44 Amendments of Mauri PEKKARINEN related to 2020/0006(COD)
Amendment 14 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) In order to be successful, the transition has to be fair and socially acceptable for all. Therefore, both the Union and the Member States must take into account its economic, environmental and social implications from the outset, and deploy all possible instruments to mitigate adverse consequences; ensuring that investments are channelled towards economic activities that make the greatest positive environmental impact and provide local economies with a viable long-term vision and future-proof employment prospects. The Union budget has an important role in that regard.
Amendment 77 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) As set out in the European Green Deal and the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan, a Just Transition Mechanism should complement the other actions under the next multi-annual financial framework for the period from 2021 to 2027. It should contribute to addressing the social and economic consequences of transitioning towards Union climate neutrality by 2050 by bringing together the Union budget’s spending on climate and social objectives at regional level.
Amendment 82 #
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 workers concerned, and by laying down the foundations for the transition towards climate neutrality and creating new employment opportunities for those affected by this transition. 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. 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 88 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
(14a) All Member States should endorse the EU's objective of climate neutrality by 2050 in order to make the ecological transition a success. Member States that have not committed to implement this objective yet should only get a partial access to their national allocation under the JTF, until they do so. In such a case, regions in these Member States that commit to implement this objective should be favoured.
Amendment 91 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The territorial just transition plans should identify the territories most negatively affected, where JTF support should be concentrated and describe specific actions to be undertaken to reach a climate-neutral economy, enhance employment and prevent environmental degradation, notably as regards the conversion or closure of facilities involving fossil fuel production or other greenhouse gas intensive activities. Those territories should be precisely defined and correspond to NUTS level 3 regions or should be parts thereofan be part of or correspond to larger units such as NUTS level 3 regions. The plans should detail the challenges and needs of those territories and identify the type of operations needed in a manner that ensures the coherent development of climate- resilient economic activities that are also consistent with the transition to climate- neutrality and the objectives of the Green Deal. Only investments in accordance with the transition plans should receive financial support from the JTF. The territorial just transition plans should be part of the programmes (supported by the ERDF, the ESF+, the Cohesion Fund or the JTF, as the case may be) which are approved by the Commission.
Amendment 91 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) The JTF cannot aggravate existing inequalities among Member States nor weaken the Single Market.
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) The Commission should provide if requested by the Member States a technical assistance, in case they don’t have the necessary administrative capacity or are facing difficulties in elaborating the territorial just transition plans.
Amendment 98 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) In order to enhance the result orientationsure intended results of the use of JTF resources, the Commission, in line with the principle of proportionality, should be able to apply financial corrections in case of serious underachievement of targets established for the JTF specific objective.
Amendment 107 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
In accordance with the second subparagraph of Article [4(1)] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR], the JTF shall contribute to the single specific objective ‘enabling regions and people to address the social, economic and environmental impacts of the transition towards a climate- neutral economy’. The investments should aim at mitigating job losses resulting from the transition, by supporting the reconversion and the creation of new jobs.
Amendment 109 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) Only those Member States shall be eligible for support from the JTF that committed to the Union's 2050 climate neutrality target.
Amendment 119 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
Recital 8 a (new)
(8a) With the aim for a fair and sustainable transition that ensures the achievement and effectiveness of the objectives set by this regulation, the allocation of the resources should also take into account the results achieved by Member States with regard to the 2020 targets for GHG emissions reductions, renewable energy and energy efficiency. In this way, the JTF should not penalize Member States that have already invested and are in line with reaching the established objectives.
Amendment 142 #
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, focusing on skills and qualifications that are compatible with the transition to a sustainable and digital economy, with the aim of helping them to adapt to new employment opportunities, as well as providing job-search assistance to jobseekers and their active inclusion into the labour market.
Amendment 150 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) In order to enhance the economic diversification and modernisation of territories impacted by the transition, the JTF should provide support to productive investment in SMEs. Productive investment should be understood as investment in fixed capital or immaterial assets of enterprises in view of producing goods and services thereby contributing to gross-capital formation and employment. In this regard, particular attention should be paid to SMEs operating in regions with higher unemployment rates. For enterprises other than SMEs, productive investments should only be supported if they are necessary for mitigating job losses resulting from the transition, by creating or protecting a significant number of jobs and they do not lead to or result from relocation. Investments in existing industrial facilities, including those covered by the Union Emissions Trading System, should be allowed if they contribute to the transition to a climate- neutral economy by 2050 and go substantially below the relevant benchmarks established for free allocation under Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council14 and if they result in the protection of a significant number of jobs. Any such investment should be justified accordingly in the relevant territorial just transition plan. In order to protect the integrity of the internal market and cohesion policy, support to undertakings should comply with Union State aid rules as set out in Articles 107 and 108 TFEU and, in particular, support to productive investments by enterprises other than SMEs should be limited to enterprises located in areas designated as assisted areas for the purposes of points (a) and (c) of Article 107(3) TFEU. All investments shall be made without prejudice to the energy efficiency first and polluter pays principles. __________________ 14Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community and amending Council Directive 96/61/EC (OJ L 275, 25.10.2003, p. 32).
Amendment 184 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2 a (new)
For Member States that have not yet committed to the EU's objective of climate neutrality by 2050, access to the Just Transition Fund will be limited to 50% of their national allocation ("not frozen part"), the other 50% being made available upon the acceptance of such a commitment ("frozen part"). In such a case, regions that commit to implement this objective should get access in priority to the not frozen part of the national allocation.
Amendment 192 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall prepare, together with the relevant authorities of the territories concerned, one or more territorial just transition plans covering one or more affected territories, which can be part of or correspond to larger levels such as corresponding to level 3 of the common classification of territorial units for statistics (‘NUTS level 3 regions’) as established by Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council as amended by Commission Regulation (EC) No 868/201417 or parts thereof, in accordance with the template set out in Annex II. Those territories shall be those most negatively affected based on the economic and social impacts resulting from the transition, in particular with regard to expected job losses in fossil fuel production and use and the transformation needs of the production processes of industrial facilities with the highest greenhouse gas intensity. Technical assistance should be provided by the Commission at the demand of the Member States for the elaboration of the territorial just transition plans. _________________ 17Regulation (EC) No 1059/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 May 2003 on the establishment of a common classification of territorial units for statistics (NUTS) (OJ L 154 21.6.2003, p. 1).
Amendment 201 #
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 or economic activities facing serious socio-economic challenges deriving from the transition process towards a climate-neutral economy of the Union by 2050 and the Union's 2030 target.
Amendment 203 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. The preparation and implementation of territorial just transition plans shall involve theall relevant partners in accordance with Article [6] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR].
Amendment 214 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
In accordance with the second subparagraph of Article [4(1)] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR], the JTF shall contribute to the single specific objective ‘enabling regions, economic operators and people to address the social, economic and environmental impacts of the transition towards an EU climate- neutral economyand circular economy by 2050’.
Amendment 216 #
(ba) half of the national allocation is conditional on the Member State's commitment to the EU's objective of climate neutrality by 2050. The rest should be put in a reserve until the concerned Member State accepts this commitment. In such a case, the concerned Member State's regions that commit to implement the EU's objective of climate neutrality by 2050 should get a privileged access to the funds.
Amendment 223 #
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. The fund should aim to be technology neutral.
Amendment 243 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – introductory part
In accordance with paragraph 1, the JTF shall exclusively support the following activities:
Amendment 260 #
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, including through business incubators and consulting services;
Amendment 266 #
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, energy efficiency and renewable energy;charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, energy efficiency and renewable energy, including storage technologies to enable alternatives such as sustainable mobility, including freight transport in urban areas, or building renovation, among others.
Amendment 275 #
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, circular economy, energy efficiency and renewable energy;
Amendment 288 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) investments in district heating;
Amendment 294 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d b (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d b (new)
(db) ensuring security of energy supply;
Amendment 295 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d c (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point d c (new)
(dc) investments in the deployment of technology and infrastructure for affordable clean and smart mobility contributing to greenhouse gas emission reduction and to the diversification of mobility solutions;
Amendment 302 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point e
(e) investments in digitalisation and digital connectivity; in particular investments facilitating the transition towards a circular economy and climate neutrality, including using digital technologies and data in agriculture, farming, forestry and food industries, in particular for the upgrade of broadband in rural and remote areas.
Amendment 321 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point g
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point g
(g) investments in enhancing the circular economy, including through waste prevention, reduction, resource efficiency, reuse, repair and recycling;
Amendment 327 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point h
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 – point h
(h) upskilling and reskilling of workers, focusing on skills and qualifications that are compatible with the transition to a sustainable and digital economy, and green economy;
Amendment 339 #
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, particularly women and vulnerable groups;
Amendment 353 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
The JTF may also support investments to achieve the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from activities listed in Annex I to Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council provided that such investments have been approved as part of the territorial just transition plan based on the information required under point (i) of Article 7(2). Such investments shall only be eligible where they are necessary for the implementation of the territorial just transition plan, and do not, by virtue of windfall effects, merely add to the profits, which industrial facilities can obtain under the ETS.
Amendment 371 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) investment related to the production, processing, transport, distribution, storage or combustion of fossil fuels;
Amendment 375 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) activities or investments which lead to the lock-in in assets harmful to the climate and environment objectives of the Union considering their lifetime.
Amendment 379 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e b (new)
(eb) productive investments in enterprises other than SMEs that imply the transfer of jobs, capital and production processes from one Member State to another.
Amendment 415 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) a justification for identifying the territories or economic activities as most negatively affected by the transition process referred to in point (a) and to be supported by the JTF, in accordance with paragraph 1;
Amendment 428 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) a description of the expected contribution of the JTF support to addressing the social, economic and environmental impacts of the transition to a climate-neutral economy by 2050;
Amendment 431 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point f
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) a description of the governance mechanisms consisting of the partnership arrangements, the monitoring and evaluation measures planned and the responsible bodies, including the possibility of evaluation by non- governmental bodies and institutions as well;
Amendment 434 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point g
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point g
(g) a description of the type and timeline of operations envisaged and their expected contribution to alleviate the impact of the transitioneconomic, social, and environmental impact of the transition at local, regional, and (where relevant) national level;
Amendment 440 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point i
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point i
(i) where support is provided to investments to achieve the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from activities listed in Annex I to Directive 2003/87/EC, an exhaustive list of operations to be supported and a justification that they contribute to a transition to an EU-level climate neutral economy by 2050 and lead to a substantial reduction in greenhouse- gas emissions going substantially below the relevant benchmarks established for free allocation under Directive 2003/87/EC and provided that they are necessary for the protection of a significant number of jobs;
Amendment 459 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Territorial just transition plans shall be publicly available.
Amendment 462 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3
Article 8 – paragraph 3
3. Where a JTF priority supports the activities referred to in points (h), (i) or (j) of Article 4(2), data on the indicators for participants shall only be transmitted where all the data relating to that participant, required in accordance with Annex III are available, while ensuring strict data protection rules.
Amendment 467 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Article 9 – paragraph 1
Where the Commission concludes, based on the examination of the final performance report of the programme, that there is a failure to achieve at least 675% of the target established for one or more output or result indicators for the JTF resources, it may make financial corrections pursuant to Article [98] of Regulation (EU) [new CPR] by reducing the support from the JTF to the priority concerned in proportion to the achievements.
Amendment 472 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 4
Article 10 – paragraph 4
4. Before adopting a delegated act, the Commission shall consult experts designated by each Member State and conduct stakeholder consultation in accordance with the principles laid down in the Interinstitutional Agreement of 13 April 2016 on Better Law-Making.