20 Amendments of Olivier CHASTEL related to 2020/0100(COD)
Amendment 31 #
(1) The Commission adopted a Communication on the European Green Deal on 11 December 20199 , drawing its roadmap towards a new growth policy for Europe and setting ambitious objectives to counter climate change and for environmental protection. In line with the objective to achieve the Union's 2030 targets for climate and energy, as established in Regulation (EU)…/… of the European Parliament and the Council [establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 (European Climate Law)], and climate neutrality in the Union by 2050 in an effective and fair manner, the European Green Deal announced a Just Transition Mechanism to provide means for facing the climate challenge while leaving no one behind. The most vulnerable regions and people are the most exposed to the harmful effects of climate change and environmental degradation. At the same time, managing the transition requires significant structural changes. _________________ 9 COM(2019) 640 final.
Amendment 48 #
(4) A public sector loan facility (the ‘Facility’) should be provided. It constitutes the third pillar of the Just Transition Mechanism, supporting public sector entities in their investments. Such investments should meet the development needs resulting from the transition challenges described in the territorial just transition plans as adopted by the Commission. The activities envisaged for support should be consistent with and complement those supported under the other two pillars of the Just Transition Mechanism. The sectors or regions that are particularly affected by climate transition, but not specifically targeted under the first pillar, can also benefit from the Facility.
Amendment 54 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In order to enhance the economic diversification of territories impacted by the transition, the Facility should cover a wide range of investments, on condition that they contribute to meet the development needs in the transition towards a climatethe Union’s 2030 targets for climate and energy, as established in Regulation (EU)…/… of the European Parliament and the Council[establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 (European Climate Law)] and a climate- and carbon neutral economy, by 2050 as described in the territorial just transition plans. The investments supported may cover energy and transport infrastructure, district heating networks, green mobilityclean technology and infrastructure including renewable energy, supply of renewables-based hydrogen and hydrogen-based fuels and the decarbonisation of the transport, industry and building stock, sustainable district heating networks, green and sustainable mobility, investments in research and innovation activities, including in universities and public research institutions, fostering the transfer of advanced and market-ready technologies, investments in digitalisation, digital innovation and digital connectivity, including digital and precision farming, smart waste management, clean and safe water, clean energy and energy efficiency and integration measures including renovations and conversions of buildings, carbon capture and storage utilisation, support to transition to a circular economy, land restoration and decontamination, unless falling under the scope of liabilities for environmental damage in accordance with the polluter pays principle referred to in Article 191 TFEU, as well as up- and re-skilling, training and social infrastructure, including social housing. Infrastructure developments may also include solutions leading to their enhanced resilience to withstand disasters. and changing weather conditions caused by climate change. Comprehensive investment approach should be favoured in particular for territories with important transition needs. Investments in other sectors could also be supported if they are consistent with the adopted territorial just transition plans. By supporting investments that do not generate sufficient revenues, the Facility aims at providing public sector entities with additional resources necessary to address the social, economic and environmental challenges resulting from the adjustment to climate transition. In order to help identify investments with a high positive environmental impact eligible under the Facility, the EU taxonomy on environmentally sustainable economic activities may be used.
Amendment 67 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5 a) In the context of its effort to increase economic, territorial and social cohesion, the Facility should also contribute to eliminating inequalities and promoting gender equality and integrating the gender perspective, as well as combating discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation as set out in Article 2 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU), Article 10 TFEU and Article 21 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union. All stakeholders involved at all stages of implementation of the Facility shall commit to promote gender equality and ensure that the impact on women is taken into account, given that they are disproportionately impacted by climate change and transition process.
Amendment 70 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5 a) In order to avoid stranded assets and ensuring that public funding is used most cost effectively, the beneficiary projects should have long-lasting green, sustainable effect and contribute to reaching climate neutrality by 2050
Amendment 73 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Horizontal financial rules adopted by the European Parliament and the Council on the basis of Article 322 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union apply to this Regulation. These rules are laid down in the Financial Regulation and determine in particular the procedure for establishing and implementing the budget through grants, procurement, prizes, indirect implementation, and provide for checks on the responsibility of financial actors. Rules adopted on the basis of Article 322 TFEU also concern the protection of the Union's budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States, as the respect for the rule of law is an essential precondition for sound financial management and effective EU funding. However, the protection of final beneficiaries is crucial to ensure the effectiveness of the investments supported by the Facility. Local and regional authorities cannot lose their funding as a consequence of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States. If necessary, the European Commission, on agreement with the European Parliament and the Council, should temporarily manage funds with the recipients without the involvement of national governments violating the rule of law.
Amendment 99 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) Specific eligibility conditions and award criteria should be set out in the work programme and the call for proposals. Those eligibility conditions and award criteria shouldall take into account the relevance of the project in the context of the development needs described in the territorial just transition plans, the overall objective of promoting regional and territorial convergence and the significance of the grant component for the viability of the projectt criteria established by Regulation (EU) … /... of the European Parliament and the Council [Regulation on establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment], the ability of the project to meet the objectives and development needs described in the territorial just transition plans, the contribution to the achievement of the Union’s 2030 climate and energy targets, and climate neutrality by 2050, the overall objective of promoting regional and territorial convergence and the significance of the grant component for the viability of the project. The Commission shall ensure that gender equality and the integration of gender perspective are taken into account and promoted in the work programme. Union Support established by this Regulation should thus only be made available to Member States with at least one territorial just transition plan adopted. The work programme and calls for proposals will also take into account the territorial just transition plans submitted by Member States to ensure that coherence and consistency across the different pillars of the mechanism is ensured.
Amendment 101 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) Specific eligibility conditions and award criteria, in case demand exceeds funding resources under national allocations, should be set out in the work programme and the call for proposals. Those eligibility conditions and awardprioritisation criteria should take into account the relevance of the project in the context of the development needs described in the territorial just transition planst criteria established by Regulation (EU)…/… of the European Parliament and the Council [Regulation on establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment] the ability of the project to meet the objectives and the development needs described in the territorial just transition plans, the contribution to the climate transition, the cost effectiveness of the project, the overall objective of promoting regional and territorial convergence and the significance of the grant component for the viability of the project. Union Support established by this Regulation should thus only be made available to Member States with at least one territorial just transition plan adopted. The work programme and calls for proposals will also take into account the territorial just transition plans submitted by Member States to ensure that coherence and consistency across the different pillars of the mechanism is ensured.
Amendment 107 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
(14 a) To protect the Union budget and honour the Union's values, Member States should uphold the Rule of Law and a generalised rule of law deficiency could be subject to the suspension of payments and commitments, reduced funding and a prohibition on concluding new commitments in accordance with the EU regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of the Union's budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States.
Amendment 118 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 a (new)
Recital 18 a (new)
(18 a) Since the efficiency of this Facility depends on the administrative capacities of the beneficiaries, the Commission shall ensure that projects are accompanied by modernisation and digitalisation efforts in public administration and community service delivery enhancing innovation where necessary, i.a. through cohesion policy instruments.
Amendment 130 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
The Facility shall provide support benefitting Union territories facing serious social, environmental and economic challenges deriving from the transition process towards a climate-the Union's 2030 targets for climate and energy, as established in Regulation (EU)…/… of the European Parliament and the Council [establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 (European Climate Law)], and a climate- and carbon neutral economy ofin the Union by 2050.
Amendment 144 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
4. 'project' means any action identified by the Commission as eligible, financially and technically independent, which has a pre-defined objective and a set period during which it must be implemented and finalised; projects that have already started, but could not be completed as a result of lacking financial resources, can also be eligible under this facility;
Amendment 152 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
6 a. 'additionality’ means the support for projects that do not generate a sufficient stream of own revenues to cover investment costs and that contribute to the general objectives laid down in Article 3.
Amendment 153 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of the Facility is to address serious socio- economic challenges deriving from the transition process towards a climate-neutral economy for the benefit of the Union territories identified in the territorial just transition plans prepared by the Member States in accordance with Article 7 of Regulation [JTF Regulation]. and to contribute to the EU policy objectives, in particular the Union's 2030 targets for climate and energy, as established in Regulation (EU)…/… of the European Parliament and the Council [establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 (European Climate Law)], the transition towards a climate-neutral economy in the Union by 2050, in line with the Paris Agreement objectives and responding the need to strengthen competitiveness. It should be in line with the Regulation [Regulation on the protection of the Union's budget in case of generalised deficiencies as regards the rule of law in the Member States]
Amendment 180 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 5
Article 4 – paragraph 5
5. An amount up to 2% of the resources referred to in paragraph 1 may be used for technical and administrative assistance for the implementation of the Facility such as preparatory, monitoring, control, audit and evaluation activities including corporate information and technology systems, as well as administrative expenditure and fees of the finance partners. Higher amounts of technical and administrative assistance can be made available upon request to beneficiaries who have lower administrative capacities in terms of technological equipment, staff and infrastructure.
Amendment 187 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. The Commission shall ensure that an effective communication campaign be organised at the onset of the selection process and that information about calls for proposals be made directly available to all public authorities across the EU. Information regarding the technical and administrative support provided to applicants should also be actively promoted.
Amendment 203 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the projects achieve measurable impact in addressing serious social, economic or environmental challenges deriving from the transition process towards a climate-neutral economythe Union's 2030 targets for climate and energy, as established in Regulation (EU)…/… of the European Parliament and the Council [establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 (European Climate Law)], and a climate- and carbon neutral economy in the Union by 2050, are in line with the Regulation (EU)…/… of the European Parliament and the Council [Regulation on establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment] and benefit territories identified in a territorial just transition plan, even if they are not located in those territories;
Amendment 249 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
The Facility shall be implemented byCommission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 17 in order to establish work programmes established in accordance with Article 110 of the Financial Regulation. The work programmes shall set out the national shares of resources, including any additional resources, for each Member State in accordance with Articles 4(1) and 6(2) of this Regulation. The work programmes shall specify the criteria and conditions for the selection and, in case demand exceeds funding resources under national allocations, for the prioritisation of projects, taking into account the relevant criteria laid down by Regulation (EU) .../... [Regulation on establishment of a framework to facilitate sustainable investment], the project’s ability to meet the objectives and needs identified in the territorial just transition plans, the contribution to climate transition, the cost efficiency of the project, the overall objective of promoting regional and territorial convergence and the grant’s contribution to the viability of projects.
Amendment 274 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 18 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Finance partners shall disclose all relevant information on each project that is either rejected or financed and make that information publicly available on their website. Information to be made publicly available under the first sentence shall not contain commercially sensitive information or personal data that are not to be disclosed under the Union data protection rules.
Amendment 278 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2
Article 18 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall implement information and communication actions relating to the Facility, the funded projects and their results. Financial resources allocated to the Facility shall also contribute to the corporate communication of the political priorities of the Union, as far as they are related to the objectives referred to in Article 3. The Commission shall regularly update and publish the list of projects that have been selected or refused under this Facility with the description of specific criteria for acceptance or refusal.