Activities of Juozas OLEKAS related to 2020/0300(COD)
Plenary speeches (1)
General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030 (debate)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council on a General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030
Amendments (21)
Amendment 83 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Environment action programmes have successfully guided the development of EU environment policy since the early 1970s. The 7th EAP will expire on 31 December 2020 and its Article 4 (3) requires the Commission, if appropriate, to present a proposal for an Eighth Environment Action Programme (8th EAP) in a timely manner with a view to avoiding a gap between the 7th and the 8th EAP. The European Green Deal announced the adoption of a new environment action programme.
Amendment 85 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) The 8th EAP should support the environment and climate action objectives of the European Green Deal in line with the long-term objective to “live well, within the planetary boundaries” by 2050, which is already established in the 7th EAP. It should contribute to achieving the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals, while also making sure the shift towards more sustainable farming practices and food systems leaves no-one behind.
Amendment 93 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The 8th EAP should accelerate the transition to a regenerative economy that gives back to the planet more than it takes. A regenerative 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 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 and stopping the loss of biodiversity. Through continuous technological and social innovation, adaptation to new challenges and co-creation, the regenerative economy strengthens resilience and protects present and future generations’ wellbeing.
Amendment 97 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) The 8th EAP should set out thematic priority objectives in areas of climate neutrality, adaption to climate change, protecting and restoring biodiversity, circular economy, the zero pollution ambition and reducing environmental pressures from production and consumption. It should furthermore identify the enabling conditions to achieve the long-term and the thematic priority objectives for all actors involved, while also taking into account the achievements of EU in recent decades, which include already significant reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Amendment 106 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Environment policy being highly decentralised, action to achieve the priority objectives of the 8th EAP should be taken at different levels of governance, i.e. at the European, the national, the regional and the local level, with a collaborative approach to multi-level governance. The integrated approach to policy development and implementation should be strengthened with a view to maximising the synergies between economic, environmental and social objectives, while paying careful attention to potential trade-offs and to the needs of vulnerable groups. Moreover, transparent engagement with local and regional governments, as well as non- governmental actors is important for ensuring the success of the 8th EAP and the achievement of its priority objectives.
Amendment 110 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Enhanced cooperation with partner countries, trade policy based on sustainability and high standards of production, particularly in the food and feed sector, good global environmental governance as well as synergies between internal and external Union policies are key to reach the Union’s environmental and climate objectives.
Amendment 126 #
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 circular economy in a just and inclusive way, and endorsesbuilds upon the environmental and climate objectives of the European Green Deal and its initiatives, while recognising the effects of previous and current EU efforts for a more sustainable, climate and environmentally friendly economy.
Amendment 132 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
3. The 8th EAP forms the basis for achieving the environmental and climate objectives defined under the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals and its monitoring framework constitutes the environment and climate part of the EU’s efforts to measure progress towards greater sustainability, including climate neutrality and resource efficiency, wellbeing and resilience, maintaining food security and strengthening economic viability for communities most affected by the transition to a more sustainable economy.
Amendment 141 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. The 8th EAP has the long-term priority objective for 2050 that citizens live well, within the planetary boundaries in a regenerative economy where nothing is wasted, no net emissions of greenhouse gases are produced and economic growth is decoupled from resource use and environmental degradation. A healthy environment underpins the well-being of citizens, ensures that biodiversity thrives and natural capital is protected, restored and valued in ways that enhance resilience to climate change and other environmental risks. The Union sets the pace for ensuring the prosperity of present and future generations globally.
Amendment 145 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) irreversible, continuous and gradual reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and enhancement of removals by natural and other sinks in the Union to attain the 2030 greenhouse gas emission reduction target and achieve climate neutrality by 2050 as laid down in Regulation (EU) …/…32 ; _________________ 32 COM/2020/80 final.
Amendment 147 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) continuous progress in enhancing adaptive capacity, strengthening resilience and reducing vulnerability to climate changeof agriculture and food systems to climate change, while putting sufficient emphasis on the social dimension of the transition;
Amendment 150 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) advancing towards a regenerative growth model that gives back to the planet more than it takes, decoupling economic growth from resource use and environmental degradation, and accelerating the transition to a circular economy, while also promoting recovery of materials, improved and increased recycling of secondary raw materials, reduction of landfills, improvement of waste management infrastructure, and introduction of low-waste technologies;
Amendment 162 #
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, in particular in the areas of energy, industrial development, buildings and infrastructure, mobility and the food system, including all parts of the food supply chain.
Amendment 174 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3
— paying careful attention to synergies and potential trade-offs between economic, environmental and social objectives so as to ensure that citizens’ needs for affordable and quality nutrition, housing and mobility are met in a sustainable way that leaves no- one behind;
Amendment 179 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 4
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 4
— regularly evaluating existing policies and preparing impact assessments for new initiatives, which are based on wide consultations, particularly with all governance levels and social partners, following procedures that are accountable, inclusive, informed and simple to implement, and which pay due regard to projected impacts on environment and climate;
Amendment 184 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) mobilising sustainable investments from public and private sources, including of funds and instruments available under the Union budget, via the European Investment Bank and at national level, while ensuring wide accessibility of financial instruments, especially to SMEs, small and medium farms and young farmers;
Amendment 193 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) ensuring that environmental policies and action are based on the best available scientific knowledge and strengthening the environmental knowledge base and its uptake, including by research, innovation, fostering green skills, and further building up environmental and ecosystem accounting, assessing any current barriers for the use of innovative agricultural techniques and increasing access to scientific innovation;
Amendment 202 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) harnessing the potential of digital and data technologies to support environment policy while minimising their environmental footprint, ensuring access to digital and data technologies;
Amendment 204 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) making full use of nature based solutions and social innovation, encouraging different types of cooperation in agriculture;
Amendment 216 #
— ensuring that the Union and the Member States’ financial assistance to third countries promotes the Sustainable Development Goals in the UN 2030 Agenda.
Amendment 220 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission, supported by the European Environment Agency and the European Chemicals Agency, shall regularly assess and report on the progress of the Union and the Member States with regard to achieving the priority objectives laid down in Article 2 on a regular basis, taking into consideration the enabling conditions laid down in Article 3.