poor areas with less direct access to cities caused by the transfer of public space to the construction of infrastructure dedicated to private mobility, which further increase the gap between urban and non-urban regions, but also to cohesion at European level; stresses the need to reorganise the public space of our cities, allocating more funds and infrastructure to active mobility and micro-mobility styles, accessible to all levels of society, ensuring adequate inter- and intra-territorial connectivity and access, so as to avoid territorial divisions and thus social divisions, while ensuring that social cohesion remains intact.
Amendment 36 #
2022/2023(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5 c. Stresses that the EU now has pioneering technology to support interconnectivity between urban-non- urban areas, between suburban areas within a city and their interconnection with peri-urban, rural and peripheral areas.
Amendment 39 #
2022/2023(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 d (new)
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5 d. Calls on the Commission, within the framework of Horizon Europe, to prioritise projects aimed at improving urban mobility and the interconnection of cities and their peripheries, in addition to the cohesion funds earmarked for this purpose
Amendment 3 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
Amendment 17 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas industrial and manufacturing processes represent a backbone of the EU labour market and should foster the creation of high-quality jobs;
Amendment 21 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas in a changing geopolitical world, reducdiversifying EU dependencies on critical materials, products and technologies is vital; while maintaining an economy as open as possible, as closed as necessary;
Amendment 89 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines that the EU cannot be dependent on single non-EU countries for specific products and technologies that are essential to our economy and for our society of the future; stresses that the EU needs to regain a strong position in crucial global value chains and secure the supply of critical materials and components in times of crisis by diversifying those value chains;
Amendment 96 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Highlights that relying on shorter and limited supply chains will not only improve the resilience of our economy to potential future disruptions but will also have an added benefit of fulfilling the EU climate ambitions by reducing CO2 emissions as soon as possible;
Amendment 112 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls on the Commission to build on regional ecosystems that embrace their own smart specialisation, help to bridge regional disparities and involve public administration, higher education institutions, scientists, civil society and industry to combine their knowledge and co-create content, context and learning experiences;
Amendment 126 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the EU is outperformed by other economic powers in research and development (R&D) expenditures as a percentage of GDP; reiterates the importance of an ambitious level of investment in R&D; regrets that the target of 3 % of GDP investments in R&D has still not been achieved in the vast majority of Member States; particularly the target of 2% of GDP investments in R&D by private sector;
Amendment 140 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to close the investment gap with global competitors for key enabling technologies; welcomes, in this regard, the Commission’s proposal for a European Chips Act10 and the establishment of the European Alliance for Industrial Data, Edge and Cloud; calls on the Commission to extend these initiatives to key enabling technologies, such as photonics and quantum; , biotechnology, edge computing, photonics and quantum computing and technology; _________________ 10 COM(2022)0046.
Amendment 147 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses the need to increase the resilience and competitiveness of the EU pharmaceutical industry by supporting dedicated investments in R&I, manufacturing of medicines and active ingredients in the EU and maintaining a vibrant research-based and production facilities on its territory;
Amendment 152 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the need to strengthen ‘Made in EU’ and accelerate the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, particularly by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); calls on the Commission to embed the ‘Made in Europe’ partnership strongly in the Horizon Europe programme and by fostering SMEs cooperation with universities and research and technology organisations;
Amendment 188 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Highlights the importance of including education, upskilling and reskilling in the transition pathways; calls on the Commission to develop a strategy for vocational education and business- education partnerships within regional industrial clusters to boost skills and enhance the uptake of ready-for-market innovations by SMEs; particularly by establishing incentives to SMEs to train its personnel and workers;
Amendment 194 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Stresses the importance of proactive education and training policies that foster recruiting and retaining talents in the European Union; calls on the Commission and Member States to support world-class researchers and teachers in the EU to lead the education, research, development and training agenda of the future workforce and to enhance collaboration between education and training, research and the business sector;
Amendment 203 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines that SMEs and start-ups are playing a central role in the digitalisation of the EU and are a critical source of innovation; stresses the need to improve their access to financing, technology and talent;
Amendment 208 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Underlines that SMEs and start- ups are playing a central role in the digitalisation of the EU and are a critical source of innovation; regrets the financing gap of entrepreneurs caused by gender, sexual orientation or origin; calls on the commission to address this financing gap;
Amendment 209 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Is of the opinion that the initiatives to achieve the Digital Decade will contribute to the digital transformation of businesses, especially SMEs that still lag behind large companies on digital skills and on the digitalisation of their operations;
Amendment 216 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses the need for regulatory stability and predictability as well as the need for a digital and future ready regulatory framework, facilitating the approval of innovative products and services; calls on the Commission to include roadmaps in the transition pathways to reduce administrative burdens for European businesses, especially SMEs, by at least 30 %; stresses the ‘one in, one out’ principle;
Amendment 222 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Recalls the role public administration plays to ensure a business- friendly economic environment and to reduce the administrative burden on enterprises while ensuring the highest standards of transparency and workers’ safety; believes that e-government tools, digital innovation policies and the enhancement of digital skills should be promoted within the public sector and among its employees;
Amendment 234 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Insists on the need to ensure social fairness of industrial transition and to develop adequate measures to support the re-industrialisation of regions in transition through strategic interregional investment projects, re-development plans for vulnerable regions, especially rural and remote areas;
Amendment 235 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Underlines that, in order to foster the competitiveness of the EU industrial ecosystems, the enhancement of the infrastructure ensuring digital connectivity is of paramount importance;
Amendment 268 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls on the Commission to support incentive schemes for a widespread deployment of energy saving technologies in EU industrial producers such as installation of local renewable energy generations and co-generation that will improve the overall energy efficiency, competitiveness and resilience of enterprises, in particular for EU SMEs which are the backbone of our economy;
Amendment 270 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure a predictable and consistent legal framework and efficient incentives that enable the transformation to a net-zero carbon economy and secure Europe’s competitiveness and high quality jobs, fostering a culture of constructive and effective social dialogue and timely information and consultation processes as key elements for anticipating and managing change;
Amendment 271 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 c (new)
Paragraph 13 c (new)
13c. Recalls that an eco-innovation and eco-efficiency of manufacturing and society can be achieved through targeted investments in sustainable innovative technologies and business models;
Amendment 272 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 d (new)
Paragraph 13 d (new)
13d. Reiterates the need of an enabling framework conditions for developing sustainable mobility and supporting sector coupling;
Amendment 306 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Highlights the importance of assuring an uninterrupted access of essential medical and healthcare equipment to the EU common market, following the experience gained from the initial shortages at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic;
Amendment 310 #
2022/2008(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Calls on the Commission to further support measures to limit the increase in demand for primary raw materials such as promoting circular economy, supporting R&I for material substitutions, including sustainable supplies in trade agreements;
Amendment 14 #
2022/0425(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) In order to ensure a consistent approach on the collection and transfer of API data by air carriers as much as possible, the rules set out in this Regulation should be aligned with those set out in the Regulation (EU) [API border management] where appropriate. That concerns, in particular, the rules on data quality, the air carriers’ use of automated means for such collection, where technically and operationally feasible, the precise manner in which they are to transfer the collected API data to the router and the deletion of the API data.
Amendment 15 #
2022/0425(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11 a (new)
Recital 11 a (new)
(11a) The automatic data collection systems and other processes established under this Regulation should not negatively impact the employees in the aviation industry, who should benefit from upskilling and reskilling opportunities that would increase the efficiency and reliability of data collection and transfer as well as the working conditions in the sector.
Amendment 17 #
2022/0425(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12a) With a view to guaranteeing the fulfilment of the rights provided for under the Charter of Fundamental Rights and to ensuring accessible and inclusive travel options, especially for vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities, air carriers, supported by the Member States, shall ensure that an offline alternative for the check-in and for the provision of the necessary data by the passengers is possible at all times.
Amendment 19 #
2022/0425(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) As regards intra-EU flights, in line with the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU), in order to avoid unduly interfering with the relevant fundamental rights protected under the Charter and to ensure compliance with the requirements of Union law on the free movement of persons and the abolition of internal border controls, a selective approach should be provided for. In view of the importance of ensuring that API data can be processed together with PNR data, that approach should be aligned with that of Directive (EU) 2016/681. For those reasons, API data on those flights should only be transmitted from the router to the relevant PIUs, where the Member States have selected the flights concerned in application of Article 2 of Directive (EU) 2016/681. As recalled by the CJEU, the selection entails Member States targeting the obligations in question only at, inter alia, certain routes, travel patterns or airports, subject to the regular review of that selection. In this regard, and in order to avoid divergent practices in the Member States, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt guidelines to facilitate the development of uniform criteria and methodology for the selection of the concerned intra-EU flights.
Amendment 22 #
2022/0425(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23 a (new)
Recital 23 a (new)
(23a) When providing for the penalties applicable to air carriers under this Regulation, Member States shall take into account the technical, operational and economic feasibility of ensuring complete data accuracy. Additionally, when fines are imposed, their application and value shall be established taking into consideration the actions undertaken by the air carrier to mitigate the issue as well as its repeated failure to cooperate with national authorities.
Amendment 23 #
2022/0425(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26 a (new)
Recital 26 a (new)
(26a) When monitoring and evaluating the effective implementation of this Regulation to the benefit of authorities, travellers and air carriers, the Commission shall conduct a holistic assessment of the present Act in relation to other regulations that impact the flow of travellers' data. In this regard, the Commission shall also consider the harmonisation of the channels of transmission of the data air carriers are required to collect and transfer.
Amendment 24 #
2022/0425(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26 b (new)
Recital 26 b (new)
(26b) With a view to ensuring increased data quality and accuracy, the setting up of travel document validation systems, able to automatically verify carrier- submitted passenger data, should be considered.
Amendment 25 #
2022/0425(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26 c (new)
Recital 26 c (new)
(26c) The EU should evaluate the possibility to include other modes of transport within the scope of this Regulation, while taking into account the particularities, business models and ticket purchase practices thereof.
Amendment 29 #
2022/0425(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Air carriers shall collect the API data referred to Article 4(2), points (a) to (d), of Regulation (EU) [API border management] using, where technically and operationally feasible, automated means to collect the machine-readable data of the travel document of the traveller concerned. They shall do so in accordance with the detailed technical requirements and operational rules referred paragraph 5, where such rules have been adopted and are applicable.
Amendment 30 #
2022/0425(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
However, where such use of automated means is not possible due to the travel document not containing machine-readable data or due to other technical and operational barriers, air carriers shall collect that data manually, in such a manner as to ensure compliance with paragraph 2.
Amendment 39 #
2022/0425(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 20 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. The report provided for under paragraph 1 of this Article shall also encompass an assessement of the possibility to include other modes of transport within the scope of this Regulation, while taking into account the particularities, business models and ticket purchase practices thereof.
Amendment 13 #
2022/0424(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) In order to allow for flexibility and innovation, it should in principle be left to each air carrier to determine how it meets its obligations regarding the collection of API data set out in this Regulation. However, considering that suitable technological solutions exist that allow collecting certain API data automatically while guaranteeing that the API data concerned is accurate, complete and up-to- date, and having regard the advantages of the use of such technology in terms of effectiveness and efficiency, where technically and operationally feasible, air carriers should be required to collect that API data using automated means, by reading information from the machine- readable data of the travel document.
Amendment 14 #
2022/0424(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12a) The automatic data collection systems and other processes established under this Regulation should not negatively impact the employees in the aviation industry, who should benefit from upskilling and reskilling opportunities that would increase the efficiency and reliability of data collection and transfer as well as the working conditions in the sector.
Amendment 16 #
2022/0424(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13 a (new)
Recital 13 a (new)
(13a) With a view to guaranteeing the fulfilment of the rights provided for under the Charter of Fundamental Rights and to ensuring accessible and inclusive travel options, especially for vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities, air carriers, supported by the Member States, shall ensure that an offline alternative for the check-in and for the provision of the necessary data by the passengers is possible at all times.
Amendment 20 #
2022/0424(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
(17a) With a view to ensuring increased data quality and accuracy, the setting up of travel document validation systems, able to automatically verify carrier- submitted passenger data, should be considered.
Amendment 22 #
2022/0424(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28 a (new)
Recital 28 a (new)
(28a) When providing for the penalties applicable to air carriers under this Regulation, Member States shall take into account the technical, operational and economic feasibility of ensuring complete data accuracy. Additionally, when fines are imposed, their application and value shall be established taking into consideration the actions undertaken by the air carrier to mitigate the issue as well as its repeated failure to cooperate with national authorities.
Amendment 23 #
2022/0424(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36 a (new)
Recital 36 a (new)
(36a) When monitoring and evaluating the effective implementation of this Regulation to the benefit of authorities, travellers and air carriers, the Commission shall conduct a holistic assessment of the present Act in relation to other regulations that impact the flow of travellers' data. In this regard, the Commission shall also consider the harmonisation of the channels of transmission of the data that air carriers are required to collect and transfer.
Amendment 24 #
2022/0424(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36 b (new)
Recital 36 b (new)
(36b) The EU should evaluate the possibility to include other modes of transport within the scope of this Regulation, while taking into account the particularities, business models and ticket purchase practices thereof.
Amendment 25 #
2022/0424(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Air carriers shall collect the API data referred to Article 4(2), points (a) to (d), using, where technically and operationally feasible, automated means to collect the machine-readable data of the travel document of the traveller concerned. They shall do so in accordance with the detailed technical requirements and operational rules referred to in paragraph 4, where such rules have been adopted and are applicable.
Amendment 26 #
2022/0424(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
However, where such use of automated means is not possible due to the travel document not containing machine-readable data or due to other technical and operational barriers, air carriers shall collect that data manually, in such a manner as to ensure compliance with paragraph 1.
Amendment 32 #
2022/0424(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) where the transmission of the API data to the router has taken place before the air carrier became aware of a technical impossibility of the router to subsequently transmit the API data to the competent border authorities or PIUs, as applicable.
Amendment 33 #
2022/0424(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 22 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Where technically and operationally feasible, the router should allow for the use of pseudonymization and/or encryption of the API data.
Amendment 36 #
2022/0424(COD)
4a. The report provided for under paragraph 4 of this Article shall also encompass an assessement of the possibility to include other modes of transport within the scope of this Regulation, while taking into account the particularities, business models and ticket purchase practices thereof.
Amendment 141 #
2022/0396(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) For materials other than plastic, such as glass or aluminium, the trend to replace primary raw material with recycled materials is evident and expected to continue because of the development in the legal and economic environment and the consumers` expectations and behaviour. Nonetheless, the Commission should monitor closely the use of recycled content in packaging materials other than plastics and should assess the appropriateness of proposing to establish further measures, including setting targets, aiming to increase the use of recycled content in packaging other than plastic packaging.
Amendment 164 #
2022/0396(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 61 a (new)
Recital 61 a (new)
(61a) In order to preserve the European businesses' competitiveness and to ensure an efficient utilisation of resources, single use packaging for foods and beverages filled and consumed within the premises and single use packaging containing individual portions or servings in the HORECA sector should benefit from a transition period, during which the economic operators are allowed to use the existing stock, avoiding the sudden discard of unused resources at no environmental benefit.
Amendment 165 #
2022/0396(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 62
Recital 62
(62) In order to further the aim of circularity and sustainable use of packaging, it is necessary to limit the risk that packaging marketed as reusable is not re-used in practice and to ensure that consumers return reusable packaging. The most appropriate manner to achieve this is to oblige economic operators, who use reusable packaging, to ensure that a system for re-use is put in place, thus allowing such packaging to circulate, rotate and be repeatedly used. To ensure maximum benefits of such systems, minimum requirements should be laid down for open loop and closed loop systems. Confirmation of compliance of reusable packaging with an existing system for re- use should also be a part of the technical documentation of such packaging. These systems should also take into account the consumers' behaviour and participation, which are essential for reaching the proposed targets.
Amendment 167 #
2022/0396(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 62 a (new)
Recital 62 a (new)
(62a) In this respect, consumers should be involved and incentivised to reuse, return and recycle the packaging material through positive and negative reinforcement mechanisms. Member States, supported by the Commission, should ensure that consumers benefit from awareness raising and educational campaigns, enabling them to understand their role and responsibilities.
Amendment 168 #
2022/0396(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 62 b (new)
Recital 62 b (new)
(62b) Training, upskilling and re- skilling programmes shall also be made available to workers employed in the industries affected by the implementation of this Regulation, especially those working in packaging technologies and industrial production thereof.
Amendment 178 #
2022/0396(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 69 a (new)
Recital 69 a (new)
(69a) Taking into consideration the fact that islands often suffer from a combination of multiple and permanent natural handicaps which determine disproportionately higher transport costs, exposing citizens and businesses to rising prices, the obligation requiring economic operators to use only reusable transport packaging when transporting products between different sites of the same economic operator or between the economic operator and the linked or partner enterprises, shall not apply to the operators transporting products from an island member state.
Amendment 181 #
2022/0396(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 78 a (new)
Recital 78 a (new)
(78a) With a view to avoid incorrect disposal of packaging by consumers or the reduced collection rates due to the complexity of labels displayed on the packaging material, Member States shall have the possibility to exempt the Deposit and Refund Schemes, established under Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, from the mandatory material composition label.
Amendment 199 #
2022/0396(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 110 a (new)
Recital 110 a (new)
(110a) With regards to any review of the re-use and refill targets set under this Regulation, the Commission shall take into account the adequacy of the abovementioned targets with respect to public health, food hygiene and safety, product integrity and environmental issues.
Amendment 435 #
2022/0396(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 2
2. Packaging not necessary to comply with any of the performance criteria set out in Annex IV and packaging with characteristics that are only aimed to increase the perceived volume of the product, including double walls, false bottoms, and unnecessary layersand packaging characteristics, such as double walls, false bottoms, and layers, that are not necessary to comply with any of the performance criteria set out in Annex IV, shall not be placed on the market, unless the packaging design is subject to geographical indications of origin protected under Union legislation.
Amendment 697 #
2022/0396(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 12 a (new)
Article 26 – paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. This obligation shall not apply to an economic operator when transporting products from an island member state.
Amendment 40 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Member States and the Union have been working for more than two decades to support the modernisation of administrations through digital transformation and foster the deep interconnections needed for a truly European digital space. The communication from the Commission ‘2030 Digital Compass: the European way for the Digital Decade’ (COM(2021) 118) underlines the need to speed up the digitalisation of public services by 2030, including by ensuring interoperability across all levels of government and across public services. Additionally, the Digital Decade Policy Programme (Decision (EU 2022/2481) a clear target for 100% online accessible provision of key public services for Union citizens and businesses by 2030; Furthermore, the COVID- 19 pandemic increased the speed of digitalisation, pushing public administrations to adapt to the online paradigm, including for cross-border digital public services, as well as for the smarter and greener use of technologies in accordance with the climate and energy targets set in the European Green Deal and the Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council36. This Regulation aims to significantly contribute to these Union goals by creating a structured cooperation framework on cross-border interoperability amongst Member States and the Commission to support the setup of digital public services. _________________ 36 Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’) (OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, p. 1).
Amendment 42 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The new governance structure should have a legal mandate to drive the further development of the European Interoperability Framework and other common interoperability solutions, such as specifications and applications. Furthermore, this Regulation should establish a clear and easily recognisable label, defined in line with recognised standards and principles, amongst which are the Common Assessment Method for Standards and Specifications and based on the Underlying Principles of the European Interoperability Framework, for some interoperability solutions. The creation of a vibrant community around open government technology solutions should be fostered.
Amendment 49 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) Public bodies, Union institutions, bodies and agencies should pursue the development of interoperability solutions in a holistic manner that ensures data quality, transparency and data protection. In this context, self-governing IT soultions should be incentivised.
Amendment 50 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 b (new)
Recital 4 b (new)
(4b) Interoperability solutions and exchanges of data should also be designed and used taking into account the confidentiality principles which pertain to fundamental rights.
Amendment 60 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) Without prejudice to the interoperability and digitalisation of key public services and services which depend crucially on digital technologies, offline accessibility of services should nevertheless be maintained while transitioning to digital and interoperable tools, in the interests of the most vulnerable, less digitally-skilled population.
Amendment 61 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 b (new)
Recital 6 b (new)
(6b) Interoperable key public services should contribute to achieving broader societal outcomes that are not limited to the digital and administrative sphere, but have positive effects on citizens’ everyday life and their wellbeing, advancing transparency, good governance, social inclusion, accessibility and good-quality public service in accordance with the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Amendment 66 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) In cases where the interoperability assessment is mandatory, the Commission shall support Member States in ensuring that the necessary resources are made available to local and regional authorities.
Amendment 75 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21 a (new)
Recital 21 a (new)
(21a) Member States, the Union institutions, agencies and bodies should endeavour to ensure that, amongst others, EU funded projects for public services are open source by default.
Amendment 76 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21 b (new)
Recital 21 b (new)
(21b) Public bodies can also, in this regard, consult the dedicated European Public License (EUPL), available in all EU languages with a licensing assistant providing online legal support.
Amendment 84 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28 a (new)
Recital 28 a (new)
(28a) In line with their efforts to achieve the targets set in the Digital Decade Policy Programme (Decision (EU 2022/2481), whilst providing continuous training, skilling and upskilling programmes, the Member States and the Commission should pay particular attention to the good understanding of interoperability and the ability to work with the related concepts and implications thereof for the public sector workers, especially the less digitally-skilled.
Amendment 87 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33 a (new)
Recital 33 a (new)
(33a) In this regard, additional investment in research and innovation and more engagement with the scientific and researchers’community is necessary.
Amendment 88 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
Recital 35
(35) An Interoperable Europe Agenda should be established as the Union’s main instrument for the coordination of public investments in interoperability solutions. It should deliver a comprehensive overview of funding possibilities and funding commitments in the field, integrating where appropriate the related Union programmes. The overview should pay special attention to resources needed for the skilling and upskilling of public sector workers as well as to the additional barriers incurred by areas which suffer from decreased connectivity, rural areas, peripheral regions and islands, leaving no one behind. This should contribute to creating synergies and coordinating financial support related to interoperability development and avoiding duplication. The Interoperable Europe Agenda should set clear targets and should introduce key performance indicators for measuring the achivement thereof.
Amendment 94 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36 a (new)
Recital 36 a (new)
(36a) Interoperable solutions and the Interoperable Europe Agenda shall guarantee a comprehensive approach to interoperability, addressing, amongst others, organisational interoperability limitations as well as retrospective compatibility of new systems with the existing ones.
Amendment 96 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
Recital 39
(39) The application of this Regulation should be deferred to threwelve months after the date of its entry into force in order to provide Member States and the institutions, bodies and agencies of the Union with sufficient time to prepare for the application of this Regulation. Such time is necessary to establish the Interoperable Europe Board and the Interoperable Europe Community and for the designation of national competent authorities and interoperability coordinators.
Amendment 103 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 9 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 9 a (new)
Amendment 106 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
The public sector body or the institution, body or agency of the Union concerned shall publish a report presenting the outcome of the interoperability assessment on its website, provided that the publication does not compromise intellectual property rights or trade secrets, public order or security.
Amendment 108 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 3
3. The national competent authorities and the interoperability coordinators shall provide local and regional authorities with guidelines on evaluating the cases in which an interoperability assessment is mandatory under paragraph 1 as well as the necessary support to carry out the interoperability assessment. The Commission mayshall provide technical tools to support the assessment.
Amendment 116 #
2022/0379(COD)
5a. The Interoperable Europe Board shall adopt guidelines on the sharing of interoperability solutions by ... [three months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation], including practical check lists.
Amendment 133 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The Interoperable Europe Portal shall also include a list of all public services provided online in the EU Member States, clustered by type of service and Member State.
Amendment 136 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) contribute to the development of existing or new Interoperable Europe solutions, also as a prerequisite of an open ICT ecosystem;
Amendment 137 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
(aa) provide technological changes through incremental innovation on existing products and services, combining systems, components or applications;
Amendment 147 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 5
Article 11 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission, after consulting the Interoperable Europe Board and, where the regulatory sandbox would include the processing of personal data, the European Data Protection Supervisor, shall upon joint request from at least three participating public sector bodies authorise the establishment of a regulatory sandbox. This consultation should not replace the prior consultation referred to in Article 36 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and in Article 40 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725. Where the sandbox is set up for interoperability solutions supporting the cross-border interoperability of network and information systems which are used to provide or manage public services to be delivered or managed electronically by one or more institutions, bodies or agencies of the Union, eventually with the participation of public sector bodies, no authorisation is needed. For the purpose of the consultation provided under paragraph 5, the documentation submitted with a view to obtaining authorisation should include the information listed under Article 12, paragraph 3, points (a) and (g) of this Regulation.
Amendment 149 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. The participating public sector bodies shall ensure that, to the extent the innovative interoperability solution involves the processing of personal data or otherwise falls under the supervisory remit of other national authorities providing or supporting access to data, the national data protection authorities and those other national authorities are associated to the operation of the regulatory sandbox. As appropriate, the participating public sector bodies may allow for the involvement in the regulatory sandbox of other actors within the GovTech ecosystem such as national or European standardisation organisations, notified bodies, research and experimentation labs, innovation hubs, and companies wishing to test innovative interoperability solutions, especially SMEs and start-ups. Cooperation may also be envisaged with third countries establishing mechanisms to support innovative interoperability solutions for the public sector, provided that safeguards concerning data protection are envisioned.
Amendment 151 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 6 – point f
Article 12 – paragraph 6 – point f
(f) any processing of personal data does not affectguarantees the application of the rights of the data subjects as provided for under Union law on the protection of personal data, in particular in Article 22 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Article 24 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725;
Amendment 152 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 6 – point j a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 6 – point j a (new)
(ja) any personal data to be processed is subject to a retention period of no longer than the period necessary for the carrying out of the testing and of the correction of the errors.
Amendment 155 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Further funding and training facilities for all public workers shall be made available by the Commission in order to ensure a broad understanding of the benefits, implications and uses of interoperability.
Amendment 156 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The peer review shall also assess the efforts made to build the necessary capabilities and to train the public sector personnel as provided under Article 13 of this Regulation. Additionally, the report shall also take into account the different starting points of the Member States and of regions suffering from decreased connectivity, of rural and peripheral areas and islands.
Amendment 180 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. Public and private stakeholders, as well as civil society and academic contributors, residing or having their registered office in a Member State may register on the Interoperable Europe portal as a member of the Interoperable Europe Community.
Amendment 181 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – point c a (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 4 – point c a (new)
(ca) support public sector bodies, institutions, agencies or bodies of the Union in carrying out interoperability assessments.
Amendment 184 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point f
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) coordinate and encourage the active involvement of a diverse range of national entities, as well as local and regional authorities, in the Interoperable Europe Community and their participation in policy implementation support projects as referred to in Article 9 and innovation measures referred to in Article 10;
Amendment 186 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 3
Article 17 – paragraph 3
3. The Member States shall ensure that the competent authority has adequate competencies and resources to carry out, in an effective and efficient manner, the tasks assigned to it. In this regard, the Commission shall ensure that competent authorities of Member States receive appropriate funding and guidance to support the performance of related tasks.
Amendment 190 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(da) clear targets and key performance indicators for measuring the achivement thereof.
Amendment 194 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) the development of open source solutions for the public services, public sector innovation and the cooperation with GovTech actors, including SMEs and start-ups, in the field of cross-border interoperable public services to be delivered or managed electronically in the Union.;
Amendment 195 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(ca) the percentage of the public sector workers that has taken part in training as provided under Article 13 of this Regulation;
Amendment 197 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – point c b (new)
Article 20 – paragraph 2 – point c b (new)
(cb) the impact of the Regulation on advancing transparency, good governance, accessibility, social inclusion and good-quality public services, especially with regards to the reduction of the administrative burden, to the benefit of citizens, public sector workers and businesses, in particular SMEs.
Amendment 198 #
2022/0379(COD)
(cc) the impact of interoperability solutions on the areas which suffer from lower connectivity such as rural and peripheral areas as well as islands.
Amendment 199 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 21 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) training, upskilling and reskilling of public sector workers, directly or indirectly, affected by the uptake of interoperability solutions.
Amendment 201 #
2022/0379(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 2
Article 22 – paragraph 2
It shall apply from [312 months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation].
Amendment 57 #
2022/0358(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) This Regulation is without prejudice to other registration and information obligations under Union and national law, most notably, in the fields of taxation, population registration and statistics.
Amendment 96 #
2022/0358(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 11
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 11
(11) ‘activity data’ means the number of nights for which a unit is rented and the number of guests that have been declared to stayed in the unit per night;, and, in accordance with (EU) Regulation 692/2011, their country of residence.
Amendment 122 #
2022/0358(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 5
Article 5 – paragraph 5
5. Member States shall ensure that the information or documentation submitted pursuant to a registration procedure referred to in Article 4 is retained in a secure and confidential manner and only for a period which is necessary for the identification of the unit and for a maximum of 12 years after the host has indicated via the functionality referred to in Article 4(2), point (f) that the unit should be removed from the registry. Member States shall ensure that the information and documentation provided by the host pursuant to paragraphs 1 and 2 is only processed for the purpose of issuing the registration number and ensuring compliance with the applicable rules of the Member State concerning the access to and provision of short-term accommodation rental services.
Amendment 166 #
2022/0358(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 12 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. Competent authorities listed pursuant to paragraph 1 shall retain activity data in a secure and confidential manner as long as necessary for the purposes referred to in paragraph 2 and no longer than 12 years after their receipt. Those competent authorities may, in accordance with the laws of the Member State, share activity data without any data that can identify individual units or hosts, including registration numbers and URLs, in particular with the following:
Amendment 175 #
2022/0358(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 18 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) to the extent possible, the impact of this Regulation on the content and proportionality of national legislative, regulatory or administrative measures relating to access to and the provision of short-term accommodation rental services, including where such services are provided cross-border, as well as the effectiveness of cross-border cooperation and enforcement mechanisms.
Amendment 20 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Calls on the Commission and Member States to use the available financial tools - CEF, RRF, Cohesion Fund, InvestEU, ERDF - in a comprehensive way to maximise their effect on recovery while ensuring adequate long-term funding of Union transport projects;
Amendment 39 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the increase in the Cohesion Fund allocation to the CEF for transport in 2023; reiterates the essential role the Union transport policy and investment play in enhancing territorial, social and economic cohesion in the Union;
Amendment 42 #
2022/0212(BUD)
5. Notes the increase in the InvestEU budget and its important reinforcement from NextGenerationEU by almost EUR 2,5 billion in 2023; invites the Commission to maintain a high level of investment after 2024 to maintain InvestEU’s role in fostering sustainable and safe infrastructure, mobility solutions and equipment and for the deployment of innovative technologies and alternative fuels;
Amendment 44 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the funding of the Just Transition Fund under the Just Transition Mechanism for 2023 and highlights the role of the Mechanism in disadvantaged regions; highlights the role of the Mechanism and its public sector loan facility in investing in safe, sustainable and resilient transport and tourism infrastructure in the regions that are the most affected by transition challenges such as rural and sparsely populated, disadvantaged regions and environmentally vulnerable territories and in promoting affordable and accessible mobility services for all passengers, including those with disabilities and reduced mobility; stresses the need to support the up- and reskilling of workers and jobseekers in the transport sector, as well as productive and sustainable investment in SMEs;
Amendment 73 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Acknowledges the slight increase in the budgets of the transport Joint Undertakings; highlights the importance of their work in boosting research and innovation and improving the performance, safety and sustainability of the transport sector.;
Amendment 50 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) The EHDS constitutes a key component for the creation of a strong and resilient European Health Union to better protect the health of European citizens, prevent and address future pandemics and improve resilience of Europe’s health systems.
Amendment 51 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 b (new)
Recital 1 b (new)
(1b) The following Regulation should work horizontally with other European programs such as the Digital Europe Programme, Connecting Europe Facility and Horizon Europe. The European Commission should ensure that other European programs complement and facilitate the implementation of the European Health Data Space.
Amendment 52 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 c (new)
Recital 1 c (new)
(1c) Member States should cooperate in using interoperable standards together with European Digital Identity, facilitating the primary use of data in accordance with Article 9 of Regulation (EU)2016/679.
Amendment 53 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The processing of personal electronic health data is subject to the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council43and, for Union institutions and bodies, Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council44. References to the provisions of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 should be understood also as references to the corresponding provisions of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 for Union institutions and bodies, where relevant. In addition, the Regulation should comply with Cyber Resilience Act. _________________ 43 Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation) (OJ L 119, 4.5.2016, p. 1). 44 Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2018 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data by the Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 and Decision No 1247/2002/EC (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 39).
Amendment 55 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) Persons who suffer from rare diseases and who, in consequence, are more likely to have received inaccurate diagnoses, should also be enabled to request a rectification of the incorrect electronic health data, misdiagnoses and inconsistencies in their medical records or medical prescriptions, which should be processed in a timely manner.
Amendment 58 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
(17a) With a view to improving interoperability and data sharing, Member States should aim to gradually implement the use of ICD-11, within the International Classification of Diseases, in the electronic health records systems, in order to ensure visibility within national health and social systems for affected patients including those suffering from rare diseases.
Amendment 60 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) The interoperability of the EHDS should contribute to high quality of European health data sets.
Amendment 75 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41
Recital 41
(41) The secondary use of health data under EHDS should enable the public, private, not for profit entities, as well as individual researchers to have access to health data for research, innovation, policy making, educational activities, patient safety, regulatory activities or personalised medicine, in line with the purposes set out in this Regulation. Access to data for secondary use should contribute to the general interest of the society. Access to secondary health data for research and innovation to the development of medicines, medical devices, health care products and services should contribute to affordable and fair pricing for all European citizens when these products are placed on the market. Activities for which access in the context of this Regulation is lawful may include using the electronic health data for tasks carried out by public bodies, such as exercise of public duty, including public health surveillance, planning and reporting duties, health policy making, ensuring patient safety, quality of care, and the sustainability of health care systems. Public bodies and Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies may require to have regular access to electronic health data for an extended period of time, including in order to fulfil their mandate, which is provided by this Regulation. Public sector bodies may carry out such research activities by using third parties, including sub-contractors, as long as the public sector body remain at all time the supervisor of these activities. The provision of the data should also support activities related to scientific research (including private research), development and innovation, producing goods and services for the health or care sectors, such as innovation activities or training of AI algorithms that could protect the health or care of natural persons. In some cases, the information of some natural persons (such as genomic information of natural persons with a certain disease) could support the diagnosis or treatment of other natural persons. There is a need for public bodies to go beyond the emergency scope of Chapter V of Regulation […] [Data Act COM/2022/68 final]. However, the public sector bodies may request the support of health data access bodies for processing or linking data. This Regulation provides a channel for public sector bodies to obtain access to information that they require for fulfilling their tasks assigned to them by law, but does not extend the mandate of such public sector bodies. Any attempt to use the data for any measures detrimental to the natural person, to increase insurance premiums, to advertise products or treatments, or develop harmful products should be prohibited.
Amendment 76 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 41 a (new)
Recital 41 a (new)
(41a) Natural persons need quality education to help them understand the advantages and benefits of providing access to their health data for the secondary use, without prejudice to their right to opt-out from such sharing. In addition to high-level of transparency in terms of how and where their data would be used.
Amendment 105 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) ‘non-personal electronic health data’ means data concerning mental and physical health and genetic data in electronic format that falls outside the definition of personal data provided in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679;
Amendment 107 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point f
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) ‘interoperability’ means the ability of organisations as well as software applications or devices from the same manufacturer or different manufacturers to interact towards mutually beneficial goals, involving the exchange of information and knowledge without changing the content or quality of the data between these organisations, software applications or devices, through the processes they support, enabling data portability across data holders and health care providers for data recipients and data users;
Amendment 111 #
2022/0140(COD)
(m) ‘EHR’ (electronic health record) means a collection of electronic mental and physical health data related to a natural person and collected in the health system, processed for healthcare or research purposes;
Amendment 176 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 33 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The natural person shall receive information about the benefits of providing access to their health date for secondary use.
Amendment 200 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 34 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) Health Economics and Outcomes Research (HEOR);
Amendment 266 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 40 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 40 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Health data access bodies shall support non-for profits (specially patient and consumer organizations), public bodies like city councils or scientific societies, to register in as recognised data altruism organisations in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2022/868.
Amendment 324 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 1
Article 64 – paragraph 1
1. A European Health Data Space Board (EHDS Board) is hereby established to facilitate cooperation and the exchange of information among Member States. The EHDS Board shall be composed of the high level representatives of digital health authorities and health data access bodies of all the Member States, as well at least one patient organisation and one healthcare professional organization. Other national authorities, including market surveillance authorities referred to in Article 28, European Data Protection Board and European Data Protection Supervisor mayshall be invited to the meetings, where the issues discussed are of relevance for them. The Board may also invite experts and observers to attend its meetings, and may cooperate with other external experts as appropriate. Other Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies, research infrastructures and other similar structures shall have an observer role.
Amendment 327 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 4
Article 64 – paragraph 4
4. Stakeholders and relevant third parties, including healthcare professionals, researchers and patients’ representatives, shall be invited to attend meetings of the EHDS Board and to participate in its work, depending on the topics discussed and their degree of sensitivity.
Amendment 330 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 64 – paragraph 5
Article 64 – paragraph 5
5. The EHDS Board shall cooperate with other relevant bodies, entities and experts, such as the European Data Innovation Board referred to in Article 26 of Regulation […] [Data Governance Act COM/2020/767 final], competent bodies set up under Article 7 of Regulation […] [Data Act COM/2022/68 final], supervisory bodies set up under Article 17 of Regulation […] [eID Regulation], European Data Protection Board referred to in Article 68 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and cybersecurity bodies, in particular the European Agency for Cybersecurity (ENISA).
Amendment 342 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – point 3 – point 3.1
Annex II – point 3 – point 3.1
3.1. An EHR system shall be designed and developed in such a way that it ensures highly safe and secure processing of electronic health data, and that it prevents unauthorised access to such data.
Amendment 35 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The contribution of Directive 2010/75/EU to resource and energy efficiency and circular economy in the Union should be made more effective, taking into consideration the ‘Energy Efficiency First’ as a guiding principle of the Union energy policy. Therefore, the permits should establish, where possible, mandatoryindicative environmental performance limitevel values on consumption and resource efficiency levels, including on the use of water, energy and recycled materials, based on the environmental performance levels associated with the best available techniques (BAT AEPLs) set out in decisions on BAT conclusions., taking into consideration media effects;
Amendment 50 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
It also lays down rules designed to prevent or, where that is not practicable, to reduce emissions into air, water and land and to prevent the generation of waste, in order to achieve a high level of protection of human health and the environment taken as a whole. Moreover, it lays down rules to improve resource efficiency in order to reduce the use of energy, water and raw materials.
Amendment 59 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point c
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point c
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point (14 a) (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point (14 a) (new)
(13aa) Innovative techniques 'Techniques, including emerging techniques, that should be at least at the level of technology demonstrated in relevant environment (industrially relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies) or system prototype demonstration in operation environment.
Amendment 70 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point f Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point f Directive 2010/75/EU
(a) consumption levels of water, energy and raw materials;
Amendment 74 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point f
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point f
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point (53) (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point (53) (new)
(b) resource efficiency levels and reuse levels covering materials, water and energy resourceof water, energy and raw materials;
Amendment 76 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point f
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point f
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point (53) (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point (53) (new)
(c) waste and other levels obtained under specified reference conditions.reuse levels of water, energy and raw materials;
Amendment 106 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Amendment 141 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 14 a – paragraph 2(a) – subparagraph (i a) (new)
Article 14 a – paragraph 2(a) – subparagraph (i a) (new)
(ia) improve energy efficiency
Amendment 142 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 11
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 14 a – paragraph 2(a) – subparagraph (i b) (new)
Article 14 a – paragraph 2(a) – subparagraph (i b) (new)
(ib) optimise water use
Amendment 166 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 15 – paragraph 3 a
Article 15 – paragraph 3 a
3a. The competent authority shall set indicative environmental performance limitevel values that ensure that, under normal operating conditions, such performance limits values do not exceed the environmental performance levels associated with BATs as laid down in the decisions on BAT conclusions referred to in Article 13(5).
Amendment 174 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 15 – paragraph 4 – point (d) (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 4 – point (d) (new)
(c) investment cycles related to the sustainability transition of the operator’s group.
Amendment 179 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 15 – paragraph 4 – fifth subparagraph after point (b)
Article 15 – paragraph 4 – fifth subparagraph after point (b)
The Commission shall adopt an implementing act, to establish a standardised methodology for assessing the disproportionality between the costs of implementation of the BAT conclusions and the potential environmental benefits referred to in the first subparagraph and considering the investment cycle related to the sustainability transition of the operator’s group. That implementing act shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 75(2)..
Amendment 196 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 21
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 21
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 27 – title
Article 27 – title
Emerging and innovative techniques
Amendment 198 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 21
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 21
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 27
Article 27
Member States shall, where appropriate, encourage the development and applicationuse of emerging and innovative techniques, in particular where such techniques have been identified in the BAT conclusions, the BAT reference documents or the findings of the innovation centre for industrial transformation and emissions referred to in Article 27a..
Amendment 203 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 22
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 22
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 27 b (new) – title
Article 27 b (new) – title
Testing of emerging and innovative techniques
Amendment 210 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 22
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 22
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 27 c (new)
Article 27 c (new)
By way of derogation from Article 21(3), the competent authority may set indicative emission limitevel values that ensure that, within 6 years of publication of a decision on BAT conclusions in accordance with Article 13(5) relating to the main activity of an installation, emissions shall not, under normal operating conditions, exceed emission levels associated with emerging techniques as laid down in the decisions on BAT conclusions.
Amendment 233 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 22
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 22
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 27 d (new) – paragraph 2 – first part
Article 27 d (new) – paragraph 2 – first part
Member States shall require that, as part of the review of the permit conditions pursuant to Article 21(3) following the publication of decisions on BAT conclusions after 1 January 2030, the operator includes in its environmental management system referred to in Article 14a a transformation plan for each installation carrying out any activity listed in Annex I that is not referred to in paragraph 1. The transformation plan shall contain information on how the installation will transform itselfto become more energy, water, and resource efficient by laying down the measures that will be implemented during the 2030-2050 period in order to contribute to the emergence of a sustainable, clean, circular and climate- neutral economy by 2050, using the format referred to in paragraph 4.
Amendment 273 #
2022/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 32
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 32
Directive 2010/75/EU
Article 79 a (new) – paragraph 4
Article 79 a (new) – paragraph 4
Amendment 112 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 47 a (new)
Recital 47 a (new)
(47a) Exemptions should be considered in relation to SMEs that are subject to the obligations set out in this Directive and that operate in the sector of quarrying of materials used for the construction of traditional houses, which facilitates the preservation of traditional local architecture.
Amendment 132 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 60 a (new)
Recital 60 a (new)
(60a) Full compensation under this Directive shall not lead to overcompensation, whether by means of punitive, multiple or other types of damages.
Amendment 139 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 64 a (new)
Recital 64 a (new)
(64a) However, the framework assigning responsibility of due diligence to the company’s directors should, under no circumstances, be capable of leading to double punishment for the same act, in accordance with the legal principle ne bis in idem. It shall also take into account the nature and the severity of the infringement, whilst seeking to ensure uniform implementation across the Union.
Amendment 208 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Micro-undertakings as defined in Article 3(1) of Directive 2013/34/EU shall not be subject to the obligations laid down in this Directive.
Amendment 248 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f
Amendment 357 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) provide targeted and proportionate support for an SME with which the company has an established business relationship, including access to capacity-building, guidance, financial support or participation in collaborative initiatives, where compliance with the code of conduct or the prevention action plan would jeopardise the viability of the SME;
Amendment 378 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 7 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
As regards potential adverse impacts within the meaning of paragraph 1 that could not be prevented or adequately mitigated by the measures in paragraphs 2, 3 and 4, the company shall be required to refrain from entering into new or extending existing relations with the partner in connection with or in the value chain of which the impact has arisen and shall, after having taken into consideration the importance of critical supplies, and where the law governing their relations so entitles them to, take the following exceptional actions:
Amendment 404 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point e
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point e
(e) provide targeted and proportionate support for an SME with which the company has an established business relationship, including access to capacity-building guidance, financial support or participation in collaborative initiatives, where compliance with the code of conduct or the corrective action plan would jeopardise the viability of the SME;
Amendment 423 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Member States shall ensure that companies engage in a timely manner, efficiently and meaningfully with stakeholders impacted by the decision to suspend or terminate the business relationship before making that decision, and shall address the adverse impacts derived from those actions.
Amendment 463 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
In order to provide support to companies or to Member State authorities on how companies should fulfil their due diligence obligations, the Commission, in consultation with Member States and stakeholders, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, the European Environment Agency, and where appropriate with international bodies having expertise in due diligence, mayshall issue guidelines, including for specific sectors or specific adverse impacts.
Amendment 469 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall, in order to provide information and support to companies and the partners with whom they have established business relationships in their value chains in their efforts to fulfil the obligations resulting from this Directive, set up and operate individually or jointly dedicated websites, platforms or portals. Specific consideration shall be given, in that respect, to the SMEs that are present in the value chains of companies.
Amendment 470 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 14 – paragraph 2
Article 14 – paragraph 2
2. Without prejudice to applicable State aid rules, Member States may financiallyshall provide financial and technical support to SMEs. in order to help them comply with the obligations set out in this Directive, in particular those operating along the value chains
Amendment 499 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Article 18 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. When companies referred to in Article 3, point (i) are subject to the obligations set out in this Directive in consideration of the notion of value chain, the due diligence assessment shall be carried out by the Supervisory Authorities provided for under Article 17. This shall be carried out in accordance with documented standard procedures, leading the Supervisory Authority to issue a certification to the aforementioned companies, which may be presented to upstream and downstream companies upon request.
Amendment 519 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) they intentionally or negligently failed to comply with the obligations laid down in Articles 7 and 8 and;
Amendment 103 #
2022/0047(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) In order to respond to the needs of the digital economycontribute to the digital transition of the Union, a comprehensive harmonisation at Union level is needed to ensure fairness in the allocation of value from data among all actors in the data economy as well asto avoid fragmentation resulting from national legislation, and therefore to create trust in the data sharing environment. Moreover, to foster access to and use of data. and to remove barriers to a well-functioning internal market for data, it is necessary to lay down a harmonised framework specifying who, other than the manufacturer or other data holder is entitled to access the data generated by products or related services, under which conditions and on what basis. Accordingly, Member States should not adopt or maintain additional national requirements on those matters falling within the scope of this Regulation, unless explicitly provided for in this Regulation, since this would affect the direct and uniform application of this Regulation.
Amendment 130 #
2022/0047(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) Physical products that obtain, generate or collect, by means of their components or operating systems or embedded software, data concerning their performance, use or environment and that are able to communicate that data via a publicly available electronic communications service (often referred to as the Internet of Things) should be covered by this Regulation with the exception of prototypes. Electronic communications services include land- based telephone networks, television cable networks, satellite-based networks and near-field communication networks. Such products may include vehicles, home equipment and consumer goods, medical and health devices or agricultural and industrial machinery. The data represent the digitalisation of user actions and events and should accordingly be accessible to the user, while information derived or inferred from this data, where lawfully held, should not be considered within scope of this Regulation. Such data are potentially valuable to the user and support innovation and the development of digital and other services protecting the environment, health and the circular economy, in particular though facilitating the maintenance and repair of the products in question.This Regulation applies to products placed on the marketin the Union and thus does not apply to products in development stage such as prototypes.
Amendment 158 #
2022/0047(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) The user of a product should be understood as the legal or natural person, such as a business or, consumer or public sector body , which has purchased, rented or leased the product. Depending on the legal title under which he uses it, such a user bears the risks and enjoys the benefits of using the connected product and should enjoy also the access to the data it generates. The user should therefore be entitled to derive benefit from data generated by that product and any related service.
Amendment 283 #
2022/0047(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 56 a (new)
Recital 56 a (new)
(56 a) The business-to-government data sharing should be driven by the over- arching principles outlined in the High Level Expert Group on Business-to- Government. These principles are: proportionality of the use of private-sector data, data use limitation, “do no harm”, compensation, non-discrimination, limitation mitigation, transparency and societal participation, accountability and fair and ethical data use.
Amendment 320 #
2022/0047(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 66
Recital 66
(66) When reusing data provided by data holders, public sector bodies and Union institutions, agencies or bodies should respect both existing applicable legislation and contractual obligations to which the data holder is subject. . Public administration authorities should coordinate their requests for data and pursue best efforts to ensure that businesses are obliged to supply the same data only once. Where the disclosure of trade secrets of the data holder to public sector bodies or to Union institutions, agencies or bodies is strictly necessary to fulfil the purpose for which the data has been requested, confidentiality of such disclosure should be ensured to the data holder.
Amendment 362 #
2022/0047(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) manufacturers of products and suppliers of related services placed on the market in the Union and the Union based users of such products or services;
Amendment 521 #
2022/0047(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) how the user may access those data delivered in a usable format and in a simple, clear and free manner for the user ;;
Amendment 1143 #
2022/0047(COD)
The Commission shall develop and recommend non-binding model contractual terms on data access and use to assist parties in drafting and negotiating contracts with balanced contractual rights and obligations. These non-binding contractual terms shall be openly freely available in easily usable electronic format.
Amendment 1153 #
2022/0047(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 41 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 41 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(e a) evaluation of the impacts of this Regulation to the development of business practices and monetisation practices of the European data economy and possible needs for reviewing the Regulation.
Amendment 103 #
2022/0039(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1 a) According to the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) for 2021, connectivity across the Union has improved in ‘very high-capacity networks' (VHCN) and is available in 59% of the Union households but it is still far from universal coverage of Gigabit networks.
Amendment 113 #
2022/0039(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Satellite communication can increase the overall resilience of communication networks. A space-based communication system is the only viable option in situations where ground-based systems are non-existent, disrupted or unreliable. For example, it can provide means for digital communication in areas where terrestrial networks are absent, including over oceans and during flights, as well as over remote areas, or where local networks have been destroyed due to natural disasters, or they cannot be trusted in crisis situations thus reducing the digital divide across the Union.
Amendment 127 #
2022/0039(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The services enabled by the Programme should connect strategic areas such as the Arctic and, Africa, and contribute to geopolitical resilience by Black Sea and Atlantic-Mediterranean regions offering additional connectivity in line with policy targets in these regions and the Global Gateway strategy20 . _________________ 20 JOIN(2021) 30 final.
Amendment 138 #
2022/0039(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) The Programme should also allow for the provision of commercial services by the private sector. Such commercial services could in particular contribute to availability of high-speed broadband and seamless connectivity throughout Europe, removing communication dead zones and increasing cohesion across Member State territories, including rural, peripheral, remote and isolated areas and islands, while bridging the digital divide across the Union, and provide connectivity over geographical areas of strategic interest such as the Arctic, Africa, Black Sea and Atlantic-Mediterranean regions.
Amendment 146 #
2022/0039(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) The Horizon Europe Programme will allocate a dedicated share of its Cluster 4 components to R&I activities related to development and validation of the secure connectivity system, including for the potential technologies that would be developed under New Space. The allocation of the funds should not detract from other R&I activities conducted under Cluster 4, which are essential for the Union's competitiveness and the green and digital transitions. The Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) will allocate a dedicated share of its Global Europe funds for activities related to the operation of the system and the worldwide provision of services that will allow to offer an array of services to international partners. The Union Space Programme will allocate a dedicated share of its GOVSATCOM component for the activities related to the development of the GOVSATCOM Hub which will form part of the ground infrastructure of the Secure Connectivity system. The funding stemming from these programmes should be implemented in accordance with the rules of these programmes. Since those rules may differ significantly from the rules under this Regulation, the need to achieve effectively the intended policy objectives should be taken into account when deciding to finance actions from both the allocated funds from Horizon Europe and NDICI and from the Union Secure Connectivity Programme.
Amendment 154 #
2022/0039(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
Recital 33
(33) Procurement contracts concluded under the Programme for activities financed by the Programme should comply with Union rules. The Union should ensure the participation of new entrants, SMEs and start-ups from all Member States in procurement procedures. In that context, the Union should also be responsible for defining the objectives to be pursued as regards public procurement.
Amendment 203 #
2022/0039(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) improve the resilience of the Union communication serviceensure resilient and secure connections with advanced technological features meeting Union needs on a globally competitive basis by developing, building and operating a multi-orbital connectivity infrastructure, continuously adapted to evolution of demand for satellite communications, while taking into account the existing and future assets of the Member States used in the frame of the GOVSATCOM component of the Union Space Programme established by Regulation (EU) 2021/69643 ; _________________ 43 Regulation (EU) 2021/696 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing the Union Space Programme and the European Union Agency for the Space Programme and repealing Regulations (EU) No 912/2010, (EU) No 1285/2013 and (EU) No 377/2014 and Decision No 541/2014/EU (OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 69).
Amendment 206 #
2022/0039(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
(a a) provide the Union with an appropriate level of strategic autonomy in terms of technologies, assets, operations and services;
Amendment 209 #
2022/0039(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) improve, create synergies and expand the capabilities and services of other components of the Union Space Programme;
Amendment 215 #
2022/0039(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) allow further development of high- speed broadband and seamless connectivity throughout the Union, removing communication dead zones and increasing cohesion across Member State territories, and allow connectivity over geographical areas of strategic interest outside of the Unaddressing growing data and service demands, removing communication dead zones in support of the inclusive, cohesive and sustainable development of Union regions while bridging the digital divide, and allow connectivity over geographical areas of strategic interest of the Union such as the Arctic, Africa, Black Sea and Atlantic- Mediterranean regions.
Amendment 255 #
2022/0039(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) establish criteria for the award of the contracts referred to in Article 15 ensuring the participation of new entrants, start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from across the Unionll Member States and along the whole relevant value chain;
Amendment 257 #
2022/0039(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) require that the contractor referred to in Article 15(2) provides a plan on the integration of new entrants, start-ups and SMEs from across the Unionll Member States in the activities under the contracts referred to in Article 15;
Amendment 324 #
2022/0039(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) to protect the security and public interest of the Union and its Member States, including through a reinforcement of the digital sovereignty and strategic autonomy of the Union, in particular in technological terms;
Amendment 325 #
2022/0039(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point g
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point g
(g) to promote service accessibility, continuity and reliability;
Amendment 327 #
2022/0039(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point h
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point h
(h) to satisfy environmental and social sustainability criteria;
Amendment 329 #
2022/0039(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point h a (new)
Article 17 – paragraph 2 – point h a (new)
(h a) to ensure space sustainability;
Amendment 405 #
2022/0039(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 6 – introductory part
Annex I – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 6 – introductory part
Specific objective 5: Allow further development of high-speed broadband and seamless connectivity throughout the Union, removing communication dead zones and increasing cohesion across Member State territories, and allow connectivity over geographical areas of strategic interest outside of the Union such as the Arctic, Africa, Black Sea and Atlantic- Mediterranean regions.
Amendment 147 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) It is necessary to take measures to build capacity and strengthen the Union’s semiconductor sector in line with Article 173(3) of the Treaty. These measures do not entail the harmonisation of national laws and regulations. In this regard, the Union should reinforce the competitiveness and resilience of the semiconductor technological and industrial base, whilst strengthening the innovation capacity of its semiconductor sector across the Union, reducing dependence on a limited number of third country companies and geographies, and strengthening its capacity to design and produce advanced components. The Chips for Europe Initiative (the ‘Initiative’) should support these aims by bridging the gap between Europe’s advanced research and innovation capabilities and their sustainable industrial exploitation. It should promote capacity building to enable design, production and systems integration in next generation semiconductor technologies, enhance collaboration among key players across the Union, strengthening Europe's semiconductor supply and value chains, serving key industrial sectors and creating new markets.
Amendment 177 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) In order to achieve its general objective, and address both the supply and demand side challenges of the current semiconductor ecosystem, the Initiative should include five main components. First, to reinforce Europe’s design capacity, the Initiative should support actions to build a virtual platform that is available across the Union. The platform should connect the communities of design houses, SMEs and start-ups, intellectual property and tool suppliers, with research and technology organisations to provide virtual prototype solutions based on co- development of technology. Second, in order to strengthen the security and resilience of supply and reducing the Union’s dependency on third country production, the Initiative should support development and access to pilot lines. The pilot lines should provide for the industry a facility to test, experiment and validate semiconductor technologies and system design concepts at the higher technology readiness levels beyond level 3 but under level 8 while reducing environmental impacts as much as possible. Union investments along Member States investment and with the private sector in pilot lines is necessary to address the existing structural challenge and market failure where such facilities are not available in the Union hindering innovation potential and global competitiveness of the Union. Third, in order to enable investments in alternative technologies, such as quantum technologies, conducive to the development of the semiconductors sector, the Initiative should support actions including on design libraries for quantum chips, pilot lines for building quantum chips and testing and experimentation facilities for quantum components. Fourth, in order to promote the use of the semiconductor technologies, to provide access to design and pilot line facilities, and to address skills gaps across the Union, the Initiative should support establishment of the competence centres on semiconductors in each Member State, by enhancing existing centres or creating new facilities. Access to publicly funded infrastructure, such as pilot and testing facilities, and to the competence network, should be open to a wide range of users and must be granted on a transparent and non-discriminatory basis and on market terms (or cost plus reasonable margin basis) for large undertakings, while SMEs can benefit from preferential access or reduced prices. Such access, including for international research and commercial partners, can lead to broader cross- fertilisation and gains in know-how and excellence, while contributing to cost recovery. Fifth, The Commission should set-up a dedicated semiconductor investment facility support (as part of the investment facilitation activities described collectively as the ‘Chips Fund’) proposing both equity and debt solutions, including a blending facility under the InvestEU Fund established by Regulation (EU) 2021/523 of the European Parliament and Council53 , in close cooperation with the European Investment Bank Group and together with other implementing partners such as national promotional banks and institutions. The ‘Chips Fund’ activities should support the development of a dynamic and resilient semiconductor ecosystem by providing opportunities for increased availability of funds to support the growth of start-ups and SMEs as well as investments across the value chain, including for other companies in the semiconductor value chains. In this context, the European Innovation Council will provide further dedicated support through grants and equity investments to high risk, market creating innovators. _________________ 53 Regulation (EU) 2021/523 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 March 2021 establishing the InvestEU Programme and amending Regulation (EU) 2015/1017 (OJ L 107, 26.3.2021, p. 30).
Amendment 191 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) With a view to accelerating implementation of the actions of the Initiative, it is necessary to provide an option of implementing some of the Initiative actions, in particular on pilot lines, through a new legal instrument, the European Chips Infrastructure Consortium (ECIC). The ECIC should have legal personality. This means that when applying for the actions to be funded by the Initiative, the ECIC itself, and not individual entities forming the ECIC, can be the applicant. The main aim of the ECIC should be to encourage effective and structural collaboration between legal entities, including Research and Technology Organizations. For this reason, the ECIC has to involve the participation of at least three legal entities from three Member States and be operated as a public- private sector consortium for a specific action. The setting up of ECIC should not involve the actual setting up of a new Union body and should not be targeted at one specific action under the Initiative. It should address the gap in the Union’s toolbox to combine funding from Member States, the Union budget and private investment for the purposes of implementing actions of the Initiative. In particular, strong synergies can be attained through combined development of the different pilot lines in an ECIC, pooling the Union’s contribution with the collective resources of the Member States and other participants. The budget of the ECIC that would be made available by Member States and private sector participants over its projected period of operation should respect the timeframes of the actions implemented under this Initiative. The Commission should not be directly a party in the Consortium. With a view to ensure better involvement of all industrial players in these private-public partnerships, ECICs should seek to have a diverse composition, including the participation of small and medium sized companies.
Amendment 194 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
(16 a) With a view to facilitating the SMEs efforts to innovate and grow and to support the Union’s strategic autonomy, the Commission should continue to reinforce the Enterprise Europe Network.
Amendment 201 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) Integrated Production Facilities and Open EU Foundries should provide semiconductor manufacturing capabilities that are “first-of-a-kind” in the Union and contribute to the security of supply and to athe resilientce of the semiconductor ecosystem in the internal market. The qualifying factor for the production of a first-of-a-kind facility“first-of-a-kind” is to bring an innovative element to the internal market regarding the manufacturing processes or the final product. Relevant innovation elements could be with regard to the technology node, or substrate material, such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride, and other product innovation that can offer better performance, process technology or energy and environmental performance. A facility of a comparable capability on an industrial scaleor approaches that can lead to performance, improvements in computing power, energy efficiency, level of security, safety or reliability, as well as integration of new functionalities, such as AI, memory capacity or other. Integration of different processes leading to efficiency gains or packaging and assembly automation are also examples of innovation. With regard to environmental gains, innovation elements include the reduction in a quantifiable way of the amount of energy, water or chemicals used, or increasing recyclability of materials. Such innovation should not yet substantively be present or committed to be built within the Union, excludingso that similar innovation provided by facilities for research and development or small- scale production sites. would not crowd out qualifying as “first-of-a-kind”.
Amendment 208 #
2022/0032(COD)
(21) In order to qualify as Integrated Production Facilities or Open EU Foundries, the establishment and operation of the facility should have a clear positive impact on the Union's economy, as well as on the semiconductor value chain in the Union, in particular with regard to providing a resilient supply of semiconductors to users on the internal market. The operation of the facility should increase the security of and the resilience of the semiconductor ecosystem and should contribute significantly to the creation of decent and sustainable quality jobs, increased qualified workforce and the objectives of the Union’s green and digital transition. The impact on several Member States, including cohesion objectives, should be considered as one of the indicators of a clear positive impact of an Integrated Production Facility and Open EU Foundry on the semiconductor value chain in the Union.
Amendment 212 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) In order to qualify as Integrated Production Facilities or Open EU Foundries, the establishment and operation of the facility should have a clear positive impact on the semiconductor value chain in the Union, in particular with regard to providing a resilient supply of semiconductors to users on the internal market. The impact on several Member States, including cohesion objectives, should be considered as one of the particularly important indicators of a clear positive impact of an Integrated Production Facility and Open EU Foundry on the semiconductor value chain in the Union.
Amendment 215 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) In light of the fast development of semiconductor technologies and to strengthen the future industrial competitiveness of the Union, Integrated Production Facilities and Open EU Foundries should commit to continued and efficient investment into the existing and next generations of semiconductors, including by testing and experimenting new developments through priority access to the pilot lines set up by the Chips for Europe Initiative, without prejudice to effective access by others. The Union's semiconductor ecosystem should be fairly developed across every Member State, including islands and peripheral regions, which have more difficulties in attracting funds as well investments.
Amendment 259 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
Recital 35
(35) As part of the monitoring, national competent authorities should also do a mapping of key undertakings operating in the Union along the semiconductor supply chain established in their national territory and notify this information to the Commission.
Amendment 280 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 44
Recital 44
(44) Close cooperation between the Commission and the Member States and relevant industrial stakeholders, representing both the semiconductors sector and critical sectors where semiconductors are used, for coordination of any national measures taken with regard to the semiconductor supply chain is indispensable during the crisis stage with a view to addressing disruptions with the necessary coherence, resiliency and effectiveness, while ensuring the confidentiality of information and data obtained in carrying out these tasks. To this end, the European Semiconductor Board should hold extraordinary meetings as necessary. Any measures taken should be strictly limited to the duration period of the crisis stage.
Amendment 312 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 52 a (new)
Recital 52 a (new)
(52 a) The decision to impose an obligation to prioritise the production of certain products should not negatively affect the competitiveness of undertakings operating on the internal market. In this respect, special consideration should be given to the importance of trust in commercial relations as well as to business services reliability.
Amendment 334 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) setting the criteria to recognise and to support first-of-a-kind or of a common interest Integrated Production Facilities and Open EU Foundries that foster the security of supply of semiconductorand the resilience of the semiconductor ecosystems and deployment of novel and innovative semiconductor technologies in the Union;
Amendment 335 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) setting the criteria to recognise and to support first-of-a-kind Integrated Production Facilities and Open EU Foundries that foster the security of supply of semiconductors and the deployment of novel and innovative semiconductor technologies in the Union;
Amendment 338 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) setting up a coordination mechanism between the Member States and the Commission, the Commission and the actors in the semiconductor value chain, for mapping the semiconductor value chain and for monitoring the supply of semiconductors and crisis prevention and response to semiconductor shortages, including support for manufacturing and supply of existing technology semiconductors which are used in critical infrastructures.
Amendment 346 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10
(10) ‘first-of-a-kind facility’ means an industrial facility capable of semiconductor manufacturing, including front-end or back-end, or both semiconductor manufacturing facility, including front-end or back-end, or both, capable of manufacturing materials or passive components or equipment specifically used in semiconductor manufacturing or process improvements in terms of efficiency and innovation, with regard to the manufacturing process or final product, that is not yet substantively already present or committed to be built within the Union, for instance with regard to the technology node, substrate material, such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride, and other product innovation that can offer better performance, process innovation or energy and environmental performance. This includes, but is not limited to, innovation that concerns performance, improvements in computing power or in the level of security, safety or reliability, or in energy and environmental performance, or in the use of a new technology node or processing of raw and substrate material, contributing to the security of chips supply in the internal and export markets or un the implementation of production processes that lead to efficiency or competitiveness gains;
Amendment 365 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13
(13) ‘back-end’ means the packaging, assembly and test of each individual integrated circuibonding, assembly and packaging, as well as the functional and quality test of each individual component coming out from the manufacturing of the semiconductor product;
Amendment 378 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 16
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 16
(16) ‘critical sector’ means any sector referred to in the Annex of the Commission proposal for a Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the resilience of critical entities, the defence sector and other activitiesectors that are relevant for the public health, safety and security;
Amendment 391 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The Initiative, amongst others, shall be supported by funding from the Horizon Europe programme and the Digital Europe programme, and in particular Specific Objective 6 thereof, for a maximum indicative amount of EUR 1.65 billion and EUR 1.65 billion respectively. This funding shall be implemented in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 2021/695 and Regulation (EU) No 2021/694.
Amendment 392 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs) in the area of semiconductors can be co-financed through the Chips Act.
Amendment 395 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of the Initiative is to support large-scale technological capacity building and research and innovation throughout the Union’s semiconductor value chain to enable development and deployment of cutting- edge and next generation semiconductor and quantumsemiconductor technologies for quantum chips that will reinforce the Union advanced design, systems integration and chips production capabilities, as well as it shall also contribute to the achievement of the twin digital and green transitions, improve quality employment, strengthen the sustainability circular economy processes and address security needs and cybersecurity threats.
Amendment 448 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) consist of at least three legal entities from at least three Member States and be operated as a public-private sector consortium with the participation of the Member States, and private legal entities;, with the participation of SMEs.
Amendment 458 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – point f a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – point f a (new)
(f a) the composition of the ECIC with regard to facilitating contributions of SMEs.
Amendment 487 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. Integrated Production Facilities are first-of-a-kind semiconductor design and manufacturing facilities, including front- end or back-end, or both, in the Union that contribute to the security of supply forand the resilience of the semiconductor ecosystem within the internal market.
Amendment 490 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) it qualifies as a first-of-a-kind facility or as a facility of common interest;
Amendment 498 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(b a) its establishment and operations strengthen the semiconductor value chains in the Union as a whole, fulfilling the investment spill-over principle, while creating a level playing field for the Member States’ economic and scientific potential, especially with regards to peripheral, remote and insular regions, which face additional challenges.
Amendment 520 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) it qualifies as a first-of-a-kind facility or as a facility of common interest;
Amendment 525 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) its establishment and operation have a clear positive impact on the Union's economy of the and on the Union’s semiconductor value chain with regard to ensuring the security of supply, improving quality employment and increasing qualified workforce, taking into account in particular the extent to which it offers front-end or back-end, or both, production capacity to undertakings not related to the facility, if there is sufficient demand;
Amendment 529 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(b a) its establishment and operations strengthen the semiconductor value chains in the Union as a whole, fulfilling the investment spill-over principle, while creating a level playing field for the Member States’ economic and scientific potential, especially with regards to peripheral, remote and insular regions, facing additional challenges;
Amendment 577 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEIs) in the area of semiconductors can be co-financed through the Chips Act.
Amendment 615 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3
Article 15 – paragraph 3
3. National competent authorities designated pursuant to Article 26(1) may request information from representative organisations of key undertakings or individual undertakings operating along the semiconductor supply chain where necessary and proportionate for the purpose of paragraph 1. National competent authorities in such case will pay particular attention to SMEs to minimise administrative burden resulting from the request and will privilege digital solutions for obtaining such information. Any information obtained pursuant to this paragraph shall be treated in compliance with the confidentiality obligations set out in Article 27.
Amendment 685 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1
Article 20 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall, after consulting the European Semiconductor Board, request representative organisations of key undertakings or, if necessary, individual undertakings operating along the semiconductor supply chain to inform the Commission about their production capabilities, production capacities, current primary disruptions and provide other existing data necessary to assess the nature of the semiconductor crisis or to identify and assess potential mitigation or emergency measures at national or Union level. The Commission shall limit the collection of sensitive and business confidential data to what is directly relevant and necessary for the assessment of the nature of the semiconductor crisis or the potential mitigation or emergency measures at national or Union level.
Amendment 692 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2
Article 20 – paragraph 2
2. The request for information shall state its legal basis, be proportionate in terms of the granularity and volume of the data and frequency of access to the data requested, have regard for the legitimate aims of the undertaking and the cost and effort required to make the data available, and set out the time limit within which the information is to be provided. It shall also indicate the penalties provided for in Article 28. If the request for information is addressed to SMEs, its relevance for the wider Union supply chain shall be taken into account.
Amendment 788 #
2022/0032(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 28 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) impose fines, where a representative organisations of undertakings or an undertaking, intentionally or through gross negligence, supplies incorrect, incomplete or misleading information in response to a request made pursuant to Article 20, or does not supply the information within the prescribed time limit;, and without giving a justified rationale as to why the information was not provided in time.
Amendment 18 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas the MFF, coupled with NGEU, constitute the largest stimulus package ever financed in the EU and will help rebuild a greener, more digital and more resilient post-COVID-19 EU;
Amendment 19 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
C b. whereas the new cohesion policy presents an unprecedented opportunity for Member States to boost digitalisation as it requires them to allocate minimum amounts to the digital transition and to ensure that certain conditions are in place to receive such funding;
Amendment 23 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas 10% of households in rural areas are not covered by any fixed network and 41% by any fast broadband technology; whereas, besides poor ICT connectivity, rural and peripheral areas often face other structural challenges such as lack of infrastructure and services, low incomes or a lack of education and cultural assets, which cause highly skilled people to move to more promising areas (brain drain)1a; _________________ 1a https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/ docs_autres_institutions/commission_eur opeenne/swd/2020/0111/COM_SWD(2020 )0111_EN.pdf
Amendment 25 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
D b. whereas only 17% of SMEs have successfully integrated digital technologies into their businesses, compared to 54% of large companies; whereas some industries and traditional sectors such as construction, agrifood, textiles or steel are lagging behind in their digital transformation1a; _________________ 1a https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/ etudes/BRIE/2019/633171/EPRS_BRI(20 19)633171_EN.pdf
Amendment 30 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas to contribute to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights, the ESF+ should support investments in people and systems in the areas of employment, education and social inclusion, thereby supporting economic, territorial and social cohesion in accordance with Article 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU);
Amendment 35 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas although the European Skills Agenda set the objective of having 70 % of the EU’s adult population possess at least basic digital skills by 2025, 42 % of the EU population still does not have basic digital skills and 37 % of workers still lack sufficient digital skills according to the Commission; whereas severe geographical disparities in people’s ICT skills still exist; whereas women across Europe are less likely to have specialist digital skills and work in areas related to ICT; whereas less than 25% of enterprises in the EU 27 provided ICT training to their personnel in 2019, with significant differences between Member States1a; _________________ 1a https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/sites/jrcsh/files/jrc 120945_policy_brief_- _covid_and_telework_final.pdf
Amendment 49 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Reminds that ERDF-CF support under PO 1 is available to Member States to make investments in innovation in line with the concept of smart specialisation; calls on national and regional authorities.to upgrade their approach to smart specialisation by focusing on the most promising areas and projects in terms of innovation opportunities and sustainable development;
Amendment 51 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Emphasises the importance of the ‘smart villages’ concept in tackling the Union’s digital and climate-related challenges and welcomes its integration into the future CAP, cohesion and regional policies; insists that Member States include the smart villages approach in their cohesion policy programmes at national and regional level;
Amendment 52 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Reminds that, under the ERDF- CF regulation, Member States are required to allocate at least 8% of their resources to the investment for jobs and growth to achieve sustainable urban development; notes, in this regard, that the regulation states that special attention shall be given to tackling environmental and climate changes and to harnessing the potential of digital technologies for innovation purposes, allowing for regional authorities to focus funding in the area of sustainable urban development; deplores that a similar allocation for rural areas could not be established yet;
Amendment 56 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Stresses the importance of ensuring consistency between the numerous EU initiatives and programmes tackling digitalisation, as well as synergies between them and cohesion policy instruments, so as to maximise the opportunities in this area;
Amendment 57 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Notes that an effective mobility system is one of the prerequisites for regional economic development, territorial cohesion and the development of regional potential; points out that it is therefore necessary to provide the requisite funding for the development and maintenance of transport links, which could encourage the older generation to stay in agriculture for longer and attract young people from regional centres to work in rural areas;
Amendment 59 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Amendment 60 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 d (new)
Paragraph 4 d (new)
4 d. Underlines the need to support the development of digital solutions not only for climate prevention (e.g. reduction of GHG emissions through digital resource efficiency and smart innovation) but also for climate adaptation, as well as the development of digital warning tools and apps to reduce for citizens the negative effects of natural disasters (e.g. floods, mudslides, heat waves, forest fires etc.);
Amendment 65 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Amendment 72 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Notes with great interest the Commission’s Digital Compass to translate the EU’s digital ambitions for 2030 into concrete targets along three main sectors: digital infrastructures, digital transformation of business, and digitalisation of public services; asks the Commission to regularly report on the progress made in these four areas;
Amendment 73 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Is convinced that digitalisation represents an opportunity to improve quality of life and promote education opportunities, job creation, innovation and better accessibility to public services in rural and lagging regions, thus contributing to revers depopulation trends and brain drain;
Amendment 83 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Urges the Member States to use the financial resources available through both the ERDF-CF and the NextGenerationEU recovery instrument to the fullest extent possible to give regions that are lagging behind the targeted support that they need to overcome the digital divide; draws attention to the risk of increasing disparities by failing to properly support the most vulnerable areas, which often have a weaker capacity to plan and spend the funds effectively, even though they have the strongest needs;
Amendment 97 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Underlines the challenges peripheral regions, including European islands, are facing in terms of digital connectivity; considers such connectivity to be one of the most essential pillars of any strategy on European islands; calls for further action to make the digital transition inclusive for all local communities;
Amendment 98 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes with concern that the expanded use of digital solutions and TICTM as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated the pre-existing inequalities caused by digital divides across population groups; stresses, however, that digitalisation has the potential to benefit vulnerable groups; draws attention to the fact that the digitally excluded face dual exclusion as the digital exclusion may lead to difficulties of access to education opportunities, the labour market or essential public services;
Amendment 104 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Stresses that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of digital solutions, particularly teleworking; urges the Commission to present a directive on minimum standards and conditions for fair teleworking, to protect the health and safety of workers and to ensure decent working conditions, including its voluntary nature, respect for working hours, leave, work-life balance and other digital rights at work such as the right to disconnect, the protection of worker’s privacy, including through remote monitoring or any other tracking, and the prohibition of microchip implants on workers and of the use of artificial intelligence in recruitment processes, while taking into consideration the European Social Partners Framework Agreement on Digitalisation;
Amendment 116 #
2021/2101(INI)
12 a. Urges the Commission and the Member States to move faster forward on the digitalisation of public services including schools, universities and research institutes, public transport, e- government and efficient administration;
Amendment 118 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the rise of e-health solutions; highlights the need to empower patients, especially the elderly and socially disadvantaged citizens, to use digital health services as well as to tackle the e- skills gap among health professionals; warns that some people, such as the elderly or socially disadvantaged, who may be less able to use or afford the necessary technologies, may be left behind;
Amendment 122 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Acknowledges that fair, socially sustainable work, and real employee participation in shaping working conditions are more important than ever, in digital platforms as in all other sectors, and that workers must have democratic influence over the governance of work; underlines that the benefits of digitalisation must be shared broadly and equitably, and that workers in the digital sector must enjoy the same rights and working conditions as those in other sectors; calls on the Commission to propose a directive on decent working conditions and rights in the digital economy;
Amendment 129 #
2021/2101(INI)
14 a. Regrets the fact that the vast majority of SMEs in the EU have not yet fully embraced digital transformation; calls for the Commission to ensure that Member states in their operational programmes target SMEs located in areas with lower digital development; reminds that that different types of SMEs require different types of support and incentives at EU, national, regional and local levels, depending on their circumstances and level of technology adoption;
Amendment 132 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14 b. Reminds that the Digital Europe Programme Regulation establishes that the synergies between this programme and the ERDF-CF need to contribute to the development and strengthening of regional and local innovation ecosystems, industrial transformation and digital transformation of society and public administrations;
Amendment 133 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14 c. Highlights the Court of Auditors' view on ERDF-CF that SMEs deliver innovative solutions to challenges such as climate change, resource efficiency and social cohesion, and help to spread this innovation throughout Europe’s regions; which makes them essential to the EU’s transition to a sustainable and digital economy;
Amendment 139 #
2021/2101(INI)
15 a. Notes with concern the rising cybersecurity threat for SMEs and public administration and calls on stronger efforts in providing support against hacking and similar risks;
Amendment 141 #
2021/2101(INI)
16. Stresses the need to fill the digital skills gaps across the EU so that all individuals and businesses can make the most of the digital transformation; calls for the progressive implementation of the Commission’s Digital Education Action Plan 2021-2027 for promoting better digitalisation skills, which would guarantee relevant education, training and job opportunities, including for entrepreneurship, for everyone;
Amendment 145 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes a critical digital skills divide between adults residing in rural areas and those living in cities; notes, furthermore, the disproportionate prevalence of TICTM among city-based, well-educated, service sector employees with strong digital skills; observes the lack of opportunities to acquire digital skills in rural areas; urges the Member States and the Commission to adopt measures to offset this imbalance;
Amendment 152 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Notes that the ESF+, under policy objective 4 (PO 4),includes a specific objective which covers digital skills, inclusiveness and training systems, including through validation of non- formal and informal learning;
Amendment 153 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18 b. Encourages the Commission to reinforce its efforts to tackle the digital skills gaps by reaching out to all stakeholders through the Digital Skills and Jobs Coalition;
Amendment 155 #
2021/2101(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Welcomes the Just Transition Fund (JTF) and its focus on training and skills, its possibility to invest in social infrastructure such as training centers for better job opportunities and quality employment for all regions in transition to a climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest and underlines that a special focus should be put forward regarding digital skills; calls in this regard to evaluate the needs and possibility for a JTF 2.0 to tackle the current challenges;
Amendment 4 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
— having regard to the Committee on Regional Development’s study “Islands of the European Union: State of play and future challenges” (March 2021),
Amendment 5 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 b (new)
Citation 10 b (new)
— having regard to the Committee on Regional Development’s study “Cohesion Policy and Climate Change” (March 2021),
Amendment 10 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas three Member States of the European Union are islands;
Amendment 12 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas islands often suffer from a combination of multiple and permanent structural handicaps, such as small size, lowchallenges related to population density, small market, double insularity (island and archipelago), difficult topography very similar to mountainous regions, a dependence on maritime and air transport or a dependence on a small number of products;
Amendment 14 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the specific characteristics of islands are recognised by Article 174 TFEU and whereas they, whereas the European Union still misses a concrete application of this article with specific regard to its insular territories and whereas the specific characteristics of islands should be taken into account in EU policies, in particular by drawing up a dedicated strategy and a European action plan;
Amendment 21 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the long-term social, economic, environmental and cultural consequences of the COVID-19 crisis on the island territories of the Union are of particular concern, and whereas Europe’s recovery must not create further regional disparitieseveral European islands are home to communities with their linguistic heritage, culture and traditions; whereas this diversity should be further promoted and valorised, including in educational settings;
Amendment 27 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J a (new)
Recital J a (new)
J a. whereas, in many islands, inland areas lag behind coastal regions in terms of economic development and service accessibility;
Amendment 32 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas the outermost regions and islands are particularly at risk from natural disasters, such as volcanic eruptions, forest fires and storms, storms as well as other risks such as floods, desertification and drought, which can have negative effects on agriculture and food supply;
Amendment 35 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Recognises insularity as a permanent structural handicap;
Amendment 37 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that Articles 174 and 349 TFEU recognise insularity as a permanent structural handicap and TFEU stipulates that the Union must pay particular attention to these region, among others, European islands;
Amendment 41 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Recalls that Article 349 TFEU includes insularity among the conditions restraining the development of the outermost regions;
Amendment 42 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Underlines that European islands, while facing common challenges, have various geographical features and institutional setups,which make it crucial to adopt flexible solutions that take into account these specificities;
Amendment 46 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that insularity creates structural problems of dependence on maritime and air transport, with additional costs for importing and exporting goods, as well as for passenger transport; highlights that these structural issues leave islands’ citizens and businesses more exposed to rising prices; stresses that, in the case of archipelagos, these difficulties are multiplied by a double insularity;
Amendment 52 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Highlights the deficit in terms of population, raw materials and resources of all kinds, and notes that in many islands access to drinking water is a central issue in people’s lives, the sustainability of the island and its tourism carrying capacity; stresses the importance of spatial planning focusing on effective and efficient land utilisation;
Amendment 55 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that isolation owing to insularity means a dependence on the mainland’s and continental areas’ markets and increases the cost of certain services, such as waste management as well as of certain goods, especially with reference to small islands highly dependent on imports;
Amendment 65 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes with concern the long-term effects of the COVID-19 crisispandemic, which is exacerbating an already precarious situation for EU islands in many areas;
Amendment 74 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 3
Subheading 3
Environment and, energy autonomy, research and innovation
Amendment 78 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that many islands have a fragile environment and endemic marine and terrestrial biodiversity, and that the development of tourism, in particular on certain Mediterranean islands, is further increasing the anthropic pressure; calls for a strengthening of biodiversity protection capacities, the promotion of sustainable tourism, sustainable fisheries and seabed research; calls on the Commission to assess the impact of climate change on islands;
Amendment 81 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recalls that islands are on the front line of climate change, particularly with rising water levels and the warming of seas and oceans; notes with concern the risks associated with overfishing and marine and coastal pollution; calls, in the context of the Paris Agreement and the European Green Deal, including the Climate Law, for specific support for islands to combat and adapt to climate change;
Amendment 83 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Considers that islands can represent a formidable laboratory for sustainability practices in sectors such as clean energy, circular economy, smart mobility, waste management and blue economy;
Amendment 89 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses the increasingly precarious condition of all islands in terms of their environmental assets, particularly water resources; calls, in this context, on the Commission to adopt a common water management policy for islands; recalls also the challenges connected with waste management in island territories ands well as the strategic role of the circular economy and its potential in reducing marine litter;
Amendment 90 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Underlines the necessity and opportunities arising from the ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package; is however of the opinion that the concrete implementation of these legislative measures should go hand in hand with the promotion of the economic, social and territorial cohesion; since islands solely rely on the aviation and maritime transport;
Amendment 94 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls for specific rules and financial support to help islands achieve climate neutrality goals, taking into account the additional costs linvolved andked to sectors such as energy and transport as well as the impact of mobile technologies on their energy systems; calls for these costs to be taken into account in the ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package;
Amendment 96 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Calls for concrete compensatory measures that offset any possible negative consequence on islands’ economic, social and territorial cohesion in the process to transit to a cleaner economy and society, due to their dependence on the aviation and the maritime sector;
Amendment 99 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Considers the use of renewable energy to be a priority and believes it could bring substantial benefits to islands and the strengthening of their energy autonomy; calls, therefore, for the development of a wide range of renewable energy sources to be supported according to their geographical features; welcomes the green hydrogen programmes which islands have launched;
Amendment 104 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls for renewables-based energy autonomy to be established as a target for all European islands; calls for additional research to make offshore renewables more affordable and fit for the geographical features of the different sea basins;
Amendment 107 #
2021/2079(INI)
15 a. Recalls that a successful environmental transition for islands also depends on robust research and innovation policies at the local level; encourages the collaboration among local authorities, research institutions and enterprises such as the initiatives within the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and its Knowledge and Innovation Communities (KICs); promotes a wider uptake of research facilities in insular territories;
Amendment 109 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Amendment 118 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Calls for urgent measures to counteract the depopulation of islands as well as brain and skill drain and to improve quality of life, support local businesses and protect jobs and address ageing population; calls also for the development of professional training and employment establishments for island inhabitants to be promoted;
Amendment 125 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Calls for actions aiming at bridging the economic gap between inland areas and coastal regions, that very often persists in insular territories;
Amendment 141 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Is of the opinion that fully unleashing the potential of the green and blue sector will also help to enhance islands' positioning as sustainable destinations; calls for additional support measures to unleash such potential; calls specifically for action on sustainable tourism through EU funds and programmes;
Amendment 143 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Believes that culture and development of the cultural sector in islands are fundamental; considers that islands’ cultural and linguistic identities should be protected and promoted, including in educational settings, as they contribute to their enhancement on many levels;
Amendment 151 #
2021/2079(INI)
Access to public services, entrepreneurship and digitalisation
Amendment 156 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for the development of sustainable transport in island countries and regions to be fostered, and for support for the modernisation and greening of port infrastructure while ensuring a socially just transition;
Amendment 160 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses the need to ensure the territorial continuity of all islands through maritime and air transport and to ensure the safety and suitability of land bridges and road links; calls on the Commission to ensure that the 2021-2023 work programme of the Connecting Europe Facility contributes to the territorial accessibility of islands and the development of sustainable transport;
Amendment 166 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Stresses, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 crisispandemic, the importance of improving the public health infrastructure on European islands and the access to medicines;
Amendment 167 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Considers digitalisation a crucial instrument to contribute to overcoming the geographical disadvantage of insularity; welcomes the Commission initiatives on the Digital Decade;
Amendment 169 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls for priority to be afforded to equipping islands with digital technologies,Underlines that digital connectivity for islands is an utmost priority in particular so as to enhance the provision of education and training services as well as e-health and other essential government services for citizens and businesses;
Amendment 173 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Is of the opinion that the uptake of ICT in European islands can also be beneficial to the digitalisation of small and medium enterprises, with positive effects on their business strategy as well as on their operations;
Amendment 175 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24 b. Believes that, especially in small islands, it is difficult for SMEs to easily access all the information referring to the promotion of entrepreneurship, to skills development and EU-funded opportunities; calls for stronger financial support in this regard as well as the provision of enhanced information sessions, advisory services and tailor- made training;
Amendment 180 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Stresses that the lack of statistical data on islands, including gender- disaggregated data, is hindering the development of targeted policies; calls on the Commission to set up a European Institute for Disadvantaged Territories to collect data at all administrative levels;
Amendment 184 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on the Commission to take note of the studies already produced by island regions concerning the additional costs associated with insularity, and to establish interdisciplinary analyses covering the demographic, geographical and economic characteristics of island territories so as to ensure that these regions will not suffer from any competitive disadvantage linked to their geographical condition;
Amendment 188 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Amendment 191 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27 b. Supports the partnerships among European islands as an effective way to share best practices, cope with common challenges and implement solutions that are beneficial for citizens and businesses; calls on the European Commission to further facilitate these partnerships;
Amendment 192 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 8
Subheading 8
Re-assessment of State aid schemes and measures to reduce the development deficit
Amendment 194 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Calls on the Commission to produce an analysis of the volume of state aid granted to undertakings based in island regions; considers it imperative, despite the efforts made by the EU and the Member States, to determine whether and to what extent undertakings located in island territories have benefited from such measures and to re-assess state rules accordingly;
Amendment 195 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls for any future revision of the legislative framework on state aid to be subject to impact assessments based on specific indicators to assess the lagging competitiveness of island region economies, also vis-à-vis the consequences of the Fit for 55 Package on these territories, and to design a specific degressive scheme for island territories when the extraordinary measures provided for under the State Aid Temporary Framework end after 31 December 2021;
Amendment 203 #
2021/2079(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Calls on the Commission to undertake a dynamic assessment of Article 174 TFEU and to build on that article to create a European strategy for islands, based on this report, that takes into account the specific features of each of the EU’s sea basins; calls on the Commission to carry out a study on the diverse situations of island territories and to consider a strategy for islands with tangible proposals;
Amendment 16 #
2021/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 12 a (new)
Citation 12 a (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 21 January 2021 on access to decent and affordable housing for all 2a, _________________ 2a Text adopted,P9_TA(2021)0020.
Amendment 36 #
2021/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas the access to social housing is a principle recognised by the European Pillar of Social Rights and the long-term renovation strategies should adequately support the energy performance of this portion of the European housing’s stock;
Amendment 40 #
2021/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
E b. whereas in 2019 6 % of EU households were notable to pay their utility bills; whereas buildings’ energy inefficiency has direct consequences on energy poverty;
Amendment 81 #
2021/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Highlights the importance of sustainability, life-cycle approach and circularity in material use and resource consumption of a building’s lifecycle, from material extraction, construction and use, to end of use and demolition, including renewable and sustainable nature-based materials such as wood; notes that further research into low-carbon materials is required as well as for low carbon processes;
Amendment 97 #
2021/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Highlights that ambitious goals for staged and deep renovation of the existing building stock will create millions of local, non-outsourceable jobs, in particular in small and medium-sized enterprises, and provide clean and affordable energy to consumers; linking building renovation with economic recovery after the COVID- 19 crisis is therefore a major opportunity for Members States to reduce GHG, create jobs and secure better quality living; encourage Member States to use this opportunity to link building renovation with economic recovery;
Amendment 107 #
2021/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Believes that the principle of cost neutrality can help lift millions of people out of energy poverty and reduce energy bills; policy measures must prioritise the most energy-poor buildings in order to decrease energy poverty; believes that the right level of incentives to lower down renovation costs for specific target groups and sectors could be considered; however the renovations may also increase rent levels and consequently force low- and middle-income families living in rented accommodation to move from their homes; Member States should in their LTRS consider themodels that support cost neutrality so that rent increases are balanced by energy-savings;
Amendment 114 #
2021/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Calls on the Commission to set up specific measures for Member States and local and regional authorities to ensure the right financing instruments and incentives are available for people to be able to carry out renovations;
Amendment 119 #
2021/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Large-scale renovations can have a significant impact on the local communities and on specific habitants whose homes will undergo renovation; citizens engagement in the green transition and the renovations of buildings is key to its success; furthermore inclusion of experts and public expertise can help to improve the implementation; calls on the Members States to provide sufficient and detailed information throughout the LTRSs on the public consultation process according to the relevant requirements in the EPBD;
Amendment 122 #
2021/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14 b. Recalls that LTRS must quantify the wider benefits of renovations like health, safety, thermal comfort and air quality, as important elements of indoor environment climate; not prioritising the quantification of the wider benefits does not give an accurate overview of the value added of renovations and hardens the opportunity to assess and further improve these factors;
Amendment 124 #
2021/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14 c. Welcomes that the Commission in its analysis of the LTRS highlights Members States’ best practices; encourage the Commission to further disseminate best practices;
Amendment 131 #
2021/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Recommends a strong focus on social housing stock in the implementation of the EPBD;
Amendment 146 #
2021/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17 b. Calls on Member States to introduce measures preventing the domination of the private equity funds and financial actors that renovate buildings with the solely aim to benefit financially from higher rents making it less affordable for long-term residents;
Amendment 157 #
2021/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Calls on Member States to foster renovation that favours the energy system integration of renewables in buildings, such as installation of e-vehicle charging infrastructure, thermal storage and connection to smart grids and document the progress in their LTRS as well as best practices should be shared;
Amendment 179 #
2021/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Calls on the Member States to be specific in their initiatives on mobilisation of investments and uptake of smart technology and well-connected communities;
Amendment 197 #
2021/2077(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Recalls its demand for the next revision to evaluate the need to review the charging infrastructure requirements in the EPBD, as well as include an integrated, systematic and circular approach for both urban and rural developments; call for an ambitious framework to help to simplify and accelerate the deployment of charging points in new and existing residential and non-residential buildings, and address possible regulatory barriers;
Amendment 40 #
2021/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
D b. whereas the digital divide is horizontal and intersectional, covering gender gap, generational gap and social gap, and has been exacerbated during the Covid 19 pandemic;
Amendment 41 #
2021/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
D c. whereas many houses and educational institutions lack access to adequate, up to date digital equipment;
Amendment 72 #
2021/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines that overconcentration of the population in certain urban areas has already led to repercussions such as traffic congestion, the growing challenge of affordable housing, pollution, a deterioration in quality of life, urban sprawl, and a significant risk of poverty and social exclusion for certain segments of the population;
Amendment 97 #
2021/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the role played by cities towards gender equality; underlines that action aimed atwelcomes the fact that in the 2021-2027 cohesion policy (Art. 6a CPR) bridginges the gender gap uander that cohesion policy should employ an intersectionprogrammes promote equal aopproach that also takes age, race and disabilities into consideration; stresses, moreover, that the beneficiaries of cohesion policy should not adopt any discriminatory policies, least of all against minorities, such as the LGBTI communityortunities for all, without discrimination on the basis of gender, racial or ethnic origin, such as Roma, religious or belief, disability, age or sex orientation, least of all against minorities, such as the LGBTI community, throughout their preparation, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation;
Amendment 108 #
2021/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Emphasises the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to spikes in domestic violence; calls on the Commission and the Member States towhen allocateing cohesion policy funding, as well as whend mobiliseing urban authorities, to address the global increase in gender-based violence;
Amendment 124 #
2021/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recognises that a synchronised strategy responding to both COVID-19 and, climate change mustand digital transition should be implemented to usher in an economic recovery that accelerates the sustainable transition;
Amendment 139 #
2021/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11 b. Highlights that local renewable energy communities should be empowered, in order to reduce energy consumption and decarbonisation of the energy systems and to enjoy the social benefits of a local energy market;
Amendment 176 #
2021/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses that digital literacy should be strengthened to expand access to new opportunities; considers that investment in education and training mustshould be boosted with comprehensive programmes for worker upskilling, reskilling and lifelong learning that respond to the shifts in demand for skills; calls for an action plaby the European Commission to advance women and girls in education and careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM);
Amendment 182 #
2021/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Recalls that digitalisation should go hand in hand not only with providing access to internet, but also availability to the necessary equipment;
Amendment 88 #
2021/2046(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas it is of paramount importance that the strategy pay particular attention to the impact new regulation can have on the economies and the social well-being of citizens from insular, rural, peripheral and outermost regions, especially those that rely on maritime and aviation as the sole means of connection to the continental platform; whereas connectivity and accessibility are an essential means in achieving socioeconomic and territorial cohesion and, therefore, transport affordability must be taken into consideration when devising new policies.
Amendment 278 #
2021/2046(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. notes the absence in the Commission’s strategy of a concrete action intended to support the EU shipbuilding and maritime technology sector, a sector not covered by trade defence instruments, which has been exposed to market distortions; highlights the importance the sector holds both as a provider of high quality jobs and as a key element for achieving shipping sustainability in accordance with the Green Deal Objectives;
Amendment 319 #
2021/2046(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Amendment 370 #
2021/2046(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Believes that shifting passenger transport from private vehicle use to the use of more sustainable a way as public transport and shared mobility plays an important role towards the goals of the Green Deal. Such a shift need to be achieved in a balance between environmental, economic feasibility, and social equity criteria for such transport solutions;
Amendment 455 #
2021/2046(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. welcomes the Commission’s intention to assess the need for measures on digital platforms; recognizes the urgency to assess the disruptive potential, both positive and negative, digital platforms in mobility can have on local populations and businesses; calls on the Commission to uphold the principles of fair competition and transparency to ensure a level playing field in the complex interaction between transport operators and private platforms.
Amendment 458 #
2021/2046(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Notes that, due to its ability to connect remote and rural areas in an affordable and sustainable manner, bus and coach transport contributes to a just transition as envisioned under the Green Deal and calls on the European Commission to fully integrate bus and coach transport in its approach to sustainable and smart mobility.
Amendment 493 #
2021/2046(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. takes note of the Commissions intention to review the intermodal transport framework; stresses the potential of Short Sea Shipping in contributing to the decarbonization of freight through the electrification of fleets and the uptake of alternative fuels; calls on the Commission, to assess and establish a strategy to boost the uptake of Short Sea Shipping in shifting freight from other modes.
Amendment 539 #
2021/2046(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. notes that an expansion of the EU ETS must be complemented by a climate neutral industrial strategy and concrete sectoral decarbonisation strategies that take into account regional specificities, in particular the risk of job losses; calls for compensatory mechanisms to offset any negative social and economic consequences new climate legislation may have on regions heavily dependent on certain transport modes.
Amendment 574 #
2021/2046(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Invites the Commission to review measures enacted through any other legislation in order to ensure that none of these measures contradict the targets set in Regulation establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council(European Climate Law) by increasing the environmental impact of any transport mode. The revision needs to promote sustainable transport from an environmental and social point of view through a broader application of the “user pays” and “polluter pays” principles.
Amendment 653 #
2021/2046(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Stresses to need avoid fragmentation and promote the development of interoperability standards for data in the sector to boost their uptake; underlines the need to create an environment of trust for data sharing in transport through the EU Mobility Data Space, fuelled by legal clarity rooted in clear contracts setting obligation and liability for data aggregators when it comes to accessing, storing, sharing and processing data and by the promotion of incentives to share with the objective of pooling vast amounts of data to be equally available, in particular for SMEs and other businesses that lack the resources to manage it.
Amendment 672 #
2021/2046(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. underlines, that developing a truly sustainable and smart mobility network across the EU will not be possible without a strong emphasis on Research and Innovation; calls on the commission to facilitate initiatives under Horizon Europe and the European Institute of Innovation and Technology to develop and improve transport technology through cooperation between all stakeholders;
Amendment 674 #
2021/2046(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. takes note of the Commissions objective of setting up high level group on mobility to develop a coherent EU approach for tests and trials of new technology and solutions; urges the Commission to promote and support the uptake and use of mobility technology consistently across European regions to fully achieve cross-border interoperability among transport modes.
Amendment 733 #
2021/2046(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. urges the Commission to continue its work in assessing mobility platform work and develop an EU rulebook to be applied by Member States, which sets minimum standards for platform workers, guaranteeing the respect of workers' rights and avoid precarious contracts.
Amendment 752 #
2021/2046(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Underlines the need to adjust related policies accordingly where necessary that regulates the working conditions, rights and access to social protection;
Amendment 755 #
2021/2046(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29b. Stresses that access to social protection should be equal for all workers, regardless of the type of their work – be it employment, self-employment, or micro entrepreneurship;
Amendment 765 #
2021/2046(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Calls for a roadmap at EU level to boost Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education and careers in the transport sector across universities, supporting students through scholarships, with a true gender dimension to close the gender gap at all levels of employment in the field; stresses the need to develop European mobility innovation programmes to develop EU solutions and technology which can contribute to a smart and sustainable mobility ecosystem;
Amendment 4 #
2021/2014(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas investments in road safety are a key element of the EU Strategic Action Plan on Road Safety; whereas the persistent high road fatality numbers suggest that more investment should be provided to guarantee road and user safety;
Amendment 26 #
2021/2014(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
F a. whereas the Sustainable Development Goals include Goal 11 which advocates to “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable”; whereas Goal 11 targets the need “to provide by 2030 access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons”;
Amendment 36 #
2021/2014(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Highlights that EU funding is crucial to invest in sustainable and smart road safety solutions and accelerate the delivery of road safety results across the EU; welcomes that CEF 2021-2027 foresees financing in safe and secure infrastructure and mobility projects, including road safety; calls on the Commission to safeguard and increase investment on road safety at EU level across all relevant EU financing programmes, including in research and innovation;
Amendment 45 #
2021/2014(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Calls on the Commission to propose a Decisión to dedícate a European Year for Road Safety as part of the 2021-2030 EU Road Safety Policy Framework;
Amendment 51 #
2021/2014(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Member States and the Commission to prioritise investments with the greatest benefit in terms of road safety, including investments in maintaining existing infrastructure and in the construction of new infrastructure, as well as in promoting active modes such as walking and cycling; welcomes, in this regard, the launch of the Safer Transport Platform initiative and calls on all interested parties to consider its use;
Amendment 103 #
2021/2014(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Notes that new personal mobility devices also raise a number of serious concerns related not only to the safety of the devices themselves, but also to their safe use in traffic; regrets that only a few Member States have introduced legislation on this issue and that the lack of harmonisation in the EU can create confusion and make it difficult for visitors to abide by local rules; calls on the Commission to consider a typen EU approval frameworkpriate regulatory framework with minimum safety requirements for these new mobility devices and to issue guidelines for Members States on managing safety aspects, including traffic rules for the safe use of such devices; calls on the Commission and Member States on the need to implement a European and national awareness raising and education campaigns on the safe use of micromobility devices, with a particular focus on vulnerable road users, among others children, the elderly or people with reduced mobility; calls on the Commission and Member States to exchange best practices on how to improve the safe use of micromobility devices;
Amendment 155 #
2021/2014(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15 b. Stresses that working and employment conditions have a direct impact on road safety; notes the increase of ride services, mobility and transportation based platforms; calls on the Commission and Member States in cooperation with social partners to come with a strategy to ensure good working conditions for platform workers and support and encourage platform companies to offer driving and specific trainings (i.e. digital tools), which should ultimately improve road safety;
Amendment 162 #
2021/2014(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16 a. Highlights that Member States, in cooperation with regional authorities need to ensure time access to high quality emergency and long-term health care services for the injured as part of the post- crash response, including mental, social and legal support for victims, survivors and families of road traffic accidents and injuries;
Amendment 194 #
2021/2014(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20 a. Notes that rural areas account for approximately 83% of the EU’s territory and are home to 30.6% of the EU population; points out that rural areas, particularly sparsely populated ones, suffer from a shortage of quality transport infrastructure as well as from low frequency of collective public transport services, which directly affect road safety; further notes that 54% of road deaths occur on rural roads; highlights that the improvement on accessibility, connectivity and road safety for rural areas should be incorporated in the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy; calls on the Commission to take the latter into account in the upcoming Communication on Long Term Vision for Rural Areas;
Amendment 196 #
2021/2014(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20 b. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to work closely with regions and cities to complete relevant missing last-mile infrastructure and inter- modal and cross-border connections throughout the TEN-T, thus enabling more seamless and efficient use of infrastructure and services which improves road safety;
Amendment 197 #
2021/2014(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 c (new)
Paragraph 20 c (new)
20 c. Calls on the Commission to explore the possible synergies with Eurovelo and its corridors, notably by increasing financial support and having roadsafety as a transversal priority, in order to promote safe cycling in Europe; calls on the Commission to encourage the reconversion of disused railway lines, including by supporting bike-train projects and to actively support bike-train intermodality;
Amendment 2 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the pandemic has revealed the limitations of the current set-up for managing value chains and accessibility to medicines and vaccineal products, including vaccines; whereas ensuring the strategic autonomy in the field of medicines and diversifying pharmaceutical manufacturing and supply chains represents an essential step in effectively tackling future pandemics;
Amendment 11 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas ensuring interoperability of HPC with AI is of the utmost importance, as major economic sectors relying on HPC include manufacturing, health and pharmaceuticals.
Amendment 15 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the right to health is one of the core principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights;
Amendment 27 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas universalequitable access to safe, effective and affordable medicines is a fundamental right the full realisation of which is incompatible with a pharmaceutical model based primarily on the pursuit of profit;
Amendment 35 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have shown the importance of investing in digital health technologies such as artificial intelligence and computer modelling and simulation, which accelerate the identification of critical components for the pharmaceutical sector as well as the testing of safety, efficacy and performance of new treatments;
Amendment 79 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Highlights the need to prioritise R&D for innovative medicines and treatments that better address patients needs, as well as to create incentives for up-skilling, re-skilling and out-skilling of workers for health care careers in order to be better prepared for potential emergency and crisis situations;
Amendment 109 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to keep the results of Union-funded R&D in the public domain; points out that the protection of patents must not run counter to the right to health; underlines that public interest and patient safety should be at the centre of all health policies, alongside investment and research;
Amendment 122 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Stresses that investment in research should deliver effective therapeutic treatments for patients with rare diseases, chronic diseases including cancer and paediatric cancers in particular;
Amendment 126 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Highlights the potential of AI- based solutions in reinforcing the resilience and sustainability of EU’s healthcare systems, while offering innovative therapies and better diagnosis using Real-World Data;
Amendment 127 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2 c. Underlines the potential of Big Data to complement the evidence from clinical trials and fill knowledge gaps on medicines, as well as to help to better characterise diseases, treatments and the performance of medicines in individual healthcare systems;
Amendment 129 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 d (new)
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2 d. Stresses the need to develop European federated data networks aiming to contribute to optimal research, development and healthcare delivery;
Amendment 130 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 e (new)
Paragraph 2 e (new)
2 e. Underlines the importance of data sharing and data accessibility in deploying the full potential of AI in the field of healthcare, while putting in place robust ethical requirements;
Amendment 131 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 f (new)
Paragraph 2 f (new)
2 f. Recalls that the processing of data for health research purposes should comply with the provisions of GDPR under Article 9 on the processing of special categories of data;
Amendment 134 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to develop a new incentive model, look into decoupling mechanisms as an alternative to exclusive protections, and attach strict conditions to public funds in accordance with the principle of fair return on investment and prioritisation of public interest;
Amendment 142 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Highlights the latest evolution of pharmaceutical products towards disease and patient-specific therapeutics, involving scrupulous manufacturing steps and the need to take into account the high sensitivity to environmental and transport conditions and complicating supply chain logistics; invites the Commission to maximise synergies between European funds and other EU instruments and policies, to support the design and operation of robust manufacturing processes and distribution networks ensuring agile, responsive and reproducible manufacturing;
Amendment 162 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Considers that the interconnection and interoperability of High Performance Computing infrastructures with the European Health Data Space would ensure the availability of large, high- quality health data sets which are critically important for research and treatment of pathologies, especially rare diseases and paediatric conditions;
Amendment 174 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for public investment in R&D to be made transparent and for it to be reflected in product availability and pricing; Calls in this regard on the Commission to increase price transparency when it comes to the costs calculated in the prices, while also addressing the causes limiting affordability;
Amendment 178 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Underlines that it is estimated that around 30 million citizens in Europe suffer from a rare condition; is of the opinion that the barriers hampering a robust and effective research on rare diseases should be overcome, including those linked to the lack of large amount of data; calls for additional public support to carry out research in this field;
Amendment 201 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to promote joint procurement favourable to all member states and apply most economically advantageous tender (MEAT) criteria more stringently, while taking into account the need for more balance between public and private interests, including clear liability for manufacturers, as well as the need for sufficient flexibility for member states in line with national specificities; underlines the importance to improve security of supply and to enhance EU countries' preparedness to mitigate cross-border threats to health;
Amendment 210 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Welcomes the Commission proposal on the European institutionalised partnerships that will enable research in the health sector; welcomes the collaboration between the private and the public sector in this domain; recalls that research and innovation on pharmaceutical products should aim to enhance their accessibility, availability and affordability;
Amendment 215 #
2021/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Calls for the strong involvement of patient and end-user associations as well as of representatives of health professionals in the design and the implementation of the Union’s initiatives enabling the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe;
Amendment 4 #
2021/2012(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 23 a (new)
Citation 23 a (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 25 November 2020 on a New Industrial Strategy for Europe (2020/2076(INI)),
Amendment 31 #
2021/2012(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the dramatic fall in renewable offshore energy prices has made it one of the cheapest sources of energy, with a global weighted-average levelised cost of energy of offshore wind declining by 48 % between 2010 and 2020 from EUR 0,14 to EUR 0,071kWh in 2020, and consequently a critical element in the green transition, paving the way for a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, and has also made it one of the most important pillars of the EU’s climate ambitions; acknowledging the potential of the offshore renewable energy to enable massive energy sources that can protect households from energy poverty;
Amendment 39 #
2021/2012(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. Whereas the European strategy towards offshore renewable energy should take into account the EU’s sea basins different geographical features that make it difficult to develop a one-size-fits all approach;
Amendment 94 #
2021/2012(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes the competitive advantage of EUacross the EU for companies and technologies in the ORE sector; stresses the importance to maintain this competitive advantage; underlines the potential for exponential growth of the sector and its contribution to the EU economy, including technology and systems exports; stresses the importance of supporting R&D investments and build on innovative ORE technology industry system through cross border collaboration and partnership in Horizon Europe in order to facilitate and to support robust European value chains that are crucial for the twin transitions; while ensuring the swift uptake of the innovations developed in this field;
Amendment 105 #
2021/2012(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Calls for local competent authorities to assess initiatives that activate local economies, local sustainable jobs and economic activities in the uptake of the offshore renewables sources; calls for identifying synergies between sectors that can best support twin green and digital transitions and contribute to the futureproof economic recovery; while developing synergies with the actions enabling a sustainable blue economy;
Amendment 145 #
2021/2012(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that MS collaboration is vital in order to maximise effective use of offshore energy resources, taking into account the specificities of each area; notes that the current legal framework does not facilitate such collaboration sufficiently; strongly believes that failure to increase collaboration between MSs will inhibit the roll-out of offshore energy; urges the Commission and the MSs to take the necessary action without any further delays;
Amendment 187 #
2021/2012(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10 b. Calls on the EU and MS to support research and development of ORE technologies which will contribute to bridging gaps in renewable energy generation cause by seasonal differences;
Amendment 191 #
2021/2012(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 c (new)
Paragraph 10 c (new)
10 c. Stresses the greater opportunity of developing offshore renewable hydrogen that can help to pave the way for the wider development of the renewable hydrogen market; invites the Commission to assess how ORE sources could pave the way for the development of renewable hydrogen production;
Amendment 194 #
2021/2012(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 d (new)
Paragraph 10 d (new)
10 d. Highlights the importance of private and public investments in the ORE sector for the large-scale deployment of ORE technologies; reiterates the call on the Commission to tailor Horizon Europe to the development, scaling-up and commercialisation of breakthrough technologies and innovations in the Union so as to bridge the gap between innovation and market deployment, by providing risk financing for early-stage technology and demonstration projects and developing early value chains in order to support the development of research infrastructure, also with the aim of reducing the existing gaps between MS;
Amendment 218 #
2021/2012(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Considers it of paramount importance to build a broad public consensus around ORE projects through the involvement of local actors to increase public acceptance of offshore wind and its adherent large infrastructures; calls for a transparent and meaningful involvement of coastal communities, including those situated in the most peripheral regions and islands, and other stakeholders in projects; stresses the importance to increase citizen’s trust into the ability of renewable energy to achieve energy independence and secure energy of supply; encourages the Commission and the MS to develop one-stop shops with streamlined information on financing possibilities for demonstration projects for break through ORE technologies;
Amendment 365 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) Minimum energy performance standards are the essential regulatory tool to trigger renovation of existing buildings on a large scale, as they tackle the key barriers to renovation such as split incentives and co-ownership structures, which cannot be overcome by economic incentives. The introduction of minimum energy performance standards should lead to a gradual phase-out of the worst- performing buildings and a continuous improvement of the national building stock, contributing to the long-term goal of a decarbonised building stock by 2050, while taking into account the different starting points of Member States.
Amendment 375 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) The introduction of minimum energy performance standards should be accompanied by an enabling framework including technical assistance and financial measures as well as policies aiming to enhance the skills of workers in the construction and renovation sector. Minimum energy performance standards set at national level do not amount to “Union standards” within the meaning of State aid rules, while Union- wide minimum energy performance standards might be considered constituting such “Union standards”. In line with revised State aid rules, Member States may grant State aid to building renovation to comply with the Union-wide energy performance standards, namely to achieve a certain energy performance class, until those Union-wide standards become mandatory. Once the standards are mandatory, Member States may continue to grant State aid for the renovation of buildings and building units falling under the Union-wide energy performance standards as long as the building renovation aims at a higher standard than the specified minimum energy performance class.
Amendment 391 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) Staged renovation can be a solution to address the issues of high upfront costs and hassle for the inhabitants that may occur when renovating ‘in one go’. However, such staged renovation needs to be carefully planned in order to avoid that one renovation step precludes necessary subsequent steps. Renovation passports provide a clear roadmap for staged renovation, helping owners and investors plan the best timing and scope for interventions. Therefore, renovation passports should be made available as a voluntary tool to building owners across all Member States. Renovation passports should not become an economic or administrative burden for building owners and should be provided at no cost to all vulnerable and low-income households, especially in the case when the dwelling is a sole residential property.
Amendment 402 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) In order to foster deep renovation, which is one of the goals of the Renovation Wave strategy, Member States should give enhanced financial and administrative support to deep renovation, targeting vulnerable and low-income households, living in a single household property and worst-performing buildings.
Amendment 421 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 40
Recital 40
(40) Promoting green mobility is a key part of the European Green Deal and buildings can play an important role in providing the necessary infrastructure, not only for recharging of electric vehicles but also for bicycles. A shift to soft mobility such as cycling can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport. As set out in the 2030 Climate Target Plan, increasing the modal shares of clean and efficient private and public transport, such as cycling, will drastically lower pollution from transport and bring major benefits to individual citizens and communities. The lack of bike parking spaces is a major barrier to the uptake of cycling, both in residential and non-residential buildings. Building codes can effectively support the transition to cleaner mobility by establishing requirements for a minimum number of bicycle parking spaces, depending on the local needs, circumstances and traditions.
Amendment 441 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 48
Recital 48
(48) Inefficient buildings are often linked to energy poverty and social problems. Vulnerable households are particularly exposed to increasing energy prices as they spend a larger proportion of their budget on energy products. By reducing excessive energy bills, building renovation can lift people out of energy poverty and also prevent it. At the same time, building renovation does not come for free, and it is essential to ensure that the social impact of the costs for building renovation, notably on vulnerable households, is kept in check. The renovation wave should leave no one behind and be seized as an opportunity to improve the situation of vulnerable households, and a fair transition towards climate neutrality should be ensured. Therefore, financial incentives and other policy measures should as a priority target vulnerable households, people affected by energy poverty, vulnerable and low- income households and people living in social housing, and Member States should take measures to prevent evictions because of renovation. The Commission proposal for a Council Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutrality provides a common framework and shared understanding of comprehensive policies and investments needed for ensuring that the transition is fair.
Amendment 695 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 3
3. To support the development of its building renovation plan , each Member State shall carry out a public consultation on its draft building renovation plan prior to submitting it to the Commission. The public consultation shall involve in particular local and regional authorities and other socio-economic partners, including civil society such as consumer organisations and bodies working with vulnerable households. The public consultation shall also include questions about the design of the public policies, programmes and incentives, to ensure the accessibility, convenience and affordability of the retrofit solutions. Each Member State shall annex a summary of the results of its public consultation to its draft building renovation plan .
Amendment 911 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph -1 (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph -1 (new)
-1 Member States may extend the time limits referred to in this paragraph, if duly justified, and shall inform the Commission of the reasons for the extension.
Amendment 936 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 9 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) providing technical assistance, including information services, administrative support and integrated renovation services through one-stop- shops, with a particular attention to vulnerable and low-income households;
Amendment 946 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 3 – point e a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 3 – point e a (new)
(e a) setting the framework to ensure that there is a sufficient workforce with the appropriate level of skills to allow for the timely implementation of the requirements.
Amendment 1171 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – title
Article 15 – title
Financial incentives, skills and market barriers
Amendment 1181 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall take appropriate regulatory measures to remove non-economic barriers to building renovation. With regard to buildings with more than one building unit, such measures may include removing unanimity requirements in co-ownership structures, or allowing co-ownership structures to be direct recipients of financial support including subsidies, grants and loans for financing renovation. .
Amendment 1198 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 6
Article 15 – paragraph 6
6. 6. Member States shall ensure the establishment of technical assistance facilities, including through one-stop- shops, which shall be at no cost for vulnerable households, targeting all actors involved in building renovations, including home owners and administrative, financial and economic actors, including small- and medium-sized enterprises. Member States shall ensure the availability of appropriate number of one-stop-shops. Such one stop shops shall provide information on the available funding opportunities in particular grant and subsidy schemes, offering technical support, have programs specifically targeting vulnerable households, facilitate the access to training programs and support various awareness-raising activities.
Amendment 1202 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 6
Article 15 – paragraph 6
6. Member States shall ensure the establishment of technical assistance facilities, including through one-stop- shops with all-inclusive services, targeting all actors involved in building renovations, including home owners and administrative, financial and economic actors, including small- and medium-sized enterprises. The functioning and the continuity of funding for one-stop-shops shall be guaranteed.
Amendment 1210 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 7
Article 15 – paragraph 7
7. Member States shall monitor the availability of skills and skilled professionals on the market and put in place measures and financing to promote education and training programmes to ensure that there is aare sufficient workforcely trained and qualified workforce and professionals with the appropriate level of skills corresponding to the needs in the building sector. Member States shall put in place measures to promote participation in such programmes, in particular by micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
Amendment 1211 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 7
Article 15 – paragraph 7
7. Member States shall put in place measures and financing to promote education and training to facilitate the professional requalification of workers and creation of employment opportunities to ensure that there is a sufficient workforce with the an appropriate level of skills corresponding to the needs in the building sector. One stop shops should also play a role in facilitating the access to such training and apprenticeship programs.
Amendment 1389 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 23 – paragraph 1
Article 23 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure the appropriate level of competence for building workforce and professionals carrying out integrated renovation works in line with Article 26 [recast EED].
Amendment 1406 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 26 – paragraph 1
Article 26 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall endorse information and awareness-raising campaigns in order to promote the interest and the support of the public for the improvement of this Directive and take the necessary measures to inform the owners or tenants of buildings or building units and all relevant market actors of the different methods and practices that serve to enhance energy performance. In particular, Member States shall take the necessary measures to provide tailor-made information to vulnerable households.
Amendment 1411 #
2021/0426(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 26 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 26 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Member States shall in particular provide information to the owners or tenants of buildings on energy performance certificates, including their purpose and objectives, on cost-effective measures and, where appropriate, financial instruments, to improve the energy performance of the building, and on replacing fossil fuel boilers with more sustainable alternatives. Member States shall provide the information through accessible and transparent advisory tools such as renovation advice and one-stop-shops, paying particular attention to vulnerable and low-income households.
Amendment 227 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The realisation of the trans- European transport network creates the enabling conditions in terms of infrastructure basis allowing to make all transport modes more sustainable, affordable and inclusive in all regions of the EU, to make sustainable alternatives widely available in a multimodal transport system and to put in place the right incentives to drive the transition, notably by ensuring a fair transition, in line with the objectives presented in the Council Recommendation (EU) […] of […] on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutrality.
Amendment 231 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The planning, development and operation of the trans-European transport network should enable sustainable forms of transport, provide for improved multimodal and interoperable transport solutions and for an enhanced intermodal integration of the entire logistic chain, thereby contributing to a smooth functioning of the internal market by creating the arteries that are necessary for smooth passenger and freight transport flows across the Union. In addition, the network should aim at strengthening economic, social and territorial cohesion by ensuring accessibility and connectivity for all regions of the Union, including a better connectivity of the outermost regions and other remote, rural, insular, peripheral and mountainous regions as well as sparsely populated areas. The development of the trans-European transport network should also enable seamless, safe and sustainable mobility of goods and persons in all their diversity, and should contribute to further economic growth and competitiveness in a global perspective, by establishing interconnections and interoperability between national transport networks in a resource-efficient and sustainable way, at same time it contributes to address demographic challenges such as depopulation.
Amendment 237 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Growth in traffic has resulted in increased congestion in international transport. In order to ensure the international mobility of passengers and goods, the resilience and capacity of the trans-European transport network and the use of that capacity should be optimised and, where necessary, expanded by removing infrastructure bottlenecks and bridging missing infrastructure links within and between Member States and, as appropriate, neighbouring countries, and taking into account the ongoing negotiations with candidate and potential candidate countries.
Amendment 244 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The trans-European transport network should be developed and sustained through the creation of new smart and sustainable transport infrastructure, through the maintenance and upgrading of existing infrastructure and through measures promoting its resource- efficient use and resilience.
Amendment 254 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) In order to achieve a high-quality and efficient transport infrastructure across all modes, the development of the trans- European transport network should take into account the security and safety of passengers and freight movements, the contribution to climate change and the impact of climate change and of potential natural hazards and human-made disasters on infrastructure and accessibility for all transport users, especially in regions that are particularly affected by the negative impacts of climate change as well geopolitical changes that could cause disruptions in the supply chain.
Amendment 263 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) Given the evolution of the Union infrastructure needs and the decarbonisation goals, the Conclusions of the 2020 July European Council, according to which Union expenditure should be consistent with Paris Agreement objectives and the "do no significant harm" principle, within the meaning of Article 17 of the Taxonomy Regulation17 , projects of common interest should be assessed in order to ensure that TEN-T policy is coherent with transport, environmental and climate policy objectives of the Union. Member States and other project promoters should carry out environmental assessments of plans and projects which should include the “do no significant harm” assessment based on the latest available guidance and best practice. In cases that the implementation of a project of common interest entails a significant harm to an environmental or climate objective, reasonable alternatives should be considered, in particular when the project contribute to ensure accessibility and connectivity for the outermost, remote, rural, island, peripheral and mountainous regions. __________________ 17 Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 June 2020 on the establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment, and amending Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 (Text with EEA relevance) (OJ L 198, 22.6.2020, p. 13).
Amendment 306 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) The land-side infrastructure network, established through the core network, extended core network and comprehensive network, should integrate with the maritime dimension of the trans- European transport network. To this end, a truly sustainable, smart, seamless and resilient European Maritime Space should be created. It should encompass all maritime infrastructure components of the trans-European transport network as well as the services and actions needed to support the mobility of persons and goods with special attention to insular and coastal regions.
Amendment 412 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 46 a (new)
Recital 46 a (new)
(46a) Maritime ports have a strategic role in the logistics supply chain, the diversification of energy supply and storage and consequently, in EU's strategic autonomy. They are also crucial in geopolitical and cohesion terms, something which should be considered in addition to traffic volumes for their identification in the TEN-T network.
Amendment 426 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 49
Recital 49
(49) The trans-European transport network should ensure efficient multimodality in order to allow better and more sustainable modal choices to be made for passengers and freight and in order to enable large volumes to be consolidated for transfers over long distances. Multimodal terminals should play a key role to meet this objective. Insufficient punctuality has been a major obstacle to making multimodality an attractive option for the transport of freight and passengers. Efficient management of traffic flows as well as the increase in capacity of the infrastructure will enable rail to play its full part in improving the functioning of the intermodal transport chain.
Amendment 454 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 59
Recital 59
(59) A sufficient number of fast recharging points for light and heavy-duty vehicles accessible to the public should be deployed across the trans-European transport network without delay. This aim should ensure full cross-border connectivity and allow electric vehicles to circulate throughout the Union. Distance- based targets for the trans- European transport network as defined in Regulation (EU) […] [on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure] are to ensure a minimum of sufficient coverage of electric recharging points along the Union’s main road networks.
Amendment 464 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 60
Recital 60
(60) Publicly accessible recharging and refuelling infrastructure along the trans- European transport network as defined in Regulation (EU) […] [on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure] should be complemented with requirements on the deployment of recharging and refuelling infrastructure in multimodal terminals and for multimodal passenger hubs, to provide charging and refuelling opportunities for long haul trucks when they are being loaded or unloaded or when the driver is taking a rest or for busses in multimodal passenger hubs. In order to ensure free circulation, where the terminals or passenger hubs receive Union or public support, the access for purposes of charging and refuelling, should be on fair, affordable, transparent and non- discriminatory basis, so as to avoid market lock in for specific enterprises or possible distortions of competition. Pricing should be made on transparent and non- discriminatory basis for all authorised undertakings or persons, where the charging and refuelling infrastructure is build using Union or public funding.
Amendment 488 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 67 a (new)
Recital 67 a (new)
(67a) EU border regions cover 40% of the EU's territory and account for 30% of the EU's population. By connecting border regions more effectively the EU will become more integrated in a tangible way and offer citizens the possibility of enjoying sustainable cross-border mobility services. European Transport Coordinators should analyse mobility needs in EU cross-border regions and in coordination with the relevant regional and local authorities, and should establish "cross-border mobility plans". These plans should include targeted measures to improve the coordination and frequency of rail and public transport services between these regions, address missing links and bottlenecks, enhance the performance of services and the capacity of the infrastructures and improve the affordability of the cross-border services.
Amendment 511 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 74 a (new)
Recital 74 a (new)
(74a) The inclusion of transport nodes (ports, airports, terminals and urban nodes) in Annexes I and II entails the application of other EU legal acts. In order to provide legal certainty and to enable long-term strategic planning, it is essential to keep the network as stable as possible and avoid exclusions. Consequently, where the established quantitative thresholds within the "planning methodology for the TEN-T" are no longer met, the Commission, shall initiate a monitoring procedure before any exclusion and shall take into account qualitative indicators such as the strategic location of the nodes and their contribution to the EU strategic autonomy, and any cyclical factors which may explain the decline in infrastructure traffic.
Amendment 578 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point p
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point p
(p) ‘active modes’ means the transport of people or goods, through non-motorised means, based on human physical activity or by a combination of an electric motor and human power;
Amendment 611 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a a
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a a
(aa) ‘short-sea shipping’ means the movement of cargo and passengers by sea between ports situated in geographical waters of one or several Member States or between a port situated in waters of Member States and a port situated in waters of a neighbouring third country having a coastline on the enclosed seas bordering waters of the Unionone or several Member States;
Amendment 649 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b – point i
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b – point i
(i) accessibility and connectivity of all regions of the Union, includingpaying particular attention to outermost regions and other remote, insular, peripheral and mountainous regions as well as sparsely populated areas;
Amendment 675 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d – point i
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d – point i
(i) ensuring the accessibility for and meeting the mobility and transport needs of users, taking into account in particular the needs of people in situations of vulnerability, including persons with disabilities or reduced mobility and people living in remote regions, including the outermost regions and islands, and in rural and sparsely populated areas;
Amendment 681 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d – point v
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d – point v
(v) ensuring the resilience of infrastructure, in particular on cross-border sections and critical infrastructure;
Amendment 707 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point h
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) the adequate consideration of the resilience of the transport network and its infrastructure, particularly strategic infrastructure, with regard to a changing climate as well as natural hazards, geopolitical changes and human-made disasters, as well as intentional disruptions with a view to addressing those challenges;
Amendment 756 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point h a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point h a (new)
(ha) promote the decarbonisation of transport, in particular through the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure in third countries in view of establishing a continuous network linked with the trans-European transport network.
Amendment 768 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) increasing freight and passenger transport activity of more sustainable modes of transport in view of a reduction of GHG emissionthe share of more sustainable modes of transport for freight and passengers, in particular in view of a reduction of GHG emissions and pollution and of an increase of social and economic benefits from transport;
Amendment 815 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) the development of a seamless inland waterways, aviation and maritime infrastructure system for passengers and freight;
Amendment 822 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) the deployment of the necessary infrastructure which ensures a seamless circulation of zero-emission vehiclesustainable vehicles, vessels and aircrafts.
Amendment 1331 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 40 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
Article 40 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
(i) adoption of a sustainable urban mobility plan (SUMP) in line with Annex V that includes notably measures to integrate the different modes of transport, including active modes, to promote efficient zero-emission mobility including sustainable and zero-emission urban logistics and public transport, to promote affordability and accessibility to all users and address mobility poverty, to reduce air and noise pollution and that takes long- distance trans-European transport flows into consideration;
Amendment 1335 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 40 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
Article 40 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
(ii) collection and submission to the Commission of urban mobility data per urban node covering at minimum greenhouse gas emissions, congestion, accidents and injuries, modal share and access to mobility serviceibility and affordability to mobility services, including data on mobility poverty, as well as data on air and noise pollution. Thereafter these data shall be submitted every year;
Amendment 1337 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 40 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii a (new)
Article 40 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii a (new)
(iia) the adoption of concrete measures, such as the deployment of ICT tools and ITS systems and the collection of other relevant data, to allow optimised itineraries for vehicles with a view to improving the management of traffic flows, reducing congestion and air pollution and improving road safety.
Amendment 1341 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 40 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i
Article 40 – paragraph 1 – point c – point i
(i) for passenger transport: sustainable, seamless and safe interconnection between rail, road, air, the active modes of transport, including where possible EuroVelo infrastructure, and, as appropriate, inland waterway and maritime infrastructure;
Amendment 1367 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 41 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 41 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) increase of accessibility and connectivity between urban and rural areas and unhindered access to smart, sustainable and affordable transport;
Amendment 1377 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 43 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) improve links to the most vulnerable and isolated parts of the Union, in particular the outermost regions, and other remote, insular, peripheral and mountainous regions as well as sparsely populated areas promoting regular and frequent services.
Amendment 1384 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 44 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 44 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) encourage research and development of green and innovative mobility alternatives, such as "Mobility as a Service" solutions in territories where exceptions of TEN-T technical requirements have been granted.
Amendment 1398 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 44 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 44 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) promote efficient ways to provide accessible and comprehensible information to all users and providers of transport services regarding interconnections, interoperability and multimodality and regarding the environmental impacts of their transport choices;
Amendment 1403 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 44 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 44 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Member States should, when relevant, coordinate the implementation of the innovative technological developments and deployments included in paragraph (1) with neighbouring countries, particularly in cross-border sections.
Amendment 1449 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 50 – paragraph 1
Article 50 – paragraph 1
1. European Transport Corridors are an instrument to facilitate the coordinated implementation of the parts of the core and extended core of the trans- European transport network and are intended, in particular, to improve cross- border links and to remove bottlenecks within the Union.
Amendment 1459 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 50 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 50 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) supporting the coordinated and integrated development and deployment of innovative solutions for the digitalisation and interoperability of transport.
Amendment 1490 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 51 – paragraph 7 – point b
Article 51 – paragraph 7 – point b
(b) monitor administrative, operational and interoperability aspects of passenger traffic on the rail passenger lines of the European Transport Corridors, including monitoring the performance and accessibility of rail passenger services.
Amendment 1492 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 51 – paragraph 7 – point b a (new)
Article 51 – paragraph 7 – point b a (new)
(ba) analyse the cross-border mobility needs in EU cross-border regions and encourage Member States, in cooperation with the relevant regional and local authorities, to jointly establish "cross- border mobility plans" with targeted measures in order to, among others, increase the network connectivity index, foster the coordination and frequency of rail and public transport services between regions, address missing links and bottlenecks, enhance the performance of passenger rail services and infrastructure and improve the affordability of the cross- border services.
Amendment 1561 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 53 – paragraph 3 – point f
Article 53 – paragraph 3 – point f
(f) a plan with intermediate targets for the removal of physical, technical, digital, operational and administrative barriers between and within transport modes paying particular attention to the improvement of accessibility for all users, and for the enhancement of efficient multimodal transport with particular attention to cross-border sections and national missing links.
Amendment 1581 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 56 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 56 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) exclude maritime ports and airports from the comprehensive network, if it is demonstrated that the average of their traffic volume over the last six years is below 85% of the relevant threshold and after initiating a monitoring procedure taking into account qualitative indicators such as their strategic location and contribution of the EU strategic autonomy and any cyclical factors explaining the decline in traffic flow;
Amendment 1587 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 56 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 56 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) include maritime ports in the core network at the request of a Member State when maritime ports comply with Article 25 paragraphs (1) and (2) and have a geopolitical strategic importance and European added value in terms of emergency supply chains, geopolitical importance, military mobility and energy security.
Amendment 1620 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 63 – paragraph 1
Article 63 – paragraph 1
The provisions relating to railways, and in particular any requirement to connect airports and ports to railways as well as the provisions related to safe and secure parking and multimodal freight terminals shall not apply to Cyprus, Malta, islands and outermost regions for as long as no railway system is established within their territory.
Amendment 1828 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – point 1
Annex V – point 1
1. Goals and objectives: A Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) shall have as central goal improving accessibility of the functional urban area to all users with particular attention to persons with disabilities or reduced mobility, and providing high- quality, safe and sustainable low-emission mobility to, through and within the functional urban area. It shall notably support zero-emission mobility and the implementation of an urban transport system which contributes to a better overall performance of the trans- European transport network, in particular through the establishment of low-emission mobility zones, the development of infrastructure for the seamless circulation of zero-emission vehicles as well as of multimodal passenger hubs to facilitate first and last mile connections and of multimodal freight terminals serving urban nodes.
Amendment 1835 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – point 3
Annex V – point 3
3. Integration of the different modes of transport: A SUMP shall promote multimodal accessible transport through the integration of the different modes and measures aimed at facilitating seamless and sustainable mobility. It shall include actions to increase the modal share of the more sustainable forms of transport such as public transport, active mobility, and, as appropriate, inland waterway and maritime transport. It shall also include actions to promote zero-emission mobility, in particular with regard to the greening of the urban fleet, to reduce congestion and to improve road safety in particular of vulnerable road users. establishment of low-emission mobility zones, the greening of the urban fleet, to reduce congestion, to improve accessibility for all users with particular attention to persons with disabilities or reduced mobility, as well as to improve road safety in particular of vulnerable road users in accordance with EU road safety standards, including standards for safety of cycling infrastructure.
Amendment 1841 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – point 5
Annex V – point 5
5. Participatory approach: The development and implementation of a SUMP shall be based on an integrated approach with a high level of cooperation, coordination and consultation between the different levels of government and relevant authorities. Citizens as well as representatives of civil society and economic actors shall also be involved, in particular urban transport authorities. Citizens, accessibility experts, as well as representatives of civil society, including organisations of persons with disabilities and economic actors shall also be involved. It shall also support the creation of a multi-level collaboration platform at national level to identify and address shortcomings in rural-urban connectivity covering the functional urban areas and assess the possibilities offered by regional mobility plans.
Amendment 1848 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – point 6
Annex V – point 6
6. Monitoring and performance indicators: A SUMP shall include objectives, targets and indicators underpinning the current and future performance of the urban transport system, at minimum, on greenhouse gas emissions, improved management of traffic flows, congestion, accidents and injuries, modal share and access to mobility services and infrastructure to all users, as well as data on air and noise pollution in cities. The implementation of a SUMP shall be monitored using performance indicators. Member States and the relevant authorities shall implement mechanisms to ensure that a SUMP is in line with the provisions of this Annex and of high quality.
Amendment 1851 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – point 1
Annex V – point 1
1. Goals and objectives: A Sustainable Urban Mobility Plan (SUMP) shall have as central goal improving accessibility of the functional urban area to all users with particular attention to persons with disabilities or reduced mobility, and providing high- quality, safe and sustainable low-emission mobility to, through and within the functional urban area. It shall notably support zero-emission mobility and the implementation of an urban transport system which contributes to a better overall performance of the trans- European transport network, in particular through the establishment of low-emission mobility zones, the development of infrastructure for the seamless circulation of zero-emission vehicles as well as of multimodal passenger hubs to facilitate first and last mile connections and of multimodal freight terminals serving urban nodes.
Amendment 1858 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – point 3
Annex V – point 3
3. Integration of the different modes of transport: A SUMP shall promote multimodal accessible transport through the integration of the different modes and measures aimed at facilitating seamless and sustainable mobility. It shall include actions to increase the modal share of the more sustainable forms of transport such as public transport, active mobility, and, as appropriate, inland waterway and maritime transport. It shall also include actions to promote zero-emission mobility, in particular with regard to the greening of the urban fleet, to reduce congestion and to improve road safety in particular of vulnerable road users. establishment of low-emission mobility zones, the greening of the urban fleet, to reduce congestion, to improve accessibility for all users with particular attention to persons with disabilities or reduced mobility, as well as to improve road safety in particular of vulnerable road users in accordance with EU road safety standards, including standards for safety of cycling infrastructure.
Amendment 1864 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – point 5
Annex V – point 5
5. Participatory approach: The development and implementation of a SUMP shall be based on an integrated approach with a high level of cooperation, coordination and consultation between the different levels of government and relevant authorities. Citizens as well as representatives of civil society and economic actors shall also be involved, in particular urban transport authorities. Citizens, accessibility experts, as well as representatives of civil society, including organisations of persons with disabilities and economic actors shall also be involved. It shall also support the creation of a multi-level collaboration platform at national level to identify and address shortcomings in rural-urban connectivity covering the functional urban areas and assess the possibilities offered by regional mobility plans.
Amendment 1871 #
2021/0420(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex V – point 6
Annex V – point 6
6. Monitoring and performance indicators: A SUMP shall include objectives, targets and indicators underpinning the current and future performance of the urban transport system, at minimum, on greenhouse gas emissions, improved management of traffic flows, congestion, accidents and injuries, modal share and access to mobility services and infrastructure to all users, as well as data on air and noise pollution in cities. The implementation of a SUMP shall be monitored using performance indicators. Member States and the relevant authorities shall implement mechanisms to ensure that a SUMP is in line with the provisions of this Annex and of high quality.
Amendment 45 #
2021/0419(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) In the context of the implementation of Commission Delegated Regulations39 supplementing Directive 2010/40/EU, Member States have established national access points40 (NAPs). The NAPs organise the access to and reuse of transport related data to help support the provision of EU-wide interoperable travel and traffic ITS services to end users. These NAPs are an important component of the common European mobility data space under the European strategy for data41 and should be relied upon in particular as regards the accessibility of metadata and data. __________________ 39 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 885/2013 of 15 May 2013 supplementing ITS Directive 2010/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the provision of information services for safe and secure parking places for trucks and commercial vehicles (OJ L 247, 18.9.2013, p. 1); Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 886/2013 of 15 May 2013 supplementing Directive 2010/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to data and procedures for the provision, where possible, of road safety-related minimum universal traffic information free of charge to users (OJ L 247, 18.9.2013, p. 6); Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2015/962 of 18 December 2014 supplementing Directive 2010/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the provision of EU-wide real-time traffic information services (OJ L 157, 23.6.2015, p. 21); and Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2017/1926 of 31 May 2017 supplementing Directive 2010/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council with regard to the provision of EU-wide multimodal travel information services (OJ L 272, 21.10.2017, p. 1). 40 https://transport.ec.europa.eu/transport- themes/intelligent-transport- systems/road/action-plan-and- directive/national-access-points_en 41 COM(2020) 66 final0066.
Amendment 50 #
2021/0419(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) To ensure a coordinated and, effective and interoperable deployment of ITS within the Union as a whole, specifications including, where appropriate, standards, laying down further detailed provisions and procedures should be introduced, in addition to already adopted specifications. Before adopting any additional or revised specifications, the Commission should assess their compliance with certain defined principles set out in Annex II. Priority should be given in the first instance to the four main areas of ITS development and deployment. During further implementation of ITS the existing ITS infrastructure deployed by a particular Member State should be taken into account in terms of technological progress and financial efforts made. If appropriate, it should be ensured, in particular for C-ITS, that requirements for ITS systems neither impose nor discriminate in favour of the use of a particular type of technology.
Amendment 97 #
2021/0419(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Directive 2010/40/EC
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the specifications adopted by the Commission in accordance with Article 6 are applied to ITS applications and services, where those are deployed, in accordance with the principles in Annex II. This is without prejudice to the right of each Member State to decide on its deployment of such applications and services on its territory. This right is without prejudice to Articles 6a and 6b. Where relevant, Member States shall also cooperate, including with relevant stakeholders, on the enforcement of those specifications. The Commission shall adopt a methodology for the harmonisation of National Access Points’ architecture as part of its working program referred to in Article 17(5).
Amendment 100 #
2021/0419(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Directive 2010/40/EC
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall also cooperate, including with relevant stakeholders, in respect of the priority areas, insofar as no specifications have been adopted with regard to those priority areas.
Amendment 93 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2 a) In January 2022, the Commission proposed a European Declaration on Digital Rights and Principles for the Digital Decade, which puts people at the centre of the digital transformation and could be complemented by a European Charter for Digital Rights, including through concrete actions to implement, such as the recognition of the access to the internet as a human right. The 2030 Policy Programme “Path to the Digital Decade” should contribute to enabling the aforementioned European Declaration.
Amendment 103 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5 a) The Eighth report on economic, social and territorial cohesion, published by the Commission in February 2022, underlined a persistent gap among European regions in terms of take-up of digital technologies and skills with potentially negative effects in terms of benefitting from the opportunities of the digital transition as well as of vulnerability of the value chains.
Amendment 104 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 5 b (new)
Recital 5 b (new)
(5 b) The European Pillar of Social Rights enshrines the right to access essential services of good quality, including digital communications as well as the right to quality and inclusive education, training and life-long learning.
Amendment 106 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Digital skills, basic and advanced, are essential to reinforce the collective resilience of the Union’s society, to reverse the brain drain of its workforce and to enhance the Union's attractiveness for high-skilled professionals coming from third countries. Digitally empowered and capable citizens will be able to take advantage of the opportunities of the Digital Decade. Moreover, digital training and education should support a workforce in which people can acquire specialised digital skills to get quality jobs and rewarding careers in much greater numbers than today, with full convergence between women and men. It is necessary to have a strong gender perspective for the digital transition in order to ensure the equal participation of women in digital matters, inter alia by equipping them with the necessary skills, improving their digital literacy and skills and making the digital environment female-friendly. In addition, an essential enabler for taking advantage of the benefits of digitalisation, for further technological developments and for Europe’s digital leadership is a sustainable digital infrastructure for connectivity, microelectronics and the ability to process vast data. Excellent and secure connectivity for everybody and everywhere in Europe, including in rural and remote areas40, such as islands, mountainous and sparsely populated as well as outermost regions is needed. Societal needs for upload and download bandwidth are constantly growing. By 2030, networks with gigabit speeds should become available at accessiffordable conditions for all those who need or wish to have such capacity, which requires investment in connectivity and digital infrastructure as well as a technologically neutral approach while developing adequate frameworks so that all market actors benefiting from the digital transformation assume their social responsibilities and make a fair and proportionate contribution to the costs of public goods, services and infrastructures, for the benefit of all Europeans. Moreover, microprocessors which are already today at the start of most of the key, strategic value chains are expected to be in even higher demand in the future, in particular the most innovative ones. Climate neutral highly secure edge node guaranteeing access to data services with low latency wherever businesses are located and quantum capacity are also expected to be critical enablers. _________________ 40 Long-term Vision for the EU’s Rural Areas. COM(2021) 345 final.
Amendment 117 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Digital skills, basic and advanced, are essential to reinforce the collective resilience of the Union’s society. Digitally empowered and capable citizens will be able to take advantage of the opportunities of the Digital Decade. Moreover, digital training and education should support a workforce in which people can acquire specialised digital skills to get quality jobs and rewarding careers in much greater numbers than today, with convergence between women and men. In addition, an essential enabler for taking advantage of the benefits of digitisation, for further technological developments and for Europe’s digital leadership is a sustainable digital infrastructure for connectivity, microelectronics and the ability to process vast datadata processing, especially in common European data spaces. Excellent and secure connectivity for everybody and everywhere in Europe including in rural and remote areas40 is needed. Societal needs for upload and download bandwidth are constantly growing. By 2030, networks with gigabit speeds should become available at accessible conditions for all those who need or wish such capacity. Moreover, microprocessors which are already today at the start of most of the key, strategic value chains are expected to be in even higher demand in the future, in particular the most innovative ones. Climate neutral highly secure edge node guaranteeing access to data services with low latency wherever businesses are located and quantum capacity are also expected to be critical enablers. _________________ 40 Long-term Vision for the EU’s Rural Areas. COM(2021) 345 final.
Amendment 121 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Beyond enablers, all the above mentioned technologies will be at the core of new products, new manufacturing processes and new business models based on fair sharing of data in the data economy. The transformation of businesses will depend on their ability to adopt new digital technologies rapidly and across the board, including in industrial and services ecosystems that are currently lagging behind. This transformation is particularly important for small and medium enterprises since they still face a significant gap with larger companies, which should be bridged by taking into account their digitalisation needs.
Amendment 127 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Democratic life and public services will also crucially depend on digital technologies and therefore they should be fully accessible for everyone, as a best–in- class digital environment providing for easy-to-use, efficient and personalised services and tools with high security and privacy standards. This process should however take place without prejudice to the accessibility of “offline” public services, especially for those demographic categories that still lag behind in terms of digitalisation, while supporting them in the process of transitioning towards the uptake of digital tools.
Amendment 133 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9 a) Digital technologies should contribute to achieving broader societal outcomes that are not limited to the digital sphere, but have positive effects on citizens’ everyday life and their wellbeing. If it is to be successful, the digital transition should go hand-in-hand with improvements as regards democracy at work, good governance, social inclusion and good-quality public services.
Amendment 136 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) A harmonious, inclusive and steady progress towards the digital transformation and towards the achievement of the digital targets in the Union, requires a comprehensive, robust, reliable, flexible and transparent form of governance, based on close cooperation and coordination between the Union institutions, bodies and agencies, and the Member States. An appropriate mechanism should ensure coordination of convergence and the consistency and effectiveness of policies and measures at Union and national levelMember State level, while taking into account national starting points. Therefore, it is necessary to lay down provisions on a monitoring and cooperation mechanism implementing the Digital Compass Communication.
Amendment 138 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) This mechanism should include an enhanced monitoring system to identify gaps in the strategic digital capacities of the Union. It should also include a reporting mechanism, among others, on the progress towards the 2030 vision and corresponding digital targets as well as on the more general state of compliance with the objectives set in this Decision. It should establish a cooperative framework between the Commission and Member States to identify solutions addressing weaknesses and to propose targeted actions for effective remedies that also take into account their needs and starting points.
Amendment 143 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) The Digital Economy and Society Index (‘DESI’)41 and the Women in Digital ('WiD') Scoreboard should become a part of the report on the state of the Digital Decade and should be used to monitor the progress towards the digital targets including the ones to close the digital gender gap by 2030. This monitoring should include an analysis of the indicators measuring progress at Member States’ level, national policies and initiatives aimed at reaching the objectives of this Decision and the targets as well as horizontal and thematic analyses tracking the digital transformation of European economies and a ranking of Member States progress therein. In particular, DESI’s dimensions and indicators should be aligned with digital targets set out in this Decision. For each digital target, key performance indicators (‘KPIs) should be set out in implementing acts to be adopted by the Commission. The KPIs should be updated when necessary for continued effective monitoring and to take account of technological developments. The data collection mechanism within Member States should be reinforced to present a thorough state of play on the progress towards the digital targets, as well as information on the relevant policies, programmes, and initiatives at national level and should include, where applicable, gender-disaggregated data. Based on the reviews and where needed, the Commission should prepare, in consultation with the Member States, a roadmap to set out future data collection needs. . In defining the DESI, the Commission should rely largely on official statistics collected in different Union surveys on the information society42 . The Commission should use specific studies to collect data for those relevant indicators that are not measured in the Union surveys. _________________ 41 DESI is an annual set of analyses and measurement indicators, which since 2014 have been used to monitor Europe’s overall progress and to benchmark individual Member States’ progress in digital, feeding into the European Semester process and the country specific recommendations. 42 Regulation (EC) No 1006/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 September 2009 amending Regulation (EC) No 808/2004 concerning Community statistics on the information society (OJ L 286, 31.10.2009, p. 31–35).
Amendment 147 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) In particular, the Commission should report on the progress towards the digital targets, detailing the degree of Union progress in relation to the projected trajectories for each target, the assessment of the efforts necessary to reach each target, including investment gaps in digital capacities and innovation as well as raising awareness about the actions needed to increase digital sovereignty. The report should also include an assessment of the implementation of relevant regulatory proposals as well as of the actions undertaken at Union and Member States level.
Amendment 148 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) On the basis of this analysis the report would include specific recommended policies, measures and actions. When recommending policies, measures or actions in the report, the Commission should take into account the most recent data available, the joint commitments undertaken, the policies and measures defined by Member States as well as progress regarding recommended actions identified in earlier reports and addressed in the course of the annual cooperation. In addition, the Commission should take into account the differences in individual Member States’ potential to contribute to the digital targets, their starting points, as well as the policies, measures and actions already in place and considered appropriate to achieve the targets, even if their effects have not yet materialised.
Amendment 153 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) In order to ensure that cooperation between the Commission and the Member States is efficient and effective, Member States should submit to the Commission national Digital Decade strategic roadmaps covering the period up to 2030 (‘national Digital Decade strategic roadmaps’) proposing, where possible and measurable at national level, national trajectories, describing all the instruments adopted, planned or implemented with a view to contributing to the achievement at Union level of the objectives of this Decision and the digital targets. These national Digital Decade strategic roadmaps should be be drafted after consulting key stakeholders such as business organisations, including SMEs representatives, trade unions, youth and senior citizen associations as well as local and regional authorities and should be a crucial tool for the coordination of the policies of the Member States and for ensuring predictability for the market. Member States should take into account relevant sectoral initiatives, both at Union and national level, and ensure consistency with them. During the annual cycle of cooperation, Member States could propose adjustments to their national Digital Decade strategic roadmaps to take into account the evolution of the digital transition at Union and national level and to respond, in particular, to the Commission recommended policies, measures and actions.
Amendment 158 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) Since spectrum is essential to achieve the digital targets, and in particular a secure, performant and sustainable digital infrastructure enabling users to benefit from connectivity, Member States should also report on their adopted and future policies and measures regarding the availability and possibility to use radio spectrum for existing users and prospective investors and operators without prejudice to the possibility for each Member State to take the necessary measures to ensure the protection of its essential security interests. Without prejudice to the possibility for the Commission to propose new strategic spectrum policy orientations or mechanisms under Article 4 (4) of Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council43 appropriate guidance could be provided by the Commission in that regard in order to meet the general objectives and digital targets laid down in this Decision. _________________ 43 Directive (EU) 2018/1972 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 establishing the European Electronic Communications Code (OJ L 321, 17.12.2018, p. 36).
Amendment 160 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) The cooperative dialogue between the Commission and the Member States should commence with the assessment of their national Digital Decade strategic roadmaps and should be based on the data provided and assessment made in the report of the state of the Digital Decade, as well as on the feedback received by relevant stakeholders, such as business organisations, including SMEs representatives, trade unions, youth and senior citizen associations as well as local and regional authorities.
Amendment 167 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 29
Recital 29
(29) In order to ensure transparency and public participation, the Commission should engage with all interested stakeholders. To that end, the Commission should closely cooperate with stakeholders including private and public actors, such as bodies governed by public laws of the educational or healthcare sector, business organisations, including SMEs representatives, trade unions, youth and senior citizen associations as well as local and regional authorities, and consult them on measures to accelerate the digital transformation at Union level. The involvement of stakeholders would be important at the level of Member States as well, in particular when adopting their national Digital Decade strategic roadmaps and their adjustments.
Amendment 169 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 29 a (new)
Recital 29 a (new)
(29 a) The cooperation between governments, social partners, academics and other stakeholders, regarding the digital transition, including research and innovation in digital technologies, is important so that all social and human aspects are taken into account. Gender balance is needed in order to ensure the full participation of women in the design of the digital economy and a just digital transition.
Amendment 170 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 29 b (new)
Recital 29 b (new)
Amendment 171 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 29 c (new)
Recital 29 c (new)
(29 c) The digital transition should not reinforce gender inequalities and stereotypes by transforming analogue biases and prejudices into digital ones through algorithms. People from diverse backgrounds, including women, young people, the elderly, people with coming from different racial backgrounds and people with disabilities have to be included in the development and use of the digital services. These services should be accessible for all, based on the design for all principle, and the digital development should be an essential tool for inclusion.
Amendment 172 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 29 d (new)
Recital 29 d (new)
(29 d) Science, innovation and R&D will be indispensable to attain the objectives of an inclusive digital transformation and European digital sovereignty. Therefore, more investment in research, innovation, science and the scientific community is needed, as they are the driving force of the technological and digital revolution. At the same time, it should be ensured that neither people nor regions are left behind.
Amendment 173 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 29 e (new)
Recital 29 e (new)
(29 e) Promoting the creation and expansion of digital knowledge and supporting the research programmes and networks created among European universities is essential in order to help European businesses and entrepreneurs attract the best talent and become the vanguard of digital innovation worldwide.
Amendment 174 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 29 f (new)
Recital 29 f (new)
(29 f) The last edition of DESI (2021) shows that only 56 % of Union citizens have basic digital skills. In addition to that, DESI shows that only 19 % of ICT specialists are female. Participation of girls and women in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) should be actively promoted through concrete policy action to foster their full participation and inclusion in the digital economy, as they only represent 36 % of STEM graduates, despite the fact that girls outperform boys in digital literacy.
Amendment 180 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) Multi-Country Projects should be able to attract and combine, in an efficient manner, various sources of Union and Member States’ funding, finding, where possible, synergies among them. Notably, the combination of the funds from centrally managed Union programme with resources committed by Member States should be possible, including, under certain conditions, contributions from the Recovery and Resilience Facility, as explained in Part 3 of the Commission guidance to Member States on Recovery and Resilience Plans44 , as well as contributions from European Regional Development and Cohesion funds. Whenever justified by the nature of a given Multi-Country Project, it should also be open to contributions from entities other than the Union and Member States, including private contributions. _________________ 44 Brussels, 22.1.2021 SWD(2021) 12 final.
Amendment 184 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) set a clear direction for the digital transformation of the Union and for delivery of the digital targets by 2030, ensuring progressive convergence among Member States while taking into account their starting points;
Amendment 191 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) promote a human-centered, inclusive, ethical, secure and open digital environment where digital technologies and services respect and enhance Union principles and values;
Amendment 202 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) reinforce Member States’ collective resilience and bridge the digital divide notably by promoting basic and specialised digital skills for all and, fostering the development of high-performing digital education and training systems through vocational and professional training, reskilling, upskilling and lifelong learning while ensuring full convergence between women and men on ICT careers;
Amendment 208 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(b a) reduce the territorial digital divide, especially with reference to rural and remote areas, such as islands, mountainous and sparsely populated as well as outermost regions;
Amendment 212 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) ensure digital sovereignty notably by a secure and accessible digital infrastructure capable to process vast volumes of data that enables other technological developments, supporting the competitiveness of the Union's industry; and the resilience of its value chains;
Amendment 214 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) ensure digital sovereignty notably by a secure and accessible digital and data infrastructures capable to process vast volumes of data that enables other technological developments, supporting the competitiveness of the Union's industry;
Amendment 216 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) support the sustainable digital transformation of industry and society through the promotion of values of inclusivity, openness, competitiveness, consumer-choice and digital leadership, in line with relevant Union legislation in the digital field;
Amendment 217 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) promote the deployment and the use of digital capabilities giving access to digital technologies and data on easy and fair terms in order to achieve a high level of digital intensity and innovation in Union’s enterprises, in particular small and medium ones, including capabilities on cybersecurity;
Amendment 227 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) ensure that democratic life, public services and health and care services are accessible online for everyone, in particular disadvantaged groups including persons with disabilities, offering inclusive, efficient and personalised services and tools with high security and privacy standards without prejudice to the accessibility of “offline” public services;
Amendment 230 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Amendment 231 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) ensure that digital infrastructures and technologies become more sustainable and energy- and resource efficient, and contribute to a sustainable circular and climate-neutral economy and society in line with the European Green Deal, including by promoting research and innovation;
Amendment 246 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) facilitate fair convergent conditions for investments in digital transformation throughout the Union, including by strengthening the synergies between the use of Union and national funds, and developing predictable regulatory approaches;
Amendment 268 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – introductory part
(1) a digitally skilled population and highly skilled digital professionals with a target towards specific and swiftly evolving technological domains:
Amendment 270 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a
(a) at least 80% of those aged 16-74 have at least basic digital skills, in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan;
Amendment 272 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point b
(b) at least 20 million employed information and communications technology (ICT) specialists are employed, with achieving full convergence between women and men and increasing the number of ICT graduates;
Amendment 279 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
(a) all European households, factories and business facilities are covered by a Gigabit network, with all populated areas covered by 5G, while keeping in mind the principle of technological neutrality and combining, where necessary, complementary technologies;
Amendment 285 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
(b) the production of cutting-edge and sustainable semiconductors in the Union is at least 20% of world production in value, in line with the initiatives of the European Chips Act;
Amendment 288 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point c
(c) at least 10 000 climate neutral highly secure “edge nodes” are deployed in the Union, distributed in a way that guarantees a fair geographical coverage and access to data services with low latency (few milliseconds) wherever businesses are located;
Amendment 297 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point a – introductory part
(a) at least 75% of Union enterprises have taken up according to their needs and coherently to their business strategy and operations:
Amendment 300 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point b
(b) more than 90% of Union Small and Medium Enterprises (‘SME’) reach at least a basic level of digital intensity according to their needs and coherently to their business strategy and operations, with a reduction of their digital gap with comparable categories of larger enterprises;
Amendment 305 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point c
(c) the Union grows the pipeline of its innovative scale ups and improves their access to finance, leading to at least doubling the number of unicorns and ensures the smooth functioning of the European digital innovation hubs;
Amendment 308 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point c a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point c a (new)
(c a) the Union grows its backbone of innovative ICT companies, especially in terms of providers of European digital products, services and solutions;
Amendment 312 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point a
(a) 100% online accessible provision of key public services for Union citizens and businessof all ages and businesses without prejudice to the “offline” accessibility of these services;
Amendment 338 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
(1) The Commission shall monitor the progress of the Union against the objectives and digital targets set out in Articles 2 and 4. To this end, the Commission shall rely upon Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) and the Women in Digital ('WiD') Scoreboard, and for the purpose of this decision, in accordance with Article 25 (2), shall set out in an implementing act the key performance indicators (‘KPIs’) for each digital target. .
Amendment 344 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
(2) Member States shall provide to the Commission in a timely manner the necessary statistics and data required for the effective monitoring of the digital transition and of the degree of achievement of the digital targets set out in Article 4. This shall include relevant information on the availability and accessibility of spectrum. Where the relevant statistics from Member States are not yet available, the Commission may use an alternative data collection methodology, such as studies or direct collection of data from the Member States, in consultation with the Member States. The use of that alternative data collection methodology shall not affect the tasks of Eurostat as laid down in Commission Decision 2012/504/EU47 . Data shall be, where applicable, gender- disaggregated. _________________ 47 Commission Decision 2012/504/EU of 17 September 2012 on Eurostat (OJ L 251, 18.9.2012, p. 49).
Amendment 349 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
(1) The Commission shall submit annually to the European Parliament and the Council a report on the “State of the Digital Decade”. This report shall be the comprehensive report of the Commission on the progress on digital transformation of the Union and it shall include the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) and the Women in Digital ('WiD') Scoreboard.
Amendment 351 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
(2) In the report on the “State of the Digital Decade”, the Commission shall provide an assessment of the progress of the Union’s digital transition against the digital targets set out in Article 4 as well as the state of compliance with the general objectives referred to in Article 2 and the principles enshrined in the [insert title of solemn Declaration]. The assessment of the progress made shall be based, in particular, on the analysis and key performance indicators in the DESI as compared to Union-level and, where applicable, national projected trajectories, and, where applicable, on the establishment of and progress regarding Multi-Country Projects. The report shall also include an assessment of relevant regional gaps.
Amendment 360 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) the impact expected to be made on each digital target as a result of the implemented, adopted and planned policies, measures and actions, including, where applicable, actions to reduce any gap among regions;
Amendment 367 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
(1) Member States and the Commission shall closely cooperate to identify ways to address deficiencies in areas where progress was insufficient to achieve one or more of the digital targets set out in Article 4 or where significant gaps and shortages have been identified based on the results of the report on the ”State of the Digital Decade”. This analysis shall take into account, in particular, the different capacities of Member States to contribute to some of the digital targets as well as their starting points and the risk that delays on certain of these targets may have a detrimental effect on the achievement of other digital targets.
Amendment 379 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
(1) The Commission shall closely cooperate with private and public stakeholders, including social partners such as business organisations, including SME representatives, and trade unions as well as youth and senior citizen associations, to collect information and develop recommended policies, measures and actions for the purposes of the implementation of this Decision.
Amendment 384 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
(2) The Member States shall cooperate with private and public stakeholders, including social partners such as business organisations, including SME representatives, and trade unions as well as youth and senior citizen associations, in line with the national legislation, when adopting their national Digital Decade strategic roadmaps and their adjustments. Member States shall also seek the feedback of local and, where applicable, regional authorities.
Amendment 389 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) improving the cooperation of the Union and of, Member States and social partners in the achievement of the objectives of the Digital Decade;
Amendment 392 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) addressing strategic vulnerabilities and dependencies of the Union along the digital supply chains in order to enhance their resilience;
Amendment 395 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) contributing to an inclusive and sustainable digital transformation of society and the economy that benefits all businesses and citizens across the Union;
Amendment 399 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(e a) promoting digital skills for citizens and workers through high-quality education, training and life-long learning;
Amendment 400 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
Amendment 401 #
2021/0293(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The Annex sets out an indicative and non- exhaustive list of possible areas of activity in which Multi- Country Projects addressing these specific objectives could be established.
Amendment 2 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the draft budget for 2022 as the first general budget with full implementation of the MFF Agreement, with the highest share of climate-relevant EU expenditure to date and a significant contribution to the EU’s digital transition; underlines the importance of ensuring sufficient funding in order to contribute to the twin transition towards the achievement of the 2030 energy and climate targets and climate-neutrality by 2050; considers that the budget should fully align with the updated New Industrial Strategy; stresses that 2022 should be a year for boosting a rapid recovery for a resilient Europe;
Amendment 9 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Reminds of the crucial role of strategic foresight and importance of the evidence based anticipatory policy making;
Amendment 11 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Recital D
Recital D
D. Whereas the transport and tourism sectors are among the hardest hit by the COVID-19 crisis and will be key to the recovery of the internal market and EU economy; whereas transport has proven vital to ensuring the continuous flow of goods and the distribution of vaccines across the EU during the COVID-19 crisis;
Amendment 11 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1 c. Reminds that ambitious policies in pathway to climate neutrality require significant investments in research and innovation and in this regard regrets recent Council cuts in allocations to Horizon Europe for 2022;
Amendment 13 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1 d. Welcomes the Commissions ambition to strengthen Union competitiveness, strategic autonomy and resilience and in this context recalls the success of the European Battery Alliance that in line with EGD, Circular Economy Action Plan and New Industrial Strategy aims to contribute to clean and digital transition by creating a competitive, circular, sustainable and safe value chain for batteries, crucial for future low- emissions mobility and energy storage and can, therefore, serve as a good example;
Amendment 16 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 f (new)
Paragraph 1 f (new)
1 f. Calls for addressing the social, economic, energy and environmental impacts of the transition whilst maintaining and expanding employment opportunities in the affected territories in order to avoid social exclusion; points, in this respect, to the role of the Just Transition Fund in addressing societal, socio-economic, technological and environmental impacts on workers, sectors and communities adversely affected by the transition from coal and carbon dependence; calls for securing workers’ rights, reducing of the energy poverty and avoiding deepening of inequalities;
Amendment 18 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 g (new)
Paragraph 1 g (new)
1 g. Underlines the important role that SMEs, microenterprises and start-ups play in the recovery while maintaining employment and growth and calls on Union and Member States to ensure stronger support for SMEs and start-ups and to further reduce their administrative burden; underlines that SMEs are an essential part of the European economy and stresses the need to create a SMEs- friendly business environment and support SMEs cluster and network; Calls for the need for sufficient financial resources in the SME window under InvestEU;
Amendment 19 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 h (new)
Paragraph 1 h (new)
1 h. Underlines the need to reform the European industry and hard-to-abate sectors in order to achieve a competitive and sustainable Union and its climate goals; stresses, therefore, the need for sufficient funding for programmes supporting these goals, innovative solutions and breakthrough technologies such as Horizon Europe, CEF, InvestEU and the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 (FCH 2) Joint Undertaking;
Amendment 20 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 i (new)
Paragraph 1 i (new)
1 i. Insists on the importance of increased investments in digitalisation and digital connectivity to clearly define 2030 digital target and tackle challenges related to reducing the digital divide and digital literacy, cybersecurity, free flow of data, safety, liability and artificial intelligence;
Amendment 29 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. [05 03 03] Welcomes the increase in the Cohesion Fund allocation to the CEF for transport in 2022; notes however, that it is far from compensating the sharp decrease observed in 2021; reiterates the essential role the Union transport policy and investment play in enhancing territorial, social and economic cohesion in the Union;
Amendment 30 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. [09 03] Welcomes the important funding of the Just Transition Fund under the Just Transition Mechanism for 2022 to ensure a fair and inclusive transition to climate neutrality; highlights the role of the Mechanism and its public sector loan facility in investing in safe, sustainable and resilient transport and tourism infrastructure in the regions that are the most affected by transition challenges such as rural and sparsely populated, disadvantaged regions and environmentally vulnerable territories and in promoting affordable and accessible mobility services for all passengers, including those with disabilities and reduced mobility; stresses the need to support the up- and reskilling of workers and jobseekers in the transport sector, as well as productive and sustainable investment in SMEs;
Amendment 35 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. [02 02] Notes with satisfaction the strong increase in the InvestEU budget from 2021 and its important reinforcement from NextGenerationEU in 2022; recalls the Commission that adequate funding of InvestEU beyond the operation period of NGEU and through the MFF 2021-2027 is key to foster sustainable and safe infrastructure, mobility solutions and equipment and for the deployment of innovative technologies and alternative fuels;
Amendment 41 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Welcomes financing under the REACT-EU across economic sectors, such us tourism, as it supported SMEs in job maintenance and job creation, among others, as well as in their green and digital recovery;
Amendment 51 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. [02 20 04 01] Recalls the importance of communication activities on EU transport policy such as transport security or Passenger rights to raise awareness and respond to citizens’ demands, particularly in the context of the European Year of Rail and the COVID-19 crisis;
Amendment 52 #
2021/0227(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 b (new)
Paragraph 10 b (new)
10 b. [13 01 03 74] Welcomes the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA), officially replacing INEA, and highlights its important role in continuing to support sustainable, safe and smart transport services and infrastructure projects;
Amendment 168 #
2021/0223(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) LNG is likely to play a continued role in maritime transport, where there is currently no economically viable zero- emission powertrain technology available. Because of LNG's transitional role and in order to avoid unnecessary investments, the development of LNG bunkering infrastructure in ports shall be driven by market demand. The Communication on the Smart and Sustainable Mobility Strategy points to zero-emission seagoing ships becoming market ready by 2030. Fleet conversion should take place gradually due to the long lifetime of the ships. Contrary to maritime transport, for inland waterways, with normally smaller vessels and shorter distances, zero-emission powertrain technologies, such as hydrogen and electricity, should enter the markets more quickly. LNG is expected to no longer play a significant role in that sector. Transport fuels such as LNG need increasingly to be decarbonised by blending/substituting with liquefied biomethane (bio-LNG) or renewable and low-carbon synthetic gaseous e-fuels (e-gas) for instance. Those decarbonised fuels can be used in the same infrastructure as gaseous fossil fuels thereby allowing for a gradual shift towards decarbonised fuels.
Amendment 279 #
2021/0223(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) Shore-side electricity facilities can serve maritime and inland waterway transport as clean power supply and contribute to reducing the environmental impact of seagoing ships and inland waterway vessels at berth in ports. Under the FuelEU maritime initiative, ship operators of container and passenger ships need to comply with provisions to reduce emissions at berth. Mandatory deployment targets should ensure that the sector finds sufficient shore-side electricity supply in TEN-T core and comprehensive maritime ports to comply with those requirements. The application of these targets to all TEN- T maritime ports should ensure the level playing field between ports. Particular attention must be given to the fact that due to the diverse governance frameworks regulating maritime ports in the Union, the division of responsibilities with regards to deploying and supplying shore side electricity may vary across Member States.
Amendment 293 #
2021/0223(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32 a (new)
Recital 32 a (new)
Amendment 314 #
2021/0223(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34 a (new)
Recital 34 a (new)
(34 a) The increase in shore-side electricity (SSE) as planned by this Regulation will require increased energy supply from the national grid to ports. To ensure power demand is met, Member States should provide the required energy production and supply for ports, which could require further project development on the grid (i.e. subsea transmission lines, frequency converters). Peak demand for SSE could coincide with peak demand from other sectors of the economy leading to excess demand which cannot be met by local energy production capacity. Specifically, such scenarios can occur on islands where energy production capacity is limited by geographical contraints. Where failures to temporarily supply SSE to vessels are caused by shortages of grid capacity, such events should not be considered a failure by the port or the responsible autority to supply SSE.
Amendment 327 #
2021/0223(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
Recital 35
(35) A core network of refuelling points for LNG at maritime ports should be available by 2025. The deployment of LNG infrastructure, due the fuels transitional role, should be driven by market demand, to avoid stranded assets and underused capacity. Refuelling points for LNG include LNG terminals, tanks, mobile containers, bunker vessels and barges.
Amendment 331 #
2021/0223(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35 a (new)
Recital 35 a (new)
(35 a) In order to ensure that investments in new fuels and technology for the maritime sector lead to an efficient balancing of supply and demand and avoid stranded assets, a consultation mechanisms between all relevant stakeholders in the sector should be established. Member States, ports, and shipping companies, among others, must consult in the interest of the cost-efficient implementation of the requirements present in this Regulation for shore-side electricity (SSE) and LNG infrastructure deployment.
Amendment 857 #
2021/0223(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) port calls that are at berth for less than two hours, calculated on the basis of hour of the estimated departure and arrival monitored in accordance with Article 14 of the proposal for a Regulation COM(2021)562;
Amendment 883 #
2021/0223(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Member States shall ensure that sufficient grid capacity and necessary grid infrastructure improvements are made available to meet the requirements set out in Article 9(1). A potential, temporary, shortage of grid capacity, or no grid converters, at the berth shall not be considered failure by the port/terminal to supply shore-side electricity (SSE).
Amendment 903 #
2021/0223(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that an appropriate number core network of refuelling points for LNG are put in place at TEN-T core maritime ports referred to in paragraph 2, to enable seagoing ships to circulate throughout the TEN-T core network by 1 January 2025t maritime ports is available by 1 January 2025 to meet LNG market demand by seagoing ships. Member States shall cooperate with neighbouring Member States where necessary to ensure adequate coverage of the TEN-T core network.
Amendment 922 #
2021/0223(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 a (new)
Article 11 a (new)
Amendment 56 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2 b (new)
Recital 2 b (new)
(2 b) Around 35 million Europeans are affected by energy poverty1a and renewable energy policies have an important role to play in any strategy tackling energy poverty and consumer vulnerability. _________________ 1a Commission Recommendation (EU) 2020/1563 of 14 October 2020 on energy poverty
Amendment 57 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2 c (new)
Recital 2 c (new)
(2 c) Member States should therefore ensure that incentives and proactive policies are put in place to facilitate the uptake of efficient renewable energy generation and heating and cooling, not only in middle-and high-income households, but also and specifically in those households with low-income at risk of energy poverty, paying special attention to those located in sparsely populated areas.
Amendment 87 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7 b (new)
Recital 7 b (new)
(7 b) Islands, small islands, outermost and peripheral regions have an enormous potential in the production of renewable energy and are strategic laboratories for implementing innovative policy solutions and technical measures to deliver the energy transition and reduce CO2 emissions, walking the path towards energy independence, allowing them to play a crucial role for the purposes of research into climate change and biodiversity, and becoming a mirror for the rest of the Union. They should be able to access sufficient economic resources and adequate training in order to deliver integrated, sector-coupled and innovative interventions for sustainable infrastructure and local economic development.
Amendment 91 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7 f (new)
Recital 7 f (new)
(7 f) The transition towards climate neutrality must be just and inclusive, with a particular focus on people living in rural and remote areas, and more specifically on those territories most affected by the transition towards climate neutrality, avoiding any increase in regional disparities and empowering workers and local and regional communities.
Amendment 92 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7 g (new)
Recital 7 g (new)
(7 g) Specificities of all regions as defined in Article 174 TFEU need to be fully reflected in the transition process, in particular by focusing on rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition and regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps in order to ensure the overall harmonious development of all areas. In this regard, the national plans should integrate the specificities of their regions with a view to combating the climate crisis and making local communities more resilient.
Amendment 93 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2 d (new)
Recital 2 d (new)
(2d) Since around 35 million Europeans are affected by energy poverty1a, renewable energy policies have an important role to play in any strategy to tackle energy poverty and consumer vulnerability. __________________ 1a Commission Recommendation (EU) 2020/1563 of 14 October 2020 on energy poverty
Amendment 94 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2 e (new)
Recital 2 e (new)
(2e) Member States should therefore ensure that incentives and proactive policies are put in place to facilitate the uptake of efficient renewable generation and heating and cooling not only in middle and high-income households but also in low-income households at risk of energy poverty or in social housing.
Amendment 109 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Insufficient numbers of skilled workers, in particular installers and designers of renewable heating and cooling systems, slow down the replacement of fossil fuel heating systems by renewable energy based systems, including solar thermal photovoltaic systems, shallow geothermal systems and heat pumps and energy storage systems, and is a major barrier to integrating renewables in buildings, industry and agriculture. Member States should cooperate with social partners and renewable energy communities to anticipate the skills that will be needed. A sufficient number of high-quality training programmes and certification possibilities ensuring proper installation and reliable operation of a wide range of renewable heating and cooling systems should be made available and designed in a way to attract participation in such training programmes and certification systems. Training courses and qualifications already acquired by the operators on the basis of the previous legislation must be preserved. Member States should consider what actions should be taken to attract groups currently under- represented in the occupational areas in question. The list of trained and certified installers should be made public to ensure consumer trust and easy access to tailored designer and installer skills guaranteeing proper installation and operation of renewable heating and cooling.
Amendment 159 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Insufficient numbers of skilled workers, in particular installers and designers of renewable heating and cooling systems, slow down the replacement of fossil fuel heating systems by renewable energy based systems, including solar thermal photovoltaic systems, shallow geothermal systems and heat pumps and energy storage systems, and is a major barrier to integrating renewables in buildings, industry and agriculture. Member States should cooperate with social partners and renewable energy communities to anticipate the skills that will be needed. A sufficient number of high-quality training programmes and certification possibilities ensuring proper installation and reliable operation of a wide range of renewable heating and cooling systems should be made available and designed in a way to attract participation in such training programmes and certification systems. Training courses and qualifications already acquired by the operators on the basis of the previous legislation must be preserved. Member States should consider what actions should be taken to attract groups currently under- represented in the occupational areas in question. The list of trained and certified installers should be made public to ensure consumer trust and easy access to tailored designer and installer skills guaranteeing proper installation and operation of renewable heating and cooling.
Amendment 204 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Directive (EU) 2018/2001
Article 18 – paragraph 6
Article 18 – paragraph 6
4 a. By 31 December 2025 the Commission shall assess the availability of trained and qualified installers of renewable energy technologies needed to cover the demand for jobs at Member State level. Where necessary, the Commission shall make recommendations to Member States to reduce any gap in the availability of trained workers, which shall be made publicly available.
Amendment 209 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 29
Recital 29
(29) The use of renewable fuels and renewable electricity in transport can contribute to the decarbonisation of the Union transport sector in a cost-effective manner, and improve, amongst other, energy diversification in that sector while promoting innovation, growth and jobs in the Union economy and reducing reliance on energy imports. With a view to achieving the increased target for greenhouse gas emission savings defined by the Union, the level of renewable energy supplied to all transport modes in the Union should be increased, while mitigating the risk of carbon leakage in those sectors which are greatly exposed to the competition by third countries, such as the international maritime sector. Expressing the transport target as a greenhouse gas intensity reduction target would stimulate an increasing use of the most cost-effective and performing fuels, in terms of greenhouse gas savings, in transport. In addition, a greenhouse gas intensity reduction target would stimulate innovation and set out a clear benchmark to compare across fuel types and renewable electricity depending on their greenhouse gas intensity. Complementary to this, increasing the level of the energy-based target on advanced biofuels and biogas and introducing a target for renewable fuels of non-biological origin would ensure an increased use of the renewable fuels with smallest environmental impact in transport modes that are difficult to electrify. The achievement of those targets should be ensured by obligations on fuel suppliers as well as by other measures included in [Regulation (EU) 2021/XXX on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport - FuelEU Maritime and Regulation (EU) 2021/XXX on ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport]. Dedicated obligations on aviation fuel suppliers should be set only pursuant to [Regulation (EU) 2021/XXX on ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport].
Amendment 223 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point c a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point c a (new)
(c a) the following subparagraph is inserted: Member States shall in particular provide information to the owners or tenants of buildings and SMEs on cost-effective measures, and financial instruments, to improve the use of renewable energy in the heating and cooling systems. Member States shall provide the information through accessible and transparent advisory tools based in one-stop shops;
Amendment 666 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Directive (EU) 2018/2001
Article 18 – paragraph 6
Article 18 – paragraph 6
4a. By 31 December 2025 the Commission shall assess the availability of trained and qualified installers of renewable energy technologies needed to cover the demand for jobs at Member State level. Where necessary, the Commission shall make recommendations to Member States to reduce any gap in the availability of trained workers, which shall be made publicly available.
Amendment 859 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point c a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point c a (new)
Directive (EU) 2018/2001
Article 23– paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3 (new)
Article 23– paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3 (new)
(ca) the following subparagraph is inserted: Member States shall in particular provide information to the owners or tenants of buildings and SMEs on cost-effective measures, and financial instruments, to improve the use of renewable energy in the heating and cooling systems. Member States shall provide the information through accessible and transparent advisory tools based in one-stop shops;
Amendment 1009 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 14
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 14
Directive (EU) 2018/2001
Article 25 – Paragraph 2
Article 25 – Paragraph 2
2. Member States shall establish a mechanism allowing fuel suppliers in their territory to exchange credits for supplying renewable energy to the transport sector. Economic operators that supply renewable electricity to electric vehicles through public and private recharging stations and through on-shore power supply for the maritime sector shall receive credits, irrespectively of whether the economic operators are subject to the obligation set by the Member State on fuel suppliers, and may sell those credits to fuel suppliers, which shall be allowed to use the credits to fulfil the obligation set out in paragraph 1, first subparagraph.; (See wording of paragraph 2 of Article 25 of Directiv Or. en proposal of the (EU) 2018/2001 as replaced by the Commission currently discussed in ITRE)
Amendment 1017 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 14
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 14
Directive (EU) 2018/2001
Article 25 – Paragraph 2
Article 25 – Paragraph 2
Amendment 75 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7 a) Tackling climate change and keeping global warming below 1.5°C requires global action. The Union must not only lead by example, by eliminating its own emissions, including those embedded in the products it imports, but also cooperate with its partners, in accordance with WTO rules, to create an open, multilateral and cooperative global system, acting as a key enabler of the green transition.
Amendment 80 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) As long as a significant number of the Union’s international partners have policy approaches that do not result in the same level of climate ambition, there is a risk of carbon leakage. An effective CBAM implementation should ensure the creation of a level playing field while encouraging trade partners to decarbonize. Carbon leakage occurs if, for reasons of costs related to climate policies, businesses in certain industry sectors or subsectors were to transfer production to other countries or imports from those countries would replace equivalent but less GHG emissions intensive products. That could lead to an increase in their total emissions globally, thus jeopardising the reduction of GHG emissions that is urgently needed if the world is to keep the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre- industrial levels.
Amendment 97 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The initiative for a carbon border adjustment mechanism (‘CBAM’) is a part of the ‘Fit for 55 Package’. That mechanism is to serve as an essential element of the EU toolbox to meet the objective of a climate-neutral Union by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement by addressing risks of carbon leakage resulting from the increased Union climate ambition and ensuring a level playing field to preserve the competitiveness of EU industries.
Amendment 101 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9 a) Innovation will be crucial to boost growth and competitiveness by empowering EU businesses, in particular SMEs to become global leaders in developing new and clean technology and to achieve the European Green Deal objectives. The Commission and the Member States should channelled incentives and policies for innovation, through a robust Innovation Fund to promote zero-carbon industrial processes.
Amendment 125 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The CBAM seeks to replace these existing mechanisms by addressing the risk of carbon leakage in a different way, namely by ensuring equivalent carbon pricing for imports and domestic products. The CBAM should ensure an integrated approach between imports dynamics, the internal market development and the exports. To ensure a gradual transition from the current system of free allowances to the CBAM, the CBAM should be progressively phased in while free allowances in sectors covered by the CBAM are phased out. The combined and transitional application of EU ETS allowances allocated free of charge and of the CBAM should in no case result in more favourable treatment for Union goods compared to goods imported into the customs territory of the Union.
Amendment 199 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 29
Recital 29
(29) The goods under this Regulation should be selected after a careful analysis of their relevance in terms of cumulated GHG emissions and risk of carbon leakage in the corresponding EU ETS sectors while limiting complexity and administrative burden. In particular, the actual selection should take into account basic materials and basic products covered by the EU ETS with the objective of ensuring that imports of energy intensive products into the Union are on equal footing with EU products in terms of EU ETS carbon pricing, and to mitigate risks of carbon leakage. Other relevant criteria to narrow the selection should be: firstly, relevance of sectors in terms of emissions, namely whether the sector is one of the largest aggregate emitters of GHG emissions; secondly, sector’s exposure to significant risk of carbon leakage, as defined pursuant to Directive 2003/87/EC; thirdly, the need to balance broad coverage in terms of GHG emissions while limiting complexity and administrative effort. Particular attention should also be paid to the risk of market distortions between the different sectors covered by the CBAM.
Amendment 256 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 50 a (new)
Recital 50 a (new)
(50 a) The full effectiveness of the CBAM in tackling the carbon leakage risk both on the EU market and on export markets should be assessed and positively verified through a strong monitoring of the impacts on EU businesses, with a view to modify the present legislation, if necessary.
Amendment 262 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 51
Recital 51
(51) To facilitate and ensure a proper functioning of the CBAM, the Commission should ensure interoperability between the national and central databases. The Commission should also provide support to the competent authorities responsible for the application of this Regulation in carrying out their obligations. The Commission should assist enterprises, especially SMEs, in adapting to this Regulation and establish an expert group to share information and best practices with the competent authorities.
Amendment 269 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 52
Recital 52
(52) The Commission should evaluate the application of this Regulation before the end of the transitional period and report to the European Parliament and the Council. The report of the Commission should in particular focus on the impact on competitiveness of EU downstream industry and its synchronisation with the technological perspectives and maturities, concerning namely the new clean energy alternatives such as the availability of cost-competitive green hydrogen. The report should also evaluate the possibilities to enhance climate actions towards the objective of a climate neutral Union by 2050. The Commission should, as part of that evaluation, initiate collection of information necessary to possibly extend the scope to indirect emissions, as well as to other goods and services at risk of carbon leakage, and to develop methods of calculating embedded emissions based on the environmental footprint methods47 . __________________ 47Commission Recommendation 2013/179/EU of 9 April 2013 on the use of common methods to measure and communicate the life cycle environmental performance of products and organisations (OJ L 124, 4.5.2013, p. 1).
Amendment 289 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 55 a (new)
Recital 55 a (new)
(55 a) To support least developed countries' efforts towards the decarbonisation of their manufacturing industries, financial support should be provided, including through reinforcing climate spending in the Union budget’s Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance III established by Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the relevant geographic and thematic programmes of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument established by Regulation(EU) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council.
Amendment 301 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation establishes a carbon border adjustment mechanism (the ‘CBAM’) for addressing greenhouse gas emissions embedded in the goods referred to in Annex I, upon their importation into the customs territory of the Union, in order to ensure a level playing field to preserve the competitiveness of EU industries, and thus to prevent the risk of carbon leakage.
Amendment 358 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 12 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. The Union may pursue complementary approaches to CBAM through cooperation and dialogue with third countries, with a view to conclude agreements on open, multilateral and cooperative approaches to tackle carbon leakage and achieve the deep decarbonisation of energy intensive industries, including through non-pricing policies. The introduction of CBAM and the proposal to increase cooperation and dialogue with third countries may actively contribute to tackle climate challenges at international level.
Amendment 463 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 1 a (new)
The Commission shall provide enterprises, especially SMEs, with technical advice and assistance in order to facilitate their adaptation to the obligations laid down in this Regulation.
Amendment 464 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 1 b (new)
The Commission shall set up an expert group representing the competent authorities in order to exchange information and best practices on the application of this Regulation.
Amendment 31 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) It is necessary to ensure that clear taxation rules for energy products and electricity continue to contribute to the smooth functioning of the internal market while at the same time tackling the climate and environmental-related challenges in the context of the Communication from the Commission ‘The European Green Deal’28 . Energy taxation can contribute to the ambition of at least 55 % reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990, as well as to the objective of zero pollution through the implementation of the polluter-pays principle, by ensuring that the taxation of motor fuels, heating fuels and electricity better reflects the impact they have on the environment and on health. The contribution of energy taxation to those objectives has been endorsed by the Council Conclusions on the EU energy taxation framework29 . The establishment of minimum levels of taxation should not damage intra-EU connectivity. Member States at the periphery, remote regions, islands and areas that are not able to rely on suitable alternative modes of transport for natural or infrastructural reasons depend on aviation and maritime transport and should not be disproportionately affected. New taxes on aviation and maritime fuels that would not take into account these specificities would penalise citizens living and businesses operating in these areas and, to a larger extent, would prove detrimental to the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the Union. __________________ 28COM(2019) 640 final of 11 December 2019. 29 14861/19 of 5 December 2019.
Amendment 40 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) It is necessary to ensure that clear taxation rules for energy products and electricity continue to contribute to the smooth functioning of the internal market while at the same time tackling the climate and environmental-related challenges in the context of the Communication from the Commission ‘The European Green Deal’28 . Energy taxation can contribute to the ambition of at least 55 % reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990, as well as to the objective of zero pollution through the implementation of the polluter-pays principle, by ensuring that the taxation of motor fuels, heating fuels and electricity better reflects the impact they have on the environment and on health. The contribution of energy taxation to those objectives has been endorsed by the Council Conclusions on the EU energy taxation framework29 . The establishment of minimum levels of taxation should not damage intra-EU connectivity. Member States at the periphery, remote regions, islands and areas that are not able to rely on suitable alternative modes of transport for natural or infrastructural reasons depend on aviation and maritime transport and should not be disproportionately affected. New taxes on aviation and maritime fuels that would not take into account these specificities would penalise citizens living and businesses operating in these areas and, to a larger extent, would prove detrimental to the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the Union. _________________ 28 COM(2019) 640 final of 11 December 2019. 29 14861/19 of 5 December 2019.
Amendment 53 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) As a general principle, Member States should apply to energy products and electricity levels of taxation not less than the minimum levels of taxation as set out by the Directive, maintaining the level playing field between Member States whilst safeguarding the competitiveness of the EU economy. Member States should be permitted to comply with the Union minimum taxation levels by taking into account the total charge levied in respect of all indirect taxes which they have chosen to apply (excluding VAT), as long as this does not negatively affect the level playing field between Member States.
Amendment 64 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) The Union and the Member States have concluded multilateral agreements regarding air services and air transport, or bilateral agreements with third countries. Those agreements include provisions related to the taxation of aviation fuel. Aviation fuel has traditionally had a privileged tax regime. The need to pursue the objectives of the Directive requires that, without prejudice to those international agreements, energy products and electricity supplied for intra-EU air navigation, except cargo-only flights should be taxed. The exemption for the fuel used by cargo-only flights is still needed in the absence of more efficient alternatives. The same is true of shipping, which is one of the most energy-efficient modes of transport, and key to ensuring European connectivity. Short-sea shipping within the EU is especially important in maintaining links between islands and remote regions and the European mainland.
Amendment 71 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 22 a (new)
Recital 22 a (new)
(22 a) Given the international character of shipping, a global market-based measure would be the most suitable and effective option. The European Union should therefore further increase the pressure on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to make progress on the development of such a global market- based measure. Overall, EU initiatives addressing emissions from shipping should be compatible with IMO efforts in order to avoid carbon leakage and leakage of business to ports outside Europe. Accordingly, alignment with a market-based measure developed in the IMO should be closely examined as a means of addressing potential negative impacts of this Directive.
Amendment 90 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 35
Recital 35
(35) Reference should be made to the version presently applicable of the Combined Nomenclature. In order to ensure that the references to Combined Nomenclature (CN) codes in this Directive are updated whenever necessary, and that the minimum rates of taxation reflect prices evolution, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the TFEU should be delegated to the Commission in respect of updating the reference to those CN codes, and in respect of updating the minimum tax rates based on yearly variations of the consumer price index. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the Council receives all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts.
Amendment 92 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 36
Recital 36
(36) Every five years and for the first time five years after the entry into force of this Directive, the Commission should report to the Council on the application of this Directive, examining in particular the minimum levels of taxation, the impact of innovation and technological developments, especially as regards energy efficiency, the use of electricity in transport and the justification for the exemptions, reductions and differentiations laid down in this Directive. The report should take into account the proper functioning of the internal market, environmental and social considerations, the real value of the minimum levels of taxation and, the effects of this Directive on the economic, social and territorial cohesion of European Member States and regions that solely rely on aviation and maritime transport as well as the wider relevant objectives of the Treaties.
Amendment 98 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3 a) Insular, peripheral and remote regions had little alternative but to build their economic competitiveness with the support of air transport, enabling and promoting key economic flows and other drivers of economic development enabled by efficient and affordable air services. Improved air connectivity has brought about wider economic benefits, beyond those that benefit the immediate users of air transport networks. Beyond those that could be considered direct economic benefits of aviation, air connectivity between Member States serves as an essential catalyst for economic growth and social welfare. Air linkages that connect central Member States to the insular, peripheral and remote regions continue to make a vital contribution to economic growth.
Amendment 100 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3 b (new)
Recital 3 b (new)
(3 b) Until cleaner energy is made available through technological advances, taxpayers are encouraged to consume smartly and use transport that consumes less fossil fuels. However, until more environmentally friendly alternatives are available, the insular, peripheral and remote regions will be at an economic disadvantage compared to the central ones. Insular, peripheral and remote regions should not be discriminated against since in the near future they will not have transport alternatives that are more ecological than air transport. Citizens and businesses on islands and at the periphery should continue to benefit from equivalent connectivity opportunities as their counterparts in more central areas of the Union.
Amendment 101 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) Environmental taxation can be a cost-effective mean for Member States to achieve the targeted reductions of greenhouse gasses. The proper functioning of the internal market requires common rules on that taxation, while preserving Member States' flexibility and sovereignty over tax prerogatives, not least with respect to promoting economic and social development of their insular, peripheral and remote regions.
Amendment 108 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 112 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7 a) For insular regions having no connections by road, train or bridge with the European mainland, and for peripheral and remote regions, especially those with an economy that is highly dependent on tourism, the kerosene tax should be waived for flights to and from such regions, during the first five years, and should then be raised in five equal annual steps in the following five years to reach the levels achieved for all flights at the end of the ten year period. All precautionary steps should be taken to avoid any "détournement de trafic" in kerosene usage.
Amendment 152 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 35
Recital 35
(35) Reference should be made to the version presently applicable of the Combined Nomenclature. In order to ensure that the references to Combined Nomenclature (CN) codes in this Directive are updated whenever necessary, and that the minimum rates of taxation reflect prices evolution, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the TFEU should be delegated to the Commission in respect of updating the reference to those CN codes, and in respect of updating the minimum tax rates based on yearly variations of the consumer price index. It is of particular importance that the Commission carry out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making. In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the Council receives all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts.
Amendment 155 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 36
Recital 36
(36) Every fivthree years and for the first time fivthree years after the entry into force of this Directive, the Commission should report to the Council on the application of this Directive, examining in particular the minimum levels of taxation, the impact of innovation and technological developments, especially as regards energy efficiency, the use of electricity in transport and the justification for the exemptions, reductions and differentiations laid down in this Directive. The report should take into account the proper functioning of the internal market, environmental and social considerations, the real value of the minimum levels of taxation and, the effects of this Directive on the economic, social and territorial cohesion of Member States and regions that solely rely on aviation and maritime transport as well as the wider relevant objectives of the Treaties.
Amendment 184 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 29 – paragraph 2
Article 29 – paragraph 2
2. The power to adopt the delegated acts referred to in Article 2(8) and Article 5(2) shall be conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period of time from 1 January 2023.
Amendment 186 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 29 – paragraph 3
Article 29 – paragraph 3
3. The delegation of power referred to in Article 2(8) and Article 5(2) may be revoked at any time by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.
Amendment 189 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 29 – paragraph 6
Article 29 – paragraph 6
6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 2(8) and Article 5(2) shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the Council have informed the Commission that it will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the Council.
Amendment 193 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 31 – paragraph 1
Article 31 – paragraph 1
Every fivthree years and for the first time fivthree years after 1 January 2023, the Commission shall submit to the Council a report on the application of this Directive.
Amendment 194 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 31 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 31 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Before the entry into force of this Directive, the Commission shall carry out an impact assessment, in close cooperation with relevant stakeholders, on the basis of real data. If the impact assessment finds that there is a risk of a negative impact, the Commission shall by then propose measures to prevent such negative effects and to ensure the effectiveness of the Directive.
Amendment 196 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 196 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 31 – paragraph 2
Article 31 – paragraph 2
The report by the Commission shall, inter alia, examine the minimum levels of taxation, the impact of innovation and technological developments, in particular as regards energy efficiency, the use of electricity in transport and the justification for the exemptions, reductions and differentiations laid down in this Directive. The report shall take into account the proper functioning of the internal market, environmental and social considerations, the real value of the minimum levels of taxation and, the effects of this Directive on the economic, social and territorial cohesion of European Member States and regions that solely rely on aviation and maritime transport as well as the relevant wider objectives of the Treaties.
Amendment 196 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 36
Recital 36
(36) Every fivthree years and for the first time fivthree years after the entry into force of this Directive, the Commission should report to the Council on the application of this Directive, examining in particular the minimum levels of taxation, the impact of innovation and technological developments, especially as regards energy efficiency, the use of electricity in transport and the justification for the exemptions, reductions and differentiations laid down in this Directive. The report should take into account the proper functioning of the internal market, environmental and social considerations, the real value of the minimum levels of taxation and, the impact of this Directive on air connectivity and the economic and social welfare of insular, peripheral and remote regions as well as the wider relevant objectives of the Treaties.
Amendment 236 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Amendment 242 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 a (new)
Article 7 a (new)
Amendment 331 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 29 – paragraph 2
Article 29 – paragraph 2
2. The power to adopt the delegated acts referred to in Article 2(8) and Article 5(2) shall be conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period of time from 1 January 2023.
Amendment 334 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 29 – paragraph 3
Article 29 – paragraph 3
3. The delegation of power referred to in Article 2(8) and Article 5(2) may be revoked at any time by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.
Amendment 336 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 29 – paragraph 6
Article 29 – paragraph 6
6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 2(8) and Article 5(2) shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the Council have informed the Commission that it will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the Council.
Amendment 345 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 31 – paragraph 1
Article 31 – paragraph 1
Every fivthree years and for the first time fivthree years after 1 January 2023, the Commission shall submit to the Council a report on the application of this Directive.
Amendment 348 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 31 – paragraph 2
Article 31 – paragraph 2
The report by the Commission shall, inter alia, examine the minimum levels of taxation, the impact of innovation and technological developments, in particular as regards energy efficiency, the use of electricity in transport and the justification for the exemptions, reductions and differentiations laid down in this Directive. The report shall take into account the proper functioning of the internal market, environmental and social considerations, the real value of the minimum levels of taxation and, the effects of this Directive on the economic, social and territorial cohesion of Member States and regions that solely rely on aviation and maritime transport as well as the relevant wider objectives of the Treaties.
Amendment 369 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 29 – paragraph 2
Article 29 – paragraph 2
2. The power to adopt the delegated acts referred to in Article 2(8) and Article 5(2) shall be conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period of time from 1 January 2023.
Amendment 372 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 29 – paragraph 3
Article 29 – paragraph 3
3. The delegation of power referred to in Article 2(8) and Article 5(2) may be revoked at any time by the Council. A decision to revoke shall put an end to the delegation of the power specified in that decision. It shall take effect the day following the publication of the decision in the Official Journal of the European Union or at a later date specified therein. It shall not affect the validity of any delegated acts already in force.
Amendment 374 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 29 – paragraph 6
Article 29 – paragraph 6
Amendment 378 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 31 – paragraph 1
Article 31 – paragraph 1
Every fivthree years and for the first time fivthree years after 1 January 2023, the Commission shall submit to the Council a report on the application of this Directive.
Amendment 384 #
2021/0213(CNS)
Proposal for a directive
Article 31 – paragraph 2
Article 31 – paragraph 2
The report by the Commission shall, inter alia, examine the minimum levels of taxation, the impact of innovation and technological developments, in particular as regards energy efficiency, the use of electricity in transport and the justification for the exemptions, reductions and differentiations laid down in this Directive. The report shall take into account the proper functioning of the internal market, environmental and social considerations, the real value of the minimum levels of taxation and, the impact of this directive on air connectivity and the economic and social welfare of insular, peripheral and remote regions as well as the relevant wider objectives of the Treaties.
Amendment 60 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Pursuant to Directive (EU) 2018/410, the Commission should report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the progress achieved in the IMO towards an ambitious emission reduction objective, and on accompanying measures to ensure that the maritime transport sector duly contributes to the efforts needed to achieve the objectives agreed under the Paris Agreement. Efforts to limit global maritime emissions through the IMO are under way and should be encouraged. However, while the recent progress achieved through the IMO is welcome, these measures will not be sufficient to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreementen encouraged. Given the international character of shipping, a global market- based measure would be the most suitable and effective option to address the decarbonisation of the sector, especially for regions at the periphery of Europe whose maritime sectors are more exposed to negative economic impacts. It is therefore necessary for the EU to increase its pressure on the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to attain consensus on a global market-based measure. However, while the recent progress achieved through the IMO is welcome, these measures will not be sufficient to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement. To the extent possible, EU efforts for a regional market based measure must be aimed at avoiding carbon leakage for the sector and allowing for compatibility with a global market-based measure.
Amendment 85 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19 a) In light of possible negative effects such as carbon leakage, delocation of calls and relocation of EU shipping and port activities outside the EU, among others, the Commission, prior to the entry into force of Directive 2003/87/EC with regards to the maritime sector, should conduct a holistic impact assessment, in cooperation with all stakeholders, through the use of real data, to assess the eventuality of such risks. If such impact assessment reveals that there is indeed a risk of negative economic impacts on the EU maritime sector and its ports as well as negative socio-economic impacts on maritime and coastal regions and islands such as destabilising cost of living expenses, job losses, and interruptions in the flow of essential commodities, the Commission shall address such risks by proposing measures to prevent such negative effects and to ensure the effectiveness of the EU ETS.
Amendment 95 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 28 a (new)
Recital 28 a (new)
(28 a) In order to successfully ensure the decarbonisation of the maritime sector, ETS revenues generated by the maritime sector, or the equivalent amount, should be earmarked to be reinvested in the EU's maritime sector, its ports and affected regions, with investments not only tailored towards decarbonisation but also a socially just transition for maritime and coastal regions, including islands, also through the creation of social programmes intended to upskill and re- skill workers and the creation of new investment and job opportunities.
Amendment 325 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 3ge – paragraph 1a (new)
Article 3ge – paragraph 1a (new)
1a. Prior the entry into force of the ETS provisions for maritime outlined in Chapter II, the Commission shall conduct a full impact assessment, in close cooperation with the relevant stakeholders, based on real data, of the possible impacts and risk of these provisions to the EU maritime sector, its ports and affected regions. The Commission shall consider in its assessment, among other, the risk of carbon leakage, delocation of calls, shift of EU shipping and port activities outside the EU and the socio-economic impact of this Directive on maritime and coastal regions and islands such as destabilising cost of living expenses, job losses, and interruptions in the flow of essential commodities. Negative impacts identified by such impact assessment shall lead to proposals and initiatives by the Commission, including amendments to provisions related to the inclusion of maritime in the EU ETS, with the objective of addressing the negative repercussions.
Amendment 107 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) In the context of fuel transition to renewable and low carbon fuels and substitute sources of energy, it is essential to ensure the proper functioning of and fair competition in the EU maritime transport market regarding marine fuels, which account for a substantial share of ship operators’ costs. Differences in fuel requirements across Member States of the Union can significantly affect ship operators’ economic performance and negatively impact competition in the market. Due to the international nature of shipping, ship operators may easily bunker in third countries and carry large amounts of fuel something that could also contribute to a risk of loss of competitiveness of Union ports vis-à-vis non-Union ports. This may lead to carbon leakage and detrimental effects on the competitiveness of the sector if the availability of renewable and low carbon fuels in maritime ports under the jurisdiction of a Member State is not accompanied by requirements for their use that apply to all ship operators arriving at and departing from ports under the jurisdiction of Member States. This Regulation should lay down measures to ensure that the penetration of renewable low-carbon fuels in the marine fuels market takes place under the conditions of fair competition on the EU maritime transport market.
Amendment 124 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) Every year over a period of five years as from the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission should evaluate its impact on EU ports exposed to competition from non-EU ports. A list of those ports should be established, their emissions monitored and the evolution of the volumes tracked in order to determine, whether variations are due to market conditions or can be attributed to carbon leakage. Should the cargo diversion be caused by the introduction of this Regulation, the Commission should thoroughly evaluate the loss of competitiveness and allocate additional funding for clean port infrastructure and for the greening of superstructure such as new clean mobile service equipment.
Amendment 174 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
(14a) The development and production of sustainable maritime fuels should be exponentially increased in the coming years. The EU and the Member States should invest in the research and production of sustainable maritime fuel projects as they present both an environmental and an industrial opportunity. The production of sustainable maritime fuels should be concentrated inside the Union, creating industrial, labour and research opportunities in all the Member States. As there is an urgent need to support research and innovation for maritime fuels, an EU research centre for alternative marine fuels and technologies could be created. This centre will coordinate the sector stakeholders involved in the development of sustainable renewable fuels and possibly co-finance investment and research, development and deployment through the ETS maritime revenues.
Amendment 181 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) In the context of fuel transition to renewable and low carbon fuels and substitute sources of energy, it is essential to ensure the proper functioning of and fair competition in the EU maritime transport market regarding marine fuels, which account for a substantial share of ship operators’ costs. Differences in fuel requirements across Member States of the Union can significantly affect ship operators’ economic performance and negatively impact competition in the market. Due to the international nature of shipping, ship operators may easily bunker in third countries and carry large amounts of fuel something that could also contribute to a risk of loss of competitiveness of Union ports vis-à-vis non-Union ports. This may lead to carbon leakage and detrimental effects on the competitiveness of the sector if the availability of renewable and low carbon fuels in maritime ports under the jurisdiction of a Member State is not accompanied by requirements for their use that apply to all ship operators arriving at and departing from ports under the jurisdiction of Member States. This Regulation should lay down measures to ensure that the penetration of renewable low-carbon fuels in the marine fuels market takes place under the conditions of fair competition on the EU maritime transport market.
Amendment 186 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4 a) Every year over a period of five years as from the entry into force of the FuelEU Maritime Regulation, the EU Commission should evaluate the impact of FuelEU Maritime on EU ports exposed to competition from non-EU ports. A list of those ports shall be established, their emissions monitored and the evolution of the volumes tracked in order to determine whether variations are due to market conditions or can be attributed to carbon leakage. Should the cargo diversion be caused by the introduction of FuelEU Maritime, the EU Commission will have to thoroughly evaluate the loss of competitiveness and allocate additional funding for clean port infrastructure and for the greening of superstructure such as new clean mobile service equipment.
Amendment 216 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
(14 a) The development and production of sustainable maritime fuels should be exponentially increased in the coming years. The EU and the Member States should invest in the research and production of sustainable maritime fuel projects as they present both an environmental and an industrial opportunity. The production of sustainable maritime fuels should be concentrated inside the Union, creating industrial, labour and research opportunities in all the Member States. As there is an urgent need to support research and innovation for maritime fuels, an EU research centre for alternative marine fuels and technologies could be created. This centre should coordinate the sector stakeholders involved in the development of sustainable renewable fuels and possibly co-finance investment and research, development and deployment through the ETS maritime revenues.
Amendment 229 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37
Recital 37
(37) The revenues generated from the payment of penalties should be used to promote the distribution and use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in the maritime sector and, help maritime operators to meet their climate and environmental goals, finance/co-finance infrastructure and if necessary superstructure investments in the EU ports as well as to support redeployment, re-skilling and up- skilling of workers, in quality social dialogue with social partners. For this purpose these revenues should be allocated to the the Innovation Fund referred to in Article 10a(8) of Directive 2003/87/EC.
Amendment 243 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42
Recital 42
(42) Given the international dimension of the maritime sector, a global approach to limiting the greenhouse gas intensity of the energy used by ships is preferable as it could be regarded as more effective due to its broader scope. In this context, and with a view to facilitating the development of international rules within the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the Commission should share relevant information on the implementation of this Regulation with the IMO and other relevant international bodies and relevant submissions should be made to the IMO. The EU must continue its efforts to promote more ambitious maritime decarbonization targets within the IMO. Where an agreement on a global approach is reached on matters of relevance to this Regulation, the Commission should review the present Regulation with a view to aligning it, where appropriate, with the international rules.
Amendment 248 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26 a (new)
Recital 26 a (new)
(26 a) The use of blockchain technology should be encouraged in order to render monitoring and reporting processes more secure and accurate.
Amendment 256 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 43 a (new)
Recital 43 a (new)
(43a) Recognizing the importance to address the specific needs of islands and remote areas of the Union and with a view to ensure connectivity, flexibility should be provided to the passenger maritime cabotage sector, as prescribed in Council Regulation (EEC) No 3577/92, in order to adapt to the scheme without compromising the current level of transport services.
Amendment 258 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
Recital 39
(39) Given the importance of consequences that the measures taken by the verifiers under this Regulation may have for the companies concerned, in particular regarding the determination of non-compliant port calls, calculation of the amounts of penalties andor in case of repeated violations refusal to issue a FuelEU certificate of compliance, those companies should be entitled to apply for a review of such measures to the competent authority in the Member State where the verifier was accredited. In the light of the fundamental right to an effective remedy, enshrined in Article 47 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, decisions taken by the competent authorities and the managing bodies of the port under this Regulation should be subject to judicial review, carried out in accordance with the national law of the Member State concerned.
Amendment 263 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 42
Recital 42
(42) Given the international dimension of the maritime sector, a global approach to limiting the greenhouse gas intensity of the energy used by ships is preferable as it could be regarded as more effective due to its broader scope. In this context, and with a view to facilitating the development of international rules within the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), the Commission should share relevant information on the implementation of this Regulation with the IMO and other relevant international bodies and relevant submissions should be made to the IMO. The EU must continue its efforts to promote more ambitious maritime decarbonization targets within the IMO. Where an agreement on a global aproach is reached on matters of relevance to this Regulation, the Commission should review the present Regulation with a view to aligning it, where appropriate, with the international rules.
Amendment 265 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
in order to increase consistent supply and use of renewable and low-carbon fuels and substitute sources of energy across the Union, while ensurin maritime transport across the Union in line with the Union’s objective of climate neutrality ing the smooth operation of maritime trafficUnion at the latest by 2050 and the goals of the Paris Agreement, while ensuring its smooth operation and avoiding distortions in the internal market.
Amendment 268 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the limit on the greenhouse gas (‘GHG’) intensity of energy supplied by maritime fuel suppliers and used on-board by a ship arriving at, staying within or departing from ports under the jurisdiction of a Member State and
Amendment 276 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) a half of the energy used on voyages departing from or arriving to a port of call under the jurisdiction of a Member State, where the last or the next port of call is under the jurisdiction of a third country, in the condition that a thorough ex ante impact assessment regarding the risks of cargo diversion establishes that no major negative impacts on EU ports are expected. The Commission shall then propose an amendment to this Regulation aiming at adjusting it taking into account the data from the impact assessment.
Amendment 277 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the energy supplied and used during their stay within a port of call under the jurisdiction of a Member State,
Amendment 281 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) all the fuels purchased in EU ports.
Amendment 289 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 a (new)
By way of derogation, paragraph 1(b) shall not apply until 31 December2029 to passenger and Ro-Ro passenger ships calling at ports of islands within the same Member State with less than 100.000 permanent residents, according to the latest official national census of the population. Member States shall notify the Commission about the routes and islands exempted as well as for any alterations thereof.
Amendment 399 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 20 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. When the responsibility for the purchase of the fuel and/ or the operation of the ship is assumed, pursuant to a contractual agreement, by an entity other than the shipping company, that entity shall either pay the penalties under Article 20(1) and (2) of this Regulation or reimburse the shipping company for the penalties paid. For the purposes of this paragraph, operation of the ship shall mean determining the cargo carried, the itinerary, the routeing and/or the speed of the ship.
Amendment 452 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 6
Article 5 – paragraph 6
6. From 1 January 2035, the exceptions listed in paragraph 3, points (d) and (e), may not be applied to a given ship, in total, more than five times or 10% of port calls whichever is the highest, during one reporting year. A port call shall not be counted for the purpose of compliance with this provision where the company demonstrates that it could not have reasonably known that the ship will be unable to connect for the reasons referred to in paragraph 3, points (d) and (e).
Amendment 526 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. When the supply of fuels referred to in Article 4b New paragraph1 and 2, is not sufficient at the Union ports of call-in accordance with the supply plan of the maritime fuel suppliers, the ship shall submit a fuel non-availability report (FNAR). The report shall cover all the Union port calls during the compliance period and it shall be submitted to the competent authorities and the Commission.
Amendment 579 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1
Article 21 – paragraph 1
1. The penalties referred to in Article 20(1) and 20(2) shall be allocated to support common projects aimed at the rapid deployment of renewable and low carbon fuels in the maritime sector including safety, training and protecting measures for workers using new maritime fuels. Projects financed by the funds collected from the penalties shall stimulate the production of greater quantities of renewable and low carbon fuels for the maritime sector, facilitate the construction of appropriate bunkering facilities or electric connection ports in ports, and support the development, testing and deployment of the most innovative European technologies in the fleet to achieve significant emission reductions.
Amendment 593 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 2
Article 21 – paragraph 2
2. The revenues generated from penalties referred to in paragraph 1 shall be allocated to the the InnovaMaritime Transition Fund referred to in Article 10a(8bis) of Directive 2003/87/EC. These revenues shall constitute external assigned revenue in accordance with Article 21(5) of the Financial Regulation, and shall be implemented in accordance with the rules applicable to the InnovaMaritime Transition Fund.
Amendment 608 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 2
Article 26 – paragraph 2
2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Articles 4(6), 5(4), 9(3), 13(3), 20(4), and 21(3) shall be conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period of timeperiod of five years from [date of entry into force of this Regulation].
Amendment 627 #
2021/0210(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 28 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. In the event that an international agreement is adopted regarding the limits in relation to the greenhouse gas intensity of the energy used by ships, the Commission shall review and shall propose amendments to this Regulation in order to ensure a full alignment with the international agreement.
Amendment 25 #
2021/0207(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) Council adopted the First Edition of the International Standards and Recommended Practices on Environmental Protection - Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) (Annex 16, Volume IV to the Chicago Convention) at the tenth meeting of its 214th session on 27 June 2018. The Union and its Member States continue to support CORSIA and are committed to implement it from the start of the pilot phase 2021-202313 implement CORSIA from the start of the pilot phase 2021-202313 . However, in terms of its effectiveness in reaching the Paris Agreement goals as well as the Union's climate targets, CORSIA's level of ambition for the international aviation sector is not in line with the global level of ambition required to keep within the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement3a. The Union and its Member States should therefore be actively involved in climate diplomacy with the purpose of increasing the coverage of CORSIA, improving its environmental integrity, and thereby ensuring that it effectively reduces aviation emissions. It is also important that the enforceability and transparency linked to CORSIA be improved adequately. _________________ 13Council Decision (EU) 2020/954 of 25 June 2020 on the position to be taken on behalf of the European Union within the International Civil Aviation Organization as regards the notification of voluntary participation in the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) from 1 January 2021 and the option selected for calculating aeroplane operators’ offsetting requirements during the 2021-2023 period (OJ L 212, 3.7.2020, p. 14).
Amendment 35 #
2021/0207(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Achieving the increased climate ambition will require channelling as many resources as possible to the climate transition. As a result, all auction revenues that are not attributed to the Union budget should be used for climate-related purposes. For the ETS revision for phase four (2021-2030), an increase in auction revenues is envisaged within the aviation sector due to the phasing-out of free allowances and the coverage of flights between the Union and third countries. The share of such increased auction revenues that is attributed to the general budget of the Union as well as the revenue from payments of penalties settled by the aircraft operators in accordance with Article 16 of Directive 2003/87/EC should be allocated to the Innovation Fund and used entirely for enabling a just and sustainable transition to the decarbonisation of the aviation sector. That funding should be used especially for operational, aeronautics, airframe and new propulsion technologies, and sustainable aviation fuels to reduce the climate and environmental impacts of the aviation sector. Funding should be inclusive in terms of the involvement of stakeholders from public and private sectors representing a broad geographical and competence base across the Member States. The 'Fit for 55' legislative package, in general, and this Directive, in particular, should acknowledge the social dimension of the transition towards sustainable aviation. In order to ensure there is a socially just transition in this regard and protect the most vulnerable actors within the sector, an enhanced social dialogue at all stages should be promoted. Moreover, the availability of funds within relevant funding mechanisms under the EU ETS should be ensured in order to provide training, re- skilling, and up-skilling for workers, and, where appropriate, financial schemes to manage any unemployment risks due to the transitional measures taken in the sector.
Amendment 37 #
2021/0207(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Achieving the increased climate ambition will require channelling as many resources as possible to the climate transition. As a result, all auction revenues that are not attributed to the Union budget should be used for climate-related purposes, including for investments intended to facilitate a socially just transition, especially for peripheral regions, including islands, which will be impacted by the new provisions.
Amendment 71 #
2021/0207(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 20 a (new)
Recital 20 a (new)
(20a) The Union should do its utmost to advance the deployment and ensure strengthened ambition in the international carbon-offsetting scheme, CORSIA and support adopting a long- term goal to reduce global aviation emissions.
Amendment 88 #
2021/0207(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 25 a (new)
Recital 25 a (new)
(25a) Notes that special consideration should be given to safeguard the connectivity of peripheral regions, including islands. Stresses that due to their dependency on air travel such territories are posed to suffer the most from higher costs with possible negative consequences on prices for consumers, while rendering routes to such regions less economical, consequently decreasing the attractiveness of EU tourism destination and undermining the competitiveness of EU carriers vis a vis non-EU ones. Therefore, calls on the Commission to assess and review the impact of the new ETS aviation legislation on peripheral regions, including islands, within a year from its coming into force, and where necessary initiate proposals and/or initiatives to address the negative repercussions.
Amendment 91 #
2021/0207(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 26 a (new)
Recital 26 a (new)
(26a) A significant amount of the Innovation Fund should support advance research and development in the aviation sector, in particular those related to deployment of decarbonisation solutions and sustainable aviation fuels.
Amendment 133 #
2021/0207(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4a (new)
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10 a – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 10 a – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
4a. In Article 10a - paragraph 8, the following subparagraph 2a is added: "The amount of revenues from auctioning of allowances and penalties from the aviation sector allocated to the Innovation Fund shall be reinvested in the sector for innovation and technological development. Investments shall also be allowed to facilitate the transition of the most impacted regional economies, such as in the case of peripheral regions including islands, also through the creation of social programmes intended to upskill and re- skill workers and the creation of new investment and job opportunities."
Amendment 30 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The increase in the price for fossil fuels may disproportionally affect vulnerable households, vulnerable micro- enterprises, vulnerable SMEs and vulnerable transport users who spend a larger part of their incomes on energy and transport, who, in certain regionsthus exacerbating inequalities, and who, in certain regions, especially in rural, peripheral and isolated areas, in less developed regions or territories, those suffering from severe handicaps and those in demographic decline, do not have access to alternative, affordable mobility and transport solutions and who may lack the financial capacity to invest into the reduction of fossil fuel consumption.
Amendment 43 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
Having regard to Article 174 of the TFEU,
Amendment 45 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3 a) The "UN Climate Change Conference UK 2021", known as COP26, committed to the transition to climate neutrality to be just and sustainable, so that no region or community is left behind and highlighted the importance of ensuring a just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs. The COP26 emphasised the need to support communities and regions that are particularly vulnerable to the economic, employment and social effects of the transition.
Amendment 47 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
Amendment 55 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) A Social Climate Fund (‘the Fund’) should therefore be established to provide funds to the Member States to support their policies to address the social impacts of the emissions trading for buildings and road transport on vulnerable households, vulnerable micro-enterprises, vulnerable SMEs and vulnerable transport users. This should be achieved notably through temporary income support and measures and investments intended to reduce reliance on fossil fuels through increased energy efficiency of buildings, decarbonisation of heating and cooling of buildings, including the integration of energy from renewable sources, and granting improved access to zero- and low-emission mobility and transport to the benefit of vulnerable households, vulnerable micro-enterprises, vulnerable SMEs and vulnerable transport users.
Amendment 56 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
Amendment 57 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
Having regard to Article 174 of the TFEU,
Amendment 59 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The increase in the price for fossil fuels maywill disproportionally affect vulnerable households, vulnerable micro- enterprises including SMEs and vulnerable transport users who spend a larger part of their incomes on energy and transport, who, in certain regionthus exacerbating inequalities, and who, in certain regions, especially in rural, peripheral, remote, outermost, insular, mountainous and sparsely populated ones, as well as those in less developed regions or territories and those suffering from other demographic and accessibility challenges, do not have access to alternative, affordable mobility and transport solutions and who may lack the financial capacity to invest into the reduction of fossil fuel consumption.
Amendment 63 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10 a) Islands, especially the most peripheral ones, and outermost regions face specific challenges due to their position and size which can also result in diseconomies of scale that might affect the investments made to contribute to achieving the commitments towards climate neutrality.
Amendment 67 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) For that purpose, each Member State should submit to the Commission a Social Climate Plan (‘the Plan’). Those Plans should pursue two objectives. Firstly, they should provide vulnerable households, vulnerable micro-enterprises, vulnerable SMEs and vulnerable transport users the necessary resources to finance and carry out investments in energy efficiency, decarbonisation of heating and cooling, in zero- and low-emission vehicles and mobility. Secondly, they should mitigate the impact of the increase in the cost of fossil fuels on the most vulnerable and thereby prevent energy and transport poverty during the transition period until such investments have been implemented. The Plans should have an investment component promoting the long-term solution of reduce fossil fuels reliance and could envisage other measures, including temporary direct income support to mitigate adverse income effects in the shorter term.
Amendment 68 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
(14 a) The Plans should also include measures to provide information support, capacity building and training necessary to implement the investments and measures intended to reduce reliance on fossil fuels through increased energy efficiency of buildings, decarbonisation of heating and cooling of buildings, including the integration of energy from renewable sources, and granting improved access to zero- and low-emission mobility and transport.
Amendment 69 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9 a) As the transition to a cleaner Europe will have an economic and social impact that is difficult to assess ex-ante, additional investment and, thus, financial resources can be needed to achieve the commitment towards climate neutrality, while preserving the economic, social and territorial cohesion.
Amendment 70 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The increase in the price for fossil fuels may disproportionally affect vulnerable households, vulnerable micro- enterprises and vulnerable transport users who spend a larger part of their incomes on energy and transport, who, in certain regions, do not have access to alternative, affordable mobility and transport solutions and who may lack the financial capacity to invest into the reduction of fossil fuel consumptionincluding in rural, insular, mountainous, remote, sparsely populated and less accessible areas or for less developed regions or territories, including less developed peri-urban areas, do not have access to alternative, affordable mobility and transport solutions and who may lack the financial capacity to invest into the reduction of fossil fuel consumption., as well as local and regional governments who may lack the financial capacity to invest in energy efficient public building and social housing and clean and affordable public transports.
Amendment 71 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Member States, in consultation with regional, local level authorities and civil society organisations, are best placed to design and to implement Plans that are adapted and targeted to their local, regional and national circumstances as their existing policies in the relevant areas and planned use of other relevant EU funds. In that manner, the broad diversity of situations, the specific knowledge of local and regional governments, research and innovation and industrial relations and social dialogue structures, as well as national traditions, can best be respected and contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the overall support to the vulnerable.
Amendment 72 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) This is even more relevant in view of the existing levels of energy poverty. Energy is essential and access to affordable energy services is a basic social right and essential for social inclusion. Energy poverty is a situation in which households are unable to access essential energy services such as cooling, as temperatures rise, and heating. About 34 million Europeans reported an inability to keep their homes adequately warm in 2018, and 6.9% of the Union population have said that they cannot afford to heat their home sufficiently in a 2019 EU-wide survey32 . Overall, the Energy Poverty Observatory estimates that more than 50 million households in the European Union experience energy poverty. Energy poverty is therefore a major challenge for the Union. While social tariffs or direct income support can provide immediate relief to households facing energy poverty, only targeted structural measures, in particular energy renovations, can provide lasting solutions. _________________ 32 Data from 2018. Eurostat, SILC [ilc_mdes01]).
Amendment 75 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The increase in the price for fossil fuels may disproportionally affect vulnerable households, self employed vulnerable micro- enterprises and vulnerable transport users who spend a larger part of their incomes on energy and transport, who, in certain regions, do not have access to alternative, affordable mobility and transport solutions and who may lack the financial capacity to invest into the reduction of fossil fuel consumption.
Amendment 77 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Ensuring that the measures and investments are particularly targeted towards energy poor or vulnerable households, vulnerable micro-enterprises, vulnerable SMEs and vulnerable transport users is key for a just transition towards climate neutrality. Support measures to promote reductions in greenhouse gas emissions should help Member States to address the social impacts arising from the emissions trading for the sectors of buildings and road transport.
Amendment 79 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10 a) Islands, especially the most peripheral ones, and outermost regions face specific challenges due to their position and size which can also result in diseconomies of scale that might affect the investments made to contribute to achieving the commitments towards climate neutrality.
Amendment 87 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13 a (new)
Recital 13 a (new)
(13 a) The implementation of the Fund should take into account an ex ante impact assessment provided by the Commission, illustrating the socioeconomic impact of the transition on vulnerable households, vulnerable enterprises, including SMEs, and vulnerable transport users in Member States. This assessment should go hand in hand with an EU socioeconomic and governance policy addressing inequalities, in particular energy and transport poverty and social exclusion.
Amendment 89 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) Women are particularly affected by carbon pricing as they represent 85% of single parent families. Single parent families have a particularly high risk of child poverty. Gender equality and equal opportunities for all, and the mainstreaming of those objectives, as well as questions of accessibility for persons with disabilities should be taken into account and promoted throughout the preparation and implementation of Plans to ensure no one is left behind. disproportionally affected by the consequences of climate change1a, by energy poverty and are particularly affected by carbon pricing due to the employment, income, pay and pension gaps. Moreover, they represent 85% of single parent families, which have a particularly high risk of child poverty and are under-represented as tenants. This, together with the fact that women are more affected by time poverty, limits women’s involvement in the energy transition, by not being able to afford energy efficiency investments to decrease their energy consumption and having limited access to energy efficiency retrofitting programs.2a Gender equality and equal opportunities for all, and the mainstreaming of those objectives, as well as questions of accessibility for persons with disabilities should be taken into account and promoted throughout the preparation and implementation of Plans to ensure no one is left behind. _________________ 1a EIGE, Area K - Women and the environment: climate change is gendered, 05 March 2020, available at: https://eige.europa.eu/publications/beijing -25-policy-brief-area-k-women-and- environment 2aEuropean Parliament, Directorate- General for Internal Policies of the Union, Feenstra, M., Clancy, J., Women, gender equality and the energy transition in the EU, Publications Office, 2019, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2861/989050
Amendment 91 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12 a) Transport poverty has been underexposed and no clear definitions are available at Union or national level. However, the problem is becoming more pressing to address as a result of the increasing phase-out requirements for combustion engine vehicles, high fuel prices, or high dependencies on transport availability, accessibility and costs to go to work or for daily mobility needs due to living in rural, insular, mountainous, remote and less accessible areas or for less developed regions or territories, including less developed peri-urban, and sparsely populated areas. In this respect, local and regional governments will be key stakeholders to ensure affordability and sustainability of public transport.
Amendment 93 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19 a) Women have different and more complex mobility patterns than those of men. They require more varied means of transport as they are the main responsible persons for care within households. They use more public transport and are more interested in the frequency and quality of service.1a Moreover, as transport is a factor that can reinforce poverty and social exclusion, mainstreaming gender into all transport-related legislation, policies, programmes and actions is paramount; _________________ 1a https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank /nl/document/IPOL_STU(2021)701004
Amendment 102 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Ensuring that the measures and investments are particularly targeted towards energy poor oraddressing energy and transport poverty, particularly in the case of vulnerable households, vulnerable micro-enterprises, including SMEs, and vulnerable transport users is key for a just and inclusive transition towards climate neutrality. Support measures to promote reductions in greenhouse gas emissions should help Member States to address the social impacts arising from the emissions trading for the sectors of buildings and road transport.
Amendment 102 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) A Social Climate (‘the Fund’) should therefore be established to provide funds to the Member States to support their policies to address the social impacts of the emissions trading for buildings and road transport on vulnerable households, self employed vulnerable micro-enterprises and vulnerable transport users. This should be achieved notably through temporary income support and measures and investments intended to reduce reliance on fossil fuels through increased energy efficiency of buildings, decarbonisation of heating and cooling of buildings, including the integration of energy from renewable sources, and granting improved access to zero- and low-emission mobility and transport to the benefit of vulnerable households, vulnerable micro-enterprises and vulnerable transport users.
Amendment 111 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) For that purpose, each Member State should submit to the Commission a Social Climate Plan (‘the Plan’). Those Plans should pursue two objectives. Firstly, they should provide vulnerable households, self employed, vulnerable micro- enterprises and vulnerable transport users and local and regional governments the necessary resources to finance and carry out investments in energy efficiency, decarbonisation of heating and cooling, in zero- and low-emission vehicles public transport and mobility. Secondly, they should mitigate the impact of the increase in the cost of fossil fuels on the most vulnerable and thereby prevent energy and transport poverty during the transition period until such investments have been implemented. The Plans should have an investment component promoting the long- term solution of reduce fossil fuels reliance and could envisage other measures, including temporary direct income support to mitigate adverse income effects in the shorter term.
Amendment 116 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
(14 a) Particular attention needs to be paid to vulnerable tenants in the private rental and social housing markets. These tenants also include households in energy poverty or households, including lower middle income ones, that are significantly affected by the price impacts of increased heating costs or by higher rental prices following renovation, but are not in a position to renovate the building they occupy. As part of their Social Climate Plans, Member States should therefore develop energy efficient, green social housing projects and specific measures and investments to support vulnerable tenants on the private rental and social housing markets. Renovation projects that benefit from support from this fund should not result in an increase of the agreed rental price.
Amendment 117 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Member States, in consultation with regional level authorities,social partners and regional and local level authorities, social partners and civil society organisations working with vulnerable people are best placed to design and to implement Plans that are adapted and targeted to their local, regional and national circumstances as their existing policies in the relevant areas and planned use of other relevant EU funds. In that manner, the broad diversity of situations, the specific knowledge of local and regional governments, research and innovation and industrial relations and social dialogue structures, as well as national traditions, can best be respected and contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of the overall support to the vulnerable and to the scaling up of projects developed by local and regional authorities and social partners.
Amendment 118 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) Women are particularly affected by carbon pricing asdisproportionally affected by the consequences of climate change1a, by energy poverty and are particularly affected by carbon pricing due to the employment, income, pay and pension gaps. Moreover, they represent 85% of single parent families. Single parent families, which have a particularly high risk of child poverty. Gender equality and are under-represented as tenants. Women are also under-represented as car owners and feel more unsafe in public transport, despite using it more1b. All the latter, limits women's involvement in the green and digital mobility transition. Gender equality as well as rights and equal opportunities for all, and the mainstreaming of those objectives, as well as questions of accessibility for persons with disabilities and reduced mobility should be taken into account and promoted throughout the preparation and, implementation and monitoring of Plans to ensure no one is left behind. _________________ 1aEIGE, Area K - Women and the environment: climate change is gendered, 05 March 2020, available at: https://eige.europa.eu/publications/beijing -25-policy-brief-area-k-women-and- environment 1bIPOL study on "Women and transport", available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank /nl/document/IPOL_STU(2021)701004
Amendment 122 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19 a) Women have different and more complex mobility patterns than those of men. They require more varied means of transport as they are the main responsible persons for care within households. They use more public transport, are more interested in the frequency and quality of service and more affected by transport and mobility affordability1a.Moreover, as transport is a factor that can directly impact and increase poverty and social exclusion, gender mainstreaming should be promoted and implemented into all EU and national transport-related legislation, policies, programmes and actions, including those of the Social Climate Fund and the Member States’ Social Climate Plans. _________________ 1aIPOL study on "Women and transport", available at: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/thinktank /nl/document/IPOL_STU(2021)701004
Amendment 125 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22 a (new)
Recital 22 a (new)
(22 a) In order to make the impact of the Social Climate Fund effective and efficient, all Member States should receive a minimum adequate allocation of funds that will lead to tangible results for citizens across the European Union.
Amendment 126 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) Ensuring that the measures and investments are particularly targeted towards energy poor or vulnerable households, self employed, vulnerable micro-enterprises and vulnerable transport users is key for a just transition towards climate neutrality. Support measures to promote reductions in greenhouse gas emissions should help Member States to address the social impacts arising from the emissions trading for the sectors of buildings and road transport.
Amendment 127 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
The measures and investments supported by the Fund shall benefit households, micro-enterprises, SMEs and transport users, which are vulnerable and particularly affected by the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and road transport into the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC, especially households in energy poverty and citizens without public transport alternative to individual cars (in remote and rural areas).
Amendment 132 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23 a (new)
Recital 23 a (new)
(23 a) In the event of higher carbon price, additional financing should be made available for the Fund to ensure the adequate and fair mitigation of the impact on the most vulnerable households, vulnerable enterprises, including SMEs, and vulnerable transport users.
Amendment 136 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 4
Article 1 – paragraph 4
The general objective of the Fund is to contribute to the transition towards climate neutrality by addressing the social impacts of the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and road transport into the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC. The specific objective of the Fund is to support vulnerable households, vulnerable micro-enterprises, vulnerable SMEs and vulnerable transport users through temporary direct income support and through measures and investments intended to increase energy efficiency of buildings, decarbonisation of heating and cooling of buildings, including the integration of energy from renewable sources, and granting improved access to zero- and low- emission mobility and transport.
Amendment 137 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1
(1) ‘building renovation’ means all kinds of energy-relatedholistic building renovation, includingwhich includes a comprehensive approach to the energy, accessibility, spatial and structural performance of the building, including in particular the insulation of the building envelope, that is to say walls, roof, floor, the replacement of windows, ventilation, the replacement of heating, cooling and cooking appliances, and the installation of on-site production of energy from renewable sourcesthe upgrade of electrical installations for more efficient ones, adaptation of housing for people with any type of disability and the installation of on-site production of energy from renewable sources, and including all kinds of safety-related renovation works undertaken at the same time, such as seismic protection, electrical safety, smoke detection and alarm, automatic fire suppression, smoke management and fire compartmentation;
Amendment 139 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
It shall provide support to all Member States for the financing of the measures and investments included in their Social Climate Plans (‘the Plans’).
Amendment 144 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
The measures and investments supported by the Fund shall benefit households, micro-enterprises and transport users, which are vulnerable and particularly affected by the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and road transport into the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC, especially households in energy poverty and citizens without public transport alternative to individual cars (in remote and rural areas, including islands and outermost regions).
Amendment 145 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 2
(2) ‘energy poverty’ means energy poverty as defined in point [(49)] of Article 2 of Directive (EU) [yyyy/nnn] of the of the European Parliament and of the Council50 ; _________________ 50[Directive (EU) [yyyy/nnn] of the of the European Parliament and of the Couna household’s inability to meet its basic energy supply needs and lack of access to essential energy services as to guarantee basic levels of comfort and health, a decent standard of living, including adequate heating and cooling, lighting, and energy to power appliances, in the relevant national context, existing social (OJ C […], […], p. […]).] [Proposal for recast of Directive 2012/27/EU on energy efficiency]policy and other relevant policies, as a result of an insufficient disposable income.
Amendment 155 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Each Member State shall receive a minimum adequate allocation of funding contributing to the implementation of the Fund with meaningful social impact for its beneficiaries.
Amendment 157 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 9 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 9 a (new)
(9 a) small or medium-sized enterprise or SME means a small or medium-sized enterprise as defined in Article 2 of the Annex of the Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC
Amendment 160 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22 a (new)
Recital 22 a (new)
(22 a) In order to make the impact of the Social Climate Fund effective and efficient, all Member States should receive a minimum adequate allocation of funds that will lead to tangible results for citizens across the European Union.
Amendment 171 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
It shall provide support to all Member States for the financing of the measures and investments included in their Social Climate Plans (‘the Plans’).
Amendment 173 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 12 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 12 a (new)
(12 a) 'vulnerable SMEs' means SMEs that are significantly affected by the price impacts of the inclusion of buildings into the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC and lack the means to renovate the building they occupy;
Amendment 175 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
The measures and investments supported by the Fund shall benefit households, micro-enterprises and transport users, which are vulnerable and particularly affected by the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and road transport into the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC, especially households in energy poverty and citizens without public transport alternative to individual cars (in remote and rural areas, including islands and outermost regions).
Amendment 184 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shall submit to the Commission a Social Climate Plan (‘the Plan’) together with the update to the integrated national energy and climate plan referred to in Article 14(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with the procedure and timeline laid down in that Article, following, where relevant, a consultation with regional and local entities and civil society organisations working with population in situation of vulnerability. The Plan shall contain a coherent set of measures and investments to address the impact of carbon pricing on vulnerable households, vulnerable micro- enterprises, vulnerable SMEs and vulnerable transport users in order to ensure affordable heating, cooling and mobility while accompanying and accelerating necessary measures to meet the climate targets of the Union.
Amendment 190 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 4
Article 1 – paragraph 4
The general objective of the Fund is to contribute to the transition towards climate neutrality by addressing the social impacts of the inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions from buildings and road transport into the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC. The specific objective of the Fund is to support vulnerable households, self employed, vulnerable micro- enterprises and vulnerable transport users through temporary direct income support and through measures and investments intended to increase energy efficiency of buildings, decarbonisation of heating and cooling of buildings, including the integration of energy from renewable sources, and granting improved access to zero- and low-emission mobility and transport.
Amendment 195 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Each Member State shall receive a minimum adequate allocation of funding contributing to the implementation of the Fund with meaningful social impact for its beneficiaries.
Amendment 198 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) finance measures and investments to improve energy performance and increase energy efficiency of buildings, to implement and ensure their safety, through the implementation of active and passive energy efficiency improvement measures, to carry out building renovation, and to decarbonise heating and cooling of buildings, including the integration of energy production from renewable energy sources, to carry out electrical, fire and seismic safety inspection and renovation, and including information support, capacity building and training necessary to implement those measures and investments;
Amendment 208 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) finance measures and investments to increase the uptake of zero- and low- emission mobility and transport, including information support, capacity building and the training necessary to implement those measures and investments.
Amendment 226 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) an estimate of the likely effects of that increase in prices on households, and in particular on incidence of energy poverty, on micro-enterprises, on SMEs and on transport users, comprising in particular an estimate and the identification of vulnerable households, vulnerable micro- enterprises vulnerable SMEs and vulnerable transport users; these impacts are to be analysed with a sufficient level of regional disaggregation and sex- disaggregated data, taking into account elements such as access to public transport and basic services and identifying the areas mostly affected, particularly territories which are remote and rural;
Amendment 226 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) an estimate of the likely effects of that increase in prices on households, and in particular on incidence of energy poverty, on micro-enterprises, including SMEs, and on transport users, comprising in particular an estimate and the identification of vulnerable households, vulnerable micro- enterprises, including SMEs, and vulnerable transport users; these impacts are to be analysed with a sufficient level of regional disaggregation and sex- disaggregated data, taking into account elements such as access to, affordability and availability of frequent and quality public transport and basic services and identifying the areas mostly affected, particularly territories which are remote and rural;in rural, sparsely populated and remote areas, among others.
Amendment 234 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) where the Plan provides for measures referred to in Article 3(2), the criteria for the identification of eligible final recipients, the indication of the envisaged time limit for the measures in question and their justification on the basis of a quantitative estimate and a qualitative explanation of how the measures in the Plan are expected to reduce energy and transport poverty and the vulnerability of households, micro-enterprises, SMEs and transport users to an increase of road transport and heating fuel prices;
Amendment 235 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) envisaged milestones, targets to reduce the number of vulnerable households, vulnerable micro-enterprises, vulnerable SMEs and an indicative timetable for the implementation of the measures and investments to be completed by 31 July 2032;
Amendment 238 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) envisaged milestones, targets to reduce the number of vulnerable households, vulnerable enterprises, including SMEs, and an indicative timetable for the implementation of the measures and investments to be completed by 31 July 2032;
Amendment 242 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shall submit to the Commission a Social Climate Plan (‘the Plan’) together with the update to the integrated national energy and climate plan referred to in Article 14(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with the procedure and timeline laid down in that Article, following consultations of social partners and regional and local authorities. The Plan shall contain a coherent set of measures and investments to address the impact of carbon pricing on vulnerable households, vulnerable micro- enterprises and vulnerable transport users in order to ensure affordable heating, cooling and mobility while accompanying and accelerating necessary measures to meet the climate targets of the Union.
Amendment 243 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shall submit to the Commission a Social Climate Plan (‘the Plan’) together with the update to the integrated national energy and climate plan referred to in Article 14(2) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in accordance with the procedure and timeline laid down in that Article. The Plan shall contain a coherent set of measures and investments to address the impact of carbon pricing on vulnerable households, self employed, vulnerable micro-enterprises and vulnerable transport users in order to ensure affordable heating, cooling and mobility while accompanying and accelerating necessary measures to meet the climate targets of the Union.
Amendment 261 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) reductions in the number of vulnerable households, especially households in energy poverty, of vulnerable micro-enterprises, including SMEs and of vulnerable transport users, including in rural particular, rural, sparsely populated and remote areas, among others.
Amendment 263 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) reductions in the number of vulnerable households, especially households in energy poverty, of vulnerable micro-enterprises, vulnerable SMEs and of vulnerable transport users, including in rural and remote areas.
Amendment 266 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(e a) improvements in safety, particularly in reduction in the number of buildings with unsafe electrical installations, increased deployment of smoke detection, smoke management and automatic fire suppression.
Amendment 273 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3
Article 5 – paragraph 3
3. The Fund shall only support measures and investments respecting the principle of Energy Efficiency First as in article 3 of the Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) and the ‘do no significant harm’ referred to in Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852.
Amendment 278 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) an estimate of the likely effects of that increase in prices on households, and in particular on incidence of energy poverty, on micro-enterprises and on transport users, comprising in particular an estimate and the identification of vulnerable households, self employed, vulnerable micro- enterprises and vulnerable transport users; these impacts are to be analysed with a sufficient level of regional disaggregation, taking into account elements such as access to public transport and basic services and identifying the areas mostly affected, particularly territories which are remote and rural;
Amendment 279 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Member States may include the costs of the following measures and investments in the estimated total costs of the Plans, provided they principally benefit vulnerable households, vulnerable micro- enterprises, including SMEs, or vulnerable transport users and intend to:
Amendment 287 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Member States may include the costs of the following measures and investments in the estimated total costs of the Plans, provided they principally benefit vulnerable households, vulnerable micro- enterprises, vulnerable SMEs or vulnerable transport users and intend to:
Amendment 291 #
2021/0206(COD)
(a) support building renovations, prioritising social housing and deprived areas, especially for those occupying worst- performing buildings, including in the form of financial support or fiscal incentives such as deductibility of renovation costs from the rent, independently of the ownership of the buildings concerned;
Amendment 291 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point i
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) the arrangements for the effective monitoring and implementation of the Plan by the Member State concerned, to be undertaken in consultation with social partners and regional and local authorities. in particular of the proposed milestones and targets, including indicators for the implementation of measures and investments, which, where relevant, shall be those available with the Statistical office of the European Union European Statistical Office and the European Energy Poverty Observatory as identified by Commission Recommendation 2020/156354 on energy poverty; _________________ 54 OJ L 357, 27.10.2020, p. 35.
Amendment 296 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) provide accessfinancial support or incentives to access, including for their purchase, to zero- and low- emission vehicles and bikes, including financial support or fiscal incentives for their purchasecycles, as well as for appropriate public and private infrastructure, including for recharging and refuelling; for support concerning low-zero - emission vehicles, a timetable for gradually reducing the supportincentivising its uptake shall be provided;
Amendment 300 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point f
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) support public and private entities in developing and providing affordable zero- and low-emission mobility and transport services and the uptake of attractive and safe active mobility options, for rural, insular, mountainous, remote and less accessible areas or for less developed regions or territories, including less developed peri-urban areatermost, peripheral, remote, mountainous, and sparsely populated regions as well less developed regions or territories, including less developed peri-urban areas, and regions and territories suffering from other demographic and accessibility challenges.
Amendment 305 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) support public and private entities in developing and providing safe and affordable energy efficiency renovation solutions and appropriate funding instruments in line with the social goals of the Fund;
Amendment 307 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(c a) provide targeted information, support, capacity building and training necessary to implement the energy efficiency renovation solutions and grant access to zero- and low-emission mobility and transport services;
Amendment 307 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
(f a) support training, upskilling and reskilling of the labour force for jobs in sectors related to the transition towards smart and sustainable mobility and to energy-efficient building renovation.
Amendment 308 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(c a) support the inclusion of adequate safety measures within building renovations, especially for most vulnerable occupants, including in the form of technical assistance and financial support;
Amendment 321 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22 a (new)
Recital 22 a (new)
(22a) The socio-economic impact of the climate and green transition will be felt by vulnerable households, vulnerable micro- enterprises, and vulnerable transport users in all Member States. In order to achieve its objectives, the Social Climate Fund should be accompanied by adequate financial allocations that support each Member State and ensure meaningful actions and protection of vulnerable users on their territories for a just transition. To this end, minimum investments and sufficient, proportionate financial assistance should be allocated to all Member States to counter the negative social consequences on vulnerable groups that arise from Europe’s shared commitment in the fight against climate change and in reducing emissions, while considering the different challenges and nature of difficulties faced in different regions of the European Union, each with their own geographic and demographic realities.
Amendment 321 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Member States may include into the estimated total costs financial support provided to public or private entities other than vulnerable households, vulnerable micro-enterprises, including SMEs, and vulnerable transport uses, if those entities carry out measures and investments ultimately benefitting vulnerable households, vulnerable micro- enterprises, including SMEs, and vulnerable transport users.
Amendment 329 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Member States may include the costs of the following measures and investments in the estimated total costs of the Plans, provided they principally benefit vulnerable households, self employed, vulnerable micro- enterprises or vulnerable transport users and intend to:
Amendment 340 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Where applicable, the financial envelope for the implementation of the Fund may be increased with additional contributions from the general budget of the Union.
Amendment 351 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24 a (new)
Recital 24 a (new)
(24a) Island Member States, islands, and outermost regions face unique and specific challenges with a particularly amplified socio-economic impact, which requires specific individual attention in view of effective measures and investments. To this end, where applicable, Social Climate Plans shall have the adequate funding to set out a specific minimum amount to be allocated for these regions with the corresponding justification, considering the particular challenges faced by those Member States, islands and regions.
Amendment 351 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point f
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) support public and private entities, in particular local and regional governments in developing and providing affordable zero- and low-emission mobility and transport services such as infrastructure for charging electrical vehicles, including the development of bicycle infrastructure and the uptake of attractive active mobility options for rural, insular, mountainous, remote, sparsely populated and less accessible areas or for less developed regions or territories, including less developed peri-urban areas.
Amendment 354 #
Amendment 355 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
1. The minimum and maximum financial allocation shall be calculated for each Member State as specified in Annex I and Annex II and shall be adequate, allowing meaningful action by each Member State and leading to tangible results for citizens across the European Union.
Amendment 360 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Member States may include into the estimated total costs financial support provided to public or private entities other than vulnerable households, self employed, vulnerable micro-enterprises and vulnerable transport uses, in particular to local and regional governments if those entities carry out measures and investments ultimately benefitting vulnerable households, self employed, vulnerable micro- enterprises and vulnerable transport users.
Amendment 376 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point a – point i
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point a – point i
(i) whether the Plan represents a response to the social impact on and challenges faced by vulnerable households, vulnerable micro-enterprises, vulnerables SMEs and vulnerable transport users in the Member State concerned from establishing the emission trading system for buildings and road transport established pursuant to Chapter IVa of Directive 2003/87/EC, especially households in energy poverty, duly taking into account the challenges identified in the assessments of the Commission of the update of the concerned Member State’s integrated national energy and climate plan and of its progress pursuant to Article 9(3), and Articles 13 and 29 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, as well as in the Commission recommendations to Member States issued pursuant to Article 34 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in view of the long-term objective of climate neutrality in the Union by 2050. This shall take into account the specific challenges and the financial allocation of the Member State concerned;
Amendment 376 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Where applicable, the financial envelope for the implementation of the Fund may be increased with additional contributions from the general budget of the Union.
Amendment 378 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point b – point i
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point b – point i
(i) whether the Plan is expected to have a lasting impact on the challenges addressed by that Plan and in particular on vulnerable households, vulnerable micro- enterprises, including SMEs and vulnerable transport users, especially households in energy poverty, in the Member State concerned;
Amendment 387 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point b – point i
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point b – point i
(i) whether the Plan is expected to have a lasting impact on the challenges addressed by that Plan and in particular on vulnerable households, vulnerable micro- enterprises, vulnerable SMEs and vulnerable transport users, especially households in energy poverty, in the Member State concerned;
Amendment 387 #
Amendment 388 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
1. The minimum and maximum financial allocation shall be calculated for each Member State as specified in Annex I and Annex II and shall be adequate, allowing meaningful action by each Member State and leading to tangible results for citizens across the European Union.
Amendment 405 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point a – point i
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point a – point i
(i) whether the Plan represents a response to the social impact on and challenges faced by vulnerable households, self employed, vulnerable micro- enterprises and vulnerable transport users in the Member State concerned from establishing the emission trading system for buildings and road transport established pursuant to Chapter IVa of Directive 2003/87/EC, especially households in energy poverty, duly taking into account the challenges identified in the assessments of the Commission of the update of the concerned Member State’s integrated national energy and climate plan and of its progress pursuant to Article 9(3), and Articles 13 and 29 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, as well as in the Commission recommendations to Member States issued pursuant to Article 34 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in view of the long-term objective of climate neutrality in the Union by 2050. This shall take into account the specific challenges and the financial allocation of the Member State concerned;
Amendment 420 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point b – point i
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point b – point i
(i) whether the Plan is expected to have a lasting impact on the challenges addressed by that Plan and in particular on vulnerable households, self employed, vulnerable micro- enterprises and vulnerable transport users, especially households in energy poverty, in the Member State concerned, and whether the Plan duly take into consideration regional specificities and vulnerable territories;
Amendment 460 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Each Member State concerned shall, on a biennial basis and in consultation with social partners and regional and local authorities in accordance with national law and practices, report to the Commission on the implementation of its Plan as part of its integrated national energy and climate progress report pursuant to Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and in accordance with Article 28 thereof. The Member States concerned shall include in their progress report:
Amendment 497 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 13
(13) ‘vulnerable transport users’ means transport users, includingespecially those from lower middle-income households, that are significantly affected by the price impacts of the inclusion of road transport into the scope of Directive 2003/87/EC and lack the means to purchase zero- and low- emission vehicles or to switch to alternative sustainable modes of transport, including public transport, particularly in rural and remoteinsular, peripheral, remote and rural areas.
Amendment 565 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) finance measures and investments to increase the uptake of zero- and low- emission mobility and transport not least in the EU’s insular, peripheral, remote and rural regions.
Amendment 593 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) an estimate of the likely effects of that increase in prices on households, and in particular on incidence of energy poverty, on micro-enterprises and on transport users, comprising in particular an estimate and the identification of vulnerable households, vulnerable micro- enterprises and vulnerable transport users; these impacts are to be analysed with a sufficient level of regional disaggregation, taking into account elements such as access to public transport and basic services and identifying the areas mostly affected, particularly territories which areinsular, peripheral, remote and rural regions;
Amendment 672 #
2021/0206(COD)
(e) reductions in the number of vulnerable households, especially households in energy poverty, of vulnerable micro-enterprises and of vulnerable transport users, includespecially ing in rural and remotesular, peripheral, remote and rural areas.
Amendment 784 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point f
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) support public and private entities in developing and providing affordable zero- and low-emission mobility and transport services and the uptake of attractive active mobility options for rural, insular, peripheral, mountainous, remote and less accessible areas or for less developed regions or territories, including less developed peri-urban areas.
Amendment 876 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 a (new)
Article 10 a (new)
Article 10 a Specific challenges facing island Member States, islands and outermost regions When preparing their social climate plans in accordance with Article 3, Member States shall take particular account of the situation of outermost regions, islands, and island Member States. These face serious socio-economic challenges deriving from the green transition towards climate neutrality and net zero emissions, having regard to their specific needs and social impacts. An adequate minimum amount of funds shall be allocated for those territories with the corresponding justification, taking into account the particular challenges of those territories.
Amendment 890 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – title
Article 13 – title
13 Maximum and minimum financial allocation
Amendment 895 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The minimum financial allocation shall be set and specified in Annex I and II so that each Member State receives an allocation allowing for the support of meaningful actions.
Amendment 976 #
2021/0206(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(da) For the purpose of this assessment, the Commission shall take into account the specific challenges faced by island Member States, islands, and outermost regions and assess whether the Plans contain and reflect measures and investments that represent coherent actions proportionate and consistent with the specific challenges for those territories.
Amendment 42 #
2021/0205(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) Over the past decades, air transport has played a crucial role in the Union's economy and in the everyday lives of Union citizens, as one of the best performing and most dynamic sectors of the Union economy. It has been a strong driver for economic growth, jobs, trade and tourism, as well as for connectivity and mobility for businesses and citizens alike, particularly within the Union aviation internal market. Growth in air transport services has significantly contributed to improving connectivity and cohesion within the Union, including its regions, and with third countries, and has been a significant enabler of the Union economy.
Amendment 57 #
2021/0205(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The air transport market is subject to strong competition between economic actors across the Union, for which a level playing field is indispensable. The stability and prosperity of the air transport market and its economic actors relies on a clear and harmonised policy framework where aircraft operators, airports and other aviation actors can operate on the basis of equal opportunities. It is essential to ensure air connectivity within the Union by stakeholders from the Union. This to avoid dependence on third country stakeholders and safeguard air transport business and jobs, but also to retain an air transport and infrastructure security in line with the Union security. Where market distortions occur, they risk putting aircraft operators or airports at a disadvantage with internal or external competitors. In turn, this can result in a loss of competitiveness of the air transport industry, job opportunities for workers, and a loss of air connectivity for citizens and businesses.
Amendment 61 #
2021/0205(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 b (new)
Recital 1 b (new)
(1 b) In line with the Union’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (the ‘Paris Agreement’), the Union has established legal obligations through the Regulation (EU) 2021/11191a to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest and to achieve a reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % compared to 1990 by 2030. Accordingly, various policy instruments are needed to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in all economic sectors, including the aviation sector. Currently, aviation relies exclusively on fossil jet fuel to operate, and growing passenger numbers have rapidly increased net emissions from the sector. The total air passenger traffic in Europe has more than doubled since 1990. CO2 emissions from aviation are projected to increase more than 20 % by 2050, compared to 2015. To reverse this trend and support the decarbonisation of the aviation sector, action is needed to ramp up the uptake and supply of sustainable aviation fuels. _________________ 1aRegulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’)(OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, p. 1).
Amendment 72 #
2021/0205(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7 a) The Smart Sustainable Mobility Strategy stresses that in order for such transformation to leave no one behind, mobility must remain available and affordable to all. To ensure this, among other, connectivity of islands, rural and remote regions, must be maintained and improved, while the sector must offer appropriate social conditions, allowing for reskilling of workers and providing attractive jobs.
Amendment 76 #
2021/0205(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) SThis Regulation aims at establishing a common definition of sustainable aviation fuels as fuels from renewable sources. Currently, the most common sustainable aviation fuels are liquid, drop-in fuels, fully fungible with conventional aviation fuel and compatible with existing aircraft engines. Several production pathways of sustainable aviation fuels have been certified at global level for use in civil or military aviation. Sustainable aviationch fuels are technologically ready to play an important role in reducing emissions from air transport already in the very short term. They are expected to account for a major part of the aviation fuel mix in the medium and long term. Further, with the support of appropriate international fuel standards, sustainable aviation fuels might contribute to lowering the aromatic content of the final fuel used by an operator, thus helping to reduce other non-CO2 emissions. Other alternatives to power aircraft, such as electricity or liquid hydrogen are expected to progressively contribute to the decarbonisation of air transport, beginning with short-haul flights. This Regulation shall promote the investment in and uptake of all renewable energy fuel sources that can contribute to the decarbonisation objectives set by the EU’s Climate Law.
Amendment 80 #
2021/0205(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) The Communication on a Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy10 adopted by the Commission in December 2020 sets a course of action for the EU transport system to achieve its green and digital transformation and become more resilient. The decarbonisation of the air transport sector is a necessary and challenging process, especially in the short term. Technological advancements, pursued in European and national research and innovation aviation programmes have contributed to important emission reductions in the past decades. However, the global growth of air traffic has outpaced the sector’s emissions reductions. Whereas new technologies are expected to help reducing short-haul aviation’s reliance on fossil energy in the next decades, and new zero-emission aircraft technologies, such as electric- or hydrogen-powered aircraft can play an important role in commercial aviation in the medium and long term, sustainable aviation fuels offer the onlymain solution for significant decarbonisation of all flight ranges, already in the short term. However, this potential is currently largely untapped. _________________ 10Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy – putting European transport on track for the future (COM/2020/789 final), 9.12.2020.
Amendment 89 #
2021/0205(COD)
(12) Therefore, uniform rules need to be laid down for the aviation internal market to complement Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and to deliver on its overall objectives by addressing the specific needs and requirements arising fromissues that impede the uptake of sustainable aviation fuels in the EU’s aviation internal market. In particular, the present Regulation aims to avoid a fragmentation of the aviation market, prevent possible competitive distortions between economic actors, or unfair practices of cost avoidance as regards the refuelling of aircraft operators. For these reasons, this Regulation shall focus on preserving the affordability and competitiveness of air routes affected by new provisions that connect remote regions with both EU and non-EU airports. Remote regions shall be defined as in Regulation (EU) No 651/20141a. Specifically for islands and island Member States air routes connecting such territories to the continent must be protected to ensure the freedom of movement of island citizens within the Union. _________________ 1a Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 of 17 June 2014 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty
Amendment 96 #
2021/0205(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Therefore, uniform rules need to be laid down for the aviation internal market to complement Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and to deliver on its overall objectives by addressing the specific needs and requirements arising from the EU aviation internal market and promoting sustainable renewable fuels in aviation. In particular, the present Regulation aims to avoid a fragmentation of the aviation market, prevent possible competitive distortions between economic actors, or unfair practices of cost avoidance as regards the refuelling of aircraft operators. All this said, this Regulation should pay special attention to those air routes connecting islands with the continent. Affordable air transport is a condition for the right of freedom of movement within the Union for the citizens from insular regions.
Amendment 104 #
2021/0205(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15 a) It is essential that less-connected European regions with few alternative transport modes are not disproportionately affected by the obligations resulting from this Regulation and that the access of these regions to essential goods and services is ensured. Special attention must be paid to price disruptions in air routes that connect islands with the continent. The almost total reliance of insular regions' citizens on air transport to travel to continental regions means that price increases in these routes would suppose an obstacle for Union citizens to exercise their right of free movement within the Union, and would also effect islands' economies.
Amendment 105 #
2021/0205(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15 a) The Commission should ensure that less connected remote regions suffering from geographical disadvantages such as insularity, are not disproportionately impacted by the obligations present in this Regulation. To ensure the uninterrupted, affordable supply of goods and services, attention should be paid to potential increases in the prices of air routes connecting remote regions and other areas of the Union. Mitigating measures should be in place to avoid negative consequences on remote regions and islands. Where the Regulation is proven to negatively impact the socio-economic fabric of remote regions, including islands and island Member States, the Commission should immediately take corrective action.
Amendment 117 #
2021/0205(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) The present Regulation should aim to ensure that aircraft operators can compete on the basis of equal opportunities as regards the access to sustainable aviation fuels. To avoid any distortions on the air services market, all Union airports covered by this Regulation should be supplied with uniform minimum shares of sustainable aviation fuels. Whereas the market is free to supply and use larger quantities of sustainable fuel, this Regulation should ensure that the mandatory minimum shares of sustainable aviation fuels are the same across all the covered airports. ItMoreover, in order to take into account the criticality of air routes connecting islands with the continent, the access to sustainable fuel should be prioritised for island airports in face of significant price disruptions. This Regulation supersedes any requirements established directly or indirectly at national or regional level requiring aircraft operators or aviation fuel suppliers to uptake or supply sustainable aviation fuels with different targets than the ones prescribed under this Regulation. In order to create a clear and predictable legal framework and in doing so encourage the market development and deployment of the most sustainable and innovative with growth potential to meet future needs fuel technologies, this Regulation should set out gradually increasing minimum shares of synthetic aviation fuels over time. Setting out a dedicated sub-obligation on synthetic aviation fuels is necessary in view of the significant decarbonisation potential of such fuels, and in view of their current estimated production costs. When produced from renewable electricity and carbon captured directly from the air, synthetic aviation fuels can achieve as high as 100% emissions savings compared to conventional aviation fuel. They also have notable advantages compared to other types of sustainable aviation fuels with regards to resource efficiency (in particular for water needs) of the production process. However, synthetic aviation fuels’ production costs are currently estimated at 3 to 6 times higher than the market price of conventional aviation fuel. Therefore, this Regulation should establish a dedicated sub-obligation for this technology. Other types of synthetic fuels, such as low carbon synthetic fuels achieving high greenhouse gas reductions, could be considered for inclusion in the scope of this Regulation in the course of future revisions, where such fuels become defined under the Renewable Energy Directive.
Amendment 183 #
2021/0205(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4 a Measures on short-haul flights By 1 July 2023, the Commission shall present a report to the European Parliament and to the Council evaluating the environmental and climate impacts and the technical and economic viability of establishing specific requirements for short-haul flights to reduce such impacts, including the setting of higher minimum shares of sustainable aviation fuels referred to in Article 4 for these types of flights, taking into account the alternative modes of collective transport available to cover such services in a competitive period of time. This report has to take into consideration that air routes connecting island airports to continental airports are critical for island citizens' connectivity and islands' economies, and this Regulation should not harm any of them.
Amendment 237 #
2021/0205(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 10 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – indent 10 a (new)
- ‘remote regions’ shall be defined as in Article 2, second paragraph, of Regulation (EU) No 651/20141a _________________ 1a Commission Regulation (EU) No 651/2014 of 17 June 2014 declaring certain categories of aid compatible with the internal market in application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty
Amendment 249 #
2021/0205(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
By 1 January 20286 and every five years thereafter, the Commission services shall present a report to the European Parliament and the Council, on the application of this Regulation, evolution of the aviation fuels market and itsthe impact of this Regulation on the aviation internal market of the Union, including regarding the possible extension of the scope of this Regulation to other energy sources, and other types of synthetic fuels defined under the Renewable Energy Directivethe impact on air routes connecting islands with the continent, the social impacts as well as the related employment and training needs, the possible revision of the minimum shares in Article 4 and Annex I, and the level of administrative fines. The report shall include information, where available, on development of a potential policy framework for uptake of sustainable aviation fuels at ICAO level. The report shall also inform on technological advancements in the area of research and innovation in the aviation industry which are relevant to sustainable aviation fuels, including with regards to the reduction of non-CO2 emissions. The report may consider if this Regulation should be amended and, options for amendments, where appropriate, in line with a potential policy framework on sustainable aviation fuels uptake at ICAO leveland the development of technologies such as electric- powered or hydrogen-powered aircraft.
Amendment 253 #
2021/0205(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new)
The Commission shall accompany the reports referred to in this Article, where appropriate, with legislative proposals amending this Regulation in particular in relation to: (a) the minimum shares referred to in Article 4 and Annex I. (b) the aligment of this Regulation with a potential policy framework on sustainable aviation fuels uptake at ICAO level in a manner that is consistent with the aim of preserving the environmental integrity and effectiveness of Union climate action, in particular the Union economy-wide greenhouse gases emissions reduction target for 2030 and the climate-neutrality objective as defined in Regulation (EU)2021/1119. (c) any possible disruptions on air routes connecting islands with the continent, taking into account their citizens' reliance on air transport to move within the Union.
Amendment 371 #
2021/0205(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 a (new)
Article 9 a (new)
Article 9 a Measures on flights to remote regions One year after the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission shall present a report to the European Parliament and Council on flights to remote regions evaluating the socio-economic impact of this Regulation for such flights. Where such report highlights the need to modify the minimum shares of aviation fuels referred to in Article 4 for flights to remote regions, such decisions shall be taken in consideration of the availability of other convenient modes of collective transport to cover such routes. The report shall specifically assess those routes connecting islands and island Member States to the continent, evaluating the impact of this Regulation on their communities.
Amendment 424 #
2021/0205(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
By 1 January 20286 and every five years thereafter, the Commission services shall present a report to the European Parliament and the Council, on the evolution of the aviation fuels market and its impact on the aviation internal market of the Union, including regarding the possible extension of the scope of this Regulation to other energy sources, and other types of synthetic fuels defined under the Renewable Energy Directive, the possible revision of the minimum shares in Article 4 and Annex I, and the level of administrative fines. The report shall specifically evaluate the impact of this Regulation on the competitiveness of air routes from less connected remote regions, including island Member States, and assess the economic and social impact this Regulation may have on jobs and on affordability of transport in these territories. The report shall include information, where available, on development of a potential policy framework for uptake of sustainable aviation fuels at ICAO level. The report shall also inform on technological advancements in the area of research and innovation in the aviation industry which are relevant to sustainable aviation fuels, including with regards to the reduction of non-CO2 emissions. The report may consider if this Regulation should be amended and, options for amendments, where appropriate, in line with a potential policy framework on sustainable aviation fuels uptake at ICAO level.
Amendment 429 #
2021/0205(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Amendment 188 #
2021/0203(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) The need for the Union to improve its energy efficiency should be expressed in primary and final energy consumption, to be achieved in 2030, indicating additional level of efforts required when compared to the measures in place or planned measures in the national energy and climate plans. The 2020 Reference Scenario projects 864 Mtoe of final energy consumption and 1124 Mtoe of primary energy consumption to be reached in 2030 (excluding ambient heat and including international aviation). An additional reduction of 9% results in 787 Mtoe and 1023 Mtoe in 2030 respectively. Compared to 2005 levels, it means that final energy consumption in the Union should be reduced by some 23% and primary energy consumption should be reduced by some 32%. There are no binding targets at Member State level in the 2020 and 2030 perspective, and Member States should establish their contributions to the achievement of the Union’s energy efficiency target taking into account the formula provided in this Directive. In doing so, they may take into account the formula provided in this Directive. If Member States do not take into account the formula provided in this Directive, they should explain how, and on the basis of which data, their contributions have been calculated. Member States should be free to set their national objectives based either on primary or final energy consumption or primary or final energy savings, or on energy intensity. This Directive amends the way how Member States should express their national contributions to the Union´s target. Member States’ contributions to the Union’s target should be expressed in final and primary energy consumption to ensure consistency and monitoring of progress. A regular evaluation of progress towards the achievement of the Union's 2030 targets is necessary and is provided for in Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.
Amendment 227 #
2021/0203(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 48
Recital 48
(48) For the period 2021 to 31 December 2023It would, however, be disproportionate to impose such a requirement on Cyprus and on Malta. The energy market of these small island Member States exhibits specific characteristics which substantially limit the range of measures available to meet the energy savings obligation. Those specific characteristics are compounded by the small size of the energy markets of these Member States. Therefore, Cyprus and Malta should be required to achieve cumulative end-use energy savings equivalent to new savings of 0,24 % of final energy consumption only for the period 2021 to 2030. That individual savings rate should cease to apply from 1 January 2024.
Amendment 278 #
2021/0203(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 63
Recital 63
(63) To tap the energy savings potential in certain market segments where energy audits are generally not offered commercially (such as small and medium- sized enterprises (SMEs)), Member States should develop programmes to encourage SMEs to undergo energy audits. Energy audits should be mandatory and regular for large enterprises, as energy savings can be significant. Energy audits should take into account relevant European or International Standards, such as EN ISO 50001 (Energy Management Systems), or EN 16247-1 (Energy Audits), or, if including an energy audit, EN ISO 14000 (Environmental Management Systems) and thus be also in line with the provisions of Annex VI to this Directive as such provisions do not go beyond the requirements of these relevant standards. A specific European standard on energy audits is currently under development. Energy audits may be carried out on a stand-alone basis or be part of a broader environmental management system or an energy performance contract. In all such cases those systems should comply with the minimum requirements of Annex VI. In addition, specific mechanisms and schemes established to monitor emissions and fuel consumption by certain transport operators, for example under EU law the EU ETS, may be considered compatible with energy audits, including in energy management systems, if they comply with the minimum requirements set out in Annex VI. In order to support the uptake of energy audits for SMEs, Member States may set up targeted financing instruments.
Amendment 437 #
2021/0203(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Each Member State shall set national energy efficiency contributions for final and primary energy consumption to meet, collectively, the binding Union target set in paragraph 1 . Member States shall notify those contributions together with an indicative trajectory for those contributions to the Commission as part of the updates of their integrated national energy and climate plans in accordance with Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, and as part of their integrated national energy and climate plans as referred to in, and in accordance with, the procedure set out in Article 3 and Articles 7 to 12 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 . When doing so, Member States shallmay use the formula defined in Annex I of this Directive and. If Member States do not use this formula, they shall explain how, and on the basis of which data, their contributions have been calculated.
Amendment 564 #
2021/0203(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Amendment 615 #
2021/0203(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) new savings each year from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 2023 of 0,8 % of annual final energy consumption, averaged over the most recent three-year period prior to 1 January 2019. By way of derogation from that requirement, Cyprus and Malta shall achieve new savings each year from 1 January 2021 to 31 December 20230 equivalent to 0,24 % of annual final energy consumption, averaged over the most recent three-year period prior to 1 January 2019;
Amendment 624 #
2021/0203(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) new savings each year from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2030 of 1,5 % of annual final energy consumption, averaged over the three-year period prior to 1 January 2020 in line with the requirements set out in point (b).
Amendment 745 #
2021/0203(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Programmes for SMEs may include targeted financing instruments to support the recommendations identified in the energy audits.
Amendment 1047 #
2021/0203(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – point 1 – paragraph 3
Annex I – point 1 – paragraph 3
Where CEU is a correction factor, Target is the level of national-specific ambition and FECB2030 PECB2030 is the 2020 Reference Scenario used as a baseline for 2030 or the NECP WPM (With Policy Measures) Scenario.
Amendment 1055 #
2021/0203(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – point 6
Annex I – point 6
6. Fpotential shall be calculated for each Member State based on the final or primary energy savings under the PRIMES MIX 55% scenario for 2030. The savings are expressed in relation to 2020 Reference Scenario projections for 2030 or the NECP WPM (With Policy Measures) Scenario, if applicable.
Amendment 41 #
2021/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Tackling climate and environmental-related challenges and reaching the objectives of the Paris Agreement are at the core of the Communication on the “European Green Deal”, adopted by the Commission on 11 December 201923 . The necessity and value of the European Green Deal have only grown in light of the very severe effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the health and economic well-being of the Union’s citizens. The digital and green transitions therefore should also address the importance of the social dimension in the mobility sector including the impact of energy taxation on affordability, as well as the direct and indirect effect of higher energy prices on transport in different Union regions. __________________ 23 Commission Communication - The European Green Deal, COM(2019) 640 final of 11 December 2019.
Amendment 80 #
2021/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
Amendment 96 #
2021/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) Improving the consumer access to a convenient charging of electric vehicles would be of critical importance for the rapid BEV uptake. The charging infrastructure should be rolled out where people live, work and do their daily activities, while taking into account rural and remote areas and therefore the reduction targets in this Regulation should be closely interlinked with the homogeneous development of public charging infrastructure under the revision of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive.
Amendment 111 #
2021/0197(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) The updated New Industrial Strategy26 foresees the co-creation of green and digital transition pathways in partnership with industry, public authorities, social partners and other stakeholders. In this context, a transition pathway should be developed for the mobility ecosystem to accompany the transition of the automotive value chain through the use of various Union funds in order to ensure that the transition is tailored to the needs of workers, while also supporting regions and communities that are most affected with a view to closing the gap between developed and less developed economies in the Union. The pathway should take particular heed of SMEs in the automotive supply chain, of the consultation of social partners including by Member States, and also build on the European Skills Agenda with initiatives like the Pact for Skills to mobilise the private sector and other stakeholders to up-skill and re-skill Europe’s workforce in view of the green and digital transitions. The appropriate actions and incentives at European and national level to boost the affordability of zero emission vehicles should also be addressed in the pathway. The progress made on this comprehensive transition pathway for the mobility ecosystem should be monitored every two years as part of a progress report to be submitted by the Commission, looking inter alia at the progress in the deployment of zero- emission vehicles, their price developments, deployment of alternative fuels development and infrastructure roll- out as required under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation, while exploiting synergies between TEN-E and TEN-T, the potential of innovative technologies to reach climate neutral mobility, international competitiveness, investments in the automotive value chain, up-skilling, re-skilling and re- our-skilling of workers and reconversion of activities. The progress report will also build on the two-year progress reports that Member States submit under the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation. The Commission should consult social partners in the preparation of the progress report, including the results in the social dialogue. Innovations in the automotive supply chain are continuing. Innovative technologies such as the production of electro-fuels with air capture, if further developed, could offer prospects for affordable climate neutral mobility. The Commission should therefore keep track of progress in the state of innovation in the sector as part of its progress report. __________________ 26 Commission Communication - Updating the 2020 New Industrial Strategy: Building a stronger Single Market for Europe’s recovery, COM(2021) 350 final of 5 May 2021
Amendment 127 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The purpose of this Regulation is to improve the functioning of the internal market by laying down a uniform legal framework in particular for the developbased on ethical principles in particular for the design, development, deployment, marketing and use of artificial intelligence in conformity with Union values. This Regulation pursues a number of overriding reasons of public interest, such as a high level of protection of health, safety, environment and fundamental rights, and it ensures the free movement of AI- based goods and services cross-border, thus preventing Member States from imposing restrictions on the development, marketing and use of AI systems, unless explicitly authorised by this Regulation.
Amendment 133 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Artificial intelligence systems (AI systems) can be easily deployed in multiple sectors of the economy and society, including cross border, and circulate throughout the Union. Certain Member States have already explored the adoption of national rules to ensure that artificial intelligence is trustworthy and safe and is developed and used in compliance with fundamental rights obligations. Differing national rules may lead to fragmentation of the internal market and decrease legal certainty for operators that develop or use AI systems. A consistent and high level of protection throughout the Union should therefore be ensured in order to achieve trustworthy AI, while divergences hampering the free circulation of AI systems and related products and services within the internal market should be prevented, by laying down uniform obligations for operators and guaranteeing the uniform protection of overriding reasons of public interest and of rights of persons throughout the internal market based on Article 114 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU). To the extent that this Regulation contains specific rules on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data concerning restrictions of the use of AI systems for ‘real-time’ remote biometric identification in publicly accessible spaces for the purpose of law enforcement, it is appropriate to base this Regulation, in as far as those specific rules are concerned, on Article 16 of the TFEU. In light of those specific rules and the recourse to Article 16 TFEU, it is appropriate to consult the European Data Protection Board.
Amendment 144 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
Amendment 154 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) In order to ensure a consistent and high level of protection of public interests as regards health, safety and fundamental rights, common normative standards for all high-risk AI systems should be established. Those standards should be consistent with the Charter of fundamental rights of the European Union (the Charter), the European Green Deal (The Green Deal) and the Joint Declaration on Digital Rights of the Union (the Declaration) and should be non-discriminatory and in line with the Union’s international trade commitments.
Amendment 158 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) In order to introduce a proportionate and effective set of binding rules for AI systems, a clearly defined risk- based approach should be followed. That approach should tailor the type and content of such rules to the intensity and scope of the risks that AI systems can generate. It is therefore necessary to prohibit certain artificial intelligence practices, to lay down requirements for high-risk AI systems and obligations for the relevant operators, and to lay down transparency obligations for certain AI systems. With regard to transparency and human oversight obligations, Member States should be able to adopt further national measures to complement them without changing their harmonising nature.
Amendment 161 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
(14a) Without prejudice to tailoring rules to the intensity and scope of the risks that AI systems can generate, or to the specific requirements laid down for high-risk AI systems, all AI systems developed, deployed or used in the Union should respect not only Union and national law but also a specific set of ethical principles that are aligned with the values enshrined in Union law and that are in part, concretely reflected in the specific requirements to be complied with by high-risk AI systems. That set of principles should, inter alia, also be reflected in codes of conduct that should be mandatory for the development, deployment and use of all AI systems. Accordingly, any research carried out with the purpose of attaining AI-based solutions that strengthen the respect for those principles, in particular those of social responsibility and environmental sustainability, should be encouraged by the Commission and the Member States.
Amendment 162 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 b (new)
Recital 14 b (new)
(14b) AI literacy’ refers to skills, knowledge and understanding that allows both citizens more generally and developers, deployers and users in the context of the obligations set out in this Regulation to make an informed deployment and use of AI systems, as well as to gain awareness about the opportunities and risks of AI and thereby promote its democratic control. AI literacy should not be limited to learning about tools and technologies, but should also aim to equip citizens more generally and developers, deployers and users in the context of the obligations set out in this Regulation with the critical thinking skills required to identify harmful or manipulative uses as well as to improve their agency and their ability to fully comply with and benefit from trustworthy AI. It is therefore necessary that the Commission, the Member States as well as developers and deployers of AI systems, in cooperation with all relevant stakeholders, promote the development of AI literacy, in all sectors of society, for citizens of all ages, including women and girls, and that progress in that regard is closely followed.
Amendment 163 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Aside from the many beneficial uses of artificial intelligence, that technology can also be misused and provide novel and powerful tools for manipulative, exploitative and social control practices. Such practices are particularly harmful and should be prohibited because they contradict Union values of respect for human dignity, freedom, equality, democracy and the rule of law and Union fundamental rights, including the right to non-discrimination, data protection and privacy, gender equality and the rights of the child.
Amendment 174 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
(17a) The use of Artificial Intelligence in work can be beneficial to both the management and operations of an enterprise, supporting workers in their tasks and improving safety on the workplace. Still, Artificial Intelligence systems applied to digital labour platforms, platforms for the management of workers, including in the field of transport, can entail risks of unjust/unnecessary social scoring, rooted in biased data sets, which can lead to violation of workers and fundamental rights. This Regulation should therefore aim at protecting the rights of workers managed by digital labour platforms and promote transparency, fairness and accountability in algorithmic management, to ensure workers are aware of how the algorithm works, which personal data is issued and how their behaviour affects decisions taken from the automated system.
Amendment 200 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
Recital 35
(35) AI systems used in education or vocational training, notably for determining access or assigning persons to educational and vocational training institutions or to evaluate persons on tests as part of or as a precondition for their education should be considered high-risk, since they may determine the educational and professional course of a person’s life and therefore affect their ability to secure their livelihood. When improperly designed, developed and used, such systems may violate the right to education and training as well as the right to gender equality and to not to be discriminated against and perpetuate historical patterns of discrimination.
Amendment 201 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36
Recital 36
(36) AI systems used in employment, workers management and access to self- employment, notably for the recruitment and selection of persons, for making decisions on promotion and termination and for task allocation, monitoring or evaluation of persons in work-related contractual relationships, should also be classified as high-risk, since those systems may appreciably impact the health, safety and security rules applicable in their work and at their workplaces and future career prospects and livelihoods of these persons. Relevant work-related contractual relationships should involve employees and persons providing services through platforms as referred to in the Commission Work Programme 2021. Such persons should in principle not be considered users within the meaning of this Regulation. Throughout the recruitment process and in the evaluation, promotion, or retention of persons in work-related contractual relationships, such systems may perpetuate historical patterns of discrimination, for example against women, certain age groups, persons with disabilities, or persons of certain racial or ethnic origins or sexual orientation. AI systems used to monitor the performance and behaviour of these persons may also impact their rights to data protection and privacy. In this regard, specific requirements on transparency, information and human oversight should apply. Trade unions and workers representatives should be informed and they should have access to any documentation created under this Regulation for any AI system deployed or used in their work or at their workplace.
Amendment 214 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 46
Recital 46
(46) Having comprehensible information on how high- risk AI systems have been developed and how they perform throughout their lifecycle is essential to verify compliance with the requirements under this Regulation and to allow users to make informed and autonomous decisions about their use. This requires keeping records and the availability of a technical documentation, containing information which is necessary to assess the compliance of the AI system with the relevant requirements. Such information should include the general characteristics, capabilities and limitations of the system, algorithms, data, training, testing and validation processes used as well as documentation on the relevant risk management system. The technical documentation should be kept up to date.
Amendment 242 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 72
Recital 72
(72) The objectives of the regulatory sandboxes should be to foster AI innovation by establishing a controlled experimentation and testing environment in the development and pre-marketing phase with a view to ensuring compliance of the innovative AI systems with this Regulation and other relevant Union and Member States legislation; to enhance legal certainty for innovators and the competent authorities’ oversight and understanding of the opportunities, emerging risks and the impacts of AI use, and to accelerate access to markets, including by removing barriers for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups; to contribute to the development of ethical, socially responsible and environmentally sustainable AI systems, in line with the ethical principles outlined in this Regulation. To ensure uniform implementation across the Union and economies of scale, it is appropriate to establish common rules for the regulatory sandboxes’ implementation and a framework for cooperation between the relevant authorities involved in the supervision of the sandboxes. This Regulation should provide the legal basis for the use of personal data collected for other purposes for developing certain AI systems in the public interest within the AI regulatory sandbox, in line with Article 6(4) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, and Article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725, and without prejudice to Article 4(2) of Directive (EU) 2016/680. Participants in the sandbox should ensure appropriate safeguards and cooperate with the competent authorities, including by following their guidance and acting expeditiously and in good faith to mitigate any high-risks to safety and fundamental rights that may arise during the development and experimentation in the sandbox. The conduct of the participants in the sandbox should be taken into account when competent authorities decide whether to impose an administrative fine under Article 83(2) of Regulation 2016/679 and Article 57 of Directive 2016/680.
Amendment 243 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 72
Recital 72
(72) The objectives of the regulatory sandboxes should be to foster AI innovation by establishing a controlled experimentation and testing environment in the development and pre-marketing phase with a view to ensuring compliance of the innovative AI systems with this Regulation and other relevant Union and Member States legislation; to enhance legal certainty for innovators and the competent authorities’ oversight and understanding of the opportunities, emerging risks and the impacts of AI use, and to accelerate access to markets, including by removing barriers for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups as well as to contribute to achieving the targets on AI as set in the Policy Programme “Path to the Digital Decade". To ensure uniform implementation across the Union and economies of scale, it is appropriate to establish common rules for the regulatory sandboxes’ implementation and a framework for cooperation between the relevant authorities involved in the supervision of the sandboxes. This Regulation should provide the legal basis for the use of personal data collected for other purposes for developing certain AI systems in the public interest within the AI regulatory sandbox, in line with Article 6(4) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, and Article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725, and without prejudice to Article 4(2) of Directive (EU) 2016/680. Participants in the sandbox should ensure appropriate safeguards and cooperate with the competent authorities, including by following their guidance and acting expeditiously and in good faith to mitigate any high-risks to safety and fundamental rights that may arise during the development and experimentation in the sandbox. The conduct of the participants in the sandbox should be taken into account when competent authorities decide whether to impose an administrative fine under Article 83(2) of Regulation 2016/679 and Article 57 of Directive 2016/680.
Amendment 246 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 73
Recital 73
(73) In order to promote and protect innovation, it is important that the interests of small-scale providers and users of AI systems are taken into particular account. To this objective, Member States should develop initiatives, which are targeted at those operators, including on AI literacy, awareness raising and information communication. Moreover, the specific interests and needs of small-scale providers shall be taken into account when Notified Bodies set conformity assessment fees. Translation costs related to mandatory documentation and communication with authorities may constitute a significant cost for providers and other operators, notably those of a smaller scale. Member States should possibly ensure that one of the languages determined and accepted by them for relevant providers’ documentation and for communication with operators is one which is broadly understood by the largest possible number of cross-border users.
Amendment 251 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 81
Recital 81
(81) The development of AI systems other than high-risk AI systems in accordance with the requirements of this Regulation may lead to a larger uptake of trustworthy socially responsible and environmentally sustainable artificial intelligence in the Union. Providers of non- high-risk AI systems should be encouraged to create codes of conduct intended to foster the voluntary application of the mandatory requirements applicable to high-risk AI systems. Providers should also be encouraged to apply on a voluntary basis additional requirements related, for example, to environmental sustainability, accessibility to persons with disability, stakeholders’ participation in the design and development of AI systems, and diversity of the development teams. The Commission may develop initiatives, including of a sectorial nature, to facilitate the lowering of technical barriers hindering cross-border exchange of data for AI development, including on data access infrastructure, semantic and technical interoperability of different types of data.
Amendment 303 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 44 – point a a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 44 – point a a (new)
(aa) 'AI literacy' means the skills, knowledge and understanding regarding AI systems that are necessary for compliance with and enforcement of this Regulation
Amendment 583 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 55 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 55 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Where appropriate, Member States shall find synergies and cooperate via relevant instruments funded by EU programmes, such as the European Digital Innovation Hubs.
Amendment 590 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 56 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 56 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) contribute to thepromote and support effective cooperation of the national supervisory authorities and the Commission with regard to matters covered by this Regulation;
Amendment 591 #
2021/0106(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 56 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 56 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(ca) assist developers, deployers and users of AI systems to meet the requirements of this Regulation, including those set out in present and future Union legislation, in particular SMEs and start-ups.
Amendment 58 #
2021/0049(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) In order to ensure transparency and accessibility for the programme, calls for proposals by the Metrology Partnership should also be published on the single portal for participants as well as through other Horizon Europe electronic means of dissemination managed by the Commission in a user-friendly manner.
Amendment 64 #
2021/0049(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) to increase the impact of metrology on digital, environmental, industrial and societal challenges in relation to the implementation of policies, standards and regulations to make them fit for purpose.
Amendment 67 #
2021/0049(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(c a) to bridge the gap in this field between Europe and its global competitors.
Amendment 71 #
2021/0049(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 3 – point c a (new)
(c a) to unleash the potential of metrology among end-users, including SMEs and industrial players, as an instrument contributing to achieving the Union goals for the digital and environmental transition.
Amendment 74 #
2021/0049(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 5
Article 3 – paragraph 5
5. The Union's financial contribution shall not be used to cover the administrative costs of the Metrology Partnership, up to a maximum of 5 % of the Union financial contribution referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article.
Amendment 91 #
2021/0049(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a – indent 4 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point a – indent 4 a (new)
- exchange of best practices on metrology research carried out at the national level;
Amendment 92 #
2021/0049(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 2
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 2
— (ii) actions for the dissemination and exploitation of results of metrology research increasing the visibility of the activities EURAMET carries out to the broad public in a user-friendly way;
Amendment 103 #
2021/0049(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 13 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The composition of the bodies governing the Metrology Partnership shall respect the principle of gender balance.
Amendment 104 #
2021/0049(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
1. The Metrology Partnership Committee shall manage the Metrology Partnership in order toa transparent way while ensureing that the Metrology Partnership as executed meets its objectives.
Amendment 105 #
2021/0049(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 14 – paragraph 3 – point d
Article 14 – paragraph 3 – point d
(d) take decisions on the selection of the projects to be funded according to the ranking lists following the evaluations of the call of proposals referred to in Article 6(1) point (a) that value the respect of gender and geographical balance as well as the participation of small and medium enterprises;
Amendment 107 #
2021/0049(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 14 – paragraph 3 – point e
Article 14 – paragraph 3 – point e
(e) periodically monitor the progress of the funded projects;
Amendment 200 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 2
(2) In particular, European partnerships in the “Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness” pillar of Horizon Europe play an important role in achieving the strategic objectives such as accelerating the transitions towards sustainable development goals and a green and digital Europe and should contribute to recovery from the unprecedented COVID- related crisis in line with the enhancement of European industrial leadership. European partnerships address complex cross-border challenges that require an integrated approach. They make it possible to address the transformational, systemic and market failures described in the impact assessments accompanying this Regulation by bringing together a broad range of players across the value chains and ecosystems to work towards a common vision and translating it into concrete roadmaps and coordinated implementation of activities. Furthermore, they allow concentrating efforts and resources on common priorities to solve the complex challenges.
Amendment 213 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 12
(12) Following the identification of synergies between them, joint undertakings should aim to determine budget shares which should be used for complementary or joint activities between joint undertakings. Moreover, this Regulation aims at achieving improved efficiencies and harmonisation of the rules through intensified operational collaboration and by exploring economies of scale, including, where applicable, the establishment of a common back office, which should provide horizontal support functions to the joint undertakings. The common back office should make it easier to achieve greater impact and harmonisation on common points while retaining a certain degree of flexibility to meet the specific needs of each joint undertaking. The structure should be established using service level agreements to be concluded jointly by the joint undertakings. The common back office functions shouldmay cover coordination and administrative support functions in areas where its screening has proved efficient and cost-effective and should take into account the compliance with the requirement of accountability of each individual authorising officer. The legal setup should be designed to best serve the common needs of the joint undertakings, to ensure their close collaboration and to explore all possible synergies among the European partnerships and, as a consequence, between the various parts of the Horizon Europe programme as well as between the other programmes managed by the joint undertakings.
Amendment 217 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 15
(15) This Regulation is based on the principles and criteria set out in the Horizon Europe Regulation, including openness and transparency, a strong leverage effect and long-term commitments of all the involved parties. One of the objectives of this Regulation is to ensure the openness of the initiatives to a broad range of entities, including newcomers. The partnerships should be open to any entity that is willing and capable to work towards the common goal, and promote broad and active participation of stakeholders in their activities, membership and governance, and to ensure that the results would be for the benefit of all Europeans as well as to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, notably through a broad dissemination of results and pre- deployment activities across the Union.
Amendment 221 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 18
(18) In line with the ambitions set out in the Horizon Europe Regulation, one of the preconditions of setting up institutionalised partnerships is ensuring partner’s contributions throughout the lifetime of the initiatives. In this context, private partners should deliver a significant part of their contributions in the form of in-kind contributions to operational costs of the joint undertaking. Joint undertakings should be able to seek measures to facilitate these contributions through their work programmes, notably by reducing funding rates. These measures should be based on the specific needs of a joint undertaking and the underlying activities. In justified cases, it should be possible to introduce additional conditions that require the participation of a member of the joint undertaking or their constituent or affiliated entities, targeting activities where the industrial partners of the joint undertaking can play a key role, such as large-scale demonstrations and flagship projects, and contribute more via lower funding rates. The level of participation of members should be monitored by the executive director in order to empower the governing board to take appropriate actions, ensuring a balance between commitment from partners and openness. In duly justified cases, the capital expenditure for, e.g., large scale demonstrators or flagship projects, may be considered as an eligible cost in line with the applicable legal framework. However, the reduction of the funding rates should not apply to non-profit entities such as research organisations, universities and other public bodies since their mission includes, among other things, maintaining non-commercially viable research and technology infrastructures or carrying out research in non-profitable knowledge areas with a high societal value.
Amendment 235 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 22
(22) It is appropriate that the members other than the Union commit to the implementation of this Regulation by means of a letter of commitment. Those letters of commitment should be legally valid throughout the lifetime of the initiative and closely monitored by the joint undertaking and the Commission. Joint undertakings should create a legal and organisational environment that enables members to deliver on their commitments while ensuring continuous openness of the initiative and transparency during their implementation, notably for priority setting and for participation in calls for proposals, promoting a gender and geographically balanced participation.
Amendment 237 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 23
(23) Further simplification is a cornerstone of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme. In that context, there should be a simplified reporting mechanism for partners, who are no longer required to report on non-eligible costs. In- kind contributions to operational activities should be accounted solely on the basis of eligible costs. That allows for the automated calculation of in-kind contributions to operational activities via the Horizon Europe IT tools, lowers the administrative burden for partners and makes the reporting mechanism for contributions more effective. In-kind contributions to operational activities should be closely monitored by the joint undertakings and regular reports should be prepared by the executive director of the governing board in order to establish whether the progress towards reaching the in-kind contributions targets is satisfactory enough. The governing board should assess both the efforts made and the results achieved by the members contributing to operational activities, as well as other factors, such as the level of participation of SMEs and, the attractiveness of the initiative to newcomers and a fair geographical balance. When necessary, it should take appropriate remedial and corrective measures taking into account the principles of openness and transparency.
Amendment 240 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 25
(25) The governance of joint undertakings should ensure that their decision-making processes are transparent and fit to keep pace with fast-changing socio-economic and technological and environment andal global challenges. The governance of joint undertakings should also take into account the principle of gender balance. Joint undertakings should benefit from the expertise, advice and support from all relevant stakeholders, in order to effectively implement their tasks and ensure synergies at Union and national level. Therefore, joint undertakings should be empowered to set up advisory bodies with a view to providing them with expert advice and carrying out any other task of an advisory nature that is necessary for the achievement of the joint undertakings' objectives. In setting up the advisory bodies, joint undertakings should ensure a balanced representation of experts within the scope of the activities of the joint undertaking, including with respect to gender and geographical balance. The advice provided by these bodies should bring in scientific perspectives as well as, those of national and regional authorities as well as those of civil society organisations and of other stakeholders of joint undertakings.
Amendment 246 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 26
(26) Joint undertakings should be able to set up an advisory body with a scientific advisory function. That body or its members should be in a position to provide independent scientific advice and support to the respective joint undertaking independently from members of other governing bodies of the undertaking. The scientific advice should concern, in particular, annual work plans, additional activities as well as any other aspect of the joint undertakings’ tasks, as necessary. Moreover, in order to effectively integrate the necessary gender perspective in research fields such as health, transport, climate change and digitalisation, gender experts should be consulted.
Amendment 249 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 29
(29) The joint undertakings should operate in an open and transparent way, providing all and should ensure that activities they carry out are visible to the general public audience and properly communicated and disseminated through the timely communication of relevant information, in a timely manner to their appropriate bodies as well as promoting their activities, including information and dissemination activities, to the widercluding that regarding the meetings of their bodies, on their institutional websites as well as through communication activities aiming to reach out to a wide range of stakeholders, including SMEs, academia, civil society organisations and the general public.
Amendment 251 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 29 a (new)
(29 a) The joint undertakings should contribute to reducing the specific skills gap across the Union by engaging in awareness raising measures and assisting in fostering new knowledge and human capital, while contributing to address the gender gap in the STEM field as women are under-represented at all levels in European research, science, innovation and technology in Europe.
Amendment 259 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 33
(33) One of the main purposes of joint undertakings is to foster the Union’s economic capacities and in particular its industrial, scientific and, technological sovereignty as well as climate neutrality. Moreover, the post pandemic recovery highlights the need to invest in key technologies such as 5G, AI, cloud, cybersecurity and, green tech and necessary infrastructures as well as the valorisation of these technologies in the Union. Results generated by all participants will play an important role in this respect and all participants will benefit from the Union funding through the results generated in the project and access rights thereto, even those participants not having received Union funding. Therefore, to protect the Union interests, the right for joint undertakings to object to transfers of ownership of results or to grants of an exclusive licence regarding results should also apply to participants not having received Union funding. In exercising this right to object the joint undertaking should strike a fair balance between the Union interests and protection of fundamental rights on the results of the participants without funding in accordance with the principle of proportionality, taking into account that these participants did not receive any Union funding for the action from which the results were generated.
Amendment 272 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 42
(42) The main objective of the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking should be to contribute to reducing the ecological footprint of aviation by accelerating the development of climate neutral aviation technologies for their earliest possible deployment, therefore significantly contributing to the ambitious environment impact mitigation goals of the European Green Deal and the European Climate Law, that is to say a 55% emissions reduction by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, and climate neutrality by 2050. This objective can only be achieved through accelerating and optimising the research and innovation processes in aeronautics and by improving the global competitiveness of the Union aviation industry. The Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking should also ensure that cleaner aviation remains safe, secure, competitive and efficient for the transportation of passengers and goods by air.
Amendment 279 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 47
(47) Europe faces the challenge of having to play a global leading role in internalising the societal costs of greenhouse gas emissions in the air transport business model while continuing to ensure a ‘level playing field’ for European products in the global market as well as the right to connectivity and the competitiveness of the sector. Therefore, the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking should support the European representatives in international standardisation and international legislative efforts.
Amendment 283 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 48
(48) Interest in Hrenewable hydrogen has evolved dramatically in the last five years with all member states having signed and ratified the Conference of the Parties (COP21) Paris Agreement. At the end of 2019, the Commission presented the European Green Deal, which aims to transform the Union into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, where there are no net emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050. Priority areas include cleanrenewable hydrogen, fuel cells, other alternative fuels and energy storage. Hydrogen is prominent in the July 2020 “Communications on a hydrogen strategy for a climate-neutral Europe and an EU Strategy for Energy System Integration”, in the Parliament's own initiative report "European strategy for hydrogen" voted in May 2021 as well as for the launch of the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance that should brings all stakeholders together to identify technology, research and infrastructure needs, investment opportunities and regulatory as well as economic barriers to build a cleanrenewable hydrogen ecosystem in the Union.
Amendment 286 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 49
(49) Dedicated research and innovation activities related to hydrogen applications have been supported since 2008, mainly through the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Joint Undertakings (FCH Joint Undertaking and FCH 2 Joint Undertaking) under FP7 and Horizon 2020 as well as by traditional collaborative projects, covering all stages/fields of the hydrogen value chain. The Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking should strengthen and integrate Union scientific capacity to accelerate the development and improvement of advanced cleanrenewable hydrogen applications ready for market, across energy, aviation, maritime, heavy-duty transport, buildingrail, and industrial end-uses while taking into account their long-term availability and affordability. This will only be possible if combined with strengthening competitiveness of the Union cleanrenewable hydrogen value chain, and notably SMEs while building up the necessary ecosystem, including infrastructure.
Amendment 290 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 51
(51) Since hydrogen can be deployed as a fuel, energy carrier and for storing energy it is essential that the clean hydrogen partnership establishes structured collaboration with many other Horizon Europe partnerships, notably for end-use. The clean hydrogen partnership should interact and develop synergies in particular with the zero emission road and waterborne transport, Europe’s railway, clean aviation, processes for the planet and clean steel partnerships. For that purpose, a structure should be set up reporting to the Governing Board in order to ensure the co- operation and synergies between these partnerships in the domain of hydrogen. The clean hydrogen initiative would be the only partnership focused on addressing hydrogen production technologies and infrastructure. Collaboration with end-use partnerships should in particular focus on demonstrating the technology and co- defining specifications.
Amendment 294 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 54
(54) The Commission Communication on a New Industrial Strategy for Europe22 (March 2020) underlines that sustainable and smart mobility industries, such as the rail industry, have both the responsibility and the potential to drive the digital and green transition, support Europe’s industrial competitiveness and improve connectivity. Therefore road, rail, aviation, and waterborne transport should all contribute to a 90% reduction in transport emissions by 2050. As a matter of priority, a substantial part of the 75% of inland freight carried today by road should shift onto rail and inland waterways. The Commission Communication that has updated the 2020 New Industrial Strategy (May 2021) has confirmed the crucial role of sustainable transport and mobility in accelerating the twin transition and in boosting the recovery. _________________ 22https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal- content/EN/TXT/?qid=1593086905382&ur i=CELEX:52020DC0102
Amendment 297 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 56
(56) The objective of Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking should be to deliver a high capacity integrated European railway network which aims to the highest standards of safety for both end-users, including passengers, and workers by eliminating barriers to interoperability and providing solutions for full integration, covering traffic management, vehicles, infrastructure and services. This should exploit the huge potential for digitalisation and automation to reduce rail’s costs, increase capacity, and enhance its flexibility and, reliability, safety and inclusiveness and should be based upon a solid Reference Functional System Architecture shared by the sector, in coordination with the European Union Agency for Railways.
Amendment 300 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 58
(58) Rail is a complex system, with very close interactions between infrastructure managers, rail undertakings (train operators) and their respective equipment (suppliers (e.g. infrastructure and rolling stock). It is impossible to deliver innovation without common specifications and strategy across the rail system. Therefore, the System Pillar of the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking should enable the sector to converge on a single operational concept and system architecture, including the definition of the services, functional blocks, and interfaces, which form the basis of rail system operations. It should provide the overall framework to ensure that research targets customer requirements and operational needs that are commonly agreed and shared customer requirements and operational needs. The governance model and the decision making process of the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking should reflect the Commission’s leading role in unifying and integrating Europe’s railway system, especially in rapidly and effectively delivering the single operational concept and system architecture, while involving the private partners in advisory and technical support roles and taking into account the needs of end-users, including passengers, and workers with specific reference to safety and inclusiveness.
Amendment 304 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 62
(62) Tackling infectious diseases affecting sub-Saharan Africa with modern technology tools requires the involvement of a large set of actors and long-term commitments. The Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking should broker productive and sustainable North–South and South–South dialogue, networking and cooperation, building relationships with multiple private and public sector organisations to strengthen project and institutional collaborations. The programme should also help to establish new North–South and South-South collaborations to conduct multi-country, multi-site studies in sub-Saharan Africa. In addition, a regular international conference, the EDCTP Forum, should provide a platform for scientists and relevant networks from Europe, Africa, and elsewhere to share findings and ideas, and to establish collaborative links.
Amendment 306 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 64
(64) It is essential that the research activities funded by Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking or otherwise covered by its work programme, are in full compliance with the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, the European Convention on Human Rights and its Supplementary Protocols, ethical principles included in the World Medical Association’s Declaration of Helsinki of 2008, the standards of good clinical practice adopted by the International Conference on Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Registration of Pharmaceuticals for Human Use, relevant Union legislation and local ethics requirements of the countries where the research activities are to be conducted. Furthermore, the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking should require that the innovations and interventions developed, based on results of the indirect actions supported by the programmeunder the GlobalHealth EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking, should be affordable and accessible for vulnerable populations.
Amendment 308 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 66
(66) In the context of the European Commission’s priorities of “An economy that works for people” and “A Europe fit for the digital age”, the European industry, including SMEs, should become greener, more circular and more digital while remaining competitive on the global scale. In 2017, the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission proclaimed the European Pillar of Social Rights which includes, among other principles, the right to healthcare intended as “the right to timely access to affordable, preventive and curative health care of good quality” and the Action Plan to implement the Pillar, which sets concrete initiatives to ensure social protection and inclusion. The Commission has emphasized the role of medical devices and digital technologies addressing emerging challenges and the use of e-health services to provide high- quality health care, along with a call for ensuring the supply of affordable medicines to meet the Union’s needs, whilst supporting an innovative and world- leading European pharmaceutical industry. The Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking aims to contribute towards strengthening the competitiveness of the Union’s health industry, a cornerstone of the Union’s knowledge- based economy, to an increased economic activity in the development of health technologies, notably of integrated health solutions, and thus serve as a tool for increasing technological sovereignty and fostering the digital transformation of our societies. Such political priorities can be achieved by bringing together the crucial players: the academia, companies of various sizes and end-users of health innovations, under the umbrella of a public-private partnership in health research and innovation. The Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking should help reach the objectives of the ‘Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan’24, the Horizon Europe Mission on Cancer and the ‘European One Health Action Plan against Anti microbial Resistance’25 . The Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking should be aligned with the new Industrial Strategy for Europe26 (March 2020), its updated version (May 2021), the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe27 and the SME strategy for a sustainable and digital Europe28 . _________________ 24https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better- regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12154- Europe-s-Beating-Cancer-Plan 25 https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/health/files /antimicrobial_resistance/docs/amr_2017_a ction-plan.pdf 26 COM(2020) 102. 27 COM(2020) 761. 28 COM(2020) 103.. The Joint Undertaking should develop synergies with the initiatives aiming at creating an European Health Data Space as well as with the research initiatives in the field of rare diseases. _________________ 24https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better- regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/12154- Europe-s-Beating-Cancer-Plan
Amendment 312 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 67
(67) The Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking builds on the experience gained from the Innovative Medicine Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking (IMI2 Joint Undertaking) including the work done by this initiative to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. In line with the recommendations of the interim evaluation of IMI2 Joint Undertaking29 , a successor initiative needs to “enable the active engagement of other industry sectors with the pharmaceutical industry to capitalise on their expertise in the development of new health care interventions”. Therefore, the industry sectors need to cover the biopharmaceutical, biotechnology and medical technology sectors, including companies active in the digital area. The scope of the initiative should cover prevention, diagnosis, treatment and disease management and must be established taking due account of the high burden for patients, their families and/or society due to the severity of the disease and/or the number of people affected or likely to be affected, as well as the high economic impact of the disease for patients, their families and for health care systems. The funded actions must respond to the Union public health needs, supporting the development of future health innovations that are safe, people- centred, effective, cost-effective and affordable for patients, including those affected by a rare disease, and for health care systems. _________________ 29The Interim Evaluation of the Innovative Medicines Initiative 2 Joint Undertaking (2014-2016) operating under Horizon 2020 (ISBN 978-92-79-69299-4).
Amendment 314 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 68
(68) To ensure the best opportunity for generating new scientific ideas and successful research and innovation activities, the key actors in Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking should be researchers from various types of entities, public and private. At the same time, end-users such as Union citizens, patients and their families, health care professionals and health care providers should provide input into the strategic design and activities of the initiative, ensuring that i. The Joint Undertaking should ensure that the activities it carries out addresses theirse needs. Furthermore, Union-wide and national regulatory authorities, health technology assessment bodies and health care payers should also provide early input to the partnership’s activities, while ensuring the absence of any conflicts of interest, in order to increase the likelihood that the results of funded actions meet the requirements necessary for uptake and thus reaching the expected impacts. All that input should help better target research efforts towards areas of unmet need.
Amendment 317 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 70
(70) The partnership’s objectives should focus on the pre-competitive area, thereby creating a safe space for efficient and effective collaboration between companies active in different health technologies. To reflect the integrative nature of the initiative, help break the silos between health industry sectors and strengthen the industry- academia collaborations, the majority of the projects funded by the initiative should be cross-sectoral.
Amendment 318 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 71
(71) The term Key Digital Technologies refers to electronic components and systems that underpin all major economic sectors. The Commission highlighted the need to master those technologies in Europe, notably in the context of delivering on European policy priorities such as digital technology autonomy30 . The importance of the area and the challenges faced by the stakeholders in the Union require urgent action in order to leave no weak link in Europe’s innovation and value chains. A mechanism at Union level should therefore be set up to combine and focus the provision of support to research and innovation in electronic components and systems by member states, the Union and the private sector. The Alliance on processors and semiconductor technologies and the Alliance for Industrial Data, Edge and Cloud should also complement the initiatives of the Joint Undertaking. _________________ 30Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on Shaping Europe’s digital future (COM(2020) 67 final).
Amendment 321 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 72
(72) The Key Digital Technologies Joint Undertaking should address clearly defined topics that would enable European industries at large to design, manufacture and use the most innovative technologies in electronic components and systems. Structured and coordinated financial support at European level is necessary to help research teams and European industries maintain their current strengths at the leading edge in a highly competitive international context and close the gap in technologies that are critical for athe digital transformation inof the European Union and its technological leadership that reflects core Union values including privacy and trust, security and safety. Collaboration among stakeholders of the ecosystem, representing all segments of the value chains, is essential for the development of new technologies and the fast market uptake of innovation. Openness and flexibility to integrate relevant stakeholders, including in particular SMEs, in emerging or adjacent areas of technology, or in both, is also vital.
Amendment 323 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 72 a (new)
(72 a) The Key Digital Technologies Joint Undertaking should also develop research activities in line with the goals set out in theCommission Communication “2030 Digital Compass: the European way for the Digital Decade”.
Amendment 340 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Recital 89 a (new)
(89 a) The Smart Networks and Services Joint Undertaking should also develop research activities in line with the goals set out in the Commission Communication “2030 Digital Compass: the European way for the Digital Decade”.
Amendment 342 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 1 – paragraph 1
This Regulation sets up nine joint undertakings within the meaning of Article 187 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union for the implementation of institutionalised European partnerships defined in [Article 2(3)] and referred to in point [(c)] of [Article 8(1)] of the Horizon Europe Regulation. It determines their objectives and tasks, membership, organisation and other operating rules, including on transparency and accountability.
Amendment 344 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
6 a. “affiliated entities” are considered in accordance with Article 187 of the Financial Regulation;
Amendment 361 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) securing and supporting sustainability-driven global leadership of Union value chains and Union open strategic autonomy in key technologies and industries in line with the industrial and SME strategy for Europe;
Amendment 366 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) developing and accelerateing the uptake of innovative solutions throughout the Union addressing climate, digital, environmental, health and other global societal challenges contributing to Union strategic priorities, in particular to reach the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and achieve climate neutrality in the Union by 2050.
Amendment 371 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) accelerate the social, ecological and economic transitions in areas and sectors of strategic importance for Union priorities, in particular to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 in accordance with the targets set in line with the European Green Deal and with the European Climate Law;
Amendment 376 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point d a (new)
(d a) contribute to reducing the specific skills gap across the Union by engaging in awareness raising measures and assisting in the building of new knowledge and human capital with reference to their domains of research;
Amendment 378 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point d b (new)
(d b) contribute to accelerating the upskilling and reskilling of European workers and the participation of SMEs in the industrial ecosystems linked to the operations of the joint undertakings;
Amendment 381 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point e a (new)
(e a) contribute to bridging the gender gap in the STEM fields in Europe as well as to mainstream gender in research outcomes developed by European partnerships, thus achieving a better alignment of European partnerships with the gender equality objectives in R&I of the Commission.
Amendment 382 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 4 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. In carrying out their research activities, the joint undertakings shall seek synergies between European Structural and Investment Funds, other Horizon Europe initiatives as well as all research, innovation and competitiveness- related Union programmes. In addition to that, the joint undertakings shall operate in close collaboration with the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission in their respective scientific domains.
Amendment 384 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) reinforce and spread excellence, including by fostering wider participation throughout the Union, including from Member States that are currently considered modest and moderate innovators according to the European Innovation Scoreboard;
Amendment 386 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) stimulate research and innovation activities in SMEs and contribute to the creation and scaling-up of innovative companies, in particular start-ups, SMEs, and, in exceptional and justified cases, small mid-caps;
Amendment 387 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) reinforce the link between research, innovation, and where appropriate, gender equality, education and other policies, including complementarities with national and regional and Union skills, research and innovation policies and activities;
Amendment 396 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) accelerate industrial transformation and resilience across the value chains, including through improved skills for innovation;
Amendment 398 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point h a (new)
(h a) elaborate strategies aiming to accelerate the market deployment process of the research outcomes and deliverables in their respective research domains;
Amendment 410 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(c a) reinforce the link between research, innovation and the actions envisaged in the European Skills Agenda, especially those aiming at developing skills to support the green and the digital transition and at increasing the number of graduates in STEM subjects, especially in the industrial ecosystems linked to the operations of the joint undertakings;
Amendment 411 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) promote the involvement of SMEs and their associations in their activities and take measures ensuring information to SMEs, in line with the objectives of Horizon Europe;
Amendment 417 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point g
(g) monitor progress towards the achievement of the objectives set out in this Regulation as well as according to those set out in [Article 45] and [Annex III and V] of the Horizon Europe Regulation;
Amendment 422 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – point j
(j) engage in information, communication, publicity and dissemination and exploitation activities by applying mutatis mutandis [Article 46] of the Horizon Europe Regulation, including making the detailed information on results from funded research and innovation activities available and accessibleto the general public in a common Horizon Europe e- database, in a user-friendly way;
Amendment 438 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 7 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. The assessment of applications for membership from any legal entity established in a country associated to the Horizon Europe Programme shall take into account the proportionate increase of the Union contribution from the Horizon Europe Programme to the joint undertakings by contributions from the corresponding country associated to Horizon Europe.
Amendment 439 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 7 – paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. The applications for membership from any legal entity established in a country associated to the Horizon Europe Programme shall not lead, to additional burden on or contribution by the founding and/or the associate of the joint undertakings.
Amendment 447 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 9 – paragraph 2
2. The governing board shall assess the letter of endorsement and shall approve or reject the application, taking into account,where applicable, the advice of other bodies of the joint undertakings.
Amendment 454 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 10 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Additional contributions from the Union pursuing Article 13 of the Horizon Europe Regulation shall be distributed within the clusters of Pillar II of the Horizon Europe Programme in a fair way, taking into account the research priorities of the Union as well as its policy goals.
Amendment 470 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Joint undertakings shall, within one year following the adoption of this Regulation,may conclude service level agreements on common back office functions, unless specified otherwise in Part Two and subject to the need to guarantee an equivalent level of protection of the Union’s financial interest when entrusting budgetary implementation tasks to joint undertakings. Such functions shallmay include the following areas, subject to confirmation of viability and, following screening of resources and without prejudice to the specific research areas of the joint undertakings:
Amendment 473 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 12 – paragraph 2
2. The common back office functions referred to in paragraph 1 shallmay be provided by one or more selected joint undertakings to all others. Interrelated functions shall be kept within the same joint undertaking in order to ensure a coherent organisational structure.
Amendment 482 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 14 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The composition of the governing board shall be gender-balanced.
Amendment 490 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 15 – paragraph 7
7. Other persons, in particular representatives of other European partnerships, executive or regulatory agencies, national and regional authorities within the Union and European technology platforms may also be invited to attend by the chairperson as observers on a case-by- case basis subject to the rules on confidentiality and conflict of interest.
Amendment 491 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 15 – paragraph 10
10. The governing board shall adopt its own rules of procedure, including measures to avoid any conflict of interest in the decision-making process.
Amendment 494 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 16 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
The Commission, in its role in the governing board, shall seek to ensure coordination between the activities of the joint undertakings and the relevant activities of Union funding programmes with a view to promoting synergies and complementarities when identifying priorities covered by collaborative research.
Amendment 500 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point i
(i) appoint, dismiss, extend the term of office, provide guidance and monitor the performance of the executive director, including through the identification of a set of Key Performance Indicators to assess her/his performance;;
Amendment 504 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point j
(j) adopt the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda at the beginning of the initiative and amend it throughout the duration of Horizon Europe, where necessary. The Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda shall identify the partnership’s targeted impact, foreseen portfolio of activities, measurable expected outcomes, resources, deliverables, and milestones within a defined timeframe. It shall also identify the other European partnerships with which the joint undertaking shall establish a formal and regular collaboration and the possibilities for synergies between the joint undertaking’s actions and national or regional initiatives and policies based on information received by the participating states or the states’ representatives group as well as synergies with other Union programmes and policies, including the actions foreseen by the European Skills Agenda;
Amendment 506 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point k
(k) adopt the work programme and corresponding expenditure estimates as proposed by the executive director to implement the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, including the administrative activities, the content of the calls for proposals, including the criteria to encourage a gender and geographically balanced participation, the research areas subject to joint calls and cooperation with other partnerships, the applicable funding rate per call topic, as well as the related rules for submission, evaluation, selection, award and review procedures, with particular attention to the feedback to policy requirements;
Amendment 508 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point m a (new)
(m a) support the visibility and the openness of the activities of the joint undertakings in order to attract new partners, especially small and medium enterprises and research institutions while ensuring an effective scrutiny by the general public and civil society organisations;
Amendment 509 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point m b (new)
Amendment 512 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point o a (new)
(o a) take appropriate and corrective measures based on the results of the annual audit carried out by the European Court of Auditors;
Amendment 517 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point x
(x) request scientific advice or analysis on specific issues to the joint underaking’s scientific advisory body or its members, including as regards developments and synergies in adjacent sectors;
Amendment 518 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point y
(y) adopt by the end of 20224 a plan for the phasing-out of the joint undertaking from Horizon Europe funding upon recommendation of the executive director;
Amendment 521 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 16 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. A report of the meetings of the governing board shall be made publicly available in the website of the joint undertaking.
Amendment 525 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 17 – paragraph 1
1. The executive director shall be appointed by the governing board on the basis of merit and skills, from the list of candidates proposed by the Commission, following an open and transparent selection procedure which shall respect the principle of gender balance.
Amendment 529 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 17 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The list of candidates shall be gender and geographically balanced and shall include at least 40% of the underrepresented sex.
Amendment 532 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 17 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The results of the selection shall be made publicly available.
Amendment 534 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 17 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Before appointment, the selected executive director shall sign a statement declaring the absence of any conflict of interest as well as a declaration of financial interests, including at least her or his occupation(s) during the five-year period before he or she has taken up office with the joint undertaking as well as her or his membership during that period of any boards or committees of companies, non-governmental organisations, associations or other bodies established in law. Both the statement and the declaration shall be made easily accessible in the joint undertaking’s website.
Amendment 535 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 17 – paragraph 4
4. The term of office of the executive director shall be four years. By the end of that period, the Commission after consulting the members other than the Union shall carry out an assessment of the performance of the executive director and the future tasks and challenges of the joint undertaking, including through the evaluation of the set of Key Performance Indicators as set out in point (i) of Article 16(2) of this Regulation.
Amendment 543 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 18 – paragraph 4 – point n
(n) implement thepropose a citizen and SME- friendly communications policy of the joint undertaking to the governing board and implement it;
Amendment 552 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 19 – paragraph 2
2. There shall be a balanced representation of experts among the members of the scientific advisory body, within the scope of the activities of the joint undertaking, including with respect to gender and geographical balance. Collectively, the members of the scientific advisory body shall have the necessary competences and expertise covering the technical domain in order to make science- based recommendations to the joint undertaking, taking into account the socio- economic impact of such recommendations and the objectives of the joint undertaking as well as the gender impacts of the research carried out by the joint undertaking.
Amendment 560 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 19 – paragraph 6
6. The scientific advisory body shall meet at least twice a year and meetings shall be convened by the chairperson. The chairperson may invite other persons to attend its meetings as observers. The scientific advisory body shall adopt its own rules of procedure, including measures to avoid any conflict of interest in the decision-making process.
Amendment 562 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 19 – paragraph 7 – point b
(b) advise on the scientific achievements to be described in the consolidated annual activity report;
Amendment 569 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 19 – paragraph 8
8. After each meeting of the scientific advisory body, its chairperson shall submit to the governing board a report outlining the body’s and its members’ opinions on the matters discussed during the meeting. The report shall be made publicly available in the website of the joint undertaking.
Amendment 579 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 20 – paragraph 7 – point e
(e) involvement of SMEs and SMEs business organisations.
Amendment 582 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 20 – paragraph 9
9. The states’ representatives group shall submit, at the end of each calendar year, a report describing the national or regional policies in the scope of the joint undertaking and identifying specific ways of cooperation with the actions funded by the joint undertaking. The report shall be made publicly available in the website of the joint undertaking.
Amendment 586 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 21 – paragraph 2
2. The stakeholders group shall be open to all public and private stakeholders, including organised groups, and organisations representing the civil society active in the field of the joint undertaking, international interest groups from member states, associated countries as well as from other countries.
Amendment 587 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 21 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 588 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 21 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. In addition to the provisions set out in paragraph 3 of this Article, the stakeholder group may, of its own initiative, provide comments on the joint undertaking’s planned initiatives or other relevant matters to the governing board, where appropriate.
Amendment 589 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 21 – paragraph 4
4. The meetings of the stakeholders group shall be convened by the executive director at least twice a year.
Amendment 592 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 21 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. The report of the meetings of the stakeholders group shall be made publicly available in the website of the joint undertaking.
Amendment 601 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(e a) the progress in the implementation of the measurable expected outcomes, deliverables, and milestones within a defined timeframe as set out in the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda and in the work programme of the joint undertaking;
Amendment 603 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
(e b) the contribution of the joint undertaking to the actions of the European Skills Agenda, especially those aiming at developing skills to support the green and the digital transition and at increasing the number of graduates in STEM subjects, in the respective areas of work;
Amendment 604 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 24 – paragraph 2 – point e c (new)
(e c) any action related to gender mainstreaming, including those actions aiming to bridge the gender gap in the research and innovation field.
Amendment 605 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 24 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Amendment 606 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 26 – paragraph 2
2. The members other than the Union shall agree on how to share their collective contribution among them in accordance with the financial rules of the joint undertaking.
Amendment 607 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 26 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. In sharing their collective contribution to a joint undertaking, the members other than the Union shall act in accordance with the financial rules of the joint undertaking, while avoiding to impose any burdensome condition to small and medium enterprises whose participation to the joint undertaking shall also be supported by favourable conditions that take into account their smaller size as well as their more limited bargaining power across the value chain in comparison to larger players.
Amendment 612 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 35 – paragraph 2
2. The staff resources shall be determined in the staff establishment plan of each joint undertaking indicating the number of temporary posts by function group and by grade and the number of contract staff expressed in full-time equivalents, in line with its annual budget., also taking into account the principle of gender balance
Amendment 614 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 40 – paragraph 1
1. The joint undertaking, its bodies and its members as well as its staff shall avoid any conflict of interest in the implementation of their activities. decision-making process leading to definition of the joint undertaking’s activities as well as in their implementation.
Amendment 615 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 40 – paragraph 2
2. The governing board shall adopt rules for the prevention, avoidance and management of conflicts of interest in respect of the staff of the joint undertaking, the members and other persons serving the governing board and in the other bodies or groups of the joint undertaking, in accordance with this Regulation, the financial rules of the joint undertaking and with the Staff Regulations in respect of staff.
Amendment 649 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 45 – paragraph 1 – point j
(j) communicate and promote innovative bio-based solutions towards policy makers, SMEs, industry, NGOs and consumers at large.
Amendment 655 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 49 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) communication, dissemination and awareness raising activities among the SMEs and the general public.
Amendment 667 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 52 – paragraph 5
5. In the strategic meeting additional chief executive officers or officers with decision-making power of leading European bio-based companies and, the Commission, as well as, where appropriate, other relevant stakeholders, including from the civil society and research community shall be invited. The chairpersons of the States’ Representatives Group, the Scientific Committee and the Deployment Groups mayshall be invited as observers.
Amendment 675 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 54 – paragraph 2
2. The composition of the Deployment Groups shall ensure appropriate thematic focus and representativeness of the bio-based innovation stakeholders. Any stakeholder other than the members of the Bio-Based Industry Consortium, their constituents or their affiliated entities may express its interest to become members of a Deployment Group. The Governing Board shall set out the envisaged size and composition of the Deployment Groups, the duration of the mandates and the possibility of renewal of its members, and select their members in line with the provisions set out in Article 21 of this Regulation. The list of members shall be publicly available.
Amendment 685 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 55 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to ensure that aeronautics-related research and innovation activities contribute to the global sustainable competitiveness of the Union aviation industry, and to ensure that climate-neutral aviation technologies meet the relevant aviation safety requirements,48 and remains a competitive, secure, reliable, cost- effective, and efficient means of passenger and freight transportation; _________________ 48Regulation (EU) 2018/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2018 on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Union Aviation Safety Agency.
Amendment 688 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 55 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) to expand and foster integration of the climate-neutral aviation research and innovations value chains, including academia, research organisations, industry, and SMEs, also by benefitting from exploiting synergies with other national and European related programmes and by supporting the uptake of industry-related skills across the value chain.
Amendment 692 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 56 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) publish on relevant websites all the information necessary for the preparation and submission of proposals for the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking in a transparent and user-friendly way;
Amendment 700 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 60 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) private research and innovation projects complementing projects on the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda as well as activities contributing to the uptake of industry-specific skills across the value chain;
Amendment 705 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 62 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) nineseven representatives of the members other than the Union chosen by and from the founding members and associated members ensuring a balanced representation of the aeronautical value chain such as aircraft integrators, engine manufactures and equipment manufacturers. The governing board shall establish in its rules of procedure a rotation mechanism for the allocation of the seats of the members other than the Union. The selected representatives shall include at least one representative of the European SMEs, one representative of the research organisations and one representative of the academic institutions.
Amendment 718 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 68 – paragraph 1
1. The European Clean Aviation Advisory Body shall be the scientific advisory body of the Clean Aviation Joint Undertaking set up in accordance with point (a)the provisions of Article 19(1).
Amendment 720 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 68 – paragraph 3
3. The chairperson of the European Aviation Advisory Body shall be elected for the duration of two years from among its permanent members.
Amendment 730 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 71 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to contribute to the objectives set out in the 2030 Climate Target Plan51 , and the European Green Deal52 and the European Climate Law, by raising the EU's ambition on reducing greenhouse gas emissions to at least 55% below 1990 levels by 2030, and climate neutrality by 2050; _________________ 51 COM/2020/562 final. 52 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, COM/2019/640 final.
Amendment 733 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 71 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to contribute to the implementation of the 2020 European Commission’s Hydrogen Strategy for a climate neutral Europe53 and the European Parliament's own initiative report on a European hydrogen strategy for Europe; _________________ 53 COM(2020) 301 final: A hydrogen strategy for a climate-neutral Europe.
Amendment 736 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 71 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) to strengthen the competitiveness of the Union cleanrenewable hydrogen value chain, with a view to supporting, notably the SMEs involved, accelerating the research, development and the market entry of innovative competitive clean solutions;
Amendment 740 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 71 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) to stimulate cleanrenewable hydrogen production, distributiontransport, storage and end use applications.
Amendment 743 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 71 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) improve through research and innovation the cost-effectiveness, reliability, quantity and quality of cleanrenewable hydrogen solutions, including production, distributiontransport, storage and end uses developed in the Union such as more efficient and cheaper hydrogen electrolysers and cheaper aviation, maritime, heavy-duty and rail transport and, industrial applications as well as the safety and the availability of its production, transport and storage;
Amendment 747 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 71 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) strengthen the knowledge and capacity of scientific and industrial actors along the Union’s hydrogen value chain while supporting the uptake of industry- related skills;
Amendment 749 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 71 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) carry out demonstrations of cleanrenewable hydrogen solutions with the view to local, regional and Union-wide deployment, addressing renewable production, distributiontransport, storage, and use for transport andhard-to-abate sectors such as maritime, aviation, heavy-duty and rail transport, energy-intensive industries as well as other applications;
Amendment 751 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 71 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) increase public and private awareness, acceptance, and uptake of cleanrenewable hydrogen solutions and infrastructure, in particular through cooperation with other European partnerships under Horizon Europe as well as with initiatives such as European Clean Hydrogen Alliance.
Amendment 757 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 72 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) assess and monitor technological progress and, the progress related to necessary infrastructure as well as technological, economic, regulatory and societal barriers to market entry;
Amendment 762 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 72 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) notwithstanding the Commission’s policy prerogatives, under the Commission’s policy guidance and supervision, contribute to the development of regulations and standards with the view to eliminating barriers to market entry and to supporting transparency, interchangeability, inter- operability, and trade across the internal market and globally;
Amendment 763 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 72 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) support the Commission in itsnotwithstanding the Commission’s policy prerogatives, under the Commission’s policy guidance and supervision, support and provide technical expertise, including during meetings, to the international initiatives on the hydrogen strategy, such as the International Partnership on the Hydrogen Economy (IPHE), Mission Innovation and the Clean Energy Ministerial Hydrogen Initiative.
Amendment 774 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 76 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) awareness-raising activities on hydrogen technologies and safety measures including across the value chain;
Amendment 784 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 80 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) foster synergies with relevant activities and programmes at Union, national, and regional level, in particular with those supporting the deployment of research and innovation solutions, infrastructure, education and regional development on the use of clean hydrogen, with a special focus on hard-to-abate sectors such as industry, aviation, maritime, heavy duty and rail transport;
Amendment 788 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 80 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) encourage market uptake of technologies and solutions for achieving the European Green Deal’s objectives and enhancing the European renewable hydrogen ecosystem.
Amendment 792 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 81 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) propose activities that favournd implement synergies with relevant activities and programmes at Union, national, and regional level;
Amendment 793 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 81 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) support and contribute to other Union initiatives related to hydrogen such as the European Clean Hydrogen Alliance or IPCEI, subject to approval by the Ggoverning Bboard;
Amendment 801 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 82 – paragraph 2
2. The Stakeholders Group shall consist of representatives of sectors which generate, distributetransport, store, need or use clean hydrogen across the Union, including the representatives of other relevant European partnerships, as well as representatives of the European Hydrogen Valleys Interregional Partnership and representatives of civil society organisations and of the scientific community.
Amendment 804 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 82 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) provide input on the strategic, infrastructure and the technological priorities to be addressed by the Clean Hydrogen Joint Undertaking as laid down in the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda or any other equivalent document and associated detailed technological roadmaps, taking due account of the progress and needs in adjacent sectors;
Amendment 809 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 83 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) ensure a fast transition to a safer, more attractive, user-friendly, competitive, affordable, efficient, inclusive, more digital and sustainable European rail system, integrated into the wider mobility system;
Amendment 813 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 83 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) deliver an integrated European railway network by design, eliminating barriers to interoperability and providing solutions for full integration, covering traffic management, vehicles, infrastructure and services, and providing the best answer to the needs of passengers, rail workers and businesses, accelerating uptake of innovative solutions to support the Single European Railway Area, while increasing capacity and reliability and decreasing costs of railway transport;
Amendment 818 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 83 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
(f a) contribute to eliminating the barriers that currently hamper the full inclusiveness of the rail transport, with specific reference to persons with disabilities;
Amendment 820 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 83 – paragraph 2 – point f b (new)
Amendment 821 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 84 – paragraph 1
1. In addition to the tasks set out in Article 5, the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking together with the Commission shall also prepare and submit for adoption by the Governing Board the Master Plan, developed in consultation with all relevant stakeholders in the railway system and rail supply industry, including at the local, regional and national level.
Amendment 824 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 84 – paragraph 5 – point a – introductory part
(a) develop in its System Pillar a system view that brings together the rail manufacturing industry, the rail operating community and other rail private and public stakeholders, including bodies representing customers, such as passengers and freight and staff, as well ass well as workers and other relevant actors outside the traditional rail sector. The “system view” shall encompass:
Amendment 834 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 93 – paragraph 1
1. The System Pillar Steering Group shall be composed of representatives of the Commission, representatives of the rail and mobility sector and of relevant organisations, the Executive Director of the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking and representatives of the European Union Agency for Railways. The Commission shall take the final decision on the composition of the Group also taking into due account geographical and gender balance. When justified, the Commission may invite additional relevant experts and stakeholders to attend the meetings of the System Pillar Steering Group as observers.
Amendment 835 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 94 – paragraph 2
2. The Deployment Group shall be open to all stakeholders as the System Pillar Steering Group. The Governing Board shall select the members of the Deployment Group and set out in particular the size and composition of the Deployment Group, the duration of the mandate and the terms of renewal of its members. The composition of the Deployment Group shall ensure appropriate thematic focus and representativeness including with reference to end-user and passenger associations as well as worker representatives. The list of members shall be published on the website of the Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking.
Amendment 838 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 97 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to reduce the socio-economic burden of infectious as well as poverty- related and neglected diseases in sub- Saharan Africa promoting the development and uptake of new or improved health technologies; that are affordable, accessible and fit for low-resource settings;
Amendment 839 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 97 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) to strengthen and increase research and innovation capacity and the national health research systems in sub-Saharan Africa for tackling infectious diseases, including the proportion of projects with local leadership;
Amendment 841 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 102 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) activities of constituent entities of the EDCTP Association aligned, co- programmed and/or coordinated with similar activities from other constituent entities of the EDCTP Association and independently managed in accordance with national funding rules, the alignment of the activities referred in this paragraph shall be demonstrated;
Amendment 843 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 106 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Amendment 846 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 106 – paragraph 2 – point h
(h) provide advice on the review of any calls for proposalas well as assess applications of aspirant contributing partners to the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking, including advising the governing board on whether to accept these applications and on ther programmes scope that a potential collaboration should have;
Amendment 848 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 107 – paragraph -1 (new)
-1 In addition to the provisions set out in Article 21, the Stakeholders Group shall ensure the participation of actors from sub-Saharan African countries as well as the involvement of civil society, especially non-governmental organisations working with communities most affected by poverty-related and neglected infectious diseases.
Amendment 854 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 111 – paragraph 1
The Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking shall ensure a close collaboration with the European Medicine Agency and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control as well as with relevant African agencies and organisations such as the African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, African Union’s Regional Economic Communities, the African Academy of Sciences and the AUDA-NEPAD.
Amendment 855 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 112 – paragraph 1
Participants to indirect actions funded by the Global Health EDCTP3 Joint Undertaking shall ensure that the products and services developed based or partly based on the results of the indirect action are available and, accessible to the publicand affordable for vulnerable populations and to the public in general, especially citizens living in low-resource settings, at fair and reasonable conditions. For that purpose, where relevant, the work programme shall specify additional exploitation obligations applicable to specific indirect actions.
Amendment 860 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 113 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) foster the development of safe, effective, people-centred and cost-effective innovations thatas well as products and treatments that are affordable both for citizens and healthcare systems and respond to strategic unmet public health needs, by exhibiting, in at least five examples, the feasibility of integrating health care products or services, with demonstrated suitability for uptake by health care systems. The related projects should address the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and/or management of diseases affecting the Union population, including contribution to Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan as well as the European One Health Action Plan against Antimicrobial Resistance;
Amendment 863 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 113 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) drive cross-sectoral health innovation for a globally competitive European health industry, and contribute to reaching the objectives of the new Industrial Strategy for Europe, including its update (May 2021), and the Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe.
Amendment 870 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 113 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) exploit the full potential of digitalisation and data exchange in health care, deploying synergies with initiatives such as the European Health Data Space;
Amendment 872 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 113 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(e a) enhance the European research onrare diseases and develop synergies with other Horizon Europe initiatives in the field.
Amendment 874 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 114 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) effectively support pre-competitive health research and innovation, especially actions that bring together entities of several health care industry sectors to work jointly on areas of unmet public health need while ensuring the principles of accessibility, affordability and availability;
Amendment 876 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 114 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) regularly review and make any necessary adjustments to the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda of the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking in light of scientific developments occurring during its implementation or emerging public health needs in collaboration with health professionals and patient associations as well as with the Innovation Panel;
Amendment 879 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 114 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) organise regular communication, including at least one annual meeting with interest groups and with its stakeholders to ensure inclusiveness, openness and transparency of the research and innovation activities of the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking;
Amendment 881 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 117 – paragraph 5
5. Costs incurred in indirect actions in third countries other than countries associated to Horizon Europe shall be justified and relevant to the objectives set out in Article 113 provided that the these actions have positive externalities on the Union.. They shall not exceed 210% of the in-kind contributions to operational costs provided by members other than the Union and by contributing partners at the level of the Innovative Health Initiative programme. Costs in excess of 210% of the in-kind contributions to operational costs at the level of the Innovative Health Initiative programme shall not be considered as in- kind contributions to operational costs.
Amendment 889 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 122 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The Innovation Panel shall be composed of the following permanent panellistmembers:
Amendment 890 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 122 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) fourthree representatives of the Commission on behalf of the Union;
Amendment 891 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 122 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) fourthree representatives of the members other than the Union;
Amendment 893 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 122 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) twofive representatives of the scientific community, appointed by the Governing Board following an open selection process in application of Article 19(2) and 19(4);
Amendment 896 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 122 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) up to six permanent panellistsix representatives, appointed by the Governing Board following an open selection process in application of Article 19(2) and 19(4), ensuring in particular appropriate representation of stakeholders involved in health care, covering notably the public sector, patient associations, health professionals and end-users in general;
Amendment 898 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 122 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The Innovation Panel shall be chaired by one of the representatives of the scientific community elected by all the members of this body.
Amendment 899 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 122 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. The panellists representing of the members of the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertakingmembers of the Innovation Panel may appoint ad hoc panellists where appropriate to discuss specific subjects. They may jointly appoint a maximum of six ad hoc panellists for each meeting.
Amendment 900 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 122 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
The panellists representing members of the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertakingmembers of the Innovation Panel shall appoint ad hoc panellists consensually for a fixed period. They shall communicate their decisions to the programme office and the other permanent panellistsexecutive director of the joint undertaking.
Amendment 906 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 122 – paragraph 5
5. The Innovation Panel shall be chaired by the Executive Director. In duly justified cases, the Executive Director maIn duly justified cases, the chair of the Innovation Panel may exceptionally appoint a senionother member of staff of the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking programme officeon Panel among those representing the scientific community to chair the Innovation Panel on his or her behalf.
Amendment 907 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 122 – paragraph 6
6. As part of the report referred to in Article 19(8), the panellists representing the members of the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertakingmembers of the Innovation Panel shall adopt motions regarding the matters referred to in paragraph 4 by consensus after discussions with all panellists presentng at the meeting. Failing consensus, the chairperson shall report the situation to the Governing Board. Each panellistmember of the Innovation Panel may express a dissenting opinion in the report.
Amendment 908 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 122 – paragraph 7
7. The Innovation Panel shall hold its ordinary meetings at least twice a year. It may hold extraordinary meetings at the request of panellists representing the Commission or a majority of the panellists representing the members other than the Unionat least one quarter of its members.
Amendment 909 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 122 – paragraph 8
8. The panellistmembers of the Innovation Panel shall exchange any relevant information and discuss their ideas prior to the meetings in any appropriate form. They shall coordinate their activities with those of any other advisory group, as appropriate.
Amendment 917 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 123 – paragraph 1
1. For the purpose of this Regulation, an unmet public health need shall be defined as a health need currently not addressed by the health care systems for availability or accessiccessibility, affordability, availability reasons, for example where there is no satisfactory method of diagnosis, prevention or treatment for a given public health challenge (both communicable and non-communicable diseases) health condition or if people access to health care is limited because of cost, including out of pocket payments, distance to health facilities or waiting times. The definition of unmet public health need shall also take into account the challenges listed by recent reports of reliable sources, such as European agencies and body as well as the World Health Organisation. People- centred care refers to an approach to care that consciously adopts individuals’, carers’, families’ and communities’ perspectives and considers them as participants as well as beneficiaries of health care systems that are organised around their needs and preferences rather than individual diseases.
Amendment 919 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 123 – paragraph 3
3. Participants to indirect actions funded by the Innovative Health Initiative Joint Undertaking must ensure that the products and services developed based or partly based on the results of the indirect actions are availccessible, affordable and accessivailable to the public at fair and reasonable conditions. For that purpose, where relevant, the work programme shall specify additional exploitation obligations applicable to specific indirect actions.
Amendment 925 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 124 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) contribute to achieving the targets set out in the Commission’s Communication “2030 Digital Compass: the European way for the Digital Decade” (March 2021), especially those referring to semi-conductors, ICT specialists and digitalisation of business models.
Amendment 927 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 124 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) launch a balanced portfolio of large and small projects supporting the fast transfer of technologies from the research to the industrial environment, including SMEs;
Amendment 933 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 126 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) the private members consisting of the following industrial associations andin representation of their constituent entities: the AENEAS Association, registered under French law, with its registered office in Paris, France; the ARTEMIS Industry Association (ARTEMISIA) registered under Dutch law, with its registered office in Eindhoven, the Netherlands; the EPoSS e.V. Association, registered under German law, with its registered office in Berlin, Germany.
Amendment 955 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 140 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) without prejudice to the selection criteria set out in Article21, organise an advisory Stakeholder Forum that is open to all public and private stakeholders having an interest in the field of key digital technologies, with specific attention to SME associations and representatives, to inform them about and collect feedback on the drafting and amending the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for a given year; ;
Amendment 961 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 142 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) develop and accelerate the market uptake of innovative solutions to establish the Single European Sky airspace as the safest, the most efficient and environmentally friendly sky to fly in the world.
Amendment 973 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 159 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) foster Europe’s technological sovereignty and cybersecurity in future smart networks and services by reinforcing current industrial strengths and by extending the scope from 5G connectivity to the broader strategic value chain including cloud-based service provisioning as well as components and devices;
Amendment 980 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 159 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Amendment 981 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 159 – paragraph 1 – point g b (new)
(g b) support the reduction of the connectivity gap that still affects European peripheral areas such as islands, outermost regions as well as sparsely populated and rural areas.
Amendment 994 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 164 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) dissemination activities of results globally to achieve consensus on supported technologies as preparation of future standards including through the value chain;
Amendment 1012 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 171 – paragraph 7
7. Joint undertakings shall perform periodicyearly reviews of their activities to serve as a basis for their interim and final evaluations as part of Horizon Europe evaluations referred to in [Article 47] of the Horizon Europe Regulation.
Amendment 1013 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 171 – paragraph 8
8. PeriodicYearly reviews and evaluations shall be taken into consideration in the winding up, phasing out or possible renewal of the joint undertaking referred to in Article 43, in line with [Annex III] of the Horizon Europe Regulation. Within six months after the winding up of a joint undertaking, but no later than four years after the triggering of the winding up procedure referred to in Article 43, the Commission shall conduct a final evaluation of that joint undertaking in line with the final evaluation of Horizon Europe.
Amendment 1015 #
2021/0048(NLE)
Article 171 a (new)
Article 171 a Accountability to the European citizens Without prejudice to the publicity requirements set out in this Regulation, the information embedded in consolidated annual activity report of the joint undertakings as well as in the reporting in accordance to Article 171 shall be made publicly available online to the general public through user-friendly tools, including infographics and expenditure tracking systems.
Amendment 8 #
2020/2276(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the blue economy sector must contribute to the clean energy transition, in particular by the exploration of renewable energies growing potential offshore and by a more sustainable management of the maritime space;
Amendment 14 #
2020/2276(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas several sectors of the blue economy are likely to be affected by the current crisis, in particular coastal and maritime tourism; Whereas the blue economy must be used strategically to help repair the economic and social damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic;
Amendment 16 #
2020/2276(INI)
C. whereas the action plan adopted by the Commission to update its Atlantic maritime strategy includes the same principles set out in the European Green Deal and in its digital strategy; Taking into account the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals;
Amendment 36 #
2020/2276(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Points the need to involve the main stakeholders in the definition of this strategy, including national, regional and local authorities, economic and social agents, civil society, academic community and non-governmental organisations;
Amendment 66 #
2020/2276(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Stresses the need to enhance ecological maritime transport and innovative port activities, in order to reduce the carbon and environmental footprint in the EU;
Amendment 67 #
2020/2276(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)
Paragraph 4 c (new)
4 c. Urges the Commission to invest in the innovation of ports, in order to contribute to decarbonisation, creating infrastructures for loading and supplying alternative fuels in ports and cargo terminals. It reinforces the need to develop waste management plans for the ports of the Atlantic;
Amendment 75 #
2020/2276(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Highlights that the new strategy should be a leveraging factor for job creation in coastal communities in the Atlantic region, mainly in the areas of transport and tourism;
Amendment 76 #
2020/2276(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Calls for the need to develop actions combining maritime strategy with the tourism sector; highlighting the importance of this sector for the Atlantic regions; Highlights the need to promote sustainable practices in the field of coastal and maritime tourism;
Amendment 85 #
2020/2276(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Highlights that the circular economy, zero pollution, energy efficiency and the preservation of biodiversity must be guiding principles of this strategy, and must create more sustainable practices that are beneficial for development and employment;
Amendment 175 #
2020/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Encourages the Commission and the Member States to assess specific solutions in order to ramp up the hydrogen production in less connected or isolated regions, such as islands, while ensuring the development of the related infrastructure;
Amendment 238 #
2020/2242(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Encourages the Commission and the Member States to ensure that any new gas infrastructure is suitable for the transportation of hydrogen and to assess the possibility of repurposing existing gas pipelines for the transport of pure hydrogen in order to maximise cost efficiency and minimise investment costs and levelised costs of transmission;
Amendment 3 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 a (new)
Citation 9 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission communication of 8 July 2020 entitled ‘A hydrogen strategy for a climate-neutral Europe’(COM(2020)0301),
Amendment 4 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission communication of 19 November 2020 entitled “An EU Strategy to harness the potential of offshore renewable energy for a climate neutral future” (COM(2020)741 final),
Amendment 5 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 9 b (new)
Citation 9 b (new)
9b having regard to the Commission communication of 17 September 2020 entitled ‘Stepping up Europe’s 2030 climate ambition - Investing in a climate- neutral future for the benefit of our people’ (COM(2020)0562),
Amendment 9 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 26 a (new)
Citation 26 a (new)
- having regard to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, amending Regulations (EC) No663/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 94/22/EC, 98/70/EC, 2009/31/EC, 2009/73/EC, 2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU and 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council,
Amendment 10 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 23 a (new)
Citation 23 a (new)
- having regard to Directive 2014/94/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2014 on the deployment of alternative fuels infrastructure,
Amendment 29 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas achieving climate neutrality requires moving away from a system based largely on fossil fuels and accomplishing towards a highly energy- efficient climate-neutral and renewable- based system;
Amendment 33 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas energy system integration means the coordinated planning and operation of allthe energy system ‘as a whole’, across multiple energy carriers and infrastructures connected to all final consumers, and all final consumers playing an active role with the objective of delivering zero-carbon, reliable, resource-efficient and secure energy services, at the least possible cost in line with the European Green Deal, the Paris Agreement and the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;
Amendment 40 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas energy system integration can keep costs for European authorities and European citizens within realistic and acceptable limitsaccelerate the transition towards a climate neutral economy while keeping the costs within acceptable limits, strengthening energy security, protecting health and the environment, and promoting growth, innovation and global industrial leadership;
Amendment 59 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Supports the direction set out by the Commission in its Communication on a strategy for energy system integration; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that it is implemented rapidly in a spirit of solidarity; encourages the private sector to contribute to its success and support the building of an energy system that drives the EU towards climate neutrality in 2050 at the latest;
Amendment 79 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Reiterates its support for the energy efficiency first principle and recalls that the most sustainable energy is energy which is not consumed; stresses the need for portfolio of climate-friendly solutions to enable the most energy-efficient and cost effective technologies to thrive in the market;
Amendment 102 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to extend the principle of energy efficiency to the entire value chain and to all end-uses; underlines the potential of circularity and reuse of waste, energy and waste heat from industrial processes, buildings and data centres, energy produced from bio-waste or in wastewater treatment plants; draws attention to the modernisation of heat networks, which can play a significant role in heat decarbonisation; stresses the potential of digital tools for smart energy management;
Amendment 123 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights the importance of assessing ex-ante and anticipating the need for new energy production, interconnectivity, transmission, distribution, storage and conversion infrastructure in order to optimise its use in a climate- neutral economy and to ensure its economic viabilitycost efficiency while avoiding both lock-in effects and stranded assets;
Amendment 136 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Highlights the importance of the energy storage technologies role in energy system integration; these technologies link different energy and economic sectors, increase the overall efficiency, optimise of energy system and contribute positively to the energy security;
Amendment 146 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Stresses that buildings are responsible for about 40% of the EU’s total energy consumption, and for 36% of greenhouse gas emissions from energy; welcomes the adoption of the Renovation Wave for Europe strategy that will speed up the uptake of energy and resource efficiency measures and higher penetration of renewables in buildings across the EU; calls on the Commission and Member States to take into account the synergies between the energy sector and the building sector to achieve the climate neutrality;
Amendment 180 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses the need to accelerate researchssess the support and development on technologies for CO2 capture, storage and reuse, taking into account technical and environmental uncertainties that should be solved;
Amendment 194 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Stresses that there are new sectors that are increasing their energy consumption, such as the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector, which accounts for between 5 and 9% of global electricity consumption; supports the Commission in looking into the synergies between the district heating and cooling and the data centre sectors; welcomes the commitment included in the EU Digital Strategy to make data centres climate-neutral by 2030;
Amendment 199 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that maintaining the balance of electricity grids and managing demand and production peaks will be more complex with an increasingly decentralised and renewable generation mix; highlights that moving towards decentralised renewable energy production has many benefits, including the utilisation of local energy sources, increased local security of energy supply, fostering community development and cohesion by providing income sources and creating jobs locally; recalls that Member States remain free to determine their energy mix, the diversity of which is fundamental to ensuring security of supply;
Amendment 206 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Notes that power grid infrastructure should be further enhanced through digitalisation and automatisation to provide flexibility to the system and take advantage of synergies with other energy vectors; emphasises that a smart, more integrated system will allow growing penetration of decentralised and flexible renewable energy production, as well as a highly interconnected electricity system;
Amendment 208 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14 b. Stresses the importance of the digitalisation as a key element to unleash the full potential of a more efficient and integrated energy system; more power should be given to customers, and energy demand should be made more flexible; highlights that digitalisation brings challenges, in particular as regards privacy and cybersecurity of the energy sector; calls on the Commission to develop cyber security tools to avoid attacks on energy networks; reminds that the use of specific technologies such as ICT, modern sensors, AI, internet of things (IoT), big data, space-based systems and services can optimise energy consumption and lead to decarbonisation of the energy systems; welcomes the Commission’s announcement of a "Digitalisation of Energy Action plan" to develop a competitive market for digital energy services that ensures data privacy and sovereignty and supports investment in digital energy infrastructure;
Amendment 237 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Recalls the importance of interconnectors and cooperation between network operators; welcomes the Commission’s announcement that the energy system integration strategy will seek greater synergies between the energy and transport infrastructure, as well as the need to achieve the 15% electricity interconnection target for 2030; calls on the Commission to analyse the progress towards this electricity interconnection target and to consider appropriate action, including in the context of the revision of the TEN-E Regulation; welcomes the establishment of regional coordination centres under Regulation (EU) 2019/943;
Amendment 245 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls on the Commission to explore ways of further encouraging the development of a European market for demand-sidHighlights the advantages of a ‘multi-directional’ system in which consumers play an active role in energy supply; calls on the Commission to explore ways of further encouraging the development of a European market for demand-side flexibility and to explore the opportunities of common standards necessary to cost effectively secure that the end-use technology is enabled for end- use flexibility;
Amendment 279 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Is convinced of the need to encourage energy consumers to be more active; calls on the Commission to assess the remaining barriers to facilitate the development of renewable self- consumption, especially and renewable energy communities especially in particular those in low-income or vulnerable households and for industrial consumers;
Amendment 281 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Stresses that an integrated energy system shall ensure the accessibility of energy to all consumers, in particular those in low-income or vulnerable households;
Amendment 282 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21 b. Highlights the consumer empowerment potential in the integrated renewable energy systems to generate, consume, store, and sell energy; considers that it also provides opportunities for renewable energy communities for advancing energy efficiency at household level and helping fight energy poverty;
Amendment 301 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Points to the decline in the cost of renewable energy technologies, the potential of the digitalisation and emerging technologies in batteries, heat pumps, electric vehicles or hydrogen that offer the opportunity to accelerate the decarbonization of our economy; stresses the need to take advantage of decentralized renewable energies, and to integrate different energy carriers in an efficient way while avoiding pollution and biodiversity loss;
Amendment 307 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Stresses the importance of increasing the competitiveness of European technologies to ensure the autonomy of the Union in the strategic energy sector; calls on the Commission to support research and innovation through the various structural and sectoral funds; recalls the Union’s global leadership in satellite emission measurement technologies; welcomes the creation of the Just Transition Mechanism and the Just Transition Fund that will support territories, and decrease regional inequalities in Member States facing the biggest transition challenges;
Amendment 310 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Underlines the importance of research and innovation as a key enabler to create and exploit new synergies in the energy system;
Amendment 319 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Underlines that the energy system integration strategy is an opportunity to strengthen EU industrial leadership at a global level and the associated value chain of clean energy technologies; considers that the new industrial strategy should integrate the potential of the energy integration system;
Amendment 322 #
2020/2241(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Amendment 85 #
2020/2223(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Underlines that the action of the European Commission aiming at eliminating the condition of monopoly and dominant positions and at limiting public funding to companies that could lead such conditions does not provide any solution to the issue of systemic and structural disadvantages that affect the competitiveness of businesses based and operating from European insular territories and outermost regions;
Amendment 106 #
2020/2223(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Calls for a reflection on maintaining exceptional measures beyond the expiry date of the temporary framework for the sectors that have been mostly affected by the COVID-19 crisis (e.g. tourism, air and maritime transports);
Amendment 291 #
2020/2223(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 d (new)
Paragraph 26 d (new)
26 d. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to launch a territorial assessment on the socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 crisis in the context of the application of state aid rules and the relevant ongoing revision process; in this regard, special attention should be paid to analyse impacts on enterprises based in EU islands and outermost regions according to the provisions of Articles 174 and 349 TFEU;
Amendment 1 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to the findings of the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, published on the 11th of June 2020
Amendment 43 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas, according to Eurobarometer, the share of European citizens who would like to take a more active role in controlling the use of their personal data, including health, energy consumption and shopping habits (46%) is larger than those who would not like (38%);
Amendment 56 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Amendment 60 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
E b. whereas the European strategy for data will be instrumental, among other things, to achieve industrial policy objectives and will be beneficial to help European businesses, including SMEs, to successfully face the digital transition;
Amendment 98 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Underlines that despite the high level of protection granted by the GDPR, individuals suffer from the lack of appropriate technical standards and tools empowering the simple exercise of those rights; emphasises that individuals should be supported in enforcing their rights granted by the GDPR with regard to the use of the data they generate;
Amendment 137 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Supports the creation of a data governance framework for common European data spaces, covering interoperability, sharing, access and portability of data, to enhance the flow and reuse of industrial and public data; urges the governance framework to promote the “data for the public good” principle while always protecting the rights of EU citizens;
Amendment 149 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Insists that the data governance model be built on a decentralised data operating environment; believes that the EU should develop its own adequate capacity for cloud services and facilitate the emergence of a decentralised, interoperable ecosystem of data governance that enables efficient use of local infrastructures such as edge computing; supports the further uptake of decentralised digital technologies such as blockchain which enables individuals and organisations to manage data flows based on self-determination;
Amendment 155 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Believes that data management services and data architectures designed to store, use, re-use and curate data are critical components of the value chain of the European digital economy; stresses that costs related to access and storage of data determine the speed, depth and scale of the adoption of digital infrastructures and products, especially for SMEs and start-ups;
Amendment 187 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Recalls that personal and industrial data are not always separable; urges the Commission to define guidance on and practices in the utilisation of mixed data sets in industrial environments while guaranteeing privacy rules for personal data; calls on the Commission to consider creating a horizontal and cross-cutting personal data space alongside other data spaces to address the challenge of mixed data sets and empower citizens via, for example, trustworthy intermediators such as MyData operators, which store data with the consent of the owners; emphasises the need to further develop digital identities, which will enable individuals to retain ownership of their data and contribute to the establishment of safe and trustworthy data intermediation standards;
Amendment 189 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Recalls that personal and industrial data are not always separable; urges the Commission to define guidance on and practices in the utilisation of mixed data sets in industrial environments while guaranteeing privacy rules for personal data; calls on the Commission to consider creating a horizontal and cross-cutting personal data space alongside other data spaces to address the challenge of mixed data sets and empower citizens via, for example, trustworthy intermediators such as MyData operators, which store data with the consent of the owners; calls for further guidance by the Commission when it comes to the application of Regulation 2016/679 to mixed data sets, to ensure the full respect of data privacy;
Amendment 206 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Encourages the Commission to facilitate voluntary data sharing schemes; urges the Commission to enact measures that would incentivise businesses to share their data, possibly through a reward system (win-win), with the objective of pooling vast sets of data, for it be equally accessed by EU businesses, in particular the less data rich, facilitating innovation; stresses the need for contracts to set clear obligations and liability for data aggregators when it comes to accessing, storing, sharing and processing data in order to limit the misuse of such data;
Amendment 214 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that there are specific circumstances, such as systematic imbalances in B2B data value chains or specific circumstances of overriding public interest, where access to data should be compulsory e.g. via well-formed APIs; highlights that such imbalances are present in different sectors, such as e- commerce services, transport and tourism, where a small number of digital platforms, often from third countries, accumulate large amounts of sensitive data, while achieving an essential comparative advantage over EU businesses;
Amendment 215 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. NUnderlines that market imbalances resulting from the high concentration of information and provision of data-related services diminish wider data access and use, not only putting SMEs at a disadvantageous position but also increasing risks to competition in adjacent and emerging markets in the digital economy; notes that there are specific circumstances, such as systematic imbalances in B2B data value chains, where access to data should be compulsory e.g. via well-formed APIs;
Amendment 240 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Calls for improved coordination among Member States to facilitate the cross border flow of data across sectors, through government and stakeholder dialogue, with the objective of establishing a common way of collecting data based on the principles of findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability;
Amendment 270 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Recalls that the success of the Union’s data and AI strategies depends on the wider ICT ecosystem, closing the digital gap, developing the IoT, fibre, 5G, 6G, quantum, edge computing, block chain and high-performance computing; underlines that technological advancement based on data processing and the interconnectedness of digital products and services must be complemented with legally binding ethical standards to mitigate threats to privacy and data protection;
Amendment 308 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27 a. Highlights that the gradual paradigm shift from physical centres of data storage to data architectures on the cloud and closer to the user, reinforces the need for a strengthened cybersecurity framework; underlines that the uptake and widespread use of products and services fuelled by data depend on cybersecurity standards, which will inspire trust and allow for safer data sharing mechanisms and better protocols to guarantee data protection;
Amendment 313 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27 b. Stresses that the safe and widespread uptake of both products and services in the data-fuelled consumer- facing IoT and industrial IoT European ecosystems must include trust by design in order to integrate privacy standards and security safeguards in all stages of the design process as well as the data processing protocols of devices and services;
Amendment 325 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on the Commission to promote STEM education, with a specific focus on gender equality, as well as software engineering, ICT talent attraction, employment of women in tech and data literacy skills for all in order to build a European know-how focusing on next-generation and forefront technologies;
Amendment 329 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Calls for public and private funding for SMEs to fully capitalise on data economy’s potential; and to integrate digital technologies; reminds that only a minority of SMEs use customer relationship management (CRM) systems to analyse commercial information; underlines that the achievement of data equality for small and medium enterprises not only includes access to data, but also entails the skills to carry out analytics and to extract insights from such information;
Amendment 336 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30 a. Welcomes the Digital Europe Programme and the role of the European Digital Innovation Hubs that will help European businesses, especially those still lagging behind, to keep up with the opportunities of the digital transition;
Amendment 342 #
2020/2217(INI)
31. Calls on social partners to explore the potential of digitalisation, data and AI to increase productivity, improve well- being of the workforce and invest in upskilling while respecting workers’ rights;
Amendment 350 #
2020/2217(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Believes that global rules governing the use of data are inadequate; calls on the Commission to work with like-minded third countries and international organisations to agree on new international standards to govern the use of new technologies, such as AI; highlights the need for international rules and standards to foster global cooperation aimed at strengthening data protection and establishing safe and appropriate data transfers;
Amendment 4 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights that European leadership can be a reality; notes that a second wave of digitalisation lies ahead; underlines that a common EU approach can make Europe the most innovative region in the world by 2030; stresses that digital revolution must contribute to sustainable development and benefit all citizens, while balancing the economic, ethical and environmental dimensions; further recognises that AI is an engine for sustainable transformation;
Amendment 10 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Demands that digital connectivity should be a key element to address; calls to the Commission to urgently address the existing digital divide and analyse the impact of digital technologies with regards to unequal access to technology, on the depopulation phenomenon and disparities in connectivity across the Member States;
Amendment 14 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. The shaping of a fair digital sector must go hand-in-hand with educational aspects, socialisation, fair working conditions, work-life balance, democracy, good governance and strong public services;
Amendment 17 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1 c. Highlights that science, innovation and R&D will be indispensable to attain the objectives of inclusive digital transformation and European digital sovereignty;
Amendment 27 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recognises that the EU has an enormously strong SME sector; recalls that this second wagve of digitalisation could lead to a strong industrial development of SMEs; reinforces the need to accelerate the digitalisation of SMEs and help them overcome barriers in adopting AI applications; calls for a goal of 500 digital unicorns within 10 years;
Amendment 32 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Recognizes that the less digitally mature sectors are facing both internal and external barriers to the adoption of the AI that need to be clearly identified; stresses that for the most part, and especially for SMEs, barriers to the adoption of AI are similar to those hindering digitalisation;
Amendment 33 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Emphasises that the AI development in the EU needs to remain "human-centric", people should always be responsible for decision-making; stresses that when citizens are interacting with an automated system they should always have the possibility of human control in order to ensure that an automated decision can be verified and corrected; stresses that in order for citizens to understand, trust, examine and oversight the decision made, the transparency of AI systems and the logic of the algorithms is utmost important when the technology is used in public services;
Amendment 35 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2 c. Stresses that the successful development and deployment of AI in Europe is dependent on increasing the availability of high-quality data; highlights that using biased data sets can inadvertently lead to biased AI applications and notes especially the risk for reproducing gender, cultural, ethnic, social, disability or sexual orientation biases; underlines the need to acknowledge and address all bias in data- based systems both in their development and use;
Amendment 41 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the COVID crisis provides an opportunity to speed up digitalisation; calls for financial incentives for SMEs that want to enter new markets; recognises the concern that large firms have better capabilities to take advantage of the opportunities provided by AI which could lead to overconcentration in the market of large firms and multinationals;
Amendment 46 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Recognises that the EU is lagging behind in the AI global competition; emphasises that the focus on services for citizens and businesses creates a global market segment in which the EU can lead, respecting its structural principles and values , including our Digital Identity, which are focusing on upholding fundamental rights, strong ethical aspects, legal safeguards and liability, thus protecting our democratic societies and citizens;
Amendment 49 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Calls for Commission to develop innovative and proportionate rules for a trustworthy digital society, ensuring it should be fully inclusive, fair and accessible for all;
Amendment 51 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3 c. Highlights that we need a European legal framework on AI, robotics and related technologies that addresses ethical principles and fundamental rights in their development, deployment and use; notes that such framework should agree on ethical and technical standards to govern the use of new technologies, such as AI;
Amendment 52 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3 d. Stresses that AI products and services may deliver different experiences to different consumers; highlights the importance of gender and ethnic diversity in digital careers to achieve digital products and services that fully address and represent the diverse set of experiences and needs of European consumers;
Amendment 74 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls for massive investment in clusters of excellence; calls to the Commission to facilitate the development of digital innovation hubs across the Member States in order to ensure the capacity-building, sharing of best practices in AI development and deployment and to mobilise the research and innovation along the entire value chain; recognises that such digital innovation hubs can also contribute to attract the access to talent and research capabilities in AI;
Amendment 79 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls to the Commission to initiate cross-sectoral dialogues, giving priority to healthcare, rural administrations and public service operators in order to present an action plan to facilitate the development, research and adoption of AI applications;
Amendment 81 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Calls for more investment in research, innovation, science and the scientific community, which is the driving force of the technological and digital revolution;
Amendment 85 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Demands measures to end to the brain drain and attract the best minds to the EU; considers that the new Skills Agenda for Europe must address the challenges of adapting and raising new qualifications that reinforce the green and digital transition, including ethical aspects of AI;
Amendment 87 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Recognizes the need to protect the citizens and workers potentially at risk of displacement due to AI; calls to the Commission to develop strategies to manage digital transition by supporting reskilling programs, improving professional education, ensuring greater access to talent and provide long-life trainings for the current and future workforce with particular focus on SMEs; notes that education and transparency of new data driven technologies is important for the workforce to be able to understand, and be part of, the fair implementation; stresses the right of employees to know where and how their data is collected; Calls on social partners to explore the potential of digitalisation, data and AI to increase sustainable productivity, improve the well-being of their workforces while respecting workers’ rights as well as investing in awareness rising and digital literacy schemes;
Amendment 93 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Stresses that 90% of jobs require basic digital skills while 42% of EU citizens lack basic digital skills1a; _________________ 1a https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single- market/en/digital-economy-and-society- index-desi
Amendment 94 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8 c. Calls for promoting the creation and expansion of digital knowledge and support the research programmes and networks created among European universities in order to help European businesses and entrepreneurs attract the best talent and become the vanguard of digital innovation worldwide. Skills shortages and mismatches can be prevented by improving and facilitating connections between the education and training systems and the needs of companies to innovate;
Amendment 96 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 d (new)
Paragraph 8 d (new)
8 d. Stresses that in order for new digitalisation wave to be successful, one of the crucial challenges is to provide sufficient digital skills for European digital sector; recalls that women are under-represented at all levels in the digital sector in Europe, from students (32% at Bachelor, Master or equivalent level)up to top academic positions (15%) and that the gap is largest in ICT specialist skills and employment, where only 18% are women in the EU2a _________________ 2a https://ec.europa.eu/digital-single- market/en/news/digital-economy- scoreboard-shows-women-europe-are- less-likely-work-or-be-skilled-ict
Amendment 97 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recognises that AI deployment is key to European competitiveness in the digital era; highlights that to facilitate the uptake of AI in Europe, a common European approach is needed to avoid internal market fragmentation; calls for promoting AI technologies aimed at improving public services with collective benefits; stresses that AI can help to break down the silos by linking and streamlining public services to improve administration for the benefit of citizens and businesses as well as provide real- time data bases for services and decision making;
Amendment 105 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. States that increased digitalisation will bring new energy needs but also contribute to bring efficiency with providing better understanding of processes and leading to their improvements; recognises that AI can help to identify where energy improvements can be made for energy and costs savings; furthermore AI can better help to measure energy efficiency, improve energy management and access to renewable storage;
Amendment 116 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Considers that access to big data is a key for the development of AI; calls for a new approach to data regulation; underlines the importance of level playing field and EU wide interoperability when using the exponentially increasing amount of the industrial and public data; recalls that success of the Union’s data economy as well as AI development and deployment primary depends on the wider ICT ecosystem, closing the digital divide, upskilling and reskilling of workforce, developing the IoT, fibre, quantum, block;
Amendment 120 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Recalls that access to data must result from a transparent trade-off with citizens; recognises that when citizens authorize the use of the data, receiving as counterpart better services of general interest and a more competitive offer from the market; states that transparency and monitoring of the use of data must be ensured;
Amendment 134 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Warns against overregulating AI; recalls that regulation must be balanced, agile, permanently evaluated, and based on soft regulation except for high-risk areas; recognises that a regulatory approach to the definition of risk focusing only on high-risk sectors (healthcare, transport, energy and parts of the public sector) and high-risk uses or purposes can lead to potential loopholes;
Amendment 139 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Notes that data-driven technologies, including AI are becoming the dominant force in the digital economy; states that any regulatory framework will need to address the question of production and use, interoperability, access to and sharing of data, reskilling of workforce and data management, in particularly SMEs;
Amendment 143 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11 b. Supports the creation of "ecosystem of trust" as stated in the Commission's White paper on AI that should give citizens sufficient confidence to take up AI applications and provide to companies and public organisation the legal certainty to innovate in AI deployment;
Amendment 153 #
2020/2216(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Highlights that EU continues its international cooperation on AI with like- minded countries and global players with the approach of EU rules and values; calls on the Commission to closely monitor international level playing field in AI development and deployment;
Amendment 6 #
2020/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas people between 0 and 25 years old represent one third of Europeans; whereas their voice is exceptionally important and the future of Europe is theirs;
Amendment 9 #
2020/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas Articles 12 until 17 of the UNCRC include the civil and political rights of children and form important components of ensuring that children will be able to participate effectively in public decision-making processes;
Amendment 11 #
2020/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
A c. whereas Article 24 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights prescribes that children may express their views freely and that such views shall be taken into consideration on matters which concern them in accordance with their age and maturity;
Amendment 14 #
2020/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
A d. whereas the 2019 elections to the European Parliament showed that there is still progress to be made to increase participation of people with a racial or ethnic minority background in European elections and their representation as elected members and staff of the European parliament;
Amendment 17 #
2020/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A e (new)
Recital A e (new)
A e. whereas political rights – including the acquisition of citizenship – are a major driver for migrant inclusion.1a _________________ 1aFundamental Rights Agency, Together in the EU - Promoting the participation of migrants and their descendants, 2017.
Amendment 18 #
2020/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A f (new)
Recital A f (new)
A f. whereas the EU recognised the need to support initiatives that seek to remove institutional and structural barriers to equality, inclusion and participation of underrepresented and disadvantaged groups in society, including by promoting their role and contribution in society and demystifying the legacy of colonialism2a; _________________ 2a Some of the recognised reasons are lack of political will to facilitate and include underrepresented voters, systemic and institutionalised discrimination and polarisation, socio-economic challenges as a preliminary obstacle to political participation and insufficient financial support. https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/eu -citzen_-_type_a_report_-_infographics_- _a4_full.pdf
Amendment 19 #
2020/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A g (new)
Recital A g (new)
A g. whereas the EU highlighted the specific challenges faced by racialised communities, including migrants and refugees, with the COVID-19 crisis, notably that the risk of rising racism and xenophobia may represent additional obstacles tot heir participation in the labour market and in society at large3a; _________________ 3a Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: A Union of equality : EU anti- racism action plan 2020-2025.
Amendment 42 #
2020/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Encourages EU Member States to include children’s rights and the functioning of the EU as part of national curricula and promote engagement by young people in EU decision-making processes;
Amendment 70 #
2020/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to develop accessible, innovative and inclusive tools for citizens’ participation and dialogues, and to offer them a non-bureaucratic and comprehensive website or other medium, easily accessible to everyone and providing citizens with all European participatory initiatives; underlines that social media plays a crucial role, especially for children, as it is currently, even more than ever, their common place;
Amendment 75 #
2020/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls on the EU Institutions and Member States to ensure participation by a diverse range of people and to introduce necessary measures to reduce discrimination or exclusion on the basis of gender, ethnicity, race, social status, sexual orientation, religion or disability;
Amendment 81 #
2020/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Calls on the European Commission and the Member States to proactively address the under- representation of racial and ethnic minorities in public institutions and political and policy processes, including by supporting their capacity-building and empowerment, and by enhancing their representation in decision-making positions at national and European level;
Amendment 85 #
2020/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7 c. Calls on the European Commission to work with European political parties, the European Cooperation Network on Elections and civil society to improve political participation; calls on the Commission to commit to this work under the European democracy action plan and the Commission’s forthcoming report on EU citizenship;
Amendment 88 #
2020/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7 d. Calls for the EU to support studies on increasing participation of minorities in public and political life;
Amendment 95 #
2020/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Considers that EU Member States should expressly recognise the rights of children to engage in civic action, including the rights to assemble peacefully, to associate and to express themselves; notes that information required by children to exercise these rights should be provided in a form that is easily accessible and understandable and that any barrier to the exercise of these rights should be removed;
Amendment 101 #
2020/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Calls on the EU Institutions and Member States to enact laws which guarantee the rights of children to participate in all matters affecting them, including public decision-making processes; considers that law and policy should be specific and provide guidance on the format, structure, operation and evaluation of all child participatory mechanisms; stresses that sufficient financial and other resources must be made available to ensure sustainable and effective mechanisms are introduced and maintained;
Amendment 104 #
2020/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8 c. Calls on the EU Institutions and Member States to facilitate direct contact between children and decision-makers and provide adequate training and support to adults engaging with children; notes that the benefits of child participation should be shared with the wider community in order to generate widespread acceptance of the practice and to transition societies to the systemic use of child participation mechanisms;
Amendment 107 #
2020/2201(INI)
8 d. Urges the EU Institutions and Member States to make provision for dedicated spaces for children to come together to participate indecision-making processes; underlines that children’s involvement should be voluntary and they should always be treated with respect; recalls that all processes should be fully transparent and clearly explained to all involved and that processes and spaces should be child-friendly, safe and sensitive to risk;
Amendment 109 #
2020/2201(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 e (new)
Paragraph 8 e (new)
8 e. Commends child-specific consultations conducted by the European Commission and supports the set up of an EU Children’s Participation Platform in the future; welcomes the inclusion of young people in the Digital Platform and Citizens’ Panels of the Conference on the Future of Europe; urges the EU institutions to create structural ways to ensure similar engagement with children and young people in the future on a structural basis;
Amendment 111 #
2020/2201(INI)
8 f. Stresses that the EU Commission and Member States should include mechanisms for feedback, evaluation and monitoring in all official child participation mechanisms; considers that feedback should be provided directly to children in a timely manner and in a format that is easily accessible by children; advises that the evaluation of participation mechanisms should be undertaken by independent monitoring bodies and that recommendations made by such bodies and other international oversight committees should be accepted, considered and actioned where necessary;
Amendment 2 #
2020/2188(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that, in 2019, the Undertaking awarded 17 grants as a result of the 2019 call launched in January 2019 to be co-funded by the Undertaking up to EUR 74,8 million (for a total value of EUR 148,6 million); notes with regret that only 90 SMEs participated to the 2019 call (76 in 2018, 120 in 2017) and 40 SMEs (= in 2018) were retained for funding (19, 7 of all retained participants for funding, 21,6% in 2018);
Amendment 5 #
2020/2184(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Regrets that the Management Board has still not managed in 2019 to decide on a language arrangement for the Agency;
Amendment 13 #
2020/2161(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes steps taken by the Agency to achieve gender balance, such as encouragement of female applications during selection procedures, offering favourable working conditions and flexible arrangements linked to maternity; welcomes the formation of a gender balance advocacy group to raise awareness of gender balance issues; reiterates its call on the Member States and the Commission to take into account gender balance when nominating members of the Board;
Amendment 15 #
2020/2161(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Welcomes the preparation of the EASA to all eventualities with regard to Brexit, in particular the establishment of a contingency plan in coordination with the European Commission;
Amendment 16 #
2020/2161(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6 c. Takes note that the ECA found instances of non-compliance in the management of the procurement procedures. Requests that the Agency make sure all procurement procedure are managed according to existing rules;
Amendment 49 #
2020/2141(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37 a (new)
Paragraph 37 a (new)
37 a. Stresses the need for the revival of the debating culture in Parliament; welcomes the decision to require members to give speeches from the lectern facing the plenary; believes that the debating culture can also be improved by allowing sufficient time for the exchange of arguments and counter-arguments, for instance by extending the blue card procedure;
Amendment 116 #
2020/2141(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 78 a (new)
Paragraph 78 a (new)
78 a. Notes that teleworking arrangements and remote voting are now part of Parliament’s working arrangements for Members; calls on Parliament’s secretariat to continue facilitating these arrangements for Members on maternity, parental, carers, sick or special leave and explore using the arrangements in the future also, so as to allow Members to both hold meetings in their constituencies as well as with their colleagues in Brussels in what could be ‘hybrid’ weeks;
Amendment 133 #
2020/2141(DEC)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 81
Paragraph 81
81. Welcomes the development of measures that contribute to a better balancing of professional and private life including the implementation of extended teleworking possibilities for Parliament’s staff and of measures promoting well-being at work; however, highlights the value of physical presence in Parliament; highlights the contribution of teleworking arrangements and remote voting to the further reduction of Parliament’s carbon footprint; stresses the need for Parliament's staff and Members to be provided the opportunity to continue the conduct of so-called hybrid meetings as well as remote voting; calls on the Bureau to continue providing instruments to facilitate these arrangements in future;
Amendment 2 #
2020/2140(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Takes note of European Commission’s assessment that the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) presents a low risk of error; requests however that the Commission, together with the Court and OLAF, closely monitor the EU transport projects in order to prevent fraud, as public investment in infrastructure is particularly sensitivvulnerable to fraud;
Amendment 6 #
2020/2140(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that by the sixth year of the current programming period 2014-2020 only around 31% of the funds initially awarded had resulted in payments by January 2020, putting into question the full implementation of CEF; calls on the Commission to warn Member States to significantly speed up investments and also calls on the Commission to step up its monitoring in view of the urgent need for infrastructure investment for the speedy recovery from the Covid-19 related economic downturn and to ensure interconnectivity at the European level;
Amendment 13 #
2020/2140(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Reiterates the Parliament’s request for the creation of a new budgetary line for an important sector in the EU economy, such as Tourism, to support this sector severely hit by the Covid-19 crisis; welcomes that the Court has launched an audit to assess tourism projects co-funded with EUR 6.4 billion in 2007-2013 and EUR 4 billion so far in 2014-2020 ERDF and Cohesion Fund money, which will help improving EU Tourism policies;
Amendment 15 #
2020/2140(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Notes that the Court continued to find a high number of errors in relation to public procurement, state aid rules and grant award procedures, mainly in ‘Cohesion’ and ‘Natural resources’. These errors contributed 20 % to Court's estimated level of error for high-risk expenditure (2018: 16 %), for this reason, the Commission should identify ways to reduce errors;
Amendment 17 #
2020/2140(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Welcomes that the Commission has elaborated a Public Procurement Action Plan, updated several times since 2014;
Amendment 19 #
2020/2140(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 d (new)
Paragraph 7 d (new)
7 d. Recommends the Commission to enhance its information campaign regarding H2020 funding rules, with particular focus on SMEs.
Amendment 7 #
2020/2091(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Points out that, while transport- related emissions of most pollutants have fallen substantially in recent decades, persistent hotspots remain in the EU, where levels of air pollution are too high – especially in urban areas; highlights that more than one-in-six inhabitants of urban areas in the EU are exposed to air pollution concentrations above EU air quality standards;
Amendment 10 #
2020/2091(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Reminds that, according to the WHO, air pollution poses the biggest environmental risk to human health. It increases the incidence of respiratory and cardiovascular diseases as well as the risk of heart attacks, cancer, diabetes, obesity and dementia;
Amendment 29 #
2020/2091(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 d (new)
Paragraph 2 d (new)
2 d. Points out that the evolution of Euro standards and use of particulate filters remain insufficient to reduce urban population's exposure to air pollutants; highlights the need to reduce fossil based traffic in inner city areas by furthering zero and low emission zones, introducing vehicle charging schemes, and encouraging a shift to public and active forms of transport by investing in infrastructure;
Amendment 35 #
2020/2091(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Encourages local and regional authorities to devise and implement evidence-based, strategic sustainable urban mobility plans respecting the "do-no- harm"-principle, aiming at a coordinated planning of policies, incentives and subsidies that target the various transport sectors and modes, such as measures to encourage the roll-out of e-charging and other alternative fuels, investment in sustainable public transport, infrastructure for active, shared and zero emission transport modes and demand-related measures;
Amendment 57 #
2020/2091(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Emphasises the importance of protecting workers in the transportation sector who are exposed to high levels of air pollutions on a daily basis such as airport workers and construction workers who work in toxic fumes;
Amendment 59 #
2020/2091(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Recalls that luxury passenger cruise ships remain a significant contributor to air pollution around European coasts and cities; calls on the Commission to use the revision of the Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Directive to expand Shore Side Electricity (SSE) requirements in ports and to use zero emission berth standards in order to drive the uptake of SSE technology;
Amendment 1 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2
Citation 2
— having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 of 11 November 2002 establishing the European Union Solidarity Fund and its subsequent amendments of 15 May 2014 and 20 March 20201 , _________________ 1 OJ L 311, 14.11.2002, p. 3.
Amendment 3 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the European Union Solidarity Fund (EUSF), established by Council Regulation (EC) No 2012/2002 in order to, created following the great floods that hit Central Europe in 2002, provides financial assistance to Member States and accession countries undergoingstruck by major disasters,; whereas the EUSF represents a true European added value and the materialisation of a will, that has sometimes been lacking, to provide mu of solidarity towards the populations of the EU's regions affected by major natural assistance at Union leveldisasters;
Amendment 10 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas, in its resolution of 17 April 2020 on EU coordinated action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and its consequences, the European Parliament pointed out that solidarity among the Member States wais not an option, but an obligation, stemming inter alia from Articles 2 and 21 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU), and was part and parcelis a pillar of our European values, as set out in Article 3 of the TEU; whereas, in the same resolution, the European Parliament urges the Commission to strengthen all components of crisis management and disaster response;
Amendment 14 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. noting with interest that, according to a recent survey, more than two thirds of the Europeans citizens believe that the European Union should equip itself with more resources to deal with crises such as COVID-19; have more competences to deal with crises such as the crisis of the Covid-19, and more than a half believes that the EU should have more financial means to deal with these crises1a; _________________ 1a https://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/en/p ress-room/20201113IPR91602/eu-survey- confirms-citizens-call-for-eu-to-have- more-powers-to-tackle-pandemic
Amendment 17 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas, so far, assistance from the Fund has concerned around a hundred natural disasters in 243 member states and 1 accession countries, totalling some EUR 6.6 billion; for interventions1a; _________________ 1a https://cohesiondata.ec.europa.eu/stories/s /An-overview-of-the-EU-Solidarity-Fund- 2002-2019/qpif-qzyn
Amendment 19 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. noting the usefulness of the EUSF, highlighted by the Commission’s evaluation, in particular as regards reducing the burden on local authorities facing significant damage as a resultf all national, regional and local authorities to support the recovery effort in the aftermath of natural disasters;
Amendment 25 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas the rate of approval of requests for assistance in the event of major disasters is 100%, while that of requests for assistance in the event of regional disasters, the most frequent category, has risen from 32% to 85% following the 2014 revision of the EUSF Regulation;
Amendment 26 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. regretting, however, that, although the reform of the regulation in 2014 contributed to a 12% reduction in the time between thethe extension from 10 to 12 weeks to allow the preparation and submission of the applications for assistance, and the relevant payment, the period required in order for the full grant to be deployed is still too long when the substantial proportion of cases still requires updates, resulting in excessive delay in finally accessing the grants; for this reason, calls on the Commission to give a simplified guidance on the application requirements aind is being urgently awaitedn so doing reducing the administrative burden;
Amendment 29 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. stresses that the period required in order for the full grant to be deployed could be further reduced, as EU solidarity is urgently awaited;
Amendment 30 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. regretting, likewise,s that the Fund’s assistance does notonly covers the additional costs of rebuilding energy- and resource- efficient infrastructure that isrestoration of the status quo ante of infrastructure and plants in the fields of energy, water and waste water, telecommunications, transport, health and education, while leaving aside additional costs of rebuilding more disaster-resilient and climate-resilient infrastructures, as called for in the European Green Deal, to be financed by the beneficiary State from own resources and from other Union funds, such as ERDF and Cohesion Fund;
Amendment 33 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K
Recital K
K. noting with interest that, as illustrated by the COVID-19 crisis, there is a high degree of complementarityroom for a higher level of synergies between cohesion policy instruments and the EUSF, the fund which; acknowledging that the EUSF was created to responds to natural disasters in the short and medium term, while cohesion policy (ERDF and Cohesion Fund) is geared to longer- term planning, with regard to planning and investments for civil protection and preventive and risk management infrastructure;
Amendment 36 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. welcominges the Commission’s proposal to, and subsequent exntend the scope of the EUSF to include health emergencies, so that this financial instrument can be used to provide assistance to populations affected by a pandemicring into force of Regulation (EU) 2020/461, to extend the scope of the EUSF to include major public health emergencies;
Amendment 39 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas, because of climate change, emergency situationnatural disasters are likely to intensify and multiply; highlighting, therefore, the usefulness of the budgetary mechanism of dynamic allocation, introduced in 2014, which enabled the Fund, amongst other things, to provide a record supportEUSF contribution of EUR 1.2 billion for the earthquakes in Italy in 2016- 2017;
Amendment 44 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital O a (new)
Recital O a (new)
Amendment 46 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital P
Recital P
P. whereas special attention should be paid to the outermost regions (ORs), islands – which are particularly vulnerable to disasters –, mountainous regions, sparsely populated regions and all areas that are particularly prone to the risk of natural disasters;
Amendment 48 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Expresses its deep concern that extreme wConsiders that investing in prevention and climate mitigation in line with European Green Deal, is of the utmost importance, as floods, earther evenquakes, forest fires, droughts and other natural disasters will only increase and intensify alongside climate ccan spill out of hanged;
Amendment 53 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The EUSF is one of the most concrete expressions of the EU solidarity;
Amendment 55 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses with concern that, in recent years, Europeans have had to face multiple emergenciedisasters that have devastated human lives, property, the environment and cultural heritage;
Amendment 61 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Draws attention to eventpandemics such as COVID-19, which is severely affecting all of Europe, forest fires across the continent, including in unusual places such as the Arctic, and the series of violent earthquakes in Europe, particularly in Italy in 2016-2017, causing hundreds of deaths and some EUR 22 billion in damage, and in Croatia, in March and December 2020; points out, moreover, that storms, extreme rainfall and flooding have caused considerable damage in many cities and valleys, and that increasingly violent hurricanes have caused devastation in the outermost regions, such as Hurricane Irma in 2017 in Saint-Martin, and Hurricane Lorenzo in 2019 in the Azores, which were particularly destructive;
Amendment 62 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out that it is vital that aid and funds be sent every more rapidlyas quickly as possible to affected regions, and that links with the Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) and the ERDF climate-change adaptation component are essential in order to create a comprehensive package; calls on the Commission to continue its work on the guidance for EUSF's simplified usage in order to facilitate actions of national, regional and local authorities;
Amendment 75 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Is of the view that the risks of natural, ecological and health disasters have now become systemic and that the least developed and most fragile territories, such as islands, are often the most affected by the impact of climate changemajor climate and public health emergencies have deeper economic and social impacts in the least developed and most fragile territories, such as islands, so more adequate measures in these territories should be taken under the EUSF;
Amendment 85 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Considers it vital to improvenvest in disaster risk prevention and management in Europe by securing preventive infrastructure; recommends, in this regard, that Member States put in place, together with the Commission, disaster prevention and management plans for accurate and rapid damage assessment;
Amendment 105 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Draws particular attention to the situation of local authorities which have little experience in EU-funded projects and calls Stresses the necessity of reducing the bureaucratic burden and increasing the administrative aid to support beneficiary countries towards the creation of management and long the Commission to provierm strategies, in order them wio help reducing the increased operational support, in particular administrative supportmpacts of major natural and health disasters in these countries;
Amendment 112 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the Commission to adaptfocus the EUSF as far as possible to the regions that are the most vulnerable to natural, ecological and health disasters, particularly the ORs, islands, mountainous regions, regions that are prone to intense seismic or volcanic activity and those that are sparsely populated;
Amendment 117 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Points out that in its revised proposal of 27 May 2020 on the MFF 2021-2027 the Commission provided for a maximum annual budget of EUR 1 billion for the EUSF (in 2018 prices) and therefore notes with concern that under the agreement on the new MFF, the EUSF has been merged with the Emergency Aid Reserve (EAR) into a new ‘Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve’ (SEAR) package, with an overall annual budgetary allocation of EUR 1.2 billion;
Amendment 137 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. BelieveConsiders that, in the future, the EUSF budget will have to be increased in order to make iteet what is required from a real tool for EU solidarity; believes that in the short run, the Commission should prepare a proposal with more allocated resources for the EUSF budget, as it is duly justified by the broadening of the scope, in order to guarantee that there is enough budget to deal immediately with major natural and public health disasters;
Amendment 139 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls for the criteria for determining operations that are ‘eligible’ for assistance from the Fund to take greater account of the latest risk prevention principles, so asin order to enable countries to improve the quality of their infrastructure during reconstruction and thus beo better prepared to deal with disasters themselves to avoid future disasters by securing preventive infrastructure;
Amendment 141 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Takes the view that operations such as ‘framework loans’, implemented with the EIB, could also be used to finance the reconstruction of more expensive, but more resilient, safer and greener infrastructure;
Amendment 143 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Calls on the Commission to strengthen and simplify the synergies between the EUSF and cohesion funds, as well as with the UCPMnion Civil Protection Mechanism, with a view to effective and structured risk management in the short, medium and long term, not only through the construction of sustainable, energy- and resource-efficient infrastructure, but also through the deployment of preventive measures;
Amendment 145 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Highlights that the extension of the scope of the Fund, to fight impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, has shown us that the EUSF has the capacity to be more flexible, both in scope and in its eligibility - it can provide assistance not only in cases of major natural disasters, but also in the prevention and rapid assistance to other types of major disasters, such as pandemics;
Amendment 147 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. TakStresses the viewfact that thise broadening of the scope of the EUSF requires a larger must always be accompanied by a reinforcement of its budget;
Amendment 149 #
2020/2087(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to improve the visibility of the Fund’s assistance through ad hoc, targeted communication activities, and to make rapid response and delivery of aid a priority, in order specifically to highlight the Union’s added value in the event of natural and health disasters and a concrete expression of EU solidarity and its ability to put genuine mutual assistance into practice by providing significant budgetary resources;
Amendment 2 #
2020/2077(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital -A b (new)
Recital -A b (new)
- Ab. whereas almost a quarter of SMEs in Europe already enable the transition towards more sustainable business models but, on the other hand, a third of them report that they face complex administrative and legal procedures when trying to make their business more resource-efficient;
Amendment 3 #
2020/2077(INI)
-Ac. whereas the Communication from the Commission acknowledges the pioneering role of social economy enterprises in the creation of jobs linked to the circular economy;
Amendment 63 #
2020/2077(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines that research into materials, processes, technologies and products, as well as into their industrial scale-up, can provide European companies with a worldwide competitive advantage; believes that shortening a number of value chains would make European industrial ecosystems more resilient, competitive and profitable, as well as promote the EU’s strategic autonomy; developing synergy between sectors for an effective EU circular industry; that supports industrial reconstruction and just transformation towards climate-neutrality objectives.
Amendment 99 #
2020/2077(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to step up its efforts to make more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) fit for the circular economy, by supporting them through adequate incentive schemes and financing tools, capacity building and technical assistance, as well as by reducing their administrative and legal burdens; underlines that the “right to repair”, as foreseen by the Commission’s communication “A new Circular Economy Action Plan” will be beneficial to consumers and will spur SMEs to enter the reparation market segment;
Amendment 108 #
2020/2077(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Supports the European Commission’s initiative to ensure that the EIT’s Knowledge and Innovation Communities will be more open to SMEs and increase their opportunity to participate in local innovation ecosystem to the benefit of digital and green transition;
Amendment 126 #
2020/2077(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 d (new)
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5d. Underlines the importance of incentivising the procurement of recyclable materials and the use of secondary raw materials also as a tool to ensure the Union's industrial autonomy and to keep jobs in the manufacturing sector;
Amendment 135 #
2020/2077(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Asks the Commission to support a digital transition that builds on maximising the value of data and deploying digitally- enabled solutions to permit the sustainable use of resources and to maintain the value, durability, reusability and repairability of products and materials for as long as possible.
Amendment 144 #
2020/2077(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Commission to invest in connectivity and digital infrastructures, promoting solutions that contribute to a lower carbon footprint and reduced use of natural resources and materials, and that guarantee the sustainability of the manufacturing life cycle and the extension of product life cycle.
Amendment 1 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
- having regard to Article 3(3) TEU which refers to internal market, sustainable development and social market economy,
Amendment 2 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 b (new)
Citation 3 b (new)
- having regard to the European Pillar of Social Rights,
Amendment 3 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 c (new)
Citation 3 c (new)
- having regard to the Commission communication of 27 May 2020 entitled ‘Europe’s moment: Repair and Prepare for the Next Generation’ (COM(2020)456),
Amendment 4 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 d (new)
Citation 3 d (new)
- having regard to the findings of the Digital Economy and Society Index 2020, published on the 11th of June 2020,
Amendment 5 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission communication of 27 May 2020 entitled ‘Adjusted Commission Work Programme 2020’ (COM(2020)440),
Amendment 13 #
2020/2076(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the EU’s SMEs have traditionally generated a high share of the EU’s employment and value added, and in so doing have ensured social and economic well-being and prosperity;
Amendment 22 #
2020/2076(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas SMEs have been hit the hardest by the economic crisis generated by the COVID-19 emergency and are witnessing a severe liquidity crunch, which is affecting their working capital and preventing many of them from carrying out their operations;
Amendment 23 #
2020/2076(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas the COVID-19 emergency has shown that Europe still needs to reach a full industrial autonomy and to promote its strategic value chains;
Amendment 38 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the Union requires a new industrial strategy that makes its industries more globally competitive, resilient, digital and environmentally sustainable driven by knowledge-based innovation and equality principles; whereas such a strategy should cover the transition of European industries to digitalisation and climate-neutrality, prioritising the ‘energy efficiency first’ principles, energy savings and renewable energy technologies;
Amendment 43 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the social market economy model has importantly contributed to the prosperity of Europe; whereas such an approach should be preserved in the policies dealing with the digital and environmental transition;
Amendment 53 #
2020/2076(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that in supporting SMEs through the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESIF) the goal should be, inter alia, an innovative and smart economic transformation, a greener and low carbon EU, as well as an EU which is more connected and aims to ensure long- term and sustainable employment; notes that ESIF can play a relevant role in supporting the digital transition of SMEs, many of which still lack the skills to successfully cope with the Forth Industrial Revolution;
Amendment 54 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the Union’s industrial strategy should ensure the correct functioning of the single market, avoid market distortions, create a level playing field inside and outside EU and ensure easier access to finance, raw materials and markets, in addition to ensuring appropriate levels of investment, research and innovation, education and skills to boost competitiveness and sustainability;
Amendment 57 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas in the European Union there are still “missing entrepreneurs”, such as youth, migrants, senior, women, whose entrepreneurial potential still needs to be fully developed; whereas the Union’s industrial strategy could represent an opportunity to foster the entrepreneurial culture of under- represented or disadvantaged categories and to enable them to fully contribute to the digital and environmental transition;
Amendment 59 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas according to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report, 65% of children entering primary school today will ultimately end up working in completely new types of jobs that do not yet exist today; whereas education systems have to put in a position to impart the universal knowledge and skills required for this new form of careers;
Amendment 72 #
2020/2076(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Reiterates that the public sector has an important new role to play in facilitating a just transition by promoting a green and fair energy transition, green and blue investments, the circular economy, as well as climate adaptation and risk prevention in all EU regions; underlines in this regard that public procurement can be an effective tool in order to lead and promote the transition towards a cleaner economy;
Amendment 75 #
2020/2076(INI)
C. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic and its fallout have created an unprecedented economic downturn in Europe; whereas in this context any future- looking industrial strategy should start by addressing industrial recovery that supports industrial reconstruction and transformation towards climate-neutrality objectives and resource efficiency with skilled workforces accompanying these transformations;
Amendment 76 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic and its fallout have created an unprecedented economic downturn in Europe, which risks to exacerbate inequalities and social tension in the European Union, especially among the most vulnerable citizens; whereas in this context any future- looking industrial strategy should start by addressing industrial recovery;
Amendment 83 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the COVID-19 crisis has shown the crucial role of digital assets, including connectivity and networks, as well as of digital skills, as a tool enabling workers and companies to adapt the way they carry out their tasks and operations to the emergency situation; whereas the resilience of the digital infrastructure and the enhancement of the digital skills of the workforce are priority areas to boost the competitiveness of the European enterprises, especially SMEs;
Amendment 84 #
2020/2076(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Believes that ESIF should target more effectively those “missing entrepreneurs” such as youth, women and senior, whose entrepreneurial potential still needs to be fully developed; reiterates that, in order to increase the social cohesion and to reduce inequalities, it is crucial to enhance the entrepreneurial capacity of these categories as a powerful form of labour market participation;
Amendment 100 #
2020/2076(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that the EU should be attentive to preserving and developing an industrial strategy and production which ensure European strategic autonomy, as well as the availability and delivery of essential products and equipment for citizens if the need arises in the single market; recalls that social economy enterprises should be fully involved in the outcome of the industrial strategy since they create public value and leave an essential impact on the local communities they are grounded in;
Amendment 114 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Is of the opinion that digital and environmental transitions should be at the very core of all Unions strategies until 2050; in this context, calls on the Commission to define a comprehensive industrial strategy which manages these transitions, fosters transformation and guarantees the Union’s strategic autonomy, leaving no one behind;
Amendment 123 #
2020/2076(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Welcomes the initiatives the European Commission has undertaken since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in order to reduce the negative impacts on small and medium firms, including the increased level of flexibility in the use of the ESIF; recalls the importance of specifically targeting the SMEs among the main beneficiaries of the recovery phase measures.
Amendment 129 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is aware that market dynamics alone do not bridge the fractures created during the transformation process if there is no proper management of the transitions and no strong industrial policies; is, furthermore, aware that while markets, competition and innovation push fast towards transformation, it is society and the environment that face the impact of these transformations; considers that balancing out the number of jobs lost in traditional industries with new jobs created in the digital and environmental sectors is not enough in itself as these new jobs are neither created in the same regions nor taken up by the same workers; calls on the Commission, therefore, to ensure that these transitions are fair and socially just, and that every action aimed at accelerating a transformation process (digital, environmental, etc.) is accompanied by a corresponding initiative to up-skill and reskill workers, with the aim of managing the effects produced by that accelerated process on both regions and people; underlines in this regard the importance of lifelong learning to guarantee the permanence of workers in the labour market;
Amendment 140 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Considers the EU industrial policy of the Union can only succeed through integrated strategic planning, pooling the resources of European players, regional and local institutions, industrial clusters, social partners, universities and research groups; highlights in this context the importance of support structures such as SME networks, regional development agencies, innovation clusters and start-up counselling for the creation of local and regional industrial value chains;
Amendment 147 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Underlines that in order to gain or maintain global leadership in strategic industrial sectors and with regard to certain technologies, especially those with a high value-added, Europe needs to provide sufficient resources for research and innovation, including the Horizon Europe programme; recalls the positive spill-over effects of innovation efforts with regard to the quantity and especially the quality of jobs;
Amendment 155 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers, in the current context, that the Union requires a new, tailor-made industrial strategy that focuses on two distinct phases; the first aimed at recovery and the second aimed at reconstruction and transformation; calls on the Commission, therefore, to adapt the strategy published in March 2020 to the current situation and address both phases, while keeping the digital and environmental objectives as priorities throughout and ensuring synergies between the two to guarantee resource efficiency and achieve the circularity in industrial processes;
Amendment 163 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Believes that the new long-term strategy for Europe’s industrial future should contribute to combating the gender pay gap and the gender pension gap that still affect the European labour market and, more generally, the European society; calls on the Commission to take into due account the gender dimension in the implementation of the European industrial strategy - both in the recovery and in the reconstruction and transformation phases, including the use of gender budgeting tools in the definition of the financial instruments supporting the industrial and economic growth of the European Union;
Amendment 167 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Reiterates that, in order to ensure a long-term and sustainable industrial future for the European Union, it is key to focus on the enhancement of the skills and of the entrepreneurial capacity of the EU citizens as a powerful form to support their labour market participation;
Amendment 221 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – point a (new)
Paragraph 6 – point a (new)
a. Calls on the Commission to propose appropriate responses to strengthen the single market, due to its potential to reinforce the European industry. In addition to underline the need to address possible social reactions and develop concepts and ideas that can respond to the challenges we face, such as the jobs that will disappear.
Amendment 236 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights that, during this critical phase, the Union should protect its market in strategic sectors and block takeovers and FDI that could further increase its dependency on foreign powers; along with fostering energy and material efficiency to decrease dependence on imports and improve resilience to global crises;
Amendment 238 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights that, during this critical phase, the Union should protect its market in strategic sectors and block takeovers and FDI that could further increase its dependency on foreign powers. For that reason, it is vital to create a minimum stock of key strategic products for the European Union;
Amendment 248 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses that in order to maintain a level playing field, its food sovereignty and sustainable practices, the EU must ensure that sensitive and essential sectors are not used as a bargaining chip in the negotiations of future trade agreements;
Amendment 249 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Emphasis that the leadership of European Industries in key sectors should be maintained and developed, especially for those that proved to be vital during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as health and the food sector;
Amendment 269 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls on the Commission to further improve measures to prevent imbalances in the European industrial supply chains and to assess the entity of disruptions in cross-border value-chains where unfair trading practices put at risk some of their links;
Amendment 280 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point a
Paragraph 9 – point a
a. has sufficient financial capacity to offset the damage caused by the COVID- 19 crisis to European industries to mitigate the short-term working capital shortage and to push forward capital investment in the medium and long-term in order to support the transition to the green economy and catalyse the digital transformation;
Amendment 287 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 9 – point a a (new)
aa. has a specific focus on small and medium enterprises, which have been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 crisis, and support their access to finance;
Amendment 295 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point b a (new)
Paragraph 9 – point b a (new)
ba. takes into account the specificities of the Member States, which have been hit by the crisis in diverse ways;
Amendment 322 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point f a (new)
Paragraph 9 – point f a (new)
fa. channels funding to high- multiplier, climate-friendly sectors that will contribute to the EU’s future economic resilience;
Amendment 328 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Highlights the need to support a sustainable and fair recovery, the digital and green transitions, the citizens' welfare and consumer rights as well as the need of businesses, including SMEs, micro enterprises and start-ups beyond the COVID-19 crisis in order to enhance growth in the EU by increasing investment in the digital and green transitions; asks the Commission to support an ambitious Recovery Fund that is within the framework of a stronger MFF and is integrated in the own resource decision, and to pursue fiscal policy coordination to strengthen the European fiscal framework; is of the opinion that, after the peak of the pandemic, the Fund should become a permanent Reconstruction Fund to foster the digital and green industrial transitions;
Amendment 343 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission to carry out a detailed impact assessment of the potential costs and burdens for European companies and SMEs and the impact in employment before presenting new proposals for legislation or adopting new measures; calls on the Commission to propose commensurate support to the affected sectors whenever a negative impact cannot be avoided;
Amendment 346 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Highlights that the automotive sector has been greatly affected by COVID-19 crisis, forcing industries and workers to adapt quickly to the changes in supply and new health requirements, in addition to the transformation process they were already undergoing before the pandemic. The transition to smart and clean mobility is essential as we evolve towards a climate-neutral, digital and more resilient economy. It is also an opportunity to generate green growth and clean jobs, which is particularly important in times of crisis, based on the global competitive advantage of European industry in vehicle technologies; calls on the Commission to set priorities related to research and innovation, digitisation and support for start-ups, micro, small and medium enterprises, including the automotive sector;
Amendment 352 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Stress that the tourism sector has been highly affected by the COVID-19 crisis, being practically paralyzed for three months. Calls on the Commission to set priorities related to helping and promoting the recovery of the sector, since it is one of the key sectors for the European Union representing 9.5 of the European GDP. It is vital to move towards a European tourism policy that contributes significantly to increasing the Union's competitiveness in this sector, promoting cooperation between Member States, regions and creating possibilities for new investments and innovations giving financial support to SMEs and their digitization process in order to achieve a European tourism ecosystem, sustainable, innovative and resilient that protect the rights of workers and consumers;
Amendment 372 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Highlights the importance of designing an industrial policy that addresses the demographic challenges of many EU regions through the promotion of industries that stimulate local regional employment and attract a new generation of workers;
Amendment 376 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. Considers that the European Union must promote social dialogue in the elaboration of a new industrial strategy for Europe, guaranteeing the participation and accessibility of information to the civil society;
Amendment 380 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Highlights the potential of the circular economy for modernising the Union’s economy, reducing its energy and resource consumption and transforming whole industrial sectors and their value chains. Underlines that to reduce unnecessary consumption it is needed a fully circular economy in order to achieve climate-neutrality by 2050, to strengthen our economic competitiveness and to preserve our natural environment; an European circular economy model can only be useful if we have a common market to reuse prime and secondary raw materials;
Amendment 384 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Highlights the potential of the circular economy for modernising the Union’s economy, reducing its energy and resource consumption and transforming whole industrial sectors and their value chains; underlines that the renovation wave will represent another relevant opportunity for many sectors and for the European society during its environmental transition due to the very high multiplier and leverage effect of the construction industry on other economic sectors;
Amendment 393 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Highlights the potential of the circular economy for modernising the Union’s economy, reducing its energy and resource consumption and transforming whole industrial sectors and their value chains; improving autonomy and security of supply in the digital and green transitions;
Amendment 412 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Considers that there is significant potential in domestic and global markets for, and global EU leadership in, low- emission technologies and sustainable products, processes and services throughout the whole value chain from raw materials to energy-intensive industries, manufacturing and the industrial services sector; considers that renewable energy technologies in particular should be considered strategic and prioritised by a new EU industrial policy; considers, moreover, that the Climate Law is a first step towards enshrining climate targets into Union legislation; believes that a more holistic and systematic target framework is also required in order to ensure policy coherence across all Union policies and a homogenous governance approach in all policy areas, paving the way towards a clear and stable strategy for European industries;
Amendment 431 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Highlights the potential of automotive electrification which should be encouraged through the use of renewable electricity, green hydrogen, smart charging and supporting research on batteries;
Amendment 465 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Highlights the importance of the science and innovation-led sustainable growth agenda, which promotes economic openness and innovation-friendly markets; stresses that it should be based on an holistic approach, in need of an ambitious policy mix with higher investment levels, including foreign direct investments, in research and innovation and the renewal of European industry both in new promising sectors and in mature sectors;
Amendment 505 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Highlights the need to support a just transition, and believes that a well- designed Just Transition Mechanism, including a Just Transition Fund, would be an important tool to facilitate the transition and reach ambitious climate targets while addressing social impacts; underlines that clean technology investments have a key role in this regard to support long-term economic development of regional economies; stresses that robust financing of this instrument, including additional budgetary resources, would be a key element for the successful implementation of the European Green Deal;
Amendment 544 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Considers it imperative to digitalise the Union’s industries, including traditional ones; calls on the Commission to invest, inter alia, in the data economy, artificial intelligence, smart production, mobility, and resilient and secure very high-speed networks, paying special attention to encouraging women's participation as these are areas in which women are still under-represented; invites the Commission, in this respect, to assess the effectiveness of co- financed National Tax Credit schemes that could complement or replace traditional ‘on demand’ grants/tender-based support, especially for SMEs; highlights the importance of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the CohesionStructural and Investment Funds (CESIF) in supporting job creation, business competitiveness, economic growth and sustainable development as well as in enhancing the skills of European workers and in boosting the capacity of small and medium enterprises to make them able to successfully cope with the twin transitions so that no one will be left behind;
Amendment 558 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Regrets the still significant gap between large and small/medium enterprises with reference to the integration of digital technologies in their business operations, underlines that bridging this gap would constitute an improvement of the functioning of the internal market and would be beneficial for the overall European industrial competitiveness; calls on the Commission to assess and enhance the outreach of the European Digital Innovation Hubs, which - due to their knowledge of the local economic ecosystems - can represent an effective way to help SMEs digitalise;
Amendment 579 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Considering the importance of digitalisation of the Union’s industries, calls on the Commission to implement a single European digital and data market, and to invest significantly in resilient, secure high speed networks and in artificial intelligence to promote the exchange of data among companies and among public institutions, to develop and process data on European soil, in particular data from public bodies, to build a better digital taxation system in which profits are taxed where companies have significant interaction with users, and to further develop European standards on cybersecurity, in particular for critical infrastructure;
Amendment 603 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Considers that industrial transformation requires the integration of new knowledge and innovation into existing markets and their use in the creation of new ones; regrets, in this respect, that the Union invests less in R&D as a percentage of GDP than its global competitors and that it suffers from a serious lack of innovative capacity in small and medium-sized enterprises due to a shortfall in the necessary risk capital; calls on the Commission to and to a shortage of adequate skills; calls on the Commission to enhance the pervasiveness of the innovation policies through the increase the budget for those programmes that underpin the transformation of the Union’s industry, including Horizon Europe, and to foster synergies between regional, national, European and private financial sources by taking advantage of synergies among all Union programmes;
Amendment 611 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Believes that social economy enterprises should be fully involved in the outcome of the industrial strategy since they create public value and leave an essential impact on the local communities they are grounded in; calls in this regard on the Commission to take into account the specificities of this category of enterprises in the design of the financial instruments under the Union investment programmes in order to support their access to finance;
Amendment 615 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Calls on the Commission to continue supporting the ability of European innovative companies to maintain effective protection for their R&D investments, secure fair returns, and in the longer term continue to develop open technology standards that support competition and choice; enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy and cybersecurity, as well as provide high- value employment;
Amendment 633 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Is of the opinion that ecosystems will be key components of the next industrial revolution, providing affordable and cleaner energy, transformative manufacturing and service-provision methods; believes, moreover, that supporting collaboration among industry, academia, SMEs, start-ups and scale-ups, trade unions, civil society, end-user organisations and all other stakeholders will be key to solving market failures and supporting efforts to cross the ‘valley of death’, including in areas not yet covered by industrial interests; recalls, in this regard, the importance of promoting the social dialogue and the consultation of workers in designing and implementing industrial policies, coherently with the European Pillar of Social Rights;
Amendment 664 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Is of the opinion that - in order to make the reconstruction and transformation phase truly effective - the public administration should play a key role to ensure a business-friendly economic environment and to reduce the administrative burden on enterprises while ensuring the highest standards of transparency and workers’ safety; believes that e-government tools, digital innovation policies and the enhancement of digital skills should be promoted within the public sector and among its employees; calls on the Commission to ensure the exchange of national and regional best practices in the field, with specific reference to the public management of economic competitiveness;
Amendment 677 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the Commission to adopt a strong Key Performance Indicator (KPI) system to analyse the ex-ante impact of Union regulations and instruments, and to monitor progress and results; highlight the need to develop, assess and use harmonised standards to enhance the competitiveness of European industry, to reduce costs, improve safety and increase productivity;
Amendment 679 #
2020/2076(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the Commission to adopt a strong Key Performance Indicator (KPI) system to analyse the ex-ante impact of Union regulations and instruments, and to monitor progress and results; underlines that the KPI system should be based on objectives that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-oriented;
Amendment 9 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 17 a (new)
Citation 17 a (new)
- having regard to European Environment Agency Indicator Assessment on Economic losses from climate-related extremes in Europe published on 20 December 2020,
Amendment 18 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas European Environment Agency estimated that between 1980 and 2019, climate-related extremes caused economic losses totalling an estimated EUR 446 billion in the EEA member countries; whereas this is equivalent to EUR 11.1 billion per year and the cumulative deflated losses are equal to nearly 3 % of the GDP of the countries analysed;
Amendment 26 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Amendment 28 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
Db. whereas sustainability should be seen as a balanced approach to bring sustainable growth, social progress and environment together;
Amendment 36 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas Cohesion Policy is key to support less developed regions or areas, suffering from natural and geographical handicaps, which are often at the forefront of the impacts of climate change and have less resources to face it;
Amendment 38 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
Recital F b (new)
Fb. whereas Cohesion Policy is a crucial tool to deliver a fair transition to a climate neutral economy that leaves no one behind;
Amendment 43 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas an increase of 1.5 degrees is the maximum the planet can tolerate; should temperatures increase further beyond 2030, we will face even more droughts, flood, extreme heat and poverty for hundreds of millions of people; the likely demise of the most vulnerable populations - and at worst, the extinction of humankind altogether as pointed out in the EU interinstitutional report Challenges and Choices for Europe;
Amendment 54 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas islands, outermost and peripheral regions have an enormous potential in the production of renewable energy and are strategic laboratories to implement innovative policy measures and technical solutions to deliver the energy transition, reduce CO2 emissions and boost the shift towards the circular economy;
Amendment 56 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I c (new)
Recital I c (new)
Ic. whereas the transition to a climate neutral economy by 2050 can be achieved through a combination of public financing at EU and national levels and by creating the right conditions for private financing;
Amendment 97 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights the crucial role for Cohesion Policy in fighting climate change and achieving climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest and the intermediate target by 2030, as well as the role of local and regional authorities in mitigating and adapting to climate change, in particular through a far-reaching reform of investment policies; stresses in this regard that many European citizens still face energy poverty; calls to promote further actions aiming at fighting this phenomenon;
Amendment 111 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Recognises the need to support the territories most affected by the transition towards climate neutrality, avoid regional disparities growing and empower workers and local and regional communities;
Amendment 116 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses that sustainability and the transition to an economy that is safe, climate neutral, climate resilient, more resource efficient and circular are crucial to ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the Union economy; and to preserving its social cohesion;
Amendment 121 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Points out that it is paramount to fully uphold multi-level governance and partnership principles under Cohesion Policy, as local and regional authorities not only have direct competencies on the environment and climate change, but can also develop actions aiming to promote climate-friendly behaviour among citizens, including those linked to waste management, smart mobility and sustainable housing;
Amendment 125 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Urges holistic regional integration strategies to guarantee sustainable development and mitigate the consequences of climate change by supporting energy transition to renewable sources, biodiversity and climate adaptation; believes that these regional strategies should support civic engagement, locally initiated and owned projects and should boost the cooperation between the regions, also trough cross- border projects; calls on the Commission to provide support and facilitate the cooperation between the regions and exchange of know-how and best practices;
Amendment 140 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines the key role of local and regional authorities in achieving a fair transition to a climate-neutral economy for all, with social and economic cohesion at its core; recalls that this process would not be possible without a strong focus on skills; is of the opinion that regional environment strategies should also aim at enhancing the administrative capacity of the local and regional institutions and at developing their potential as enablers of economic, social and territorial competitiveness;
Amendment 148 #
2020/2074(INI)
11. Calls on the Commission to monitor the progress of national governments and local and regional authorities in addressing climate change; emphasises that an effective involvement of local and regional authorities at national level should be put in place when the European Commission assessment on climate change policies and climate targets is done in the context of the European Semester; stresses the need to enhance the effectiveness and complementarity of ESI Funds in tackling climate change;
Amendment 154 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 – point 1 (new)
Paragraph 11 – point 1 (new)
(1) Welcomes policy objective 2 (PO2) of the proposed new Common Provisions Regulation which aims to establish ‘a greener, low carbon transitioning towards a net zero carbon economy and resilient Europe by promoting clean and fair energy transition, green and blue investment, the circular economy, climate change mitigation and adaptation and risk prevention and management'; recalls that ERDF thematic concentration for PO2 would be best served if applied at regional level in order to reflect the different regional specificities when it comes to climate;
Amendment 156 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11c. Is concerned by the economic losses due to natural hazards and the damage of the EU funded infrastructure projects caused by the weather and climate-related extremes; calls for the support of activities and infrastructure projects that respect the climate and environmental standards and that are more resilient against the natural hazards;
Amendment 157 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Stresses that it is of the utmost importance to respect in all relevant Cohesion Policy legislation horizontal principles such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, a fair and socially inclusive transition, a legally binding climate-related spending target of 30 % and a biodiversity-related spending target at 10 %; stresses, therefore, that a transparent, comprehensive and meaningful tracking methodology should be adopted swiftly, and adapted if necessary during the MFF mid-term revision, for both climate-related spending and biodiversity-related spending;
Amendment 160 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Welcomes the proposal to top up the Just Transition Fund, including with additional funds from Next Generation EU, and the two additional pillars of the Just Transition Mechanism, namely a dedicated scheme under Invest EU and a public sector loan facility, which will contribute to alleviating the economic effects of the transition to climate neutrality on the Union’s most vulnerable regions; regrets the fact, however, that the top-up amount proposed by the Commission has been cut by more than 2/3 - from 30 to 7.5 billion euros - under the Council agreement on Next Generation EU; underlines that these cuts would jeopardise the fund’s core objectives;
Amendment 167 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Reaffirms that the specificities of all regions as defined in Article 174 of the TFEU need to be fully reflected in the transition process so that no region is left behind; is of the opinion that, in order to ensure the overall harmonious development of these areas; calls in this regard to evaluate the specificities of the regions as listed in Article 174 of the TFEU in case of any revision of the State Aid guidelines;
Amendment 172 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. EUnderlines the key role that islands, in particulars mall islands, outermost and peripheral/remote regions can play in the transition towards climate neutrality, as innovation laboratories for the development of clean energy, if their full potential is unlashed by adequate tools, support and funding; emphasises that islands, in particular small islands with limited governing autonomy, should be able to access sufficient economic resources in order to deliver integrated, sector-coupled and innovative interventions for infrastructure and local economic development;
Amendment 173 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Emphasises that islands, in particular small islands with limited governing autonomy, should be able to access sufficient economic resources and adequate training in order to deliver integrated, sector-coupled and innovative interventions for infrastructure and local economic development; considers that these territories can represent a formidable laboratory for sustainability practices in sectors such as clean energy, smart mobility, waste management and circular economy;
Amendment 180 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Highlights the need to capitalise on the outcome of initiatives such as New Energy Solutions Optimised for Islands (NESOI) and Clean Energy for EU Islands (CE4EUI) to ensure a functional transition between the 2014-2020 and 2021-2027 programming periods; in this regard, calls on the Commission to produce a user friendly guides for Regional and local governments to have the opportunity to acknowledge and capitalise on consolidated best practices on energy transition and decarbonisation of economies; welcomes the Memorandum of Split, which recognises the leading role for island communities in the energy transition;
Amendment 182 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Highlights the need to capitalise on the outcome of initiatives such as New Energy Solutions Optimised for Islands (NESOI) and Clean Energy for EU Islands (CE4EUI) to ensure a functional transition between the 2014-2020 and 2021-2027 programming periods; welcomes the Memorandum of Split, which recognises the leading role for island communities in the energy transition; underlines in this regard the importance of exchanging best practices and of promoting mutual learning;
Amendment 190 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Emphasises that all sectors need to be represented and supported in the transition towards climate-neutral industrial processes, while maintaining international competitiveness; and preserving economic, social and territorial cohesion among different European regions;
Amendment 192 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Amendment 193 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 b (new)
Paragraph 16 b (new)
16b. Calls on national and regional programming authorities to maximise the transformational impact on climate and environmental protection during the ongoing development and national and regional EU funds spending plans;
Amendment 194 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 c (new)
Paragraph 16 c (new)
16c. Calls on the Commission to benchmark draft spending plans against highest possible climate ambition;
Amendment 195 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 d (new)
Paragraph 16 d (new)
16d. Welcomes the proposal on REACT EU as it continues and extends the crisis responses and crisis repair measures with additional resources to existing cohesion policy programmes;
Amendment 196 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 e (new)
Paragraph 16 e (new)
16e. Welcomes the efforts of the European Investment Bank (EIB) to revise its energy lending policy and to devote 50% of its operations to climate action and environmental sustainability; calls on the EIB to commit to the sustainable transition towards climate neutrality while devoting particular attention to the regions most affected by the transition;
Amendment 197 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 f (new)
Paragraph 16 f (new)
16f. Welcomes the presentation of the 'Renovation Wave Strategy' as one of the crucial strategies contributing to making Europe climate-neutral by 2050; emphasizes the need to address energy poverty through a programme of building renovation targeting vulnerable and low income households, as part of a wider European Anti Poverty Strategy;
Amendment 198 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 g (new)
Paragraph 16 g (new)
16g. Calls on the Commission to consider referring to the Taxonomy Regulation for private and public investments; points out the need to enshrine the ‘do not significant harm’ principle;
Amendment 199 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 h (new)
Paragraph 16 h (new)
16h. Calls for further investments on sustainable mobility such as railways and sustainable urban mobility for greener cities with better life quality for citizens;
Amendment 200 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 i (new)
Paragraph 16 i (new)
16i. Calls on the Commission to link the assessment of the Paris agreement every 5 years with an assessment of further necessary adjustments in Cohesion Policy;
Amendment 210 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Underlines the urgent need to further support the principles of circular economy and to prioritise the waste hierarchy;
Amendment 212 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Promotes a strong involvement of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the transition process as well as in the design and in the implementation of the regional environment strategies since these actors are not only well-grounded in the local economic fabric, but will also be affected by the policies of the Green Deal; believes it crucial to help MSMEs grasp the opportunities of the environmental transition through tailor-made support in the upskilling and reskilling process;
Amendment 216 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Is of the opinion that effective regional environment strategies will be also beneficial to the tourism sector since they could help enhance the appeal of many European regions as sustainable destinations and could overall promote a new kind of responsible tourism;
Amendment 217 #
2020/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Recalls that the success of the regional environment strategies also depends on robust research and innovation policies also at the local and regional level; encourages the collaboration among local authorities, research institutions and enterprises such as the initiatives within the European Institute of Innovation and Technology and its Knowledge and Innovation Community (KICs);
Amendment 8 #
2020/2071(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the Treaties and the European Charter of Fundamental Rights state that everyone shall have access to preventive health care and the right to benefit from medical treatment under the conditions established by national laws and practices; whereas this right should be enforced for all citizens, including those living in the smaller Member States and in the most peripheral areas of the Union;
Amendment 15 #
2020/2071(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. Whereas the Treaties and the European Charter of Fundamental Rights state that everyone shall have access to preventive health care and the right to benefit from medical treatment under the conditions established by national laws and practices, and whereas this right should be enforced for all citizens, including those living in the most peripheral areas of the Union;
Amendment 48 #
2020/2071(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Calls on the Commission to publish without any further delays the roadmap on EU Pharmaceutical Strategy which will identify root causes of medicine shortages; urges the Commission to propose ambitious and specific regulatory measures with an objective of making medicines available, affordable, sustainable and equally accessible; calls on the Commission to promote measures which will increase EU security of supply of medicines and reduce dependency on third countries;
Amendment 55 #
2020/2071(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Highlights the importance of safe, reliable and clear data for both the transport and health sector; welcomes the EC Data Strategy, in particular the projects for a mobility and health data space; invites the Commission to work on creating synergies between the two data spaces, with the objective of maximising efficiency in transporting medicines, avoiding shortages and allowing for expedient crisis management; invites the Commission to explore the possibility of a European digital platform to facilitate logistical coordination between medicine distributors and transport operators;
Amendment 90 #
2020/2071(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Stresses the importance of ensuring the smooth functioning of the Internal Market in order to eliminate barriers to the access of medicines, medical devices and protective equipment to all citizens, especially those living in Member States that, due to their small size or to their remote position, heavily rely on imports and do not have easy access to the supply chain;
Amendment 93 #
2020/2071(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Whereas the coronavirus pandemic has highlighted Europe’s dependency on third countries for the production of essential medicines and medical devices, including active pharmaceutical ingredients(APIs), calls on the Commission to provide adequate financial resources under Horizon Europe and other EU programs to strengthen Union’s R&I activities supporting manufacturing in key industrial sectors, such as the pharmaceutical industry; calls on the Commission to reduce the R&I divide within the Union by ensuring broad geographical coverage and participation of low R&I performing Member States in collaborative projects; underlines that Horizon Europe and other EU programs need to support rare diseases through increased research, clinical trials, best practices sharing, and medication development; insists that research, best practices, clinical trials, and medication pertaining to rare diseases be made accessible for the benefit of citizens of all the Member States;
Amendment 107 #
2020/2071(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Having regard to the European Strategy for Data and the digital transformation of healthcare, urges the Commission to promote implementation of interoperable technologies in the Member State’s health sector which will facilitate delivery of innovative health solutions to patients; encourages the creation of a fully operational European Health Data Space with a governance framework which fosters creation of an innovative data-driven ecosystem and which encourages sharing of information and critical data across the Union; asks the Commission to promote next generation standards, tools and infrastructure to store and process data suitable for research and the development of innovative products and services, while ensuring processing of patients personal data is in compliance with European data protection framework;
Amendment 115 #
2020/2071(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Calls on the Commission to take stock of the impact of coronavirus on industry and SMEs and to present a renewed EU industrial strategy; considers that the industrial recovery of Europe needs to prioritize twin digital and ecological transformation of our societies and building of resilience to external shocks; stresses the importance of promoting private-public partnerships in high value-added and innovative sectors, such as the pharmaceutical industry; stresses the importance of manufacturing for jobs, growth and competitiveness;
Amendment 127 #
2020/2071(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Notes with concern market failure in several Members States where patients' access to effective and affordable medicines and medical devices remains threatened by very high and often unsustainable price levels, market withdrawal of products that are out-of- patent or a failure to introduce new products to national markets due to business strategies; recognises that access to medicines and medical devices in the Member States with smaller markets requires particular consideration in the new EU Pharmaceutical Strategy;
Amendment 144 #
2020/2071(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5 c. Calls on the Commission to expand its joint European response to include joint procurement actions for all developed vaccines, medication, medical equipment and medical technology; insists that this joint response be a priority post-pandemic, and be easily accessible for citizens in every Member State especially those that are particularly vulnerable from a public health and economical perspective due to their remote location or small size;
Amendment 15 #
2020/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas it is estimated that more than 50 million households in the European Union are experiencing energy poverty;
Amendment 30 #
2020/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas investments for the renovation of the building sector create new jobs and contribute to clean economy as a part of the recovery plan and the European Green Deal;
Amendment 57 #
2020/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is concerned by the gentrification and ‘renoviction’ of neighbourhoods driven by investment capital interests, and by the rising numbers of citizens in energy poverty, and of citizens suffering from increasing accommodation cost load, gender disparity, and marginalisation; considers that a community approach in addition to safeguards at a regulatory level could reduce the level of destruction of existing communities; reminds about the need to support the most vulnerable citizens by enabling their access to dignified living conditions, comfort and health and highlights the important role of social housing;
Amendment 65 #
2020/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3c. Emphasises the important role that citizens play in renovation of the residential buildings stock and the importance to create efficient tools, best practices and make all possible information and knowledge available at local level including opportunities related to technologies (i.e. smart meters) offered to consumer;
Amendment 69 #
2020/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights the success of one-stop- shops, capacity building for municipalities, and the active involvement of local actors such as energy communities, consumer organisations, educational institutions, local businesses and housing cooperatives;
Amendment 86 #
2020/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for a policy to facilitate IRPs at community level providing for deep renovationand staged-deep renovations, considering building’s needs; calls on the Commission to step up work on the Covenant of Mayors for Climate and Energy and the EU City Facility;
Amendment 138 #
2020/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Welcomes various financial practices and instruments such as green subsidies, tax and loan incentives; underlines the importance of avoiding retroactive policies which negatively affect issued incentives for energy efficiency investments;
Amendment 164 #
2020/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to regularly revise energy efficiency targets upwards, propose binding minimum annual renovation rate that are in line with and contributing to the European CO2 reduction goals, propose strengthening the role of the existing minimum annual renovation rates set out in EPBD (EU 2018/844) and EED (EU 2018/2002) and minimum energy performance standards for buildings and policy measures ensuring deep and staged-deep renovations creating financial triggers and investment stability;
Amendment 231 #
2020/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Considers that energy-efficient buildings should be safe, healthy, affordable, and sustainable; underlines the importance of embodied energy, sustainability in buildings, resource efficiency, and life-cycle approaches in line with the circular economy;
Amendment 275 #
2020/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Calls on the Commission to launch an EU skills and information initiative in the renovation and building sector, which includes a gender dimension, in order to engage with stakeholders in retraining, upskilling and capacity building, with a focus on employment and promoting the skills and high knowledge in designing new buildings and renovations, and in order to disseminate information on the necessity and on ways how to implement and finance energy-efficient renovations among tenants and building owners;
Amendment 307 #
2020/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new)
Paragraph 27 b (new)
27b. Highlights the importance of very high capacity networks for communication infrastructure as crucial to readiness of smart buildings, smart homes and smart cities and the application of smart technologies such as domotics; stresses that such smart digital solutions in the built environment contribute to better connected communities and enable new digital services for occupants;
Amendment 309 #
2020/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 c (new)
Paragraph 27 c (new)
27c. Highlights the importance of smart grids as enabler for the efficient integration of renewables to electricity grids and looks for new opportunities with interfaces with TSOs and DSOs for better energy efficiency and electricity services; stresses that smart buildings connected to nano or micro grids can ensure improved stability of electrical supply and availability of heating/cooling systems;
Amendment 356 #
2020/2070(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Welcomes the announcement made by the Commission to promote renovations in schools, hospitals and social housing for those in need; yet highlights the challenge of addressing the large residential building stock and the importance of providing financial assistance;
Amendment 59 #
2020/2043(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Suggests a progressive mechanism that first includes sectors with the highest risk of carbon leakage before being enlarged over time; stresses that this should not lead to internal market distortions; underlines that consumers, especially those of Member States heavily relying on imports from third countries, should be protected from possible higher product prices;
Amendment 1 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3
Citation 3
— having regard to the European Pillar of Social Rights and, in particular, to principles 2, 3 and 9 thereof,
Amendment 9 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 26 a (new)
Citation 26 a (new)
- having regard to ‘The Missing Entrepreneurs 2019: Policies for Inclusive Entrepreneurship report’, published by the OECD and the European Commission on10 December 2019,
Amendment 10 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 31 a (new)
Citation 31 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission Discussion Paper 129 of 24 July 2020 entitled ‘Gender Smart Financing Investing In & With Women: Opportunities for Europe’,
Amendment 11 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 31 b (new)
Citation 31 b (new)
- having regard to the Commission communication of 18 September 2020 entitled ‘A Union of equality: EU anti- racism action plan 2020-2025’ (COM(2020)0565),
Amendment 12 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 31 c (new)
Citation 31 c (new)
- having regard to the Commission communication of 12 November 2020 entitled ‘Union of Equality: LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025’ (COM(2020)0698),
Amendment 19 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Amendment 25 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas cCohesion pPolicy is as an important policy tooltool not only to support gender equality, but also to reduce disparities affecting groups still suffering from discrimination, including that linked to their sexual orientation;
Amendment 36 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the involvement of local and regional authorities, gender equality institutions and non-governmental organisationEuropean Court of Auditors is currently assessing the gender mainstreaming in the European budget; whereas this audit report, due to be published in the first quarter of 2021, will give useful insights ion partnership agreements and monitoring committees is still insufficienthow to implement the gender dimension in the Cohesion Policy actions under the MFF 2021-2027;
Amendment 39 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas, during the programming period 2014-2020, the main critical elements to promote gender equality through Cohesion Policy have been, among others, the gap between formal statements in Partnership Agreements (PAs) and Operational Programmes (OPs) and the actual implementation as well as the weak political commitment in this domain;
Amendment 41 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
D b. whereas, during the programming period 2014-2020, gender-related issues have been mainly tackled through the European Social Fund (ESF) OPs; whereas, during the same period, the European Regional and Development Fund (ERDF) has contributed to the promotion of gender equality in a very limited manner;
Amendment 42 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)
Recital D c (new)
D c. whereas women represent only 34.4 % of the self-employed and 30 % of start-up entrepreneurs in the European Union and still face difficulties to access finance; whereas Cohesion Policy has a key role in addressing this gap;
Amendment 43 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D d (new)
Recital D d (new)
D d. whereas there is still a gender digital divide that needs to be tackled; whereas Cohesion Policy should help bridge this gap, that often affects in a harder way women living in rural and remote areas;
Amendment 48 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas gender-disaggregated data and the adoption of appropriate selection procedures areis considered useful for promoting gender equality;
Amendment 49 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
E a. whereas the use of gender- disaggregated data and gender-relevant indicators is crucial to improve the decision-making process and to assess the outcome of the Cohesion Policy’s direct and indirect actions aiming at reducing gender inequality;
Amendment 58 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
G a. whereas during the COVID-19 pandemic the number of cases of domestic violence against women and girls has worryingly increased; whereas this phenomenon has shown the need for more innovative solutions, including digital ones; whereas Cohesion Policy, and more specifically the upcoming ESF Plus, can help in this regard;
Amendment 79 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Strongly believes that gender equality is still mainly addressed in a general manner and limited to the policy domains of the European Social Fund (ESF), as well as in the context analysis and programming phase, while more attention is needed in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation phases on a regular basis;
Amendment 108 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Considers that programme stakeholders and monitoring committees still lack expertise on the implementation of a gender perspective in concrete projects, especially in European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) interventions; considers there to be a lack of guidelines, training programmes and concrete examples of good practice to address this; underlines, in this regard, the potential of the ERDF/CF to bridge the gap women are still facing, with particular reference to female entrepreneurship and the digital sector;
Amendment 116 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. BelievStresses that all programmes implemented under cCohesion pPolicy should ensure gender equality throughout their evaluation, preparation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, as well as equal opportunities for all, without discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation; is of the opinion that the composition of expert groups in the different phases of the policy cycle should be gender balanced;
Amendment 123 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Underlines that the actions aiming at bridging the gender gap under Cohesion Policy should adopt an intersectional approach that also takes into consideration age, race and disabilities;
Amendment 124 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11 b. Believes that the beneficiaries of the Cohesion Policy should not adopt any discriminatory policy, in particular against those minorities that still suffer from discrimination, such as the LGBTI community; encourages the rejection of applications from potential beneficiaries, including from regional or local authorities, which have adopted discriminatory policies against members of the LGBTI community such as the declaration of ‘LGBT-free zones’;
Amendment 135 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that cohesion policy needs to support equal access to training for women in order to bridge the digital gender gap and to support the green and digital transitions; for instance through the increase of the share of female graduates in STEM subjects as well as their involvement in sectors that are crucial for the environmental transition, such as the energy one;
Amendment 139 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Underlines the crucial role of cohesion policy in investing in high-quality public services and social infrastructure, both for combating gender inequalities and for building social resilience and coping with economic, social and health crises;
Amendment 149 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15 a. Welcomes that one of the horizontal priorities of the new Multiannual Financial Framework regards gender equality and mainstreaming; stresses that the monitoring of the programmes should not only aim at measuring the relevant expenditure, but, even more importantly, at assessing the outcome of the EU budget on improving gender equality, which goes beyond the mere measurement of how amounts are earmarked;
Amendment 151 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15 b. Welcomes the role of European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) in the promotion of gender equality and in the fight against discrimination based on gender; underlines its positive contribution to gender mainstreaming, including in the domain of Cohesion Policy; calls for the adequate funding of this body;
Amendment 174 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines that an ex ante and ex post gender impact assessment should be a mandatory part of Member States’ evaluations on how the funds are spent and whether compliance with gender equality targets is effectively respected;
Amendment 182 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Recalls that gender mainstreaming must be applied in all stages of the budgetary process; stresses the need to track spending on gender equality in all budget lines, not just in targeted measures, and to assess the final impactoutcome of the budgetary lines on gender equality; requests that the Commission, in cooperation with the European Court of Auditors, propose a methodology to that end; recommends the use of criteria such athat do not only assess the national median wage and the median annual gross income in purchasing power parity, but also non- economic indicators, such as those measuring subjective well-being, the elimination of gender-based violence, civil engagement, work-life balance, social connections; underlines that the assessment of the outcome is only possible if gender-disaggregated data is available;
Amendment 190 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls on all institutions to provide guidance documents and training sess, on a regular basis, hands-on training at all levels of the administrations, so as to disseminate and embed concrete examples of good practices on gender mainstreaming; stresses, moreover, that at the project selection stage the criteria for gender mainstreaming should be strengthened through higher scoring and requirements for more practical actions; recommends making use of the existing tools developed by the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) such as its toolkit for gender budgeting in the ESI Funds;
Amendment 193 #
2020/2040(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Stresses the importance of evaluating the training output to assess its effectiveness in improving the implementation of gender mainstreaming;
Amendment 2 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
- having regard to the European Pillar of Social Rights, in particular principle 2, 3 and principle 20,
Amendment 10 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
- having regard to the European Regional Competitiveness Index 2019,
Amendment 23 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the European Regional Competitiveness Index 2019 has clearly shown a gap between capital/metropolitan regions and more peripheral areas;
Amendment 24 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Amendment 26 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas the European Union has numerous instruments to face demographic challenges, and cohesion policy plays a crucial role in this regard;
Amendment 27 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas climate change enhances drastic changes in demographic trends;
Amendment 28 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A e (new)
Recital A e (new)
Ae. whereas the Union has increased its efforts in order to integrate the principles of sustainability, greening and digitalisation in the overall EU policy making;
Amendment 29 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A f (new)
Recital A f (new)
Af. whereas the Commission is currently working on its Long-Term Vision for Rural Areas;
Amendment 36 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas, although the EU population has seen substantial growth in previous decades, the growth rate is now falling and the population is expected to decrease in the longer term; whedecreas Europe will account for less thaning from 6% to 4 % of the world’s population by 2070, and long- term demographic trends in European regions indicate lower birth rates and ageing societies;
Amendment 47 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the current trend of ageing in EU population has important economic and social consequences, such as higher dependency ratios, pressures on fiscal and social security sustainability, and increased stress on healthcare and social services;
Amendment 70 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that Europe is manifestly experiencing population ageing, affecting the dependency ratio and having negative effects on workforce growth, which is far behind the previous decade; warns of a visible decline of the labour force in eastern, southern and central European regions; highlights that population ageing also affects housing and transport planning, infrastructure and services needs, as well as fiscal and social security sustainability;
Amendment 73 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes that, in that regard, active ageing policies are needed in order to reduce its negative dimension in rural and remote areas, ensuring an adequate level of quality of life for all inhabitants;
Amendment 74 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Underlines that fertility rates in the EU are considerably below replacement level; considers that cohesion policy can contribute to address this issue by promoting better conditions for families to raise their children, namely through favourable conditions in the job market, work life balance, affordable housing and access to social services of general interest, particularly those targeted to young families, such as affordable childcare;
Amendment 78 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Notes that the attractiveness of rural areas can be enhanced through the availability of high-quality public services; investments in those may require economies of scale that are difficult to implement in low-density areas, so local and regional communities should identify adequate provisions of services, in the most efficient way possible. In this sense, the role of cohesion policy is fundamental and should allow for these high quality public services;
Amendment 81 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Highlights the additional challenges of peripheral European territories, including small islands, mountainous regions and sparsely populated areas, whose declining demographic trends are exacerbated by poor connectivity and difficulties in provision of services, including essential ones;
Amendment 82 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Highlights that rural development policies should have as one of their main objectives the creation of innovation ecosystems to support knowledge creation and technological diffusion; with this objective in mind, it is key to stimulate common virtual and physical environments that bring together firms, entrepreneurs and research institutes contributing to the transformation of rural areas into real innovation hubs. An environment that enables rural innovation can also be supported by investments in skills and ICT infrastructure, facilitating access to capital for entrepreneurs and SMEs, and supporting local supply chain development linked with diverse industries;
Amendment 85 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Notes that the concept of “rural proofing” should be mainstreamed throughout all steps of the EU policymaking; this idea, which aims at understanding the impact of policy intervention in rural areas, has the objective of ensuring a fair and equitable policy outcome for them. Rural proofing contributes at understanding the specific necessities of rural and remote areas with a specific focus on policy implementation, overcoming undesirable policy externalities by designing and delivering adequate solutions;
Amendment 86 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4
Subheading 4
Amendment 88 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 4 b (new)
Subheading 4 b (new)
Amendment 111 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Expresses concern over a "geography of discontent" that is taking place in many EU regions where people feel left behind and which is closely associated to demographic change; the "geography of discontent" leads to radical political movements and denial of the EU integration, endangering the EU cohesion;
Amendment 117 #
Amendment 126 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Notes that economic migration has a direct impact on the inclusiveness of cities, requiring tailored policy responses in different territorial contexts; highlights, in this regard, the need to strengthen inclusion policies;
Amendment 128 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7
Subheading 7
Amendment 129 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7 a (new)
Subheading 7 a (new)
Calls for a greater coordination of EU instruments, in particular the ESI Funds and the Next Generation EU, so as to ensure a more comprehensive approach to the demographic challenges; suggests that, given that the mechanisms employed so far have not held back the advance of demographic imbalances, a review of existing policies is required;
Amendment 130 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7 b (new)
Subheading 7 b (new)
Calls on the EU incorporating demographic challenges throughout the policy spectrum, including in its budget headings, in order to enable the development of adequate policies; considers that the impact of public policies in demography should be taken into account and subject to impact assessments;
Amendment 131 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7 c (new)
Subheading 7 c (new)
Calls on the Commission once more to propose a strategy on demographic change which prioritises the following fields: decent employment, work-life balance, the territorial aspect of policies promoting economic activity and employment, the adequate provision of social services of general interest in all territories, local public transport, adequate care for dependent persons and long-term care, and good-quality labour conditions, paying special attention to new forms of work and their social impact;
Amendment 132 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7 d (new)
Subheading 7 d (new)
Highlights the importance of having family friendly labour legislation that enables satisfactory work life-balance; underlines, in this respect, the role of social partners and the importance of collective bargaining;
Amendment 133 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7 e (new)
Subheading 7 e (new)
Stresses that cohesion policy should promote the employability and inclusion of women, especially mothers who struggle with finding employment; stresses the importance of helping young mothers to return to work, namely by providing affordable childcare facilities for children of all ages and promoting policies of shared responsibility;
Amendment 134 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7 f (new)
Subheading 7 f (new)
Highlights the need to support young families, improving the conditions for them to have children; notes that, according to the 2018 assessment, the Barcelona target of having 90% of the children from 3 to mandatory school age in formal childcare or attending preschool was not reached; stresses the importance of having access to affordable childcare facilities for young families to decide to have children;
Amendment 136 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 7 h (new)
Subheading 7 h (new)
Underlines the importance of existing initiatives such as the European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing, Ambient Assisted Living and the EIT Digital and Health Knowledge Innovation Communities; calls on the Commission to take into account the solutions already developed by these initiatives for accommodating the demographic shift and when addressing the demographic challenges faced by European regions; stresses the importance of the European Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning as a way of supporting education and training in areas at risk of depopulation;
Amendment 137 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses that local and regional authorities should play a decisive role in developing territorial strategies, taking into consideration the development needs and the potential of the areas concerned, including the economic, social and demographic trends; points out that community-led local development strategies are a useful tool that can be used to create jobs and increase accessibility to services at local level; calls in this regard for tailor-made technical assistance to support local and regional authorities in the design and the implementation of these strategies, including through the use of participatory methods involving local stakeholders and civil society;
Amendment 143 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Stresses that local and regional authorities should play a decisive role in developing territorial strategies, taking into consideration the development needs and the potential of the areas concerned, including the economic, social and demographic trends; points out that Integrated Territorial Investments (ITI) and community-led local development strategies are a useful tool that can be used to create jobs and increase accessibility to services at local level;
Amendment 154 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Recalls the need for strategies aimed at reversing labour migration; calls on local and regional authorities to tackle the brain drain in ‘sending’ regions through prevention, mitigation and appropriate responses; using the means provided by cohesion policies; underlines in this context that there are already several initiatives in various Member States, such as incentives for workers with highly specialised skills, aimed at turning the brain drain into a brain gain for the regions in question;
Amendment 157 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Supports the development of dedicated incentive schemes to attract young people to rural and semi-urban areas; furthermore, encourages measures that to improve labour participation, especially for women and people with disabilities and the promotion of training tailored to the needs, potential and strengths of each individual region;
Amendment 158 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Considers that the transport network can play a decisive role in answering to demographic change, by reinforcing rural-urban connectivity and combating territorial fragmentation, providing for inclusive and sustainable growth through targeted investments as well as facilitating access to high-quality public services that consolidate population; highlights, in this regard, the importance of improving transport infrastructure, supporting the transition to sustainable and smart transport networks, strengthening interoperability in transport systems, and guaranteeing better local and public transports to incorporate demographic changes and their impact in mobility policy;
Amendment 159 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
18c. Encourages policy makers at local regional and national level to promote the concept of the "economy of well-being", contributing to a virtuous economic cycle, helping sustain long-term investments into wellbeing; additionally, encourages the promotion of healthy and active ageing which, combined with the economy of wellbeing and measures targeted at improving the quality of life and combat loneliness, can boost growth in regions with a predominantly ageing population;
Amendment 164 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses that the COVID-19 health crisis has affected all Member States and regions to different extents, and is likely to lead to new trends as regards demographic flows; recalls in this context that the additional resources provided through REACT-EU in order to ensure a sound and robust recovery of the EU’s economy from the crisis could significantly help to keep people in employment, including through support for small and medium-size enterprises and for short-time work schemes and the self-employed, although this is only a temporary instrument;
Amendment 173 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Recalls that the Recovery and Resilience Facility will provide large-scale financial support to make Member States’ economies more resilient and better prepared for the future, and insists that Member States should propose measures for addressing demographic change; investing in the most vulnerable areas; highlights the importance of the instruments for a transition to sustainability such as the Just Transition Fund and its implementation mechanism, which aim to support the communities affected by the energy transition and avoid the risk of depopulation;
Amendment 177 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Reiterates the need for further simplification of cohesion policy instrumentplace-based and integrated approaches of cohesion policy, Common Agricultural Policy national strategic plans, and national recovery strategic plans in order to allow for an easier, but at the same time sound management of financial resources and for maximising synergies among the various EU funds and integrated tools; emphasises the need to reduce red tape and ensure coherent legislation throughout the project implementation process;
Amendment 188 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Recalls that the European Parliament, in its own position on the European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund (27 March 2020) states that the objectives of the ERDF CF include that of supporting urban and rural areas with geographical or demographic handicaps. It also includes that Member states shall allocate provisions of EU financial support for projects that promote environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive economic development in the regions concerned;
Amendment 195 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22b. Maintains the EP stand that particular support should be given to NUTS level 3 areas or clusters of local administrative units with a population density of below 12.5 inhabitants per km2 for sparsely populated areas, or with an average population decrease of more than1% between 2007 and 2017, which should be subject to specific regional and national plans to enhance attractiveness, increase business investment and boost the accessibility of digital and public services, including a fund in the Structural Fund cooperation agreement;
Amendment 234 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. EIs of the opinion that innovation are research can have positive spillover effects at the regional level, encourages policymakers at regional and national level to invest in the knowledge economy, as well as in providing services and incentives, to maintain high-skilled workers and to develop research centres in the different regions; calls for a further development of synergies between the European Structural and Investment Funds and the Horizon Europe programme as well as other initiatives such as those promoted by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology;
Amendment 236 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Encourages policymakers at regional and national level to investuse the new Recovery and Resilience Facility to invest in the broadband extension in order to foster in the knowledge economy, as well as in providing high quality public services and incentives, tohat maintain high- skilled workers and to develop research centres in the different regionpromote the triple helix to ensure the attractiveness of the depopulated areas;
Amendment 243 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Recommends developing the so- called ‘oasis strategies’ focusing on the most successful, vibrant and growing sectors, by exploiting the local potential for development of the region; calls on the local and regional authorities to invest the Youth Guarantee Initiative focused on attracting young, trained and talented workers, encouraging entrepreneurship, using local, national and EU incentives; underlines the role of the ‘silver economy’ as a policy shift for rural areas, turning the issue of population ageing into an opportunity for the development of rural areas;
Amendment 248 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Asks the European Commission Statistic Office to provide data on the situation of quality of life indicators at NUTS 3 and LAU level to monitor the impact of demographic challenge on the territories; highlights the possibility for Member states to use the Recovery and Resilient Facility to modernise the capacity of data collection at those levels to ensure that national investment policies and European data reflect the real situation in these territories;
Amendment 252 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Insists that investments should be focused on information and communication technology, since this has the potential to reduce the distance between the users and to attract high- skilled workers in order to avoid the digital divide and ensure digital cohesion; stresses the importance of funding the infrastructures, the development and uptake of these technologies among companies and schools in rural and isolated regions and regions in industrial transition;
Amendment 260 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Highlights the potential of the blue economy in reversing the negative demographic trend in European small islands and peripheral maritime regions;
Amendment 267 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Recommends, where appropriate, the reform of education and training systems in the Member States, combined with policies to prevent a permanent brain drain from the ‘sending’ regions; insists on using local at regional advantages, as well as the development of economic and social facilities, not only to prevent the brain drain, but also to reverse this phenomenon; is of the opinion that vocational education and training can represent an effective way to enhance the skillset of workers and make them more resilient against the swift dynamics of the labour market, thus contributing to the prevention of the brain drain;
Amendment 276 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the initiative on the long-term vision for rural areas includes practical solution and means of support to address demographic changes; invites the Commission, in agreement with the Member States, to propose a ‘new deal’ on demographics in the EU as a multi-level policy approach which materialises in a European Strategy on Demographic Trends; The future Conference of the Future of Europe should propose a definition of the areas which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps mentioned in the article 174 (TFEU)in order to ensure a long-term support of the EU key policies from a place-based approach;
Amendment 282 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Notes that diversity of administrative competences within each Member states results in the impossibility of a one-size-fits-all type of solution to address demographic challenges; suggests the creation of an independent body involved in the economic and social development of demographically fragile areas. This body should enjoy a high degree of organisational autonomy;
Amendment 285 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Calls on the European Commission to consider a higher degree of flexibility on the State Aid discipline in order to overcome the structural challenges SMEs operating in isolated, rural and sparsely populated areas face, with the ultimate objective to bridge the competitiveness gap affecting these regions;
Amendment 287 #
2020/2039(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 b (new)
Paragraph 34 b (new)
Amendment 3 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas throughout the transport and tourism online platform ecosystem, a limited number of companies dominate the market, functioning as gatekeepers which set high entry to market barriers stifling competition and thereby limiting options for consumer;
Amendment 4 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas digital online platforms in the transport sector are labour intensive and typically rely on a non-standard workforce whose conditions of employment, representation and social protection remain unclear and disadvantaged; whereas policy responses to this issue has remained so far unsatisfactory both at EU and Member State level;
Amendment 11 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph -1 (new)
Paragraph -1 (new)
-1. Takes note of the important role played in the past two decades by the e- Commerce Directive in helping develop transport and tourism platforms in the European Digital Single Market;
Amendment 13 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the scope of the definition of information society services provided for in the e-Commerce directive has been the subject tof a rich case-law by the European Court of Justice, especially regarding online platforms in the transport and short-rentals sectors, and hence needs to be clarifian updated and clear scope of the definition is needed;
Amendment 15 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Points out that online platforms in the transport and tourism sectors have been widely welcomed by users and triggered an increase in demand, which led to efficiency improvements in the way those services are provided; notes on the other hand that the developments in the market have resulted in legal, economic, and social questions.
Amendment 16 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Highlights that the unprecedented crisis trigged by the Covid-19 pandemic has greatly increased the demand for digital services and reinforced the need for the EU to strengthen its digital sovereignty; believes in this regard that the new regulatory framework should play a key role in this new context and strike the right balance between small and big platforms, for the former to become more digital and for the latter to become more responsible.
Amendment 17 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1 c. Recalls that the absence of clear, transparent and up-to-date rules for online platforms in the field of transport and tourism has resulted in market fragmentation and uncertainty which damages businesses and constitutes a deterrent for newcomers entering the market;
Amendment 21 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to clarify the liability of Transport and Tourism platforms; invites the Commission to set a uniform obligation for platforms to verify the legality of the service offered and the service provider and to act on illegal content, through a legally binding Notice and Action procedure. Highlights that following notification, in case of inaction by the platform, an effective, dissuasive and proportionate sanction mechanism should be put in place;
Amendment 28 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Draws attention to the very specific nature of content on transport and tourism platforms compared to other sectors, which needs to be compliant with precise criteria. Calls for a sector-specific EU-coordinated effort involving all stakeholders to agree on sets of criteria, in line with Single Market rules, necessary to offer a service on a platform with the objective of facilitating cooperation and boosting business opportunities.
Amendment 40 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the importance of establishing a European Authority tasked, among other things, with overseeing the online platform market and facilitating data sharing and redress for consumers, with offices for Ttransport and Ttourism.
Amendment 46 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on the Commission to enhance the relationship between stakeholders and local authorities in the Short-Term Rental market and mobility services., with the objective of sharing best practices to improve the ease of doing business in the EU
Amendment 51 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Draws attention to the importance of data access in the platform economy; highlights the vital role data plays for local governments in enforcing and developing policies in the fields of Ttransport and Ttourism; Welcomes the Commission’s mobility data space proposal and its data strategy for the public good;
Amendment 55 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses the need to promote data exchanges, digitisation and big data on transport and logistics platforms in the interests of greater efficiency in the organisation and management of freight and passenger flows and in the use of infrastructures and resources; calls on the Commission to coordinate these platforms at EU level to improve supply chain visibility, real-time traffic management and cargo flows, as well as simplifying and reducing TEN-T administrative formalities, especially along cross-border sections;
Amendment 57 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Urges the Commission to devise a data sharing policy that is secure for all stakeholders and preserves competition across the transport market. Highlights the work of the Digital Transport Logistics Forum on "Federated Platforms" focused on identifying the needs of both the public and private sector. Underlines the essential role data sharing will have in supporting European SME’s development and their innovation drive, and in deploying a Europe wide Intelligent Transport System (ITS) network aligned with road safety and environmental objectives of the Union;
Amendment 60 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Draws attention to the potential Mobility as a Service (MaaS) platforms hold in digitalizing, automating and decarbonizing EU mobility.Calls on the Commission to evaluate the deployment of balanced MaaS systems and allow for a degree of control by local governments on such systems to prevent monopolies and guarantee the enforcement of relevant laws and policies. .
Amendment 61 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the need to build on the P2B Regulation1a to limit the dominance of market giants in the Ttransport and Ttourism sector; stressehighlights the urgency for the Commission to establish well defined criteria regarding “"size”" of platforms. Denounces the worrying problem of preferencing and self-preferencing on online search engines for the tourism platform market, which creates a shopping bias and can lead to monopolies in the sector. _________________ 1aRegulation (EU) 2019/1150 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on promoting fairness and transparency for business users of online intermediation services (OJ L 186, 11.7.2019, p. 57).
Amendment 65 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Emphasises the need for the Commission to address the current regulatory Internal Market fragmentation; stresses the need in ensuring that no free rider effect takes place in platform’s investment; Underlines the urgency of reviewing the current framework conditions, particularly in the area of competition law to avoid oligopolistic market situations and ensuring that the pricing interface between platforms to consumer and business to platforms is fair. Supports ecosystems that promote a level playing field for innovators, businesses, and new market entrants, in particular SMEs and start-ups.
Amendment 69 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to come up with a comprehensive framework to align the working conditions of platform workers in line with those of regular employees; /standard workers to benefit fully from job creation and innovation opportunity of platform work in the transport sector; welcomes in this regard the new Directive on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions2a and the Council Recommendation on Access to social protection for workers and the self- employed2b; calls on the Commission to closely monitor the enforcement of the acquis in this area. _________________ 2aDirective (EU) 2019/1152 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on transparent and predictable working conditions in the European Union (OJ L 186, 11.7.2019, p. 105–121). 2bCouncil Recommendation of 8 November 2019 on access to social protection for workers and the self - employed 2019/C 387/01 (OJ C 387, 15.11.2019, p. 1–8).
Amendment 76 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Notes the International Labour Organisation’s call for the establishment of an international governance system requiring platform holders to respect certain minimum rights and protections and regulating the use of data and algorithmic accountability in the world of work. Recalls the fundamental right for workers of all categories enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundament Rights to take collective action to defend their interests.
Amendment 77 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Emphasizes the need for transparency ion Ttransport and Ttourism platforms, specifically on algorithms affecting service, pricing, and advertising. Calls for the implementation of the existing acquis and for further and clearer rules, in transport and tourism platforms on compulsory information to consumers on the rationale behind the personalization of prices and offers, especially when made by automatic decision making software, and the reasons behind the ranking of services they are presented with, for them not to be misled or have information omitted.
Amendment 86 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights the need for online platforms in Ttransport and Ttourism to promote sustainability through their services, also in line with the European Green Deal. by including environmentally friendly alternatives in their standard interface.
Amendment 96 #
2020/2018(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 d (new)
Paragraph 9 d (new)
3d. Underlines the serious impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the EU tourism industry; calls on the Commission to set up an EU platform for the exchange of data and information between operators in the tourism value chain, including workers and SMEs and local, regional and national authorities, together with other European and international organisations and stakeholders at European and international level, with the aim of establishing good EU crisis management and prevention procedures for the tourism industry and promoting sustainable, intelligent and innovative tourism;
Amendment 8 #
2020/2015(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights the fact that the development of AI technologies in the transport and tourism sector has the potential to bring considerable economic, societal, environmental and safety benefits; societies should be prepared for the benefits and the challenges of AI; analyse that AI is applied correctly and no cause harm or damage to people or society.
Amendment 14 #
2020/2015(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Affirms that defining the appropriate legal framework for intellectual property rights for AI and connectivity innovations, as well as for access to and security of data will be key in the development and smooth and wide dissemination of AI technologies in transport and tourism;
Amendment 53 #
2020/2015(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Endorses the Commission’s willingness to invite the key players from the manufacturing sector - transport manufacturers, service providers from Tourism sector, third players in the automotive value chain, AI and connectivity innovators - to agree on the conditions under which they would be ready to share their data.
Amendment 11 #
2020/2014(INL)
Draft opinion
Recital C
Recital C
Amendment 14 #
2020/2014(INL)
Draft opinion
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas technological development in AI should remain human- centric and products and applications using AI should be conducive to human growth and a good quality of life;
Amendment 15 #
2020/2014(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Underlines that AI can be applied at different levels in vehicles and on transport infrastructure and has an important impact on their autonomy and consequently on civil liability; calls for EU wide clear definitions for all types of vehicles and infrastructure running AI software and a corresponding risk classification to support a liability mechanism in clarifying issues of responsibility.
Amendment 18 #
2020/2014(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Calls on the Commission to develop an EU wide civil liability mechanism for AI applications in transport, with the objective of setting clear criteria for the establishment of liability to avoid a counterproductive fragmented case-by-case approach in different Member States.
Amendment 27 #
2020/2014(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Notes that smart cities will manage traffic through AI based systems, constantly communicating with vehicles, drones, automated machinery, and infrastructure; deems essential that a new civil liability regime for AI is designed to factor in all possible risks emerging from such new digital interactions between infrastructure and vehicles of all categories.
Amendment 28 #
2020/2014(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Draws attention to the increased use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for commercial uses including, but not limited to, surveillance, site inspection, photography and parcel delivery; notes that such increase in use, particularly in urban areas, will continuously test the civil liability regime in place.
Amendment 34 #
2020/2014(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Highlights the fundamental role the precautionary principle, enshrined in article 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), holds for risk analysis and risk management; urges for the respect of such principle to ensure the highest level of protection for citizens, consumers and users in the deployment of AI systems in high-risk sectors.
Amendment 37 #
2020/2014(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines that for AI-related applications with a specific high-risk profile, there is a need for a risk-based approach depending on the levels of automation; recalls the need for mandatory legal requirements for AI applications in high risk sectors in transport as noted in the EC White Paper on AI1a;highlights the need for such requirements to be commonly harmonised across the EU to ensure the highest level of product safety and the minimum level of risk for users while operating AI systems. _________________ 1a https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/co mmission-white-paper-artificial- intelligence-feb2020_en.pdf
Amendment 47 #
2020/2014(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises the need to guarantee the samehighest level of product safety as that currently existing, to ease the remedy to victims of accidents, to avoid increasing current litigation costs; and to avoid legal uncertainty, especially for businesses that are marketing their products in the EU and globally; reminds that under current product safety regulations, the producer remains liable unless proven otherwise, while the burden of proof is on the producer; stresses that this principle should be equally applied to AI products;
Amendment 55 #
2020/2014(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that there is a need to deploy event recordersing technology enabling any decision influencing the development of the product to be traced back to a natural person, determining responsibility, for use in the event of severe accidents, in full respect of data protection and privacy law;.
Amendment 56 #
2020/2014(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Amendment 62 #
2020/2014(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Notes that automated vehicles deal with variable signals and conditions; calls as a result for a regular update of digital maps, traffic management systems and data sharing rules providing a compulsory minimum set of information about the road network;
Amendment 67 #
2020/2014(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Asks the Commission to present guidelines to avoid fragmented regulatory approaches at national level, taking into consideration the Product Liability Directive and existing national liability regimes; emphasizes how the aforementioned fragmentation will be extremely damaging for the development of such technologies and for the competitiveness of EU businesses and SMEs.
Amendment 69 #
2020/2014(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Notes the tremendous potential AI vehicles hold for persons with disability and reduced mobility, increasing their participation in individual road transport and improving their quality of life; stresses the need for high scrutiny under an EU civil liability regime for AI products in ensuring the safety of persons with disability and reduced mobility.
Amendment 70 #
2020/2014(INL)
12 b. Calls for the establishment of a compensation fund pooled in by manufacturers, guaranteeing against damages, especially in relation to AI- related applications with a specific high- risk profile.
Amendment 10 #
2020/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that AI has changed and has helped the development of the transport sector through increasing automation and greater integration and connectivity of transport networks; underlines that automation and the integration of AI vary between transport modesstresses the need to boost artificial intelligence and digitalisation in the transport and logistics sector in order to address the obstacles to the creation of a true ‘Single European Transport Area’, as well as to enhance efficiency in the organisation and management of goods and passenger traffic flows, and to make better use of infrastructure and resources along the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), in particular in cross-border sections; underlines that automation and the integration of AI vary between transport modes; believes that such integration should go hand in hand with a significant boosting of multimodality and the interoperability of all modes of transport in order to ensure and maintain fluidity in the EU supply chain;
Amendment 20 #
2020/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Supports the development and international standardisation of the automation of train operations; encourages the development of automated slot allocation in various transport modes and the use of AI in logistics and other areas of transport; underlines the importance of boosting interoperability and multimodality at European and international level in order to optimally combine the various modes of transport and to ensure the proper functioning and security of the entire transport and logistics value chain;
Amendment 21 #
2020/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Supports the development and international standardisation of the automation of train operations; encourages the development of automated slot allocation in various transport modes and the use of AI in logistics and other areas of transport, always in respect of the precautionary principle enshrined in Art. 191 of the TFEU;
Amendment 24 #
2020/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the work of the Single European Sky ATM Research project (SESAR) in the area of unmanned aircraft systems and air traffic management systems, both civil and military; stresses that global interoperability and harmonisationrecalls that it is essential to bolster SESAR to help overcome the fragmentation of the Single European Sky; stresses that global interoperability and harmonisation, as well as the exchange of best practices and of lessons learned at European and international level, constitute a sine qua non for a safe, functional and secure global air traffic management system; encourages the Commission and the Member States to promote SESAR internationally and to contribute to the work of international organisations such as ICAO or IATA in this regard;
Amendment 26 #
2020/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Recalls that both civil and military use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as drones, has increased; highlights the potential, among other, that drone deliveries, drone inspections, and drone surveillance hold for citizens and society; urges the EU to cooperate on the international level to develop two separate set of international norms for civil and military drone use; stresses the need for the EU to be a norm- setter on UAV legislation, respecting the values enshrined in its Treaties;
Amendment 32 #
2020/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to participate in the international regulatory activities and discussions on autonomous vehicles, especially in the area of safety, while ensuring cooperation among regulators, suppliers and vehicle manufacturers relevant to the deployment of automated vehicles in road traffic in the EU; calls for standardised geographic input data and stresses the need for accuracy of such data;
Amendment 35 #
2020/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Notes that the deployment of AI in transport, in particular where civil and military uses are interlinked, should be compliant with EU data protection and privacy law;
Amendment 36 #
2020/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls the current comprehensive discussions in the International Maritime Organization on integrating new and emerging technologies, such as autonomous ships, in the regulatory framework; underlines the importance of upskilling/reskilling programs for the workforce in the maritime sector as digital expertise and capabilities will be essential in driving the sector forward, ensuring Europe maintains its global leadership status and protects employment;
Amendment 39 #
2020/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses how intelligent transport systems mitigate traffic congestion and contribute to improving efficiency and mobility solutions; draws attention to the increased exposure of traditional transport networks to cyber threats; and underlines the importance of ensuring control by local traffic management authorities over traffic data and ITS systems to reduce cyber threats to the minimum; calls on Member States to monitor the correct implementation of the 2016 NIS Directive1a and cooperate among each other in an effort to develop a resilient EU cyber defence network for transport; __________________ 1aDirective(EU) 2016/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 July 2016concerning measures for a high common level of security of network and information systems across the Union OJ L 194, 19.7.2016, p. 1–30
Amendment 53 #
2020/2013(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Draws attention to the ongoing international debate on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (LAWS); calls on the EU to carefully assess and analyse the interaction between LAWS and transport infrastructure due to safety and privacy implications, amongst others.
Amendment 2 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. Whereas the Union transport sector is essential for Union’s economic, social and environmental development and its sustainability and for ensuring the territorial accessibility and connectivity of all regions of the Union, with particular attention for peripheral, rural, insular and outermost regions;
Amendment 22 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. [new01 20 03 00] Regrets the absence of a specific allocation and specific programme for sustainable tourism, including the allocation of a budget of EUR 300 million as requested by the European Parliament; Requests that this allocation be added in order to take into consideration a sector that has strong links to transport,reiterates the need to create a new budget line in order to take into consideration the important role of tourism for competitiveness and employment in the EU transport sector which has been severely hit by the COVID-19 crisis and is very important for the Union economy;
Amendment 30 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. [02 01 01] Highlights the importance of InvestEU programme in supporting the investment in sustainable and safe transport infrastructures, mobility solutions and equipment and deployment of innovative technologies, including investment in multimodal transport hubs and road safety; reiterates InvestEU Programme should be key to support operations promoting innovative and digital and sustainable tourism;
Amendment 31 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. [09 03 01]Highlights the importance of the necessary investment for the transport sector under the Just Transition Fund to ensure a fair, inclusive and socially acceptable transition to climate neutrality where nobody is left behind; stresses the need to support the up- and reskilling of workers and jobseekers in the transport sector, productive and sustainable investment in SMEs, the investment in smart ,and sustainable mobility, as well as environmentally-friendly transport infrastructure; however, deeply regrets the suggested cuts on MFF however; deeply regrets the suggested cuts on MFF and Next Generation EU for the Just Transition Fund recently adopted by Council, which could have an impact on budget 2021;
Amendment 35 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Reiterates the important role that European partnerships could play in improving the transport sector’s performance and safety and in fostering a reduction of transport emissions based on technological progress and rules; highlights that EU financing programmes such as Horizon Europe could play a key role in promoting partnerships with EU countries, the private sector, foundations and other stakeholders; requests that such initiatives - for example the creation of a European partnership for the maritime sector - receive adequate funding in order to contribute to the aforementioned objectives; however, deeply regrets the suggested cuts on MFF and Next Generation EU for the Horizon Europe research programme recently adopted by Council, which could have an impact on budget 2021;
Amendment 46 #
2020/1998(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Underlines the importance of mainstreaming the gender dimension into the EU budget, including cohesion policy, since it is an effective way to bridge the gap women still suffer from in our society, including their participation in the labour market; calls for the development of gender budgeting tools at Union level;
Amendment 65 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37
Recital 37
(37) Because of their position, gatekeepers might in certain cases restrict the ability of business users of their online intermediation services to offer their goods or services to end users under more favourable conditions, including price, through other online intermediation services or alternative distribution channels. Such restrictions have a significant deterrent effect on the business users of gatekeepers in terms of their use of alternative online intermediation services or alternative distribution channels, limiting inter-platform contestability, which in turn limits choice of alternative online intermediation or distribution channels for end users. To ensure that business users of online intermediation services of gatekeepers can freely choose among alternative online intermediation services and channels, and differentiate the conditions under which they offer their products or services to their end users, it should not be accepted that gatekeepers limit business users from choosing to differentiate commercial conditions, including price. Such a restriction should apply to any measure with equivalent effect, such as for example increased commission rates or de- listing of the offers of business users.
Amendment 72 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 62
Recital 62
(62) In order to ensure the full and lasting achievement of the objectives of this Regulation, the Commission should be able to assess whether a provider of core platform services should be designated as a gatekeeper without meeting the quantitative thresholds laid down in this Regulation; whether systematic non- compliance by a gatekeeper warrants imposing additional remedies; and whether the list of obligations addressing unfair practices by gatekeepers should be reviewed and additional practices that are similarly unfair and limiting the contestability of digital markets should be identified. Such assessment should be based on market investigations to be run in an appropriate timeframe, by using clear procedures and legally binding deadlines, in order to support the ex ante effect of this Regulation on contestability and fairness in the digital sector, and to provide the requisite degree of legal certainty.
Amendment 94 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. Where a provider of core platform services meets all the thresholds in paragraph 2, it shall notify the Commission thereof within three months after those thresholds are satisfied and provide it with the relevant information identified in paragraph 2.. That notification shall include the relevant information identified in paragraph 2 for each of the core platform services of the provider that meets the thresholds in paragraph 2 point (b). The notification shall be updated whenever other core platform services individually meet the thresholds in paragraph 2 point (b). Following notification by a provider of core platform services, the Commission shall take the decision to conduct a market investigation under Article 15 within 60 days.
Amendment 95 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
A failure by a relevant provider of core platform services to notify the required information pursuant to this paragraph shall not prevent the Commission from designating these providers as gatekeepers pursuant to paragraph 4 at any time. The possibility for the Commission to conduct a market investigation in the event of a failed notification by a provider of a core platform service shall not be subject to time limitation.
Amendment 97 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
6. The Commission mayshall identify as a gatekeeper, in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 15, any provider of core platform services that meets each of the requirements of paragraph 1, but does not satisfy each of the thresholds of paragraph 2, or has not presented sufficiently substantiated arguments in accordance with paragraph 4.
Amendment 98 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 – point f
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 – point f
(f) other structural market characteristics, such as the consistent growth of the platform’s core service market share in a given digital sector leading to a dominant market position over a three year timeframe.
Amendment 101 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 7
Article 3 – paragraph 7
7. For each gatekeeper identified pursuant to paragraph 4 or paragraph 6, the Commission shall, within 60 days, identify the relevant undertaking to which it belongs and list the relevant core platform services that are provided within that same undertaking and which individually serve as an important gateway for business users to reach end users as referred to in paragraph 1(b).
Amendment 102 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 8
Article 3 – paragraph 8
8. The gatekeeper shall comply with the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6 within sixthree months after a core platform service has been included in the list pursuant to paragraph 7 of this Article.
Amendment 104 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 8 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. The Commission shall, without undue delay and at the latest within six months, open proceedings pursuant to Article 18 where a gatekeeper does not comply with the obligation set in paragraph 8.
Amendment 109 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) allow business users to offer the same products or services to end users through third party online intermediation services or through their own direct sales channels at prices or conditions that are different from those offered through the online intermediation services of the gatekeeper;
Amendment 110 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Amendment 128 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d
Amendment 134 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point i
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) provide business users, or third parties authorised by a business user, free of charge, with effective, high-quality, continuous and real-time access and use of aggregated orand non-aggregated data, that is provided for or generated in the context of the use of the relevant core platform services by those business users and the end users engaging with the products or services provided by those business users; for personal data, provide access and use only where directly connected with the use effectuated by the end user in respect of the products or services offered by the relevant business user through the relevant core platform service, and when the end user opts in to such sharing with a consent in the sense of the Regulation (EU) 2016/679; ;
Amendment 139 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. Paragraph 2 of this Article is without prejudice to the powers of the Commission under Articles 25, 26 and 27. Following a decision under paragraph 2 of this Article, if the Commission finds the gatekeeper in non-compliance under Article 25 and a decision under article 26 is taken, the non-compliance period is considered to have commenced from the implementation deadline in Article 3(8).
Amendment 140 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 7
Article 7 – paragraph 7
7. A gatekeeper may, within the deadline set in Article 3(8), request the opening of proceedings pursuant to Article 18 for the Commission to determine whether the measures that the gatekeeper intends to implement or has implemented under Article 6 are effective in achieving the objective of the relevant obligation in the specific circumstances. A gatekeeper may, with its request, provide a reasoned submission to explain in particular why the measures that it intends to implement or has implemented are effective in achieving the objective of the relevant obligation in the specific circumstances. The Commission shall adopt its decision within six months from the opening of proceedings pursuant to Article 18. If in its decision the Commission finds the gatekeeper is non-compliant under Article 25 and a decision under Article 26 is taken, the non-compliance period is considered to have commenced from the implementation deadline in Article 3(8).
Amendment 149 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 34 to update and strengthen the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6 where, based on a market investigation pursuant to Article 17, it has identified the need for new obligations addressing practices that limit the contestability of core platform services or are unfair in the same way as the practices addressed by the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6.
Amendment 154 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) the purpose of the investigation and the specific aim sought to be achieved.
Amendment 155 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission may conduct a market investigation for the purpose of examining whether a provider of core platform services should be designated as a gatekeeper pursuant to Article 3(6), or in order to identify core platform services for a gatekeeper pursuant to Article 3(7). It shall endeavour to conclude its investigation by adopting a decision in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 32(4) within twelvesix months from the opening of the market investigation.
Amendment 156 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. In the course of a market investigation pursuant to paragraph 1, the Commission shall endeavour to communicate its preliminary findings to the provider of core platform services concerned within sixfour months from the opening of the investigation. In the preliminary findings, the Commission shall explain whether it considers, on a provisional basis, that the provider of core platform services should be designated as a gatekeeper pursuant to Article 3(6).
Amendment 158 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3
Article 16 – paragraph 3
3. A gatekeeper shall be deemed to have engaged in a systematic non- compliance with the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6, where the Commission has issued at least threewo non-compliance or fining decisions pursuant to Articles 25 and 26 respectively against a gatekeeper in relation to any of its core platform services within a period of five years prior to the adoption of the decision opening a market investigation in view of the possible adoption of a decision pursuant to this Article.
Amendment 159 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
The Commission may conduct a market investigation with the purpose of examining whether one or more services within the digital sector should be added to the list of core platform services or to detect types of practices that may limit the contestability of core platform services or may bprima facie unfair and which are not effectively addressed by this Regulation. It shall issue a public report at the latest within 24 months from the opening of the market investigation.
Amendment 166 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The Commission shall adoptendeavour to adopt, within six months from the opening of the proceedings under Article 18, a non- compliance decision in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 32(4) where it finds that a gatekeeper does not comply with one or more of the following:
Amendment 167 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 3
Article 25 – paragraph 3
3. In the non-compliance decision adopted pursuant to paragraph 1, the Commission shall order the gatekeeper to cease and desist with the non-compliance within an appropriate deadline and to provide explanationsspecify mandatory corrective measures a non- compliant gatekeeper shall implement to comply with the obligations in Articles 5 and 6. The gatekeeper shall also present its own plan on how it planintends to comply with the decision and the corrective measures.
Amendment 171 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1
Article 28 – paragraph 1
1. The powers conferred on the Commission by Articles 26 and 27 shall be subject to a threfive year limitation period.
Amendment 172 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Before adopting a decision pursuant to Article 7, Article 8(1), Article 9(1), Articles 15, 16, 22, 23, 25 and 26 and Article 27(2), the Commission shall give the gatekeeper or undertaking or association of undertakings, together with other relevant stakeholders, including consumer organisations and business users, concerned the opportunity of being heard on:
Amendment 177 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1
Article 33 – paragraph 1
1. When three or more Member States request the Commission to open an investigation pursuant to Article 15 because they consider that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a provider of core platform services should be designated as a gatekeeper, the Commission shall within four months examine whether there are reasonable grounds to open such an investigation. The result of any such investigation shall be made publicly available.
Amendment 177 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) A very significant turnover in the Union and the provision of a core platform service in at least three Member States constitute compelling indications that the provider of a core platform service has a significant impact on the internal market or a significant sector thereof. This is equally true where a provider of a core platform service in at least three Member States has a very significant market capitalisation or equivalent fair market value. Therefore, a provider of a core platform service should be presudeemed to have a significant impact on the internal market or a significant sector thereof where it provides a core platform service in at least three Member States and where either its group turnover realised in the EEA is equal to or exceeds a specific, high threshold or the market capitalisation of the group is equal to or exceeds a certain high absolute value. For providers of core platform services that belong to undertakings that are not publicly listed, the equivalent fair market value above a certain high absolute value should be referred to. The Commission should use its power to adopt delegated acts to develop an objective methodology to calculate that value. A high EEA group turnover in conjunction with the threshold of users in the Union of core platform services reflects a relatively strong ability to monetise these users. A high market capitalisation relative to the same threshold number of users in the Union reflects a relatively significant potential to monetise these users in the near future. This monetisation potential in turn reflects in principle the gateway position of the undertakings concerned. Both indicators are in addition reflective of their financial capacity, including their ability to leverage their access to financial markets to reinforce their position. This may for example happen where this superior access is used to acquire other undertakings, which ability has in turn been shown to have potential negative effects on innovation. Market capitalisation can also be reflective of the expected future position and effect on the internal market of the providers concerned, notwithstanding a potentially relatively low current turnover. The market capitalisation value can be based on a level that reflects the average market capitalisation of the largest publicly listed undertakings in the Union over an appropriate period.
Amendment 181 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) An entrenched and durable position in its operations or the foreseeability of achieving such a position future occurs notably where the contestability of the position of the provider of the core platform service is limited. This is likely to be the case where that provider has provided a core platform service in at least three Member States to a very high number of business users and end users during at least threewo years.
Amendment 187 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) Provision should also be made for the assessment of the gatekeeper role of providers of core platform services which do not satisfy all of the quantitative thresholds, in light of the overall objective requirements that they have a significant impact on the internal market, act as an important gateway for business users to reach end users and benefit from a durable and entrenched position in their operations or it is foreseeable that it will do so in the near future as well as in light of their market share in the relevant market.
Amendment 201 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) To safeguard the fairness and contestability of core platform services provided by gatekeepers, it is necessary to provide in a clear and unambiguous manner for a set of harmonised obligations with regard to those services. Such rules are needed to address the risk of harmful effects of unfair practices imposed by gatekeepers, to the benefit of the business environment in the services concerned, to the benefit of users and ultimately to the benefit of society as a whole. Given the fast-moving and dynamic nature of digital markets, and the substantial economic power of gatekeepers, it is important that these obligations are effectively applied without being circumvented. To that end, the obligations in question should apply to any practices by a gatekeeper, irrespective of its form, including through the use of dark patterns or manipulative choice architecture, and irrespective of whether it is of a contractual, commercial, technical or any other nature, insofar as a practice corresponds to the type of practice that is the subject of one of the obligations of this Regulation.
Amendment 205 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
Recital 33
(33) The obligations laid down in this Regulation are limited to what is necessary and justified to address the unfairness of the identified practices by gatekeepers and to ensure contestability in relation to core platform services provided by gatekeepers. Therefore, the obligations should correspond to those practices that are considered unfair by taking into account the features of the digital sector and where experience gained, for example in the enforcementhey can have a negative direct impact ofn the EU competition rules, shows that they have a particularly negative direct impact on the business users and end userbusiness users and end users. A general fairness clause allows for the necessary flexibility and ensures future-proofness. In addition, it is necessary to provide for the possibility of a regulatory dialogue with gatekeepers to tailor those obligations that are likely to require specific implementing measures in order to ensure their effectiveness and proportionality. The obligations should only be updated after a thorough investigation on the nature and impact of specific practices that may be newly identified, following an in-depth investigation, as unfair or limiting contestability in the same manner as the unfair practices laid down in this Regulation while potentially escaping the scope of the current set of obligations.
Amendment 211 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36
Recital 36
(36) The conduct of combining end user data from different sources or signing in users to different services of gatekeepers gives them potential advantages in terms of accumulation of data, thereby raising barriers to entry. To ensure that gatekeepers do not unfairly undermine the contestability of core platform services, they should enable their end usand in orders to freely choose to opt-in to such business practices by offering a less personalised alternative. The possibility should cover all possible sources of impede business models that are based on the collection of users’personal data, including own services of the gatekeeper as well as third party websites, and should be proactively presented to the end user in an explicit, clear and straightforward manner view of the fact that the design makes it often too hard if not impossible to refuse consent, combining personal data should be prohibited.
Amendment 232 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
Recital 39
(39) To safeguard a fair commercial environment and protect the contestability of the digital sector it is important to safeguard the right of business users and end users to raise concerns about unfair behaviour by gatekeepers with any relevant administrative or other public authorities. For example, business users or end users may want to complain about different types of unfair practices, such as discriminatory access conditions, unjustified closing of business user accounts or unclear grounds for product de-listings. Any practice that would in any way inhibit or hinder such a possibility of raising concerns or seeking available redress, for instance by means of confidentiality clauses in agreements or other written terms, should therefore be prohibited. This should be without prejudice to the right of business users or end users and gatekeepers to lay down in their agreements the terms of use including the use of lawful complaints-handling mechanisms, including any use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms or of the jurisdiction of specific courts in compliance with respective Union and national law This should therefore also be without prejudice to the role gatekeepers play in the fight against illegal content online.
Amendment 252 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 46
Recital 46
(46) A gatekeeper may use different means to favour its own services or products on its core platform service, to the detriment of the same or similar services that end users could obtain through third parties. This may for instance be the case where certain software applications or services are pre-installed by a gatekeeper. To enable end user choice, gatekeepers should not prevent end users from un- installing any pre-installed-install software applications on its core platform service and thereby favour their own software applications as this inhibits user choice. The only exception shall be pre-installations that are essential for the functioning of the operating system or of the device and which cannot be technically offered on as standalone basis by third-parties.
Amendment 267 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 48
Recital 48
(48) Gatekeepers are often vertically integrated and offer certain products or services to end users through their own core platform services, or through a business user over which they exercise controlthat it cooperates with, which frequently leads to conflicts of interest. This can include the situation whereby a gatekeeper offers its own online intermediation services through an online search engine. When offering those products or services on the core platform service, gatekeepers can reserve a better position to their own offering, in terms of ranking, as opposed to the products of third parties also operating onusing that core platform service. This can occur for instance with products or services, including other core platform services, which are ranked in the results communicated by online search engines, or which are partly or entirely embedded in search results of online search engines results, groups of results specialised in a certain topic, displayed along with the results of an online search engine, which armay be considered or used by certain end users as a service distinct or additional to the online search engine. Other instances are those ofSuch preferential or embedded display should constitute an inadmissible preference, irrespective of whether the information or results may also be provided by competing services and are as such ranked in a non-discriminatory way. Inadmissible preferencing can also take place in other instances, such as software applications which are distributed through software application stores, or products or services that are given prominence and display in the newsfeed of a social network, or products or services ranked in search results or displayed on an online marketplace, or products or services users are directed to following a request by an end user to a digital voice assistant. In those circumstances, the gatekeeper is in a dual- role position as intermediary for third party providers and as direct provider of products or services of the gatekeeper. Consequently, these gatekeepers have the ability to undermine directly the contestability for those products or services on these core platform services, to the detriment of business users which are not controlled by the gatekeeper.
Amendment 316 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 58
Recital 58
(58) To ensure the effectiveness of the obligations laid down by this Regulation, while also making certain that these obligations are limited to what is necessary to ensure contestability and tackling the harmful effects of the unfair behaviour by gatekeepers, it is important to clearly define and circumscribe them so as to allow the gatekeeper to immediately comply with them, in full respect of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Directive 2002/58/EC, consumer protection, cyber security and product safety. The gatekeepers should ensure the compliance with this Regulation by design. The necessary measures should therefore be as much as possible and where relevant integrated into the technological design used by the gatekeepers. However, it may in certain cases be appropriate for the Commission, following a dialogue with the gatekeeper concerned, to furthertechnically specify some of the measures that the gatekeeper concerned should adopt in order to effectively comply with those obligations that are susceptible of being further specifiedtechnically implement those obligations. This possibility of a regulatory dialogue should facilitate compliance by gatekeepers and expedite the correct implementation of the Regulation and should by no means constitute grounds to assume thatthe gatekeeper may invoke an efficiency defence. In order ensure the exante effects on fairness and contestability of markets and for the sake of legal certainty, it is essential that the Commission takes compliance decisions within legally binding deadlines.
Amendment 329 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 61
Recital 61
(61) The data protection and privacy interests of end users are relevant to any assessment of potential negative effects of the observed practice of gatekeepers to collect and accumulate large amounts of data from end users. EIn order to ensuringe an adequate level of transparency of profiling practices employed by gatekeepers facilitates contestability of core platform services, by puttingdata and consumer protection, external pressure should be put on gatekeepers to prevent making deep consumer profiling the industry standard, in particular given that potential entrants or start-up providers cannot access data to the same extent and depth, and at a similar scale. Enhanced transparency should allow other providers of core platform services to differentiate themselves better through the use of superior privacy guaranteeing facilities. To ensure a minimum level of effectiveness of this transparency obligation, gProviders of core platform services should commit to superior privacy guaranteeing facilities. Businessmodels that are based on the commercial tracking and profiling of consumers should be proscribed. To that end the mixing of data from different services should be prohibited. Gatekeepers should at least provide a description of the basis upon which profiling is performed, including whether personal data and data derived from user activity is relied on, the processing applied, the purpose for which the profile is prepared and eventually used, the impact of such profiling on the gatekeeper’s services, and the steps taken to enable end users to be aware of the relevant use of such profiling, as well as to seek their consent. Suchinformation should be shared with other relevant enforcement authorities, in particular Data Protection Authorities.
Amendment 332 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 62
Recital 62
(62) In order to ensure the full and lasting achievement of the objectives of this Regulation, the Commission should be able to assess whether a provider of core platform services should be designated as a gatekeeper without meeting the quantitative thresholds laid down in this Regulation; whether systematic non- compliance by a gatekeeper warrants imposing additional remedies; and whether the list of obligations addressing unfair practices by gatekeepers should be reviewed and additional practices that are similarly unfair and limiting the contestability of digital markets should be identified. Such assessment should be based on market investigations to be run in an appropriate timeframe, by using clear procedures and legally binding deadlines, in order to support the ex ante effect of this Regulation on contestability and fairness in the digital sector, and to provide the requisite degree of legal certainty.
Amendment 342 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 65
Recital 65
(65) The services and practices in core platform services and markets in which these intervene can change quickly and to a significant extent. To ensure that this Regulation remains up to date and constitutes an effective and holistic regulatory response to the problems posed by gatekeepers, it is important to provide for a regular review of the lists of core platform services as well as of the obligations provided for in this Regulation. This is particularly important to ensure that behaviour that may limit the contestability of core platform services or is unfair is identified. While it is important to conduct a review on a regular basis, given the dynamically changing nature of the digital sector, in order to ensure legal certainty as to the regulatory conditions, any reviews should be conducted within a reasonable and appropriate time-frame. Market investigations should also ensure that the Commission has a solid evidentiary basis on which it can assess whether it should propose to amend this Regulation in order to expand, or further detail, the lists of core platform services. They should equally ensure that the Commission has a solid evidentiary basis on which it can assess whether it should propose to amend the obligations laid down in this Reguldopt a delegated act updating such obligations. Such an update should only enable the Commission to add new obligations or whether it should adopt a delegated act updating such obligaprohibitions to this Regulation but not to eliminate current obligations or prohibitions.
Amendment 350 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 67
Recital 67
(67) Where, in the course of a proceeding into non-compliance or an investigation into systemic non- compliance, a gatekeeper offers commitments to the Commission, the latter should be able to adopt a decision making these commitments binding on the gatekeeper concerned, where it finds that the commitments ensure effective compliance with the obligations of this Regulation. This decision should also find that there are no longer grounds for action by the Commission. If following an investigation, the commitments prove ineffective, the Commission shall be entitled to propose changes to the commitments to ensure its effectiveness.
Amendment 364 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 74 a (new)
Recital 74 a (new)
(74 a) Consumers should be entitled to enforce their rights in relation to the obligations imposed on gatekeepers under this Regulation through collective redress actions in accordance with Directive (EU) 2020/1818.
Amendment 386 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation lays down harmonised rules ensuring contestable and fair markets for both business users and end users, in the digital sector across the Union where gatekeepers are present.
Amendment 386 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 – point f
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 – point f
(f) other structural market characteristics, such as the consistent growth of the platform’s core service market share in a given digital sector leading to a dominant market position over a three year timeframe.
Amendment 424 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) allow business users to offer the same products or services to end users through third party online intermediation services or through their own direct sales channels at prices or conditions that are different from those offered through the online intermediation services of the gatekeeper;
Amendment 503 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) the requirement in paragraph 1 point (a) where the undertaking to which it belongs achieves an annual EEA turnover equal to or above EUR 6.5 billion in the last three financial years, or where the average market capitalisation or the equivalent fair market value of the undertaking to which it belongs amounted to at least EUR 65 billion in the last financial year, and it provides a core platform service in at least three Member States;
Amendment 520 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) the requirement in paragraph 1 point (c) where the thresholds in point (b) were met in each of the last threewo financial years.
Amendment 550 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) the size, including turnover and market capitalisation, operations and position of the provider of core platform services as well as the market share in the relevant market;
Amendment 591 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
3. The Commission shall publish and update the list of gatekeepers and the list of the core platform services for which they need to comply with the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6 on an on-going basis. The Commission shall publish an annual report setting out the findings of its monitoring activities and present it to the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
Amendment 617 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) allow business users to offer the same products or services to end users through third party online intermediation services or its own online services at prices or conditions that are different from those offered through the online intermediation services of the gatekeeper;
Amendment 651 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) refrain fromnot requiringe business users nor end users to use, offer or interoperate with an identificationcillary services of the gatekeeper in the context of services offered by the business users using the core platform services of that gatekeeper;
Amendment 693 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g a (new)
(g a) not use, any data that has been generated in the relationship between business users and end users, and that is not also available to the business user itself; this includes not using such data to launch products or services that compete with the products or services offered by their business users;
Amendment 707 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – title
Article 6 – title
Obligations for gatekeepers susceptible of being further technically specified
Amendment 739 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1
Article 33 – paragraph 1
1. When three or more Member States request the Commission to open an investigation pursuant to Article 15 because they consider that there are reasonable grounds to suspect that a provider of core platform services should be designated as a gatekeeper, the Commission shall within four months examine whether there are reasonable grounds to open such an investigation. The result of any such investigation shall be made publicly available.
Amendment 752 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) refrain fromnot treating more favourably in ranking services and, products and settings offered by the gatekeeper itself or by any third party belonging to the same undertaking compared to similar services or products of third party and apply transparent, fair and non-discriminatory conditions to such rankingthird party services and products;
Amendment 802 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point i
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point i
(i) provide business users and end users, or third parties authorised by a business user or end user, free of charge, in a user friendly manner with effective, high-quality, continuous and real-time access and use of aggregated orand non- aggregated data, that is provided for or generated in the context of the use of the relevant core platform services by those business users and the end users engaging with the products or services provided by those business users; for personal data, provide access and use only where directly connected with the use effectuated by the end user in respect of the products or services offered by the relevant business user through the relevant core platform service in line with the principles of purpose limitation and data minimisation, and when the end user opts in to such sharing with a consent in the sense of the Regulation (EU) 2016/679; ;
Amendment 840 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. The measures implemented by the gatekeeper to ensure full compliance with the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6 shall be effective in achieving the objective of the relevant obligation. The gatekeeper shall be responsible for, and be able to demonstrate full compliance with these obligations (‘accountability’). The burden of proof regarding the efficiency lies on the gatekeeper. The gatekeeper shall demonstrate which measures have been taken to comply with these obligations. The gatekeeper shall ensure that these measures are implemented in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Directive 2002/58/EC, and with legislation on cyber security, consumer protection and product safety.
Amendment 891 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission may, on a reasoned request by the gatekeeper, exceptionally suspend, in whole or in part, a specific obligation laid down in Articles 5 and 6 for a core platform service by decision adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 32(4), where the gatekeeper demonstrates that compliance with that specific obligation would endanger, due to exceptional circumstances beyond the control of the gatekeeper, the economic viability of the operation of the gatekeeper in the Union, and only to the extent necessary to address such threat to its viability. The Commission shall aim to adopt the suspension decision without delay and at the latest 3 months following receipt of a complete reasoned request and accompany this by a reasoned statement explaining the grounds for the suspension.
Amendment 904 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission may, acting on a reasoned request by a gatekeeper or on its own initiative, by decision adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 32(4), exempt it, in whole or in part, from a specific obligation laid down in Articles 5 and 6 in relation to an individual core platform service identified pursuant to Article 3(7), where such exemption is justified on the grounds set out in paragraph 2 of this Article. The Commission shall adopt the exemption decision at the latest 3 months after receiving a complete reasoned request and accompany by a reasoned statement explaining the grounds for the suspension.
Amendment 949 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3
Article 11 – paragraph 3
3. A gatekeeper shall not degrade the conditions or quality of any of the core platform services provided to business users or end users who avail themselves of the rights or choices laid down in Articles 5 and 6, or make the exercise of those rights or choices unduly difficult, including through the use of “dark patterns” or manipulative choice architecturs.
Amendment 975 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Within six months after its designation pursuant to Article 3, a gatekeeper shall submit to the Commission an d Data Protection Authorities an independently audited description of any techniques for profiling of consumers that the gatekeeper applies to or across its coreany platform services identified pursuant to Article 3 and make them publicly available. This description shall be updated at least annually.
Amendment 982 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission mayshall conduct a market investigation for the purpose of examining whether a provider of core platform services should be designated as a gatekeeper pursuant to Article 3(6), or in order to identify core platform services for a gatekeeper pursuant to Article 3(7). It shall endeavour to conclude its investigation by adopting a decision in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 32(4) within twelve months from the opening of the market investigation.
Amendment 1008 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
1. Where the market investigation shows that a gatekeeper has systematically infringed the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6 and has further strengthened or extended its gatekeeper position in relation to the characteristics under Article 3(1), the Commission mayshall by decision adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 32(4) impose on such gatekeeper any behavioural or structural remedies which are proportionate to the infringement committed and necessary to ensure full compliance with this Regulation. The Commission shall conclude its investigation by adopting a decision within twelvesix months from the opening of the market investigation.
Amendment 1022 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 3
Article 16 – paragraph 3
3. A gatekeeper shall be deemed to have engaged in a systematic non- compliance with the obligations laid down in Articles 5 and 6, where the Commission has issued at least threetwo non-compliance or fining decisions pursuant to Articles 25 and 26 respectively against a gatekeeper in relation to any of its core platform services within a period of five years prior to the adoption of the decision opening a market investigation in view of the possible adoption of a decision pursuant to this Article.
Amendment 1083 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The Commission shall adopt a non- compliance decision in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 32(4) within a period of 6 months beginning from the moment of non- compliance where it finds that a gatekeeper does not comply with one or more of the following:
Amendment 1087 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 3
Article 25 – paragraph 3
3. In the non-compliance decision adopted pursuant to paragraph 1, the Commission shall order the gatekeeper to cease and desist with the non-compliance within an appropriate deadline and to provide explanations on how it plans to comply with the decision. The Commission may by decision adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 32(4) impose on such gatekeeper any behavioural remedies which are proportionate to the infringement committed and necessary to ensure compliance with this Regulation.
Amendment 1093 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 4
Article 25 – paragraph 4
4. The gatekeeper shall provide the Commission with the description of the measures it took to ensure compliance with the decision adopted pursuant to paragraph 1. If the Commission, following an investigation, finds that the measures are not effective to ensure compliance by the gatekeeper with its obligations under Articles 5 and 6, the Commission shall be entitled to require changes to these measures.
Amendment 1099 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. In the decision pursuant to Article 25, the Commission may impose on a gatekeeper fines not exceeding 130% of its total turnover in the preceding financial year where it finds that the gatekeeper, intentionally or negligently, fails to comply with:
Amendment 1101 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 26 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The Commission may by decision impose on undertakings and associations of undertakings fines not exceeding 15% of the total turnover in the preceding financial year where they intentionally or negligently:
Amendment 1105 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 3
Article 26 – paragraph 3
3. In fixing the amount of the fine, regard shall be had to the gravity, duration, recurrence, and, for fines imposed pursuant to paragraph 2, delay caused to the proceedings. To calculate the duration of the infringement, the starting point shall be the moment of the first non- compliance under Article 3 paragraph 8.
Amendment 1107 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 4
Article 26 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 4
The financial liability of each undertaking in respect of the payment of the fine shall not exceed 130 % of its total turnover in the preceding financial year.
Amendment 1116 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1
Article 28 – paragraph 1
1. The powers conferred on the Commission by Articles 26 and 27 shall be subject to a threfive year limitation period.
Amendment 1118 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 1
Article 29 – paragraph 1
1. The power of the Commission to enforce decisions taken pursuant to Articles 26 and 27 shall be subject to a limitation period of fiseven years.
Amendment 1121 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Before adopting a decision pursuant to Article 7, Article 8(1), Article 9(1), Articles 15, 16, 22, 23, 25 and 26 and Article 27(2), the Commission shall give the gatekeeper or undertaking or association of undertakings concerned and third parties with a legitimate interest the opportunity of being heard on:
Amendment 1123 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 30 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) all relevant procedures or decisions that affect consumers such as inter alia market investigations for designating a gatekeeper, compliance with, suspensions of and exemption from obligations, interim measures, fines.
Amendment 1126 #
2020/0374(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2
Article 30 – paragraph 2
2. Gatekeepers, undertakings and, associations of undertakings concerned and third parties with a legitimate interest may submit their observations to the Commission’s preliminary findings within a time limit which shall be fixed by the Commission in its preliminary findings and which may not be less than 14 days.
Amendment 129 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Responsible and diligent behaviour by providers of intermediary services is essential for a safe, predictable and trusted online environment and for allowing Union citizens and other persons to exercise their fundamental rights guaranteed in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (‘Charter’), in particular the freedom of expression and information and the freedom to conduct a business, and the right to non-discrimination. Children have specific rights enshrined in Article 24 of the Charter and in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The UNCRC General comment No. 25 on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment formally sets out how these rights apply to the digital world.
Amendment 187 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Responsible and diligent behaviour by providers of intermediary services is essential for a safe, predictable and trusted online environment and for allowing Union citizens and other persons to exercise their fundamental rights guaranteed in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (‘Charter’), in particular the freedom of expression and information and the freedom to conduct a business, and the right to non-discrimination. Children have specific rights enshrined in Article 24 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union and in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. As such, the best interests of the child should be a primary consideration in all matters affecting them. The UNCRC General comment No. 25 on children’s rights in relation to the digital environment formally sets out how these rights apply to the digital world.
Amendment 345 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) In order to achieve the objectives of this Regulation, and in particular to improve the functioning of the internal market and ensure a safe and transparent online environment, it is necessary to establish a clear and balanced set of harmonised due diligence obligations for providers of intermediary services. Those obligations should aim in particular to guarantee different public policy objectives such as health – including mental health, the safety and trust of the recipients of the service, including minors and vulnerable users, protect the relevant fundamental rights enshrined in the Charter, to ensure meaningful accountability of those providers and to empower recipients and other affected parties, whilst facilitating the necessary oversight by competent authorities.
Amendment 412 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 a (new)
Article 12 a (new)
Article 12 a Child impact assesment 1. All providers must assess whether their services are accessed by, likely to be accessed by or impact on children, defined as persons under the age of 18. Providers of services likely to be accessed by or impact on children shall identify, analyse and assess, during the design and development of new services and at least once a year thereafter, any systemic risks stemming from the functioning and use made of their services in the Union by children. These risk impact assessments shall be specific to their services, meet the highest European or International standards detailed in Article 34, and shall consider all known content, contact, conduct or commercial risks included in the contract. Assessments should also include the following systemic risks: a. the dissemination of illegal content or behaviour enabled, manifested on or as a result of their services; b. any negative effects for the exercise of the rights of the child, as enshrined in Article 24 of the Charter and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and detailed in the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child General comment No. 25 as regards the digital environment; c. any intended or unintended consequences resulting from the operation or intentional manipulation of their service, including by means of inauthentic use or automated exploitation of the service, with an actual or foreseeable negative effect on the protection or rights of children; 2. When conducting child impact assessments, providers of intermediary services likely to impact children shall take into account, in particular, how their terms and conditions, content moderation systems, recommender systems and systems for selecting and displaying advertisement influence any of the systemic risks referred to in paragraph 1, including the potentially rapid and wide dissemination of illegal content and of information that is incompatible with their terms and conditions or with the rights of the child.
Amendment 414 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 b (new)
Article 12 b (new)
Article 12 b Mitigation of risks to children Providers of intermediary services likely to impact children shall put in place reasonable, proportionate and effective mitigation measures, tailored to the specific systemic risks identified pursuant to Article 13 (12 a new). Such measures shall include, where applicable: a. implementing mitigation measures identified in Article 27 with regard for children’s best interests; b. adapting or removing system design features that expose children to content, contact, conduct and contract risks, as identified in the process of conducting child impact assessments; c. implementing proportionate and privacy preserving age assurance, meeting the standard outlined in Article 34; d. adapting content moderation or recommender systems, their decision- making processes, the features or functioning of their services, or their terms and conditions to ensure they prioritise the best interests of the child; e. ensuring the highest levels of privacy, safety, and security by design and default for users under the age of 18; f. preventing profiling, including for commercial purposes like targeted advertising; g. ensuring published terms are age appropriate and uphold children’s rights; h. providing child-friendly mechanisms for remedy and redress, including easy access to expert advice and support;
Amendment 422 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) the number of complaints received through the internal complaint-handling system referred to in Article 17, the age of complainants (if minors), the basis for those complaints, decisions taken in respect of those complaints, the average time needed for taking those decisions and the number of instances where those decisions were reversed.
Amendment 427 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Providers of intermediary services that impact on children shall publish, at least once a year: a. child impact assessments to identify known harms, unintended consequences and emerging risk, pursuant to Article 13 (Art. 12 a new).The child impact assessments must comply with the standards outlined in Article 34; b. clear, easily comprehensible and detailed reports outlining the child risk mitigation measures undertaken pursuant to Article 14, their efficacy and any outstanding actions required. These reports must comply with the standards outlined in Article 34, including as regards age assurance and age verification, in line with a child-centred design. The content of these reports must be verifiable by independent audit; data sets and source code must be made available at the request of the regulator.
Amendment 666 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) ‘child’ means any natural person under the age of 18;
Amendment 772 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 34 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. 2 (new).The Commission shall support and promote the development and implementation of industry standards set by relevant European and international standardisation bodies for the protection and promotion of the rights of the child, observance of which, once adopted, will be mandatory, at least for the following: a. age assurance and age verification pursuant to Articles 12 a (new) and 12 b (new) and 13; b. child impact assessments pursuant to Articles 12 a (new) and 13; c. age-appropriate terms and conditions pursuant to Article 12; d. child-centred design pursuant to Articles 12 b (new) and 13.
Amendment 937 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Providers of intermediary services shall ensure their terms and conditions are age-appropriate and meet the highest European or International standards, pursuant to Article 34.
Amendment 968 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 a (new)
Article 12 a (new)
Article 12a Child impact assessment 1. All providers must assess whether their services are accessed by, likely to be accessed by or impact on children. Providers of services likely to be accessed by or impact on children shall identify, analyse and assess, during the design and development of new services, on an ongoing basis and at least once a year thereafter, any systemic risks stemming from the functioning and use made of their services in the Union by children. These risk impact assessments shall be specific to their services, meet the highest European or International standards detailed in Article 34, and shall consider all known content, contact, conduct or commercial risks included in the contract. Assessments should also include the following systemic risks: (a) the dissemination of illegal content or behaviour enabled, manifested on or as a result of their services; (b) any negative effects for the exercise of the rights of the child, as enshrined in Article 24 of the Charter and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, and detailed in the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child General comment No.25 as regards the digital environment; (c) any intended or unintended consequences resulting from the operation or intentional manipulation of their service, including by means of inauthentic use or automated exploitation of the service, with an actual or foreseeable negative effect on the protection or rights of children; 2. When conducting child impact assessments, providers of intermediary services likely to impact children shall take into account, in particular, how their terms and conditions, content moderation systems, recommender systems and systems for selecting and displaying advertisement influence any of the systemic risks referred to in paragraph 1, including the potentially rapid and wide dissemination of illegal content and of information that is incompatible with their terms and conditions or with the rights of the child.
Amendment 973 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 b (new)
Article 12 b (new)
Article 12b Mitigation of risks to children Providers of intermediary services likely to impact children shall put in place reasonable, proportionate and effective mitigation measures, tailored to the specific systemic risks identified pursuant to Article 13 (12 a new). Such measures shall include, where applicable: (a) implementing mitigation measures identified in Article 27 with regard for children’s best interests; (b) adapting or removing system design features that expose children to content, contact, conduct and contract risks, as identified in the process of conducting child impact assessments; (c) implementing proportionate and privacy preserving age assurance, meeting the standard outlined in Article 34; (d) adapting content moderation or recommender systems, their decision- making processes, the features or functioning of their services, or their terms and conditions to ensure they prioritise the best interests of the child; (e) ensuring the highest levels of privacy, safety, and security by design and default for users under the age of 18; (f) preventing profiling, including for commercial purposes like targeted advertising; (g) ensuring published terms are age appropriate and uphold children’s rights; (h) providing child-friendly mechanisms for remedy and redress, including easy access to expert advice and support;
Amendment 992 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 13 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) the number of complaints received through the internal complaint-handling system referred to in Article 17, the age of complainants (if children), the basis for those complaints, decisions taken in respect of those complaints, the average time needed for taking those decisions and the number of instances where those decisions were reversed.
Amendment 997 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Providers of intermediary services that impact on children shall publish, at least once a year: (a) child impact assessments to identify known harms, unintended consequences and emerging risk. The child impact assessments must comply with the standards outlined in Article 34; (b) clear, easily comprehensible and detailed reports outlining the child risk mitigation measures undertaken, their efficacy and any outstanding actions required. These reports must comply with the standards outlined in Article 34, including as regards age assurance and age verification, in line with a child- centred design.
Amendment 1178 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 2
Article 17 – paragraph 2
2. Online platforms shall ensure that their internal complaint-handling and redress systems are easy to access, and user-friendly, including for children, and enable and facilitate the submission of sufficiently precise and adequately substantiated complaints.
Amendment 1509 #
2020/0361(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 24 – paragraph 1 a (new)
2. The profiling of children for commercial purposes, including targeted or pernolised advertising, is prohibited in compliance with the industry-standards laid down in Article 34 and Regulation (EU) 2016/679.
Amendment 129 #
2020/0360(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Security of supply, as one main driver behind Regulation (EU) No 347/2013, has been significantly improved through projects of common interest. Moreover, the Commission’s climate target impact assessment27 expects the consumption of natural gas to be reduced significantly because its non-abated use is not compatible with carbon-neutrality. On the other hand, the consumption of biogas, renewable and low-carbon hydrogen and synthetic gaseous fuels will increase significantly towards 2050. Therefore, the natural gas infrastructure no longer needs support through the TEN-E policy. The planning of energy infrastructure should reflect this changing gas landscape. However, not all Member States are connected to the European gas network and island Member States still face significant challenges in terms of security of supply and energy isolation. Infrastructure projects which were already included in the fourth or fifth Union list of projects of common interest established pursuant to Regulation(EU) No 347/2013 should be able to maintain this status and be eligible for the Union list of projects of common interest to be established under this Regulation if they contribute to ending energy isolation of those Member States that are currently not connected to the European gas network, provided that the new infrastructure is hydrogen-ready. _________________ 27 SWD(2020) 176 final
Amendment 227 #
2020/0360(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation lays down guidelines for the timely development and interoperability of the priority corridors and areas of trans-European energy infrastructure set out in Annex I (‘energy infrastructure priority corridors and areas’) that contribute to the Union’s 2030 climate and energy targets and the climate neutrality objective by 2050, while ensuring the security of supply of all Member States.
Amendment 417 #
2020/0360(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point f a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point f a (new)
(f a) for natural gas infrastructure projects that were included in the fourth or fifth Union list established pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 and falling under one of the energy infrastructure categories set out in Annex II to this Regulation, the project is to contribute to ending energy isolation of those Member States that are currently not connected to the European gas network. Furthermore, the project is to be hydrogen-ready and already under development or planning.
Amendment 878 #
2020/0360(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point d – paragraph 1
Annex II – paragraph 1 – point 3 – point d – paragraph 1
Any of the assets listed in points (a), (b), (c), and (d) may be newly constructed assets or assets converted from natural gas dedicated to hydrogen, or a combination of the two, including from new natural gas infrastructure projects which were already included in the fourth or fifth Union list of projects of common interest established pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 if they contribute to ending energy isolation of those Member States that are currently not connected to the European gas network, provided that the new infrastructure is hydrogen-ready and already under development or planning.
Amendment 67 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The unprecedented experience of the COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that the Union should be more effective in managing the availability of medicinal products and medical devices and in developing medical countermeasures to address the threats posed to public health. The Union’s ability to do so has been severely impeded by the absence of a clearly defined legal framework for managing its response to the pandemic, and also by the limited degree of Union preparedness in case of a public health emergency impacting a majority of Member States. The pandemic has also shown the necessity of having an innovative and research based pharmaceutical industry that works closely with EMA in order to be better prepared for future health crisis and disruptions in the supply chain. COVID- 19 also underlined the need for more transparency on medicines pricing and EU marketing authorisation.
Amendment 83 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9 a) The outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent health crisis revealed the need for a more coordinated European approach in crisis management. Although the emergency of the situation explains the lack of an impact assessment, sufficient allocation of resources in terms of staff and funding needs to be secured, taking into account the specificities of the health sector in the different Member States.
Amendment 84 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) In order to ensure a better functioning of the internal market of those products and contribute to a high level of human health protection, it is therefore appropriate to approximate the rules on monitoring of shortages of medicinal products and medical devices, and to facilitate the research and development of medicinal products, which may have the potential to treat, prevent, or diagnose diseases that cause public health crises. Highlights in this respect the necessity of developing analytics to predict emerging risks, including the use of alternative data sources.
Amendment 99 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) Individual research entities may agree together, or with another party, to act as a sponsor in order to prepare one harmonised Union-wide clinical trial protocol, yet experience during the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that initiatives to set up large multinational trials struggle to materialise due to the lack of a single entity that can undertake all the responsibilities and activities of a sponsor within the Union, while interacting with multiple Member States. It is therefore appropriate for the Agency to identify and facilitate such initiatives by giving advice on the possibilities to act as a sponsor or, where applicable, to define respective responsibilities as co-sponsors in accordance with Article 72 of Regulation (EU) 536/2014. Such an approach would strengthen the research environment in the Union, andwhile encouraging the collaboration with external experts including academia, and target recruitment of data scientists, omics specialists, biostatisticians, epidemiologists, and experts in advanced analytics and AI, as well as to promote harmonisation and avoid subsequent delays in integrating the results of research to a marketing authorisation. A Union sponsor could benefit from Union research funding available at the time of the public health emergency as well as existing clinical trial networks to facilitate the development, application, submission, and running of the trial. This may be particularly valuable for trials established by Union or international public health or research organisations.
Amendment 109 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25 a (new)
Recital 25 a (new)
(25 a) Underlines the potential of Big Data to complement the evidence from clinical trials and fill knowledge gaps on medicines, as well as to help to better characterise diseases, treatments and the performance of medicines in individual healthcare systems. The global pandemic has also shown how High Performance Computing, in combination with Big Data and AI, can be of critical importance in the global fight against COVID-19.
Amendment 145 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) ‘major event’ means an event which is likely to pose a serious risk to public health in relation to medicinal products in more than one Member State. Such an event concerns a deadly threat or otherwise serious threat to health of biological, chemical, environmental or other origin or incident that can affect the manufacturing, supply or quality, safety, and efficacy of medicinal products. Such an event may lead to shortages of medicinal products in more than one Member State and necessitates urgent coordination at Union level in order to ensure a high level of human health protection.
Amendment 167 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 5 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 5 – point a
(a) where the major event or public health emergency may affect the manufacturing, safety, quality, and efficacy of medicinal products, Article 5 shall apply;
Amendment 195 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) specify the procedures and criteria for establishing the critical medicines lists;
Amendment 202 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) develop streamlined electronic monitoring and reporting systems in coordination with the national competent authorities;
Amendment 247 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point f
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) cooperating with national competent authorities, Union bodies and agencies, the World Health Organization, third countries, and international scientific organisations on scientific and technical issues relating to the public health emergency and to medicinal products which may have the potential to address public health emergencies, as necessary.
Amendment 275 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) develop and maintain electronic tools for the submission of information and data, including electronic health data generated outside the scope of clinical studies, while ensuring processing of patients' personal data is in compliance with the European data protection framework;
Amendment 277 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) coordinate independent vaccine effectiveness and safety monitoring studies using relevant data held by public authorities, while taking into consideration the priority recommendations of the HMA-EMA joint Big Data Task Force. Such coordination shall be conducted jointly with the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control and notably through a new vaccine monitoring platform;
Amendment 278 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) as part of its regulatory tasks, make use of digital infrastructures or tools, to facilitate the rapid access to or analysis of available electronic health data generated outside the scope of clinical studies, and the exchange of such data between Member States, the Agency, and other Union bodies; underlines in this regard the need to speed up the deployment of a secure quantum communication infrastructure (QCI), which would allow the transmission of sensitive information, using an ultra-secure form of encryption to shield against cyberattacks;
Amendment 300 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) specify the procedures and criteria for establishing the public health emergency critical devices list;
Amendment 301 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) develop streamlined electronic monitoring and reporting systems in coordination with the national competent authorities;
Amendment 34 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6 a) The Annual Sustainable Growth Survey reframes the European Semester process to fit the fundamentally changed economic, social and environmental context, in the post-Corona period, too. It should be used as leverage for the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Amendment 42 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The 8th EAP should accelerate the transition to a regenerativsustainable economy that gives back to the planet more than it takes. A regenerativsustainable growth model recognises that the wellbeing and prosperity of our societies depend on a stable climate, a healthy environment and thriving ecosystems, which provide a safe operating space for our economies. As the global population and the demand for natural resources continues to grow, economic activity should develop in a sustainable way that does no harm but, on the contrary, reverses climate change and environmental degradation, minimises pollution and results in maintaining and enriching natural capital, therefore ensuring the abundance of renewable and non-renewable resources. Through continuous innovation, adaptation to new challenges and co-creation, the regenerativsustainable economy strengthens resilience and protects present and future generations’ wellbeing.
Amendment 78 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. The 8th EAP aims at accelerating the transition to a climate-neutral, resource-efficient, clean and circulartoxic-free circular and resilient economy in a just and inclusive way, and endorses the environmental and climate objectives of the European Green Deal and its initiatives including the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy.
Amendment 99 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point f
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) promoting environmental sustainability and reducing key environmental and climate pressures related to production and consumption, by using tools such as e.g. environmental impact assessments and developing methods and instruments for continuous cross-cutting impact monitoring and continuous improvement of environmental performances, in particular in the areas of energy, industrial development, buildings and infrastructure, tourism, mobility and the food system.
Amendment 150 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 1 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 1 a (new)
- promoting the compliance with due diligence for businesses as an effective tool to identify, prevent, mitigate and account for the environmental impacts of their own operations and their global supply chains;
Amendment 177 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point e a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point e a (new)
(e a) improve the availability and interoperability of data;
Amendment 42 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The Facility’s general objective should be the promotion of economic, social and territorial cohesion. For that purpose, it should contribute to improving the resilience and adjustment capacity of the Member States, mitigating the social and economic impact of the crisis, and supporting the green and digital transitions aimed at achieving a climate neutral Europe by 2050, thereby restoring the growth potential of the economies of the Union in the aftermath of the crisis, fostering employment creation and to promoting sustainable growth. The Facility should also contribute to the achievement of gender equality.
Amendment 43 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The Facility’s general objective should be the promotion of economic, social and territorial cohesion. For that purpose, it should contribute to improving the resilience and adjustment capacity of the Member States, mitigating the social and economic impact of the crisis, and supporting the green and digital transitions aimed at achieving a climate neutral Europe by 2050, thereby restoring the growth potential of the economies of the Union in the aftermath of the crisis, fostering employment creation and to, especially for youth and women, strengthening of social rights, as well as promoting sustainable growth.
Amendment 52 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) To ensure its contribution to the objectives of the Facility, the recovery and resilience plan should comprise measures for the implementation of reforms and public investment projects through a coherent recovery and resilience plan. The recovery and resilience plan should be consistent with the relevant country- specific challenges and priorities identified in the context of the European Semester, with the national reform programmes, the national energy and climate plans, the just transition plans, and the partnership agreements and operational programmes adopted under the Union funds. To boost actions that fall within the priorities of the European Green Deal and the Digital Agenda, the plan should also set out measures that are relevant for the green and digital transitions. The measures should enable a swift deliver of targets, objectives and contributions set out in national energy and climate plans and updates thereof. All supported activities should be pursued in full respect of the climate and environmental priorities, as well as social, economic and territorial cohesion of the Union.
Amendment 63 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) It is necessary to establish a process for the submission of proposals for recovery and resilience plans by the Member States, and the content thereof. With a view to ensuring the expediency of procedures, a Member State should submit a recovery and resilience plan at the latest by 30 April,any point in thime form of a separate annex of the National Reform Programmellowing the entry into force of this Regulation, until 31 August 2024. To ensure a fast implementation, Member States should be able to submit a draft plan, together with the relevant draft budget of the forthcoming year, on 15 Octoberary information starting from six months in advance of the official submission of the preceding yearovery and resilience plan.
Amendment 68 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) In order to ensure the national ownership and a focus on relevant reforms and investments, Member States wishing to receive support should submit to the Commission a recovery and resilience plan that is duly reasoned and substantiated. The recovery and resilience plan should set out the detailed set of measures for its implementation, including targets and milestones, and the expected impact of the recovery and resilience plan on growth potential, job creation and, especially for youth and women, strengthening of social rights, as well as enhancing economic and social resilience; it should also include measures that are relevant for the green and the digital transitions; it should also include an explanation of the consistency of the proposed recovery and resilience plan with the relevant country-specific challenges and priorities identified in the context of the European Semester. Close cooperation between the Commission and the Member States should be sought and achieved throughout the process.
Amendment 89 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
Recital 33
(33) For effective monitoring of implementation, the Member States should report on a quarteverly basix months within the European Semester process on the progress made in the achievement of the recovery and resilience plan. Such reports prepared by the Member States concerned should be appropriately reflected in the National Reform Programmes, which should be used as a tool for reporting on progress towards completion of recovery and resilience plans.
Amendment 151 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2
2. The recovery and resilience plan presented by the Member State concerned shall constitute an annex to its National Reform Programme and shall be officially submitted at the latest byany point in time following the entry into force of this Regulation, until 301 Aprilugust 2024. A draft plan may be submitted by a Member State starting from 15 Octobersix months in advance of the official submission of the preceding yearovery and resilience plan, together with the relevant draft budget of the subsequent yearary information.
Amendment 161 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) an explanation of how the plan strengthens the growth potential, job creation and economic and social resilience of the Member State concerned, mitigates the economic and social impact of the crisis, and its contribution to enhance economic, social and territorial cohesion and convergence as well as its contribution to gender equality;
Amendment 220 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1
Article 20 – paragraph 1
The Member State concerned shall report on a quarteverly basix months within the European Semester process on the progress made in the achievement of the recovery and resilience plans, including the operational arrangement referred to in Article 17(6). To that effect, the quarterly reports of the Member States shall be appropriately reflected in the National Reform Programmes, which shall be used as a tool for reporting on progress towards completion of the recovery and resilience plans.
Amendment 225 #
2020/0104(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 22 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
The Commission and the Member States concerned shall, in a measure commensurate to their respective responsibilitiesorder to avoid any overlap, foster synergies and ensure effective coordination between the instruments established by this Regulation and other Union programmes and instruments, and in particular with measures financed by the Union funds. For that purpose, they shall:
Amendment 24 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
Having regard to Article 174 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Amendment 52 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Achieving climate neutrality should require a contribution from all economic sectors, while taking into account the economic, social and territorial cohesion of the Union, with specific regard to rural areas, areas affected by industrial transition, and regions which suffer from severe and permanent natural or demographic handicaps such as the northernmost regions with very low population density and island, cross- border and mountain regions as well as the outermost ones. In light of the importance of energy production and consumption on greenhouse gas emissions, the transition to a sustainable, affordable and secure energy system relying on a well-functioning internal energy market is essential. The digital transformation, technological innovation, and research and development are also important drivers for achieving the climate-neutrality objective.
Amendment 76 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) The climate neutrality objective represents a huge opportunity to address the challenges of the 21st century in a strategic manner. It provides an opportunity for the EU to step up its action and reap the benefits of the first mover advantage by leading in clean technologies and creating new jobs, taking into account gender balance. Opportunities are emerging from the timely replacement of ageing infrastructure and assets with others compatible with the deep decarbonisation objective.
Amendment 77 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) The Union, as a global leader in the transition towards climate neutrality, should promote gender sensitive responses to the effects of climate change, both within the Union and elsewhere, with a specific focus on the European neighbouring and developing countries. It should also support a gender-balanced approach to the decision-making process concerning policies fighting climate change.
Amendment 90 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
Amendment 100 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) The Union should aim to achieve a balance between anthropogenic economy- wide emissions and removals, through natural and technological solutions, of greenhouse gases domestically within the Union by 2050and at Member State level by 2050 at the latest. The Union-wide 2050 climate-neutrality objective should be pursued by all Member States collectively, involving also the regional and local policy levels, and the Member States, the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission should take the necessary measures to enable its achievement. Measures at Union level will constitute an important part of the measures needed to achieve the objective also at Member State level in a cost-effective, just and socially balanced way, boosting economic competitiveness and job creation, taking into account gender balance and leaving no one behind. After 2050, the Union and all Member States should continue efforts to further reduce emissions so as to ensure that removals of greenhouse gases exceed emissions.
Amendment 126 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) The Commission, in its Communication ‘The European Green Deal’, announced its intention to assess and make proposals for increasing the Union’s greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2030 to ensure its consistency with the climate-neutrality objective for 2050. In that Communication, the Commission underlined that all Union policies should contribute to the climate-neutrality objective and that all sectors should play their part. By September 2020, the Commission should, based on a comprehensive impact assessment and taking into account its analysis of the integrated national energy and climate plans submitted to the Commission in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council36 , and the impacts at national level identified thereof, review the Union’s 2030 target for climate and explore options for a new 2030 target of 50 to 55 % emission reductions compared with 1990 levels. Where it considers necessary to amend the Union’s 2030 target, it should make proposals to the European Parliament and to the Council to amend this Regulation as appropriate. In addition, the Commission should, by 30 June 2021, assess how the Union legislation implementing that target would need to be amended in order to achieve emission reductions of 50 to 55 % compared to 1990. _________________ 36Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, amending Regulations (EC) No 663/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 94/22/EC, 98/70/EC, 2009/31/EC, 2009/73/EC, 2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU and 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1).
Amendment 138 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) As citizens and communities have a powerful role to play in driving the transformation towards climate neutrality forward, strong public and social engagement on climate action should be facilitated. The Commission should therefore engage with all parts of society to enable and empower them to take action towards a climate-neutral and climate- resilient society, including through launching a European Climate Pact. at all levels, including at national, regional and local level and with social partners, including trade unions, and facilitating participation and accessibility of information to all persons with disabilities . The Commission should therefore engage with all competent institutions promoting multi-level governance and with all with all parts of society to strengthen the exchange of information and awareness-raising aimed at achieving a climate-neutral and climate- resilient society, including through launching a European Climate Pact. Participation means will be developed to guarantee the involvement of social partners, economic actors and citizens in general in the strategies and plans adopted by Member States and regional and local authorities in matters of energy and climate governance.
Amendment 149 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) In order to provide predictability and confidence for citizens and all economic actors, including businesses, workers, trade unions, investors and consumers, to ensure that the transition towards climate neutrality is irreversible, to ensure gradual reduction over time and to assist in the assessment of the consistency of measures and progress with the climate- neutrality objective, the power to adopt acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the CommisCommission should assess the options for the structure and desiogn to set outof a trajectory for achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions in the Union by 2050. It is of particular importance that the Commission carries out appropriate consultations during its preparatory work, including at expert level, and that those consultations be conducted in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making37 . In particular, to ensure equal participation in the preparation of delegated acts, the European Parliament and the Council receive all documents at the same time as Member States' experts, and their experts systematically have access to meetings of Commission expert groups dealing with the preparation of delegated acts. _________________ 37 OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1 and, in this regard, it should submit legislative proposals to the European Parliament and to the Council.
Amendment 209 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 9 to supplement this Regulation by setting outshall assess the options for the structure and design of a trajectory at Union level to achieve the climate-neutrality objective set out in Article 2(1) until 2050 and shall submit a legislative proposal to the European Parliament and the Council accordingly. At the latest within six months after each global stocktake referred to in Article 14 of the Paris Agreement, the Commission shall review the trajectory. and, where appropriate, submit a legislative proposal to the European Parliament and the Council to adjust it.
Amendment 218 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. When settingassessing the options for, or submitting a legislative proposal on, a trajectory in accordance with paragraph 1, the Commission shall consider the following:
Amendment 227 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) competitiveness of the Union’s economy and social welfare;
Amendment 238 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Where the legislative proposals referred to Article 2(4) concern sectors affecting the connectivity of Member States and/or regions, including the insular and the outermost ones, whose external mobility (both passengers and goods) solely relies on aviation and/or maritime transport, the dimension of insularity shall be taken into account and the impact of these measures shall be duly assessed against these criteria.
Amendment 243 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point d a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point d a (new)
(da) the different conditions and specificities of the Member States;
Amendment 252 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point g
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point g
(g) public and private investment needs and opportunities with a focus on social, economic and territorial cohesion;
Amendment 334 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9
Article 9
Amendment 339 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Regulation (EU) 2018/1999
Article 11
Article 11
Each Member State shall establish a multilevel climate and energy dialogue pursuant to national rules, in which regional and local authorities, civil society organisation, business community, investors, trade unions and other relevant stakeholders and the general public are able actively to engage and discuss the achievement of the Union’s climate- neutrality objective set out in Article 2 of Regulation …/… [Climate Law] and the different scenarios envisaged for energy and climate policies, including for the long term, and review progress, unless it already has a structure which serves the same purpose. Integrated national energy and climate plans may be discussed within the framework of such a dialogue.;
Amendment 33 #
2020/0035(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) The recent experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the importance of rail as being a stable, safe and a more resilient transport mode for freight and passenger transport. This is largely based on the employees who continued working under difficult, dangerous and uncertain conditions to ensure that medical supplies and essential goods are transported across Europe.
Amendment 36 #
2020/0035(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) In line with the objectives set out in the Commission Communication on the European Green Deal, there is a need to transform the Union economy and to rethink policies, in particular in the field of transport and mobility, which implies accelerating the shift to sustainable and smart mobility. Transport accounts for a quarter of the Union’s greenhouse gas emissions, and still growing. To achieve climate neutrality, a 90% reduction in transport emissions is needed by 2050. Achieving sustainable, intermodal transport means putting users first and providing them with more affordable, accessible, healthier and cleaner alternatives to their current mobility habits encouraging those already using sustainable transport modes such as walking, cycling and public transport. Achieving sustainable transport means as well putting transport workers first who are essential workers and deliver quality transport services to the benefit of users only when quality working conditions are realized. The European Green Deal implies to accelerate the shift to sustainable and smart mobility to address these challenges. In particular, a substantial part of the 75% of inland freight carried today by road should shift onto rail and inland waterways.
Amendment 48 #
2020/0035(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) The COVID-19 pandemic has hit rail and the public transport sector exceptionally hard. The sector experienced an unprecedented decline in passenger numbers in international and long distant services as well as in regional, suburban and urban services. Despite the operational and financial constraints the sector maintained crucial connections for both people and the transport of essential goods. Rail and public transport play a key role in the economic recovery and are amongst the most sustainable transport means. Therefore the European Year of Rail should encourage citizens to use rail and public transport again.
Amendment 61 #
2020/0035(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) By connecting the Union’s main transport routes with its rural areas, regions, peripheral regions and territories, the rail sector contributes to social, economic and territorial cohesion.
Amendment 86 #
2020/0035(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 7 b (new)
Recital 7 b (new)
(7b) There were 979 railway companies employing over 660,000 people in the European Union in 20161a. Making the rail sector the third biggest employer of all modes of transport; in order to reach its full potential, it needs to diversify its workforce and attract women and young workers in particular. It is essential to deliver optimal transport services to the benefit of users, with rail employees enjoying quality working conditions; _________________ 1a European Commission (2019), Statistical Pocketbook: EU Transport in figures, p. 26-27.
Amendment 113 #
2020/0035(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) highlight the European, cross- border dimension of rail and its crucial role for sustainable tourism, that brings citizens closer together, allows them to explore the Union in all its diversity, fosters cohesion and contributes to integrate the Union internal market;
Amendment 154 #
2020/0035(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) sharing experience and good practices of national, regional and local authorities, civil society, business, trade unions and schools on promoting the use of rail and public transport and on how to implement behavioural change at all levels;
Amendment 169 #
2020/0035(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 c (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 c (new)
1c. Promote the attractiveness of the railway profession , promote equal pay at the same place, reconciliation of work and private life, career development, protection against abuse and fair conditions of service;
Amendment 172 #
2020/0035(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 e (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 e (new)
1e. Campaigns to re-establish trust of citizens and passengers to use rail public passenger transport again.
Amendment 78 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) The green recovery should play an important role in mitigating the negative impacts of the COVID-19 crisis by creating opportunities for affected regions, industries, SMEs, and can therefore play a crucial role as post-crisis recovery plans.
Amendment 79 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 b (new)
Recital 4 b (new)
(4b) Just Transition Fund should tackle energy poverty as an issue of social justice, and should compensate incomes of most vulnerable groups in countries that do not have adequate financial reserves. In defining these measures, an active participations of trade unions, civil society organizations and relevant stakeholders complementing national and regional governments is essential.
Amendment 85 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) This Regulation establishes the Just Transition Fund (‘JTF’) which is one of the pillars of the Just Transition Mechanism implemented under cohesion policy. The aim of the JTF is to mitigate the adverse effects of the climate transition by supporting the most affected territories and worker, workers affected directly or indirectly and their families concerned. In line with the JTF specific objective, actions supported by the JTF should directly contribute to alleviate the impact of the transition by financing the diversification and modernisation of the local economy and by mitigating the negative repercussions on employment, while creating conditions to eradicate energy poverty. This is reflected in the JTF specific objective, which is established at the same level and listed together with the policy objectives set out in Article [4] of Regulation EU [new CPR].
Amendment 97 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) In view of the importance of tackling climate change in line with the Union’s commitments to implement the Paris Agreement, the commitment regarding the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the increased ambition of the Union as proposed in the European Green Deal, the JTF should provide a key contribution to mainstream climate actions. Resources from the JTF own envelope are additional and come on top of the investments needed to achieve the overall target of 25% of the Union budget expenditure contributing to climate objectives. Resources transferred from the ERDF and ESF+ willmay contribute fully to the achievement of this target according to Members States necessity.
Amendment 101 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) The resources from the JTF should complement the resources available under cohesion policy. The transfer mechanism should be optional and not mandatory in order to allow Member States to assess the best way to allocate resources.
Amendment 112 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Transitioning to a climate-neutral economy is a challenge for all Member States. It will be particularly demanding for those Member States that rely or have relied until recently heavily on fossil fuels or greenhouse gas intensive industrial activities which need to be phased out or which need to adapt due to the transition towards climate neutrality and that lack the financial means to do so. The JTF should therefore cover all Member States, but tIt will also be demanding for those Member States that will have to upgrade their infrastructure and whose workers will have to adapt to the transition. The distribution of itsthe JTF financial means should reflect the capacity of Member States to finance the necessary investments to cope with the transition towards climate neutrality by 2050 and the ambition in their energy and climate objectives.
Amendment 139 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) To protect citizens who are most vulnerable to the climate transition, the JTF should also cover the up-skilling and reskilling of the affected workers, with the aim of helping them to provide necessary qualifications and adapt to new employment opportunities, as well as providingor adequately support them with providing alternatives such as job- search assistance to jobseekers and their active inclusion into the labour marke, income support to ensure subsequent inclusion and re-inclusion to the labour market avoiding both short and long-term unemployment directly linked to the transition. These actions should also take the gender dimension in due account.
Amendment 165 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) In order to provide flexibility for the programming of the JTF resources under the Investment for jobs and growth goal, it should be possible to prepare a self- standing JTF programme or to programme JTF resources in one or more dedicated priorities within a programme supported by the European Regional Development Fund (‘ERDF’), the European Social Fund Plus (‘ESF+’) or the Cohesion Fund with additional resources. In accordance with Article 21a of Regulation (EU) [new CPR], JTF resources should be reinforced with complementary funding from the ERDF and the ESF+, which should be given additional resources for this purpose. The respective amounts transferred from the ERDF and the ESF+ should be on voluntary basis and consistent with the type of operations set out in the territorial just transition plans.
Amendment 202 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation establishes the Just Transition Fund (‘JTF’) to provide support to territories facing seriousdiverse socio-economic challenges deriving from the specificities of Member States in the transition process towards a climate-neutral economy of the Union by 2050.
Amendment 218 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The JTF shall support the Investment for jobs and growth goal in all Member States and regions facing subsequent decarbonisation challenge and requiring adequate financial support to ensure real just transition and avoiding negative socio-economic impacts on industries, SMEs, including start-ups, as well as workers who lose their jobs as consequence of the transition.
Amendment 254 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) investments in the creation of new firms, and in the expansions of existing ones, with a particular emphasis on SMEs and start-ups in order to contribute to economic diversification and reconversion, including through business incubators and consulting services;
Amendment 265 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) investments in the deployment of technology and infrastructures for affordable clean energy, in greenhouse gas emission reduction including investments in sustainable mobility and decarbonisation of the transport sector, energy efficiency and/or renewable energy; emphasising investment in renewables, smart electricity solutions, together with related infrastructure and in circular economy and environmental remediation.
Amendment 323 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point g a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point g a (new)
(ga) investments in projects for fighting energy poverty and enhancing energy efficiency on most affected regions;
Amendment 333 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point h a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point h a (new)
(ha) developing social infrastructure needed to support the access to labour market, social inclusion and active health ageing;
Amendment 337 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point j
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point j
(j) active inclusion of jobseekers;, with a particular emphasis on women and transitioning workers. Mobility grants should be included for workers who need to move for a new job.
Amendment 340 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point j
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point j
(j) active inclusion of jobseekers and early retirement support;;
Amendment 393 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. The JTF priority or priorities shall comprise the JTF resources consisting of all or part of the JTF allocation for the Member States and on a voluntary basis the resources transferred in accordance with Article [21a] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR]. The total of the ERDF and ESF+ resources transferred to the JTF priority shall be at least equal to one and a half times the amount of support from the JTF to that priority but shall not exceed three times that amount.
Amendment 448 #
2020/0006(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. The preparation and implementation of territorial just transition plans shall involve the relevant partners in accordance with Article [6] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR]. as well as representatives of industry, energy sector, social partners, national and regional authorities and relevant stakeholders
Amendment 13 #
2019/2213(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that EU transport policy is essential for Europe’s economic, social and environmental development and its sustainability; strongly requests, therefore, that EU transport policy receive adequate and sufficient funding in order to secure growth, jobs and competitiveness in Europe, including in the insular and more remote geographical areas; requests additional investments in research and innovation, and in social and territorial cohesion;
Amendment 43 #
2019/2213(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that EU funding is essential to ensure that no one is left behind as the Green New Deal is implemented. Investments meant to reskill labour in line with the needs of a decarbonized transport job market will be paramount;
Amendment 46 #
2019/2213(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Highlights the need for the EU budget to develop smart mobility and promote the use of public transportation and ensure its sustainability in all its forms across Europe, with an aim to reduce the environmental impact of widespread use of private vehicles, increase accessibility, and fight social exclusion and the negative trend of depopulation in isolated low-density areas;
Amendment 55 #
2019/2213(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines that all areas of the budget need to contribute to the overall goals of the European Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals; recalls in this context the importance of the introduction of a Just Transition Fund to address societal, socio-economic and environmental impacts on energy-intensive industries and fossil fuel-depending regions, including the most peripheral ones, whose workers and communities are going to be adversely affected by the transition from coal and carbon dependence, andto clean energy; in this regard, calls for solid financing of the fund, which should not be offset by cuts to Cohesion Policy and other budgetary priorities;
Amendment 60 #
2019/2213(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 – indent 2 a (new)
Paragraph 7 – indent 2 a (new)
– Stresses the need to address issues of insularity, under flagship programs such as Horizon Europe, by improving the connectivity and accessibility of disadvantage regions by funding new projects specifically intended for this purpose;
Amendment 62 #
2019/2213(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Recalls that, in line with the Commission Communication on “The European Green Deal”, priority should be given to actions tackling energy poverty in order to protect the households struggling to access basic energy services, in particular single-parent families, the elderly and persons with disabilities; in this regard, underlines the relevant work carried out by the Energy Poverty Observatory (EPOV) in fighting this phenomenon;
Amendment 65 #
2019/2213(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Highlights the need of further funding for gender equality in transport to support projects that aim to increase the percentage of female workers in transport, which notoriously stands today at 22%. Underlines that to this avail, the European Commission should explore further successful programs such as Women in Transport;
Amendment 66 #
2019/2213(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8b. Emphasises the importance of making the transport sector more inclusive by supporting initiatives that ensure better accessibility for persons with disabilities and reduced mobility whilst supporting the inclusion of persons of different abilities the workforce;
Amendment 68 #
2019/2213(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines the need for an ambitious draft budget, in particular for new programmes such as the Digital Europe Programme, which need to become operational as soon as possible in order to help make the EU more competitive; ith specific regard to artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and supercomputing, which will be crucial to make Europe fit for the digital age and achieve digital sovereignty, and which need to become operational as soon as possible in order to help make the EU more competitive by enhancing the Union's digitalisation and by the digital inclusion of the European economy, public sector and citizens; in this regard, stresses the importance of the actions enabling European citizens to develop advanced digital skills with the aim, among other things, to bridge the digital divide and to reduce the gender gap in the ICT sector;
Amendment 73 #
2019/2213(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Recalls the urgent need for the inclusion of a sustainable tourism budget line in the 2021-2027 MFF to support European Member States, their regions and stakeholders in developing a solid, durable tourism sector that guarantees the economic and social wellbeing of EU citizens;
Amendment 92 #
2019/2213(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Recalls the important role that EU agencies play in helping to achieve policy objectives set by the legislator; calls therefore for sufficient funding and staffing for all agencies in line with their tasks and responsibilities; underlines in particular the need to substantially reinforce the European Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER), which has been underfunded and understaffed for many years while the scope of its activities and responsibilities has been recently widened; insists that the Commission address this problem already in its draft budget.
Amendment 94 #
2019/2213(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Highlights in particular the role of the Clean Sky 2 and SESAR Joint Undertakings and of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in reducing CO2 emissions by passenger; stresses the very good results and the essential role played by the Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking in ensuring net accelerations in green technologies aimed at reducing the CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the noise levels produced by aircraft; Stresses the urgency to induce connectivity and increase efficiency by defragmenting European airspace through initiatives aiming to increase safety, reduce delays and the environmental impact of air traffic;
Amendment 98 #
2019/2213(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes the direct support of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to Member States’ efforts in implementing environmental legislation and its assistance in tackling maritime pollution and in monitoring emissions; believes that with further resources, the Agency can play an important role in supporting Member States in mitigating shipping-related environmental risks and in improving the sustainability of the maritime sector. through guidance on the implementation of new technologies, in particular AI;
Amendment 11 #
2019/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges that Europe’s economy is showing signs of less dynamic growth and that inequalities still persist; highlights that more must be done to fight these inequalities and to support Member States which are experiencing slower growth and high unemployment, particularly where young people are concerned;
Amendment 29 #
2019/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that the European Semester must consistently contribute to the elimination of social, economic and territorial inequalities and disparities between EU regions, including the most peripheral ones such as islands, mountains and sparsely populated areas;
Amendment 56 #
2019/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates the crucial role of cohesion policyAcknowledges that technological trends in the labour market and the transition to a clean economy are an enormous challenge for regional cohesion; reiterates the crucial role of the European Structural and Investment Funds, as the main investment policy in Europe, in the recovery process; underlines the need to increase the budget for cohesion policy for the 2021-2027 period, in order to maintain its European added value, thus contributing to economic growth, regional competitiveness, social inclusion, innovation and environmental protection;
Amendment 75 #
2019/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the inclusion of the Sustainable Development Goals in the European Semester, with the aim of putting people, their health and the planet at the centre of economic policy; notes that, in this respect, special attention must be paid to the labour market, by safeguarding existing jobs and creating new ones, creating new ones and making it more inclusive; in this regard, it stresses the importance of encouraging the participation of excluded and disadvantaged groups to the labour market;
Amendment 101 #
2019/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Regrets that, as highlighted by the European Commission in the Annual Sustainable Growth Strategy 2020, women remain at a disadvantage in the labour market, despite generally achieving better educational outcomes; recalls the crucial role of work-life balance policies to close the gender employment and the gender pay gap; underlines, in this respect, the need to strengthen the gender dimension in the European Semester process and in Cohesion Policy;
Amendment 103 #
2019/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Underlines the importance of social dialogue as an essential instrument to improve workers’ conditions, both in its bipartite and tripartite form; calls for the promotion of this dimension in the European Semester process;
Amendment 107 #
2019/2211(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Believes that the relationship between cohesion policy and economic governance processes under the European Semester should be balanced, reciprocal and focused on positive incentives; supports further recognition of the territorial dimension, which would be beneficial for the European Semester as well as of gender mainstreaming and gender budgeting in the European Semester process and in the Country Specific Recommendations.
Amendment 60 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 25 a (new)
Citation 25 a (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 3 May 2018 on the protection of children in migration1a, __________________ 1a Texts adopted, P8_TA(2018)0201
Amendment 97 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 40 a (new)
Citation 40 a (new)
– having regard to the resolution of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe of October 2014 on the alternatives to immigration detention of children (RES 2020),
Amendment 260 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses the importance for the EU and its Member States to work out specific programmes aimed at ending child poverty;
Amendment 261 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Acknowledges the importance for Member States to adopt laws to safeguard and strengthen maternity and paternity rights in order to provide a healthy, stable environment for children, in particular during the first months of their lives;
Amendment 397 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Takes the view that Member States should put in place an intersectional approach to combat all forms of discrimination affecting children, taking into in consideration their vulnerabilities, in particular - but not limited to - those of children with disabilities, migrant children, children of migrant background, children from minorities and religious groups, LGBTI children, children of LGBTI parents and stateless or undocumented children, who are disproportionately exposed to discrimination on multiple grounds and therefore require a specialised approach to address their specific needs;
Amendment 499 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Recalls that children of LGBTI families, as well as their parents, are victims of human rights violations in the EU and are subject to restrictions of their freedom of movement in the EU, as a result of the refusal of some Member States to recognise same-sex parenthood; urges therefore the Member States and the Commission to adopt laws that recognise the free movement of public documents and mutual recognition of the effects of civil status records in the European Union;
Amendment 547 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Reiterates that immigration detention of children is never in the child’s best interest in line with the New York Declaration for Refugees and Migrants, that children shall not be detained in the context of migration, and therefore calls on Member States to work out community-based alternatives to detention, as well as prioritising integration, education and psychological support;
Amendment 557 #
2019/2199(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Stresses the importance for Member States to put in place specific measures to grant all migrant children, swiftly after their arrival, access to education, language learning, healthcare, good living conditions and, when unaccompanied or separated, to have a guardian;
Amendment 1 #
2019/2189(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2 a (new)
Citation 2 a (new)
- having regard to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 ‘Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all’,
Amendment 2 #
2019/2189(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
- having regard to the Commission communication of 19 February 2019 entitled ‘A European strategy for data’ (COM(2020)0066),
Amendment 73 #
2019/2189(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that the energy transition towards a renewable-based system requires innovative approaches in research, a well- developed and smart electricity grid and advanced storage technologies, backup generation and demand management in order to secure a constant power supply; therefore calls on the Commission to continue providing support for research in storage, including on new and emerging alternative technologies, in the framework of Horizon Europe;
Amendment 90 #
2019/2189(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Notes that a successful transition to a low carbon society will also depend on the availability of large amounts of reliable data, which can also be beneficial to the full development of advanced storage solutions; welcomes, in this regard, the upcoming creation of an ‘Common European energy data space’;
Amendment 101 #
2019/2189(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines that the transition to a climate-neutral economy must not endanger security of supply, energy access and affordability; stresses that reliable power supply and the energy transition must go hand in hand;
Amendment 354 #
2019/2189(INI)
26 c. Underlines the potential that energy storage solutions have in fighting energy poverty, in enabling the change of paradigm from consumer to prosumer and in building the renewable energy communities;
Amendment 1 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital -A (new)
Recital -A (new)
-A. Recalls the International Labour Organisation’s call for the establishment of an international governance system requiring platform holders to respect certain minimum rights and protections and regulating the use of data and algorithmic accountability in the world of work; stresses the fundamental right for workers of all categories enshrined in the EU Charter of Fundament Rights to take collective action to defend the interests.
Amendment 4 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the platform economy has become an integral and rapidly growing part of the European transport sector; whereas platforms hold potential to facilitate efficiency and productivity improvements and lower barriers to entry into the labour market.
Amendment 25 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas precarious self- employment in the platform sector is increasing, particularly for low-skilled platform-determined on-location work1 , including driving and delivery services, which is among the types of platform work raising most concerns on employment and working conditions; _________________ 1Eurofound (2018), Employment and working conditions of selected types of platform work, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg.
Amendment 30 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas many platforms have shifted social costs to workers and the public by circumvention of taxes, labour laws and commercial standards for health, safety and environment with grave socio-economic and individual consequences;
Amendment 37 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
B b. Whereas the platform industry aggravates problems already existing in the standard labour market such as precarious atypical employment and zero hour contracts and should be tackled as part of a larger problem while ensuring that the solutions explicitly covers platform workers
Amendment 43 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
B c. whereas a growing case law of court and administrative decisions find platform workers to be misclassified as self-employed; this misclassification limits the workers’ access to social protection and deprives them of the right to collectively bargain decent wages;
Amendment 45 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B d (new)
Recital B d (new)
Amendment 49 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital B e (new)
Recital B e (new)
B e. whereas Council Recommendation 2019/C 387/01 recommends Member States to provide access to adequate social protection to all workers and self- employed persons in Member States;
Amendment 78 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Calls on the Member States to implement the Council Recommendation 2019/C 387/01 on access to social protection for workers and the self- employed;
Amendment 103 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. draws attention to the Californian Assembly Bill 5 as a strong example of how to define self-employed workers in the Transportation industry using a rebuttable legal assumption
Amendment 111 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Emphasises the need for transparency and non-discrimination in transport and tourism platforms, specifically regarding algorithms that affect service, allocation of tasks, pricing, ranking, and advertising;
Amendment 113 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Calls on the Commission to investigate the potential of audit requirements on the underlying algorithms of platforms that facilitate employment to ensure non-discrimination and regulatory compliance
Amendment 114 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. reminds that workers need to know how pay is determined and tasks are allocated and be given notice in case of change;
Amendment 116 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Emphasises the importance to workers of portability and interoperability of data between platforms; calls on Transport and Tourism platforms to ensure that workers have proper access to bringing personal rankings and reviews with them from one platform to another
Amendment 120 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Amendment 125 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Urges the Commission to cooperate with Member States in developing national projects intended to collect, store and analyse unbiased data sets related to employment practices in the various segments of the Transport and Tourism platform economies, allowing for a holistic assessment of the respect of workers' rights in different fields, with the objective of identifying and tackling existing problems both at national and EU level.
Amendment 126 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Emphasises the need for member states to ratify the ILO conventions and strengthen the rights for platform workers to organise in trade unions, to bargain collectively and to co-determine at the company.
Amendment 127 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Highlights that guaranteeing the respect of workers’ rights is an essential component of sustainable tourism policy; underlines the increasingly important role of digital platforms and data collection in tourism activities; stresses therefore the fundamental role data collection on platform workers will have in achieving true sustainable tourism projects that ensure tourism investments and jobs benefit local communities and workers, while facilitating the fair distribution of profits.
Amendment 128 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Reminds the Commission to take a holistic approach to solving issues such as bogus self-employment, zero hour contracts and barriers to organising as they are not unique to the platform economy but also affect large numbers of workers in the standard labour market
Amendment 129 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7 c. Reminds that women make up only 22% of workers in the transportation industry and also represent a minority of platform workers in the Transport and Tourism industries with anecdotal evidence hinting to female platform workers in the transport industry being affected by worse employment and working conditions than their male counterparts
Amendment 136 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Urges digital platforms to establish industry standards to ensure the safety and security of platform workers while performing their duties, through policies that guarantee their privacy, ensure appropriate insurance in the event of injuries, and protect them from harassment during the performance of their duties; stresses in this context the benefit that such policies would bring to female employment in the sector.
Amendment 140 #
2019/2186(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Amendment 36 #
2019/2055(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Considers that the EU has increasingly made use of financial instruments and budgetary guarantees provided to the European Investment Bank Group (the EIB) and that trend is expected to continue during the next MFF; consequently reiterates the support to the Court’s proposal that it should also audit the EIB’s non-EU-budget-related operations as stated in Parliament’s resolution on the Annual Report on the control of the financial activities of the EIB for 2017;
Amendment 37 #
2019/2055(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Recalls the importance of achieving a rapid political agreement between the institutions on the 2021-2027 MFF, in order to avoid delaying the implementation of the ESI Funds in the next programming period;
Amendment 40 #
2019/2055(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Calls on the Commission and the Council to establish an Action Plan in the first half of 2020 to speed-up the implementation of ESI Funds in the current programming period, with clear incentives for the rapid and effective absorption of available funds, strengthening the Strategic Objectives of the Union, in particular the Fight against Climate Change and Social and Territorial Cohesion;
Amendment 41 #
2019/2055(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Underlines the key role that national audit authorities, along with the European Court of Auditors, have in monitoring the use of Cohesion Funds; calls for an improvement of the audit working methods put in place at the national level; encourages the development of best practises in this area;
Amendment 42 #
2019/2055(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5 c. Reiterates the importance of reliable performance measurement systems built on high-quality data, calls on the European Commission to further develop and align audit methodologies in order to harmonise different performance measurement systems of Member States’ authorities;
Amendment 34 #
2019/2028(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Emphasises the need to invest in the interconnectivity of Europe’s islands and peripheral areas with the objective of reducing social inequalities among EU regions through the promotion of economic integration;
Amendment 10 #
2019/0017(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The European Parliament's Resolution of February 2014 on a 2030 framework for climate and energy policies called on the Commission and the Member States to set has progressively raised its 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets, by first setting a binding Union 2030 target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% compared to 1990 levels. The European Parliament also noted that all sectors of the economy would need to contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions if the Union is to deliver its fair share of global effortsby means of its Resolution of February 2014, subsequently followed by its Resolution of 28 November 2019 declaring a Climate Emergency and its European Green Deal Resolution of 15 January 2020, which increased the target to 55%.
Amendment 14 #
2019/0017(COD)
(4) In its Conclusions of 24 October 2014, the European Council endorsed a binding Union target of an at least 40% domestic reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990. The European Council also stated the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and risks related to fossil fuel dependency in the transport sector and invited the Commission to examine further instruments and measures for a comprehensive and technology-neutral approach, including for the promotion of emissions reduction, renewable energy sources, and energy efficiency in transport. On 12 December 2019, the European Council published its Conclusions endorsing the more ambitious objective of achieving a climate-neutral EU by 2050, in line with the objectives of the Paris Agreement.
Amendment 20 #
2019/0017(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) In April 2015, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation (EU) 2015/757 on the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport20 (the “EU MRV Regulation”), which was complemented in 2016 with two Delegated Regulations21 and two Implementing Regulations22 . The aim of the EU MRV Regulation iswas intended to be a first step aimed to collect data on shipping emissions for further policymaking and, to incentivise emission reductions by providing information on ships' efficiency to relevant markets and to foster the uptake of new technologies. The EU MRV Regulation obliges companies to monitor, report and verify the fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and energy efficiency of their ships on voyages to and from European Economic Area (EEA) ports on an annual basis, starting from 2018. It also applies to CO2 emissions within EEA ports. The first emissions reports awere due by 30 April 2019 and were published by the Commission on 30 June 2019. _________________ 20 Regulation (EU) 2015/757 of the European Parliament and the Council of 29 April 2015 on the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport and amending Directive 2009/16/EC, (OJ L 123, 19.5.2015, p. 55). 21 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/2072 on the verification activities and accreditation of verifiers pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/757 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport (OJ L 320, 26.11.2016, p. 5); Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/2071 of 22 September 2016 amending Regulation (EU) 2015/757 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the methods for monitoring carbon dioxide emissions and the rules for monitoring other relevant information (OJ L 320, 26.11.2016, p. 1). 22 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1927 of 4 November 2016 on templates for monitoring plans, emissions reports and documents of compliance pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/757 of the European Parliament and of the Council on monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport (OJ L 299, 5.11.2016, p. 1–21); Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1928 of 4 November 2016 on determination of cargo carried for categories of ships other than passenger, ro-ro and container ships pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2015/757 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the monitoring, reporting and verification of carbon dioxide emissions from maritime transport (OJ L 299, 5.11.2016, p. 22–25)
Amendment 35 #
2019/0017(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
(14a) With a view to facilitating the further development of international rules within the IMO for the monitoring, reporting and verification of greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport, the Commission should continue sharing relevant information on the implementation of this Regulation with the IMO and other international bodies on a regular basis. If a more ambitious global IMO DCS is reached, the Commission should once again review the EU MRV Regulation with a view to further aligning it to the global IMO DCS.
Amendment 38 #
2019/0017(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 b (new)
Recital 14 b (new)
(14b) Taking into consideration the greater ambition of the EU MRV Regulation compared to the global IMO DCS, the Commission should monitor the application of the EU MRV Regulation and where necessary intervene to ensure the competitiveness of the EU maritime sector.
Amendment 81 #
2019/0017(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 6 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 6 a (new)
Regulation (EU) 2015/757
Article 22 – paragraph 3
Article 22 – paragraph 3
Amendment 84 #
2019/0017(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 6 b (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 6 b (new)
Regulation (EU) 2015/757
Article 22 a (new)
Article 22 a (new)
(6b) A new Article 22a is inserted: Article 22a The Commission shall continue assessing the functioning of the EU MRV Regulation, through periodic impact assessments, also taking into account the additional experience gained during the implementation of the revised Regulation and of the global IMO DCS, with an end to assess the effectiveness of the streamlining solutions for the sector. The Commission shall intervene, if necessary, to ensure greater compatibility between the two systems, to further reduce double reporting requirements and to protect the competitiveness of the EU maritime sector.
Amendment 2 #
2017/0123(COD)
Council position
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009 requires undertakings to conduct effectively and continuously their operations with the appropriate technical equipment and facilities at an operating centre situated in the Member State of establishment, and it allows for additional requirements at national level, the most common of which being a requirement to have parking spaces available in the Member State of establishment. However, those, unevenly applied, requirements have not been sufficient to ensure a genuine link with that Member State in order to efficiently fight letter-box companies and to reduce the risk of systematic cabotage and nomadic drivers organised from an undertaking to which the vehicles do not return. Considering that, in order to ensure the proper functioning of the internal market in the area of transport, specific rules on the right of establishment and the provision of services may be necessary, it is appropriate to further harmonise the establishment requirements and to strengthen the requirements linked to the presence of the vehicles used by the transport operator in the Member State of establishment. Defining a clear minimum interval within which the vehicle has to return also contributes to ensuring that those vehicles can be correctly maintained with the technical equipment situated in the Member State of establishment and facilitates controls. The cycle for such returns should be synchronised with the obligation on the transport undertaking in Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council6 to organise its operations in a manner that enables the driver to return home at least every four weeks, so that both obligations can be fulfilled through the return of the driver together with the vehicle at least every second four week cycle. This synchronisation strengthens the right of the driver to return and reduces the risk that the vehicle has to return only to fulfil this new establishment requirement. However, the requirement to return to the Member State of establishment should not require a specific number of operations to be conducted in the Member State of establishment or otherwise limit the operators possibility to provide services throughout the internal market.. ____________________________ 6 the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 March 2006 on the harmonisation of certain social legislation relating to road transport and amending Council Regulations (EEC) No 3821/85 and (EC) No 2135/98 and repealing Council Regulation (EEC) No 3820/85 (OJ L 102, 11.4.2006, p. 1).Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 of
Amendment 6 #
2017/0123(COD)
Council position
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) Cabotage operations should help to increase the load factor of heavy duty vehicles and reduce empty runs, and should be allowed as long as they are not carried out in a way that creates a permanent or continuous activity within the Member State concerned. To ensure that cabotage operations are not carried out in a way that creates a permanent or continuous activity, hauliers should not be allowed to carry out cabotage operations in the same Member State within a certain time after the end of a period of cabotage operations.
Amendment 7 #
2017/0123(COD)
Council position
Recital 22
Recital 22
Amendment 12 #
2017/0123(COD)
Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
Amendment 13 #
2017/0123(COD)
Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) on an ongoing basis, have at its regular disposal a number of vehicles that comply with the conditions laid down in point (e) and employ drivers who are normally based at anbased on the law applicable to operational centre inof that Member State, in both casese undertaking, proportionate to the volume of transport operations carried out by the undertaking.
Amendment 19 #
2017/0123(COD)
Council position
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point a
Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009
Article 8 – paragraph 2 a
Article 8 – paragraph 2 a
Amendment 23 #
2017/0123(COD)
Council position
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4 – point b
Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
National road haulage services carried out in the host Member State by a non-resident haulier shall only be deemed to comply with this Regulation if the haulier can produce clear evidence of the preceding international carriage and of each consecutive cabotage operation carried out. In the event that the vehicle has been in the territory of the host Member State within the period of four days preceding the international carriage, the haulier shall also produce clear evidence of all operations that were carried out during that period.;
Amendment 25 #
2017/0123(COD)
Council position
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 – point b
Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009
Article 10 – paragraph 7
Article 10 – paragraph 7
Amendment 3 #
2017/0122(COD)
Council position
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) While in general regular weekly rest periods and longer rest periods canshall not be taken in the vehicle or in a parking area, but only in suitable accommodation, which may be adjacent to a parking area, i, by way of derogation relevant rest periods may be taken in vehicles, provided that the vehicle is parked in certified safe and secure parking area which provides parking places for commercial vehicles and service facilities fulfilling the minimum requirements. It is of utmost importance to enable drivers to locate safe and secure parking areas that provide appropriate levels of security and appropriate facilities. The Commission has already studied how to encourage the development of high- quality parking areas, including the necessary minimum requirements. The Commission should therefore develop standards for safe and secure parking areas. Those standards should contribute to promoting high- quality parking areas. The standards may be revised in order to cater for better access to alternative fuels, in line with policies developing that infrastructure. It is also important that parking areas are being kept free from ice and snow.
Amendment 9 #
2017/0122(COD)
Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point c
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point c
Regulation (EC) No 561/2006
Article 8 – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 1
8. Where a driver chooses to do this, daily rest periods and reduced weekly rest periods away from base may be taken in a vehicle, as long as it has suitable sleeping facilities for each driver and the vehicle is stationary. The regular weekly rest periods and any weekly rest period of more than 45 hours taken in compensation for previous reduced weekly rest periods shall not be taken in a vehicle. They shall be taken in suitable gender-friendly accommodation with adequate sleeping and sanitary facilities. By way of derogation from the second subparagraph, the regular weekly rest periods and any weekly rest of more than 45 hours taken in compensation for previous reduced weekly rest may be taken in a vehicle, provided that the vehicle is parked in certified safe and secure parking area which provides parking places for commercial vehicles and service facilities fulfilling the minimum requirements set out in Article 8a. Until [OJ: three years after entry into force] a vehicle may also be parked in a regular parking area which provides basic service facilities. Relevant period might be prolonged by the Commission, by means of delegated act, for additional two years if according to the out comes of the Commission’s report on the availability of safe and secure parking are as the number of certified safe and secure parking areas across EU would not be sufficient to meet reported needs.
Amendment 10 #
2017/0122(COD)
Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point c
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point c
Regulation (EC) No 561/2006
Article 8 – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 2
Any costs for accommodation outside the vehicle shall be covered by the employer, as well as any fee deriving from the use of safe and secure parking area.;
Amendment 12 #
2017/0122(COD)
Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point d
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6 – point d
Regulation (EC) No 561/2006
Article 8 – paragraph 8a – subparagraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 8a – subparagraph 1
8a. Transport undertakings shall organise the work of drivers in such a way that the drivers are able to return to the employer's operational centre where the driver is normally based and where the driver's weekly rest period begins, in the Member State of the employer's establishment, or to return to the drivers' place of residence, or to any other location chosen by the driver, within each period of four consecutive weeks, in order to spend at least one regular weekly rest period or a weekly rest period of more than 45 hours taken in compensation for reduced weekly rest period.
Amendment 13 #
2017/0122(COD)
Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7 Regulation (EC) No 561/2006
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7 Regulation (EC) No 561/2006
4. By 31 December 2024At the latest [OJ: three years after the date of entry into force of this amending Regulation], the Commission shall present a report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the availability of suitable rest facilities for drivers and of secured parking facilities, as well as on the development of safe and secure parking areas certified in accordance with the delegated acts referred to in paragraph 2. That report may list. The report shall in particular cover information on the number and the location of certified safe and secure parking areas, on their capacity and usage, and on the demand for additional places or facilities. Based on this report, the Commission shall propose, if appropriate, measures aiming to increase the number and quality of certified safe and secure parking areas and/or measures to prolong transitional period laid down in the fourth subparagraph of Article 8 for additional two years.
Amendment 3 #
2017/0121(COD)
Council position
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) When a driver is engaged in a combined transport operation, the nature of the service provided during the initial or final road leg is closely linked with the Member State of establishment if the road leg on its own is a bilateral transport operation. By contrast, when the transport operation during the road leg is carried out within the host Member State or as a non-bilateral international transport operation, there is a sufficient link with the territory of a host Member State and therefore the posting rules should apply.
Amendment 6 #
2017/0121(COD)
Council position
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) Where a driver performs other types of operations, notably cabotage operations or non-bilateral international transport operations, there is a sufficient link to the territory of the host Member State. The link exists in case of cabotage operations as defined by Regulations (EC) No 1072/20096 and (EC) No 1073/20097 of the European Parliament and of the Council since the entire transport operation takes place in a host Member State and the service is thus closely linked to the territory of the host Member State. A non- bilateral international transport operation is characterised by the fact that the driver is engaged in international carriage outside of the Member State of establishment of the undertaking making the posting. The services performed are therefore linked with the host Member States concerned rather than with the Member State of establishment. In those cases, sector- specific rules are only required with regard to the administrative requirements and control measures. Nevertheless, until negotiations between the Union and relevant third countries as regards the application of rules equivalent to those laid down in this Directive will be concluded, certain number of cross-trade operations should be exempted from posting rules. _________________ 6Regulation (EC) No 1072/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 on common rules for access to the international road haulage market (OJ L 300, 14.11.2009, p. 72). 7Regulation (EC) No 1073/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 October 2009 on common rules for access to the international market for coach and bus services, and amending Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 (OJ L 300, 14.11.2009, p. 88).
Amendment 8 #
2017/0121(COD)
Council position
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Union operators face growing competition from operators based in third countries. It is therefore of the utmost importance to ensure that Union operators are not discriminated against. According to Article 1(4) of Directive 96/71/EC, undertakings established in a non-member State must not be given more favourable treatment than undertakings established in a Member State. That principle should also apply with regard to the specific rules on posting provided for in this Directive. It should, in particular, apply when third country operators perform transport operations under bilateral or multilateral agreements granting access to the Union marketTherefore, taking into account the fact that the Union has already exercised its competence and adopted common specific rules on posting of drivers, it should begin negotiations with the relevant third countries with a view to the application of rules equivalent to those laid down in this Directive.
Amendment 10 #
2017/0121(COD)
Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
For the purpose of this Directive, a bilateral transport operation in respect of goods means the movement of goods, based on a transport contractconsignment note, from the Member State of establishment, as defined in Article 2(8) of Regulation (EC) No 1071/2009, to another Member State or to a third country, or from another Member State or a third country to the Member State of establishment. In a bilateral transport operation, a Member State of establishment shall be either the place of origin where the transported goods are loaded or the place of destination where the goods are unloaded. Moreover, a bilateral transport operation may involve picking up of the goods at one or several loading points until their final delivery at one or several delivery points.
Amendment 13 #
2017/0121(COD)
Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 17 #
2017/0121(COD)
Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 3
Amendment 19 #
2017/0121(COD)
Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 4
Article 1 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 4
Theis exemptions for additional activities set out in the third and fourth subparagraphs of this paragraph shall apply only until the date fromon which smart tachographs complying with the requirement of recording border crossings and additional activities referred to in the first subparagraph of Article 8(1) of Regulation (EU) No 165/2014 are requnegotiations between the Union and relevant thired to be fitted in the vehicles registered in a Member State for the first time, under the fourth subparagraph of Article 8(1) of that Regulation. From that date the exemptions for additional activities set out in the third and fourth subparagraphs of this paragraph shall apply solely to drivers using vehicles fitted with smart tachographs, as provided for in Articles 8, 9 and 10 of that Regulationcountries as regards the application of rules equivalent to those laid down in this Directive will be concluded.
Amendment 21 #
2017/0121(COD)
Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) picks up passengers in the Member State of establishment and sets them down in another Member State and/or a third country;
Amendment 23 #
2017/0121(COD)
Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) picks up passengers in a Member State and/or a third country and sets them down in the Member State of establishment; or
Amendment 25 #
2017/0121(COD)
Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 1 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) picks up and sets down passengers in the Member State of establishment for the purpose of carrying out local excursions in another Member State and/or a third country, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1073/2009.
Amendment 28 #
2017/0121(COD)
Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 29 #
2017/0121(COD)
Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 3
Amendment 31 #
2017/0121(COD)
Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 8
Article 1 – paragraph 8
8. A posting shall, for the purpose of Article 3(1a) of Directive 96/71/EC, be considered to be ending when the driver leavesfinally delivers goods or sets passengers down in the host Member State in the performance of the international carriage of goods or passengers. That period of posting shall not be cumulated with previous periods of posting in the context of such international operations performed by the same driver or by another driver whom he or she replaces.
Amendment 34 #
2017/0121(COD)
Council position
Article 1 – paragraph 10
Article 1 – paragraph 10
10. Transport undertakings established in a non-Member State shall not be given more favourable treatment than undertakings established in a Member State, including when performing transport operations under bilateral or multilateral agreements granting access to the Union market or parts thereof. Hence once this Directive has entered into force, the Union shall begin negotiations with the relevant third countries with a view to the application of rules equivalent to those laid down in this Directive.
Amendment 165 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. Without prejudice to paragraph 1, the national supervisory authorities shall be legally distinct and independent from any other public or private entity in terms of their organisation, functioning, legal structure and decision-making.
Amendment 176 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The national supervisory authorities shall also be independent in terms of their organisation, funding decisions, legal structure and decision-making from any air navigation service provider.
Amendment 180 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 4
Article 3 – paragraph 4
4. Member States may set up national supervisory authorities which are competent for several regulated sectors, if those integrated regulatory authorities fulfil the independence requirements set out in this Article. The national supervisory authority may also be joined in respect of its organisational structure with the national competition authority referred to in Article 11 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1/200338 , or the national transport authority, if the joint body fulfils the independence requirements set out in this Article. __________________ 38Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2003 of 16 December 2002 on the implementation of the rules on competition laid down in Articles 81 and 82 of the Treaty (OJ L 1, 4.1.2003, p. 1).
Amendment 196 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
6. In addition to the requirements set out in paragraph 5, persons in charge of strategic decisions shall be appointed by an entity of the Member State concerned which does not directly exert ownership rights over air navigation servicefollowing a clear and transparent process providers. Member States shall decide whether these persons are appointed for a fixed and renewable term, or on a permanent basis which only allows dismissal for reasons not related to their decision-making. Persons in charge of strategic decisions shall not seek or take instructions from any government or other public or private entity when carrying out their functions for the national supervisory authority and shall have full authority over the recruitment and management of its staff. .
Amendment 203 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 221 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point b
Amendment 231 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
It shall take all necessary enforcement measures which may, where appropriate, include the amendment, limitation, suspension or revocation of economic certificates issued by them in accordance with Article 6.
Amendment 344 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Where this enables cost-efficiency, technical, and operational gains to the benefit of airspace users, Member States shallmay allow airport operators tothe procurement of terminal air traffic services for aerodrome control and approach control under market conditions.
Amendment 354 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 370 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3
Article 8 – paragraph 3
3. On a voluntary basis, Member States shall take all necessary measures to ensure that the provision of en route air traffic services is separated in terms of organisationaccounts from the provision of CNS, AIS, ADS, MET and terminal air traffic services and that the requirement concerning the separation of accounts referred to in Article 25(3) is respected.
Amendment 561 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 11 – introductory part
Article 13 – paragraph 11 – introductory part
11. The Agency acting as PRBnational supervisory authority shall issue regular reports, within the time limits referred to in the implementing acts to be adopted in accordance with Article 18, on the monitoring of performance of en route air navigation services and network functions, including regular assessments of the achievement of the en route Union- wide performance targets and ofnational performance targets for en route air navigation services for air trafficnavigation service providers and making the results of those assessments publicly available.
Amendment 567 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 11 – subparagraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 11 – subparagraph 1
The designated air trafficnavigation service provider shall provide the information and data necessary for the monitoring of the performance of air navigation services. This shall include information and data related to actual costs and revenues. Where performance targets are not reached or the performance plan is not correctly implemented, the Agency acting as PRB shall issue decisions requiring corrective measures to be implemented by the air traffic service providers. These corrective measures may include, where objectively necessary, a requirement for an air traffic service provider to delegate the provision of the relevant services to another air traffic service providernational supervisory authority shall issue decisions requiring the air navigation service provider to implement corrective measures. Where the performance targets continue to be missed, or where the performance plan continues to be incorrectly implemented or where corrective measures imposed are not or not properly applied, the Agency acting as PRB shall conduct an investigation and provide an opinion to the Commission in accordance with Article 24(2). The Commission may take action in accordance with Article 24(3).
Amendment 632 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 10 – subparagraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 10 – subparagraph 1
The designated air trafficnavigation service provider shall provide the information and data necessary for the monitoring of the performance of air navigation services. This shall include information and data related to actual costs and revenues.
Amendment 635 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 10 – subparagraph 2
Article 14 – paragraph 10 – subparagraph 2
Where performance targets are not reached or the performance plan is not correctly implemented, the national supervisory authority shall issue decisions requiring corrective measures to be implemented by the air traffic service providers. These corrective measures may include, where objectively necessary, a requirthe air navigation service provider to implement fcor an air traffic service provider to delegate the provision of the relevant services to another air traffic service providerrective measures. Where the performance targets continue to be missed, or where the performance plan continues to be incorrectly implemented, or where corrective measures imposed are not or not properly applied, the national supervisory authority shallmay request the Agency acting as PRB to conduct an investigation in accordance with Article 24(2), and the Commission may take action in accordance with Article 24(3).
Amendment 710 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 21 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Unit rates shall be set by the national supervisory authorities, after verification by the Agency acting as PRB that they comply with Article 19, Article 20 and with this Article. Where the Agency acting as PRB finds that a unit rate does not fulfill those requirements, the unit rate shall be reviewed accordingly by the national supervisory authority concerned. Where a unit rate continues to not fulfill those requirements, the Agency acting as PRB shall conduct an investigation and provide an opinion to the Commission in accordance with Article 24(2), and the Commission may take action in accordanceMember States in line with the EUROCONTROL Multilateral Agreement relating to Route Charges and in compliance with Article 19, Article 20 and with this Article 24(3).
Amendment 713 #
2013/0186(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 21 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1