21 Amendments of Nicolás GONZÁLEZ CASARES related to 2020/0100(COD)
Amendment 1 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The Commission adopted a Communication on the European Green Deal on 11 December 20199 , drawing its roadmap towards a new sustainable growth policy for Europe and setting ambitious objectives to counter climate change and for environmental protection. In line with the objective tof achieveing the Union’s 2030 targets for climate and energy and climate neutrality in the Union by 2050 at the latest in an effective and fair manner, the European Green Deal announced a Just Transition Mechanism to provide means for facing the climate challengeas laid down in [Regulation (EU) 2020/XXX establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1999("European Climate Law")], the European Green Deal announced a Just Transition Mechanism to provide means for facing the economic, social and environmental challenges of the transition to a climate neutral, environmentally sustainable, energy and resource efficient, circular economy, 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, also in light of the COVID-19 crisis. _________________ 9 COM(2019) 640 final.
Amendment 7 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1 a) The financing and investment operations should be aligned with current policy priorities of the Union such as the European Green Deal and its commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest, the Strategy on shaping Europe’s digital future and the European Pillar of Social Rights. These operations should support the creation or preservation of quality and sustainable jobs and cross-border activities within the Union as well as contribute to the green and digital transition of the European economy.
Amendment 9 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The Commission adopted a Communication on the European Green Deal Investment Plan10 on 14 January 2020, establishing the Just Transition Mechanism which focuses on the regions and sectors that are most affected by the transition given their dependence on fossil fuels, including coal, peat and oil shale or greenhouse gas-intensive industrial processes but have less capacity to finance the necessary investments towards climate neutrality. The Just Transition Mechanism consists of three pillars: a Just Transition Fund implemented under shared management, a dedicated just transition scheme under InvestEU, and a public sector loan facility to mobilise additional investments to the regions concerned. _________________ 10 COM(2020) 21 final.
Amendment 17 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) A public sector loan facility (the ‘Facility’) should be provided. It constitutes the third pillar of the Just Transition Mechanism, supporting public sector entities in their investments. Such investments should be consistent with Union policies, in line with the Paris Agreement and its commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest, and 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 Facility shall not support activities excluded under Article [5] of [Regulation (EU) 2020/XXX establishing the Just Transition Fund ("JTF Regulation")].
Amendment 21 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4 a) The disruptive economic and social effect of the COVID-19 crisis weakens public and private investment capacity thus limiting the financial resources essential for the transition to a climate neutral and resource efficient Union. In this regard, in the framework of Next Generation EU, the Facility should contribute to reducing this gap and enable Member States to undertake the necessary investments to foster the achievement of the Union's long-term sustainability priorities.
Amendment 22 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The Commission adopted a Communication on the European Green Deal on 11 December 20199 , drawing its roadmap towards a new growth policy for Europe and setting ambitious objectives to counter climate change and for environmental protection. In line with the objective to achieve climate neutrality in the Union by 2050 in an effective and fair manner, 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. Effective support should be dedicated towards providing sustainable employment for the most affected by the transition. _________________ 9 COM(2019) 640 final.
Amendment 24 #
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 climate neutral economy, as described in the territorial just transition plans. The investments supported may cover energy and transport infrastructure, district heating networks, green mobility, smart waste management, clean-neutral, environmentally sustainable, energy and resource efficient and circular economy of the Union by 2050 at the latest as described in the territorial just transition plans. The investments supported may cover technology to support the decarbonisation of the energy sector, district heating networks, sustainable mobility,waste prevention measures, clean and renewable energy and, energy efficiency measures including renovations and conversions of buildings, sustainable bioeconomy, support to transition to a circular economy, land and ecosystem restoration and decontamination, 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. Comprehensive investment approach , consistent with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and in line with the Paris Agreement goals,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 Union’s 2030 targets for climate and energy and its commitment to a climate-neutral economy by 2050, with the “do not significant harm" principle referred to in Regulation (EU) 2020/852 and 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 31 #
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 climate neutral economy, as described in the territorial just transition plans. Support mechanisms should avoid further increasing economic disparities between EU regions and should instead focus on strengthening social cohesion amongst all EU citizens. The investments supported may cover energy and transport infrastructure, district heating networks, green mobility, smart waste management, clean energy and energy efficiency measures including renovations and conversions of buildings, support to transition to a circular economy, land restoration and decontamination, 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. 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 as well as to deliver long-term job opportunities for the most affected workers by the economic restructuring. 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 36 #
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 should 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 project, the positive environmental impact of the project measured with the screening criteria as defined in the EU taxonomy established by Regulation (EU) 2020/852. 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 45 #
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 should 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, the overall impact on the regional labour market 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 51 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
The Facility shall provide support benefittto people ing Union territories facing diverse serious social, environmental and economic challenges deriving from the transition process towards a climate- neutral, environmentally sustainable, energy and resource efficient and circular economy of the Union by 2050 at the latest .
Amendment 58 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The general objective of the Facility is to address diverse serious socio-al, environmental and economic challenges deriving from the transition process towards a climate-neutral economy, environmentally sustainable, energy and resource efficient and circular economy of the Union by 2050 at the latest as laid down in [Regulation (EU) 2020/XXX establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1999("European Climate Law")], 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].
Amendment 64 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The Facility shall have the specific objective of increasing public sector investments, which address the development needs of regions identified in the territorial just transition plans, by facilitating the financing of projects that are consistent with the Union policies, in line with the Paris Agreement and its commitment to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest , that do not generate a sufficient stream of own revenues and would not be financed without the element of grant support from the Union budget.
Amendment 67 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The Facility shall have the specific objective of increasing public sector investments, which address the development needs of regions identified in the territorial just transition plans, by facilitating the financing of projects that reduce our environmental footprint in accordance with our climate targets, while providing long-term sustainable employment but do not generate a sufficient stream of own revenues and would not be financed without the element of grant support from the Union budget.
Amendment 74 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4
Article 6 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall adopt a decision by means of an implement delegated act ing actcordance with Article 17 setting out the respective shares for each Member State resulting from the application of the methodology set out in Annex I of Regulation [JTF Regulation] in the form of percentages of the total available resources.
Amendment 77 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Access to the the grants made available under the Facility shall be conditional on the endorsement and demonstration of Member States commitment to the Union objective of climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest in their territorial just transition plans, as well as on the adoption of a long term strategy as referred to in Article 15 of Regulation (EU) 2018/19991a. _________________ 1a 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) 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 79 #
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 a climate-neutral economy, environmentally sustainable, energy and resource efficient and circular economy of the Union by 2050 at the latest as laid down in [Regulation (EU) 2020/XXX establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1999("European Climate Law")], and benefit territories identified in a territorial just transition plan, even if they are not located in those territories;
Amendment 84 #
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, labour or environmental challenges deriving from the transition process towards a climate-neutral economy and benefit the most affected territories identified in a territorial just transition plan, even if they are not located in those territories;
Amendment 95 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 a (new)
Article 8 a (new)
Article 8 a In accordance with Article 8, paragraph 1, point (d), the Commission may approve projects that provide diversification and ensure security of energy supplies with transitional energy carrier, already accepted under the Just Transition Fund.
Amendment 96 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
The Facility shall be implemented by work programmes established in accordance with Article 110 of the Financial Regulation. The Commission shall adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 17 in order to establish work programmes The work programmes shall specify the criteria and conditions for the selection and for the prioritisation of projects, taking into account the relevant screening criteria laid down by Regulation (EU) 2020/852, the project’s ability to meet the objectives and needs identified in the territorial just transition plans, the contribution to the transition towards a climate-neutral, environmentally sustainable, energy and resource efficient and circular economy of the Union by 2050 at the latest, the overall objective of promoting regional and territorial convergence and the grant’s contribution to the viability of projects. The work programmes shall set out the national shares of resources, including any additional resources, for each Member State in accordance with Articles 4(1) and 6(2) of this Regulation.
Amendment 103 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The Commission shall report annually on the implementation of the Facility in accordance with Article 250 of the Financial Regulation. That report shall provide information on the results and impact of the Facility with respect to its objectives and performance indicators, in particular its contribution to addressing the transition needs and to the Union environmental objectives. For that purpose, finance partners and beneficiaries shall provide on an annual basis all the necessary information and data. The evaluation shall also analyse how the Union support provided under the Facility has contributed to meeting the Union sustainability policy objectives, in particular the Union's climate objectives laid down in [Regulation (EU) 2020/XXX establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1999("European Climate Law")].