Activities of Antoni COMÍN I OLIVERES
Plenary speeches (101)
Annual report 2018 on the human rights and democracy in the world and the European Union's policy on the matter (debate)
Distortion of European history and remembrance of the Second World War (topical debate)
Rights of indigenous peoples (debate)
EU strategy for mobility and transport: measures needed until 2030 and beyond (debate)
EU response to devastation following floods in Spain (debate)
The illegal trade in companion animals in the EU (debate)
Preparation of the Extraordinary European Council Meeting of 20 February 2020 on the Multiannual Financial Framework (debate)
Gender Equality Strategy (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)
Vaccines and therapeutics in the context of Covid-19 (debate)
Foreign policy consequences of the COVID-19 crisis - The PRC national security law for Hong Kong and the need for the EU to defend Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy - The EU's response to the possible Israeli annexation in the West Bank (debate)
Foreign policy consequences of the COVID-19 crisis - The PRC national security law for Hong Kong and the need for the EU to defend Hong Kong's high degree of autonomy - The EU's response to the possible Israeli annexation in the West Bank (debate)
The role of cohesion policy in tackling the socio-economic fallout from COVID-19 (debate)
Draft Council decision on the system of own resources of the European Union (continuation of debate)
The need for an immediate and humanitarian EU response to the current situation in the refugee camp in Moria (debate)
European Climate Law (debate)
The impact of Covid-19 outbreak on long-term care facilities (debate)
Police brutality within the EU (debate)
EU measures to mitigate social and economic impact of Covid-19 (debate)
Programme for the Union's action in the field of health for the period 2021-2027 (“EU4Health Programme”) (debate)
Situation of Fundamental Rights in the European Union – Annual Report for the years 2018-2019 (debate)
Pharmaceutical strategy for Europe (debate)
EU Security Union Strategy (debate)
EU global strategy on COVID-19 vaccinations (debate)
Implementation of the Common Foreign and Security Policy - annual report 2020 - Implementation of the Common Security and Defence Policy - annual report 2020 - Human Rights and Democracy in the World and the EU policy on the matter - annual report 2019 (debate)
Humanitarian and political situation in Yemen (debate)
The state of play of the EU’s COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy (debate)
Programme for the Union’s action in the field of health for the period 2021-2027 (‘EU4Health programme’) (debate)
Declaration of the EU as an LGBTIQ Freedom Zone (debate)
System of own resources of the European Union – Own resource based on non-recycled plastic packaging waste and certain aspects of the GNI-based own resource – Collection of own resources accruing from value added tax (debate)
Russia, the case of Alexei Navalny, military build-up on Ukraine's border and Russian attack in the Czech Republic (debate)
Programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE) 2021-2027 (debate)
The effects of climate change on human rights and the role of environmental defenders on this matter (debate)
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 (debate)
Conclusions of the special meeting of the European Council on 24 and 25 May 2021 (debate)
European Climate Law (debate)
Situation in Nicaragua (debate)
Conclusions of the European Council meeting of 24-25 June 2021 (debate)
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control - Serious cross-border threats to health (debate)
Presentation of the Fit for 55 package after the publication of the IPCC report (debate)
Media freedom and further deterioration of the Rule of law in Poland (debate)
Reforming the EU policy on harmful tax practices (including the reform of the Code of Conduct Group) (debate)
The state of play on the submitted RRF recovery plans awaiting approval (debate)
Farm to Fork Strategy (debate)
EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation (debate)
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21-22 October 2021 (debate)
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 21-22 October 2021 (debate)
Outcome of the COP26 in Glasgow (debate)
The EU's role in combating the COVID-19 pandemic: how to vaccinate the world (topical debate)
Preparation of the European Council meeting of 16-17 December 2021 - The EU's response to the global resurgence of Covid-19 and the new emerging Covid variants (debate)
State of play of the RRF (Recovery and Resilience Facility) (debate)
Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer(debate)
The Rule of Law and the consequences of the ECJ ruling (debate)
The deterioration of the situation of refugees as a consequence of the Russian aggression against Ukraine (debate)
The situation of journalists and human rights defenders in Mexico
Sixth Assessment Report of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) (debate)
Cooperation and similarities between the Putin regime and extreme right and separatist movements in Europe (topical debate)
Use of the Pegasus Software by EU Member States against individuals including MEPs and the violation of fundamental rights (topical debate)
The case of Osman Kavala in Turkey
Minimum level of taxation for multinational groups (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))
2021 Report on Kosovo (debate)
Taxing windfall profits of energy companies (debate)
Taxing windfall profits of energy companies (debate)
European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control - Serious cross-border threats to health (debate)
Commission proposal for measures under the Rule of Law Conditionality Regulation in the case of Hungary (debate)
Mental health (debate)
General budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023 - all sections (debate)
Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (debate)
Question Time (VPC/HR) - The impact on third countries of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in relation to the “Black Sea Grain Initiative” agreement
Question Time (VPC/HR) - The impact on third countries of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine in relation to the “Black Sea Grain Initiative” agreement
EU response to the increasing crackdown on protests in Iran (debate)
Turkish airstrikes on northern Syria and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (debate)
Defending democracy from foreign interference (debate)
Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2021 (debate)
Universal decriminalization of homosexuality, in light of recent developments in Uganda (debate)
IPCC report on Climate Change: a call for urgent additional action (debate)
Lessons learnt from the Pandora Papers and other revelations (debate)
The water crisis in Europe (debate)
State of the Union (debate)
Guatemala: the situation after the elections, the rule of law and judicial independence
Situation in Nagorno-Karabakh after Azerbaijan’s attack and the continuing threats against Armenia (debate)
Need to complete new trade agreements for sustainable growth, competitiveness and the EU’s strategic autonomy (debate)
Water scarcity and structural investments in access to water in the EU (debate)
Urgent need for a coordinated European response and legislative framework on intrusive spyware, based on the PEGA inquiry committee recommendations (debate)
Outcome of the SDGs Summit (18-19 September 2023, New York) – transformative and accelerated actions leading up to 2030 and beyond (debate)
System of own resources of the European Union (debate)
Proposals of the European Parliament for the amendment of the Treaties (debate)
Threat to rule of law as a consequence of the governmental agreement in Spain (debate)
Defence of democracy package (debate)
Presentation of the programme of activities of the Belgian Presidency (debate)
Russiagate: allegations of Russian interference in the democratic processes of the European Union (debate)
State of play of the implementation of the Global Gateway and its governance two years after its launch (debate)
Implementation report on the EU LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 (debate)
Deepening EU integration in view of future enlargement (debate)
State of play of the corporate sustainability due diligence directive (debate)
Compulsory licensing for crisis management and amending Regulation (EC) 816/2006 (debate)
The immediate risk of mass starvation in Gaza and the attacks on humanitarian aid deliveries
Discharge 2022 (debate)
The attack on climate and nature: far right and conservative attempts to destroy the Green Deal and prevent investment in our future (topical debate)
Shadow reports (4)
REPORT on Policy Coherence for Development
REPORT on the implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals
REPORT on how to build an innovative humanitarian aid strategy: spotlight on current and forgotten crises
REPORT on EU development cooperation to enhance access to education and training in developing countries
Opinions (5)
OPINION on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/87/EC establishing a system for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Union, Decision (EU) 2015/1814 concerning the establishment and operation of a market stability reserve for the Union greenhouse gas emission trading scheme and Regulation (EU) 2015/757
OPINION on the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2023 - all sections
Opinion on the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on the labelling of organic pet food
OPINION on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh European Development Funds for the financial year 2022
OPINION on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022, section III - Commission
Shadow opinions (11)
OPINION on a Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food system
OPINION on a new EU forest strategy for 2030 – sustainable forest management in Europe
OPINION on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the protection of the environment through criminal law and replacing Directive 2008/99/EC
OPINION on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937
OPINION on the EU strategy for sustainable and circular textiles
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market
OPINION on the implementation of the current European Solidarity Corps 2021-2027
OPINION on non-communicable diseases
OPINION on shaping the EU’s position on the UN binding instrument on business and human rights, in particular on access to remedy and the protection of victims
OPINION EU Action Plan: protecting and restoring marine ecosystems for sustainable and resilient fisheries
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an EU Talent Pool
Oral questions (4)
LGBTI-free zones in Poland within the scope of the Rete Lenford case
Waiver of patent protection to speed up vaccine production in the EU
An EU Commissioner for Animal Welfare
An EU Commissioner for Animal Welfare
Written explanations (14)
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)
We do not like the decision taken by the British people in June 2016 but we must respect it. The decisions of the citizenship must be respected. We would love to see the UK to come back to the EU, and this will happen when, among other things, the EU has become a truly democratic project where no one will ever think to exit. We have voted in favour of the Withdrawal Agreement but with a heavy heart.
Verification of credentials (A9-0015/2020 - Lucy Nethsingha)
. ‒ We support this report because it is important to make a thorough verification of credentials. We also support the fact that Mr Oriol Junqueras i Vies is a Member of the European Parliament and as such the EP should not make any decision regarding his rights as MEP, as well as asking all Member States, all EU institutions, and the EU as a whole, to respect and guarantee the rulings of the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
Gender pay gap (B9-0069/2020, B9-0073/2020, B9-0083/2020, B9-0084/2020)
An EU strategy to put an end to female genital mutilation around the world (B9-0090/2020, B9-0092/2020)
Proposed mandate for negotiations for a new partnership with the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (B9-0098/2020)
. ‒ We support this motion because we also look forward to the best partnership possible between the EU and the UK. We do not wish to see any kind of punishment behaviour from the EU, and no distrustful behaviour from the UK. The EU and the UK have a historic opportunity to remake their relationship for the next decades, one of mutual respect and cooperation. This is what our citizens and businesses demand from MEPs and officials. In our case, the UK is Catalonia’s fifth destination in terms of exports, and nearly 40% of Catalan SMEs tend to export to that country. We will not let them down. Finally, we deplore and reject the point of this motion that says that any agreement as regards Gibraltar will need Spain’s assent. Gibraltar has been a British overseas territory since the beginning of the 18th century, and any agreement on Gibraltar will need the assent, mainly and mostly, of Gibraltar’s people.
The illegal trade in companion animals in the EU (B9-0088/2020)
We support this motion because the welfare of animals is linked to the welfare of people. Trafficking in animals, many of them not vaccinated or without the necessary permits and certifications, means trafficking in diseases. This report reminds us that more than 70% of new diseases are of animal origin. The saddest thing is that this matter could be avoided: the Commission must strengthen the implementation of Regulation 576/2013 and impose sanctions on those stakeholders who profit from this traffic. In addition, the illegal trade of pets in the EU undermines the proper functioning of the single market because there is a bad practice in the digital sale purchase. Finally, customs authorities should increase cooperation, communication and training between themselves in terms of pet trade, and we would like to encourage all those who read this that the best is not to buy a pet, but to adopt it.
Stocktaking of European elections (A9-0211/2020 - Pascal Durand)
This report puts forward very important points that should be addressed in order to improve the democratic functioning of the EU, such as the establishment of a single EU electoral authority, the need to increase the role of European political parties, and the reform of the democratic process for choosing the Commission President before the next European elections of 2024.Despite our support for these points and the excellent work carried out by the rapporteur, Mr. Pascal Durand, we feel compelled to vote against the Report. The reason is that the amendments deploring the fact that elected MEP Oriol Junqueras was not able to take his rightful seat because of the non-recognition of his immunity by the Spanish Supreme Court, which keeps him unfairly imprisoned, and stressing that the European Parliament is the only body competent to waive the immunity of its Members, were rejected.We consider that the case of Mr. Oriol Junqueras is of the utmost importance for the upholding of the Rule of Law in the EU. The vote against mentioning the ECJ ruling of December 19th affecting Oriol Junqueras and myself also shows that some MEPs in this house do everything they can to deny reality.
European Citizens' Initiative - Minority Safepack (B9-0403/2020, B9-0405/2020)
The European Citizens’ Initiative ‘Minority SafePack – one million signatures for diversity in Europe’ is a clear proof of the will of the 1 123 422 European citizens calling on the European Commission to protect EU national minorities from some centralist Member States that discriminate against their linguistic minorities.We have always supported this proposal and we find it very positive for the defence of Catalan language speakers, since it denounces linguistic discrimination and promotes the presence of the language in culture, in the school system, in media and public administrations.Unfortunately, we abstained in our final vote because we do not find the proposal in the education system ambitious enough, as the only ones who have their fundamental rights threatened by language impositions are members of minorities.We call on the European Commission to accept this European citizens’ initiative and to respect the will of European citizens.
European Climate Law (Jytte Guteland - A9-0162/2020)
. ‒ In a moment when the world is still heading for a temperature rise in excess of 3°C this century – far beyond the Paris Agreement goals of limiting global warming to well below 2°C and pursuing 1.5°C – negotiations between Parliament and EU governments have ended up decreasing climate ambition. Parliament’s proposed target of a Union-wide 60% emissions reduction by 2030 has been downscaled to a net 55% by 2030. This net target takes into account increasing carbon sink levels, thus reducing the real ambition for capping GHG emissions, which is an urgent need.We do not oppose this Law but its final lack of ambition, which will not put the EU on track to comply with the Paris Agreement and the net-zero emissions goal by 2050 at the latest in the EU and in each Member State. We voted against the final text of the Law because it does not reflect the urgency to tackle climate change nor the fact that the EU has been lagging behind for too long in this issue. This Law should continue its legislative path and go back to interinstitutional negotiations.
Commission’s 2020 Rule of law report (A9-0199/2021 - Domènec Ruiz Devesa)
. – We generally support the content of the report on the Commission’s 2020 Rule of law report and the recommendations to improve the mechanism. However, we have abstained in the final vote because we find that it fails to address the fact that, in its report, the Commission overlooked some significant and systemic rule of law violations in Spain that were brought to its attention by multiple stakeholders.
Review of the macroeconomic legislative framework (A9-0212/2021 - Margarida Marques)
We supported the three amendments tabled by some MEPs, which, in our opinion, would have significantly improved the final text. However, we voted in favour of the resolution because it incorporates important points that were worth supporting, among others that: i) the general safeguard clause should not be deactivated before the review of the EU’s economic governance framework; ii) the future budgetary orientation resulting from this review should promote a sustainable, green and digital recovery that contributes to the European Green Pact and the implementation of the European pillar of social rights; iii) according to the European Fiscal Board, some sustainable growth-enhancing expenditure should be excluded from the net primary expenditure growth ceiling.
Direction of EU-Russia political relations (A9-0259/2021 - Andrius Kubilius)
We have voted in favour of this report because we fully share the concern regarding the interference of Russia in the Union’s democracy. However, we deplore the approval by the Plenary of an amendment to this report (S&D’s Amendment 31) which seeks to promote, through the back door, an unfounded claim about the Catalan pro-independence movement. This is only the latest of a series of attempts by the Spanish government, the Spanish state (its police and intelligence services) and its press to push a narrative of supposed ties between the pro-independence movement and Russian intelligence.The amendment only seeks to misrepresent a democratic movement as an instrument intended to destabilise the European Union, to cover up the relentless repression it is subject to and to isolate it from possible allies that might raise their voice against the fundamental rights violations Spain is continually committing.The alleged involvement of Russian intelligence in the Catalan independence process is an absolute falsehood (or fake news, as it is now called). The fabrication comes from the profoundly anti-independence Guardia Civil police body and stems from political espionage of private messages obtained illegally (as acknowledged by the Spanish Prosecutor’s Office).The European Parliament should better guard itself from involuntarily contributing to the spread of fake news, as this very seriously affects its legitimacy to condemn fake news and misinformation campaigns of other countries, not least Russia.
Deliberations of the Committee on Petitions in 2021 (A9-0271/2022 - Loránt Vincze)
While overall we agree with the content of the report, we abstained because it fails to mention the unacceptable actions of the Chair of the Committee on Petitions, Ms Dolors Montserrat, throughout the legislative term.The right to petition is a fundamental component of Union citizenship. For this reason, it is essential that the Committee be able to examine in a rigorous way all requests from citizens related to the competences of the European Union. Nevertheless, Ms Montserrat manipulates this committee and prevents citizens from exerting the right to petition properly by prioritising requests that are either in the interest of the Spanish nationalism, or in that of her party, the Spanish PP.A clear example of this fact is that Ms Montserrat is wasting time and resources to repeatedly process petitions about the school system in Catalonia, ignoring that the European Commission has already said - on all occasions - that the European Union is not competent on this matter.It is necessary that the Committee on Petitions stop being the instrument of the national and partisan interests of her president, and return to its original function: a democratic instrument to defend the rights of citizens.
Foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation (A9-0187/2023 - Sandra Kalniete)
We fully share the deep concern regarding the interference of Russia and other foreign entities in the democratic processes of the European Union that are detailed in this report.However, we voted against it because we deplore the inclusion of point 73. This point refers to an alleged wide-ranging Russian interference with secessionist movements in the EU, including in Catalonia, and calls on the relevant authorities to investigate it. The only purpose of this wording, which was incorporated into the file by Spanish MEPs, is misrepresenting a democratic movement as an instrument intended to destabilise the European Union. By doing this, Spanish MEPs seek to present a justification for the relentless repression of the Spanish state against the Catalan independence movement and discourage objections against the fundamental rights violations that Spain is continually committing in Catalonia.The self-determination aspirations of the Catalan people are not ignited by Russia, but by the national oppression that Spain imposes on Catalonia. The Catalan independence movement seeks to establish a sovereign Catalan state within the European Union, not against the European Union (or the West), and expresses its full solidarity with Ukraine and all the peoples that suffer Russian imperialism and Russian interference.
Written questions (212)
International Mother Language Day – let’s make the European Union genuinely multilingual
Compliance with the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Floods Directive (FD) in the Ebro Delta
Violence against women on the rise in Pakistan
Question on the requisition of medical equipment in Spain, and COM (2020)0112 on the economic aspects of the COVID-19 crisis
Compliance with the Late Payment Directive in Spain during the COVID-19 crisis
Flight cancellations during the COVID-19 pandemic
Spanish Supreme Court statement on the release of prisoners during the coronavirus emergency
COVID-19 apps: technology and data protection
Under-reporting of COVID-19-related deaths
Government control of the media and freedom of expression in the Member States during the COVID-19 crisis
Possible violation of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union in Spain
Discrimination against EU citizens based on their origin
Nissan's closure of its factories in Catalonia
Late payment of subsidies to employees
The LTGBI flag and other non-official flags are banned in Spanish public institutions
Lack of data on the creative and cultural sectors (CCS)
Forced labour in Uyghur detention camps in China
VP/HR Borrell’s compliance with the principles governing the conduct of Members of the Commission
Disability focal points
Disability focal points
New deadline for the exemption on duties and VAT for equipment and medicine needed to fight against COVID‑19
Lack of investigation into the Spanish Crown’s implication in a money laundering case
Changes to Commission Decision (EU) 2020/2146 enabling public and non-profit organisations to combat the effects of COVID-19
Spain’s compliance with the Late Payments Directive during the COVID-19 crisis
Supplementary question about the Spanish Supreme Court statement on the release of prisoners during the coronavirus emergency
Surveillance of political opponents in Spain
Surveillance of political opponents in Spain
Mass arrest of LGBTI activists in Poland
The High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Common Security Policy supports a Francoist minister
Concerns about the intended merger between CaixaBank and Bankia
True cross-border access to online content in the EU
Possible competition distortion by auditing firms in the EU
Serious concerns about the announced closure of Saint Gobain glass factory located in the municipality of l’Arboç (Catalonia)
The Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI)
Updated deadline for the exemption on duties and VAT for equipment and medicine needed to fight against COVID‑19
2020 Rule of Law Report
Renegotiation of the Energy Charter Treaty: alignment with the Paris Agreement before the 2021 COP and next steps envisaged by the EU
Energy Charter Treaty renegotiation: the EU’s position regarding fossil fuels protection, the Investor-State Dispute Settlement mechanism and public information
Delay in the transposition of Directive 2018/1808 in Spain
Potentially excessive costs for military equipment in Spain amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Police brutality in Spain not being investigated
The leader of the Spanish People’s Party’s boasting about his party’s influence over the Commission
The situation of Bernardo Caal, defender of human rights in Guatemala and prisoner of conscience
Coercive labour programmes in Tibet
EU Recovery Funds for regions and cities
Euro coins with the effigy of former Spanish king Juan Carlos I
Privacy, malware and decryption
Energy price in Spain
Allowing couples without legal documents that prove their relationship to reunite during the pandemic
The ECtHR has given another judgment against Spain for failing to investigate a case of torture of a detained person
Extraction of a sixth dose from Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine vials
The Vice-President / High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy calls on Russia to release Aleksei Navalny
Clarification concerning the COVID-19 vaccine supply cuts in the EU
The right to artistic freedom in Spain
European Citizens’ Initiative as a tool for citizens’ participation in the EU decision-making process
Commission’s plans to strengthen European public health and ensure a level playing field for SMEs in the industrial hemp sector
The case of Mikel Zabaltza
Torture in Tibet
AstraZeneca vaccine production and black market in vaccines
Conclusion of the EU’s accession to the Istanbul Convention
Legal consequences of a denouncement by a Member State of an international agreement signed by the European Union
Regional and minority languages on the Conference on the Future of Europe multilingual digital platform
Impact of the Commission’s statement of 14 April on the vaccination rollout in developing countries
Compliance with the Late Payment Directive and companies receiving Next Generation EU Funds in Spain
Demonstrations and human rights in Colombia
Frontex’s role in illegal mass expulsions at EU borders
The assassination of Jamal Khashoggi.
On arms exports and military training from Spain to Saudi Arabia
EU certification of the very high voltage line in Girona
The Commission’s position on the CGPJ’s draft report on the Democratic Memory Law
Strengthening EU-Taiwan trade relations
Relations between China and Spain after China imposed sanctions against EU officials
Ending the export of banned pesticides: concrete actions
The European Digital Identity and existing regional and national eIDs
Possible bottlenecks on the Mediterranean Corridor railway line crossing Tarragona’s shore
Spread of disinformation and propaganda by an EU Member State institution
Mediterranean Corridor track between Algeciras and Alicante
Compulsory licences: the Commission’s position at the WTO
Subject: Case 13/13 and torture cases
Cross-border cooperation in fire management
Possible leak of a European intelligence report to The New York Times
Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation (Global Europe) Instrument in the Rif area
Crimes against humanity and war crimes in Libya
Follow-up to the Commission Green Paper on Ageing
European care strategy
Effective tax rate and harmonisation of tax advantages in the EU
The impact of revolving doors on energy prices
The difference between the provisional and final budgets for the Mediterranean Corridor
The Valmuel-Tarragona-Begues extra high voltage transmission line
Closure of border crossing points in Catalonia and in the Basque Country
The seventh Spain‑Turkey Summit and the Member States’ consistent implementation of the EU Gender Action Plan III
Spain-Turkey military cooperation
Human rights in West Papua
Repression in the indigenous Amazigh region of Kabylia: the case of Nait Sid
Mr Marc Lamaître’s statements in Parliament concerning Spain’s administrative management of structural and cohesion funds
Bahri ships transporting weapons to Saudi Arabia through Europe
Preventing national electoral authorities from illegally banning candidates from standing in the European elections
EU response to the failure of voluntary licencing and voluntary transfer of technology for COVID‑19 vaccines
Commission support to developing countries for vaccine manufacturing and distribution
Announcement of closure of the Mahle plant in Vilanova i la Geltrú
Effective enforcement of compulsory licences and exemptions from intellectual property requirements to stimulate vaccine production
The connection between Spanish intelligence services and the terrorist cell leader Abdelbaki Es Satty
Addressing menopause as a workplace issue and preventing discrimination of women of menopausal age
Discrimination against the Catalan fishing sector by Spain’s transposition of the common fisheries policy guidelines
Reform of the contributions system for the self-employed in Spain
European Union Prize for Literature and the promotion of linguistic diversity
The ongoing repression of the right to freedom of peaceful assembly in Spain
Addressing energy prices and improving the resilience of EU energy infrastructure
Compliance of TEN-T Regulation on the Mediterranean Corridor between Tarragona and Barcelona
On the mysterious non‑inclusion of a Russian oligarch in the EU sanctions list
Uyghur Tribunal Judgment
On transparency regarding donations to political parties
Commissioner Reynders’s meeting with Societat Civil Catalana: non‑compliance with the code of conduct and lack of transparency in the answer provided
The Commission’s duty to give all MEPs and representative associations the opportunity to make known and publicly exchange their views
The Commission’s powers to investigate the use of Pegasus spyware by Member States
On the meeting of Commission Vice‑President Schinas with Spanish extreme‑right MEPs
Completion of the Mediterranean Core Network Corridor in Spain
Recrudescence of the situation in Nagorno‑Karabakh through words and actions
EU Member States deficient management of EU structural funds
Police operation at the Spanish border of Melilla
LGBTIQ rights during the FIFA Qatar World Cup
The Spanish Government’s consistent refusal to allow Frontex forces to play an active role on the land borders of the autonomous cities of Ceuta and Melilla
Spanish Supreme Court’s failure to comply with rulings of the European Court of Human Rights
Severe sanitary conditions in Bahraini prisons for political prisoners and prisoners of conscience
Lack of various types of vaccines in Ukraine
Remarkable increase in Spanish imports of liquified natural gas from Russia in the context of the REPowerEU plan
Statements from the future EU Ambassador to China and their compatibility with the EU’s position on China
2022 Rule of Law Report: Spyware operation against Catalans
Police infiltration of civil society organisations in Catalonia on antiterrorism grounds
Ongoing closure of border crossing points in Catalonia and the Basque Country
Global Fund Seventh Replenishment Conference
The EU’s position on Azerbaijan’s aggression against the territorial integrity of Armenia
Spain’s violation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
The dire situation of SMEs in Algeria
Improving bank account portability in the EU
The use of difenoconazole by non-EU rice producers supplying to the EU
The case of Iranian athlete Elnaz Rekabi and human rights violations in Iran
Spying on civil society organisations and political parties
Mismanagement of Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) funds by the Spanish Government
Deepening the single market for rental cars
Illegal Chinese overseas police service stations in Catalonia
Moroccan police operations within the EU
Former Spanish minister defends state terrorist activities
High imports of used cooking oil from China to Spain
Following up the West Papuan issue in the context of EU-Indonesia free trade agreement negotiations
Rights of rainbow families in Italy
On the alleged involvement of VP/HR Borrell in the Qatargate scandal
VP/HR’s meetings register
Alignment of the RRP and the new LPD
The human rights situation in Peru
The EU’s response to the serious deterioration of the rule of law in Guatemala and the arbitrary persecution of a former anti-corruption prosecutor
On illegal State aid to vehicle-for-hire companies in Madrid, Spain
Workers suffer repression for exercising their democratic rights in Spain
Prisoner safety in Iran following protests over the death of Mahsa Amini
Use of Ceuta for Russian trade
Current state of the fight against endometriosis in the EU
EU action to stop Azerbaijan’s blockade of the Lachin corridor
Syrian regime forces blockade of aid convoys of the Kurdish Red Crescent (KRC) directed to the North-West
Glorification of the fascist División Azul in Spain
The human rights situation in Uganda and the closure of the local UN human rights office
Commercialisation of disinformation and electoral interference services in the EU
EU measures in view of the violation of human rights of the Tibetan minority in China
Last-minute approval of the Spanish national public procurement strategy
Exclusion of Catalan, Basque and Galician from the Erasmus+ Online Language Support platform
Accommodation and car rental providers’ obligation to provide data to the Spanish police
Addressing the serious irregular activities of the Spanish judiciary and police in the upcoming rule of law report on Spain
34th birthday of the Panchen Lama
Catalan independence movement classed as domestic terrorism in Spanish Attorney General’s annual report
Morocco’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list and the Commission’s position
Spanish authorities continue issuing ‘golden visas’ to Russian nationals through the investor residence scheme
Commission view on proposals to ban encryption
Commission response to Parliament resolution on diabetes
EU actions to promote linguistic diversity in the Erasmus+ programme
Persistent increase of Russian liquified natural gas imports in the EU
European Council’s views on proposals to ban encryption
EU response to the arrest of peaceful protesters in Hong Kong
Europol EU Terrorism Situation and Trend Report 2023
Use of Spanish harbour to circumvent EU embargo on Russian oil
Excessive use of secondments in the Spanish judiciary
Chronic pain in children and adolescents
Hong Kong arrest warrants for overseas democracy activists
EU response to attempts to exclude Movimiento Semilla party from second round of Guatemalan presidential elections
The continued rise in airfares
The ratification of ILO Convention 189 by the EU Member States
Ensuring safety and health at work for domestic workers
Sexist speech by Commission officials
Ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijani threats to Armenia’s territorial integrity
Incorrect transposition of Directive 2019/1023 by Spain
Non-standardised use of environmental car labels in the EU
Political persecution of the Catalan people by Spain omitted from 2023 Rule of Law Report
Impact of the EU Emissions Trading System on the maritime sector and activity in south European ports
Possible reform of Directive 2011/16 to end Member States’ protectionism regarding collective investment schemes
AI and content creators
Follow-up to our previous questions on West Papua and the negotiations for the EU–Indonesia free trade agreement
Excessively high energy bills in Spain
Plastic pellet pollution in the western Mediterranean Sea
Pro-Putin propaganda in Italy funded by EU money
Grave accusations made by Commission Vice-President Schinas
Delays in the construction of the Mediterranean Corridor
Recognition of former mental health patients as professionals supporting current patients
Unfair competition due to dumping in the Catalan and Valencian citrus fruit sector
Next common agricultural policy and water stress factors
Another newspaper article referring to a purported EU INTCEN intelligence report alleging links between Russia and the Catalan independence movement
Mediterranean Corridor missing its completion deadline
The admission by Spanish Judge Manuel García Castellón of deceiving the French authorities and its implications for judicial cooperation and the rule of law
Legal protection of rainbow families in Italy
Reform of the Directive on unfair trading practices in the agricultural and food supply chain
Exclusion of public funding from the Spanish Government for fostemsavir
Provocative actions by Türkiye against the Republic of Cyprus
Ban by France of night trains to Barcelona
Repeal of Democratic Memory Laws in the Autonomous Communities of Aragon and Valencia
Improving the single market for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
Amendments (2102)
Amendment 1 #
2023/2183(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the implementation of the European Development Funds (EDFs) concerns countries that are facing aggravating impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and food insecurity and are weakened by the consequence of the COVID pandemic, Russia’s war in Ukraine, as well as rising debt; insists, therefore, that the remaining projects under the EDFs should focus on advancing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goalsunjustified and unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine, as well as rising debt, new and forgotten humanitarian crises and conflicts, generating growing inequality and poverty; insists, therefore, that the remaining projects under the EDFs should focus on advancing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals; reiterates that security, mutually beneficial partnerships and international cooperation are fundamental conditions for the world to make progress on the SDGs towards 2030 and beyond;
Amendment 1 #
2023/2183(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the implementation of the European Development Funds (EDFs) concerns countries that are facing aggravating impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss and food insecurity and are weakened by the consequence of the COVID pandemic, Russia’s war in Ukraine, as well as rising debt; insists, therefore, that the remaining projects under the EDFs should focus on advancing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goalsunjustified and unprovoked war of aggression in Ukraine, as well as rising debt, new and forgotten humanitarian crises and conflicts, generating growing inequality and poverty; insists, therefore, that the remaining projects under the EDFs should focus on advancing the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals; reiterates that security, mutually beneficial partnerships and international cooperation are fundamental conditions for the world to make progress on the SDGs towards 2030 and beyond;
Amendment 2 #
2023/2183(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the Council’s decision1 which allocated EUR 600 million from de- committed projects under the 10th and 11th EDFs for the purpose of financing actions addressing the food security crisis and economic shock in ACP countries following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; encourages the Member States to follow the same approach of re- allocating any de-committed EDF to address the most urgent needs in the ACP countries. ; stresses that in view of the exceptionally dire food security situation in ACP countries, those funds need to be complemented with appropriate measures to empower small scale farmers as well as support agroeocological practices and sustainable fisheries methods as they enhance local productivity, food security and allow food sovereignty of local communities, making them less dependent on the fluctuations in the global food and agriculture market; stresses that supporting school meals can be a vital tool to address food insecurity; __________________ 1 Council Decision EU 2022/1223
Amendment 2 #
2023/2183(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Welcomes the Council’s decision1 which allocated EUR 600 million from de- committed projects under the 10th and 11th EDFs for the purpose of financing actions addressing the food security crisis and economic shock in ACP countries following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine; encourages the Member States to follow the same approach of re- allocating any de-committed EDF to address the most urgent needs in the ACP countries. ; stresses that in view of the exceptionally dire food security situation in ACP countries, those funds need to be complemented with appropriate measures to empower small scale farmers as well as support agroeocological practices and sustainable fisheries methods as they enhance local productivity, food security and allow food sovereignty of local communities, making them less dependent on the fluctuations in the global food and agriculture market; stresses that supporting school meals can be a vital tool to address food insecurity; __________________ 1 Council Decision EU 2022/1223
Amendment 3 #
2023/2183(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Recognises the work of the Commission in ensuring the correct implementation of the EDF funds, notes that the Court of Auditors considers the EDFs’ accounts for 2022 to have been handled in accordance with applicable rules; notes that the ECA and the European Commission (DG INTPA) employ different methodology when estimating the error rate and that ECA estimates the level of error for EDF payment transactions to be 7.1 % with about half of it due to excess clearance (i.e. when expenditure not incurred is included in the accounts); further notes that the level of error in transactions, estimated by the Court of Auditors, grew from 4,6 % to 7,1 % between 2021 and 2022; underlines that the Commission methodology reflects a corrective capacity after all ex-ante and ex-post controls have been implemented; highlights the fact that the legitimacy and effectiveness of EU development cooperation hinges on the correct implementation of activities and their proper funding; calls on the Commission to further improve controls in order to decrease the amount of transactional errors and to fully implement the recommendations of the Court of Auditors in particular to avoid errors related to excess clearings; welcomes, in this regard, the DG INTPA declared review of its control strategy and reinforcing EU Delegations’ internal control systems.
Amendment 3 #
2023/2183(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Recognises the work of the Commission in ensuring the correct implementation of the EDF funds, notes that the Court of Auditors considers the EDFs’ accounts for 2022 to have been handled in accordance with applicable rules; notes that the ECA and the European Commission (DG INTPA) employ different methodology when estimating the error rate and that ECA estimates the level of error for EDF payment transactions to be 7.1 % with about half of it due to excess clearance (i.e. when expenditure not incurred is included in the accounts); further notes that the level of error in transactions, estimated by the Court of Auditors, grew from 4,6 % to 7,1 % between 2021 and 2022; underlines that the Commission methodology reflects a corrective capacity after all ex-ante and ex-post controls have been implemented; highlights the fact that the legitimacy and effectiveness of EU development cooperation hinges on the correct implementation of activities and their proper funding; calls on the Commission to further improve controls in order to decrease the amount of transactional errors and to fully implement the recommendations of the Court of Auditors in particular to avoid errors related to excess clearings; welcomes, in this regard, the DG INTPA declared review of its control strategy and reinforcing EU Delegations’ internal control systems.
Amendment 12 #
2023/2183(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Notes that the ECA and the European Commission (DG INTPA) employ different methodology when estimating the error rate and that ECA estimates the level of error for EDF payment transactions to be 7.1 % with about half of it due to excess clearance (i.e. expenditure not incurred is included in the accounts); notes that the Commission methodology reflects a corrective capacity after all ex-ante and ex-post controls have been implemented but expects the Commission to take seriously the ECA recommendations in order to avoid errors related to excess clearings; welcomes, in this regard, the DG INTPA declared review of its control strategy and reinforcing EU Delegations’ internal control systems;
Amendment 1 #
2023/2129(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Is alarmed about the rising number of crises worldwide and, the highest-ever humanitarian funding gap and increasing inequalities between and within countries exacerbated by Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked aggression in Ukraine which worsened the global food crisis, triggered an energy, cost of living and debt crisis worldwide and created economic uncertainty, is also concerned about the growing political and economic influence of China in Africa and Russian interference on that continent; is worried that Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) - Global Europe (NDICI-GE) is stretched to its limits and is not sufficient to address existing needs; calls on the Member States to ensure that the cushion is mobilised only for purposes within its intended scope;
Amendment 1 #
2023/2129(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Is alarmed about the rising number of crises worldwide and, the highest-ever humanitarian funding gap and increasing inequalities between and within countries exacerbated by Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked aggression in Ukraine which worsened the global food crisis, triggered an energy, cost of living and debt crisis worldwide and created economic uncertainty, is also concerned about the growing political and economic influence of China in Africa and Russian interference on that continent; is worried that Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) - Global Europe (NDICI-GE) is stretched to its limits and is not sufficient to address existing needs; calls on the Member States to ensure that the cushion is mobilised only for purposes within its intended scope;
Amendment 2 #
2023/2129(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. NWelcomes the Global Gateway strategy as a concerted EU response to global challenges; notes that 2022 was the first full year of the implementation of the Global Gateway strategy; underlines that actions bringing together public and private investment must always be guided by development objectives; calls for more transparency and Parliament’s involvement in strategic choices involving Union fundsbe focused on areas where they can add value to the local economy and be consistent with development objectives and national strategies of partner countries, as well as with the Agenda 2030, the SDGs and the Paris Agreement; calls for more transparency, accountability and regular assessments of the Global Gateway implementation as well as for Parliament’s involvement, beyond a simple observer role, in strategic choices involving Union funds in respect of the scrutiny role of the European Parliament of the NDICI- Global Europe, which is the main source of financing of the Global Gateway; calls on the Commission to ensure that projects branded under the Global Gateway strategy contribute to the development objectives laid down in the NDICI-Global Europe Regulation; insists that Global Gateway should not only align with the EU interestpriorities but also with the needs of partner countries and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs;
Amendment 2 #
2023/2129(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. NWelcomes the Global Gateway strategy as a concerted EU response to global challenges; notes that 2022 was the first full year of the implementation of the Global Gateway strategy; underlines that actions bringing together public and private investment must always be guided by development objectives; calls for more transparency and Parliament’s involvement in strategic choices involving Union fundsbe focused on areas where they can add value to the local economy and be consistent with development objectives and national strategies of partner countries, as well as with the Agenda 2030, the SDGs and the Paris Agreement; calls for more transparency, accountability and regular assessments of the Global Gateway implementation as well as for Parliament’s involvement, beyond a simple observer role, in strategic choices involving Union funds in respect of the scrutiny role of the European Parliament of the NDICI- Global Europe, which is the main source of financing of the Global Gateway; calls on the Commission to ensure that projects branded under the Global Gateway strategy contribute to the development objectives laid down in the NDICI-Global Europe Regulation; insists that Global Gateway should not only align with the EU interestpriorities but also with the needs of partner countries and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs;
Amendment 3 #
2023/2129(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Is concerned about the depletion of the cushion within the NDICI-GE; insists that the Commission always notifies Parliament before the cushion is mobilised, respecting Parliament’s right of scrutiny and that the Commission fully takes into consideration Parliament's observations on the nature, objectives and financial amounts envisaged; stresses that the Parliament is responsible for democratic oversight and scrutiny of the NDICI-GE instrument as a co-legislator under the co-decision procedure; urges the Commission in its future actions to preserve the initial purpose of cushion funds, which is to respond to unforeseen crises; notes that in 2022 EUR 501 million were mobilised from the cushion of the NDICI-GE instrument as part of the bilateral assistance for Ukraine; welcomes, in this regard, the proposal to create a new instrument, the Ukraine Facility, to provide predictable financial support for Ukraine over the 2024-2027 period;
Amendment 3 #
2023/2129(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Is concerned about the depletion of the cushion within the NDICI-GE; insists that the Commission always notifies Parliament before the cushion is mobilised, respecting Parliament’s right of scrutiny and that the Commission fully takes into consideration Parliament's observations on the nature, objectives and financial amounts envisaged; stresses that the Parliament is responsible for democratic oversight and scrutiny of the NDICI-GE instrument as a co-legislator under the co-decision procedure; urges the Commission in its future actions to preserve the initial purpose of cushion funds, which is to respond to unforeseen crises; notes that in 2022 EUR 501 million were mobilised from the cushion of the NDICI-GE instrument as part of the bilateral assistance for Ukraine; welcomes, in this regard, the proposal to create a new instrument, the Ukraine Facility, to provide predictable financial support for Ukraine over the 2024-2027 period;
Amendment 4 #
2023/2129(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. AppreciatStresses the role of local NGOs and partners in service delivery and support to local communities; underlines the importance of enhancing their capacity to manage and implement actions financed by the EU and invites the Commission to facilitate adequate training towards this aim; is concerned about the continued difficulties faced by small local NGOorganisations to access Union funding; encourages the Commission to improve these funding procedures and to systematically prioritise local organisations in order to provide better capacity-building on the ground; highlights the efficacy of local ownership in project implementation in terms of prioritisation, allocation of resources and building local know-how;
Amendment 4 #
2023/2129(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. AppreciatStresses the role of local NGOs and partners in service delivery and support to local communities; underlines the importance of enhancing their capacity to manage and implement actions financed by the EU and invites the Commission to facilitate adequate training towards this aim; is concerned about the continued difficulties faced by small local NGOorganisations to access Union funding; encourages the Commission to improve these funding procedures and to systematically prioritise local organisations in order to provide better capacity-building on the ground; highlights the efficacy of local ownership in project implementation in terms of prioritisation, allocation of resources and building local know-how;
Amendment 5 #
2023/2129(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the important role of the official development assistance (ODA); calls for a cautious approach to blending and public-private partnershipnotes that the European Union and its 27 EU Member States together remain the world’s biggest provider of external assistance, accounting for approximately 43% of the total ODA provided by all OECD ODA donors to developing countries in 2021; recalls the obligation under the NDICI Regulation for 93% of the Instrument funding to be compliant with the official development assistance (ODA) criteria; stresses that blending and public-private partnerships alone cannot guarantee universal access to, or replace public investments in fields, such as education or health, social protection or health care, that provide crucial long-term prospects for the graduation from poverty and, therefore, advocates for a cautious approach in using them;
Amendment 5 #
2023/2129(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses the important role of the official development assistance (ODA); calls for a cautious approach to blending and public-private partnershipnotes that the European Union and its 27 EU Member States together remain the world’s biggest provider of external assistance, accounting for approximately 43% of the total ODA provided by all OECD ODA donors to developing countries in 2021; recalls the obligation under the NDICI Regulation for 93% of the Instrument funding to be compliant with the official development assistance (ODA) criteria; stresses that blending and public-private partnerships alone cannot guarantee universal access to, or replace public investments in fields, such as education or health, social protection or health care, that provide crucial long-term prospects for the graduation from poverty and, therefore, advocates for a cautious approach in using them;
Amendment 6 #
2023/2129(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. WHighlights the fact that the legitimacy and effectiveness of EU development cooperation hinges on the correct implementation of activities and their proper funding; recognises the work of the Commission in applying controls to make sure that transactions are made in a legitimate manner and that activities are implemented in accordance with the priorities set by the legislator; calls on the Commission to further improve controls in order to decrease the amount of transactional errors, to act upon ECA recommendations that have not been implemented and to redouble efforts to find eligible projects and to ensure a sufficient amount of payments under the current expenditure ceiling; welcomes the finding of the ECA report on the EU budget for 2022 that DG ECHO implemented ECA recommendation and established a procedure ensuring that partner organisations base their allocation of shared costs on expenditure actually incurred.
Amendment 6 #
2023/2129(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. WHighlights the fact that the legitimacy and effectiveness of EU development cooperation hinges on the correct implementation of activities and their proper funding; recognises the work of the Commission in applying controls to make sure that transactions are made in a legitimate manner and that activities are implemented in accordance with the priorities set by the legislator; calls on the Commission to further improve controls in order to decrease the amount of transactional errors, to act upon ECA recommendations that have not been implemented and to redouble efforts to find eligible projects and to ensure a sufficient amount of payments under the current expenditure ceiling; welcomes the finding of the ECA report on the EU budget for 2022 that DG ECHO implemented ECA recommendation and established a procedure ensuring that partner organisations base their allocation of shared costs on expenditure actually incurred.
Amendment 20 #
2023/2129(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Notes that in 2022 EUR 501 million were mobilised from the cushion of the NDICI-GE instrument as part of the bilateral assistance for Ukraine; urges the Commission in its future actions to preserve the initial purpose of cushion funds, which is to respond to unforeseen crises; welcomes, in this regard, the proposal to create a new instrument, the Ukraine Facility, to provide predictable financial support for Ukraine over the 2024-2027 period;
Amendment 20 #
2023/2129(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Notes that in 2022 EUR 501 million were mobilised from the cushion of the NDICI-GE instrument as part of the bilateral assistance for Ukraine; urges the Commission in its future actions to preserve the initial purpose of cushion funds, which is to respond to unforeseen crises; welcomes, in this regard, the proposal to create a new instrument, the Ukraine Facility, to provide predictable financial support for Ukraine over the 2024-2027 period;
Amendment 36 #
2023/2129(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Welcomes the European Court of Auditors (ECA) Special Report 14/2023 entitled ‘Programming the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe: Comprehensive programmes with deficiencies in the methods for allocating funds and impact monitoring’; expects the Commission to act on the recommendations made by the ECA especially as regards more predictable and transparent programming as well as clearer methodology for assessing the impact of EU’s support and reiterates in this regard the recommendations made it its resolution of 12 December 2023 on the implementation of the NDICI-GE; encourages the ECA to prepare special reports relating to development cooperation expenditure and to regularly cover development cooperation aspects in its special reports on horizontal issues in accordance with the Policy Coherence for Development principle set in article 208 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.
Amendment 36 #
2023/2129(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Welcomes the European Court of Auditors (ECA) Special Report 14/2023 entitled ‘Programming the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe: Comprehensive programmes with deficiencies in the methods for allocating funds and impact monitoring’; expects the Commission to act on the recommendations made by the ECA especially as regards more predictable and transparent programming as well as clearer methodology for assessing the impact of EU’s support and reiterates in this regard the recommendations made it its resolution of 12 December 2023 on the implementation of the NDICI-GE; encourages the ECA to prepare special reports relating to development cooperation expenditure and to regularly cover development cooperation aspects in its special reports on horizontal issues in accordance with the Policy Coherence for Development principle set in article 208 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.
Amendment 25 #
2023/2108(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Council to adopt an ambitious mandate for the Commission to fully engage in the negotiations on the UN legally binding instrument on TNCs and human rights (LBI), in accordance with the objectives stipulated by UN Human Rights Council Resolution 26/9 of 14 July 2014, which mandates those negotiations, and consolidate the reputation of the EU as an international advocate for human and environmental rights; notes that the Member States should otherwise engage in the process individually;
Amendment 33 #
2023/2108(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines that such an LBI, to effectively protect victims and guarantee access to justice, must include, among other things, free, prior and informed consent for activities developed in indigenous territories, meaningful consultation and participation of affected individuals and communities in decision- making processes related to business activities that may affect their lives and livelihoods, the right to say no, the reversal of the burden of proof, mechanisms to assure extraterritorial jurisdiction, international cooperation obligations to enforce foreign judgments, the right to information and the right to full reparation.
Amendment 37 #
2023/2108(INI)
5a. Stresses that the LBI Instrument should ensure a strong social justice dimension and promote transparency by requiring businesses to disclose relevant information about their operations, impacts on human rights, and measures taken to address them;
Amendment 38 #
2023/2108(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Underlines the need to push for the establishment of adequate mechanisms for monitoring, oversight, and implementation of the LBI, including national focal points, reporting requirements, and periodic reviews to ensure compliance;
Amendment 42 #
2023/2108(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Highlights the need to define clear obligations for businesses in relation to the eradication of child labour and forced labour from their supply chains and operations;
Amendment 16 #
2023/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the presence of nutrition or health claims affects consumers’ food choices, along with other characteristics such as price, brand, colour, language and packaging shape; whereas health claims, especially risk reduction claims, have more of an impact on consumers’ attitudes than nutrition claims10 ; whereas consumer understanding of nutrition and health claims is influenced by various factors, including nutritional knowledge and education levels; _________________ 10 Pichierri M, Pino G, Peluso AM, Guido G., ‘The interplay between health claim type and individual regulatory focus in determining consumers’ intentions toward extra-virgin olive oil’, Food Research International. Vol. 136, Elsevier, October 2020, pp. 109467., as well as environmental awareness;
Amendment 57 #
2023/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital N
Recital N
N. whereas social media significantly contributes to the advertising and sale of foods and food supplements, while the extent to which the NHCR regulates health-related online communications about foods remains unclear; whereas influencer or celebrity communications on social media are not always clearly commercial or non-commercial12 and can lead to unverified false and misleading claims on food products; whereas influencer or celebrity-driven online communications advertising protein or other supplements to enhance muscle growth are not a substitute of actual food and can lead to nutritional disorders such as body dysmorphic disorders; _________________ 12 Ashwell, M. et al., ‘Nature of the evidence base and strengths, challenges and recommendations in the area of nutrition and health claims: a position paper from the Academy of Nutrition Sciences’, British Journal of Nutrition, 130(2), 12 October 2022, p. 233.
Amendment 125 #
2023/2081(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Highlights that the NHCR was adopted at a time when social media did not yet play such a large role in advertising and the sale of foods and food supplements; is concerned that the extent to which the NHCR effectively governs health-related online communications about foods remains unclear; stresses that claims of these types of products should duly inform that, if taken without moderation, may cause mental health disorders such as body dysmorphia, especially in adolescents;
Amendment 26 #
2023/2075(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the EU development cooperation policy should emphasize a comprehensive and integrated approach that addresses the multiple risk factors and determinants of NCDs in partner countries, while also considering social, economic and environmental factors that are relevant to each specific context; whereas universal health coverage is an important factor in preventing and treating NCDs;
Amendment 38 #
2023/2075(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas there is a need to enhance access to the diagnosis, treatment, and care of noncommunicable diseases in developing countries;
Amendment 55 #
2023/2075(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes the surge in post-acute infection syndromes (PAIS) following COVID-19 infections; recalls that PAIS also occur following other bacterial, viral and parasitic infections, including mononucleosis, Lyme disease, Ebola, polio and influenza; recalls that the pathogenesis of PAIS is linked to chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), in the context of 65 million people suffering from long COVID to date, as well as reinfection pressure and upcoming pandemics; is concerned that the global health strategy addresses neither the post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 nor PAIS in general; calls for the EU, with a view to lessons learned from the pandemic, to make PAIS a priority and to develop an EU strategy for PAIS, comparable to Europe’s beating cancer plan and the EU strategy on mental health, and to extend the PAIS strategy to global health security, including in the implementation of the global health strategy; urges the EU to establish programs to address chronic and severe noncommunicable diseases by ensuring that essential medicines, technologies, and diagnostics are both available and accessible at district hospitals;
Amendment 56 #
2023/2075(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Stresses the need to strengthen healthcare systems in partner countries and provide support for the integration of NCD programs into national health systems, including by investing in capacity building programs to strengthen the skills and knowledge of healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers in addressing NCDs;
Amendment 61 #
2023/2075(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that guiding principle 2 of the global health strategy aims to ensure that innovative vaccines, treatments and diagnostics for new, prevalent or neglected infectious and non-communicable diseases are developed and used, including through funding from Horizon Europe and the EU- Africa Global Health European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership (EDCTP3) for research, capacity building and strengthening the regulatory environment in sub-Saharan Africa; calls for Team Europe to implement this approach, with a focus on non-communicable diseases.; stresses the need to strengthen healthcare systems in partner countries and provide support for the integration of NCD programs into national health systems, including by investing in capacity building programs to strengthen the skills and knowledge of healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers in addressing NCDs;
Amendment 61 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas premature deaths as a result of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), cancers, diabetes and chronic respiratory diseases account for 68 % of all premature deaths in Europe; whereas other NCDs include mental and neurological disorders, liver and gastrointestinal diseases, kidney diseases, oral diseases, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and endometriosis among other conditions;
Amendment 67 #
2023/2075(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Stresses the need to support developing countries in educating communities about the risk factors and prevention strategies for NCDs by disseminating information through various channels such as mass media, community outreach programs and digital platforms;
Amendment 68 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas antimicrobial resistance (AMR) significantly disrupts medical procedures like surgeries, dental implants, cancer treatments, and organ transplants; AMR also complicates the management of prevalent NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, dementias, and tumours1a; whereas the repercussions of AMR on disease incidence, mortality rates, hospital stays, and healthcare expenses; _________________ 1a https://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/ etudes/BRIE/2023/740238/EPRS_BRI(20 23)740238_EN.pdf
Amendment 72 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas there are about 20 million people who have survived cancer in Europe1a and only seven EU countries recognise the 'right to be forgotten' for former cancer patients therefore continue to experience difficulties in accessing financial services like insurance or mortgages, years after successfully completing treatment; _________________ 1a https://ecpc.org/policy/the-right-to-be- forgotten/
Amendment 73 #
2023/2075(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Calls on the EU and its Member States to support developing countries in research and data collection efforts to better understand the prevalence, risk factors, and impact of NCDs in different populations, in view of enabling evidence- based decision-making and designing targeted interventions; underlines the need to design and scale up solutions for high risk, resource-limited, and marginalized populations;
Amendment 88 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the increasing burden of NCDs on individuals and societies, and the health needs of ageing populations, 40% of which live with multimorbidity, represent challenges to the health systems of the Member States;
Amendment 99 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas NCDs, such as obesity, diabetes and endocrine disorders, also increasingly affect children1, which requires a dedicated approach to prevention and management;
Amendment 114 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas most NCDs are impacted by fourive preventable risk factors: tobacco use, unhealthy diet, lack of physical activity, and harmful use of alcohollcohol consumption and drug; whereas behavioural risk factors lead to biological risk factors, the most common being overweight and obesity, high blood pressure, high blood glucose and high blood cholesterol 6 ; _________________ 6 World Health Organization, ‘Monitoring noncommunicable disease commitments in Europe 2021’, p. 13, 8 December 2021.
Amendment 133 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas most NCDs are impacted by environmental risk factors such as air pollutionindoor and outdoor air pollution, and multiple global environmental changes, including climate change and biodiversity loss;
Amendment 145 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas most NCDs are impacted by socioeconomic inequalities, notably low socioeconomic status having significant consistent impact on mortality and morbidity caused by NCDs;
Amendment 162 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas people living with one or more NCDs were one of the most severely affected population groups during the COVID-19 pandemic1a; whereas investment in NCD prevention and management remains limited, despite access to care, essential complications screening and diagnosis being severely disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially leading to severe complications over the longer term; _________________ 1a https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/97 89240057661
Amendment 182 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas innovation with regard to development of technologies, medicines and healthcare practises is crucial to ensure the elimination or reduction of harm caused by preventable risk factors, early detection, integration of care, improved disease management and new and better treatments for NCDs;
Amendment 186 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Amendment 195 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H b (new)
Recital H b (new)
Hb. whereas recognising the critical impact of conflict of interest between public health objectives and the interests of industries producing alcohol, tobacco, and poorly nutritious and ultra-processed foods. The undue influence of these industries on health policies and strategies can hinder effective NCD prevention efforts. Just as transparency is vital in maintaining the integrity of public health, it is equally essential to implement stringent measures to mitigate conflicts of interest;
Amendment 226 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the Healthier together – EU non-communicable diseases (NCD) initiative, Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan, EU4Health work programme and the Commission Communication entitled ‘A comprehensive approach to mental health’; calls on the Commission to strengthen the ‘Healthier together – EU NCD’ initiative by introducing a holistic and comprehensive EU strategy on NCDs complemented by action plans for specific NCDs with clear targets, benchmarks, indicators and mechanisms to monitor progress; welcomes national plans and actions already taken against NCDs by Member States;
Amendment 257 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Acknowledges that tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcoholalcohol consumption, unhealthy diets and environmental factors such as air, food, water and soil pollution and chemical exposure substantially increase the risk of NCDs10 ; _________________ 10 https://www.paho.org/en/topics/noncommu nicable-diseases - :~:text=These%204%20groups%20of%20d iseases,of%20the%20response%20to%20N CDs The Pan American Health Organization, ‘Noncommunicable Diseases’.
Amendment 263 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Acknowledges that social, economic, cultural, and commercial determinants of health, and health inequities increase the risk of NCDs and underlines the need to create favourable conditions that address these factors; emphasizes the importance of a more robust implementation of the Health in All Policies principle, in dialogue with the public health community, and with thorough consideration of the health impacts of sectoral policies;
Amendment 269 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Recognises that over 150,000 new cases of melanoma every year, accounting for 4% of all new cancer diagnoses in EU-27 countries in 2020, making it the sixth most frequently occurring cancer in Europe; Recognises that over 150,000 new cases of melanoma every year, accounting for 4% of all new cancer diagnoses in EU-27 countries in 2020, making it the sixth most frequently occurring cancer in Europe; Recommends a phasing out of the use of sunbeds as consumer products for non- medical purposes1a; Urges Commission to take measures to facilitate improved registration of melanoma cases across the EU, allocate EU funds and support research into and the development of skin cancer screening methods, particularly with new technologies; _________________ 1a https://www.epsu.org/sites/default/files/art icle/files/EADV-Joint-Statement-Skin- Cancer-FINAL.pdf
Amendment 275 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Acknowledges that tobacco use, including second hand smoking, was responsible for 1.6 million deaths in Europe in 2019 and is a high risk factor for developing NCDs such as cancer, cardiovascular diseases and chronic respiratory diseases;
Amendment 283 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – introductory part
Paragraph 5 – introductory part
5. Supports Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan to achieve a Tobacco-Free Generation and prevent tobacco use by reducing tobacco consumption to 5% by 2040, as well as the Commission’s proposals to review the Tobacco Products Directive11 and the Tobacco Taxation Directive12 and the proposal to update the Council recommendation of 30 November 2009 on smoke-free environments13 and prevent any delays in revisions of the legislation; calls for a full implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control; calls on the Commission and the Member States to: _________________ 11 Directive 2014/40/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 3 April 2014 on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products, OJ L 127, 29.4.2014, p. 1. 12 Council Directive 2011/64/EU of 21 June 2011 on the structure and rates of excise duty applied to manufactured tobacco, OJ L 176, 5.7.2011, p. 24. 13 OJ C 296, 5.12.2009, p. 4.
Amendment 296 #
2023/2075(INI)
a. implement measures to help tobacco users quit in line with WHO FCTC guidelines for Article 14;
Amendment 302 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 5 – point a a (new)
aa. strengthen packaging rules by introducing mandatory plain standardised packaging with graphic health warnings covering 80% of the front and the back of all tobacco products and introducing pack inserts;
Amendment 304 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point b
Paragraph 5 – point b
b. follow up on the scientific evaluations of the health risks related to electronic cigarettes, heated tobacco products and novel tobacco products including the assessment of the risks of using these products compared to consuming other tobacco products; and follow up of the decisions of the Conference of the Parties to the WHO FCTC to which the EU and Member States are Parties, particularly Decisions of the FCTC COP91a and upcoming COP10 regarding regulation of the novel and emerging tobacco products, depiction of tobacco in entertainment media, protection of public health policies from commercial or other vested interest of the tobacco industry; _________________ 1a https://untobaccocontrol.org/downloads/c op9/main-documents/FCTC- COP9_Report_EN.pdf
Amendment 313 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point b a (new)
Paragraph 5 – point b a (new)
ba. Implement the European Ombudsman recommendations ‘a whole- of-Commission approach to complying with the obligations stemming from the FCTC constitutes maladministration’; to keep and make available minutes on all of the Commission’s meetings with tobacco interest representatives constitutes maladministration; ensuring implementation of the guidelines for Article 5.3 of the FCTC that state “Parties should interact with the tobacco industry only when and to the extent strictly necessary to enable them to effectively regulate the tobacco industry and tobacco products”;
Amendment 323 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point b b (new)
Paragraph 5 – point b b (new)
bb. bringing the taxation of novel smoking products, such as vapes and heated tobacco, into line with cigarettes;
Amendment 327 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point b c (new)
Paragraph 5 – point b c (new)
bc. publish annual reports on the progress towards achieving a tobacco-free generation by 2040;
Amendment 329 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 – point b d (new)
Paragraph 5 – point b d (new)
bd. invite European Commission after consulting Member States to adopt Tobacco 21 policies which raise the minimum age for the sale of tobacco products to 21 years.
Amendment 342 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. AHighlights that the WHO estimate 1 million deaths annually in European Region due to alcohol consumption1a; acknowledges that the harmful useconsumption of alcohol is a risk factor for multiple NCDs and underlines that the lower the amount of alcohol consumed, the lower the risk is of developing NCDs14 ; _________________ 14 Global burden of disease 2016 Alcohol Collaborators, ‘Alcohol use and burden for 195 countries and territories,1990–2016: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016’, 23 August 2018.re is no safe amount that does not affect health2a ; also acknowledges that International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified alcohol as a Group 1 carcinogen, indicating that there is convincing evidence to show that it can cause cancer in humans and calls for the urgent implementation of evidence-based methods, such as reduce the affordability of alcohol, to reduce alcohol consumption in Europe; recognises that alcohol consumption is causally linked to several different types of cancer, including breast, liver, and colorectal cancer; _________________ 1a https://cdn.who.int/media/docs/librariespr ovider2/regional-committee-meeting- reports/rc72/european-framework-for- action-on-alcohol-2022-2025-cheat-sheet- en.pdf?sfvrsn=8e63aef4_4&download=tru e 2a https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/04- 01-2023-no-level-of-alcohol- consumption-is-safe-for-our- health#:~:text=The%20World%20Health %20Organization%20has,that%20does%2 0not%20affect%20health
Amendment 352 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Acknowledges the efforts of the European Commission to support Member States in reducing the burden of NCDs with the launch of the ‘Healthier together – EU non-communicable diseases initiative (NCD)’ in December 2021; but calls for more ambitious action at EU level not only to revert the rising number of people living with NCDs but also to improve quality of life and well- being of people affected by NCDs;
Amendment 362 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point a
Paragraph 7 – point a
a. Enact more comprehensive restrictions on alcohol advertising targeting minoryoung people and adolescents;
Amendment 371 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point b a (new)
Paragraph 7 – point b a (new)
ba. urges the Commission to implement evidence-based alcohol policies -based alcohol policies and put forward a legislative proposal on the introduction of health warnings to alcohol labelling requirements, as Ireland did in Section 12 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018; including possible interactions with other products - ie. drug, medicines and/or analgesics;
Amendment 379 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 – point b b (new)
Paragraph 7 – point b b (new)
bb. urges the Commission to welcome the introduction of the list of ingredients and the nutrition declaration on all alcoholic products, as announced in 2021, with the adoption of the Europe’s Beating Cancer Plan;
Amendment 389 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 – introductory part
Paragraph 8 – introductory part
8. Notes that an unhealthy diet is one of the major risk factors for NCDs, including obesity, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, diabetes and other conditions linked to obesity15 , oral diseases, chronic kidney disease, liver, pancreas and other gastrointestinal diseases; acknowledges that obesity is considered a risk factor for several NCDs and is itself recognized as an NCD; calls on the Commission and the Member States to: _________________ 15 World Health Organization Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, ‘Noncommunicable diseases’.
Amendment 401 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 – point a
Paragraph 8 – point a
a. encourage and help consumers to make informed and healthy choices about food products; promote behavioural changes via communication and mass media campaigns for healthy diets; encourage public food procurement and service policies for healthy and sustainable diets; implement considerable restrictions on advertising of ultra-processed foods, particularly those aimed at children, and encouraging obligatory front-of-pack food labelling;
Amendment 427 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 – point b
Paragraph 8 – point b
b. propose a Nnew Acomprehensive and integrated action Pplan for child obesity, with clear binding targets, benchmarks, indicators and mechanisms to monitor and ensure advancements;
Amendment 431 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 – point b a (new)
Paragraph 8 – point b a (new)
ba. propose the implementation of taxation on unhealthy foods and sugary beverages, while subsidizing affordable access to minimally processed nutritious foods for socioeconomically disadvantaged populations;
Amendment 437 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 – point b b (new)
Paragraph 8 – point b b (new)
bb. implement restrictions on advertising of ultra-processed food during child-focused TV and digital media, at cinemas and in locations that attract a high proportion of children;
Amendment 444 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 – point b c (new)
Paragraph 8 – point b c (new)
bc. enhance the availability, affordability, and accessibility of nutritional care provided by dietitians and nutritionists;
Amendment 445 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 – point b d (new)
Paragraph 8 – point b d (new)
bd. establish and nurture food environments that seamlessly promote the selection of healthy and sustainable food options, ensuring they become the default choices due to their ease of access and affordability; enable a shift in focus from individual responsibility to enhancing the environments where choices are made; counter industry-driven narratives and foster a broader understanding of the commercial and social determinants of dietary behaviour;
Amendment 449 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 – point b e (new)
Paragraph 8 – point b e (new)
be. drive transformative shifts in nutritionally poor food availability through limiting the density of fast-food outlets, especially in proximity to schools and underserved areas. Acknowledge that encouraging behavioural change is intrinsically linked to an individual's socioeconomic status, geographical location, and available opportunities;
Amendment 451 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Amendment 488 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to accelerate the transition to sustainable energy and transport sectors and to ensure a shift towards sustainable food systems through an ambitious proposal for the Framework for Sustainable Food Systems (FSFS);
Amendment 502 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) can lead to health problems such as diabetes, obesity and cancer16 ; calls on the Commission to implement the PFAS restriction proposal submitted to European Chemicals Agency on 13 January 202317 ; _________________ 16 European Environment Agency, ‘What are PFAS and how are they dangerous for my health?’. 17 European Chemicals Agency, ‘ECHA publishes PFAS restriction proposal’, 2023.
Amendment 510 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Regrets the slow implementation of the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, and, in particular, expects the REACH Regulation18 to be revised in order to be able to identify all substances of concern manufactured or imported in the EU; including endocrine disruptors; calls for the need for more comprehensive identification and regulation of these substances that can interfere with the hormonal system and have been associated with adverse health effects; _________________ 18 Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2006 concerning the Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH), OJ L 396, 30.12.2006, p. 1.
Amendment 538 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Encourages the Commission and the Member States to achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals that target communicable diseases in order to promote the prevention of NCDs such as cancer related to infectious diseases; welcomes vaccination programmes in this regard such as in the fight against human papillomavirus transmission; (HPV), including vaccinations for all adolescents and young adults;
Amendment 546 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Recognises the impact that the permacrisis, including the COVID-19 pandemic, war, climate change, and the energy crisis, have on the insufficient actions taken on NCDs; calls on the Commission and Member States to prioritise NCD prevention and management as this would strengthen the resilience of healthcare systems and prepare for future shocks;
Amendment 557 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Highlights the importance of identifying people with a high risk of developing NCDs and diagnosing people as early as possible to improve disease management, prevent life-altering complications and save downstream costs for healthcare systems; calls for the implementation of accessible and equitable self-management tools, including peer support networks, collaborative care platforms, and mental health services, considering factors like technology access;
Amendment 587 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Encourages Member States to reduce undiagnosed NCDs by introducing targeted health checks for high-risk individuals addressing the main shared metabolic risk factors, ensuring timely access to high-quality care and support NCD patients’ self- management;
Amendment 591 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Notes that some NCDs are closely linked such as diabetes, renal diseases and cardiovascular diseases and that important synergies can be achieved by improving diagnosis and integrated care19 ; calls on Member States to develop, implement and monitor national NCD prevention plans that include risk reduction and secondary screening programmes for at-risk populations; _________________ 19 European Commission, ‘Healthier together – EU non-communicable diseases initiative’, p. 30, June 2022.
Amendment 601 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Amendment 605 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Recognizing that NCDs operate within a broader context, calls for a systemic perspective that acknowledges the interconnected challenges faced by high-risk populations, such as limited access to education, green spaces, healthy foods, physical activity opportunities, healthcare systems, proper air quality, and decent, sustainable, affordable and adequately air-conditioned housing;
Amendment 616 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Stresses that nurses, doctors, general practitioners and other primary care professionals, dietitians and nutritionists, dental health professionals and other primary care professionals, as well as patient organisations and the third sector at large, have a significant role in referring patients for diagnostic tests, supporting and/or treating NCDs; encourages the Member States to offer training to healthcare professionals to better identify and support high-risk individuals and treat NCDs according to the latest evidence-based studies;
Amendment 631 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Expresses support for the creation of an EU Network of Comprehensive Cancer Centres, as a good case study for pan European action to improve access to high quality care and to deliver next level cooperation across borders in combating inequalities in access and improved research cooperation;
Amendment 640 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Urges the Commission to speed up the procedures to adopt a code of conduct for financial intermediaries, which recognises the right to be forgotten, cancer patients as a fundamental right for all European citizens, allowing former cancer patients access to financial services throughout Europe without discrimination;
Amendment 643 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Amendment 644 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 d (new)
Paragraph 18 d (new)
18d. Recognises that health workforce shortage was a pertinent element of the Covid-19 pandemic crisis and therefore recommends that that the European Health Emergency Response Authority (HERA) be provided with explicit mandate to map and propose remedial measures to combat health workforce shortage;
Amendment 648 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 e (new)
Paragraph 18 e (new)
18e. Encourages the Commission and Member States to embed engagement with patient organisations and people living with NCDs into all activities and initiatives related to the design and implementation of prevention and care activities; emphasises the need to deploy person-centred and fully integrated care across the entire chronic diseases care pathway and to strengthen community and priority care, with a focus on chronic diseases requiring access to care across specialties and care levels such as diabetes;
Amendment 649 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 f (new)
Paragraph 18 f (new)
18f. Calls to provide free and quality diagnostic services and checks and drugs for patients attending the NCD clinics for all NCD patients and give as a priority to the healthcare facility that provided the oncological and/or surgical treatment;
Amendment 652 #
2023/2075(INI)
19. Believes that every patient is different and no NCD is the same; calls for NCDs to be prevented and treated as effectively as possible, with a personalised and integrated approach tailored to the patient and the disease and in compliance with human rights obligations, which include meaningful engagement of users in every decision that impacts on them;
Amendment 664 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Recommends funding support for pan-European public health literacy initiatives, such as the suggestion of creating a European Atlas of Early Warning Signs for Cancer, building on the model for cancer prevention created by the European Code Against Cancer;
Amendment 678 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 b (new)
Paragraph 19 b (new)
19b. Calls on the Commission to support Member States in reviewing national models of care with a focus on prevention-oriented primary care systems and the upskilling of primary care professionals, even through the Recovery and Resilience Facility, guided by the European Semester process, to reduce inequities across Member States, and improve the resilience of national health systems;
Amendment 690 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 c (new)
Paragraph 19 c (new)
19c. Urges Member States to provide training to healthcare professionals on the social and environmental determinants of health, including racism, as well as on inter-sectoral collaboration, integrated service provision, and human rights;
Amendment 695 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 d (new)
Paragraph 19 d (new)
19d. Highlights the increased vulnerability of people living with NCDs effected by extreme weather events and other impacts of climate change and therefore calls for targeted measures in climate change mitigation and adaptation policies;
Amendment 712 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Notes the need to focus on the quality of life of NCD patients whose illnesses cannot be cured but may be stabilised for a number of years; emphasises the importance of specific EU recommendations to improve the quality of life of patients including by integrating comprehensive supportive care into psychological care into the comprehensive healthcare, starting with the diagnosis and continuing over the course of the disease and by granting access to specialised support centres;
Amendment 740 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Calls for the incorporation of an equitable approach for digital healthcare strategies: quality and safety of technology should be ensured and inequities in access be addressed, technology as an option should be discussed and agreed upon by the main healthcare professional and the patient in a process of shared decision-making;
Amendment 758 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Welcomes public-private partnerships as a way of strengthening innovation in healthcare; highlights the European Health Innovation Collaborative, which promotes entrepreneurship and innovation in the healthcare sector and brings together academia, research, and industry to foster collaboration and investment in health technologies; encourages the Commission and the Member States to foster and accelerate public-private partnerships with the caveat of measures to protect public interest;
Amendment 766 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on the Commission to ensuring access to existing medical devices and strengthen support and investment in the development of, and access to, new innovative medical devices, and to support the digitalisation of health services; believes that new technologies and digitalisation can lead to new and better treatments formanagement and treatments for NCDs as well as improved quality of life for people living with NCDs;
Amendment 778 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Believes that good quality data and evidence are important and that correlating health data with social, economic, and environmental data, and strengthening the equity elements of existing health monitoring systems, such as European Health Data Space, will support development of evidence-based and targeted policies and interventions for improved health equity;
Amendment 797 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Believes that further economic data collection at national level is needed in order to achieve a better understanding of the associated costs and burden in the Member States;
Amendment 798 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Acknowledges the great disparity in the level of funding between different NCDs and the need to evaluate funding priorities to ensure that those diseases which are underfunded despite their high burden, especially among disadvantaged groups, (such as alcohol-related liver disease, pancreatitis, and irritable bowel syndrome) attract more funding;
Amendment 809 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 a (new)
Paragraph 26 a (new)
26a. Express support for EU level exercises and projects such as the European Cancer Inequities Registry and recommend its expansion into further areas of attention such as inequities related to race-ethnicity, age, gender, LGBTIQ+, vulnerable groups, such as people living with a disability, impairment or (multiple) chronic conditions, and concerns about medical deserts;
Amendment 811 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 b (new)
Paragraph 26 b (new)
26b. calls on the European Commission to encourage, including with targeted funding, research into autoimmune diseases, which afflict 5 to 10 per cent of the global population;
Amendment 814 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Calls on the Commission to create a European NCD Health Knowledge Centre to improve data collection and research on NCDs; stresses the need for further research in NCD co-morbidities and management, and the need for open and FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) data, as well as the promotion and implementation of existing initiatives, including the European Open Science Cloud, to foster research;
Amendment 834 #
2023/2075(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28 a (new)
Paragraph 28 a (new)
28a. Address the urgent need to tackle regional disparities in healthcare access, striving for equitable availability of quality NCD management across diverse geographical areas within Member States. Explore innovative methods to enhance access to NCD healthcare, such as mobile clinics, trauma-informed teams, and peer advocates. This strategy aims to not only bridge gaps in healthcare access but also to foster a patient-centred and personalized approach to NCD prevention and treatment;
Amendment 11 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 d (new)
Citation 4 d (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 12 July 2023 on the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons learned and recommendations for the future (2022/2076(INI)),
Amendment 20 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 c (new)
Citation 4 c (new)
– having regard to its resolution of 16 February 2022 on Strengthening Europe in the fight against cancer (2020/2267(INI)),
Amendment 38 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 b (new)
Citation 4 b (new)
– having regard to the report “Mental Health in All Policies – Situation analysis and recommendations for action” by the Joint Action on Mental Health and Well-being, of 2017,
Amendment 39 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
– having regard to the definition of mental health by the World Health Organization (WHO),
Amendment 42 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 e (new)
Citation 4 e (new)
– having regard to the WHO European framework for action on mental health 2021–2025,
Amendment 50 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas the World Health Organization (WHO) defines mental health as ‘a state of mental well-being that enables people to cope with the stresses of life, realize their abilities, learn well and work well, and contribute to their community’1 ; whereas the mental Health in All Policies (MHiAP) approach makes mental health as a psychological resource of importance for the wellbeing of individuals, families and societies, according to the WHO definition, where Mental health is not just the absence of illness, but is rather conceptualised as a state of wellbeing in which the individual realises her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his/her community; _________________ 1 WHO, fact sheet on mental health, 17 June 2022.
Amendment 52 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas many of the causes of mental disorders and poor mental wellbeing, and the corresponding economic impact, lie in social, economic and political spheres of people’s daily lives; whereas tackling these determinants will shift emphasis from late and costly interventions towards preventing mental disorders and contribute to improved population mental wellbeing and resilience; whereas this could mean providing parenting support, integrating mental health literacy into school curricula, mental health promotion at work places, and ensuring access to cultural activities and green and blue spaces, as well as promoting physically active lifestyles;
Amendment 58 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas mental health is a basic human right and is crucial to personal, community and socio-economic development; whereas the WHO has estimated that over 150 million people in Europe live with a mental health condition2 ; whereas mental health is more crucial today than it has ever been, due to the societal transition into the information society era, on the fact that productivity is dependent on our minds, as manual work is being replaced by mental work, that the population’s mental capital (i.e. cognitive, emotional, and social skills resources required for role functioning) is a prerequisite for the prosperity of individuals, companies, and societies in this new era; whereas mental health becomes more valuable and more vulnerable, due to the many stressors in information-driven economies; _________________ 2 https://www.who.int/europe/initiatives/the- pan-european-mental-health-coalition.
Amendment 66 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas Mental Health disorders rank second (2nd) among the most common disabling non-communicable diseases;
Amendment 68 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas approximately 4% of all deaths are caused by mental and behavioral disorders in Europe
Amendment 69 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas 9 million adolescents in Europe (aged 10 to 19) are living with mental disorders, with anxiety and depression accounting for more than half of all cases; whereas 50% of mental health problems are established by age 14 and 75% by age 24, 10% of children and young people (aged 5 to 16 years) have a clinically diagnosable mental problem, 19 % (almost one in five) European boys aged 15 to 19 suffer from mental disorders, followed by more than 16 per cent of girls the same age, yet 70% of children and adolescents who experience mental health problems have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age;
Amendment 72 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B d (new)
Recital B d (new)
Bd. whereas in the EU, the annual value of lost mental health, in children and young people is estimated at EUR 50 billion;
Amendment 97 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas minority stress describes chronically high levels of stress faced by members of stigmatized minority groups, including racial and sexual minority groups, victims of prejudice, hostility, persecution, bullying, exclusion, and physical and verbal aggression; whereas minority stress remains pervasive in various aspects of life among LGBT +, especially adolescents, whose psycho- emotional stability is being challenged by homo-trans-phobia manifested by peers but also frequently their family;
Amendment 99 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas, according to the WHO, the data show that violence against women has become a public health problem of epidemic proportions, and the national health services of various countries can and must do more to support women who suffer physical violence or sexual abuse;
Amendment 101 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas chronic non- communicable diseases often result in serious mental health problems (e.g., depression, anxiety, suicidal behaviour), which is perhaps more evident in the infant and youth population, especially those suffering from chronic pain;
Amendment 105 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas deep and unfair economic and social inequalities have different impact among different population groups; whereas the most economically vulnerable social groups see their mental health more impacted by social and economic factors; whereas all public mental health policies must be particularly sensitive to economically vulnerable populations to ensure equal protection for all citizens; whereas in times of economic crisis, it has been shown that mental health problems intensify asymmetrically, and children from the population that falls into unemployment have a greater risk of mental health problems;
Amendment 108 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas the omnipresence of smartphones, online messaging and social networks favours online socialisation at the expense of in-person socialisation, and increases the risk of progression from bullying to cyberbullying; whereas cyberbullying victims are at higher risk of depression and suicidal ideation;
Amendment 111 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C c (new)
Recital C c (new)
Amendment 118 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C d (new)
Recital C d (new)
Cd. whereas EU-OSHA reports that 45% of employed persons consider stress and other risk factors that can adversely affect mental wellbeing to be common in their workplace
Amendment 120 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C e (new)
Recital C e (new)
Amendment 123 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C f (new)
Recital C f (new)
Cf. whereas a key element of the community model or paradigm is the role of patients and their families –duly organized through their associations and federations– in the debate and planning of the healthcare network; whereas according to the community care paradigm, it is a priority to empower patients as much as possible and turn them into active agents of their own therapeutic process (“health in the first person”); whereas taking advantage of the experience and knowledge of users and their environment is essential to plan and develop healthcare services; whereas dialogue with patients is undoubtedly one of the most stimulating, revealing and rewarding elements in the process of building this community model;
Amendment 148 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights that, at any point in their life, any person can become more susceptible to poorer mental health and thus become part of a vulnerable group in society; stresses that addressing mental health conditions requires a thorough understanding of the different determinants of mental health and that an intersectional and multidisciplinary approach is necessary to prevent and mitigate the impacts on individuals, communities and societies; highlights that every mental health strategy must be done with a biopsychosocial (and spiritual) integrated bio-psycho-social perspective;
Amendment 151 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Highlights that, at any point in their life, any person can become more susceptible to poorer mental health and thus become part of a vulnerable group in society; stresses that addressing mental health conditions requires a thorough understanding of the different determinants of mental health and that an intersectional approach including the EU, Member States, civil society and professional actors, from the healthcare sector in particular, is necessary to prevent and mitigate the impacts on individuals, communities and societies;
Amendment 155 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls on the Commission, Member States and regions to prioritise mental health and well-being among young people, by recognising mental health problems as one of the most significant health concerns for young people, and promoting early detection of mental health problems in young people, given that at least 50% of mental health disorders appear before the age of 15 and that 80% of the latter start before the age of 18, and can remain throughout a person’s life, including those related to chronic non-communicable diseases;
Amendment 157 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to prioritise mental health and well-being among young people, by recognising mental health problems as one of the most significant health concerns for young people;
Amendment 159 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Stresses that this report wishes to follow the Mental Health in All Policies (MHiAP), which should apply to all policy levels (e.g. national, regional and local), and in all policy sectors; considers that in order to achieve uptake of the Mental Health in All Policies approach, it is important to demonstrate mutual benefits by pointing out existing win-win situations of mental health promotion, and co-incidence of objectives of non- health policy areas with outcomes of mental health promotion actions are strong drivers of the Mental Health in All Policies approach;
Amendment 201 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 209 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Emphasises that mental health and behavioural disorders are an important driver of suicide among individuals, especially younger age groups with male adolescents aged 15–19 reported higher suicide rates;
Amendment 219 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Considers that severe adverse and stressful life events are major determinants of mental health issues which could affect a big part of the population: economic recession 2008– 2013, COVID–19 pandemic, migration from Africa and Near East; survivors of the war in Ukraine, amid other causes;
Amendment 220 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Urges all the public administrations to focus especially on domestic violence, and within it, with a special focus on violence against women and girls, whose trauma inflicted upon them might be life-enduring and a long- lasting scar;
Amendment 225 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Urges the Commission, Member States and regions to detect mental health problems in the general population (almost 50% of people with mental health disorders are not linked to the health system), by educating and promoting skills in the general population to increase resilience and be able to confront any kind of traumatic event;
Amendment 248 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Considers mental health information systems an important tool to collect data and measure the effectiveness of mental health interventions, and calls for them to be systematically improved and updated; urges the Commission to make an European surveillance study on mental health disorders;
Amendment 259 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to assist the Member States and the regions with health competences in collecting and spreading best practice, via the EU Best Practice Portal, with regard to targeted campaigns for supporting vulnerable groups, particularly marginalised communities;
Amendment 261 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls on Commission and Member States to improve the comprehensiveness, quality and timeliness of their suicide- related data including vital registration of suicide, hospital-based registries of suicide attempts and nationally representative surveys collecting information about self-reported suicide attempts;
Amendment 264 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Calls on all the public administrations to focus on preventing use of addictive substances, especially those harmful such as Cannabis Sativa, genetically modified Cannabis Sativa, cocaine and derived substances; calls on the public administrations to focus also on detecting and preventing behavioural additions towards tobacco and alcohol, as well as prescribed opioids; urges the Commission to reform the Tobacco Products Directive (Directive 2014/40/EU on the approximation of the laws, regulations and administrative provisions of the Member States concerning the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products);
Amendment 275 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is deeply concerned that, despite progress in some countries, people with mental health conditions frequently experience discrimination and stigma and often do not have access to adequate healthcare, work place or housing, which can lead to severe human rights violations;
Amendment 286 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls for the EU and the Member States, Member States, civil society and professional actors, from the healthcare sector in particular, to raise awareness of the importance of mental health in a coordinated and timely manner, through a mental-health-in- all-policies approach;
Amendment 312 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Calls for the EU and the Member States to ensure training and certification schemes for qualified professionals to increase the number of qualified professionals and reduce waiting times including specialists on cultural sensitive counselling and specific contexts and needs such as trauma caused by war and conflict, and natural disasters;
Amendment 330 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Urges the Member States to guarantee the access to quality, free of charge and tailored mental health services and programmes focusing on specific needs of children and young people and provide specific support including financially to young adults facing high levels of mental health pressure and in situations of vulnerability including adults who have left alternative care;
Amendment 334 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9b. calls on the Commission to develop effective tools for a uniform and integrated system of child and adolescent neuropsychiatry health services to be implemented in the Member States;
Amendment 336 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Paragraph 9 c (new)
Amendment 341 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 d (new)
Paragraph 9 d (new)
9d. emphasises that WHO recognises suicide as a public health priority; calls on the Commission and Member States to implement WHO evidence-based interventions in the Suicide Prevention Programmes by limiting access to the means of suicide, interacting with the media for responsible suicide communication, promoting social- emotional competencies of adolescents, and early identification, assessment, management and follow-up of anyone affected by suicidal behaviour;
Amendment 344 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 e (new)
Paragraph 9 e (new)
9e. Urges the Member States to incorporate more specialists – psychologists and psychiatrists– in primary care centres, increase the frequency of follow-up visits in mental health centres, whether for adults or child and youth mental health, open new specialised devices (e.g., in dual pathology or in adapted treatment of the homeless population);
Amendment 350 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Considers that mental health conditions are underdiagnosed in the EU; especially among healthcare professionals; recommends the Commission to make a mental health epidemiological assessment or study;
Amendment 356 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the importance of recognition early diagnosis and, intervention and constant monitoring for mental health conditions;
Amendment 360 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. urges Member States to invest in early intervention and maternal mental health services, including prevention, screening and support programmes for all women, including refugee and undocumented migrant women and women faced ill-treatment, sexual abused;
Amendment 393 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Highlights the need to address and take in duly consideration the mental health of healthcare professionals to ensure better mental health conditions to all;
Amendment 395 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 b (new)
Paragraph 12 b (new)
12b. stresses, moreover, that the situation of healthcare workers is increasingly worrying because of challenging working conditions, shortages of the workforce, insufficient resources, and in some cases even physical and verbal aggression; emphasises that addressing mental health workforce shortages is critical for improving service accessibility and future pandemic preparedness;
Amendment 400 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 c (new)
Paragraph 12 c (new)
12c. calls on the Commission to support Member States in the process of developing and delivering systems that are person-centred and human rights compliant;
Amendment 401 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 d (new)
Paragraph 12 d (new)
Amendment 407 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Calls on the Member States in close cooperation with healthcare professionals and hospital management to improve access to treatment and support for mental health conditions by implementing multidisciplinary care;
Amendment 412 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. emphasises the need to reprioritise mental healthcare to be evidence-based and patient-first, a system that not only reduces mental illness via curative and rehabilitative care but also improves mental well-being via promotive and preventive care;
Amendment 413 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 b (new)
Paragraph 13 b (new)
13b. Calls on the Member States to ensure access to psychological first aid, counselling and therapy in culturally sensitive contexts for children in the context of migration, regardless of residence status;
Amendment 428 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to promote policies around best practice in social prescribing in the Member States and in the regions with competence in mental health policies;
Amendment 431 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls Member States to reduce the age of consent to psychosocial counselling and therapy, including access to professionals with expertise on the effects of recreational substance misuse, including cannabis and mental health, to allow children and young people to receive effective mental health support if they wish, irrespective of consent of their parents;
Amendment 434 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on the Member States to reduce the age of consent to psychosocial counselling and therapy to 16 years old to allow young people to receive effective mental health support if they wish, irrespective of consent of their parents;
Amendment 441 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Urges the Member States to ensure that people on medical leave because of mental health conditions do not face discrimination; urges the Member States and competent bodies to implement national plans that promote the integration of people with mental health conditions into the labour market, in order to reduce inequities and tackle social determinants and provide financial incentives targeted at companies, especially to support small- and medium-sized enterprises, to recruit and retain to recruit the people with mental health conditions;
Amendment 460 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Invites the Commission and the Member States to invest in further research on mental health, including the development of distance based, ICT- supported, psychosocial treatments;
Amendment 466 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Invites the Commission to accelerate the research of narcissistic personality disorder, development of advanced treatments and medications;
Amendment 468 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. calls on the Commission to develop research on interactions between alcohol, painkillers and drug use cannabis variants with high concentration on THC and its different mode of consumption and information on interaction;
Amendment 488 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Calls for the EU and the Member States professional, in particular from the healthcare sector to urgently develop psychosocial mental health support structures, especially treatments for post- traumatic stress disorder, aimed specifically at victims of natural, climate, humanitarian, geopolitical and conflict- related disasters, asylum seekers and migrants from all backgrounds;
Amendment 502 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Calls on the Commission to add, as further support for students who, during the implementation of the programme, are located in EU Member States or in other countries belonging to the Erasmus+ programme, a further category of expenditure relating to the costs of psychological support and assistance for students, and to ensure that this category of expenditure is declared eligible, starting with the next call for proposals for the 2025 programming year;
Amendment 504 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Calls Commission and Member States to develop or strengthen comprehensive suicide prevention strategies and optimise school-based suicide prevention programs, such as digital and face to face educational programs on the effects of substance misuse and the danger of seeking relief from psychological stress in self- administration of drugs like cannabis;
Amendment 512 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 b (new)
Paragraph 21 b (new)
21b. calls on the Commission to come forward with a proposal for Member States to put in place national action programmes on mental health and well- being;
Amendment 513 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 c (new)
Paragraph 21 c (new)
Amendment 514 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 d (new)
Paragraph 21 d (new)
21d. Calls on the Commission and Member States to monitor progress on children’s overall health and wellbeing, including mental health, as part of their reporting on health in the European Semester process;
Amendment 515 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 e (new)
Paragraph 21 e (new)
21e. Underlines that the Commission should ensure the reduction of harmful psychosocial risk factors at work and to guarantee the right to the same level of protection of workers, regardless of their status and where in the EU they live and work;
Amendment 516 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 f (new)
Paragraph 21 f (new)
21f. Urges the Commission to revise its 2003 recommendation concerning the European schedule of occupational diseases with additions such as work- related mental health disorders, in particular depression, burnout, anxiety and stress; retire its call to transform this recommendation into a directive creating a minimum list of occupational diseases and setting out minimum requirements for their recognition and adequate compensation for individuals concerned;
Amendment 517 #
2023/2074(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 g (new)
Paragraph 21 g (new)
21g. calls on the Commission to maintain dialogue with EU Member States as an imperative and open the European Commission’s Expert Group on Public Health subgroup on Mental Health to sub-national and civil society actors;
Amendment 21 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas SDG 7 stipulates the aim to achieve sustainable access to affordable and clean energy by 203012 , which is key to the development of agriculture, business, communications, education, healthcare and transportation; _________________ 12 UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, ‘The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023: Special Edition – July 2023’, New York, USA, 2023.
Amendment 25 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas, according to the UN, as of mid-2023, approximately 733 million people worldwide, 80 % of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa, still do not have access to affordable, reliable, clean, high-quality energy13 ; whereas the access deficit in this region remains almost the same as it was in 2010; _________________ 13 The International Renewable Energy Agency, ‘Basic Energy Access Lags Amid Renewable Opportunities New Report Shows’, 6 June 2023.
Amendment 44 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas it is essential to strengthen diplomacy efforts to foster more ambitious political will in order to effectively address and end energy poverty;
Amendment 59 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the EU together with its Member States provided the vast majority of Official Development Assistance financing for SDG 7 projects in Africa amounting to EUR 13.8 billion between 2014 and 2020; whereas an estimated 53 % of the disbursements were in the form of loans; whereas more than half of low- income countries are in debt distress or at high risk of getting there, according to the IMF;
Amendment 64 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the energy transition is severely and persistently underfunded in developing regions, in particular in the least developed countries; whereas many developing countries keep relying excessively on exports of fossil fuels, which leads to a lack of economic diversification, degradation of rule of law standards, increased poverty rates, violation of labour rights, land grabbing and environmental damage;
Amendment 68 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas most EU-funded projects aim to promote electricity generation, yet the distribution segment is the weakest, despite being essential in achieving SDG 7; whereas many developing countries continue to rely on coal as the primary source for electricity generation;
Amendment 71 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the countries that make up the G20 account for 80% of global emissions;
Amendment 75 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas the Africa-EU Energy Partnership was renewed in February 2022 with explicit objectives to promote renewable energy generation; whereas REPowerEU sets targets for the annual import of 10 Mt of Green Hydrogen by 2030, and half of this is required to be sourced from outside of Europe;
Amendment 81 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital J
Recital J
J. whereas green hydrogen has the potential to accelerate the path to decarbonisation of industrial production, provided that it is part of a broader strategy to reduce the overall consumption of energyand addresses the significant costs of hydrogen transport resulting from the lack of necessary infrastructure;
Amendment 97 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital M
Recital M
M. whereas the EU and partner countries share a common but differentiated responsibility to achieve a sustainable energy transition; whereas EU support for renewable energy projects must, in the first place, meet the local population’s needs before supporting export; whereas the export-oriented deployment of renewable infrastructure in developing countries may pose a risk to domestic decarbonization efforts;
Amendment 103 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that access to affordable and sustainable energy is a basic human right and a precondition for health, education and economic prosperity; underlines that energy access is an essential multiplier to achieve the SDGs; stresses that a net-zero carbon future and the development of renewables must go hand in hand with economic diversification, green industrialisation, decarbonisation, poverty reduction and a human rights- based approach;
Amendment 111 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 114 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that energy poverty disproportionately affects women and girls; highlights their daily involvement in collecting firewood and charcoal far from their homes; calls for the EU to step up its support in mainstreaming gender in the energy transition, including through the prioritization of gender-responsive energy projects and initiatives in developing countries, as well as providing technical assistance to integrate gender considerations into the energy transition strategies of developing countries;
Amendment 120 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is worried about the health and environmental consequences of household fuelwood emissions, such as respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, forest degradation and biodiversity loss;
Amendment 123 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Is concerned that the use of biomass for cooking will contribute to accelerating forest degradation and greenhouse gas emissions through inefficient burning;
Amendment 125 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. UPoints out that the current pace of access to clean cooking fuels in many developing countries is not fast enough to meet the related targets in SDG 7 by 2030; urges the EU to incorporate access to clean cooking as a priority within its energy partnerships with developing countries;
Amendment 133 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Expresses concern over the increasing energy needs among refugees and internally displaced persons living in camps; stresses, in light of the MFF mid- term review, the need to utilize forthcoming increases in the Humanitarian Aid (HUMA) budgetary line to step up financial assistance for ensuring energy provision in camps;
Amendment 138 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Reiterates its commitment towards energy justice; calls for the EU to support developing countries in implementing rights-based renewable energy regimes that effectively contribute to the sustainable development of partner countries; believes that the principle of free, prior and informed consent for affected communities is a pre-condition for a successful green and just energy transition;
Amendment 148 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 9 – point a a (new)
aa) encourage sustainable land-use planning, including thorough assessments of potential project sites, consideration of environmental and social impacts, and avoidance of areas with high risks of land-use conflicts;
Amendment 151 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point c
Paragraph 9 – point c
c) define environmental and social criteria that can be incorporated into strong regulatory frameworks and ensure compliance through mechanisms for oversight and grievance;
Amendment 152 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – point c a (new)
Paragraph 9 – point c a (new)
ca) facilitate knowledge sharing and best practices exchange between developing countries and regions that have successfully managed land-use conflicts related to energy projects;
Amendment 165 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Is worried about the impact that water-intensive energy conversion practices, such as hydropower plants, have on agricultural communities, which can lead to loss of water availability for irrigation and increased vulnerability to climate change; stresses the importance of promoting sustainable hydropower projects by conducting comprehensive environmental and social impact assessments, implementing sustainable reservoir management strategies, and ensuring meaningful community participation; is of the opinion that, where possible, priority should be given to renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind energy, that have a lower impact on water resources in order to reduce reliance on water-intensive conversion practices;
Amendment 167 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that any planning of dams should be evaluated according to five values: equity, efficiency, participatory decision-making, sustainability and accountability; underlines that the EU should work with developing countries to ensure that communities affected by dam projects are adequately compensated and provided with appropriate livelihood restoration measures;
Amendment 172 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes, with concern, that Africa hosts an increasing number of fossil fuel projects, which risks preventing it from making a timely leap to renewable energy; recalls that a major portion of current oil, gas and coal production in Africa is destined for export, while the continent continues to be plagued by energy poverty; insists on the necessity of prioritizing investment in sustainable renewable energy infrastructure in Africa and ensuring affordable and reliable access to renewable energy sources, particularly in rural and marginalized communities, through the establishment of decentralized energy systems and microgrid networks;
Amendment 177 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Denounces the double standards whereby private and public financial institutions in developed countries are increasingly making pledges to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, while financing the development and expansion of fossil fuels; underlines that calls for low- and middle-income countries to reduce their dependence on coal will not be effective as long as developed countries continue to rely decisively on other fossil fuels;
Amendment 193 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Warns against the risk of a new ‘green hydrogen curse’ that would foster developing countries’ reliance on exports and could crowd out investments in the development of local energy markets; is concerned about the lack of required infrastructure, the long-distance transport costs, the limited investments and financial capacities and the risks linked to weak institutions and corruption; calls for the EU to support the development of a green hydrogen value chain only when it can guarantee that it equally benefits exporting countries and their populations; underlines the importance of hydrogen projects in enabling partner countries to enhance their economic diversification and reduce excessive reliance on exports, thus leveraging the profits generated from these projects;
Amendment 200 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Notes, with concern, the conflicting use of water associated with mining and the development of large-scale renewable energy plants, such as green hydrogen; reaffirms that access to water is a fundamental human right; underlines the necessity of enhancing water infrastructure in regions where mining and renewable energy plants are prominent by investing in water treatment facilities and water recycling systems;
Amendment 201 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses the need to regulate water as a resource for green hydrogen production in a sustainable way, including the implementation of regulations that mandate sustainable water sourcing techniques, efficient water usage, and the minimization of wastewater discharge, so that it does not jeopardise local populations’ access to water;
Amendment 205 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Notes the proliferation of desalination plants to deal with water scarcity; points out that seawater desalination can have major environmental impacts, in particular on marine biodiversity and greenhouse gas emissions; highlights that reducing water use and recycling or reusing treated wastewater is often less expensive than desalination;
Amendment 210 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Urges the Commission to set up an inclusive governance framework for partnership agreements that meaningfully includes civil society organisations to ensure that the ‘no harm’ principle is respected vis-à-vis local communities and that global human rights standards are met; recalls the need of establishing robust monitoring and reporting mechanisms to track the progress of partnerships in meeting their obligations, while involving civil society organizations in the design and implementation of these mechanisms to ensure transparency and accountability;
Amendment 214 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Stresses that EU financing for renewable energy should be in line with the principles of equity, sustainability and climate justice;
Amendment 221 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Stresses that access to financing for a just energy transition must be simplified and accelerated for developing countries; insists on considering solutions such as the operationalization of a long- term Debt-For-Climate Swap Mechanism within the framework of the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative and the rechannelling of IMF Special Drawing Rights;
Amendment 226 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 – point a a (new)
Paragraph 26 – point a a (new)
aa) coordinate investments among different institutions to maximize impact and avoid duplication of efforts;
Amendment 232 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26 – point d a (new)
Paragraph 26 – point d a (new)
da) offer technical support and capacity-building initiatives to empower developing countries in implementing clean energy projects effectively;
Amendment 237 #
2023/2073(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and, the European External Action Service and the European Investment Bank.
Amendment 1 #
2023/2065(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the first ex post evaluation of the EU-Southern African Development Community (SADC) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA); stresses that the EPA envisages trade and investment contributing to the goal of sustainable development in its economic, social and environmental dimensions; notes, however, that many challenges remain in SADC partner countries in relation to economic diversification, competitiveness, growth, rule of law, poverty reduction, labour rights, land grabbing and environmental protection;
Amendment 5 #
2023/2065(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Points out that regional integration features prominently in the EPA; stresses that regional integration is essential to effectivepromote regional value chains in SADC and Africa broadly, and sustainably integrate developing countries into the world economy; stresses, furthermore, that the EU’s development finance cooperation with SADC countries must assist their regional economic cooperation and integration efforts in a way that boosts wider intra-African trade;
Amendment 7 #
2023/2065(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. PRecognizes that SADC partner countries can only benefit from the EPA insofar as it increases their ability to boost economic diversification and produce value-added manufactured products; points out that the EPA should therefore contribute to diversifying value chains in SADC countries and their economies, creating added value and jobs locally and thereby helping to reduce and eventually eradicate hunger and poverty in a sustainable manner; stresses, in this regard, that the largest export increases of most SADC countries to the EU have taken place in commodities and foodstuffs, thereby highlighting the need for further support in diversification and the implementation of strong industrial policies to promote structural transformation;
Amendment 11 #
2023/2065(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Underlines the financial and technical difficulties that local SMEs experience in fulfilling EU regulations and standards that are required before exporting to the EU market, which may exclude most SMEs from EPA benefits; stresses the need to provide adequate assistance to SMEs to ensure their compliance with EU requirements and access to EU markets, and to raise awareness about the utilization of tariff rate quotas;
Amendment 15 #
2023/2065(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the importance of good governance and assistance in building capacity for sustainable development, in particular with regard to establishing sustainable fiscal systems and fighting tax evasion, in order to help unlock fiscal capacity for further economic and social development and to protect the environment; recalls that the EU needs to strongly support the strengthening of institutions and comprehensive capacity- building in the public sector of partner countries;
Amendment 19 #
2023/2065(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that the EPA should contribute to establishing an effective, predictable and transparent regional regulatory framework for trade and investment, provide a sustainable foundation for in a way that positively contributes to the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area and thereby attraction of private capital, which is indispensable for fostering sustainable development and achieving themost goals of the 2030 Agenda;
Amendment 22 #
2023/2065(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Recalls the importance of allowing exceptions to the National Treatment principle and the obligation to eliminate export taxes in order to promote and protect infant industries that are key to diversifying the economies of partner countries, thereby boosting their development, in line with Article XVII: C) and Article XXIV of the GATT.
Amendment 24 #
2023/2065(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Highlights the importance of broadly, systematically and meaningfully involving local and regional civil society in the EPA’s implementation and the ex post evaluations thereof.; notes that the scope of provisions of the EPA on dialogue with civil society are limited when compared with other recent EU trade agreements; stresses the need to enhance the consultation role of civil society; calls to establish a formal mechanism for civil society engagement, while recalling that existing platforms like the multi- stakeholder national monitoring frameworks of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 can also be leveraged for engagement with civil society in the EPA context;
Amendment 2 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
– having regard to the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,
Amendment 24 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the extractive industries canshould play a crucial role in the development of many resource-rich developing countries, by providing public revenues from mining and mining-related operations, employment opportunities and infrastructure;
Amendment 33 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the extractive industries can have severe negative social, economic, environmental and, institutional and human rights impacts at local, national and global level; whereas extractive industries often affect indigenous communities in terms of land displacement, loss of cultural heritage, environmental degradation and exposure to health risks;
Amendment 43 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas Community Development Agreements (CDAs) can provide a means of strengthening and advancing a sustainable and mutually beneficial relationship for governments, companies, and communities, as well as of preventing conflicts and increasing transparency and accountability; whereas the 10 Mining Principles of the International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM) encourage its members to carry out proper stakeholder engagement and contribute to the sustainable development of host countries and communities7 ; _________________ 7 https://www.icmm.com/en-gb/our- principles/mining-principles/mining- principles.
Amendment 45 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas developing countries have often faced challenges in collecting sufficient revenue from extractive activity due to weak or regressive tax systems, lack of institutional resilience, inadequate long-term planning, unsustainable debt burdens, illicit financial flows, corruption and tax evasion;
Amendment 47 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
Recital F b (new)
Fb. whereas developing countries need to decrease their reliance on extractive industries and expand their economies into future-oriented sectors like net-zero emissions technologies to broaden their revenue sources; whereas it is crucial for the EU to take appropriate measures regarding extractive industries in developing nations to facilitate economic diversification, enhance the pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, and ensure an equitable transition towards a net-zero future;
Amendment 50 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas accelerating the efforts to address climate change and dealing with the rapidly rising demand for the raw materials indispensable to achieving the green and digital transitions should be an opportunity for the extractive industries sector to become sustainable and for resource-rich developing countries to capitalise on this demand andby increasing their fiscal space and boosting public expenditure to attain economic and social development, while reducing their GHG emissions;
Amendment 70 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Invites the Commission to strengthen its dialogue and cooperation with civil society organisations, local communities and indigenous peoples in developing countries affected by extractive industries, in order to promote their rights and ensure their meaningful participation in decision-making processes, particularly with regard to Global Gateway flagship projects; underlines that civil society actors should have formal representation on the governance board of the Global Gateway; calls on the Commission to strengthen the capacity of local CSOs and indigenous peoples organisations to engage effectively in decision-making processes, including by providing training and support in areas such as legal literacy, negotiation skills, environmental impact assessments and project monitoring;
Amendment 74 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for the EU to support capacity-building efforts in developing countries to strengthen their legal and regulatory frameworks for extractive industries, including measures to increase governance and transparency, combat corruption, tax fraud and evasion and illicit financial flows, improve labour, human rights and environmental standards, and strengthen law enforcement by providing technical assistance and capacity building programs to relevant governmental stakeholders, such as government officials, judiciary and law enforcement agencies; stresses the need to end tax havens as conduits for illicit financial flows in the extractive sector;
Amendment 82 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – introductory part
Paragraph 4 – introductory part
4. Calls for the Commission to put forward an EU Code of Conduct on Responsible Investment in Extractive Industries in Developing Countries for businesses and development finance institutions, drafted with inputs from industry, as well as from civil society in developing countries and from representatives of indigenous communities; considers that the code should articulate clear commitments and tailored guiding principles for investment in developing countries that align with existing international standards, guidelines, and initiatives such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, among others; stresses that local consultation, local consent and local sustainable development should be the overarching objective of the code; believes that the code should cover, at a minimum, commitments on:
Amendment 87 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point a
Paragraph 4 – point a
a) stakeholder involvement; considers that where a third country has not legislated for mandatory CDAs, European businesses should implement them as a prerequisite for doing business; considers that the agreements should be negotiated with local communities andin the framework of multi- stakeholder platforms meaningfully involving local communities, indigenous peoples, government officials, civil society organisations, and extractive industry representatives, and that these agreements should be made publicly accessible;
Amendment 88 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point b
Paragraph 4 – point b
b) transparency, including proactive environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting on projects in developing countries, in line with the principle of double materiality, as well as the publishing of contracts and financial transactions, including detailing payments made to host governments and disclosing the allocation and use of these revenues; underlines that all the public information should be provided in a clear and understandable manner to hold relevant actors accountable;
Amendment 89 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point b a (new)
Paragraph 4 – point b a (new)
ba) rule of law upholding and corruption prevention, including compliance with legal frameworks, anticorruption measures, transparency in financial transactions and whistle-blower protection;
Amendment 91 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point c
Paragraph 4 – point c
c) human rights issues, such as the use of forced and child labour, workers’ rights, displacement, discrimination, indigenous rights, health and safety working conditions;
Amendment 93 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point d
Paragraph 4 – point d
d) environmental protection, performance and impact, including pollution prevention measures, sustainable use of natural resources and measures and resources to ensure proper recycling and waste management of raw materials;
Amendment 94 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point d a (new)
Paragraph 4 – point d a (new)
da) local content and economic diversification, including opportunities for local value addition, skills development, and technology transfer to promote economic diversification and inclusive growth in partner countries;
Amendment 95 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point e a (new)
Paragraph 4 – point e a (new)
ea) capacity building initiatives, including training programs and knowledge sharing platforms to enhance the understanding of responsible investment practices in the extractive industries;
Amendment 96 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point e b (new)
Paragraph 4 – point e b (new)
eb) grievance mechanisms and safeguards to address human rights violations and environmental impacts caused by extractive industries, including the establishment of independent monitoring bodies, complaint mechanisms, and adequate remedies;
Amendment 97 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 – point e c (new)
Paragraph 4 – point e c (new)
ec) monitoring and reporting framework to ensure compliance with the code, involving periodic reporting, independent third-party verification and public disclosure of performance indicators;
Amendment 105 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines that addressing the ‘resource curse’ involves not only economic diversification, but also strengthen institutional resilience, upholding the rule of law and increasing third countries’ fiscal space to facilitate sustainable development; stresses that the EU should proactively encourage domestic resource mobilisation in partner countries, such as direct taxation; calls on the Commission and the Member States to commit to scaling up concessional finance in parallel to the Critical Raw Materials Act8 ; reiterates that the ceilings in Heading 6 of the multiannual financial framework (MFF) must be increased accordingly in the context of the upcoming MFF review; _________________ 8 Proposal of 16 March 2023 for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials and amending Regulations (EU) 168/2013, (EU) 2018/858, (EU) 2018/1724 and (EU) 2019/1020 (COM(2023)0160).
Amendment 109 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the Commission to propose a G20 initiative on making extractives work for local sustainable development in resource-rich developing countries; stresses that the initiative should be tailored to each context and could comprise, inter alia, financial support, debt assistance, debt-for-climate swaps, investment reallocation for sustainable development initiatives and transfer of environmentally friendly and socially responsible technologies for resource management, capacity building in governance, taxation and anti-corruption;
Amendment 117 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls for the EU to promote inclusive and transparent multi- stakeholder partnerships at regional and international level;
Amendment 121 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Reaffirms the urgent need for a UN binding treaty on business and human rights to regulate the activities of transnational corporations and other business enterprises that lays down clear human rights obligations, due diligence requirements and provisions for access to remedy; asks, therefore, the Commission and the Member States to play an active role in the current negotiations on the instrument;
Amendment 123 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates its call for the EU to seek further international agreements on providing climate financing, clean technology transfer and capacity building for developing countries in order to reduce GHG emissions originating, in particular, from the extractive sector;
Amendment 125 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Asks the EU to support, in particular, the Member States of the African Union in further implementing the Africa Mining Vision, a policy framework adopted in 2009 to ensure that the continent utilises its mineral resources strategically for broad-based socio- economic development, aiming to update the framework in order to embrace the SDGs and the climate change agenda, as an opportunity for sustainable development on the continent; underlines that EU support should comprise capacity building, financial support, clean technology transfers and sustainable supply chain management;
Amendment 127 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Calls for the EU to support regional and international initiatives to improve transparency and accountability in the use and management of extractive resources, including the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the Extractives Global Programmatic Support and, the Kimberley Process and the Voluntary Principles on Security and Human Rights;
Amendment 139 #
2023/2031(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Asks the Commission to use the 2023 review process of the Conflict Minerals Regulation as an opportunity to assess the impact of the regulation on the ground and the possibility to include further mandatory measures and cover other mineral, stronger enforcement mechanisms, stricter penalties for non-compliance and cover other minerals; underlines the need to meaningfully include civil society organizations and affected communities throughout the review process;
Amendment 2 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
Citation 1
– having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), and in particular to Articles 208, 209 and 212 and Article 322(1) thereof,
Amendment 34 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the EU has committed since 2012 to support CSOs in all external instruments and programmes and in all areas of cooperation, including through a “flexible and tailor-made approach to funding” in order to reach all types of CSOs;
Amendment 43 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Underlines the need to review the EU’s external and development policies in the light of geopolitical changes; recognises the enhanced importance of strategic partnerships that are aligned with the principle of Policy Coherence for Development (PCD) with partner countries and the specific role of EU investments, which have to reflect both the interests of the EU and the interests of our partners, especially regarding their development needs; underlines that PCD ensures that EU policies are coherent and aligned with development objectives, allowing the EU to be seen as a trustworthy partner and counteract the influence of other global powers;
Amendment 50 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Reaffirms its unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of the ongoing Russian war of aggression; stresses, however, that this support should not come at the expense of other partners and third countries, whose EU funding should not be cut; calls, therefore, for a thorough evaluation of the Instrument’s resources, which should also assess whether they are sufficient to meet the Instrument’s objectives, and to raise the resources accordingly;
Amendment 104 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Reaffirms the commitment set out in the Instrument to eradicating poverty, fighting climate change, fighting inequalities and discrimination and promoting human development;
Amendment 120 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Reaffirms the commitment outlined in the Instrument to addressing the root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement; is of the opinion that, without prejudice to unforeseen circumstances, the commitment within the Instrument to dedicate an indicative 10 % of the Instrument’s financial envelope to actions supporting the management and governance of migration and forced displacementrecalls that addressing the underlying causes of migration encompasses more than just managing migration itself and extends to diverse policy areas, for which it is crucial to implement holistic and comprehensive strategies to the root causes of migration that align within the objectives of the Instrument should be respected and that this clause should not be reprinciple of policy coherence for developmenedt;
Amendment 133 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that under no circumstances should the 2024 MTR of the MFF result in the Instrument’s funds being cut or reallocated between programmes; underlines the key role of the Instrument, the EFSD+ and the EAG in providing a strategic framework for blended finance, de-risking investments and guarantees and in mobilising resources from the private sector with the support of the EU budget, particularly in the light of increasing geopolitical and economic competition; recalls that, while blended finance can attract private sector investments, the effectiveness and impact of such investments need careful evaluation to ensure that they genuinely contribute to sustainable development goals and benefit local communities;
Amendment 145 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes the specific role played by the EIB in the European financial architecture for development, as set out in Article 209 of the TFEU and in Article 36 of the Regulation establishing the Instrument, and acknowledges the EIB’s potential to mobilise additional funding that contributes to the Instrument’s objectives; welcomes the creation of EIB Global, which has been operational since 1 January 2022 and sets out to increase the bank’s presence and expertise in developing countries; underlines that all EIB operations must clearly justify their contribution to the EU development policy objectives and that intensive ex ante impact assessments on human rights should be carried out for every project funded by the EIB;
Amendment 152 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the ‘open architecture’ of the EFSD+, which was established to support private-sector investments, and calls on the Commission, the EIB, the Member States and development finance institutions (DFIs) to fully utilise the options provided by the EAG and the relevant investment windows to promote sustainable private-sector investments in sectors where their potential contribution to achieving the SDGs has been demonstrated; stresses that private-sector investments in sensitive sectors like education and health should be approached with caution due to the risk of excluding underserved regions or populations and their limited focus on long-term impact;
Amendment 161 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Emphasises the necessity of adjusting funding methods to align with the new Instrument and to ensure that sufficient funding is accessible to all CSOs across all NDICI-Global Europe programs;
Amendment 163 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. Underlines the need to improve transparency and access to information on the Instrument's funding;
Amendment 169 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes the Team Europe approach and its aim of increasing the coherence, impact and visibility of EU development projects, and calls for more joint actions with the Member States, in particular Team Europe Initiatives (TEIs); calls on the Commission to review the effectiveness of the approach, including how successfully Team Europe Initiatives are perceived by societies and local stakeholders in partner countries, and to inform Parliament of its findings;
Amendment 180 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the Global Gateway strategy as a concerted EU response to global challenges; regrets, however, the lack of transparency and of a regulatory framework for the strategy’s governance and implementation within the Instrument’s objectives and priorities; underlines that EU support for investment in infrastructure will not foster inclusive development on its own and that such investments have to be well-embedded in other forms of cooperation that support sustainable development;
Amendment 193 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses the importance of the programming process, underlining the crucial role of the EEAS and EU delegations in this regard, as well as in ensuring the proper inclusion of partner countries throughout the process, including by fostering close consultation of and association with regional and local authorities, in order to identify common priorities and enhance partner countries’ sense of ownership; stresses, furthermore, the important role of meaningfully consulting civil society organisations in the programming process, for which strengthening the capacities and resources of EU delegations is essential;
Amendment 202 #
2023/2029(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Expects Parliament to be fully involved in the programming exercise for the second half of the MFF and for the multiannual indicative plans (MIPs) for 2025-2027; insists on the need to carry out an appropriate consultation process to allow for meaningful contributions from CSOs;
Amendment 6 #
2023/2018(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises the importance of volunteering in humanitarian aid operations in promoting European values, along with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, as well as with the ‘do no harm’ approach;
Amendment 12 #
2023/2018(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the high number of young people interested in the humanitarian aid strand, with over 42 000 expressions of interests received by May 2023; strongly supports the efforts to increase engagement among vulnerable young people with fewer opportunities; calls for concrete action to ensure these young people are included in a meaningful way, such as targeted communication campaigns and the appropriate design of compulsory training programmes and the subsequent placements; underlines the need to support the facilitation of networking between organisations working with vulnerable young people and ESC accredited organisations;
Amendment 18 #
2023/2018(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Emphasises the need to increase the resources for long-term support and capacity-building when engaging vulnerable volunteers;
Amendment 22 #
2023/2018(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is concerned about the lengthy volunteer selection procedure, in particular with regard to waiting times for mandatory in-person training, which could lead to candidates dropping out and losing interest; underlines that humanitarian operations require adequate training that is tailored to the hosting context;
Amendment 30 #
2023/2018(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Notes that most applicants are between 19 and 23 years old; invitescalls on the Commission to remove the age limit to allow more experienced candidates to participate without significantly affecting youth engagement in humanitarian operations;
Amendment 35 #
2023/2018(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that around two thirds of the selected projects for 2023 are development-centred; calls for a more balanced humanitarian-centred approach for future selections; calls on the Commission to consider the possibility of revisinge the regulation to allow volunteering in safe zones of conflict- affected countries, subject to clear security and safety protocols, appropriate training and the fulfilment of the duty of care for volunteers.
Amendment 4 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
— having regard to the Synthesis Report of the IPCC Sixth Assessment Record (AR6) of 20 March 2023, which states that many mitigation and adaptation actions have multiple synergies with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
Amendment 38 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 21 a (new)
Citation 21 a (new)
— having regard to the Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the Progress in the implementation of the SDGs (ECON-VII/028)
Amendment 69 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas the disruptions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian war of agression against Ukraine are severely worsening the lack of progress towards the achievement of the SDGs;
Amendment 77 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
A b. whereas, according to the One Health approach, there is evidence that human health depends on planetary health and that a healthy environment is a fundamental pillar for sustainable development and human wellbeing;
Amendment 86 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
A c. whereas the capacity to retrieve data to fill in the SDG indicators is limited in several developing countries, which can seriously hinder the assessment of progress;
Amendment 93 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Amendment 96 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A e (new)
Recital A e (new)
A e. whereas the burden of debt is seriously limiting the capacity of developing countries to invest in achieving the SDGs; whereas large debt servicing payments due in 2023 and 2024 can dramatically hinder the fiscal space of developing countries for SDG investment;
Amendment 147 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses its commitment to the 2030 Agenda, especially in light of the new geopolitical landscape brought about by the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the ongoing climate, biodiversity and, health, debt and food security crises; warns against further polarisation in the distribution of wealth and income, which would lead to increased inequality and poverty; highlights, against this backdrop, the importance of the SDGs, which provide a universal compass for people’s prosperity and to protect the planet; recalls that a pledge to leave no one behind lies at the heart of the 2030 Agenda and that the achievement of the SDGs should benefit all countries, people and segments of society;
Amendment 158 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights the fact that, at the halfway point in the 2030 Agenda timeline, EU leadership in the global implementation of the SDGs remains crucial, especially in taking the lead to mobilize adequate financial resources to support SDG- relevant transformations; underlines that 2023 offers a unique opportunity to gather momentum and undertake the urgent transformative action required to place our societies firmly on course to achieve the SDGs; warns that the consequences of inaction in this crucial year would primarily be borne by the most vulnerable people and communities;
Amendment 174 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the implementation process for almost all the SDGs is lagging and that two consecutive years of regression have been recorded for many indicators9; reaffirms the importance of each SDG and highlights the key challenges that persist for sustainable development, particularly in relation to poverty (SDG 1), hunger (SDG 2), health (SDG 3), education (SDG4 4), safe water and adequate sanitation for all (SDG6), climate change (SDG 13), oceans (SDG 14) and biodiversity (SDG 15); underlines the strategic role that SDG 10, on reducing inequality, can play in the global implementation of the 2030 Agenda; _________________ 9 UN Sustainable Development Report 2022, ‘From Crisis to Sustainable Development: the SDGs as Roadmap to 2030 and Beyond’: https://resources.unsdsn.org/2022- sustainable-development-report.
Amendment 199 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recognises the EU’s significant role in establishing the 2030 Agenda in 2015 and calls for it and its Member States to take bold action and provide global leadership by setting an example in the implementation of the SDGs and redoubling its efforts ahead of the deadline;
Amendment 205 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Underlines the importance of building new governance mechanisms that attempt to address political and societal fragmentation, bridging different policy preferences and providing a platform for transforming collective knowldege into collective action;
Amendment 211 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets the fact that the Commission has still not presented a comprehensive strategy for achieving the 2030 Agendacognises the potential of the European Commission's comprehensive or “whole of government” approach to implementing the SDGs comprising, inter alia, the European Green Deal-related strategies and initiatives; regrets, however, the fact that the Commission has still not presented a comprehensive strategy for achieving the 2030 Agenda; stresses that the enactment of such a strategy should be preceded by a broad public participatory consultation process, including regional and local governments, all relevant civil society organizations and scientists;
Amendment 212 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Regrets the fact that the Commission has still not presented a comprehensive strategy for achieving the 2030 Agenda, which should include an SDG roadmap for every Commissioner’s portfolio; regrets that previous European Parliament resolutions, as well as Council conclusions on the SDGs, have not been yet fully implemented by the Commission;
Amendment 225 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to continue integrating the SDGs into the European Semester and to use the country- specific recommendations to systematically measure Member States’ progress and set out concrete short-term and long-term proposals for improvement; stresses that all Member States should raise the level of ambition of their national responses on SDG implementation and more actively contribute to the EU action to achieve the SDGs;
Amendment 231 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls on the Commission to fully integrate the SDGs in its Impact Assessment framework so that interlinkages, synergies and trade-offs between all the dimensions of sustainable development can be systematically considered;
Amendment 235 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Stresses Parliament’s important role in promoting the SDGs’ implementation through European policies and heightening the goals’ visibility in public discourse; underlines that coordination within and between the EU institutions is essential in order to ensure the EU’s leadership ande importance of the European Parliament using its scrutiny, legislation and budgetary powers to foster the implementation of the Agenda 2030 on sustainable development in the EU and its Member States, in particular by ensuring the coherence of all EU legislation with the SDGs; underlines that coordination within and between the EU institutions is essential in order to ensure the EU’s leadership as well as a multilevel governance coordination approach, capacity building and sharing of best practices, and in order to increase the effectiveness of its efforts to implement the 2030 Agenda;
Amendment 248 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Recalls that voluntary national reviews are the cornerstone of the follow- up and review framework for the 2030 Agenda and a key accountability tool; welcomes the Commission’s initiative to draft and present the first EU voluntary review report in 2023calls on the EU to push for further standardisation of national and regional voluntary reviews, given that their content and structure differ notably from one country to another; welcomes the Commission’s initiative to draft and present the first EU voluntary review report in 2023; stresses that the EU voluntary review should duly take into account the contributions provided by the civil society during the consultation process and address, among other issues, the international spillovers of EU internal policies;
Amendment 255 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Welcomes the Commission’s initiative to draft and present the first EU voluntary review on the implementation of SDGs in 2023, as a follow-up and review mechanism of the work done since 2015, as well as a tool for accountability; regrets, however, that the report cannot be considered as an overall EU report but a Commission-driven report on the work done by this EU institution; recalls the importance of taking into consideration the regional and local perspective, considering that 65% of the SDGs targets cannot be achieved without local and regional involvement; encourages subnational governments to engage in the voluntary reviews, as these procedures are complementary to VNRs and should also be complementary to the upcoming EU voluntary review;
Amendment 262 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Reiterates the call on the Commission to establish a new permanent platform for regular and structured dialogue and engagement with local and regional governments, civil society organisations and scientists in order to systematically involve them in a meaningful way in the whole SDG implementation procesand monitoring process; recalls that ensuring diversity of expertise and interests in such platform is essential to ensure solid and functional partnerships;
Amendment 273 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Underlines the importance of enhanced cooperation with partners in the Global South, particularly the African Union and civil society representatives, in order to implement the 2030 Agenda globally; recalls that all impacts of European policies and expenditure affecting the SDG implementation in the Global South must be properly assessed, including trough meaningful consultations with relevant stakeholders from the Global South;
Amendment 286 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses, in this regard, that the EU and its Member States must avoid negative spillover effects at the expense of the Global South, which occur as a result of their past economic and technological model; advocates cooperation with global partners to turn any negative spillover effects into virtuous circles; calls for all EU policies to be subject to a mandatory SDG check to provide more insight on and address any negative effects, including by taking mitigating action and revising legislative acts where necessary, and ensure that change in this area is measurable;
Amendment 317 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Points out that, in order to assess the Member States’ progress on the SDGs, the Eurostat sustainable development indicators must be improved by filling the gaps for some SDGs and better measuring policies’ impact on territories and specific vulnerable groups; calls on the Commission to encourage Member States to report on the SDG indicator 17.14.1 on Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development as part of their national reporting towards Eurostat;
Amendment 321 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Notes that reliable, accurate, trustworthy statistics are not only the basis of good technical analysis, but the foundation of evidence-based policy- making at the service of SDG attainment; underlines the importance of measuring the EU contribution to the SDGs in a precise and comprehensive manner, given that this is an essential condition to achieve Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development; calls on the Commission and its Member States to develop more evidence-based indicators, in line with the consumption-based spillover indicator included in the Eurostat report;
Amendment 329 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes, furthermore, that important data remains unavailable on global, national and regional development policies in the Global South, particularly with regard to the poorest and most marginalised people; stresses, in this regard, the importance of providing technical assistance to enhance the capacity of partner countries to collect data needed to fill in the SDG indicators, given that the reporting of the EU on the SDG impact of its projects depends on the actual data provided by partner countries;
Amendment 339 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. HighlightsRecalls that SDG implementation represents a shared responsibility, requiring action at the national, regional and local levels; highlights, in this regard, the importance of voluntary local reviews and voluntary subnational reviews as a means of further localising the SDGs and therefore advancing their implementation;
Amendment 371 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for the preparation of an EU financing plan for the SDGs; underlines that the 2030 Agenda should guide all EU financing tools and their programming; calls on the Commission to put forward a proposal for a social taxonomy to complement the green taxonomy and help implement the European Green Deal; underlines that the financing plan for the SDGs should address the lack of margin under Heading 6 of the Multiannual Financial Framework, which does not provide sufficient means for Union’s external action to help partner countries finance their SDGs strategies;
Amendment 394 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Stresses that adequate long-term financing for the attainment of the SDGs, especially in developing countries, requires a thorough overhaul of the global financial architecture by putting in place measures for a more equitable economic and financial system, including through banking reform; urges the Commission and the Member States to step up their engagement and jointly work towards the necessary reforms of the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank Group and multilateral development banks in order to adjust these financial institutions’ visions and operating models with a focus on strengthening the fight against poverty and rising inequality and promoting a just and sustainable transition; points out the need to rechannel IMF Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to developing countries and Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) in view of increasing SDG investment capacity without creating additional debt; underlines the need to improve the lending terms of MDBs, including lower interest rates and longer- term loans;
Amendment 418 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Stresses that more than half of the world’s poorest countries face either a debt crisis or a high risk of one; welcomes the UN Secretary-General’s push for a global SDG stimulus package and calls for effective debt relief measures that make use of the full toolset available and include both ‘new lenders’ and private creditors, such as the adoption of automatic debt suspension in the event of pre-defined shocks, and include both ‘new lenders’ and private creditors; underlines the need to consider debt for SDGs swaps, which would allow many developing countries to redirect debt service payments towards SDG-related public expenditure;
Amendment 425 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21 a. Highlights that new financing commitments, such as those related to loss and damage, must be operationalized quickly and be directed swiftly where they are needed most;
Amendment 428 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Recognises the importance of domestic resources being mobilised in developing countries and draws attention to the fact that this is contingent on an enabling international environment; calls on the Commission and the Member States to take the initiative and push for the establishment of a UN intergovernmental commission for international cooperation on tax matters, in order to fight illicit financial outflows and close tax havens; recalls that illicit financial outflows and tax havens have a severe impact on the fiscal space of developing countries and seriously undermine the Rule of Law and institutional resilience in these countries, which is an essential precondition to achieve sustainable development; points out that Africa alone loses at least 88.6 billion dollars annually from illicit financial flows, which could bridge half of Africa’s SDGs financing gap; calls on the EU, in this regard, to coherently list all the countries that qualify as tax havens in the EU listing of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes;
Amendment 440 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Stresses that Official Development Assistance (ODA) needs to play a key role in financing the SDGs, for which an ambitious increase is needed; calls on all Member States to meet their commitment of attaining at least 0.7% ODA/GNI ratio;
Amendment 445 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 b (new)
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22 b. Notes that channelling private finance towards the SDGs is essential, but warns that there is no evidence that blended finance has had a large impact in the attainment of the SDGs so far; calls on the EU to push for a new approach in blended finance that is based on SDG- targeted impact, fair sharing of risks and rewards, clear accountability mechanisms, and coherent social and environmental standards, in line with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda;
Amendment 464 #
2023/2010(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Reiterates that the SDGs are the only globally agreed and comprehensive set of goals on the great challenges ahead for both developed and developing countries and the 2030 Agenda should therefore serve as a guiding light for navigating through the current uncertainties; highlights the opportunity that the SDGs provide to establish a true well-being economy centred on people and the planet and to work towards a sustainable world beyond 2030;
Amendment 1 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
– having regard to Council Common Position 2008/944/CFSP of 8 December 2008 defining common rules governing control of exports of military technology and equipment;
Amendment 20 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas humanitarian crises are becoming more protracted and complex, and are causing global spillover effects; whereas increasing numbers of conflicts, climate change, growing food insecurity, the energy crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic have created more economic vulnerability and displacement, resulting in even greater needs;
Amendment 25 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the European Union, the EU Member States and the United States of America account for the vast majority of the global funding for humanitarian aid; whereas there is clear need to involve potential donors with adequate funding capacity;
Amendment 46 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that closing the funding gap is a global responsibility; reiterates, therefore, the need to achieve a more balanced funding structure and expand the humanitarian resource base by promoting the greater involvement of non- traditional, emerging and potential donor countries with major economic potential and by mobilising private funding, in full respect of humanitarian principles;
Amendment 53 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for the revision of the multiannual financial framework (MFF) to include a substantial increase in humanitarian aid to match the new humanitarian landscape; is concerned that the funds earmarked for external crises under the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve (SEAR) were already exhausted in the first quarter of 2023; suggests splitting the SEAR into two separate parts, reflecting the internal and external dimensions, and equipping each part with adequate funding; underlines that any increase in the SEAR should be complementary to the much needed increase in the humanitarian aid (HUMA) budgetary line;
Amendment 65 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission and the Member States to provide more quality funding through unearmarked, softly earmarked and multiannual funding that is tailored to local contexts, needs-based and people-centred; encourages the Commission and the Member States to apply the target recommended by The Grand Bargain of increasing their multi- year funding by 30% over their own baseline, as well as providing at least 30% of their funding as flexible or softly earmarked highlights the need to harmonise and simplify donors’ contracting procedures;
Amendment 72 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses the need to achieve the a global aggregated target set by The Grand Bargain of sending at least 25% of humanitarian funding directly to local responder organizations to improve outcomes for affected people and reduce transaction costs;
Amendment 106 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. SUnderlines that climate change effects are dramatically increasing humanitarian needs in developing countries; stresses the need to localise climate preparedness, adaptation and response, build the capacities of local actors and ensure the climate resilience of the most vulnerable groups;
Amendment 108 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Recalls that developed countries committed to a collective goal of mobilizing 100 billion dollars per year for climate action in developing countries at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the UNFCCC in Copenhagen in 2009, and that this commitment was renewed at the 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) in Sharm-el-Sheikh in 2022; calls on the EU to contribute its fair share to this goal and to leverage all its diplomatic means to encourage all developed countries to do the same.
Amendment 117 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses the importance of building human resilience by supporting access to education and health services; emphasises the need to meaningfully involve the affected people and local communities in implementing early warning systems, conducting needs assessments and determining and monitoring the humanitarian response;
Amendment 121 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Asks the Commission to better address the needs of vulnerable groups in humanitarian responses, including minorities, children, women, the elderly, and particularly persons with disabilities; underlines the challenges that vulnerable groups and minorities face when accessing humanitarian assistance due to marginalization, active targeting on the ground or weak socio-economic position; calls on the Commission to assess the effective access of minorities and vulnerable groups to humanitarian assistance and to ensure that EU's humanitarian policy leaves no one behind; encourages the use of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s disability marker to track the progress made in humanitarian action; calls on the Commission to update the EU guidelines on children and armed conflict and ensure their implementation;
Amendment 131 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Notes that the number of forcibly displaced persons worldwide is at a record high; calls for the EU and the global community to support refugees, internally displaced people and their host communities and to work for durable solutions, in particular in forgotten crises; recognizes that durable solutions for refugees and internally displaced people must ensure long-term safety and security, access to employment and adequate living standards, access to essential public services, and access to effective remedies and justice;
Amendment 136 #
2023/2000(INI)
15. Calls for the EU and the Member States to take positive action on gender mainstreaming in humanitarian action, given that women and girls are the most likely victims of conflicts and natural disasters; underlines the need to accelerate the implementation of the EU Gender Action Plan; deplores the increase in gender-based violence in humanitarian settings and stresses the need to prevent it; recalls that, in accordance with the “Do No Harm” principle, humanitarian actors in all sectors have a responsibility to design and implement their programming in a way that minimizes gender-based violence risks;
Amendment 142 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Amendment 146 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Insists on the need to reinforce the centrality of international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles in the EU’s external action; invites the Commission to develop a humanitarian diplomacy strategy together with the Member States, ensuring more systematic and coordinated approach to humanitarian diplomacy and that this strategy advocates compliance with international humanitarian law and respect for humanitarian principles;
Amendment 154 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Strongly condemns war crimes and serious violations of international humanitarian law; calls for all perpetrators to be held accountable and for victims to receive reparations; deplores the rise in attacks on humanitarian personnel worldwide and insists on the need to increase protection and security measures for humanitarian workers and preserve humanitarian space; condemns discriminatory policies, such as the ban on female humanitarian workers in Afghanistan;
Amendment 158 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Stresses that the enforcement of international humanitarian law necessitates that the procedural criminal laws of all EU Member States enable the universal prosecution of violations without any constraints; calls upon all EU Member States that impose restrictions on the universal prosecution of such violations to implement the required legislative reforms to this end;
Amendment 165 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2664 (2016) introducing a humanitarian exemption in UN sanction regimes; calls for the EU and the Member States to further align with the global standard set by UN Security Council Resolution 2664 (2016) and to adopt standing humanitarian exemptions in its autonomous sanction regimes in order to facilitate humanitarian activities in contexts affected by armed conflict, as required by international humanitarian law;
Amendment 176 #
2023/2000(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines the importance of supporting local actors and boosting the participation of affected communities in addressing humanitarian needs in line with the Grand Bargain commitment to making principled humanitarian action as local as possible; invites the Commission and the Member States to further develop their localisation strategies in close collaboration with humanitarian partners, to guarantee that greater support is provided for the leadership, delivery and capacity of local responders, and to ensure an adequate sharing of risks;
Amendment 7 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The Single Market provides the appropriate environment for enabling access at the necessary scale and pace to the technologies required to achieve the Union’s climate ambition. Given the complexity and the transnational character of net-zero technologies, uncoordinated national measures to ensure access to those technologies would have a high potential of distorting competition and fragmenting the Single market. Therefore, to safeguard the functioning and the development of the Single market it is necessary to create a common Union legal framework to collectively address this central challenge by increasing the Union’s resilience and security of supply in the field of net-zero technologies, enabling them to reach economies of scale both in the territory of the Union and elsewhere. This Regulation also sets up the main parameters for Europe’s green re-industrialisation based on the energy, climate, environmental and digital transitions, aiming at Europe’s industry to preserve and increase its levels of competitiveness on the global market, with extensively guaranteed labour rights and focus on research, development and innovation policies for the aforementioned technologies.
Amendment 12 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Regarding external aspects, in particular regarding emerging markets and developing economies, the EU will seek win-win partnerships in the framework of its Global Gateway strategy, which contribute to the diversification of its raw materials supply chain as well as to partner countries’ efforts to pursue twin transition and develop local value addition. The Union should seek to ensure open global supply chains, with the aim to maintain the multilateral framework of the WTO, as well as the Union’s autonomous measures on trade policy. These principles go hand in hand with the upmost respect to human and environmental rights and the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Finally, the Union should continue its commitment to trade agreements with sustainable development chapters encompassing, inter alia, circularity policies and the development of repair and second hand markets.
Amendment 29 #
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 investment in technologies in the field of renewable energy technologies , electricity and heat storage technologies, heat pumps, grid technologies, 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, geared towards exports and sustainable domestic supply.
Amendment 35 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) Research, development and innovation (R&D&I) are of key importance in the green digital transition, also with regard to, inter alia, combined heat and power systems or the transition towards heat pumps. All public authorities, together with private stakeholders, should lead and give incentives on this type of R&D&I, establishing regulatory sandboxes and other policies aimed at achieving climate neutrality and a sustainable and circular industry and economy.
Amendment 45 #
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 and development 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 Commission, the Member States and the regions of the Union should ensure that the electricity grid needs to interacts 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. Public authorities should guarantee that all the main electricity grids have an up-to-date infrastructure, duly linked and functioning, with the aim of guaranteeing the sufficient electric power for the industrial purposes established in this Regulation
Amendment 63 #
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, battery/storage technologies, heat pumps and geothermal energy technologies, electrolysers and fuel cells, sustainable biogas/biomethane, carbon capture and storage technologies for unavoidable emissions 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.
Amendment 89 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The Union has helped build a global economic system based on open and rules-based trade, pushed for respecting and advancing social and environmental sustainability standards, and is fully committed to those values. As a prime participant in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the Union is an active member of the global trade community, with social and environmental standards that are guaranteed through the world to ensure a level-playing field. These standards should be also implemented in the Net- Zero Industry Partnerships established in this Regulation. The lessons learned as regards to the European Clean Tech Valleys should be put to work in third countries with the help of international Net-Zero Industry Partnerships.
Amendment 103 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) Increasing the manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies in the European Union will also facilitate the global supply of net-zero technologies and the transition towards clean energy sources globally, lowering dependencies as much as possible and ensuring a circular and sustainable economy.
Amendment 107 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 a (new)
Recital 20 a (new)
(20a) This Regulation also seeks to develop repair and second-hand markets for electrical and electronic equipment (EEE) manufactured during the implementation of this Regulation. The management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and the application of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements for EEE are regulated by the Directive 2012/19/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE Directive). Under this legal instrument, Member States had to transpose the obligations of the Directive to ensure that all waste arising from EEE placed on the Union market is collected, recovered and treated in an environmentally sound manner. For instance, the WEEE Directive requires all producers, whether based within or outside the Union, supplying EEE to the single market, to finance WEEE collection and recycling. This covers EEE that may be subsequently exported for second-hand use. It also sets out targets for the collection and recycling of WEEE to radically reduce the amount of such waste that undergoes substandard treatment inside or outside the EU. Finally, it sets out the minimum requirement to ensure that shipments of WEEE are not disguised as shipments of used EEE through testing and documentation on the nature of the shipment. In addition, the Union is involved in a number of initiatives and agreements regarding exports of used EEE and WEEE and supports a set of programmes in a number of developing countries, aiming to the environmentally sound management of WEEE. The Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 June 2006 on shipments of waste (Waste Shipment Regulation) prohibits the export of waste, including WEEE containing hazardous substances, to non- OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development) countries, as well as the export waste destined for disposal outside the Union and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries. These two pieces of legislation are therefore complemented by the current Regulation, which sets up standards for repair and second-hand markets of net-zero technologies manufactured after the entry into force of this Regulation.
Amendment 117 #
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 Age42[1] 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 and circularity sites and facilitates the scaling up of the net-zero industry of the Union and the diversification of business models. 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. 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 in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner. 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, complying with social and environmental standards. [1] 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 121 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) Under the first pillar, the Union should develop and maintain an industrial basis for the provision of net-zero technology solutions to secure its energy supply, while also living up to its ambitions on climate neutrality. To support that goal and to avoid dependencies for the supply of net-zero technologies that would delay the Union’s greenhouse gas emission reductions efforts or put at risk the security of supply of energy, this Regulation shall set out provisions to encourage demand for sustainable and resilient net-zero technologies, both coming from primary and secondary or second-hand markets.
Amendment 125 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) Directives 2014/23/EU, 2014/24/EU and 2014/25/EU already allow contracting authorities and entities awarding contracts through public procurement procedures to rely, in addition to price or cost, on additional criteria for identifying the most economically advantageous tender. Such criteria concern for instance the quality of the tender including social, environmental and innovative characteristics. When awarding contracts for net-zero technology through public procurement, contracting authorities and contracting entities should duly assess the tenders’ contribution to sustainability and resilience in relation to a series of criteria relating to the tender’s environmental sustainability, innovation, system integration and to resilience. Contracting authorities should ensure the level-playing field among all economic operators, especially focusing on small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), avoid any type of market concentration or the creation of new oligopolies. The Commission should set up standardised templates on how to apply for these tenders and should ensure an operating single market for all economic operators interested in developing net-zero technologies.
Amendment 127 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) Council Decision 2014/115/EU approved in particular the amendment to the World Trade Organisation Agreement on Government Procurement (the ‘GPA’)46 [1]. The aim of the GPA is to establish a multilateral framework of balanced rights and obligations relating to public contracts with a view to achieving the liberalisation and expansion of world trade. For contracts covered by the European Union’s Appendix I to the GPA, as well as by other relevant international agreements by which the Union is bound, including free trade agreements and the Article III:8(a) of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade of 1994 for procurement by governmental agencies of products purchased with a view to commercial resale or with a view to use in the production of goods for commercial sale, contracting authorities and contracting entities should not apply the requirements of Article 19 (1) point (d) to economic operators of sources of supply that are signatories to the agreements. _________________ 46The Union should seek reciprocity between European and third countries stakeholders. [1] Council decision 2014/115/EU of 2 December 2013 on the conclusion of the Protocol Amending the Agreement on Government Procurement, (OJ L68, 7.3.2014, p. 1).
Amendment 130 #
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, 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 131 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37
Recital 37
(37) The Commission should also assist Member States and regions in the design of schemes targeted at households and consumers to build synergies and exchange best practices and lessons learned. The Net-Zero Europe Platform should also play an important role in accelerating the implementation of the sustainability and resilience contribution by Member States and public authorities in their public procurement and auctioning practices. It should issue guidance and identify best practices on how to define the contribution and use it, providing concrete and specific examples. The Platform should be open to different types of stakeholders, especially SMEs and consumer protection associations, as well as the European Parliament.
Amendment 134 #
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, deploying its autonomous measures on trade defence and use the Union’s full potential as regards to the implementation of the concluded FTAs and to the Union’s active participation in the WTO.
Amendment 141 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 50
Recital 50
(50) At the same time, the unpredictability, complexity and at times, excessive length of national permit- granting processes undermines the investment security needed for the effective development of net-zero technologies manufacturing projects. Therefore, in order to ensure and speed up their effective implementation, Member States should apply streamlined and predictable permitting procedures. In addition, Net-Zero Strategic Projects should be given priority status at national level to ensure rapid administrative treatment and urgent treatment in all judicial and dispute resolution procedures relating to them, without preventing competent authorities to streamline permitting for other net-zero technologies manufacturing projects that are not Net- Zero Strategic Projects or more generally. Member States should not prioritise only a certain set of economic operators but ensure the level-playing field to all of them, especially SMEs. All strategic projects should include chapters on circularity.
Amendment 149 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 52
Recital 52
(52) In order to reduce complexity and increase efficiency and transparency, project promoters of net-zero technologies manufacturing projects should be able to interact with a single nationaln authority responsible for coordinating the entire permit granting process and issuing a comprehensive decision within the applicable time limit. To that end, Member States should designate a single national competent authority. Depending on a Member State’s internal organisation, it should be possible for the tasks of the national competent authority s to be delegated to a different authority, subject to the same conditions. To ensure the effective implementation of their responsibilities, Member States should provide their national competent authority, or any authority acting on their behalf, with sufficient personnel and resources.
Amendment 151 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 53
Recital 53
(53) In order to ensure clarity about the permitting status of Net-Zero Strategic Projects and to limit the effectiveness of potential abusive litigation, while not undermining effective judicial review, Member States should ensure that any dispute concerning permit granting process is resolved in a timely manner. To that end, national competent authorities should ensure that applicants and project promoters have access to a simple dispute settlement procedure and that Net-Zero Strategic Projects are granted urgent treatment in all judicial and dispute resolution procedures relating to them while ensuring respect for the rights of defence.
Amendment 152 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 54
Recital 54
(54) In order to allow businesses and project promoters, including for cross- border projects, to directly enjoy the benefits of the internal market without incurring an unnecessary additional administrative burden, Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 of the European Parliament and the Council64 provides for general rules for the online provision of procedures relevant for the functioning of the internal market. The information that needs to be submitted to national competent authorities as part of the permit-granting processes covered by this Regulation are to be covered in Annex I of Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 following its amendment by this Regulation, and the related procedures are included in its Annex II so as to ensure that project promoters can benefit from fully online procedures and the Once-Only Technical System. National cCompetent authorities acting as one stop shop pursuant to this Regulation are included in the list of assistance and problem-solving services in Annex III of Regulation (EU) 2018/1724. _________________ 64 Regulation (EU) 2018/1724 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 2 October 2018 establishing a single digital gateway to provide access to information, to procedures and to assistance and problem-solving services and amending Regulation (EU) No 1024/2012 (OJ L 295, 21.11.2018, p. 1).
Amendment 166 #
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 birdsin general and birds in particular, 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. 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 182 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 69
Recital 69
(69) At Union level, a Net-Zero Europe Platform, should be established, composed of the Member States and chaired by the Commission. The Net-Zero Europe Platform may advise and assist the Commission and Member States and, where applicable, regions on specific questions and provide a reference body, in which the Commission and Member States and, where applicable, regions coordinate their action and facilitate the exchange of information on issues relating to this Regulation. The Net- Zero Europe Platform should further perform the tasks outlined in the different Articles of this Regulation, notably in relation to permitting, including one-stop shops, Net-Zero Strategic Projects, coordination of financing, access to markets and skills as well as innovative net-zero technologies regulatory sandboxes. Where necessary, the Platform may establish standing or temporary subgroups and invite third parties, such as experts or representatives from net-zero industries.
Amendment 184 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 70
Recital 70
(70) As part of the Green Deal Industrial Plan the Commission announced its intention to conclude Net-Zero Industrial Partnerships covering net-zero technologies, to adopt net-zero technologies globally and to support the role of EU industrial capabilities in paving the way for the global clean energy transition. The Commission and Member States and regions may coordinate within the Platform the Partnerships, discussing existing relevant partnerships and processes, such as green partnerships, energy dialogues and other forms of existing bilateral contractual arrangements, as well as potential synergies with relevant Member States’ bilateral agreements with third countries.
Amendment 185 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation establishes the framework of measures for innovating and scaling up the manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies 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 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 job, to enable Europe’s green re- industrialisation based on the energy, climate, environmental and digital transitions, to foster Europe’s industry to preserve and increase its levels of competitiveness on the global markets, and to contribute to the creation of quality jobs with extensively guaranteed labour rights and focus on research, development and innovation policies for the aforementioned technologies.
Amendment 204 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
ba) circularity objectives for the supply chains of net-zero technologies, with the aim at recycling and creating repair and second-hand markets.
Amendment 207 #
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 reduction of strategic dependencies from third countries without hampering open, fair and sustainable trade.
Amendment 213 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The Commission shall review and, if necessary, update the list of net-zero technologies and strategic net-zero technologies by [2 years after the date of entry into force of this Regulation], and every 2 years thereafter.
Amendment 242 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) ‘net-zero technology manufacturing and deployment project’ means a planned industrial facility or extension or repurposing of an existing facility manufacturing net-zero technologies;
Amendment 245 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) ‘circularity’ in this Regulation means the processes of redesign, reduce, reuse, renew, repair, recycle and retrieve net-zero technology products to give them new uses or all of their possible uses through the repair market;
Amendment 246 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point d b (new)
(db) ‘repair market’ means the single market for undertakings specialising in processes of repairing objects, parts, structures or products that are not functioning or are not functioning correctly as regards to the utilisation standards set by the original producer;
Amendment 248 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) ‘comprehensive decision’ means the decision or set of decisions taken by Member State or, where applicable, regional authorities not including courts or tribunals that determines whether or not a project promoter is authorised to implement a net-zero technology manufacturing project, without prejudice to any decision taken in the context of an administrative appeal procedure;
Amendment 255 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point q
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point q
(q) ‘CO2 injection capacity’ means the annual amount of CO2 that can be injected in an operational geological storage site, permitted under Directive 2009/31/EC, with the purpose to reduce emissions or increase carbon removals, in particular from large scale industrial installations emitting unavoidable emissions and which is measured in tonnes per annum;
Amendment 261 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point s a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point s a (new)
(sa) ‘stockpiling’ for the purpose of this Regulation means the strategic accumulation of the strategic, critical, and essential raw materials established in the Annexes of the Critical Raw Materials Act and subsequent delegated and implementing acts throughout the territory of the Union with the objective to ensure 60 days of domestic consumption of imports in case of sudden or severe disruptions in the dedicated supply chains;
Amendment 265 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. By …[3 months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation], Member States shall designate one national competent authority which shall be responsible for facilitating and coordinating the permit-granting process for net-zero technology manufacturing projects, including for net-zero strategic projects, and to provide advice on reducing administrative burden in line with Article 5.
Amendment 266 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Competent authorities shall ensure the level-playing field among undertakings, especially small and medium-size enterprises, and shall avoid any type of market concentration and shall ensure an operating single market for all economic operators interested in developing net-zero technologies.
Amendment 267 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 b (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. The Commission shall set up standardised templates with an implementing act on how to apply for these tenders.
Amendment 269 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. The national 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.
Amendment 271 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. The responsibilities of the national competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 or the tasks related to it may be delegated to, or carried out by, another authority, for any given project, provided that:
Amendment 273 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) the national competent authority notifies the project promoter of that delegation;
Amendment 276 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 5
Article 4 – paragraph 5
5. The national competent authority shall take into consideration any valid studies conducted, and permits or authorisations issued, for a given project before the project entered the permit- granting process in accordance with this Article and shall not require duplicate studies and permits or authorisations, unless otherwise required under Union law.
Amendment 278 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 6
Article 4 – paragraph 6
6. The national competent authority shall ensure that applicants have easy access to information on and simple procedures for the settlement of disputes concerning the permit-granting process and the issuance of permits to construct or expand projects, including, where applicable, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Amendment 279 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 7
Article 4 – paragraph 7
7. Member States shall ensure that the national competent authority responsible for the entire permit-granting processes, including all procedural steps, has a sufficient number of qualified staff and sufficient financial, technical and technological resources necessary, including for up- and re-skilling, for the effective performance of its tasks under this Regulation.
Amendment 281 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 8 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. In line with the One Stop Shop, the Commission shall facilitate a European one-stop shop aimed at complaints and other problems and challenges that undertakings may face during all the steps of their application.
Amendment 284 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) funding possibilities at Union or, Member State or, where applicable, regional and local level;
Amendment 304 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 6
Article 6 – paragraph 6
6. No later than one month following the receipt of the permit-granting application, competent authorities shall validate the application or, if the project promoter has not sent all the information required to process an application, request the project promoter to submit a complete application within fourteen days from that request. The date of the acknowledgement of the validity of the application by the national competent authority referred to in Article 4(1) shall serve as the start of the permit granting process.
Amendment 306 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 7
Article 6 – paragraph 7
7. No later than one month following the date of the acknowledgement of the validity of the application, the national competent authority shall draw up, in close cooperation with the project promoter and other authorities concerned, a detailed schedule for the permit granting process. The schedule shall be published by the national competent authority referred to in Article 4(1) on a free access website.
Amendment 310 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 9
Article 6 – paragraph 9
9. The time limits set in this Article for any of the permit granting procedures shall be without prejudice to any shorter time limits set by Member States or, where applicable, regions.
Amendment 319 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. Where an environmental impact assessment must be carried out in accordance with Articles 5 to 9 of Directive 2011/92/EU, the project promoter concerned shall request an opinion to the competent authority referred to in Article 4 on the scope and level of detail of the information to be included in the environmental impact assessment report pursuant to Article 5(1) of that Directive. The national competent authority shall ensure that the opinion referred to in the first subparagraph is issued as soon as possible and within a period of time not exceeding 30 days from the date on which the project promoter submitted its request.
Amendment 321 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Where the obligation to assess the effects on the environment arises simultaneously from Directive 2011/92/EU, Directive 92/43/EEC, Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and the Council, Directive 2000/60/EC, Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and the Council68 , Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council69 , Directive 2010/75/EU or Directive 2012/18/EU of the European Parliament and the Council70 , the national competent authority shall provide for coordinated or joint procedures fulfilling the requirements of that Union legislation. _________________ 68 Directive 2001/42/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 June 2001 on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment (OJ L 197, 21.7.2001, p. 30). 69 Directive 2008/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on waste and repealing certain Directives (OJ L 312, 22.11.2008, p. 3). 70 Directive 2012/18/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2012 on the control of major-accident hazards involving dangerous substances, amending and subsequently repealing Council Directive 96/82/EC (OJ L 197, 24.7.2012, p. 1).
Amendment 322 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Under the coordinated procedure referred to in the first subparagraph, the national competent authority shall coordinate the various individual assessments of the environmental impact of a particular project required by the applicable Union legislation.
Amendment 324 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Under the joint procedure referred to in the first subparagraph, the national competent authority shall provide for a single assessment of the environmental impact of a particular project required by the applicable Union legislation.
Amendment 335 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. The national competent authority shall ensure that the authorities concerned issue a reasoned conclusion as referred to in Article 1(2), point (g)(iv) of Directive 2011/92/EU on the environmental impact assessment within three months of receiving all necessary information gathered pursuant to Articles 5, 6 and 7 of that Directive and completing the consultations referred to in Articles 6 and 7 of that Directive.
Amendment 368 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. When preparing plans, including zoning, spatial plans and land use plans, national, regional and local authorities shall, where appropriate, include in those plans provisions for the development of net-zero technology manufacturing projects, including net-zero strategic projects and all the necessary infrastructure, including manufacturing components, parts, materials and raw materials. Priority shall be given to artificial and built surfaces, industrial sites, brownfield sites, and, where appropriate, greenfield sites not usable for agriculture and forestry.
Amendment 403 #
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 without creating new strategic dependencies from third countries;
Amendment 413 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iv
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iv
(iv) it adopts comprehensive low- carbon and circular manufacturing practices, including waste heat recovery and the development of undertakings and markets specialising in the repair of net- zero products.
Amendment 421 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) The Net-zero technology manufacturing Project contributes to resource efficiency and has a positive impact on circularity.
Amendment 447 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
1. Applications for recognition of net- zero technology projects as net-zero strategic projects shall be submitted by the project promoter to the relevant Member State or to the Commission.
Amendment 448 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3
Article 11 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall assess the application referred to in paragraph 1 through a fair and transparent process within a month. The absence of a decision by Member States within that time frame shall constitute an approval of the project. Member States shall ensure the level- playing field among all undertakings, especially small and medium-size enterprises.
Amendment 452 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. Project promoters and all authorities that, under national law, are competent to issue various permits and authorisations related to the planning, design and construction of immovable assets, including energy infrastructure, shall ensure that for net-zero strategic projects those processes are treated in the most rapid way possible in accordance with Union and national lawlaw, ensuring the level-playing field and avoiding any distortion of the market.
Amendment 454 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2
Article 12 – paragraph 2
2. Without prejudice to obligations provided for in Union law, Member States shall grant net-zero strategic projects the status of the highest national significance possible, where such a status exists in national law, and be treated accordingly in the permit-granting processes including those relating to environmental assessments and if national law so provides, to spatial planning.
Amendment 465 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. In case the national court or tribunal or panel takes more than six months to settle any dispute resolution procedure, litigation, appeal or judicial remedy related to net-zero strategic projects, the complainant shall be able to inform the Commission, which shall implement an open portal to receive this type of information. The Commission, by means of an implementing act, shall set up this open portal after consulting with the Net-Zero Platform.
Amendment 486 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 4
Article 13 – paragraph 4
4. National cCompetent authorities shall ensure that the lack of reply of the relevant administrative bodies within the applicable time limits referred to in this Article results in the specific intermediary steps to be considered as approved, except where the specific project is subject to an environmental impact assessment pursuant to Council Directive 92/43/EEC or Directive 2000/60/EC, Directive 2008/98/EC, Directive 2009/147/EC, Directive 2010/75/EU, 2011/92/EU or Directive 2012/18/EU or a determination of whether such environmental impact assessment is necessary and the relevant assessments concerned have not yet been carried out, or where the principle of administrative tacit approval does not exist in the national legal system. This provision shall not apply to final decisions on the outcome of the process, which are to be explicit. All decisions shall be made publicly available.
Amendment 494 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission and the Member States and, where applicable, regions and local authorities shall undertake activities to accelerate and crowd-in private investments in net-zero strategic projects. Such activities may, without prejudice to Article 107 and Article 108 of the TFEU, include providing and coordinating support to net-zero strategic projects facing difficulties in accessing finance.
Amendment 495 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Member States and, where applicable, regions may provide administrative support to net-zero strategic projects to facilitate their rapid and effective implementation, including by providing:
Amendment 499 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) assistance to project promoters to further increase the public acceptance of the project by, inter alia, developing business plans that comply with this Regulation and the relevant legislative framework.
Amendment 502 #
2023/0081(COD)
1. The Net-Zero Europe Platform as established in Article 28 shall discuss financial needs and bottlenecks of net-zero strategic projects, the use of national ETS revenues to advance strategic net-zero technology projects, potential best practices, in particular to develop EU cross-border supply chains, notably based on regular exchanges with the relevant industrial alliances.
Amendment 505 #
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 strategic projects from the Union and Member States with the object of accelerating their deployment.
Amendment 515 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
An maximum annual injection capacity of at least 50 million tonnes of CO2 shallfrom unavoidable process emissions may be achieved by 2030, in storage sites located in the territory of the European Union, its exclusive economic zones or on its continental shelf within the meaning of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and which are not combined with Enhanced Hydrocarbon Recovery (EHR).
Amendment 640 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 19 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The tender’s sustainability and resilience contribution shall not be used by contracting authorities or contracting entities to favour national providers over providers originating from other EU Member States.
Amendment 651 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 22 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Commission shall implement a global trade and investment strategy in the framework of the WTO and bilateral agreements to strengthen global value chains for net-zero technology, with the aim to ensure human rights all along the supply chains, to ensure responsible and reliable imports, to address trade distortions, and to develop net-zero technologies while promoting high social, labour and environmental standards. The Commission shall make full use of trade defence instruments to defend a fair, reciprocal and open trade.
Amendment 655 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) enable and promote the use of the learning programmes, content and materials by education and training providers in the Member States, among others by training trainers and develop mechanisms to ensure the quality of the training offered by education and training providers in the Member States based on the above learning programmes, content and materials;
Amendment 657 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 23 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. European Net Zero Industry Academies shall be linked to the educational network of the region, especially universities, vocational training schools and professional colleges.
Amendment 658 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1
Article 26 – paragraph 1
1. Member States or, where applicable, regions or a cluster of cross- border regions may at their own initiative establish net-zero regulatory sandboxes, allowing for the development, testing and validation of innovative net- zero technologies, in a controlled real- world environment for a limited time before their placement on the market or putting into service, thus enhancing regulatory learning and potential scaling up and wider deployment. Member States or, where applicable, regions or a cluster of cross- border regions shall establish net-zero regulatory sandboxes in accordance with paragraph 1 at the request of any company developing innovative net-zero technologies, which fulfils the eligibility and selection criteria referred to in paragraph 4(a) and which has been selected by the competent authorities following the selection procedure referred to in paragraph 4(b).
Amendment 661 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 26 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The modalities and the conditions for the establishment and operation of the net-zero regulatory sandboxes under this Regulation shall be adopted through implementing acts in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 36. The modalities and conditions shall to the extent possible support flexibility for national competent authorities to establish and operate their Net-zero regulatory sandboxes, foster innovation and regulatory learning and shall particularly take into account the special circumstances and capacities of participating SMEs, including start-ups. The implementing acts referred to in paragraph 3 shall include common main principles on the following issues:
Amendment 666 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 4
Article 26 – paragraph 4
4. Where relevant to achieve the objective of this article, the competent authorities shall consider granting derogations or exemptions to the extent allowed by the relevant Union or national law. The competent authorities shall ensure that the sandbox plan ensures respect for the key objectives and essential requirements of the EU and national legislation. Competent authorities shall make sure that any significant risks to health, safety or the environment identified during the development and testing of innovative net-zero technologies is publicly communicated and results in immediate suspension of the development and testing process until such risk is mitigated. Where competent authorities consider that the proposed project raises exceptional risks for the health and safety of workers, of the general population, or of the environment, in particular because it relates to testing, development or validation involving particularly toxic substances, they shall only approve the sandbox plan once they are satisfied that adequate safeguards have been put in place commensurate with the exceptional risk identified.
Amendment 667 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 7
Article 26 – paragraph 7
7. The duration of the net-zero regulatory sandbox may be extended through the same procedure upon agreement of the national competent authority.
Amendment 668 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 8
Article 26 – paragraph 8
8. The net-zero regulatory sandboxes shall be designed and implemented in such a way that, where relevant, they facilitate cross-border cooperation between the national competent authorities. Member States , or regions or clusters of regions ,that have established net-zero regulatory sandboxes shall coordinate their activities and cooperate within the framework of the Net- Zero Europe Platform with the objectives of sharing relevant information. They shall report annually to the Commission on the results of the implementation of regulatory sandboxes, including good practices, lessons learnt and recommendations on their setup and, where relevant, on the application within the regulatory sandbox of this Regulation and other Union legislation in a manner adapted for the purposes of the sandbox.
Amendment 669 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 27 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) provide small and medium enterprises with guidance and involvement incentives to be co-founders and active participants in the sandboxes;
Amendment 671 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
Article 27 – paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
(ab) help link small and medium enterprises with private funding such as, inter alia, venture capital funds or angel investors in order for the former to scale up;
Amendment 673 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2
Article 27 – paragraph 2
2. Member States and regions shall take into account the specific interests and needs of small and medium enterprises , and provide adequate administrative support to take part in the regulatory sandboxes. Without prejudice to the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty, Member States should inform small and medium enterprises of available financial support to their activities in the regulatory sandboxes.
Amendment 674 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1
Article 28 – paragraph 1
1. The Net-Zero Europe Platform (‘the Platform’) is established within the Commission.
Amendment 676 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 3
Article 28 – paragraph 3
Amendment 678 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 4 – point b
Article 28 – paragraph 4 – point b
(b) how to address non-tariff barriers to trade, such as through mutual recognition of conformity assessment or commitments to avoid export restrictions, and ensure market access for European undertakings to public procurements of third countries falling under the scope of Regulation (EU) 2022/1031;
Amendment 680 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 4 – point c – point ii a (new)
Article 28 – paragraph 4 – point c – point ii a (new)
iia) whether the third country abides to the rule of law and is a democracy;
Amendment 684 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 2
Article 29 – paragraph 2
2. Each Member Stateinstitutional participant shall appoint a high-level representative to the Platform. Where relevant as regards the function and expertise, a Member Sn institutional representative may have more than one representative in relation to different tasks related to the work of the Platform. Each member of the Platform shall have an alternate.
Amendment 687 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 8
Article 29 – paragraph 8
8. Where appropriate, the Platform or the Commission may invite experts and other 'Net-Zero Industrial Partnerships’ countries and third parties to Platform and sub- group meetings or to provide written contributions.
Amendment 690 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 8 a (new)
Article 29 – paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. On a regular basis, the Platform shall organise open sessions, including of the standing or temporary sub-groups referred to in paragraph 6, with representatives of European economic operators.
Amendment 691 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 11
Article 29 – paragraph 11
11. The Platform shall coordinate and cooperate with existing industrial alliances.
Amendment 705 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Member States and the national aAuthorities they designated for this purpose shall collect and provide data and other evidence required pursuant to paragraph 1, points (a) and (b). In particular, they shall collect and report each year to the Commission data on:
Amendment 715 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 5
Article 31 – paragraph 5
5. Member States or, where applicable, regions shall also transmit the data collected pursuant to paragraph 2 of this Article to national or, where applicable, regional statistical offices and to Eurostat for the purposes of compiling and publishing statistics in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council76 . Member States shall designate the national authority responsible for transmitting the data to national statistical offices and Eurostat. _________________ 76 Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 March 2009 on European statistics and repealing Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1101/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council on the transmission of data subject to statistical confidentiality to the Statistical Office of the European Communities, Council Regulation (EC) No 322/97 on Community Statistics, and Council Decision 89/382/EEC, Euratom establishing a Committee on the Statistical Programmes of the European Communities (OJ L 87, 31.3.2009, p. 164)or, where applicable, regions shall designate the authority responsible for transmitting the data to statistical offices and Eurostat.
Amendment 716 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Article 31 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Public authorities shall ensure they possess the sufficient human and financial resources and technical resources to monitor the implementation of this Regulation.
Amendment 722 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 4
Article 35 – paragraph 4
4. The competent authorities of the Member States shall provide to the Commission any relevant information they have and that the Commission may require to draw up the report referred to in paragraph 1.
Amendment 723 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 35 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The Commission shall assess and update the list of net-zero technologies and strategic net-zero technologies by [2 years after the date of entry into force of this Regulation], and every 2 years thereafter.
Amendment 725 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 4
Article 36 – paragraph 4
4. If a Member State or, where applicable, a region assesses that the presentation of aggregated information in the context of Article 18 may nonetheless compromise its national security interest, it may object to the Commission’s presentation through a justified notice.
Amendment 726 #
2023/0081(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 5
Article 36 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission and the nationalother relevant public authorities, their officials, employees and other persons working under the supervision of these authorities shall ensure the confidentiality of information obtained in carrying out their tasks and activities. This obligation also applies to all representatives of Member States, regions, observers, experts and other participants attending meetings of the Platform pursuant to Article 29.
Amendment 8 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) The EU’s Eighth Environment Action Programme aims to significantly decrease the EU’s material footprint, that is, the amount of raw material extracted to manufacture the goods and services consumed. Since 2010, the material footprint has remained relatively stable and was 6.1 billion tonnes in 2020. This level of consumption is not sustainable and is higher than the global average. Given the lack of a declining trend, to achieve the aim of reducing the EU’s material footprint, significant efforts are needed to reduce consumption and material extraction, and switch to goods and services that require less material, including critical raw materials.
Amendment 19 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Firstly, in order to effectively ensure the Union's access to a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials, that framework should include measures to decrease the Union's growing supply risks by strengthening Union capacities along all stages of the strategic raw materials value chain, including extraction, processing and recycling, towards benchmarks defined for each strategic raw material. Secondly, as the Union will continue to rely on imports, the framework should include measures to increase the diversification of external supplies of strategic raw materials. Thirdly, is necessary to provide measures to reinforce the Union’s ability to monitor and mitigate existing and future supply risks. Fourthly, the framework should contain measures to increase the circularity and sustainability of the critical raw materials consumed in the Union, as well as decreasing its demand.
Amendment 20 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) The EU’s Eighth Environment Action Programme aims to significantly decrease the EU’s material footprint, that is, the amount of raw material extracted to manufacture the goods and services consumed. Since 2010, the material footprint has remained relatively stable and was 6.1 billion tonnes in 2020. This level of consumption is not sustainable and is higher than the global average. Given the lack of a declining trend, to achieve the aim of reducing the EU’s material footprint, significant efforts are needed to reduce consumption and material extraction, and switch to goods and services that require less material, including critical raw materials.
Amendment 22 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Firstly, in order to effectively ensure the Union's access to a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials, that framework should include measures to decrease the Union's growing supply risks by strengthening Union capacities along all stages of the strategic raw materials value chain, including extraction, processing and recycling, towards benchmarks defined for each strategic raw material. Secondly, as the Union will continue to rely on imports, the framework should include measures to increase the diversification of external supplies of strategic raw materials. Thirdly, is necessary to provide measures to reinforce the Union’s ability to monitor and mitigate existing and future supply risks. Fourthly, the framework should contain measures to increase the circularity and sustainability of the critical raw materials consumed in the Union, as well as decreasing its demand.
Amendment 22 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The list of critical raw materials should contain all strategic raw materials as well as any other raw materials of high importance for the overall Union economy and for which there is a high risk of supply disruption. These latter raw materials, called essential, are currently more than two thirds of the sector and industry. To take account of possible technological and economic changes, the Commission should, in continuation of current practice, periodically perform an assessment based on data for production, trade, applications, recycling, and substitution for a wide range of raw materials to update the lists of critical and strategic raw materials reflecting the evolution in the economic importance and supply risk associated with those raw materials. The list of critical raw materials should include those raw materials which reach or exceed the thresholds for both economic importance and supply risk, without ranking the relevant raw materials in terms of criticality. This assessment should be based on an average of the latest available data over a 5-year-period. The measures set out in this Regulation related to one stop shop for permitting, planning, exploration, monitoring, circularity, and sustainability should apply to all critical raw materials.
Amendment 30 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
Amendment 31 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) In order to diversify the Union's supply of strategic raw materials, the Commission should, with the support of the Board, identify Strategic Projects in third countries that intend to become active in the extraction, processing or recycling of strategic raw materials. To ensure that such Strategic Projects are effectively implemented, they should benefit from improved access to finance. In order to ensure their added value, projects should be assessed against a set of criteria. Like projects in the Union, Strategic Projects in third countries should strengthen the Union's security of supply for strategic raw materials, show sufficient technical feasibility and be implemented sustainably, with the upmost respect for human rights. For projects in emerging markets and developing economies, the project should be mutually beneficial for the Union and the third country involved and add value in that country, taking into account also its consistency with the Union’s common commercial policy. Such value may be derived from the project’s contribution to more than one stage of the value chain as well as from creating through the project wider economic and social benefits, including the creation of employment in compliance with international standards. Where the Commission assesses these criteria to be fulfilled, it should publish the recognition as a Strategic Project in a decision.
Amendment 42 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) It is necessary to put in place appropriate measures to support Strategic Projects aimed at the extraction, processing, stockpiling or recycling of strategic raw materials in the Union that should, together with Member State efforts, contribute to increasing capacities towards the benchmarks. Other measures, notably on exploration or circularity, should also contribute to the reinforcement of different stages of the value chain and thereby contribute to the achievement of the benchmarks. To ensure that the benchmarks are met in time, the Commission, with the help of the European Critical Raw Materials Board (‘the Board’) should track and report progress towards the benchmarks. In case the reported progress towards the benchmarks is generally insufficient, the Commission should assess the feasibility and proportionality of additional measures. A lack of progress only on a single or small set of strategic raw material should in principle not trigger the need for additional Union efforts.
Amendment 44 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) In order to build capacities in the Union, the Commission should, with the support of the Board, identify Strategic Projects in the Union that intend to become active in the extraction, processing, stockpiling or recycling of strategic raw materials. Effective support to Strategic Projects has the potential to improve access to materials for downstream sectors as well as to create economic opportunities along the value chain, including for SMEs, and contribute to the creation of employment and prevent financial speculation in strategic and critical raw materials where possible. Therefore, to ensure the development of Strategic Projects across the Union, such projects should benefit from streamlined and predictable permitting procedures and support in gaining access to finance. In order to focus support and ensure their added value, projects should, before receiving such support, be assessed against a set of criteria. Strategic Projects in the Union should strengthen the Union's security of supply for strategic, critical and essential raw materials, show sufficient technical feasibility and be implemented in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner. They, especially respecting labour rights of workers involved and the rights of the local populations. These Strategic Projects should also provide cross- border benefits beyond the Member State concerned. Where the Commission assesses these criteria to be fulfilled, it should publish the recognition as a Strategic Project in a decision. As a speedy recognition is key to effectively supporting the Union's security of supply, the assessment process should remain light and not overly burdensome.
Amendment 52 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) In order to diversify the Union's supply of strategic raw materials, the Commission should, with the support of the Board, identify Strategic Projects in third countries that intend to become active in the extraction, processing or recycling of strategic raw materials. To ensure that such Strategic Projects are effectively implemented, they should benefit from improved access to finance. In order to ensure their added value, projects should be assessed against a set of criteria. Like projects in the Union, Strategic Projects in third countries should strengthen the Union's security of supply for strategic raw materials, show sufficient technical feasibility and be implemented sustainably, with the upmost respect towards human rights. For projects in emerging markets and developing economies, the project should be mutually beneficial for the Union and the third country involved and add value in that country, taking into account also its consistency with the Union’s common commercial policy. Such value may be derived from the project’s contribution to more than one stage of the value chain as well as from creating through the project wider economic and social benefits, including the creation of employment in compliance with international standards. Where the Commission assesses these criteria to be fulfilled, it should publish the recognition as a Strategic Project in a decision.
Amendment 76 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a – point iii
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a – point iii
(iii) Union recycling and overall circularity capacity, including for all intermediate recycling steps, is able to produce at least 1520% of the Union's annual consumption of strategic raw materials. The Commission shall assess this threshold five years after the entry into force of this Regulation.
Amendment 77 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
(aa) reduce the overall consumption of raw materials, to reduce EU’s material footprint;
Amendment 80 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(da) ensure that strategic and critical raw materials are extracted, processed and distributed following the highest standards of human rights and environmentally sustainable procedures;
Amendment 83 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The Commission shall take into account the objectives and benchmarks laid down in paragraph 2, point e, as related Union priorities within the Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937 and the Regulation on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market, when preparing requirements to improve the following product aspects: respect of human rights of the workers involved in mining, extraction, processing, refining, distribution, transport, collection, recycling, and recovery of materials.
Amendment 84 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
(4) ‘raw materials value chain’ means all activities and processes involved in the exploration, extraction, processing, transportation and recycling of raw materials;
Amendment 86 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 12 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 12 a (new)
(12a) ‘transportation’ means the transportation of raw materials from one point to another for the means defined in points 5, 6, 9, 11, 21, 22, 33, 34, 35 of this Article;
Amendment 89 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) Land use conflicts can create barriers to the deployment of critical raw material projects. Well-designed plans, including spatial plans and zoning, that take into account the potential for implementing critical raw material projects and whose potential environmental and social impacts are assessed, have the potential to help balance public goods and interests, decreasing the risk of conflict and accelerating the sustainable deployment of raw materials projects in the Union. Responsible national, regional and local authorities should therefore consider including provisions for raw materials projects when developing relevant plans.
Amendment 91 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) the project would be implemented sustainably, in particular as regards the monitoring, prevention and minimisation of environmental impacts, the use of socially responsible practices including respect of human and labour rights, quality jobs potential and meaningful engagement with local communities and relevant social partners, and the use of transparent business practices with adequate compliance policies to prevent and minimise risks of adverse impacts on the proper functioning of public administration and the rule of law, including corruption and bribery;
Amendment 93 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) the project would implement circularity procedures along its supply chain;
Amendment 97 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) for projects in third countries that are emerging markets or developing economies, the project would be mutually beneficial for the Union and the third country concerned by adding value and respecting the highest enviornmental, human rights and labour rights standards in that country.
Amendment 101 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) for projects that include several steps of the raw materials’ value chain, especially, but not only, recycling and circularity, building critical infrastructure;
Amendment 102 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) a plan containing measures to facilitate public acceptance and public participation including, where appropriate, the establishment of recurrent communication channels with and participation with the local communities and organisations, including social partners, the implementation of awareness- raising and information campaigns and the establishment of mitigation and compensation mechanisms;
Amendment 103 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) a business plan evaluating the financial viability of the project and guaranteeing all the steps within the value chain, the respect to human rights, labour rights and environmental standards within the project;
Amendment 104 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. Strategic Projects shall be considered to contribute to the security of supply and the sustainable production of strategic raw materials in the Union.
Amendment 104 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36
Recital 36
(36) Strategic stocks are an important tool to mitigate supply disruptions, notably for raw materials. Although the proposed Single Market Emergency Instrument allows for the possible development of such stocks in the event of the activation of the Single Market vigilance mode, Member States and companies do not have obligations to build up or coordinate their strategic stocks ahead of a supply disruption. In addition, there is no coordination mechanism across the European Union that allows for the development of a common assessment and of an analysis of potential overlaps and synergies. Therefore, as a first step, and taking account of the present lack of relevant information, Member States should provide to the Commission information about their strategic stocks, whether they are operated by public authorities or by economic operators on the behalf of the Member States. Such information should include the level of stock available per strategic raw material, the outlook of stock levels, and the rules and procedures applicable to these stocks. Any request should be proportionate, have regard for the cost and effort required to make the data available as well as for its impact on national security, and set out appropriate time limits for providing the requested information. Information on the stocks of economic operators may be added to the analysis, albeit this does not constitute a request for information on them. The Commission should handle the data in a secure manner, and only publish information on an aggregate level. As a second step, based on the information acquired, the Commission should develop a draft benchmark for what should be considered a safe level of Union stocks, taking into account the total annual Union consumption of the concerned strategic raw materials. Based on a comparison between existing stocks and the overall levels of strategic stocks for strategic raw materials across the Union, the Board, acting in agreement with the Commission, should then be able to issue non-binding opinions to Member States on how to increase convergences and to encourage them in building up their strategies stocks. In doing so, the Board should consider the need to maintain incentives for the development of strategic stocks by private operators using strategic raw materials.
Amendment 105 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 6
Article 7 – paragraph 6
6. The Board may request additional information from project promoters relevant to the implementation of the Strategic Project at any moment, especially regarding environmental and social impacts.
Amendment 105 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 39
Recital 39
(39) Many markets for strategic raw materials are not fully transparent and are concentrated on the supply side, which increases the negotiating power of sellers, disregards circularity and increases prices for buyers. To help lower prices for undertaking established in the Union, the Commission should set up a system that is able to aggregate the demand of interested buyers. In developing such a system, the Commission should take into account experience gained in similar endeavours, in particular regarding the joint purchasing of gas as established under Council Regulation 2022/257644. Member State authorities should also be able to participate in this system in order to build up their strategic stocks. All measures under this mechanism should be compatible with Union competition law. _________________ 44 Council Regulation (EU) 2022/2576 of 19 December 2022 enhancing solidarity through better coordination of gas purchases, reliable price benchmarks and exchanges of gas across borders (OJ 335, 29.12.2022, p. 1-35)
Amendment 107 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
1. The provisions set out in this Regulation are without prejudice to the obligations under Articles 6 and 7 of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters, signed at Aarhus on 25 June 1998, and under the UNECE Convention on environmental impact assessment in a transboundary context, signed at Espoo on 25 February 1991.
Amendment 108 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) the respect for human rights of all workers involved, regardless of their nationality;
Amendment 109 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. the respect for local and indigenous communities living on or nearby the extraction sites;
Amendment 110 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) human rights and environment due diligence policy and reportings.
Amendment 112 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) a report proving lack of forced labour of workers involved in mining, extraction, processing, refining, distribution, transport, collection, recycling, and recovery of materials.
Amendment 113 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point b b (new)
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point b b (new)
(bb) a review of the environmental associated impacts of the supply chain.
Amendment 114 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 23 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. The Commission shall adopt an implementing act to establish guidelines and templates for these companies in order for them to comply with this Article.
Amendment 115 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) increase the collection of waste with high critical raw materials recovery potential and ensure their introduction into the appropriate recycling systems in line with Article 4 of Directive 2018/851/EU, with a view to maximising the availability and quality of recyclable material as an input to critical raw material recycling facilities;
Amendment 116 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) reduce their material footprint;
Amendment 117 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) increase the waste prevention and re-use of products and components with high critical raw materials recovery potential through a mandatory second life assessment requirements for CRM equipment and components. Mandatory tests to determine whether it is technically possible and ecologically reasonable for CRM equipment and components to be repurposed for second life;
Amendment 118 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) ensure that all territories develop critical infrastructures at local, regional and national level meant for the recycling of raw materials.
Amendment 119 #
2023/0079(COD)
3. Each Member State shall by [OP please insert: 4 years after the date of entry into force of this Regulation] adopt and implement measures to promote the recovery of critical raw materials from extractive waste, in particular from closed waste facilities identified in the database created in accordance with Article 26 as containing potentially economically recoverable critical raw materials.
Amendment 120 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1
Article 25 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1
The Commission shall adopt implementing acts specifying a list of products, components and waste streams that shall at least be considered as having a high critical raw materials reuse and recovery potential within the meaning of paragraph 1 (a) and (b).
Amendment 121 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2 – point a
Article 25 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2 – point a
(a) the total amount of critical raw materials recoverable and reuseable from those products, components and waste streams:
Amendment 122 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2 – point d
Article 25 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2 – point d
(d) particular challenges affecting their collection, preparation for reuse and waste treatment;
Amendment 123 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2 – point e
Article 25 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 2 – point e
(e) existing systems of collection, preparation for reuse and waste treatment applying to them.
Amendment 124 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 26 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Operators obliged to submit waste management plans in accordance with Article 5 of Directive 2006/21/EC shall provide to the competent authority as defined in Article 3 of Directive 2006/21/EC a preliminary economic and environmental assessment study regarding the potential recovery of critical raw materials from:
Amendment 125 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 5
Article 29 – paragraph 5
5. If there is evidence of repeated or significant cases where economic operators implementing a recognised scheme have failed to fulfil the requirements of that scheme, the Commission shall examine, in consultation with the owner of the recognised scheme, whether those cases indicate deficiencies in the scheme affecting the basis for the recognition and take appropriate action. The Commission shall develop a portal where stakeholders are able to submit feedback about a given scheme, in order for the Commission to be able to have an independent assessment.
Amendment 126 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 8 a (new)
Article 29 – paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. The membership of an economic operator in a recognised certification scheme shall not exempt it from its obligations under this Regulation, Union, national and International law.
Amendment 148 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
Article 33 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
(ii) whether a third country's regulatory framework and its implementation ensures the monitoring, prevention and minimisation of environmental impacts, the use of socially responsible practices including respect of human and labour rights and meaningful engagement with local communities, the use of transparent business practices and the prevention of adverse impacts on the proper functioning of public administration and the rule of law;
Amendment 154 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iii a (new)
Article 33 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iii a (new)
(iiia) whether the strategic partnership shall build critical infrastructure for the safe and sustainable extraction and processing, collection and recycling, and waste management of raw materials in third countries, especially in emerging markets and developing countries;
Amendment 154 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a – point iii
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point a – point iii
(iii) Union recycling and overall circularity capacity, including for all intermediate recycling steps, is able to produce at least 1520% of the Union's annual consumption of strategic raw materials. The Commission shall assess this threshold in order to increase five years after the entry into force of this Regulation.
Amendment 170 #
2023/0079(COD)
1. The Board shall be composed of Member States and the Commission, the Commission and representatives from the industry and relevant civil society organizations, including representatives of local communities. It shall be chaired by the Commission.
Amendment 175 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – point i b (new)
Annex III – point 4 – point i b (new)
(ib) United Nations Declaration on the rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP);
Amendment 175 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(da) reduce the overall consumption of raw materials, to reduce EU’s material footprint;
Amendment 176 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – point i a (new)
Annex III – point 4 – point i a (new)
(ia) EIB Eligibility, Excluded Activities and Excluded sectors list;
Amendment 176 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point d b (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point d b (new)
(db) ensure that strategic and critical raw materials are extracted, processed and distributed following the highest standards of human rights and environmentally sustainable procedures.
Amendment 180 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – point i c (new)
Annex III – point 4 – point i c (new)
(ic) ILO Convention 169 on indigenous and tribal peoples;
Amendment 182 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The Commission shall take into account the objectives and benchmarks laid down in paragraph 2, point e, as related Union priorities within the Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence and amending Directive (EU) 2019/1937 and the Regulation on prohibiting products made with forced labour on the Union market, when preparing requirements to improve the following product aspects: respect of human rights of the workers involved in mining, extraction, processing, refining, distribution, transport, collection, recycling, and recovery of materials.
Amendment 183 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3 a (new)
(3a) ‘essential raw materials’ means the raw materials not listed in Article 4, point 4a;
Amendment 184 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 4
(4) ‘raw materials value chain’ means all activities and processes involved in the exploration, extraction, processing, transportation, stockpiling and recycling of raw materials;
Amendment 188 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Annex III – point 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Project promoters may also attest additional compliance with the criterion referred to in Article 5(1), point (c) by:
Amendment 190 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
Annex III – point 4 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) providing evidence that the project concerned is individually certified as part of a recognised scheme referred to in Article 29; or
Amendment 191 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – point 4 – paragraph 1 – point b
Annex III – point 4 – paragraph 1 – point b
Amendment 192 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 12 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 12 a (new)
(12a) ‘transportation’ means the transportation of raw materials from one point to another for the means defined in points 5, 6, 9, 11, 21, 22, 33, 34, 35 of this Article;
Amendment 193 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
Annex IV – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
(ii) requirements for ensuring socially responsible practices, including respect for human rights and, labour rights and inidigenous peoples rights;
Amendment 193 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 12 b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 12 b (new)
Amendment 194 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
Annex IV – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
(iii) requirements for ensuring business integrity and transparency including requirements to apply sound management of financial, environmental and social matters, and robust anti-corruption and bribery policies in line with the OECD Guidelines outlined in Annex III;
Amendment 195 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Annex IV – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) it includes an on-site audit with in- person consultation with relevant stakeholders including local communities, civil society, workers and trade unions.
Amendment 196 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – paragraph 1 – point d b (new)
Annex IV – paragraph 1 – point d b (new)
(db) audit reports are made available in a transparent and extensive manner.
Amendment 197 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex IV – paragraph 1 – point d c (new)
Annex IV – paragraph 1 – point d c (new)
(dc) It includes grievance mechanisms in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Amendment 198 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. The Commission shall, by means of a delegated regulation, make a list of essential raw materials, including all those raw materials not listed in Annex II of this Regulation but of key economic relevance for the Union.
Amendment 213 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) the project would be implemented sustainably, in particular as regards the monitoring, prevention and minimisation of environmental impacts, the use of socially responsible practices including respect of human and labour rights, quality jobs potential and meaningful engagement with local and indigenous communities and relevant social partners, and the use of transparent business practices with adequate compliance policies to prevent and minimise risks of adverse impacts on the proper functioning of public administration and the rule of law, including corruption and bribery;
Amendment 218 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) the project would implement circularity procedures within its supply chain;
Amendment 221 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) for projects in the Union, the establishment, operation or production of the project would have cross-border benefits beyond the Member State concerned and inclusion of different small and medium-size enterprises, including for downstream sectors;
Amendment 227 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) for projects in third countries that are emerging markets or developing economies, the project would be mutually beneficial for the Union and the third country concerned by adding value and respecting the highest environmental and human rights standards in that country.
Amendment 228 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) for projects that include several steps of the raw materials’ value chain, especially, but not only, recycling and circularity, the project would build critical infrastructure;
Amendment 239 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) a plan containing measures to facilitate public acceptance and public participation including, where appropriate, the establishment of recurrent communication channels with and participation with the local communities and organisations, including social partners, the implementation of awareness- raising and information campaigns and the establishment of mitigation and compensation mechanisms;
Amendment 242 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point f
(f) a business plan evaluating the financial viability of the project and guaranteeing all the steps within the value chain, the respect for human rights, labour rights and environmental standards within the project;
Amendment 256 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. Strategic Projects shall be considered to contribute to the security of supply and the sustainable production of strategic raw materials in the Union.
Amendment 267 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 6
Article 7 – paragraph 6
6. The Board may request additional information from project promoters relevant to the implementation of the Strategic Project at any moment, especially regarding social and environmental impacts.
Amendment 269 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. By [OP please insert: 3 months after the date of entry into force of this Regulation], Member States shall designate one national competent authorityies which shall be responsible for facilitating and coordinating the permit-granting process for critical raw material projects and provide information on the elements referred to in Article 17. In the case of Member States where most permits are granted at local or regional level, the permits shall continue being granted in this manner.
Amendment 271 #
2023/0079(COD)
2. The national 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 critical raw material project and shall coordinate the submission of all relevant documents and information.
Amendment 272 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. The responsibilities of the national competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 or the tasks related to it may be delegated to, or carried out by, another authority, for each critical raw material projects, provided that:
Amendment 273 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) the national competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 notifies the project promoter of that delegation;
Amendment 274 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 5
Article 8 – paragraph 5
5. The national competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 shall take into consideration any valid studies conducted and permits or authorisations issued for a given critical raw material project before the project entered the permit granting process in accordance with this Article, and shall not require duplicate studies and permits or authorisations, unless otherwise required under Union law.
Amendment 275 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 6
Article 8 – paragraph 6
6. The national competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 shall ensure that applicants have easy access to information on and simple procedures for the settlement of disputes concerning the permit granting process and the issuance of permits for critical raw materials projects, including, where applicable, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
Amendment 277 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 7
Article 8 – paragraph 7
7. Member States shall ensure that the national competent authority referred to in paragraph 1 has a sufficient number of qualified staff and sufficient financial, technical and technological resources necessary, including for up- and re-skilling, for the effective performance of its tasks under this Regulation.
Amendment 279 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 8 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 8 – point a
(a) periodically discuss the implementation of this Section and share lessons-learned and best-practices for speeding up permitting procedure for critical raw material projects as well as to improve their public acceptance;
Amendment 300 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – title
Article 11 – title
Environmental and human rights assessments and authorisations
Amendment 303 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1
Where an environmental impact assessment must be carried out for a Strategic Project in accordance with Articles 5 to 9 of Directive 2011/92/EU, the relevant project promoter shall request an opinion to the national competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) on the scope and level of detail of the information to be included in the environmental and human rights impact assessment report under Article 5(1) of that Directive.
Amendment 311 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The national competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) shall ensure that the opinion referred to in the first subparagraph is issued as soon as possible and within a period of time not exceeding 30 days from the date on which the project promoter submitted its request.
Amendment 316 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
In the case of Strategic Projects for which the obligation to carry out assessments of the effects on the environment arises simultaneously from Council Directive 92/43/EEC, Directives 2000/60/EC, 2008/98/EC, 2009/147/EC 2010/75/EU, 2011/92/EU or 2012/18/EU of the European Parliament and the Council, the national competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) shall ensure that a coordinated or a joint procedure fulfilling the requirements of that Union legislation is applied.
Amendment 321 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
Under the coordinated procedure referred to in the first subparagraph, the national competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) shall coordinate the various individual assessments of the environmental and human rights impact of a particular project required by the relevant Union legislation.
Amendment 325 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3
Under the joint procedure referred to in the first subparagraph, the national competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) shall provide for a single assessment of the environmental and human rights impact of a particular project required by the relevant Union legislation.
Amendment 331 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 3
Article 11 – paragraph 3
3. The national competent authority referred to in Article 8(1) shall ensure that the authorities concerned issue the reasoned conclusion referred to in Article 1(2), point (g)(iv) of Directive 2011/92/EU on the environmental and human rights impact assessment of a Strategic Project within three months of receiving all necessary information gathered pursuant to Articles 5, 6 and 7 of that Directive and completing the consultations referred to in Articles 6 and 7 of that Directive.
Amendment 342 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 4
Article 11 – paragraph 4
4. The time-frame for consulting the public concerned on the environmental impact assessment and human rights report referred to in Article 5(1) of Directive 2011/92/EU shall not be longer than 90 days in the case of Strategic Projects.
Amendment 375 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) the respect for human rights of all workers involved, regardless of their nationality;
Amendment 376 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point b b (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 2 – point b b (new)
(bb) the respect for indigenous communities and inhabitants living on or nearby the extraction sites;
Amendment 381 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) funding possibilities at Union or Member State and regional level;
Amendment 383 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) human rights and environment due diligence policy and reportings.
Amendment 386 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1
1. Each Member State shall draw up a national programmes for general exploration targeted at critical raw materials. Each Member State shall draw up the first such programme by [OP please insert: 1 year after the date of entry into force of this Regulation]. The national programmes shall be reviewed and, if necessary, updated, at least every 5 years.
Amendment 388 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 18 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The national exploration programmes referred to in paragraph 1 shall include measures to increase available information on the Union’s critical raw material occurrences, including deep ore deposits. They shall include, as appropriate, the following measures:
Amendment 390 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 18 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(ea) respect for the environment and for local communities.
Amendment 393 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 3
Article 18 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall communicate to the Commission their national programmes referred to in paragraph 1.
Amendment 395 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 4
Article 18 – paragraph 4
4. Member States shall, as part of the report referred to in Article 43, provide information on progress in the implementation of the measures included in their national programmes.
Amendment 396 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
Member States shall make the information on their mineral occurrences containing critical raw materials gathered through the measures set out in the national programmes referred to in paragraph 1 publicly available on a free access website. This information shall, where applicable, include the classification of the identified occurrences using the United Nations Framework Classification for Resources.
Amendment 398 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
Article 18 – paragraph 6 – introductory part
6. Taking into consideration existing cooperation on general exploration, the standing sub-group referred to in Article 35(6), point (b) shall discuss the national programmes referred to in paragraph 1 and their implementation, including at least:
Amendment 415 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) a report proofing lack of forced labour of the workers involved in mining, extraction, processing, refining, distribution, transport, collection, recycling, and recovery of materials;
Amendment 416 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point b b (new)
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point b b (new)
(bb) a review of the environmteal associated impacts of the supply chain.
Amendment 417 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 23 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Amendment 418 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 24 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Joint purchasing initiatives shall pay special attention to European SMEs, ensuring that they can access strategic, critical and essential raw materials and avoiding concentration in access for a limited number of buyers.
Amendment 427 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Each Member State shall by [OP please insert: 3 years after the date of entry into force of this Regulation] adopt and implement national programmes containing measures designed to:
Amendment 429 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point -a (new)
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point -a (new)
(-a) reduce their material footprint;
Amendment 467 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point e a (new)
(ea) ensure that all territories develop critical infrastructures at local, regional and national level meant for the recycling of raw materials.
Amendment 491 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 3
Article 25 – paragraph 3
3. Each Member State shall by [OP please insert: 4 years after the date of entry into force of this Regulation] adopt and implement measures to promote the recovery of critical raw materials from extractive waste, in particular from closed waste facilities identified in the database created in accordance with Article 26 as containing potentially economically recoverable critical raw materials.
Amendment 684 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
Article 33 – paragraph 1 – point c – point ii
(ii) whether a third country's regulatory framework and its implementation ensures the monitoring, prevention and minimisation of environmental impacts, the use of socially responsible practices including respect of human and labour rights and meaningful engagement with local communities, the use of transparent business practices and the prevention of adverse impacts on the proper functioning of public administration and the rule of law;
Amendment 685 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iii a (new)
Article 33 – paragraph 1 – point c – point iii a (new)
(iiia) whether the strategic partnership shall build critical infrastructure for the safe and sustainable extraction and processing, the collection and recycling, and waste management of raw materials in third countries, especially in emerging markets and developing countries;
Amendment 691 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 1
Article 35 – paragraph 1
1. The Board shall be composed of Member States, and the Commission and representatives from the industry and the specialised civil society, including a representation of local communities. It shall be chaired by the Commission.
Amendment 694 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1
Article 35 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 1
The Board may establish standing or temporary sub-groups to deal with specific questions and tasks, following the experience of the Domestic Advisory Groups that assess trade policy and agreements.
Amendment 695 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point a
Article 35 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point a
(a) a subgroup to discuss and coordinate financing for Strategic Projects pursuant to Article 15; representatives of national promotional banks and institutions, the European development financial institutions, the European Investment Bank Group, other international financial institutions including the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and, as appropriate, private financial institutions shall be invited as observers;
Amendment 696 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point b
Article 35 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point b
(b) a subgroup bringing together national geological institutes or surveys or, in the absence of such institute or survey, the relevant national authorityauthorities in the Member State in charge of general exploration, with the purpose of contributing to the coordination of national exploration programmes referred to in Article 18;
Amendment 699 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point c
Article 35 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point c
(c) a subgroup bringing together national supply and information agencies covering critical, strategic and essential raw materials or, in the absence of such agency, the relevant national authorityauthorities of the Member States in charge of that matter, with the purpose of contributing to the monitoring tasks as set out in Article 19;
Amendment 700 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point d
Article 35 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point d
(d) a subgroup bringing together national emergency agency and nationalies of the Member States and authorities responsible for strategic stocks or, in the absence of such agency and authority, the relevant national authority in charge of that matter, with the purpose of contributing to the coordination of strategic stocks as set out in Article 22.
Amendment 702 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 35 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point d a (new)
(da) a subgroup evaluating the administration procedures of Member States, regions and other levels of the public administration that grant permits, in order to, inter alia but not only, establish good administrative practices and guidelines on how to minimise the administrative burden, or how to digitise administrative procedures;
Amendment 705 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point d b (new)
Article 35 – paragraph 6 – subparagraph 2 – point d b (new)
(db) a subgroup bringing together representatives of specialised small- and medium-size enterprises in order to, inter alia, evaluate the situation of the markets and supply chains, ensure that projects in the Union are made by European companies, and prevent financial speculation by larger corporations.
Amendment 709 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 2
Article 36 – paragraph 2
2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Article 3(2), Article 4(2), Article 5(2) and (4a), Article 27(12), Article 28(2) and Article 30(1) and (5) shall be conferred on the Commission for a period of eight years from [OP please insert: one month after the date of entry into force of this Regulation]. The Commission shall draw up a report in respect of the delegation of power not later than nine months before the end of the six- year period. The delegation of power shall be tacitly extended for periods of an identical duration, unless the European Parliament or the Council opposes such extension not later than three months before the end of each period.
Amendment 710 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 3
Article 36 – paragraph 3
3. The delegation of power referred to in Article 3(2), Article 4(2), Article 5(2) and (4a), Article 27(12), Article 28(2) and Article 30(1) and (5) may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or 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 on 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 711 #
2023/0079(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 6
Article 36 – paragraph 6
6. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Article 3(2), Article 4(2), Article 5(2) and (4a), Article 27(12), Article 28(2) and Article 30(1) and (5) shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period may be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.
Amendment 48 #
2022/2183(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reaffirms the right to food as a fundamental human right; recalls Sustainable Development Goal 2 of eradicating hunger by 2030, which is highly unlikely to be attained in light of the unprecedented rise of global food insecurity;
Amendment 52 #
2022/2183(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the European Commission to strengthen its approach to ensure the Right to adequate Food, implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas, and to improve the working conditions of agricultural workers and the income of small-scale peasants that are part of international food supply chains;
Amendment 63 #
2022/2183(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses the impact of climate change, the COVID-19 crisisbiodiversity loss, the COVID-19 crisis, ongoing global economic uncertainty and conflicts on food security in developing countries; draws attention to the consequences of Russia’s invasion ofbrutal war of aggression against Ukraine, which are exacerbating global food insecurity, including through direct weaponization of grain exports to developing countries on the part of the Russian Federation; underlines, however, that the supply chain disruptions caused by these factors expose the lack of resilience of import-based food systems, as well as the importance of food sovereignty and sustainable agri-food systems in developing countries;
Amendment 81 #
2022/2183(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is concerned by the fact that one in three people worldwide still do not have access to adequate food, which is severely undermining the attainment of SGD 2; deplores the fact that in 2022, according to the World Food Programme, acute food insecurity is affecting a record 349 million people; stresses that it is children and women who are the most vulnerable to food insecurity;
Amendment 90 #
2022/2183(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Is concerned by continuing rise in food prices; recalls that the World Food Price Index increased by more than 60% between 2020 and 2022; calls, in this high inflationary context, to consider debt relief, including debt cancellation, for the countries most in need of importing food to ensure basic food security of their populations, including middle-income countries when necessary;
Amendment 106 #
2022/2183(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Calls for partners with large food stockpiles, as well as on the private sector, to make food available without distorting the markets, including by supporting the World Food Programme´s purchase strategy;
Amendment 108 #
2022/2183(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls the importance of ensuring coherence among all EU policies in order to guarantee the effectiveness of the EU’s commitment to global food security; points out that trade, agricultural and fisheries policies have a relevant impact on global food security and, therefore, their effects on developing countries need to be properly assessed and mitigated; insists that ensuring Policy Coherence for Development in the field of food security is essential for safeguarding basic human rights and preventing major geopolitical risks, such as conflicts, forced massive population displacements and humanitarian crises;
Amendment 117 #
2022/2183(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Points out that the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is essential to secure food sovereignty in the EU; stresses, however, that the CAP has to be coherent with other EU policies, including development policy; notes that despite some improvements in PCD, such as the large abolishment of export subsidies and coupled subsidy payments, CAP direct payments to EU farmers continue to account for up to 50% of total farm income in the EU, which keeps providing incentives for export-oriented production that can have negative effects for the development of strong and sustainable agrifood systems in many developing countries; regrets, in this regard, that EU spending in agricultural development in African countries is small in relation to the needs for innovation and increase of production capacity, which is essential to ensure food security and food sovereignty in African countries; calls on the Commission and Member States to provide more support to African agricultural development, including through close collaboration with local and regional authorities in partner countries, and to evaluate how CAP negative effects on Africa and other regions of the Global South can be further minimized;
Amendment 121 #
2022/2183(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Draws attention to the fact that EU legislation does not prohibit the export of pesticides banned in the EU to third countries, allowing companies to make profits by selling these chemicals to non- EU countries; points out that such a ban is an essential condition for building sustainable agrifood systems in partner countries; calls on the Commission to stand firm in its commitment under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability to prevent hazardous pesticides banned in the European Union from being produced for being exported, as well as to ensure that no banned pesticides are allowed as residues in food placed on the EU internal market;
Amendment 123 #
2022/2183(INI)
5a. Calls on the Commission to review EU trade relations to make food systems robust, sustainable and fair in a comprehensive and holistic manner across all trade agreement provisions; calls on the Commission to strengthen the enforcement mechanism of the trade and sustainable development (TSD) chapters and use it as a tool to foster more diverse and sustainable food systems, and to ensure that all the provisions of the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) contribute to the objectives and standards enshrined in the TSD chapters regarding food security and food sovereignty; points out, in this regards, to the provisions of the EU-New Zealand FTA and calls on the Commission to review the impact of the EU trade policy on the agrifood systems of developing countries according to these standards;
Amendment 130 #
2022/2183(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 d (new)
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5d. Is deeply concerned that the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with countries of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) have boosted a large volume of EU dairy exports to Western African countries, especially milk powder, which hinder local production, aggravate unemployment, contribute to food insecurity and consolidate rural malaise;
Amendment 132 #
2022/2183(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 e (new)
Paragraph 5 e (new)
5e. Stresses that biofuel production has an impact on food security, since it can divert agricultural commodities such as grains, soybeans, rapeseed oil, corn and sugarcane from food production, thus further contributing to rising food prices; calls on the EU to prioritize food production over crop-based biofuel production in line with the cascading principle;
Amendment 139 #
2022/2183(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Welcomes the commitment by the EU and its Member States to allocate EUR 7.7 billion for global food security over the period 2021-2024; stresses, however, the need for European aid to reach the most vulnerable populations as quickly as possible and to adapt to the context of multidimensional crises; calls on the EU, in this regard, to scale up essential nutrition services in countries with the highest burden of malnutrition;
Amendment 163 #
2022/2183(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the EUCommission and itsthe Member States, in particular through Team Europe, to help fight against any speculative behaviour that endangers food security and/or access to nutritious food, as well as to build solutions with local actors and to support initiatives tailored to local realities in order to accompany partner countries towards food autonomy,sovereignty through the development of local agricultural production capacities and the transition to sustainable and resilient agri- food systems.; points out that adaptation to climate change is essential to ensure resilient sustainable food systems in partner countries and, therefore, calls on the EU to step up climate change adaptation funding in agriculture through the NDICI-Global Europe instrument;
Amendment 169 #
2022/2183(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Calls on the Commission to ensure the inclusion of gender perspective in the management of food security and to ensure the participation of women in the decision-making process related to this field, including those women belonging to discriminated minorities;
Amendment 9 #
2022/2171(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the EU Strategy for Sustainable and Circular Textiles as a step forward in tackling the challenges linked to textile and clothes production; welcomes further EU efforts on its commitments towards the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals; strongly encourages the international promotion of this approach and strengthening cooperation with partners; underlines that moving towards sustainable and circular textiles requires a holistic approach and changes at each stage in the value chain, with the involvement of players of all sizes and from all market segments;
Amendment 21 #
2022/2171(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Highlights that the production of textiles and clothing (T&C) often takes place outside the EU and most T&C traded in the EU are imported from third countries, which generates environmental, labour and human rights risks that need to be identified and addressed;
Amendment 25 #
2022/2171(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Welcomes that rules banning the destruction of unsold new goods are considered by the Commission, but points out that such rules should contribute to effectively reducing overproduction, especially in view of upholding environmental and labour standards in third countries;
Amendment 27 #
2022/2171(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Calls on the Commission to set an EU-wide quantitative target for material and consumption footprint reduction, with specific objectives for textile products, as well as an accompanying implementation timeline, in order to tackle the environmental and social issues related to fast fashion, which are especially acute in developing countries; underlines that strongly promoting the re-use sector is essential in order to provide consumers with affordable sustainable clothing options, which in turn is an essential factor in tackling fast fashion; calls on the Commission to provide Member States with recommendations on tax incentives that promote investments in a sustainable textile industry;
Amendment 31 #
2022/2171(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Points out that T&C from Europe are often exported to third countries for disposal; stresses that this practice shifts environmental problems arising from the disposal of T&C to third countries; recommendunderlines that T&C toshould only be exported for disposal must be prepared for proper recycling; if prepared for proper recycling and if the exports are approved by the recipient country, while encouraging local re-use and recycling of collected textiles as a priority, based on the EU principle of proximity laid down in the Waste Framework Directive; calls on the EU to set up an effective control mechanism for the export of used textiles in order to prevent illegal shipments to third countries, and to establish EU criteria for the purpose of avoiding the circumvention of controls through the labelling of waste streams as second-hand goods;
Amendment 37 #
2022/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas up to two thirds of EU imported clothing products come from non-EU countries, where environmental, labour and human rights risks need to be duly identified and addressed;
Amendment 40 #
2022/2171(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Calls on the Commission to establish an ambitious producer responsibility fee for clothing, to bring the textile industry in line with the ‘polluter pays’ principle;
Amendment 47 #
2022/2171(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that working conditions in the textile industry in third countries are often substandard and have a direct impact on workers’ living standards due to low wages, poor working conditions and inadequate safety standards; highlights that women are in particular in an even more vulnerable position; is equally concerned about persisting child labour in the industry; underlines, in this regard, the need for the EU to promote the ratification of all ILO conventions that are relevant for the textile industry in partner countries, especially in relation to living wages, adequate social protection, public bargaining, equal remuneration, harassment at the workplace, safety standards in factories and forced labour;
Amendment 56 #
2022/2171(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Welcomes the introduction of a Digital Product Passport (DPP) for textiles; stresses that the DPP should contain information on how environmental, labour and human rights standards are complied with through the entire supply chain;
Amendment 62 #
2022/2171(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Strongly encourages the Commission, therefore, to supplement the Strategy with corresponding regional and country programming for developing countries in the framework of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI)-Global Europe and Team Europe initiatives, which should promote projects that help to build T&C production and distribution infrastructure which protects the environment as well as social and labour rights., especially through the support and promotion of social enterprises;
Amendment 70 #
2022/2171(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Underlines the need to invest in the early stages of the textile value chain to create opportunities for local high- value circular economic activities;
Amendment 71 #
2022/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Underlines that moving towards sustainable and circular textiles requires a holistic approach covering the whole value chain of textile products, and therefore the involvement of players of all sizes and from all market segments;
Amendment 74 #
2022/2171(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6 b. Underlines the need to support investments in recycling/repair infrastructure in developing countries and upgrade their capacities to recycle and repair clothes;
Amendment 94 #
2022/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Underlines the need to support investments in recycling and repairing infrastructure in developing countries and upgrade their capacities to recycle and repair clothes;
Amendment 95 #
2022/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Calls on the Commission to set an EU-wide quantitative target for material and consumption footprint reduction with specific objectives for textile products, as well as an accompanying implementation timeline, in view of tackling the environmental and social issues related to fast fashion, which are especially acute in developing countries; underlines that strongly promoting the re-use sector is essential to provide consumers with affordable sustainable clothing options, which is essential to tackle fast fashion; calls on the Commission to provide Member States with recommendations on tax incentives that promote investments in the sustainable textile industry;
Amendment 201 #
2022/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Underlines the need to invest in the early stages of the textile value chain to create opportunities for local high value circular economic activities;
Amendment 210 #
2022/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Calls for the development of new circular and second-hand business models for textiles, for example using the different European funds dedicated to innovation, entrepreneurship, SMEs, art and culture; considers that these new business models for textile production should be based on environmental performance as much as possible through public and private incentives;
Amendment 268 #
2022/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Points out that textile and clothing products from Europe are often exported to third countries for disposal; stresses that this practice shifts environmental problems in recipient countries; underlines that these products should only be exported for disposal if prepared for proper recycling and under approval by the recipient country;
Amendment 271 #
2022/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 b (new)
Paragraph 15 b (new)
15b. While encouraging in the first place local re-use and recycling of collected textiles based on the EU principle of proximity as laid down in the Waste Framework Directive, calls on the EU to set up an effective control mechanism for the export of used textiles to prevent illegal shipments to third countries, and to establish EU criteria in view of avoiding control circumvention through the labelling of waste streams as second-hand goods;
Amendment 273 #
2022/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 c (new)
Paragraph 15 c (new)
15c. Calls on the Commission to establish an ambitious producer responsibility fee for clothing to bring the textile industry in line with the polluter pays principle;
Amendment 303 #
2022/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Highlights the potential of the digital product passport to support full value chain coverage as part of a coherent framework with corporate due diligence legislation on sustainability; calls on the Commission to require companies to use the digital product passport to disclose and submit site information throughout their supply chains, as well as information on the use of materials and chemicals; calls for environmental information to be complemented by information on social aspects and labour and working conditions; and stresses that the passport should contain information on how environmental, labour and human rights standards are complied with through the entire supply chain;
Amendment 323 #
2022/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Welcomes that rules banning the destruction of unsold new goods are considered by the Commission, but points out that such rules should contribute to effectively reducing overproduction, especially in view of upholding environmental and labour standards in third countries;
Amendment 325 #
2022/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 b (new)
Paragraph 20 b (new)
20b. Calls for a strategy on animal welfare and protection within the textile industry and sector, focusing on transparency and awareness about the use of animals for testing and production of textiles;
Amendment 348 #
2022/2171(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23a. Stresses that working conditions in the textile industry in third countries are often substandard and have a direct impact on workers’ living standards due to low wages, poor working conditions and inadequate safety standards; highlights that women are in particular in an even more vulnerable position; is equally concerned about persisting child labour in the industry; underlines, in this regard, the need for the EU to promote the ratification of all ILO conventions that are relevant for the textile industry in partner countries, especially in relation to living wages, adequate social protection, public bargaining, equal remuneration, harassment at the workplace, safety standards at factories and forced labour;
Amendment 5 #
2022/2141(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the European Ombudsman should play a key role in the development of the EU rule of law, especially regarding the accountability of EU institutions and the development of the right to good administration;
Amendment 6 #
2022/2141(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas in 2021 the Ombudsman opened 338 inquiries, of which 332 were complaint-based and 6 own-initiative, and closed 305 inquiries (300 complaint-based and 5 own-initiative); whereas the enquiries help focus public attention on problems, which can help to promote change; whereas the greater part of the inquiries concerned the Commission (208 inquiries or 61.5 %); whereas the next largest numbers concerned the European External Action Service (EEAS) (16 inquiries or 4.7 %), Parliament (13 inquiries or 3.8 %), the European Personnel Selection Office (13 inquiries or 3.8 %), the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) (11 inquiries or 3.3 %), the European Medicines Agency (8 inquiries or 2.4 %), the Council of the European Union (7 inquiries or 2.1 %), the European Anti- Fraud Office (6 inquiries or 1.8 %), and other institutions (34 inquiries or 10.1 %);
Amendment 31 #
2022/2141(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Strongly believes that citizens’ access to all documents of the European institutions is the basis of a participatory democracy and helps improve public awareness of and support for the EU institutions; welcomes the Ombudsman’s efforts to improve public participation in and the legitimacy of the EU decision- making process; points out that the right to refer a matter to the Ombudsman increases citizens’ engagement with and trust in the EU institutions, as it promotes transparency and the good administration of the EU institutions and bodies;
Amendment 39 #
2022/2141(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Considers it very important to continue to properly inform EU citizens about the Ombudsman’s role and the scope of the activities carried out by the Ombudsman, and of the Ombudsman’s influence on the development of the EU institutions; underlines that wider access to such documents is crucial to ensure that EU citizens can scrutinise and be aware of the information forming the basis for legislative action and, thus, is a precondition for the effective exercise of citizens’ democratic rights;
Amendment 47 #
2022/2141(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Highlights that 2021 marked the twentieth anniversary of the Transparency Regulation coming into force; welcomes the special focus of the Ombudsman’s Office on this matter throughout the year 2021; notes with concern that the current legislation on public access to EU documents is severely obsolete due to technological advances in access to documentation and new means of communication and different ways of recording, managing and storing information in recent decades; considers it a priority to revise the Transparency Regulation in order to place the EU at the forefront of public access to EU documents and democratic transparency for citizens; welcomes the Ombudsman’s input in relation to the Transparency Regulation and invites the Commission, the Council and the relevant committee in Parliament to take the initiative on its revision;
Amendment 50 #
2022/2141(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Highlights that on May 18, 2021, after several accusations of lack of transparency in the EU institutions, the European Ombudsman launched a wide- ranging inquiry into the European Commission's handling of staff revolving door cases; recalls that good management of the revolving doors issue is essential to maintain confidence in the EU institutions; underlines that the Ombudsman has played an active role in the revolving door phenomenon since former Commission President José Manuel Barroso became the chairman of Goldman Sachs in 2015; underlines that the existing rules on revolving doors, apart from not being applied properly, are not sufficient to protect the integrity and independence of the EU institutions; calls on the Commission to sharpen the rules concerning revolving doors and conflict of interest and ensure that strong rules are implemented across all EU institutions;
Amendment 53 #
2022/2141(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Takes note of the fact that the Commission, as stated by Vice-President Věra Jourová during the public conference ‘Access to EU documents: what next?’, stands ready to continue the legislative work, in partnership with the co-legislators, on the two proposals to update the Transparency Regulation on access to documents, and to withdraw the proposals with a view to tabling an updated one; calls for an urgent reform to ensure that the EU’ access to documents rules are brought into line with the digital age;
Amendment 58 #
2022/2141(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Reiterates its call for the EU institutions to ensure that informal trilogues are more transparent by holding the meetings in public; reiterates its call also to publish documentation including calendars, agendas, minutes, documents examined, amendments, decisions taken, information on Member State delegations and their positions and minutes, and lists of the political decision-makers involved in every procedure, in a standardised and easily accessible online environment, by default and without prejudice to the exemptions listed in Article 4(1) of the Transparency Regulation;
Amendment 61 #
2022/2141(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Underlines the specific role and influences of Ombudsman in particular policy fields, including migration law, criminal justice and digital technologies regulation; calls for strengthening the role of Ombudsman in monitoring the use of AI by EU public authorities, especially with the proposal for an EU AI Act, as well as its contribution to transparency in this context;
Amendment 67 #
2022/2141(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Points out that, following the inquiry into access to documents held by the Council relating to the process for adopting the annual regulation on total allowable catches of certain fish stocks in the EU, the Ombudsman concluded that the Council fails to record the positions of Member State governments as expressed in Council ‘preparatory bodies’ or in meetings of the ministers, failed to provide timely access to legislative documents proactively and upon request, and has in place an incomplete register of documents; regrets that the Council did not follow her recommendation;
Amendment 82 #
2022/2141(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Encourages the Ombudsman to continue her collaboration with national ombudsmen through the ENOand regional ombudsmen and strengthened cooperation amongst the different actors of the ENO that needs to ensure a high level of decision consistency; believes it necessary to step up interactions and exchanges of best practices with and between national and regional ombudsmen and the European Ombudsman to ensure that citizens are better informed about their rights and have better guidance when making complaints;
Amendment 14 #
2022/2080(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Denounces the existence of a shadowy offshore financial system with offices all over the world, which is allowing illicit enrichment by facilitating tax evasion, providing means for money laundering and bringing about financial instability at the public’s expense;
Amendment 18 #
2022/2080(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Emphasises that the practices brought to light by the Pandora Papers revelations have a severe impact on the fiscal space of developing countries and severely undermine the Rule of Law and institutional resilience in these countries, which is an essential precondition to achieve sustainable development;
Amendment 20 #
2022/2080(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Welcomes that the EU listing of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions for tax purposes has enabled better legislation and tax practices in some developing countries through technical cooperation and political dialogue to address identified tax issues; notes, however, that the EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions excludes tax havens in Europe as well as many tax havens outside Europe, which affects the credibility of the listing process due to a lack of policy coherence; calls on the Council to coherently list all the countries that qualify as tax havens in the EU listing of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes;
Amendment 24 #
2022/2080(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2b. Points out that the EU Code of Conduct Group recommends that EU Member States impose defensive measures against blacklisted jurisdictions, including the denial of the deductible character of costs and payments when these are treated as directed to entities or persons in a blacklisted jurisdiction, the inclusion in the taxpayer company's tax base of the income of an entity resident or a permanent establishment situated in a blacklisted jurisdiction, the application of a withholding tax at a higher rate on payments when these are treated as received in blacklisted jurisdictions, and the exclusion of the deduction of profits and dividends when these are treated as received from a blacklisted jurisdiction; reminds that the recommendations of the EU Code of Conduct Group were adopted by the Council in 2019; calls on all Member States to enact appropriate legislative acts that ensure the effective application of all the defensive measures recommended by the EU Code of Conduct Group against blacklisted jurisdictions and the undertakings that take advantage of their existence to do business; recommends that Member States apply a reversal of the burden of proof and special documentation requirements in such legislative acts to reinforce the effect of the defensive measures that they apply;
Amendment 26 #
2022/2080(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)
Paragraph 2 c (new)
2c. Stresses that, while listing and defensive measures need to be applied without hesitation where appropriate, the EU needs to engage in more systemic transparent cooperation and consultation procedures with developing countries that do not have appropriate tax practices before applying any coercive measures, especially with regard to ensuring that knowledge and capacity-building opportunities have been previously provided to the authorities of these countries;
Amendment 29 #
2022/2080(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Considers that tax avoidance by multinationals and the existence of tax havens offering no or extremely low effective tax rates are heavily detrimental to the fair collection of tax in countries in the Global South; and shift the tax burden to personal income tax and value-added tax, which is particularly problematic in LDCs where small, medium and micro- enterprises and informal traders make up the bulk of economic activity; recalls that tax evasion entails massive financial losses for developing countries and that Africa alone loses at least 88.6 billion dollars annually from illicit financial flows, which could bridge half of Africa’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)’s financing gap; stresses that revenue losses for public finances caused by tax evasion and illicit financial flows is one of the main factors that seriously worsen the indebtedness of many developing countries;
Amendment 34 #
2022/2080(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Is of the opinion that the EU should ban any financial activity of its companies or its citizens with the banks established in blacklisted tax heavens that do not cooperate with the EU;
Amendment 39 #
2022/2080(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the structural implications of the tax avoidance practices of both multinationals and individuals for developing countries’ fiscal capacities and mid to long-term growth prospects and social development; highlights the increase in inequality, insecurity and poverty caused by the lack of fiscal space as a result of tax avoidance, which deprives governments in developing countries of the revenues they need to sustain investment in basic services and the economic infrastructure upon which broad-based economic growth depends;
Amendment 48 #
2022/2080(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that the upcoming global corporate minimum tax will define a fixed baseline for corporate taxation, thereby combating corporate tax avoidance, and calls for the resulting fiscal capacities to be used to build resilient, sustainable and equal societies; calls for international cooperation on the corporate minimum tax to be utilised in such a way as to introduce better transparency measures for the prosecution of tax avoiders and increase transparency and cooperation between governments;
Amendment 49 #
2022/2080(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Underlines that while some aspects of illicit financial flows are addressed through UN conventions, including the UN Convention Against Corruption and the UN Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime, there is no such convention for tax-related illicit financial flows, including tax evasion and avoidance; calls on the EU to support the proposal on a UN Convention on Tax that enables the discussion on creating a global tax body, and where all countries, including developing countries, can participate on an equal footing, thus strengthening the fight against illicit financial flows, promoting fairness towards developing countries and linking global tax governance to the SDGs; calls to promote fairness towards developing countries by replacing existing tax standards and rules that are biased in favour of richer and larger countries and fully take into account the interests, concerns and needs of developing countries;
Amendment 52 #
2022/2080(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Calls to increase government accountability and public participation that includes all relevant stakeholders in the international decision-making process on taxation;
Amendment 55 #
2022/2080(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for full international transparency on the real owners of letterbox companies and real estate; calls to ensure a high standard of transparency, while incorporating the interests, concerns and needs of developing countries; considers that the international exchange of information needs to be expanded to identify tax evaders and calls for greater efforts to tackle financial secrecy, including automatic exchange of information agreements and supporting capacity- building for tax administrations and tax investigations in developing countries. through comprehensive technical assistance and ambitious funding;
Amendment 30 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
— having regard to the Communication from the Commission on the New EU Forest Strategy for 2030 (COM(2021) 572);
Amendment 73 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas every tonne of fossil CO2 that is not emitted or is or will be sustainably stored in cycles is the best contribution to achieving climate targets; whereas sustainably storing CO2 from the atmosphere or other cycles should be used as one among many methods for achieving climate targets;
Amendment 81 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas carbon removal plays a crucial role in achieving a climate-neutral EU economy by 2050, as they canit can help balance the emissions that are very difficult to eliminate and create a new market-based income source for farmers;
Amendment 98 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas the biogenic carbon cycle is a natural process and must be used in a sustainable way to substitute fossil carbon as soon as possible;
Amendment 157 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that the agricultural and forestry sectors can play a significant role in this process, given that they agricultural and forest ecosystems have the capacity to remove and store carbon through carbon reservoir use and management; underlines that the agricultural and forestry sector contribute to the overall goal to be the first climate- neutral continent;
Amendment 187 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Stresses the enormous mutual benefit that can be achieved by linking the sustainable carbon cycles initiative with the legally binding instrument for ecosystem restoration being developed by the Commission, especially for those ecosystems (i.e. old growth forests) more capable to capture and store carbon, prevent and reduce the impact of natural disasters, and help tackle biodiversity loss;
Amendment 194 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recognises that the Commission communication on sustainable carbon cycles sets out the first steps towards regulating and properly assessing carbon sinks, carbon removal and recycling;
Amendment 248 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Considers that carbon farming can be a new business model which should be additional and voluntartaken into account within the common agricultural policy, and which aims to upscale climate mitigation by paying farmers to implement climate-friendly farm or forest management practices, by tapping into the potential of blue carbon ecosystems and by streamlining the industrial use of carbon sequestered for different purposes;
Amendment 301 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Emphasizes that protection of forests is a key issue, especially of those of particular ecological value, as a complementary strategy for increasing long-term carbon storage in forest ecosystems, as stated in the technical assessment to the Carbon Cycles Communication, thus, forest protection offers short to medium-term carbon sink benefits, while providing high biodiversity value and increased forest resilience as forests develop old-growth attributes;
Amendment 305 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11b. Reminds that new evidence suggests that forest carbon continues to increase for centuries in primary and old- growth forest ecosystems, which implies that these forests should not be seen as carbon neutral but rather as active carbon sinks;
Amendment 306 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Paragraph 11 c (new)
Amendment 319 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that carbon farming must be regulated in line with the current CAP and be seen as a complementary and additional topping-up option; underlines, however, that in the longer term carbon farming should be market-based as soon as possible;
Amendment 358 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Underlines that CCS is not allowed in all Member States; stresses that the Commission has to sufficiently document the long-term effect of CCS in regions with deep soil and support experimental projects and further research to obtain more data on this;
Amendment 411 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Emphasises the need to develop a robust science-based new framework for the quantification and certification of carbon removals that must at the same time avoid greenwashing and carbon leakage; underlines the need to promote high- quality carbon certificates that can ensure the achievement of the criteria of additionality, permanence, no double counting and authenticity in order to incentivise improved land management practices, thus resulting in enhanced carbon capture;
Amendment 421 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16 a (new)
Paragraph 16 a (new)
16a. Stresses that the certification of carbon removals should not be solely based on its climate benefits, but should also help address the biodiversity crisis and achieve the SDGs;
Amendment 472 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Calls on the Commission to accelerate the provision of advice and technical guidance on the development of clear and applicable ecosystem services payment schemes for forest owners and managers, and to integrate these schemes in European financial instruments, as set out in the New EU Forest Strategy for 2030 (especially in the LIFE-programme), as well as to study the alignment of these payments with the funding of carbon cycling;
Amendment 481 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Calls for increased cooperation and exchange of practices among stakeholders in order to promote better implementation of carbon cycling initiatives in the agricultural and forestry sector;
Amendment 487 #
2022/2053(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls for advisory services in forestry and agriculture, such as the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS), to contribute with broader knowledge and information to support sustainable carbon practices and to ensure easy access to this information;
Amendment 17 #
2022/2051(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Calls for the introduction of a provision for the Union’s ratification of the Council of Europe's Charter for Regional or Minority Languages and the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities1a; _________________ 1a COFOE Conclusions 48.
Amendment 21 #
2022/2051(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Calls for the introduction of a legal basis to adopt legislation on the rights of people belonging to minorities2a; _________________ 2a COFOE Conclusions 48.
Amendment 5 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reaffirms that culture is a key element of sustainable development and an integral component of its social, economic and environmental dimensions, and long- term societal changes; recalls that culture is instrumental in the implementation of the 2030 UN Agenda and calls for strengthening the contribution of cultural actors to sustainable development through participation in enhanced dialogue, professional networks and multi- stakeholder partnerships and supporting civil society organisations, in order to leave no one behind and support the aims and principles of the 2030 UN Agenda;
Amendment 19 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the inclusion of culture as an area of intervention in the Global Challenges thematic programme under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe Regulation to foster sustainable social and economic development, and international cultural cooperation; underlines the need to strengthen the European Union’s diplomatic role as a global cultural partner in keeping with the spirit of the SDGs;
Amendment 27 #
2022/2047(INI)
3. Welcomes the integration of a specific chapter on culture under Title III (Human and Social Development) of the proposed partnership agreement between the EU and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS); calls for the strengthening of cultural programmes to stimulate job opportunities, tourism, inclusive and sustainable growth, and social cohesion, and to support the cultural sector which has been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; insists on the need to defend and promote cultural rights in third countries, including freedom of expression for artists, journalists, and academics;
Amendment 30 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Stresses the need to develop new global financing mechanisms to support transparent and bottom-up led approaches to international cultural relations;
Amendment 32 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Calls for embracing the preferential treatment for developing countries as defined by the 2005 UNESCO Convention for the promotion and the protection of the diversity of cultural expressions to create an equitable global cultural sector;
Amendment 51 #
2022/2047(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Underlines the importance of protecting minority and indigenous languages in developing countries, since these languages are essential for ensuring the continuation and transmission of culture, the preservation of customs, the knowledge of history, the protection of the cultural identity and dignity of indigenous peoples and safeguard their traditional heritage;
Amendment 5 #
2022/2046(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Stresses that that the global energy, food and economic crises triggered by the Russian aggression against Ukraine generate critical needs for many developing countries; points out that the lack of budgetary margin in Heading 6 risks preventing the EU from being a reliable actor for achieving the development needs of partner countries and lays the ground for further influence of geopolitical competitors in many developing countries;
Amendment 10 #
2022/2046(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to adopt, in early 2023, an ambitious MFF revision proposal that substantially increases the resources for Heading 6 to an extent that is ambitious enough to address the current challenges of EU external action; urges the Member States to agree to a significant increase in ceilings;
Amendment 14 #
2022/2046(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Notes with deep concern the stalling progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and the estimated annual SDG financing gap of USD 3,7 trillion; insists that the MFF revision needs to contribute to a wider plan to finance the SDGs and include clearly defined quantifiable targets allowing for the monitoring of SDG-related spending under the EU budget;
Amendment 19 #
2022/2046(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that the global humanitarian funding gap continues to grow, currently standing at USD 36.9 billion – the highest ever; stresses that the humanitarian aid instrument must receive significantly more funding in the revised MFF to match the EU’s ambition to be a leading humanitarian donor and lead by example in encouraging other donors to increase their financial contribution to humanitarian aid;
Amendment 30 #
2022/2046(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for the MFF revision to provide additional funds to the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe instrument, particularly to reinforce the budget lines most in demand recently and to meet the additional needs caused by the Russian war against Ukraine without diverting money from other geographic regions and thematic lines;
Amendment 44 #
2022/2046(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to involve regional governments and Civil Society Organizations at the highest level in the MFF revision in order to ensure that EU receives diverse input from all relevant stakeholders;
Amendment 18 #
2022/2026(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Regrets that EU has not taken enough measures to address equality and non-discrimination in its legislation and policies, and in particular to address intersectional and multiple forms of discrimination;
Amendment 37 #
2022/2026(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines that independent living goes hand in hand with the freedom to choose one’s place of residence5 , inclusive education6 , lifelong learning, a guarantee of democratic rights7 such as the right to vote8 , and access to the open labour market with an adequate salary9 ; _________________ 5 Petition No 0988/2020. 6 Petitions Nos 1340/2020 and 1529/2020. 7 Petition No 1132/2016. 8 Petition No 1135/2021; European Economic and Social Committee report of 20 March 2019 on the real rights of persons with disabilities to vote in European Parliament elections. 9 Petitions Nos 0608/2020 and 1280/2021.
Amendment 48 #
2022/2026(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Underlines that the reform of the EU electoral law would provide an initial response to the need to guarantee the right to vote for PwD in all the Member States;
Amendment 61 #
2022/2026(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Stresses that legislation in most EU countries promotes independent living, but there is a serious implementation gap, especially in rural areas;
Amendment 72 #
2022/2026(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Highlights that children with disabilities continue to be disproportionately represented in institutional care, remain in institutions on a long-term or permanent basis, and face high levels of discrimination and neglect;
Amendment 83 #
2022/2026(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls on the Commission and Member states to remove any physical, legal and pedagogical barriers that impede equal access to learning and teaching environments for teachers and students with disabilities and special needs;
Amendment 96 #
2022/2026(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Highlights that PwD are exposed to discrimination most frequently, in particular those with intellectual, psychosocial and mental disabilities, and women and girls, migrants and members of the LGBTIQ community with disabilities; calls, in this respect, face limited access to employment and social protection and can be denied access to proper healthcare, including mental health and sexual and reproductive health; calls for anti- discrimination legislation to protect the rights of PwD and for the horizontal Anti- Discrimination Directive to be unblocked in the Council14 ; _________________ 14 Petitions Nos 0164/2020 and 0226/2021.
Amendment 99 #
2022/2026(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Underlines that women and girls with disabilities face multiple and intersectional discrimination in all areas of life, including socio-economic disadvantages, social isolation, violence, forced sterilisation and abortion, lack of access to community services, low-quality housing, institutionalisation, inadequate healthcare, and denial of the opportunity to contribute and engage actively in society;
Amendment 44 #
2022/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital T a (new)
Recital T a (new)
T a. whereas the Committee on Petitions should gradually shift towards broader policy directions at the EU level which do not necessarily entail concrete legislative action;
Amendment 46 #
2022/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Emphasises the fundamental role of the Committee on Petitions in protecting and promoting the rights of EU citizens and residents by ensuring that petitioners’ concerns and complaints are examined in a timely and, effective, appropriate and non- discriminatory manner and that they are resolved, wherever possible, through an open, democratic and transparent petitions process;
Amendment 65 #
2022/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls that petitions contribute considerably to the Commission’s role as guardian of the Treaties; stresses that more structured means of collaboration and reinforced cooperation between the Committee on Petitions and the Commission through timely and detailed answers from the Commission, which are based on thorough examination of the issues raised in petitions, are essential to ensure the successful treatment of petitions: points out that the impact of petitions on the initiation of infringement proceedings should be duly recognized; reiterates its call on the Commission for regular updates on developments in infringement proceedings and for access to relevant Commission documents on infringements and EU Pilot procedures which have been closed;
Amendment 69 #
2022/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Underlines that increased attention should be given to the adoption of a European legislative act that seals the recognition of LGTB rights;
Amendment 73 #
2022/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission to assess whether national authorities are taking the necessary measures to respond to citizens’ concerns as expressed in their petitions where cases of systemic failure in compliance with EU law occur, as well as to trigger infringement procedures where necessary;
Amendment 87 #
2022/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Points out that petitions related to the rights of national minorities remained on the agenda of the Committee on Petitions, especially in the areas of discriminatory practices concerning their right to education in their autochthonous mother tongue, linguistic or cultural rights, and other rights such as the right to property, as outlined in petitions concerning land confiscation and restitution cases in some Member States;
Amendment 90 #
2022/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Notes that environmental issues remained an area of serious concern for petitioners in 2021; regrets that environmental rules are not always correctly implemented in the Member States, as described in numerous petitions raising complaints about air pollution, the deterioration of natural ecosystems, nuclear safety and the alteration of biodiversity; points to the important work carried out by the Committee on Petitions to highlight the impact of mining activities on the environment, as demonstrated by the number of petitions received on this topic; draws attention to the public hearing of 2 December 2021 on the environmental and social impacts of mining activity in the EU, held by the Committee on Petitions in association with the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety, in order to acquire scientific knowledge on various aspects including mining legislation, safety standards, the social and environmental impacts of mines, environmental citizenship, public participation and transparency in the mining sector; insists that Member States should always prioritize the implementation of the precautionary and do no harm principles when considering the authorisation of projects that have an impact on the environment;
Amendment 93 #
2022/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Draws attention to the joint hearing of the Committee on Petitions and the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety of 25 February 2021 on plastics and waste management in the circular economy, which focused on the implementation of the current legislative framework on plastic waste, addressing the main challenges encountered by the Member States as well as highlighting the opportunities that the legal framework provides with a view to reducing the impact of plastic in the environment across Europe; calls on the Commission to trigger the appropriate legislative initiatives to strongly limit the production of consumer goods with plastics;
Amendment 94 #
2022/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Stresses the importance of delivering on EU citizens’ expectations regarding the protection of the environment, and in particular of taking action in the field of water policy to reduce pollution and hazardous residues of chemical substances; points, in this regard, to the resolution of 23 March 2021 on chemical residues in the Baltic Sea, based on Petitions Nos 1328/2019 and 0406/2020 (2021/2567(RSP))8 ; welcomes, in this regard, the legislative proposal for a new Directive on environmental criminality and insists on the need to establish the crime of ecocide for unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by those acts; _________________ 8 Adopted by Parliament as a resolution on 27 April 2021. OJ C 506, 15.12.2021, p. 9.
Amendment 96 #
2022/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Urges the Commission, together with the Member States, to ensure the correct implementation of EU legislation in the environmental field; calls on the Commission, in this regard, to propose a revision of the Directive 2004/35/EC on environmental liability that harmonizes the actions of the competent authorities of the Member States in relation to inspection activities, the initiation and development of sanctioning procedures, the specification in the criteria for assessing environmental damage, the mechanisms for attributing environmental damage or situations of imminent danger to the environment, as well as the prevention of insolvency situations through the implementation of a harmonized framework to guarantee the solvency of companies in the event of a sanction that reinforces the preventive function of said Directive;
Amendment 100 #
2022/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Recalls that increased attention should be given to multilingualism in the EU, including regional or minority languages; encourages in this sense the EU institutions to make use of as many official languages as possible, as well as regional or minority languages -especially those with official status in the territory of a Member State- where appropriate; underlines that the EU language policy should take into account that more than 40 million EU citizens speak regional or minority languages;
Amendment 107 #
2022/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Stresses that the ECI is an important instrument for active citizenship and public participation; welcomes the discussion in several meetings as petitions of some unsuccessful ECIs, which gave citizens the opportunity to expose their ideas and hold a constructive debate, as well as facilitating the participation of EU citizens in the democratic process of the Union; takes note of the significant number of new ECIs registered by the Commission in 2021, which shows that citizens are seizing the opportunity to use participatory instruments to have a say in policy and law-making processes; calls on the Commission to better engage with citizens and give adequate follow-up to successful ECIs; considers that the Commission should always accept the initiation of legislative procedures proposed by successful ECIs and that at least it should better justify the cases in which it rejects the initiation of such legislative procedures;
Amendment 112 #
2022/2024(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Underlines that the Petitions Web Portal is an essential tool for ensuring a smooth, efficient and transparent petitions process; welcomes, in this regard, the improvements to data protection and security features which have made the portal more user-friendly and secure for citizens; stresses that efforts must be continued to make the portal more accessible and known to citizens, including to persons with disabilities;
Amendment 3 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
— having regard to the 2019 UN Global Sustainable Development Report,
Amendment 7 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2
Citation 2
— having regard to the United Nations Framework Conventions on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and on Biological Diversity (UNCBD),
Amendment 36 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 a (new)
Citation 16 a (new)
— having regard to its resolution of 14 March 2019 on the Annual strategic report on the implementation and delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals,
Amendment 37 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16 b (new)
Citation 16 b (new)
— having regard to its Resolution of 6 July 2017 on EU action for sustainability,
Amendment 53 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the UN Global Sustainable report issued in 2019 warned that no country is on track to achieve all of the SDGs, and that negative trends – notably, rising inequalities, climate change, biodiversity loss and increasing waste production – could irreversibly compromise human life conditions; whereas the disruptions brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russian aggression against Ukraine are worsening the lack of progress towards the achievement of the SDGs;
Amendment 60 #
2022/2002(INI)
B. whereas the impact of the COVID- 19 pandemic is not yet fully known, but has already led to a significant degree of SDG backsliding; whereas, according to the One Health approach, there is evidence that human health depends on planetary health and that a healthy environment is a fundamental pillar for sustainable development;
Amendment 72 #
2022/2002(INI)
Ba. whereas the capacity to retrieve data to fill in the SDG indicators is limited in several developing countries, which can seriously hinder the assessment of progress;
Amendment 77 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B b (new)
Recital B b (new)
Bb. whereas halfway through the agenda of achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, Europe is on track to meet only 26, or 15 per cent, of the 169 targets, according the UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE);
Amendment 81 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B c (new)
Recital B c (new)
Bc. whereas rising inequalities, climate change, biodiversity loss and increasing waste production are items addressed by the SDGs; whereas all of them are compromising human life conditions;
Amendment 149 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the commitment by the President of the Commission to pursue a ‘whole-of-government’ approach towards the EU’s SDG implementation and to mainstream the SDGs across each Commissioner’s portfolio; asserts, however, that such an approach can only be effective with leadership at the highest level and with a concrete plan to ensure coherent action across the Commission towards the implementation of the SDGs;
Amendment 158 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Reiterates that to achieve the SDGs, the 2030 Agenda requires a strong level of societal legitimacy and a genuine political reset; emphasises the immense value of civil society organisations in this regard; deeply regrets that the mandate of the multi-stakeholder platform was not renewed in 2019 and calls for its urgent reinstatement or the set up of a new mechanism for a structured engagement with civil society and scientists on SDG policies and monitoring;
Amendment 170 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Regrets the fact that efforts to mainstream the SDGs across EU policies have not matured beyond a mapping exercise and previous European Parliament resolutions as well as Council conclusions on the SDGs have not been implemented by the Commission; recalls that many EU internal policies not only contribute to the implementation of the SDGs, but also have a very high ecological, social and economic spillover impact on developing countries, vulnerable groups and populations including poor people, women and migrants; calls for sustainable development to be prioritised at every stage of the policy development process, and for all dimensions of sustainable development to be systematically considered in all impact assessments; recalls for enhancing the dialogue between the Council and the Commission with the shared goal of further advancing SDG implementation;
Amendment 182 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Is highly concerned that the key provisions of policy coherence for development are acutely lacking in the landmark ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package7 , the Common Agricultural Policy, the Common Fisheries Policy, the Common Commercial Policy and the Commission’s work in general; _________________ 7 COM(2021)0550.
Amendment 200 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Is of the view that the adoption of the new comprehensive implementation strategy should be preceded by a broad public participatory consultation process, including regional and local governments and all relevant civil society organizations;
Amendment 213 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Asserts that identifying the EU’s added value in SDG implementation can only be achieved through filling existing data gaps to better understand the EU’s true impact on SDG progress in the EU and globally; stresses, in this regard, the importance of providing technical assistance to enhance the capacity of partner countries to collect data needed to fill in the SDG indicators, given that the reporting of the EU on the impact of its projects depends on the actual data provided by partner countries;
Amendment 218 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. C9. Points out that, according to the European and Social Economic Committee, the Eurostat report on SDGs only focuses on short-term trends rather than on the actual time period of the 2030 targets and therefore lacks an evaluation of the rate of progress actually needed; calls for an annual review of the Eurostat SDG indicator set with the systematic participation of regional and local governments and civil society organisations, in line with the 2021 review; emphasises that sustainable development is inherently trans-national; welcomes the work that Eurostat has initiated to this end and the first attempt to partially quantify such spillover effects, but stresses that this methodology needs to be further developed to sufficiently account for the EU’s global footprint8 ; _________________ 8 Eurostat, European Commission, 'EU SDG Indicator set 2021 – Result of the review in preparation of the 2021 edition of the EU SDG monitoring report', 2021.
Amendment 228 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. SNotes that reliable, accurate, trustworthy statistics are not only the basis of good technical analysis but are the foundation of evidence-based policymaking at all levels; stresses that a minimum level of data and statistical disaggregation in relation to the SDGs in the EU should be established, covering, where appropriate, geographic location, sex, incomesexual orientation, income, educational level, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability and other characteristics;
Amendment 238 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recalls that voluntary national reviews are the key accountability tool in the 2030 Agenda; welcomes that 247 voluntary national reviews were submitted between 2016 and 2021; regrets, however, that the content and structure of voluntary national reviews differ notably from one country to another; calls for the EU to present an annual EU voluntary review at each High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) and to push for further standardisation of national voluntary reviews;
Amendment 240 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Recalls that voluntary national reviews, ares the key accountability tool in the 2030 Agenda, should cover internal priorities, diplomacy, and international actions to restore and protect the Global Commons and address international spillovers of EU internal policies; calls for the EU to present an annual EU voluntary review at each High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF);
Amendment 249 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Recalls that SDG implementation represents a shared responsibility, requiring action at the national, regional and local levels; recognises the importance of voluntary local reviews and voluntary subnational reviews for the implementation of the SDGs; calls on the Commission to present an inclusive EU voluntary regional review ahead of the 2023 SDG Summit, and every four years thereafter;
Amendment 276 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. WUnderlines the importance of measuring the EU contribution to the SDGs in a precise and comprehensive manner, given that this is an essential condition for achieving Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development; welcomes the Commission’s efforts to track EU budget expenditure on climate, biodiversity, clean air, migration and gender equality10 ; regrets, however, that no progress has been made to track SGDs- related expenditure in its entirety; _________________ 10 Policy Department for Budgetary Affairs, Directorate-General for Internal Policies, for the Committee on Budgetary Control, 'Budgetary control of the Sustainable Development Goals in the EU budget – What measures are in place to ensure effective implementation?', 2021.
Amendment 280 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Recalls that all impacts of European policies and expenditure affecting the SDG implementation must be taken into account;
Amendment 287 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Welcomes efforts made to integrate the SDGs into the European Semester; urges Member States to raise the level of ambition of their national responses to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda;
Amendment 307 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Underlines that the EU should lead multilateral Green Deal and SDG Diplomacy and take the lead in mobilizing adequate financial resources from developed countries to support SDG transformations and urgent needs for climate adaptation in the most vulnerable countries;
Amendment 331 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Insists that a global political reset and intensified multilateral cooperation will be necessary in order for the EU and its partners to make meaningful progress in the coming eight years; calls for action- oriented commitments towards achieving the SDGs by the 2023 SDG Summit, which will mark the mid-point of the 2030 Agenda’s implementation period; recalls that, as the world’s most successful integration project with a track record of successfully championing multilateralism and as a global standard-setter, the EU is uniquely placed to accelerate progress on SDG 17 (partnerships for the goals); calls, therefore, on the EU to assume a leadership role at the 2022 HLPF and the 2023 SDG Summit and beyond in defining this political reset;
Amendment 355 #
2022/2002(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Calls on the EU to present its first official EU voluntary review and voluntary regional review at the 2023 SDG Summit and lay the groundwork for this by presenting an initial review of the five priority SDGs at the upcoming 2022 HLPF, namely, SDGs 4 (quality education), 5 (gender equality), 14 (life below water), 15 (life on land), and 17 (partnerships for the goals); underlines that the EU voluntary review should be preceded by an extensive consultation process including all relevant civil society organizations and by an outline how multiple stakeholders can be involved to address crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, with a focus on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda;
Amendment 242 #
2022/0347(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) The average exposure of the population to the pollutants with the highest documented impact on human health, fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2), should be reduced based on WHO recommendations. To this end, an average exposure reduction obligation should be introduced for these pollutants, in addition to limit values. This obligation should be implemented at both national and regional levels in order to support the nation-wide attainment of the average exposure reduction obligation.
Amendment 317 #
2022/0347(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. This Directive also sets target values, average exposure concentration objectives, critical levels, information thresholds, alert thresholds and long-term objectives.
Amendment 318 #
2022/0347(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
3. Furthermore, this Directive contributes to achieving: (a) the Union’s pollution-reduction, biodiversity and ecosystem objectives in accordance with the 8th Environment Action Programme, as set out in Decision (EU) 2022/591 of the European Parliament and of the Council;55. (b) enhanced synergies between the Union's air quality policy and other relevant Union policies, in particular climate, transport and energy policies. _________________ 55 Decision (EU) 2022/591 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 April 2022 on a General Union Environment Action Programme to 2030 (OJ L 114, 12.4.2022, p. 22).
Amendment 324 #
2022/0347(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. The relevant EU institutions and the Member States shall implement the necessary measures at Union and national level, respectively, to enable the achievement of the objective for air quality set out in paragraph 1 throughout the Union.
Amendment 368 #
2022/0347(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3 – point d a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 3 – point d a (new)
(d a) enhanced synergies between the Union's air quality policy and other relevant Union policies, in particular climate, transport and energy policies, and progress made in implementing the corresponding Union legislation.
Amendment 524 #
2022/0347(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Where, in a given zone , conformity with the limit values for particulate matter (PM10 and PM2.5) or nitrogen dioxide cannot be achieved by the deadline specified in Table 1 of Section 1 of Annex I, because of site-specific dispersion characteristics, orographic boundary conditions, adverse climatic conditions or transboundary contributions, or due to the complex characteristics and the relevance of its secondary formation in the atmosphere which complicate the task of assessing the feasibility of complying with strict limit values, a Member State may postpone - that deadline once by a maximum of 5 years for that particular zone , if the following conditions are met:
Amendment 903 #
2022/0347(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex VIII – Part A – point 6 – point b
Annex VIII – Part A – point 6 – point b
(b) quantification of emission reduction (in tonnes/year) of each measure or group of measures under point (a);
Amendment 907 #
2022/0347(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex VIII – Part A – point 6 – point d
Annex VIII – Part A – point 6 – point d
(d) estimate of the concentration reduction as a consequence of each relevant air quality measure or group of relevant interrelated measures, in relation to the exceedance concerned;
Amendment 33 #
2022/0298(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) Under the One Health principle, more ambitious arrangements are needed to protect the environment and people of the threats caused by asbestos exposure at any level, and legal procedures must be developed to properly consider these threats beyond the occupational and para- occupational exposure, taking especially into account the passive environmental and household exposure in the EU and abroad, thus banning the exportation of asbestos to third countries.
Amendment 67 #
2022/0298(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) The decades that usually separate exposure to asbestos from the development of associated diseases make it particularly difficult to establish, for patients suffering from these diseases, a causal link between exposure to asbestos fibres and the associated disease. In addition to strengthening preventive measures, this fact means that Member States must facilitate harmonized procedures for recognising workplace diseases by reversing the burden of proof of the causal link between exposure and the disease and to provide adequate compensation for workers suffering from asbestos-related diseases. In this regard the legal framework on compensation measures must be unified at the EU level.
Amendment 72 #
2022/0298(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 b (new)
Recital 15 b (new)
(15b) In order to achieve a uniform level of protection within the Union covering non-occupational exposure to asbestos, it is essential to support research into the risks associated with environmental asbestos exposure pathways, in particular around industrial sites and construction sites containing asbestos. The European Environment Agency should also conduct further research on the presence of asbestos in rivers and their surrounding tributaries, in seas and coastal waters and its effects on vegetation and wildlife, such as the one conducted by the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Amendment 113 #
2022/0298(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7 a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7 a (new)
Directive 2009/148/EC
Article 20 a (new)
Article 20 a (new)
(7a) The following article is inserted: "Article 20a Member States are obliged to ensure effective access to public health care, including prevention and treatment, for all adverse health effects, for all asbestos victims, whether occupational or para- occupational."
Amendment 139 #
2022/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) Any person, whether it is a natural or legal person, or any association not having legal personality, should be allowed to submit information to the competent authorities when it considers that products made with forced labour are placed and made available on the Union market and to be informed of the outcome of the assessment of their submission. Complaints may be lodged anonymously and confidentiality shall be automatic, unless otherwise specified by the complainant. The stakeholders should be informed of the outcome of the assessment of their complaints, as well as the decisions made by competent authorities.
Amendment 156 #
2022/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 44
Recital 44
(44) To ensure effective enforcement of the prohibition, it is necessary to establish a network aimed at structured coordination and cooperation between the competent authorities of the Member States and, where appropriate, experts from customs authorities, and the Commission, civil society representatives and human rights defenders. That network should also aim at streamlining the practices of the competent authorities within the Union that facilitate the implementation of joint enforcement activities by Member States, including joint investigations. That administrative support structure should allow the pooling of resources and maintain a communication and information system between Member States and the Commission, thereby helping to strengthen the enforcement of the prohibition.
Amendment 167 #
2022/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) ‘due diligence in relation to forced labour’ means the effortobligations by economic operator to implement mandatory requirements, voluntary guidelines, recommendations or practices to identify, prevent, mitigate or bring to an end the use of forced labour with respect to products that are to be made available on the Union market or to be exported;
Amendment 170 #
2022/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(c a) ‘bring to an end the use of forced labour’ means effective measures to address root causes of forced labour affecting specific supplier that supplies the economic operator that places or makes available in EU market; bringing to an end the use of forced labour shall not mean disengagement as first resort;
Amendment 175 #
2022/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point c b (new)
(c b) ‘root causes of forced labour’ means the multi-faceted fundamental reasons for the occurrence of forced labour; this shall particularly look into exploitation, poverty, migration, prices below cost of production, lack of living incomes and living wages and unfair purchasing practices;
Amendment 184 #
2022/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point m a (new)
(m a) 'vulnerable stakeholders’ means individuals and right-holders groups finding themselves in marginalised situations and situations of vulnerability, due to specific contexts or intersecting factors, including among others their sex, gender, age, race, ethnicity, class, indigenous identity, migration status, disability, as well as social and economic status, which are the causes of differentiated and often disproportionate adverse impacts, and creates discrimination and additional barriers to participation and access to justice;
Amendment 198 #
2022/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. Before initiating an investigation in accordance with Article 5(1), the competent authority shall request from the economic operators under assessment information on actions taken to identify, prevent, mitigate orand bring to an end risks of forced labour in their operations and value chains with respect to the products under assessment, including on the basis of any of the following:
Amendment 200 #
2022/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 6
Article 4 – paragraph 6
6. The competent authority shall duly take into account where the economic operator demonstrates that it carries out due diligence on the basis of identified forced labour impact in its supply chain, adopts and carries out measures suitable and effective for remediating and bringing to an end forced labour in a short period of time.
Amendment 222 #
2022/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4 – point c a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 4 – point c a (new)
(c a) measures that economic operator must implement as to effectively address root causes of forced labour present on its value chain. This shall include engagement with their suppliers throughout the value chain and identify and address root causes leading to use of forced labour in the investigated product.
Amendment 226 #
2022/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 6
Article 6 – paragraph 6
6. Where economic operators provide evidence to the competent authorities that they have complied with the decision referred to in paragraph 4, and that they provide proof of effective remediation for workers victims of forced labour and have eliminated forced labour from their operations or supply chain with respect to the products concerned by addressing the root causes of forced labour found on its supply chain, the competent authorities shall withdraw their decision for the future and inform the economic operators.
Amendment 231 #
2022/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
(a a) measures that economic operator must implement as to effectively address root causes of forced labour present on its value chain. This shall include engagement with their suppliers throughout the value chain and identify and address root causes leading to use of forced labour in the investigated product;
Amendment 253 #
2022/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall call upon external expertise to provide an indicative, non-exhaustive, verifiable and regularly updated database of forced labour risks in specific geographic areas or with respect to specific products including with regard to forced labour imposed by state authorities. The database shall be based on the guidelines referred to in Article 23, points (a), (b) and (c), and relevant external sources of information from, amongst others, civil society, international organisations and third country authorities.
Amendment 255 #
2022/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. The Commission shall ensure that the database is made publicly available by the external expertise at the latest 24 months after the entry into force of this Regulation. The database shall be transparent and accessible to all.
Amendment 274 #
2022/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2
Article 24 – paragraph 2
2. The Network shall be composed of representatives from each Member States’ competent authority, representatives from the Commission and, where appropriate, experts from the customs authorities, civil society representatives and human rights defenders.
Amendment 286 #
2022/0269(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 3 – point f
Article 24 – paragraph 3 – point f
(f) to promote the cooperation and exchange of expertise and best practices between competent authorities and, customs authorities civil society organisations and human rights defenders;
Amendment 1 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes with deep concern that the brutal Russian aggression against Ukraine and its worldwide effects, including rising food and energy prices, have dramatically increased humanitarian assistance needs, which were already under pressure because of funding gaps and the multiplication of crises in the world; underlines that the numerous and consistent top-ups of the Union’s annual humanitarian budget over the past years have proven the initially allocated funding not to be sufficient to cover the humanitarian needs for the entire year; recalls that as of mid- July 2022, 95 % of the Union’s humanitarian resources had already been committed; insists that humanitarian aid is life-saving, with many millions of lives dependent on the Union’s assistance; calls to significantly increase humanitarian aid by at least EUR 900 million to address the unprecedented gap between needs and available resources, which currently stands at $36.9 billion – the highest ever1 ; calls on the Member States to live up to the commitment to dedicate 0,7 % of their gross national income (GNI) to development and aid; _________________ 1 OCHA Global Humanitarian Overview 2022, Mid-Year Update, https://reliefweb.int/report/world/global- humanitarian-overview-2022-mid-year- update-snapshot-21-june-2022.
Amendment 2 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Reminds that to meet the additional needs caused by the war in Ukraine, resources should not be diverted from other geographic regions or thematic priorities; calls for an increase of EUR 20 million in commitments for each of the following geographic programmes: West Africa as well as East and Central Africa, to help implement anticipatory and medium to long-term locally led climate adaptation actions to increase the resilience of small-scale local food production and compensate for climate-change induced loss and damage; asks for additional resources to be allocated to the Southern Neighbourhood in order to support peace and stability through political, economic and social reforms as well as gender equality in the relevant countries; underlines the importance of continued support for allies, among other in the Rojava region, in the fight against terrorism;
Amendment 3 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is extremely alarmed by the deepening food insecurity, with up to 345 million people across 82 countries estimated to be acutely food insecure in 20222 ; calls for additional funding for the “Prosperity” thematic programme of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI-Global Europe) to help partner countries develop resilient sustainable agri-food systems and reduce their dependence on food imports20222; points out that the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations expects that the consequences of the war in Ukraine will raise the number of undernourished people by 7.6 to 13.1 million in 2022 and 2023, in addition to the 811 million people who were already facing chronic hunger in 2020; calls for additional funding for the “Prosperity” thematic programme of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI-Global Europe) to help partner countries develop resilient sustainable agri-food systems, enhance local food production including agroecological practices, promote small- scale producers and local communities, invest in interventions for food security to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and reduce partner countries’ dependence on food imports; calls on the Union to increase its contribution to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and to encourage other international partners to fairly contribute as well, as WFP suffers from an EUR 8 billion shortfall; _________________ 2 WFP Global Operational Response Plan 2022, June Update, https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP- 0000140306/download/?_ga=2.9396989.99 022134.1657279887- 893066287.1657279887.
Amendment 4 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Stresses the need to ensure that funds from the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve (SEAR) be mobilised for humanitarian crises outside the EU throughout the whole financial year; underlines the need to ensure predictability of humanitarian aid by guaranteeing appropriate level of commitment appropriations;
Amendment 4 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls to increase thematic programmes of the NDICI-Global Europe and to focus on human development investments, in particular through the “People” thematic programme, to address growing inequalities; as required by the 20 % budgetary target set in Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council1a, and in particular through the “People” thematic programme, to address growing inequalities and support women’s, girls’ and children’s rights and needs, including preventing their exposure to gender-based violence, and their participation in building peace; underlines that that programme should also focus on education and social protection with a gender-responsive approach; reiterates the importance of cultural heritage and encourages the Union and its Member States to facilitate dialogue and share best practices on the protection, conservation and restoration of cultural heritage in the framework of that instrument, in particular of indigenous peoples and local communities, and support agreements for the return of cultural property to its country of origin; _________________ 1a Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 June 2021 establishing the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe, amending and repealing Decision No 466/2014/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council and repealing Regulation (EU) 2017/1601 of the European Parliament and of the Council and Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 480/2009 (OJ L 209, 14.6.2021, p. 1).
Amendment 5 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the need to support partner countries to buy and eventually produce vaccines and treatments, as well as to develop more robust health systems and close access gaps to essential health servic against COVID-19 and other serious endemic diseases, such as AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and to increase support for global programmes and initiatives, as well as to develop more robust health systems and close access gaps to essential health services, including sexual and reproductive health and care; points out that 52 countries are unlikely to achieve pre-COVID government health spending over the next 5 years; underlines that development aid should primarily be dedicated to deliver “horizontal” universal health care system coverage through a holistic and rights-based approach, which entails i.a. addressing fully the multidimensional nature of health (with close links to gender, food security and nutrition, water and sanitation, education and poverty); stresses that universal public health coverage must be associated with the expansion of the coverage of social health protection mechanisms during and beyond crises;
Amendment 6 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out the need to finance climate change adaptation and mitigation measures as well as actions for the protection of biodiversity in partner countries through the “Planet” thematic programme, which should receive adequate funding in view of making a decisive contribution to the goal of dedicating USD 100 billion yearly to climate change adaptation in developing countries, as agreed in the COP 2009 in Copenhagen; calls for an increase in appropriations for the protection of biodiversity under NDICI-Global Europe given the fact that reaching the 2026 and 2027 multiannual financial framework (MFF) biodiversity targets remains insufficient; underlines that the effects of climate change are intersectional and affect vulnerable groups the most, which must be accounted for when designing interventions; points out the need to coherently address the targeted promotion of renewable energy partnerships and expansion, including renewable hydrogen, while respecting energy sovereignty and natural resources of partner countries and the prioritisation of their energy needs;
Amendment 7 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Reminds that to meet the additional needs caused by the Ukraine war, resources should not be diverted from other geographic regions or thematic priorities;
Amendment 7 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Reiterates the need to increase support for civil society organisations and human rights defenders who are facing growing legal and administrative harassment and criminalisation and to ensure adequate support to sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality and the empowerment of women, girls, LGBTIQ+ people, human right defenders, minorities and other marginalised populations; calls on the Union to act and pursue an intersectional development policy that empowers women, including the full implementation of the EU Gender Action Plan III;
Amendment 8 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is extremely alarmed by the deepening food insecurity, with up to 345 million people across 82 countries estimated to be acutely food insecure in 20222 ; points out that FAO expects that the consequences of the Ukraine war will raise the number of undernourished people by 7.6 to 13.1 million in 2022 and 2023, in addition to the 811 million people who were already facing chronic hunger in 2020; calls for additional funding for the “Prosperity” thematic programme of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI-Global Europe) to help partner countries develop resilient sustainable agri-food systems and reduce their dependence on food imports; calls on the EU to increase its contribution to the UN World Food Programme, which suffers from a €8bn shortfall; _________________ 2 WFP Global Operational Response Plan 2022, June Update, https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP- 0000140306/download/?_ga=2.9396989.99 022134.1657279887- 893066287.1657279887.
Amendment 8 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is alarmed that there is no margin under Heading 6 in draft budget 2023, which underscores that the multiannual financial framework does not provide sufficient means for Union’s external action and needs to be revised.; urges the Member States to agree to a significant increase in Heading 6 to an extent that is ambitious enough to address the current challenges of the Union's external action; calls for an urgent comprehensive revision of the MFF to increase overall ceilings under Heading 6 and to improve the functioning of the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve (SEAR); insists that the SEAR cushion (amounting to 25 % of the instrument) be allocated strictly on a needs basis and notes with concern the uneven mobilisation of the SEAR; calls for particular attention to be paid to third countries’ needs to ensure that funds from the SEAR be mobilised for humanitarian crises outside the Union; underlines the need to ensure predictability of humanitarian aid by guaranteeing appropriate level of commitment appropriations;
Amendment 9 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Is deeply concerned with the stalling implementation of the SDGs and the estimated annual SDG financing gap of USD 3.7 trillion; reiterates its call to urgently come up with a designated plan to finance the SDGs, including clearly defined quantifiable targets allowing for the monitoring of SDG-related spending under the Union budget and calls to enhance financial support by the Union and its international partners to multilateral systems and international partner organisations in order to ensure contributions are made in core resources;
Amendment 12 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Is deeply concerned with the stalling implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and the estimated annual SDG financing gap of USD 3.7 trillion; reiterates its call to urgently come up with a designated plan to finance the SDGs, including clearly defined quantifiable targets allowing for the monitoring of SDG-related spending under the EU budget;
Amendment 14 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls to increase thematic programs of the NDICI-Global Europe and to focus on human development investments, in particular through the “People” thematic programme, to address growing inequalities and support women’s and girls’ rights;
Amendment 17 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the need to support partner countries to buy and eventually produce vaccines and treatments against Covid-19 and other serious endemic diseases, such as AIDS, as well as to develop more robust health systems and close access gaps to essential health services, including sexual and reproductive health and care, which experience disproportionate pressure due to the fallout of COVID-19; points out that 52 countries are unlikely to achieve pre-COVID government health spending over the next 5 years;
Amendment 20 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Points out the need to finance climate change adaptation and mitigation measures in partner countries through the “Planet” thematic programme, which should receive adequate funding in view of making a decisive contribution to the goal of dedicating 100 billion dollars yearly to climate change adaptation in developing countries, as agreed in the COP 2009 in Copenhagen; reminds that the EU has a great responsibility in this matter, since European countries have been among those that have contributed the most to carbon emissions in recent decades;
Amendment 25 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Reiterates the need to increase support for Civil Society Organizations and human rights defenders, whose protection and empowerment strikes at the heart of SDG 16 to promote peaceful and inclusive societies and who are facing growing legal and administrative harassment and criminalization;
Amendment 36 #
2022/0212(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is alarmed that there is no margin under Heading 6 in draft budget 2023, which underscores that the multiannual financial framework does not provide sufficient means for Union’s external action and needs to be revised to an extent that is ambitious enough to address the current challenges of the EU external action.
Amendment 19 #
2022/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The European Parliament resolution of 12 February 2019 on the implementation of Directive 2009/128/EC on the sustainable use of pesticides41noted that the Union must act without delay to transition to a more sustainable use of pesticides and called on the Commission to propose an ambitious Union-wide binding target for the reduction of pesticide use by ensuring that chemicals banned in the EU are not produced or exported. The European Parliament re-affirmed its call for binding reduction targets in its resolution of 20 October 2021 on a Farm to Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy and environmentally- friendly food system42and the need to promote an agricultural model that does not depend on synthetic pesticides and does not put at risk our health and that of our environment. . _________________ 41 P8_TA(2019)0082, 12 February 2019. 42 P9_TA(2021)0425, 20 October 2021.
Amendment 22 #
2022/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3 a) The Commission and the Member States shall move away from promoting the pesticide-intensive monoculture model and support more sustainable, nature- friendly and people-centered approaches to agriculture and should also introduce an immediate ban on imports of products with residues of chemicals that are forbidden in the EU itself.
Amendment 23 #
2022/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 b (new)
Recital 3 b (new)
(3 b) The increase in pesticide use has a toxic legacy, damaging biodiversity and exacerbating the already serious impacts on local communities.
Amendment 25 #
2022/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4 a) The EU has a major role to play in supporting low- and middle-income countries in the transition from intensive agriculture to more sustainable, agroecological practices and tackle the damaging impacts of pesticides on biodiversity and local communities;
Amendment 26 #
2022/0196(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 b (new)
Recital 4 b (new)
(4 b) However, in the absence of an EU- wide ban, multinational pesticide companies can adapt to national bans by shifting their export trade to subsidiaries in other Member States.
Amendment 44 #
2022/0196(COD)
This Regulation lays down rules for the sustainable use of plant protection products with the aim to reduce the risks and impacts of pesticide use on human health and the environment and promote the use of integrated pest management and of alternative approaches or techniques such as nonchemical alternatives to pesticides by providing for the setting, and achievement by 2030, of reduction targets for the use and risk of chemical plant protection products, establishing requirements for use, storage, sale and disposal of plant protection products and for application equipment, providing for training and awareness raising, and providing for implementation of integrated pest management.
Amendment 197 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) It isBiodiversity and nature sustain life on Earth and deliver numerous essential ecosystem services, apart from being intrinsically valuable. They are essential for our long-term survival, wellbeing, prosperity and security. Healthy ecosystems provide food, clean water, carbon sinks and protection against increasing natural disaster risks caused by climate change. Importantly, ecosystems also play a significant role in preventing the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases. Nature and biodiversity are also treasured for recreational, spiritual and aesthetic values, forming an important part of our cultural heritage. As a result, the current biodiversity loss and degradation of nature can have fundamental consequences for our society, economy and human health and well-being. Despite existing efforts and voluntary commitments, Europe continues to lose biodiversity at an alarming rate. Many previously agreed policy targets have not and will not be achieved. The Union has so far failed to halt the loss of biodiversity, and it did not meet the voluntary target to restore at least 15% of degraded ecosystems by 2020 in line with Aichi Target 15 of the Convention on Biological Diversity. It is therefore necessary to lay down rules at Union level on the restoration of ecosystems, habitat types and species to ensure the recovery to biodiverse and resilient nature across the Union territory and sea. Restoring ecosystems also contributes to the Union climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation objectives.
Amendment 350 #
2022/0195(COD)
(43) Urban ecosystems represent around 22 % of the land surface of the Union, and constitute the area in which a majority of the citizens of the Union live. Urban green spaces include urban forests, parks and gardens, urban farms, tree-lined streets, urban meadows and urban hedges, and provide important habitats for biodiversity, in particular plants, birds and insects, including pollinators. They also provide vital ecosystem services, including natural disaster risk reduction and control (e.g. floods, heat island effects), cooling, recreationsuch as provisioning services (e.g. the provision of food, fibre and fuel by way of gardens, allotments and community orchards and woodlands), regulating services (e.g. natural disaster risk reduction and control, climate change mitigation and adaptation, cooling, water and air filtration, as well as climate change mitigation and adaptationnd flood prevention), cultural services (e.g. benefits for recreation, tourism, urban landscape and visual amenity) and resulting positive impacts on physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Amendment 372 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 45
Recital 45
(45) The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 requires greater efforts to restore freshwater ecosystems and the natural functions of rivers and natural water bodies. The restoration of freshwater ecosystems should include efforts to restore the natural longitudinal and lateral connectivity of rivers as well as their riparian areas and floodplains, including through the removal of barriers with a view to supporting the achievement of favourable conservation status for rivers, lakes and alluvial habitats and species living in those habitats protected by Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC, and the achievement of one of the key objectives of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, namely, the restoration of at least 25 000 km of free-flowing rivers. When removing barriers, Member States should primarily address obsolete barriers, which are those that are no longer needed for renewable energy generation, inland navigation, water supply or other uses.
Amendment 404 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 51
Recital 51
(51) Since farmland birds are well- known and widely recognised key indicators of the health of agricultural ecosystems, including grasslands, it is appropriate to set targets for their recovery. The obligation to achieve such targets would apply to Member States, not to individual farmers. Member States should achieve those targets by putting in place effective restoration measures on farmland, working with and supporting farmers, research and monitoring organizations and other stakeholders for their design and implementation on the ground.
Amendment 413 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 52
Recital 52
(52) High-diversity landscape features on agricultural land, including buffer strips, rotational or non-rotational fallow land, hedgerows, individual or groups of trees, tree rows, field margins, patches, ditches, streams, small wetlands, terraces, cairns, stonewalls, small ponds and cultural features, provide space for wild plants and animals, including pollinators, prevent soil erosion and depletion, filter air and water, support climate change mitigation and adaptation and agricultural productivity of pollination-dependent crops. Moreover, these features are usually havens for preys and suffer from hunting pressure and ammunition pollution, amongst other impacts. Productive trees that are part of arable land agroforestry systems and productive elements in non-productive hedges can also be considerd as high biodiversity landscape features provided that they do not receive fertilizers or pesticide treatment and if harvest takes place only at moments where it would not compromise high biodiversity levels. Therefore, a requirement to ensure an increasing trend for the shahigh-diversity landscape features ofn agricultural land with high-diversity landscape fshould be set out, and specific meatsures to restore them should be set outadopted. Such a requirement would enable the Union to achieve one of the other key commitments of the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030, namely, to cover at least 10 % of agricultural area with high-diversity landscape features. Increasing trends should also be achieved for other existing indicators, such as the grassland butterfly index and the stock of organic carbon in cropland mineral soils.
Amendment 433 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 56
Recital 56
(56) The new EU Forest Strategy for 203081 outlined the need to restore forest biodiversity. Forests and other wooded land cover over 43,5 % of the EU’s land space. Forest ecosystems that host rich biodiversity are vulnerable to climate change but are also a natural ally in adapting to and fighting climate change and climate-related risks, including through their carbon-stock and carbon-sink functions, and provide many other vital ecosystem services and benefits, such as the provision of timber and wood, food and other non-wood products, climate regulation, soil stabilisation and erosion control and the purification of air and water. Forests, and specially mature forests, have also proven positive effects on physical and mental health and well- being of people. _________________ 81 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. New EU Forest Strategy for 2030 (COM/2021/572 final).
Amendment 457 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 59
Recital 59
(59) To ensure synergies between the different measures that have been, and are to be put in place to protect, conserve and restore nature in the Union, Member States should take into account, when preparing their national restoration plans: the conservation measures established for Natura 2000 sites and the prioritised action frameworks prepared in accordance with Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC; measures for achieving good ecological and chemical status of water bodies included in river basin management plans prepared in accordance with Directive 2000/60/EC; marine strategies for achieving good environmental status for all Union marine regions prepared in accordance with Directive 2008/56/EC; national air pollution control programmes prepared under Directive (EU) 2016/2284; national and subnational biodiversity strategies and action plans developed in accordance with Article 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity, as well as conservation measures adopted in accordance with Regulation 1380/2013 and technical measures adopted in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council83 . _________________ 83 Regulation (EU) 2019/1241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 June 2019 on the conservation of fisheries resources and the protection of marine ecosystems through technical measures, amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1967/2006, (EC) No 1224/2009 and Regulations (EU) No 1380/2013, (EU) 2016/1139, (EU) 2018/973, (EU) 2019/472 and (EU) 2019/1022 of the European Parliament and of the Council, and repealing Council Regulations (EC) No 894/97, (EC) No 850/98, (EC) No 2549/2000, (EC) No 254/2002, (EC) No 812/2004 and (EC) No 2187/2005 (OJ L 198, 25.7.2019, p. 105).
Amendment 474 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 63
Recital 63
(63) The national restoration plans should also take into account the results of research and monitoring projects relevant for assessing the condition and the evolution of ecosystems, identifying and putting in place restoration measures, and monitoring purposes.
Amendment 484 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 66
Recital 66
(66) The Commission’s State of Nature Report from 2020 has shown that a substantial share of the information reported by Member States in accordance with Article 17 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC90 and Article 12 of Directive 2009/147/EC, in particular on the conservation status and trends of the habitats and species they protect, comes from partial surveys or is based only on expert judgment. That Report also showed that the status of several habitat types and species protected under Directive 92/43/EEC is still unknown. Filling in those knowledge gaps and investing in monitoring and surveillance are necessary in order to underpin robust and science- based national restoration plans. In order to increase the timeliness, effectiveness and coherence of various monitoring methods, the monitoring and surveillance should make best possible use of the results of Union-funded research and innovation projects, new technologies, such as in-situ monitoring and remote sensing using space data and services delivered under the Union’s Space programme (EGNOS/Galileo and Copernicus). If scientifically reliable, other publicly or privately available sources may be also used, where appropriate. The EU missions ‘Restore Our Ocean and Waters’, ‘Adaptation to Climate Change’, and ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’ will support the implementation of the restoration targets91 . _________________ 90 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7). 91 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on European Missions COM(2021) 609 final).
Amendment 494 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 69
Recital 69
(69) The Commission should report on the progress made by Member States towards meeting the restoration targets and obligations of this Regulation on the basis of Union-wide progress reports drawn up by the EEA as well as other analysis and reports made available by Member States or competent regional governments in relevant policy areas such as nature, marine and water policy.
Amendment 499 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 70
Recital 70
(70) To ensure the achievement of the targets and obligations set out in this Regulation, it is of utmost importance that adequate private and public investments are made in restoration, Member States should integrate expenditure for biodiversity objectives, including in relation to opportunity and transition costs resulting from the implementation of the national restoration plans, in their national budgets and reflect how Union funding is used. Regarding the Union funding, expenditure under the Union budget and Union financing programmes, such as the Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE)96 , the European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)97 , the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD)98 , the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the Cohesion Fund99 and the Just Transition Fund100 , as well as the Union framework programme for research and innovation, Horizon Europe101 , contributes to biodiversity objectives with the ambition to dedicate 7,5 % in 2024, and 10 % in 2026 and in 2027 of annual spending under the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework102 to biodiversity objectives. The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF)103 is a further source of funding for the protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems. With reference to the LIFE Programme, special attention should be given to the appropriate use of the Strategic Nature Projects (SNaPs) as a specific tool that could support the implementation of this Regulation, by way of mainstreaming available financial resources in an effective and efficient way. In relation to public and private investments, the use of innovative financing mechanisms for restoration should be promoted, as well as public-private partnerships. _________________ 100 Regulation (EU) 2021/1056 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 establishing the Just Transition Fund (OJ L 231 30.06.2021, p. 1). 101 Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1290/2013 and (EU) No 1291/2013(OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 1). 102 Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 of 17 December 2020 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027 (OJ L 433I , 22.12.2020, p. 11). 103 Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 February 2021 establishing the Recovery and Resilience Facility (OJ L 57, 18.2.2021, p. 17). 96 Regulation (EU) 2021/783 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 establishing a Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (LIFE), and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1293/2013 (OJ L 172, 17.5.2021, p. 53). 97 Regulation (EU) 2021/1139 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and amending Regulation (EU) 2017/1004 (OJ L 247, 13.7.2021, p. 1). 98 Regulation (EU) 2020/2220 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 December 2020 laying down certain transitional provisions for support from the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) and from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) in the years 2021 and 2022 and amending Regulations (EU) No 1305/2013, (EU) No 1306/2013 and (EU) No 1307/2013 as regards resources and application in the years 2021 and 2022 and Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 as regards resources and the distribution of such support in respect of the years 2021 and 2022 (OJ L 437, 28.12.2020, p. 1). 99 Regulation (EU) 2021/1058 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 on the European Regional Development Fund and on the Cohesion Fund (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 60).
Amendment 508 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 72
Recital 72
(72) Broad public and stakeholder support for and ownership of restoration measures are necessary conditions to ensure the successful implementation of this Regulation, as well as the engagement and assessment of local and regional governments. Member States should promote a fair and cross-society approach in the preparation and implementation of their national restoration plans, by including processes for participation of the public and by considering the needs of local communities and stakeholders.
Amendment 513 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 74
Recital 74
(74) In line with the commitment in the 8th Environment Action Programme to 2030107 , Member States, as well as local and regional governments, if competent, should phase out environmentally harmful subsidies at national and subnational level, and makinge the best use of market-based instruments and green budgeting and financing tools, including those required to ensure a socially fair transition, and supporting businesses and other stakeholders in developing and applying standardised natural capital accounting practices . _________________ 107 [Reference to be added when the 8th EAP has been published].
Amendment 523 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 76
Recital 76
(76) (76) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission in order to specify the method for monitoring pollinators, to specify the methods for monitoring the indicators for agricultural ecosystems listed in Annex IV to this Regulation and the indicators for forest ecosystems listed in Annex VI to this Regulation, to develop a framework for setting the satisfactory levels of pollinators, of indicators for agricultural ecosystems listed in Annex IV to this Regulation and of indicators for forest ecosystems listed in Annex VI to this Regulation, to set out a uniform format for the national restoration plans, to set out the format, structure and detailed arrangements for reporting data and information electronically to the Commissto set out a uniform format for the national restoration plans, to set out the format, structure and detailed arrangements for reporting data and information electronically to the Commission, to establish a method to provide Member States with a standardised format to identify and assess ecological barriers, and to specify the conduct and methods of the monitoring referred to in this Regulation. Those powers should be exercised in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and the Council 108 . _________________ 108 Regulation (EU) No 182/2011 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 February 2011 laying down the rules and general principles concerning mechanisms for control by the Member States of the Commission’s exercise of implementing powers (OJ L 55, 28.2.2011, p. 13).
Amendment 549 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) achieving the Union’s overarching objectives concerning biodiversity loss, climate change mitigation and climate change adaptation;
Amendment 680 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 15 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 15 a (new)
(15a) ‘restoration of the natural connectivity of rivers and natural functions of the related floodplains’ means: (i) the removal of artificial structures affecting the free-flowing character of water, sediment, nutrients, matter and organisms along river systems; (ii) the rehabilitation of hydrological, morphological and biological connectivity between wetlands, floodplains and their river channels; and (iii) the recovery of fluvial processes in general, which are necessary to support a healthy freshwater ecosystem. (iv) the protection of surface waters and upwellings connected to groundwater specially for temporary rivers and wetlands which are largely dependent from groundwater supply to cope with dry periods and scarce flow regimes
Amendment 777 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 5
Article 4 – paragraph 5
5. TWhen deciding on and implementing the restoration measures referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall consider the need for improved, Member States, and local and regional governments if competent, shall ensure improved connectivity between existing protected areas and the connectivity between the habitat types listed in Annex I and take into account the ecological requirements of the species referred to in paragraph 3 that occur in those habitat types. If necessary, appropriate and effective complementary measures shall be adopted.
Amendment 1003 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 5
Article 5 – paragraph 5
5. TWhen deciding on and implementing the restoration measures referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall consider the need for improved, Member States, and local and regional governments if competent, shall ensure improved connectivity between existing protected areas and the connectivity between the habitat types listed in Annex II and take into account the ecological requirements of the species referred to in paragraph 3 that occur in those habitat types. If necessary effective complementary measures shall be adopted.
Amendment 1246 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 2
2. Member States, and LAUs when competent, shall remove the barriers to longitudinal and late, lateral, vertical and temporal connectivity of surface waters identified under paragraph 1 of this Article, in accordance with the plan for their removal referred to in Article 12(2), point (fe). When removing barriers, Member Statesthey shall primarily address obsolete barriers, which are those that are no longer needed for renewable energy generation, inland navigation, water supply or other uses, and barriers whose removal has a high ecological impact, including impact on connectivity between marine and freshwater ecosystems and on migration corridors.
Amendment 1261 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
Article 7 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall complement the removal of the barriers referred to in paragraph 2 by the measures necessary to improve the natural functions of the related floodplains.and LAUs, if competent, shall map out small water units by 2030, with a view to identifying their restoration and recreation potential and assessing their contribution to improving connectivity between habitats. On the basis of the information collected and reported by Member States, the Commission shall assess the situation of small water units in the Union in order to set restoration targets for small water units, with the aim for Member States to implement restoration actions after 2030
Amendment 1335 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) gEU Grassland bButterfly index; Indicator1a _________________ 1a https://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and- maps/figures/european-grassland- butterfly-indicator
Amendment 1361 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(ca) farmland bird index (FBI)1a _________________ 1a https://agridata.ec.europa.eu/Qlik_Downl oads/InfoSheetEnvironmental/infoC35.ht ml
Amendment 1487 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Member States where there is a decreasing trend shall achieve an increasing trend at national level of each of the following indicators in forest ecosystems, as further set out in Annex VI, measured in the period from the date of entry into force of this Regulation until 31 December 2030, and every three years thereafter, until the satisfactory levels identified in accordance with Article 11(3) are reached. Stability rather than increasing trends shall be achieved in those Member States where the indicators show both stability or increased values:
Amendment 1546 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
(fa) presence of shrub or herbaceous substratum made up of diverse native species;
Amendment 1552 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point f b (new)
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point f b (new)
(fb) balanced presence of native ungulate species.
Amendment 1573 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 a (new)
Article 10 a (new)
Article 10 a Planting of three billion additional trees 1. When identifying and implementing the restoration measures to meet the objectives and obligations set out in Articles 4, 6 and 10, Member States shall contribute to the achievement of the Union objective of planting at least three billion additional trees by 2030. 2. Member States shall ensure that the objective set out in paragraph 1 is achieved in full respect of ecological principles, ensuring species diversity, respecting land morphology, prioritising native tree species and avoiding the use of non-native species and according to scientific assessment and monitoring, since forest management, status and trends shows great variability amongst Member States.
Amendment 1580 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 b (new)
Article 10 b (new)
Article 10 b Preservation of the effects of restoration measures 1. Member States shall ensure the continuous, long-term and sustained effects of the restoration measures referred to in Articles 4 to 10a, in accordance with Article 12(2), point (i), through effective means, including, when applicable, by the designation of protected areas, by the implementation of other effective area-based conservation measures, or by promoting private land conservation measures, taking into account the ecological requirements of the restored areas. 2. When restoration measures apply to primary and old-growth forests, Member States shall strictly protect them. This measure should also apply to forests showing relevant maturity features, so that they can evolve to old-growth forests .
Amendment 1711 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 7 – point f
Article 11 – paragraph 7 – point f
(f) national and subnational biodiversity strategies and action plans developed in accordance with Article 6 of the Convention on Biological Diversity;
Amendment 2288 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex VI – row 2Text proposed by the Commission
Annex VI – row 2Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment 2291 #
2022/0195(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex VI – row 3Text proposed by the Commission
Annex VI – row 3Text proposed by the Commission
Amendment 3 #
2022/0142M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Strongly supports the conclusion of the negotiations on the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) on forest law enforcement, government and trade (FLEGT) between the EU and Guyana, which will improve sustainable forest management and governance, reduce illegal logging, achieve SDGs and contribute to combating climate change and protecting biodiversity;
Amendment 11 #
2022/0142M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses that poor governance and corruption in the forestry sector accelerate illegal logging and forest degradation; acknowledges Guyana’s commitment to and political will for sound forest management; stresses the need to step up efforts to combat corruption, uphold the rule of law and to reinforce data collection to improve the implementation of the traceability system;
Amendment 21 #
2022/0142M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines the need to ensure full stakeholder involvement, notably of women and improve gender equity, notably of women, youth and marginalized groups and local and indigenous communities and civil society, throughout the implementation and monitoring phases of the FLEGT-VPA;
Amendment 24 #
2022/0142M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that the success of the entire FLEGT initiative depends on, among other things, guaranteeing effective protection for the land and full recognition of the customary rights of local communities and indigenous people, notably Amerindian communities, including the right to give or withhold their consent to any timber concession on their land, protecting environmental human right defenders and whistle- blowers, and improving the capacity of small and medium-sized enterprises to conduct their activities legally;
Amendment 175 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1 a) In line with the One Health and Health in All Policies principles, legally defined in Article 3 of the Regulation (EU) No 2022/2371 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 November 2022 on serious cross-border threats to health and repealing Decision No 1082/2013/EU, the protection of human health is a matter which has a cross-cutting dimension and is relevant to numerous Union policies and activities. Following these two principles, the Union has created, develops and monitors its EHDS.
Amendment 182 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2 a) It is important to bear in mind that health data is not a natural resource that is available for exploitation, but a very sensitive resource which can put individuals, families and companies at risk. Among other relevant legal provisions, this Regulations sets out that electronic health data should be stored in the territory of the Union. It also seeks to ensure the right of every patient to have their data stored with the doctor or therapist of their choice, not remotely, but accessible, and ensure that it is not at risk of hacking. Finally, patients should be asked to give their consent to share their data. Therefore, patients should be asked to be totally in charge of their data and if they want to share it.
Amendment 198 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
Amendment 199 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) In health systems, personal electronic health data is usually gathered in electronic health records, which typically contain a natural person’s medical history, diagnoses and treatment, medications, allergies, immunisations, as well as radiology images and laboratory results, spread between different entities from the health system (general practitioners, hospitals, pharmacies, care services). In order to enable that electronic health data to be accessed, shared and changed by the natural persons or health professionals, some Member States have taken the necessary legal and technical measures and set up centralised infrastructures connecting EHR systems used by healthcare providers and natural persons. Alternatively, some Member States support public and private healthcare providers to set up personal health data spaces to enable interoperability between different healthcare providers. Several Member States have also supported or provided health data access services for patients and health professionals (for instance through patients or health professional portals). They have also taken measures to ensure that EHR systems or wellness applications are able to transmit electronic health data with the central EHR system (some Member States do this by ensuring, for instance, a system of certification). However, not all Member States have put in place such systems, and the Member States that have implemented them have done so in a fragmented manner. In order to facilitate the free movement of personal health data across the Union and avoid negative consequences for patients when receiving healthcare in cross-border context, Union action is needed in order to ensure individuals have improved acess to their own personal electronic health data and are empowered to share it. In this respect, and in order to avoid administrative fragmentation and to achieve a sufficiently interoperable, understandable and user-friendly system in all Member States and regions, appropriate funding and administrative support at Union level should be considered. Allowing for a fully decentralised federated data system at Union level has the potential to save infrastructure costs and to mitigate privacy concerns, as well as push the privacy-efficiency trade-off further out, generating the same efficiency levels for more privacy. Federated learning systems bring the algorithms to the data and researchers can retrieve only derived data, not the underlying individual electronic health registers.
Amendment 227 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Natural persons should be able to exercise control over the transmission of personal electronic health data to other healthcare providers. Healthcare providers and other organisations providing EHRs should facilitate the exercise of this right. Stakeholders such as healthcare providers, digital health service providers, manufacturers of EHR systems or medical devices should not limit or block the exercise of the right of portability because of the use of proprietary standards or other measures taken to limit the portability. For these reasons, the framework laid down by this Regulation builds on the right to data portability established in Regulation (EU) 2016/679 by ensuring that natural persons as data subjects can transmit their electronic health data, including inferred data, irrespective of the legal basis for processing the electronic health data. This right should apply to electronic health data processed by public or private controllers, irrespective of the legal basis for processing the data under in accordance with the Regulation (EU) 2016/679. This right should apply to all electronic health data.
Amendment 252 #
2022/0140(COD)
(19) The level of availability of personal health and genetic data in an electronic format varies between Member States. The EHDS should make it easier for natural persons to have those data available in electronic format. This would also contribute to the achievement of the target of 100% of Union citizens having access to their electronic health records by 2030, as referred to in the Policy Programme “Path to the Digital Decade”. In order to make electronic health data accesible and transmissible, such data should be accessed and transmitted in an interoperable common European electronic health record exchange format, at least for certain categories of electronic health data, such as patient summaries, electronic prescriptions and dispensations, medical images and image reports, laboratory results and discharge reports, subject to transition periods. Where personal electronic health data is made available to a healthcare provider or a pharmacy by a natural person, with her total knowledge and consent, or is transmitted by another data controller in the European electronic health record exchange format, the electronic health data should be read and accepted for the provision of healthcare or for dispensation of a medicinal product, thus supporting the provision of the health care services or the dispensation of the electronic prescription. Commission Recommendation (EU) 2019/24345provides the foundations for such a common European electronic health record exchange format. The use of European electronic health record exchange format should become more generalised at EU and national level. While the eHealth Network under Article 14 of Directive 2011/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council46recommended Member States to use the European electronic health record exchange format in procurements, in order to improve interoperability, uptake was limited in practice, resulting in fragmented landscape and uneven access to and portability of electronic health data. _________________ 45 Commission Recommendation (EU) 2019/243 of 6 February 2019 on a European Electronic Health Record exchange format (OJ L 39, 11.2.2019, p. 18). 46 Directive 2011/24/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 9 March 2011 on the application of patients’ rights in cross-border healthcare (OJ L 88, 4.4.2011, p. 45).
Amendment 275 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) Access to and transmission of electronic health data is relevant in cross- border healthcare situations, as it may support continuity of healthcare when natural persons travel to other Member States or change their place of residence. Continuity of care and rapid access to personal electronic health data is even more important for residents in border regions, crossing the border frequently to get health care. In many border regions, some specialised health care services may be available closer across the border rather than in the same Member State. An infrastructure is needed for the transmission of personal electronic health data across borders, in situations where a natural person is using services of a healthcare provider established in another Member State. A voluntary infrastructure for that purpose, MyHealth@EU, has been established as part of the actions provided for in Article 14 of Directive 2011/24/EU. Through MyHealth@EU, Member States started to provide natural persons with the possibility to share their personal electronic health data with healthcare providers when travelling abroad. To further support such possibilities, the participation of Member States and, where applicable, regions in the digital infrastructure MyHealth@EU should become mandatory. All Member States should join the infrastructure and connect healthcare providers and pharmacies to it, as this is necessary for the implementation of the rights of natural persons to access and make use of their personal electronic health data regardless of the Member State. The infrastructure should be gradually expanded to support further categories of electronic health data. Finally, in order to guarantee the linguistic rights of natural persons to access and make use of their personal electronic health data, MyHealth@EU should be accessible in the language of preference of the natural person, including all officially recognised languages in Member States.
Amendment 283 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) In the context of MyHealth@EU, a central platform should provide a common infrastructure for the Member States and all their regions to ensure connectivity and interoperability in an efficient and secure way. In order to guarantee compliance with data protection rules and to provide a risk management framework for the transmission of personal electronic health data, the Commission should, by means of implementing acts, allocate specific responsibilities among the Member States, as joint controllers, and prescribe its own obligations, as processor. Where applicable, regions with health competences should also be entrusted such tasks.
Amendment 322 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 37
Recital 37
(37) For the secondary use of the clinical data for research, innovation, scientific development, policy making, regulatory purposes, patient safety or the treatment of other natural persons, the possibilities offered by Regulation (EU) 2016/679 for a Union law should be used as a basis and rules and mechanisms and providing suitable and specific measures to safeguard the rights and freedoms of the natural persons. This Regulation provides the legal basis in accordance with Articles 9(2) (g), (h), (i) and (j) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 for the secondary use of health data, establishing the safeguards for processing, in terms of lawful purposes, trusted governance for providing access to health data (through health data access bodies) and processing in a secure environment, as well as modalities for data processing, set out in the data permit. At the same time, the data applicant should demonstrate a legal basis pursuant to Article 6 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, based on which they could request access to data pursuant to this Regulation and should fulfil the conditions set out in Chapter IV. More specifically: for processing of electronic health data held by the data holder pursuant to this Regulation, this Regulation creates the legal obligation in the sense of Article 6(1) point (c) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 for disclosing the data by the data holder to health data access bodies, while the legal basis for the purpose of the initial processing (e.g. delivery of care) is unaffected. This Regulation also meets the conditions for such processing pursuant to Articles 9(2) (h),(i),(j) of the Regulation (EU) 2016/679. This Regulation assigns tasks in the public interest to the health data access bodies (running the secure processing environment, processing data before they are used, etc.) in the sense of Article 6(1)(e) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 to the health data access bodies, and meets the requirements of Article 9(2)(h),(i),(j) of the Regulation (EU) 2016/679. Therefore, in this case, this Regulation provides the legal basis under Article 6 and meets the requirements of Article 9 of that Regulation on the conditions under which electronic health data can be processed. In the case where the user has access to electronic health data (for secondary use of data for one of the purposes defined in this Regulation), the data user should demonstrate its legal basis pursuant to Articles 6(1), points (e) or (f), of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and explain the specific legal basis on which it relies as part of the application for access to electronic health data pursuant to this Regulation: on the basis of the applicable legislation, where the legal basis under Regulation (EU) 2016/679 is Article 6(1), point (e), or on Article 6(1), point (f), of Regulation (EU) 2016/679. If the user relies upon a legal basis offered by Article 6(1), point (e), it should make reference to another EU or national law, different from this Regulation, mandating the user to process personal health data for the compliance of its tasks. If the lawful ground for processing by the user is Article 6(1), point (f), of Regulation (EU) 2016/679, in this case it is this Regulation that provides the safeguards. In this context, the data permits issued by the health data access bodies are an administrative decision defining the conditions for the access to the data.
Amendment 332 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
Recital 38
(38) In the context of the EHDS, the electronic health data already exists and is being collected by healthcare providers, professional associations, public institutions, regulators, researchers, insurers etc. in the course of their activities. Some categories of data are collected primarily for the provisions of healthcare (e.g. electronic health records, genetic data, claims data, etc.), others are collected also for other purposes such as research, statistics, patient safety, regulatory activities or policy making (e.g. disease registries, policy making registries, registries concerning the side effects of medicinal products or medical devices, etc.). For instance, European databases that facilitate data (re)use are available in some areas, such as cancer (European Cancer Information System) or rare diseases (European Platform on Rare Disease Registration, ERN registries, etc.). These data should also be made available for secondary use. However, much of the existing health-related data is not made available for purposes other than that for which they were collected. This limits the ability of researchers, innovators, policy- makers, regulators and doctors to use those data for different purposes, including research, innovation, scientific development, policy-making, regulatory purposes, patient safety or personalised medicine. In order to fully unleash the benefits of the secondary use of electronic health data, all data holders should contribute to this effort in making different categories of electronic health data they are holding available for secondary use.
Amendment 344 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 40
Recital 40
(40) The data holders can be public, non for profit or private health or care providers, public, non for profit and private organisations, associations or other entities, public and private entities that carry out research with regards to the health sector that process the categories of health and health related data mentioned above. In order to avoid a disproportionate burden on small entities, micro-enterprises are excluded from the obligation to make their data available for secondary use in the framework of EHDS. The public or private entities often receive public funding, from national or Union funds to collect and process electronic health data for research, statistics (official or not) or other similar purposes, including in area where the collection of such data is fragmented of difficult, such as rare diseases, cancer etc. Such data, collected and processed by data holders with the support of Union or national public funding, should be made available by data holders to health data access bodies, in order to maximise the impact of the public investment and support research, innovation, patient safety or policy making benefitting the society. In some Member States, private entities, including private healthcare providers and professional associations, play a pivotal role in the health sector. The health data held by such providers should also be made available for secondary use. At the same time, data benefiting from specific legal protection such as intellectual property from medical device companies or pharmaceutical companies often enjoy copyright protection or similar types of protection. However, pPublic authorities and regulators should have access to such data, for instance in the event of pandemics, to verify defective devices and protect human health. In times of severe public health concerns (for example, PIP breast implants fraud) it appeared very difficult for public authorities to get access to such data to understand the causes and knowledge of manufacturer concerning the defects of some devices. The COVID-19 pandemic also revealed the difficulty for policy makers to have access to health data and other data related to health. Such data should be made available for public and regulatory activities, supporting public bodies to carry out their legal mandate, while complying with, where relevant and possible, the protection enjoyed by commercial data. Specific rules in relation to the secondary use of health data should be provided. Data altruism activities may be carried out by different entities, in the context of Regulation […] [Data Governance Act COM/2020/767 final] and taking into account the specificities of the health sector.
Amendment 361 #
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, scientific development, 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. 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 non-profit 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 385 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
Recital 47
(47) Health data access bodies and single data holders should be allowed to charge fees based on the provisions of Regulation […] [Data Governance Act COM/2020/767 final] in relation to their tasks. Such fees may take into account the situation and interest of SMEs, individual researchers or public bodies. Data holders should be allowed to also charge fees for making data available. Such fees should reflect the costs for providing such services. Private dData holders may also charge fees for the collection of data. In order to ensure a harmonised approach concerning fee policies and structure, the Commission may adopt implementing acts. Provisions in Article 10 of the Regulation [Data Act COM/2022/68 final] should apply for fees charged under this Regulation.
Amendment 404 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 51
Recital 51
(51) As the resources of health data access bodies are limited, they can apply prioritisation rules, for instance prioritising public institutions before private non- profit entities, but they should not make any discrimination between the national or from organisations from other Member States or, where applicable, regions with health legislative and executive competences, within the same category of priorities. The data user should be able to extend the duration of the data permit in order, for example, to allow access to the datasets to reviewers of scientific publication or to enable additional analysis of the dataset based on the initial findings. This would require an amendment of the data permit and may be subject to an additonal fee. However, in all the cases, the data permit should reflect theses additionals uses of the dataset. Preferably, the data user should mention them in their initial request for the issuance of the data permit. In order to ensure a harmonised approach between health data access bodies, the Commission should support the harmonisation of data permit.
Amendment 503 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(f a) the definitions of ‘One Health’ and ‘Health in All Policies’ pursuant to Article 3 of the Regulation (EU) No 2022/2371 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 November 2022 on serious cross-border threats to health and repealing Decision No 1082/2013/EU;
Amendment 567 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point s
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point s
(s) ‘central platform for digital health’ means an interoperability platform providing services to support and facilitate the exchange of electronic health data between national or, where applicable, regional contact points for digital health;
Amendment 568 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point u a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point u a (new)
(u a) ‘regional contact point for secondary use of electronic health data’ means an organisational and technical gateway enabling the cross-border secondary use of electronic health data, under the responsibility of a region with health competences within a Member State;
Amendment 569 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point v
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point v
(v) ‘central platform for secondary use of electronic health data’ means an interoperability platform established by the Commission, providing services to support and facilitate the exchange of information between national contact points for secondary use of electronic health data;
Amendment 570 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point x
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point x
(x) ‘HealthData@EU’ means the infrastructure connecting national or, where applicable, regional contact points for secondary use of electronic health data and the central platform;
Amendment 580 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point y
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point y
(y) ‘data holder’ means any natural or legal person, which is an public entity or a body in the health or care sector, or performing research in relation to these sectors, as well as Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies who has the right or obligation, in accordance with this Regulation, applicable Union law or national legislation implementing Union law, or in the case of non-personal data, through control of the technical design of a product and related services, the ability to make available, including to register, provide, restrict access or exchange certain data;
Amendment 596 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point ae a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point ae a (new)
(ae a) ‘public sector body’ means national, regional or local authorities of the Member States, and bodies governed by public law of the Member States, or associations formed by one or more such authorities or one or more such bodies and Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies when carrying out tasks enshrined in their mandate;
Amendment 604 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point ae b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point ae b (new)
(ae b) ‘innovation activities’ means actions taken to create new products or services, or improve existing products, services, methods and models to expand health results and quality, based on good practices and lessons learned;
Amendment 610 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point ae c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point ae c (new)
(ae c) ‘languages’ in this Regulation means the use of all the languages of the Union, notwithstanding their official status in the Union, which are official in a Member State, in regional entities of the Member State, especially in those regions with legislative and health executive competences.
Amendment 844 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point f
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – point f
(f) supervise the national contact points for digital health and cooperate with other digital health authorities and the Commission on further development of MyHealth@EU;
Amendment 910 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1
Article 12 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall establish a central platform for digital health to provide services to support and facilitate the exchange of electronic health data between national contact points for digital health of the Member States.
Amendment 911 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2
Article 12 – paragraph 2
2. Each Member State shall designate one national contact point for digital health to ensure the connection to all other national or, where applicable, regional contact points for digital health and to the central platform for digital health. Where a designated national contact point is an entity consisting of multiple organisations responsible for implementing different services, the Member State shall communicate to the Commission a description of the separation of tasks between the organisations. The national contact point for digital health shall be considered an authorised participant in the infrastructure. Each Member State shall communicate the identity of its national contact point to the Commission by [the date of application of this Regulation]. Such contact point may be established within the digital health authority established by Article 10 of this Regulation. Member States shall communicate to the Commission any subsequent modification of the identity of those contact points. The Commission and the Member States shall make this information publicly available.
Amendment 913 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 3
Article 12 – paragraph 3
3. Each national contact point for digital health shall enable the exchange of the personal electronic health data referred to in Article 5 with all other national contact points. The exchange shall be based on the European electronic health record exchange format.
Amendment 928 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 7
Article 12 – paragraph 7
7. The national or, where applicable, regional contact points for digital health shall act as joint controllers of the electronic health data communicated through ‘MyHealth@EU’ for the processing operations in which they are involved. The Commission shall act as processor.
Amendment 929 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 7 a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. In order to guarantee the linguistic rights of natural persons to access and make use of their personal electronic health data, MyHealth@EU shall be accessible in the language of preference of the natural person, including all officially recognised lenguages in Member States.
Amendment 935 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
1. Member States may provide through MyHealth@EU supplementary services that facilitate telemedicine, mobile health, access by natural persons to their translated health data and use of their language of preference, including all officially recognised languages in Member States, exchange or verification of health-related certificates, including vaccination card services supporting public health and public health monitoring or digital health systems, services and interoperable applications, with a view to achieving a high level of trust and security, enhancing continuity of care and ensuring access to safe and high- quality healthcare. The Commission shall, by means of implementing acts, set out the technical aspects of such provision. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the advisory procedure referred to in Article 68(2).
Amendment 1009 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 7
Article 19 – paragraph 7
7. Importers shall, further to a reasoned request from a market surveillance authority, provide it with all the information and documentation necessary to demonstrate the conformity of an EHR system in the official languages of the Member State where the market surveillance authority is located. They shall cooperate with that authority, at its request, on any action taken to bring their EHR systems in conformity with the essential requirements laid down in Annex II.
Amendment 1039 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 3
Article 24 – paragraph 3
3. The technical documentation shall be drawn up in one of the official languages of the Union. Following a reasoned request from the market surveillance authority of a Member State, the manufacturer shall provide a translation of the relevant parts of the technical documentation into the official languages of that Member State.
Amendment 1047 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 3
Article 26 – paragraph 3
3. The EU declaration of conformity shall, as a minimum, contain the information set out in Annex IV and shall be translated into one or more official Union languages determined by the Member State(s) in which the EHR system is made available. Manufacturers shall provide a translation of the relevant parts of the technical documentation into all the official languages of Member States.
Amendment 1109 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 4
Article 31 – paragraph 4
4. The label shall be drawn-up in one or more official languages of the Union or languages determined by the Member State(s) in which the in which the wellness application is placed on the market.
Amendment 1226 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 3
Article 33 – paragraph 3
3. The electronic health data referred to in paragraph 1 shall cover data processed for the provision of health or care or for public health, research, innovation, policy making, official statistics, patient safety or regulatory purposes, collected by entities and bodies in the health or care sectors, including public and private providers of health or care, entities or bodies performing research in relation to these sectors, and Union institutions, bodies, offices and agencies.
Amendment 1262 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 5
Article 33 – paragraph 5
5. Where the consent of the natural person is required by national law, health data access bodies shall rely on the obligations laid down in this Chapter to provide access to electronic health dataNatural persons shall have the right to decline the processing of their health data. Health data access bodies shall provide for an accessible and easily understandable opt-out mechanism, whereby natural persons must be offered the possibility to explicitly express their wish not to have their personal electronic health data processed for secondary use purposes.
Amendment 1281 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 33 – paragraph 8
Article 33 – paragraph 8
8. Health data access bodies may provide access to additional categories of electronic health data that they have been entrusted with pursuant to national law or based on voluntary cooperation with the relevant data holders at national level, in particular to electronic health data held by private entities in the health sector.
Amendment 1307 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 34 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) to produce national, multi-national, regional, local and Union level official statistics related to health or care sectors;
Amendment 1317 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 34 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 34 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) scientific research related to public health or care sectors;
Amendment 1368 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 35 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) taking decisions detrimental to a natural person based on their electronic health data, such as offers of employment, offering less favourable terms in the provision of goods or services such as insurance or other financial services; in order to qualify as “decisions”, they must produce legal effects or similarly significantly affect those natural persons;
Amendment 1383 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 35 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) advertising or marketing activities or, any other economic or financial activity aimed at making corporative profits, towards health professionals, organisations in health or natural persons;
Amendment 1419 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 35 – paragraph 1 a (new)
The infringement by secondary use data users of the purposes defined in the previous paragraph shall entail the termination of access and processing electronic health data obtained via a data permit issued pursuant Articles 43 and 46.
Amendment 1424 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 36 – paragraph 1
Article 36 – paragraph 1
1. Health data access bodies shall be public entities or bodies. Member States shall designate one or more public health data access bodies responsible for granting access to electronic health data for secondary use. Member States may either establish one or more new public sector bodies or rely on existing public sector bodies or on internal services of public sector bodies that fulfil the conditions set out in this Article. Where a Member State designates several health data access bodies, it shall designate one health data access body to act as coordinator, with responsibility for coordinating requests with the other health data access bodies.
Amendment 1492 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point j
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point j
(j) cooperate with and supervise data holders to ensure the consistent and accurate implementation of the data quality and utility label set out in Article 56, as well as support them in order to ensure respect of the right to opt-out of data subjects referred to in Article 33(5);
Amendment 1498 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point m
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point m
(m) cooperate at Union and nat, national and, where applicable, regional level to lay down appropriate measures and requirements for accessing electronic health data in a secure processing environment;
Amendment 1501 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point n
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point n
(n) cooperate at Union and nat, national and, where applicable, regional level and provide advice to the Commission on techniques and best practices for electronic health data use and management;
Amendment 1509 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point q – point i
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point q – point i
(i) a national dataset catalogue that shall include details about the source and nature of electronic health data, in accordance with Articles 56 and 58, and the conditions for making electronic health data available. The national dataset catalogue shall also be made available to single information points under Article 8 of Regulation […] [Data Governance Act COM/2020/767 final];
Amendment 1514 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point q – point iv a (new)
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point q – point iv a (new)
(iv a) a list of data users whose data permits had to be terminated due to their infringement of Article 35;
Amendment 1520 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
Article 37 – paragraph 1 – point t a (new)
Amendment 1531 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 2 – point d
Article 37 – paragraph 2 – point d
(d) cooperate with other national competent bodies, including the national competent bodies supervising data altruism organisations under Regulation […] [Data Governance Act COM/2020/767 final], the competent authorities under Regulation […] [Data Act COM/2022/68 final] and the national competent authorities for Regulations (EU) 2017/745 and Regulation […] [AI Act COM/2021/206 final] .
Amendment 1533 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 37 – paragraph 3
Article 37 – paragraph 3
3. The health data access bodies mayshall provide assistance to public sector bodies where those public sector bodies access electronic health data on the basis of Article 14 of Regulation […] [Data Act COM/2022/68 final].
Amendment 1542 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 38 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 38 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) the applicable rights of natural persons in relation to secondary use of electronic health data, in particular the right to opt-out pursuant to Article 33(5), including detailed and understandable information on how to exercise those rights;
Amendment 1568 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 38 – paragraph 3
Article 38 – paragraph 3
3. Where a health data access body is informed by a data user of a finding that may impact on the health of a natural person, the health data access body mayshall inform the natural person and his or her treating health professional about that finding within the natural day it was informed by the data user.
Amendment 1577 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 38 – paragraph 4
Article 38 – paragraph 4
4. Member States and, where applicable, regions shall regularly inform the public at large about the role and benefits of health data access bodies.
Amendment 1579 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 38 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 38 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Health data access bodies shall introduce easy and accessible means for natural persons to lodge complaints, both individually and collectively. Health data access bodies shall inform the complainants at all stages of the process. Health data access bodies shall duly inform about this right in the most visible manner through electronic means.
Amendment 1580 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 38 – paragraph 4 b (new)
Article 38 – paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. Natural persons shall be able to seek an effective judicial remedy against a legally binding decision of a health data access body concerning them. Health data access bodies shall duly inform about this right in the most visible manner through electronic means.
Amendment 1597 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 39 – paragraph 1 – point n a (new)
Article 39 – paragraph 1 – point n a (new)
(n a) a list of data users whose data permits had to be terminated due to their infringement of Article 35.
Amendment 1669 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 43 – paragraph 4
Article 43 – paragraph 4
4. Health data access bodies shall have the power to revokterminate the data permit issued pursuant to Article 46 and stop the affected electronic health data processing operation carried out by the data user in order to ensure the cessation of the non- compliance referred to in paragraph 3, immediately or within a reasonable time limit, and shall take appropriate and proportionate measures aimed at ensuring compliant processing by the data users. In this regard, the health data access bodies shall be able, where appropriate, to revoke to terminate the data permit and to exclude the data user from any access to electronic health data for a period of up to 5 years.
Amendment 1723 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 44 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 44 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. The failure by the data user to respect the measures of the health data access body ensuring anonymisation and pseudonymisation shall be subject to appropriate penalties pursuant Article 43.
Amendment 1784 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 45 – paragraph 6
Article 45 – paragraph 6
6. The Commission may, assisted by the EHDS Board set out in Article 64, shall, by means of implementing acts, set out the templates for the data access application referred to in this Article, the data permit referred to in Article 46 and the data request referred to in Article 47. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 68(2).
Amendment 1808 #
2022/0140(COD)
2. Health data access bodies shall refuse all applications including one or more purposes listed in Article 35 or where requirements in this Chapter are not met. The data authorisation shall not be granted where the data subject opted-out to the processing pursuant to Article 33(5).
Amendment 1888 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 49
Article 49
Access to electronic health data from a 1. access to electronic health data only from a single data holder in a single Member State, by way of derogation from Article 45(1), that applicant may file a data access application or a data request directly to the data holder. The data access application shall comply with the requirements set out in Article 45 and the data request shall comply with requirements in Article 47. Multi-country requests and requests requiring a combination of datasets from several data holders shall be addressed to health data access bodies. 2. issue a data permit in accordance with Article 46 or provide an answer to a data request in accordance with Article 47. The data holder shall then provide access to the electronic health data in a secure processing environment in compliance with Article 50 and may charge fees in accordance with Article 42. 3. 51, the single data provider and the data user shall be deemed joint controllers. 4. shall inform the relevant health data access body by electronic means of all data access applications filed and all the data permits issued and the data requests fulfilled under this Article in order to enable the health data access body to fulfil its obligations under Article 37(1) and Article 39.rticle 49 deleted single data holder Where an applicant requests In such case, the data holder may By way of derogation from Article Within 3 months the data holder
Amendment 1927 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 52 – paragraph 2
Article 52 – paragraph 2
2. The national contact points referred to in paragraph 1 shall be authorised participants in the cross-border infrastructure for secondary use of electronic health data (HealthData@EU). The national contact points shall facilitate the cross-border access to electronic health data for secondary use for different authorised participants in the infrastructure and shall cooperate closely with each other and with the Commission.
Amendment 1939 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 52 – paragraph 8
Article 52 – paragraph 8
8. The Member States and the Commission shall set up HealthData@EU to support and facilitate the cross-border access to electronic health data for secondary use, connecting the national or, where applicable, regional contact points for secondary use of electronic health data of all Member States and authorised participants in that infrastructure.
Amendment 2046 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 65 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) to assist Member States and, where appropriate, regions in coordinating practices of digital health authorities;
Amendment 2055 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 65 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) to assist Member States and, where appropriate, regions in coordinating practices of health data access bodies in the implementation of provisions set out in Chapters IV, to ensure a consistent application of this Regulation;
Amendment 2068 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 65 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
Article 65 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
(fa) to publish an annual report to include the implementation status of the European Health Data Space and other relevant points of development, including the respect to the opt-out mechanism, cross-border health data interoperability, implementation challenges, guidance and recommendations to digital health authorities, and its conclusions on the implementation and enforcement of this Regulation.
Amendment 2070 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 66 – paragraph 1
Article 66 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall establish two groups dealing with joint controllership for the cross-border infrastructures provided for in Articles 12 and 52. The groups shall be composed of the representatives of the national contact points and other authorised participants in those infrastructures.
Amendment 2102 #
2022/0140(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 70 – paragraph 1
Article 70 – paragraph 1
1. After 5 years from the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission shall carry out a targeted evaluation of this Regulation especially with regards to Chapters III and IV, and submit a report on its main findings to the European Parliament and to the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, accompanied, where appropriate, by a proposal for its amendment. The evaluation shall include an assessment of the self- certification of EHR systems and reflect on the need to introduce a conformity assessment procedure performed by notified bodies. It shall also include an evaluation of the opt-out mechanism laid down in Article 33(5) and recommendations on how to strengthen it.
Amendment 29 #
2022/0092(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) In order to tackle unfair commercial practices which prevent consumers from making sustainable consumption choices, such as practices associated with the early obsolescence of goods, misleading environmental or social claims (“greenwashing” or “social washing”), non-transparent and non- credible sustainability labels or sustainability information tools, specific rules should be introduced in Union consumer law. This would enable nationIntroducing provisions in this regard in the Union consumer law will enable national, regional and local competent bodies to address those practices effectively. BIn addition, by ensuring that environmental or social claims are fair, consumers will be able to choose products that are genuinely better for the environment and for the protection of human and labour rights than competing products. This will encourage competition towards more environmentally and socially sustainable products, thus reducing negative impact on the environment and on indigenous or vulnerable sectors of the population.
Amendment 41 #
2022/0092(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) Social claims should take into account compliance with future due diligence requirements set by the Union and be supported by independent monitoring systems. Such claims should cover the entire supply chain and manufacturing process of the products.
Amendment 52 #
2022/0092(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) Annex I to Directive 2005/29/EC should also be amended to prohibit making generic environmental or social claims without recognised excellent environmental or social performance which is relevant to the claim. Examples of such generic environmental or social claims are ‘environmentally friendly’, ‘eco-friendly’, ‘eco’, ‘eco-friendly packaging’, ‘green’, ‘nature’s friend’, ‘ecological’, ‘environmentally correct’, ‘climate friendly’, ‘gentle on the environment’, ‘carbon friendly’, ‘carbon neutral’, ‘carbon positive’, ‘climate neutral’, ‘energy efficient’, ‘biodegradable’, ‘bio based’, ‘deforestation-free’, ‘green-dot’, ‘sustainable’, ‘socially just’, ‘socially aware’, ‘poverty-free’, ‘fair trade product’ or similar statements, as well as broader statements such as ‘conscious’, ‘concerned’ or ‘responsible’ that suggest or create the impression of excellent environmental or social performance. Such generic environmental claims should be prohibited whenever there is no excellent environmental or social performance demonstrated or whenever the specification of the claim is not provided in clear and prominent terms on the same medium, such as the same advertising spot, product’s packaging or online selling interface. For example, the claim ‘biodegradable’, referring to a product, would be a generic claim, whilst claiming that ‘the packaging’ is biodegradable through home composting in one month’ would be a specific claim, which does not fall under this prohibition. The same would apply with social claims: the claim ‘socially just’ would be generic whilst claiming that ‘the manufacturing and trading process of the marketed good complies with Corporate Social Responsibility or Corporate Sustainability Reporting and Governance regulations’, in the framework of due diligence principles, would be a specific claim.
Amendment 59 #
2022/0092(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 10 a (new)
Recital 10 a (new)
(10a) Excellent social performance can be demonstrated by compliance with applicable Union law on the subject, especially with the regulations to be set on due diligence as well as on sustainable corporate governance.
Amendment 60 #
2022/0092(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) Another misleading commercial practice which should be prohibited in all circumstances and thus added to the list in Annex I to Directive 2005/29/EC is making an environmental or social claim about the entire product when it actually concerns only a certain aspect of the product. This would be the case for example when a product is marketed as ‘made with recycled material’ giving the impression that the entire product is made of recycled material, when in fact it is only the packaging that is made of recycled material. or when marketed as ‘fair trade product’ regardless of its social impact throughout the entire manufacturing process, labour conditions and the supply chain.
Amendment 61 #
2022/0092(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) The Circular Economy Action Plan24 provides for the need to set the rules on environmental claims using Product and Organisation Environmental Footprint methods. Additional requirements on environmental claims will have to be set in specific Union legislation. Those new requirements will contribute to the Green Deal25 objective of enabling buyers to make more sustainable and fair decisions and reduce the risk of greenwashing through reliable, comparable and verifiable information. __________________ 24 COM(2020)98 final, 11 March 2020. 25 COM(2019)640 final, 11 December 2019.
Amendment 63 #
2022/0092(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) In order to improve the welfare of consumers, the amendments to Annex I to Directive 2005/29/EC should also addressGiven that they are perceived as particularly unfair and affect the welfare of consumers, several practices associated with early obsolescence, including planned obsolescence practices, understood as a commercial policy involving deliberately planning or designing a product with a limited useful life so that it prematurely becomes obsolete or non-functional after a certain period of time, should also be addressed in amendments to Annex I to Directive 2005/29/EC. Purchasing products that are expected to last longer than they actually do causes consumer detriment. Furthermore, early obsolescence practices have an overall negative impact on the environment in the form of increased material waste. Therefore, addressing those practices areis also likely to reduce the amount of waste and the unnecessary consumption of resources, contributing thereby to a more sustainable and fair consumption and production patterns.
Amendment 69 #
2022/0092(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) It should be prohibited to omit to inform the consumer thatof the degree to which a software update, including a security update, will negatively impact the use of goods with digital elements or certain features of those goods, even if the update improves the functioning of other features. For example, when inviting consumers to update the operating system on their smartphone, the trader will have to inform the consumer ifof the degree to which such an update will negatively impact the functioning of any of the features of the smartphone.
Amendment 116 #
2022/0092(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) Directives 2005/29/EC and 2011/83/EU should continue to work as a ‘safety net’ ensuring that a high level of consumer protection and empowerment can be maintained in all sectors, by complementing sector and product-specific Union law that prevail in case of conflict.
Amendment 130 #
2022/0092(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Directive 2005/29/EC
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point p
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point p
(p) ‘explicit environmental or social claim’ means an environmental or social claim that is in textual form or contained in a sustainability label;
Amendment 132 #
2022/0092(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Directive 2005/29/EC
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point q
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point q
(q) ‘generic environmental or social claim’ means any explicit environmental or social claim, not contained in a sustainability label, where the specification of the claim is not provided in clear and prominent terms on the same medium;
Amendment 141 #
2022/0092(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Directive 2005/29/EC
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point r
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point r
(r) ‘sustainability label’ means any voluntary trust mark, quality mark or equivalent, either public or private, that aims to set apart and promote a product, a process or a business with reference to its environmental orand social aspects or both. This does not cover any mandatory label required in accordance with Union or national law;
Amendment 165 #
2022/0092(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Directive 2005/29/EC
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point y a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point y a (new)
(ya) ‘social impact’ means an effect on people and communities that happens as a result of an action or inaction related with the manufacturing, labour conditions and trading process of any marketed good;
Amendment 170 #
2022/0092(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Directive 2005/29/EC
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point y b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point y b (new)
(yb) ‘social claim’ means any message or representation, which is not mandatory under Union law or national law, including text, pictorial, graphic or symbolic representation, in any form, including labels, brand names, company names or product names, in the context of a commercial communication, which states or indicates that a product, company or trader has a positive or non- negative social impact or is less damaging to indigenous or vulnerable sectors of population than other products or traders, respectively, or has improved their impact over time;
Amendment 171 #
2022/0092(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Directive 2005/29/EC
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point y c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point y c (new)
(yc) ‘recognised social performance’ means social performance compliant with top social performance in accordance with corporate social responsibility, corporate sustainability reporting, due diligence regulation and other applicable Union law on the subject such as sustainable corporate governance;
Amendment 185 #
2022/0092(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point b
Directive 2005/29/EC
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(ea) making a social claim without clear, objective and verifiable commitments and targets and without an independent monitoring system;
Amendment 256 #
2022/0092(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 2
Annex I – paragraph 1 – point 2
Directive 2005/29/EC
Annex I – point 4 b
Annex I – point 4 b
4b. Making an environmental or social claim about the entire product that is not covered by a sustainability label when it actually concerns only a certain aspect of the product.;
Amendment 96 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
Amendment 101 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The behaviour of companies across all sectors of the economy is key to success in the Union’s sustainability objectives as Union companies, especially large ones, rely on global value chains. It is also in the interest of companies to protect human rights, labour rights and the environment, in particular given the rising concern of consumers and investors regarding these topics. Several initiatives fostering enterprises which support value-oriented transformation already exist on Union77 , as well as national78 level. __________________ 77 ‘Enterprise Models and the EU agenda’, CEPS Policy Insights, No PI2021-02/ January 2021. 78 E.g. https://www.economie.gouv.fr/entreprises/ societe-mission
Amendment 108 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals83 , adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, include the objectives to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The Union has set itself the objective to deliver on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The private sector shall contributes to those aims. __________________ 83 https://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.as p?symbol=A/RES/70/1&Lang=E.
Amendment 121 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) This Directive aims to ensure that companies active in the internal market contribute to sustainable development and the sustainability transition of economies and societies through the identification, prevention and mitigation, bringing to an end and minimisation and, where possible, reparation of potential or actual adverse human rights, adverse labour rights and environmental impacts connected with companies’ own operations, subsidiaries and value chains.
Amendment 123 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Companies should take appropriate steps to set up and carry out due diligence measures, with respect to their own operations, their subsidiaries, as well as their established direct and indirect business relationships throughout their value chains in accordance with the provisions of this Directive. This Directive should not require companies to guarantee, in all circumstances, that adverse impacts will never occur or that they will be stopped. For example with respect to business relationships where the adverse impact results from State intervention, the company might not be in a position to arrive at such results. Therefore, the main obligations in this Directive should be ‘obligations of means’. The company should take the appropriate measures which can reasonably be expected to result in prevention or minimisation of the adverse impact under the circumstances of the specific case. Account should be taken of the specificities of the company’s value chain, sector or geographical area in which its value chain partners operate, the company’s power to influence its direct and indirect business relationships, and whether the company could increase its power of influence.
Amendment 131 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) Adverse human rights, labour rights and environmental impact occur in companies’ own operations, subsidiaries, products, and in their value chains, in particular at the level of raw material sourcing, manufacturing, or at the level of product or waste disposal. In order for the due diligence to have a meaningful impact, it should cover human rights, labour rights and environmental adverse impacts generated throughout the life-cycle of production and use and disposal of product or provision of services, at the level of own operations, subsidiaries and in value chains.
Amendment 134 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) The value chain should cover activities related to the production of a good or provision of services by a company, including the development of the product or the service and the use and disposal of the product as well as the related activities of established business relationshipsin the value chain of the company. It should encompass upstream established direct and indirect business relationships that design, extract, manufacture, transport, store and supply raw material, products, parts of products, or provide services to the company that are necessary to carry out the company’s activities, and also downstream relationships, including established direct and indirect business relationships, that use or receive products, parts of products or services from the company up to the end of life of the product, including inter alia the distribution of the product to retailers, the transport and storage of the product, dismantling of the product, its recycling, composting or landfilling.
Amendment 137 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) As regards regulated financial undertakings providing loan, credit, or other financial services, “value chain” with respect to the provision of such services should be limited to the activities of the clients receiving such services, and the subsidiaries thereof whose activities are linked to the contract in question. Clients that are households and natural persons not acting in a professional or business capacity, as well as small and medium sized undertakings, should not be considered to be part of the value chain. The activities of the companies or other legal entities that are included in the value chain of that client should not be covered.
Amendment 139 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) In order to allow companies to properly identify the adverse impacts in their value chain and to make it possible for them to exercise appropriate leverage, the due diligence obligations should be limited in this Directive to established business relationships. For the purpose of this Directive, established business relationships should mean such direct and indirect business relationships which are, or which are expected to be lasting, in view of their intensity and duration and which do not represent a negligible or ancillary part of the value chain. The nature of business relationships as “established” should be reassessed periodically, and at least every 12 months. If the direct business relationship of a company is established, then all linked indirect business relationships should also be considered as established regarding that companyall established business relationships.
Amendment 142 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) Under this Directive, EU companies with more than 2500 employees on average and a worldwide net turnover exceeding EUR 1504 million in the financial year preceding the last financial year should be required to comply with due diligence. As regards companies which do not fulfil those employee criteria, but which had more than 250 employees on average and more than EUR 40 million worldwide net turnover in the financial year preceding the last financial year and which operate in one or more high-impact sectors, due diligence should apply 2 years after the end of the transposition period of this directive, in order to provide for a longer adaptation period. In order to ensure a proportionate burden, companies operating in such high- impact sectors should be required to comply with more targeted due diligence focusing on severe adverse impacts. Temporary agency workers, including those posted under Article 1(3), point (c), of Directive 96/71/EC, as amended by Directive 2018/957/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council103 , should be included in the calculation of the number of employees in the user company. Posted workers under Article 1(3), points (a) and (b), of Directive 96/71/EC, as amended by Directive 2018/957/EU, should only be included in the calculation of the number of employees of the sending company. __________________ 103 Directive (EU) 2018/957 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 June 2018 amending Directive 96/71/EC concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services (OJ L 173, 9.7.2018, p. 16).
Amendment 149 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) In order to reflect the priority areas of international action aimed at tackling human rights, labour rights and environmental issues, the selection of high- impact sectors for the purposes of this Directive should be based on existing sectoral OECD due diligence guidance. The following sectors should be regarded as high-impact for the purposes of this Directive: the manufacture of textiles, leather and related products (including footwear), and the wholesale trade of textiles, clothing and footwear; agriculture, forestry, fisheries (including aquaculture), the manufacture of food products, and the wholesale trade of agricultural raw materials, live animals, wood, food, and beverages; the extraction of mineral resources regardless of where they are extracted from (including crude petroleum, natural gas, coal, lignite, metals and metal ores, as well as all other, non-metallic minerals and quarry products), the manufacture of basic metal products, other non-metallic mineral products and fabricated metal products (except machinery and equipment), and the wholesale trade of mineral resources, basic and intermediate mineral products (including metals and metal ores, construction materials, fuels, chemicals and other intermediate products). As regards the financial sector, due to its specificities, in particular as regards the value chain and the services offered, even if it is covered by sector-specific OECD guidance, it should not form part of the high-impact sectors covered by this Directive. At the same time, in this sector, the broader coverage of actual and potential adverse impacts should be ensured by also including very large companies in the scope that are regulated financial undertakings, even if they do not have a legal form with limited liability.
Amendment 153 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) In order to achieve fully the objectives of this Directive addressing humanadverse human rights, adverse labour rights and adverse environmental impacts with respect to companies’ operations, subsidiaries and value chains, third-country companies with significant operations in the EU should also be covered. More specifically, the Directive should apply to third-country companies which generated a net turnover of at least EUR 1504 million in the Union in the financial year preceding the last financial year or a net turnover of more than EUR 40 million but less than EUR 150 million in the financial year preceding the last financial year in one or more of the high- impact sectors, as of 2 years after the end of the transposition period of this Directive.
Amendment 162 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) In order to conduct appropriate human rights, labour rights and environmental due diligence with respect to their operations, their subsidiaries, and their value chains, companies covered by this Directive should integrate due diligence into corporate policies, identify, prevent and mitigate as well as bring to an end and minimise the extent of potential and actual adverse human rights, labour rights and environmental impacts, establish and maintain a complaints procedure, monitor the effectiveness of the taken measures in accordance with the requirements that are set up in this Directive and communicate publicly on their due diligence. In order to ensure clarity for companies, in particular the steps of preventing and mitigating potential adverse impacts and of bringing to an end, or when this is not possible, minimising actual adverse impacts should be clearly distinguished in this Directive.
Amendment 163 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) Article 208 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) establishes the Union shall take into account the objectives of development cooperation in the policies that it implements which are likely to affect developing countries.
Amendment 164 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 4
Recital 4
(4) The behaviour of companies across all sectors of the economy is key to success in the Union’s sustainability objectives as Union companies, especially large ones, rely on global value chains. It is also in the interest of companies to protect human rights, labour rights and the environment, in particular given the rising concern of consumers and investors regarding these topics. Several initiatives fostering enterprises which support value-oriented transformation already exist on Union77 , as well as national78 level. _________________ 77 ‘Enterprise Models and the EU agenda’, CEPS Policy Insights, No PI2021-02/ January 2021. 78 E.g. https://www.economie.gouv.fr/entreprises/ societe-mission
Amendment 165 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) In order to ensure that due diligence forms part of companies’ corporate policies, and in line with the relevant international framework, companies should integrate due diligence into all their corporate policies and have in place a due diligence policy. The due diligence policy should contain a description of the company’s approach, including in the long term, to due diligence, a code of conduct describing the rules and principles to be followed by the company’s directors, employees and subsidiaries; a description of the processes put in place to implement due diligence, including the measures taken to verify compliance with the code of conduct and to extend its application to establishedall business relationships. The code of conduct should apply in all relevant corporate functions and operations, including procurement and purchasing decisions. Companies should also update and publish their due diligence policy annually.
Amendment 166 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals83 , adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, include the objectives to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The Union has set itself the objective to deliver on the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The private sector should effectively contributes to those aims. _________________ 83 https://www.un.org/ga/search/view_doc.as p?symbol=A/RES/70/1&Lang=E.
Amendment 170 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) Under the due diligence obligations set out by this Directive, a company should identify actual or potential adverse human rights and environmental impacts. In order to allow for a comprehensive identification of adverse impacts, such identification should be based on quantitative and qualitative information. For instance, as regards adverse environmental impacts, the company should obtain information about baseline conditions at higher risk sites or facilities in value chains. Identification of adverse impacts should include assessing the human rights, and environmental context in a dynamic way and in regular intervals: prior to a new activity or relationship, prior to major decisions or changes in the operation; in response to or anticipation of changes in the operating environment; and periodically, at least every 12 months, throughout the life of an activity or relationship. Regulated financial undertakings providing loan, credit, or other financial services should identify the adverse impacts only at the inception of the contract. When identifying adverse impacts, companies should also identify and assess the impact of a business relationship’s business model and strategies, including trading, procurement and pricing practices. Where the company cannot prevent, bring to an end or minimize all its adverse impacts at the same time, it should be able to prioritize its action, provided it takes the measures reasonably available to the company, taking into account the specific circumstances.
Amendment 170 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) This Directive aims to ensure that companies active in the internal market contribute to sustainable development and the sustainability transition of economies and societies through the identification, prevention and mitigation, bringing to an end and minimisation and, where possible, reparation of potential or actual adverse human rights and environmental impacts connected with companies’ own operations, subsidiaries and value chains.
Amendment 171 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) This Directive aims to ensure that companies active in the internal market contribute to sustainable development and the sustainability transition of economies and societies through the identification, prevention and mitigation, bringing to an end and minimisation of potential or actual adverse human rights, adverse labour rights and environmental impacts connected with companies’ own operations, subsidiaries and value chains.
Amendment 173 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 31
Recital 31
Amendment 173 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Companies should take appropriate steps to set up and carry out due diligence measures, with respect to their own operations, their subsidiaries, as well as their established direct and indirect business relationships throughout their value chains in accordance with the provisions of this Directive. This Directive should not require companies to guarantee, in all circumstances, that adverse impacts will never occur or that they will be stopped. For example with respect to business relationships where the adverse impact results from State intervention, the company might not be in a position to arrive at such results. Therefore, the main obligations in this Directive should be ‘obligations of means’. The company should take the appropriate measures which can reasonably be expected to result in prevention or minimisation of the adverse impact under the circumstances of the specific case. Account should be taken of the specificities of the company’s value chain, sector or geographical area in which its value chain partners operate, the company’s power to influence its direct and indirect business relationships, and whether the company could increase its power of influence.
Amendment 176 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 33
Recital 33
(33) Under the due diligence obligations set out by this Directive, if a company identifies potential adverse human rights, labour rights or environmental impacts, it should take appropriate measures to prevent and adequately mitigate them. To provide companies with legal clarity and certainty, this Directive should set out the actions companies should be expected to take for prevention and mitigation of potential adverse impacts where relevant depending on the circumstances.
Amendment 176 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) Adverse human rights, labour rights and environmental impact occur in companies’ own operations, subsidiaries, products, and in their value chains, in particular at the level of raw material sourcing, manufacturing, or at the level of product or waste disposal. In order for the due diligence to have a meaningful impact, it should cover human rights, labour rights and environmental adverse impacts generated throughout the life-cycle of production and use and disposal of product or provision of services, at the level of own operations, subsidiaries and in value chains.
Amendment 179 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) As regards regulated financial undertakings providing loan, credit, or other financial services, “value chain” with respect to the provision of such services should be limited to the activities of the clients receiving such services, and the subsidiaries thereof whose activities are linked to the contract in question. Clients that are households and natural persons not acting in a professional or business capacity, as well as small and medium sized undertakings, should not be considered to be part of the value chain. The activities of the companies or other legal entities that are included in the value chain of that client should not be covered.
Amendment 180 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) So as to comply with the prevention and mitigation obligation under this Directive, companies should be required to take the following actions, where relevant. Where necessary due to the complexity of prevention measures, c. Companies should develop and implement a prevention action plan. Companies should seek to obtain contractual assurances from a direct partner with whom they have an established business relationshipin their value chains that it will ensure compliance with the code of conduct or the prevention action plan, including by seeking corresponding contractual assurances from its partners to the extent that their activities are part of the companies’ value chain. The contractual assurances should be accompanied by appropriate measures to verify compliance. To ensure comprehensive prevention of actual and potential adverse impacts, companies should also make investments which aim to prevent adverse impacts, provide targeted and proportionate support for an SME with which they have an established business relationship such as financing, for example, through direct financing, low-interest loans, guarantees of continued sourcing, and assistance in securing financing, to help implement the code of conduct or prevention action plan, or technical guidance such as in the form of training, management systems upgrading, and collaborate with other companies.
Amendment 181 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) Under this Directive, all EU companies with more than 500 employees on average and a worldwide net turnover exceeding EUR 150 million in the financial year preceding the last financial year should be required to comply with due diligence. As regards companies which do not fulfil those criteria, but which had more than 250 employees on average and more than EUR 40 million worldwide net turnover in the financial year preceding the last financial year and which operate in one or more high-impact sectors, due diligence should apply 2 years after the end of the transposition period of this directive, in order to provide for a longer adaptation period. In order to ensure a proportionate burden, cthe exception of micro- enterprises within the meaning of Directive 2013/34/EU should be required to comply with due diligence. Companies operating in such high-impact sectors should be required to comply with more targeted due diligence focusing on severe adverse impacts. Temporary agency workers, including those posted under Article 1(3), point (c), of Directive 96/71/EC, as amended by Directive 2018/957/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council103, should be included in the calculation of the number of employees in the user company. Posted workers under Article 1(3), points (a) and (b), of Directive 96/71/EC, as amended by Directive 2018/957/EU, should only be included in the calculation of the number of employees of the sending company. _________________ 103 Directive (EU) 2018/957 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 June 2018 amending Directive 96/71/EC concerning the posting of workers in the framework of the provision of services (OJ L 173, 9.7.2018, p. 16).
Amendment 183 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 37
Recital 37
(37) As regards direct and indirect business relationships, industry cooperation, industry schemes and multi- stakeholder initiatives can help create additional leverage to identify, mitigate, and prevent adverse impacts. Therefore it should be possible for companies to rely on such initiatives to support the implementation of their due diligence obligations laid down in this Directive to the extent that such schemes and initiatives are appropriate to support the fulfilment of those obligations. Companies could assess, at their own initiative, the alignment of these schemes and initiatives with the obligations under this Directive. The mere compliance with industry schemes and multi-stakeholder initiatives should not prevent any company from its obligations and liability from breaches of due diligence obligations laid down in this Directive. In order to ensure full information on such initiatives, the Directive should also refer to the possibility for the Commission and the Member States to facilitate the dissemination of information on such schemes or initiatives and their outcomes. The Commission, in collaboration with Member States, may issue guidance for assessing the fitness of industry schemes and multi-stakeholder initiatives.
Amendment 186 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 38
Recital 38
(38) Under the due diligence obligations set out by this Directive, if a company identifies actual human rights, labour rights or environmental adverse impacts, it should take appropriate measures to bring those to an end. It can be expected that a company is able to bring to an end actual adverse impacts in their own operations and in subsidiaries. However, it should be clarified that, as regards established business relationships, where adverse impacts cannot be brought to an end, companies should minimise the extent of such impacts. Minimisation of the extent of adverse impacts should require an outcome that is the closest possible to bringing the adverse impact to an end. To provide companies with legal clarity and certainty, this Directive should define which actions companies should be required to take for bringing actual human rights and environmental adverse impacts to an end and minimisation of their extent, where relevant depending on the circumstances.
Amendment 187 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) In order to reflect the priority areas of international action aimed at tackling human rights, labour rights and environmental issues, the selection of high- impact sectors for the purposes of this Directive should be based on existing sectoral OECD due diligence guidance. The following sectors should be regarded as high-impact for the purposes of this Directive: the manufacture of textiles, leather and related products (including footwear), and the wholesale trade of textiles, clothing and footwear; agriculture, forestry, fisheries (including aquaculture), the manufacture of food products, and the wholesale trade of agricultural raw materials, live animals, wood, food, and beverages; the extraction of mineral resources regardless of where they are extracted from (including crude petroleum, natural gas, coal, lignite, metals and metal ores, as well as all other, non-metallic minerals and quarry products), the manufacture of basic metal products, other non-metallic mineral products and fabricated metal products (except machinery and equipment), and the wholesale trade of mineral resources, basic and intermediate mineral products (including metals and metal ores, construction materials, fuels, chemicals and other intermediate products). As regards the financial sector, due to its specificities, in particular as regards the value chain and the services offered, even if it is covered by sector-specific OECD guidance, it should not form part of the high-impact sectors covered by this Directive. At the same time, in this sector, the broader coverage of actual and potential adverse impacts should be ensured by also including very large companies in the scope that are regulated financial undertakings, even if they do not have a legal form with limited liability.
Amendment 188 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) In order to achieve fully the objectives of this Directive addressing human rights, labour rights and adverse environmental impacts with respect to companies’ operations, subsidiaries and value chains, third-country companies with significant operations in the EU should also be covered. More specifically, the Directive should apply to third-country companies which generated a net turnover of at least EUR 1504 million in the Union in the financial year preceding the last financial year or a net turnover of more than EUR 40 million but less than EUR 150 million in the financial year preceding the last financial year in one or more of the high- impact sectors, as of 2 years after the end of the transposition period of this Directive.
Amendment 192 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 42
Recital 42
(42) Companies should provide the possibility for persons and organisations to submit complaints directly to them in case of legitimate concerns regarding actual or potential human rights, labour rights and environmental adverse impacts. Organisations who could submit such complaints should include trade unions and other workers’ representatives representing individuals working in the value chain concerned and civil society organisations active in the areas related to the value chain concerned where they have knowledge about a potential or actual adverse impact. Companies should establish a procedure for dealing with those complaints and inform workers, trade unions and other workers’ representatives, where relevant, about such processes. Recourse to the complaints and remediation mechanism should not prevent the complainant from having recourse to judicial remedies. In accordance with international standards, complaints should be entitled to request from the company appropriate follow-up on the complaint and to meet with the company’s representatives at an appropriate level to discuss potential or actual severe adverse impacts that are the subject matter of the complaint. This access should not lead to unreasonable solicitations of companies.
Amendment 195 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 43
Recital 43
(43) Companies should monitor the implementation and effectiveness of their due diligence measures. They should carry out periodic assessments of their own operations, those of their subsidiaries and, where related to the value chains of the company, those of their established business relationships, to monitor the effectiveness of the identification, prevention, minimisation, bringing to an end and mitigation of human rights and environmental adverse impacts. Such assessments should verify that adverse impacts are properly identified, due diligence measures are implemented and adverse impacts have actually been prevented or brought to an end. In order to ensure that such assessments are up-to- date, they should be carried out at least every 126 months and be revised in-between if there are reasonable grounds to believe that significant new risks of adverse impact could have arisen.
Amendment 197 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) In order to conduct appropriate human rights, labour rights and environmental due diligence with respect to their operations, their subsidiaries, and their value chains, companies covered by this Directive should integrate due diligence into corporate policies, identify, prevent and mitigate as well as bring to an end and minimise the extent of potential and actual adverse human rights and environmental impacts, establish and maintain a complaints procedure, monitor the effectiveness of the taken measures in accordance with the requirements that are set up in this Directive and communicate publicly on their due diligence. In order to ensure clarity for companies, in particular the steps of preventing and mitigating potential adverse impacts and of bringing to an end, or when this is not possible, minimising actual adverse impacts should be clearly distinguished in this Directive.
Amendment 201 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 30
Recital 30
(30) Under the due diligence obligations set out by this Directive, a company should identify actual or potential adverse human rights and environmental impacts. In order to allow for a comprehensive identification of adverse impacts, such identification should be based on quantitative and qualitative information. For instance, as regards adverse environmental impacts, the company should obtain information about baseline conditions at higher risk sites or facilities in value chains. Identification of adverse impacts should include assessing the human rights, and environmental context in a dynamic way and in regular intervals: prior to a new activity or relationship, prior to major decisions or changes in the operation; in response to or anticipation of changes in the operating environment; and periodically, at least every 12 months, throughout the life of an activity or relationship. Regulated financial undertakings providing loan, credit, or other financial services should identify the adverse impacts only at the inception of the contract. When identifying adverse impacts, companies should also identify and assess the impact of a business relationship’s business model and strategies, including trading, procurement and pricing practices. Where the company cannot prevent, bring to an end or minimize all its adverse impacts at the same time, it should be able to prioritize its action, provided it takes the measures reasonably available to the company, taking into account the specific circumstances.
Amendment 205 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 31
Recital 31
Amendment 207 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 51
Recital 51
(51) With a view to ensure that such emission reduction plan is properly implemented and embedded in the financial incentives of directors, the plan should be duly taken into account when setting directors’ variable remuneration, if variable remuneration is linked to the contribution of a director to the company’s business strategy and long- term interests and sustainability.
Amendment 210 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 54
Recital 54
(54) In order to ensure effective enforcement of national measures implementing this Directive, Member States should provide for dissuasive, proportionate and effective sanctions for infringements of those measures. In order for such sanction regime to be effective, administrative sanctions to be imposed by the national supervisory authorities should include pecuniary sanctions. Where t that are proportionate to the turnover of the company. The legal system of a Member State does notshould provide for administrative sanctions as foreseen in this Directive, the rules on administrative sanctions should be applied in such a way that the sanction is initiated by the competent supervisory authority and imposed by the judicial authority. Therefore, it is necessary that those Member States ensure that the application of the rules and sanctions has an equivalent effect to the administrative sanctions imposed by the competent supervisory authoritieswithout prejudice of their review by the judicial authority.
Amendment 210 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 33
Recital 33
(33) Under the due diligence obligations set out by this Directive, if a company identifies potential adverse human rights, adverse labour rights or environmental impacts, it should take appropriate measures to prevent and adequately mitigate them. To provide companies with legal clarity and certainty, this Directive should set out the actions companies should be expected to take for prevention and mitigation of potential adverse impacts where relevant depending on the circumstances.
Amendment 212 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 37
Recital 37
(37) As regards direct and indirect business relationships, industry cooperation, industry schemes and multi- stakeholder initiatives can help create additional leverage to identify, mitigate, and prevent adverse impacts. Therefore it should be possible for companies to rely on such initiatives to support the implementation of their due diligence obligations laid down in this Directive to the extent that such schemes and initiatives are appropriate to support the fulfilment of those obligations. Companies could assess, at their own initiative, the alignment of these schemes and initiatives with the obligations under this Directive. The mere compliance with industry schemes and multi-stakeholder initiatives should not prevent any company from its obligations and liability by breaches of due diligence obligations laid down in this Directive. In order to ensure full information on such initiatives, the Directive should also refer to the possibility for the Commission and the Member States to facilitate the dissemination of information on such schemes or initiatives and their outcomes. The Commission, in collaboration with Member States, may issue guidance for assessing the fitness of industry schemes and multi-stakeholder initiatives.
Amendment 213 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 57 a (new)
Recital 57 a (new)
(57a) Breaches of the obligations laid down in this Directive that have entailed damage for a person or a group of persons can be extremely difficult to prove in court by claimants, since many times this requires access to information that is only possessed by the company. Therefore, it is necessary that this Directive provides for the reversal of the burden of the proof in judicial proceedings regarding damages caused by breaches of the due diligence obligations laid down in this Directive.
Amendment 214 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 58
Recital 58
Amendment 215 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 38
Recital 38
(38) Under the due diligence obligations set out by this Directive, if a company identifies actual human rights, labour rights or environmental adverse impacts, it should take appropriate measures to bring those to an end. It can be expected that a company is able to bring to an end actual adverse impacts in their own operations and in subsidiaries. However, it should be clarified that, as regards established business relationships, where adverse impacts cannot be brought to an end, companies should minimise the extent of such impacts. Minimisation of the extent of adverse impacts should require an outcome that is the closest possible to bringing the adverse impact to an end. To provide companies with legal clarity and certainty, this Directive should define which actions companies should be required to take for bringing actual human rights and environmental adverse impacts to an end and minimisation of their extent, where relevant depending on the circumstances.
Amendment 216 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 59
Recital 59
(59) As regards civil liability rules, the civil liability of a company for damages arising due to its failure to carry out adequate due diligence should be without prejudice to civil liability of its subsidiaries or the respective civil liability of direct and indirect business partners in the value chain. Also, the civil liability rules under this Directive should be without prejudice to Union or national rules on civil liability related to adverse human rights impacts, adverse labour rights impacts or to adverse environmental impacts that provide for liability in situations not covered by or providing for stricter liability than this Directive.
Amendment 218 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 42
Recital 42
(42) Companies should provide the possibility for persons and organisations to submit complaints directly to them in case of legitimate concerns regarding actual or potential human rights, labour rights and environmental adverse impacts. Organisations who could submit such complaints should include trade unions and other workers’ representatives representing individuals working in the value chain concerned and civil society organisations active in the areas related to the value chain concerned where they have knowledge about a potential or actual adverse impact. Companies should establish a procedure for dealing with those complaints and inform workers, trade unions and other workers’ representatives, where relevant, about such processes. Recourse to the complaints and remediation mechanism should not prevent the complainant from having recourse to judicial remedies. In accordance with international standards, complaints should be entitled to request from the company appropriate follow-up on the complaint and to meet with the company’s representatives at an appropriate level to discuss potential or actual severe adverse impacts that are the subject matter of the complaint. This access should not lead to unreasonable solicitations of companies.
Amendment 220 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 60
Recital 60
(60) As regards civil liability arising from adverse environmental impacts, persons who suffer damage can claim compensation under this Directive even where they overlap with human rights or labour rights claims.
Amendment 220 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 43
Recital 43
(43) Companies should monitor the implementation and effectiveness of their due diligence measures. They should carry out periodic assessments of their own operations, those of their subsidiaries and, where related to the value chains of the company, those of their established business relationships, to monitor the effectiveness of the identification, prevention, minimisation, bringing to an end and mitigation of human rights and environmental adverse impacts. Such assessments should verify that adverse impacts are properly identified, due diligence measures are implemented and adverse impacts have actually been prevented or brought to an end. In order to ensure that such assessments are up-to- date, they should be carried out at least every 12 months and be revised in-between if there are reasonable grounds to believe that significant new risks of adverse impact could have arisen.
Amendment 221 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 61
Recital 61
(61) In order to ensure that victims of human rights, labour rights and environmental harms can bring an action for damages and claim compensation for damages arising due to a company’s failure to comply with the due diligence obligations stemming from this Directive, even where the law applicable to such claims is not the law of a Member State, as could be for instance be the case in accordance with international private law rules when the damage occurs in a third country, this Directive should require Member States to ensure that the liability provided for in provisions of national law transposing this Article is of overriding mandatory application in cases where the law applicable to claims to that effect is not the law of a Member State.
Amendment 228 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 51
Recital 51
(51) With a view to ensure that such emission reduction plan is properly implemented and embedded in the financial incentives of directors, the plan should be duly taken into account when setting directors’ variable remuneration, if variable remuneration is linked to the contribution of a director to the company’s business strategy and long- term interests and sustainability.
Amendment 229 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 54
Recital 54
(54) In order to ensure effective enforcement of national measures implementing this Directive, Member States should provide for dissuasive, proportionate and effective sanctions for infringements of those measures. In order for such sanction regime to be effective, administrative sanctions to be imposed by the national supervisory authorities should include pecuniary sanctions. Where t that are proportionate to the turnout of the company. The legal system of a Member State does notshould provide for administrative sanctions as foreseen in this Directive, the rules on administrative sanctions should be applied in such a way that the sanction is initiated by the competent supervisory authority and imposed by the judicial authority. Therefore, it is necessary that those Member States ensure that the application of the rules and sanctions has an equivalent effect to the administrative sanctions imposedwithout prejudice of their review by the competent supervisoryjudicial authoritiesy.
Amendment 232 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 58
Recital 58
(58) The liability regime does not regulate who should prove that the company’s action was reasonably adequate under the circumstances of the case, therefore this question is left to national lawBreaches of the obligations laid down in this Directive that have entailed damage for a person or a group of persons can be extremely difficult to prove in court by claimants, since many times this requires access to information that is only possessed by the company. Therefore, the company should bear the burden of proof in judicial proceedings regarding damages caused by breaches of the due diligence obligations laid down in this Directive and should demonstrate that the company’s action was adequate under the circumstances of the case.
Amendment 234 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 59
Recital 59
(59) As regards civil liability rules, the civil liability of a company for damages arising due to its failure to carry out adequate due diligence should be without prejudice to civil liability of its subsidiaries or the respective civil liability of direct and indirect business partners in the value chain. Also, the civil liability rules under this Directive should be without prejudice to Union or national rules on civil liability related to adverse human rights impacts, adverse labour rights impacts or to adverse environmental impacts that provide for liability in situations not covered by or providing for stricter liability than this Directive.
Amendment 239 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) on obligations for companies regarding actual and potential human rights adverse impacts, labour rights adverse impacts and environmental adverse impacts, with respect to their own operations, the operations of their subsidiaries, and the value chain operations carried out by entities with whom the company has an established business relationship and
Amendment 239 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 61
Recital 61
(61) In order to ensure that victims of human rights, labour rights and environmental harms can bring an action for damages and claim compensation for damages arising due to a company’s failure to comply with the due diligence obligations stemming from this Directive, even where the law applicable to such claims is not the law of a Member State, as could be for instance be the case in accordance with international private law rules when the damage occurs in a third country, this Directive should require Member States to ensure that the liability provided for in provisions of national law transposing this Article is of overriding mandatory application in cases where the law applicable to claims to that effect is not the law of a Member State.
Amendment 245 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 251 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. This Directive shall not constitute grounds for reducing the level of protection of human rights, labour rights or of protection of the environment or the protection of the climate provided for by the law of Member States at the time of the adoption of this Directive.
Amendment 252 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) on obligations for companies regarding actual and potential human rights adverse impacts, labour rights adverse impacts and environmental adverse impacts, with respect to their own operations, the operations of their subsidiaries, and the value chain operations carried out by entities with whom the company has an established business relationship and
Amendment 254 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
3. This Directive shall be without prejudice to obligations in the areas of human rights, protection of the environment and climate change, and protection of labour rights under other Union legislative acts. If the provisions of this Directive conflict with a provision of another Union legislative act pursuing the same objectives and providing for more extensive or more specific obligations, the provisions of the other Union legislative act shall prevail to the extent of the conflict and shall apply to those specific obligations.
Amendment 254 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Amendment 258 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
2. This Directive shall not constitute grounds for reducing the level of protection of human rights, labour rights or of protection of the environment or the protection of the climate provided for by the law of Member States at the time of the adoption of this Directive.
Amendment 261 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
3. This Directive shall be without prejudice to obligations in the areas of human rights, protection of the environment and climate change, and the protection of labour rights under other Union legislative acts. If the provisions of this Directive conflict with a provision of another Union legislative act pursuing the same objectives and providing for more extensive or more specific obligations, the provisions of the other Union legislative act shall prevail to the extent of the conflict and shall apply to those specific obligations.
Amendment 263 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the company had more than 2500 employees on average and had a net worldwide turnover of more than EUR 1504 million in the last financial year for which annual financial statements have been prepared;
Amendment 264 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. This Directive shall apply to companies which are formed in accordance with the legislation of a Member State and which fulfil , with the exceptione of the following conditionsmicro-enterprises as defined by article 3(1) of Directive 2013/34/EU:
Amendment 266 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a
Amendment 267 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
Amendment 270 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
(b) the company did not reach the thresholds under point (a), but had more than 250 employees on average and had a net worldwide turnover of more than EUR 40 million in the last financial year for which annual financial statements have been prepared, provided that, and at least 50% of this net turnover was generated in one or more of the following sectors:
Amendment 276 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. This Directive shall also apply to companies which are formed in accordance with the legislation of a third country, and fulfil one of the following conditions: generated a net turnover of more than EUR 4 million in the Union in the financial year preceding the last financial year;
Amendment 277 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
(iii) the extraction and transportation of mineral resources regardless from where they are extracted (including crude petroleum, natural gas, coal, lignite, metals and metal ores, as well as all other, non- metallic minerals and quarry products), the manufacture and transportation of basic metal products, other non-metallic mineral products and fabricated metal products (except machinery and equipment), and the wholesale trade of mineral resources, basic and intermediate mineral products (including metals and metal ores, construction materials, fuels, chemicals and other intermediate products).
Amendment 277 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
Amendment 279 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
Amendment 281 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii a (new)
(iiia) the financial sector;
Amendment 282 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii b (new)
(iiib) the building of infrastructures and logistics.
Amendment 286 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. This Directive shall also apply to companies which are formed in accordance with the legislation of a third country, and fulfil one of the following conditions:generated a net turnover of more than EUR 4 million in the Union in the financial year preceding the last financial year;
Amendment 287 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) "adverse labour rights impact" means an adverse impact on protected persons resulting from the violation of one of the rights or prohibitions listed in the Annex, Part I Section 1, as enshrined in the international conventions listed in the Annex, Part I Section 1;
Amendment 288 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point a
Amendment 293 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point b
Amendment 297 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e – point ii a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e – point ii a (new)
(iia) that is not commercial in nature, but includes activities that are linked to the operations of the company.
Amendment 298 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f
Amendment 304 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) ‘value chain’ means activities related to the production of goods or the provision of services by a company, including the development of the product or the service and the use and disposal of the product as well as the related activities of upstream and downstream established business relationships of the company, and including semi-formal and informal working schemes as well as subcontracting and home-based work.. As regards companies within the meaning of point (a)(iv), ‘value chain’ with respect to the provision of these specific services shall only include the activities of the clients receiving such loan, credit, and other financial services and of other companies belonging to the same group whose activities are linked to the contract in question. The value chain of such regulated financial undertakings does not cover SMEs receiving loan, credit, financing, insurance or reinsurance of such entities;
Amendment 305 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) ‘independent third-party verification’ means verification of the compliance by a company, or parts of its value chain, with human rights, labour rights and environmental requirements resulting from the provisions of this Directive by an auditor which is independent from the company, free from any conflicts of interests, has experience and competence in environmental, labour and human rights matters and is accountable for the quality and reliability of the audit;
Amendment 307 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point l
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point l
(l) ‘severe adverse impact’ means an adverse environmental impact or, an adverse labour rights impact and an adverse human rights impact that is especially significant by its nature, or breaches essential international law obligations, or affects a large number of persons or a large area of the environment, or which is irreversible, or is particularly difficult to remedy as a result of the measures necessary to restore the situation prevailing prior to the impact;
Amendment 313 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point n a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point n a (new)
(na) ‘human rights, labour rights, environmental and rule of law and good governance defenders’ mean individuals, groups and structures of society, including non-government organisations, that promote, protect and defend human rights, the environment and the rule of law and good governance.
Amendment 315 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Amendment 325 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e – point ii a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point e – point ii a (new)
(iia) that is not commercial in nature, but includes activities that are linked to the operations of the company.
Amendment 328 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f
Amendment 338 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) ‘value chain’ means activities related to the production of goods or the provision of services by a company, including the development of the product or the service and the use and disposal of the product as well as the related activities of upstream and downstream established business relationships of the company, and including semi-formal and informal working schemes as well as subcontracting and home-based work. As regards companies within the meaning of point (a)(iv), ‘value chain’ with respect to the provision of these specific services shall only include the activities of the clients receiving such loan, credit, and other financial services and of other companies belonging to the same group whose activities are linked to the contract in question. The value chain of such regulated financial undertakings does not cover SMEs receiving loan, credit, financing, insurance or reinsurance of such entities;
Amendment 342 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) a code of conduct describing rules and principles to be followed by the company’s employees, with a special emphasis on directors, and subsidiaries;
Amendment 348 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) ‘independent third-party verification’ means verification of the compliance by a company, or parts of its value chain, with human rights, labour rights and environmental requirements resulting from the provisions of this Directive by an auditor which is independent from the company, free from any conflicts of interests, has experience and competence in environmental and, labour human rights matters and is accountable for the quality and reliability of the audit;
Amendment 355 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point l
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point l
(l) ‘severe adverse impact’ means an adverse environmental impact or, an adverse labour rights impact and an adverse human rights impact that is especially significant by its nature, or breaches essential international law obligations, or affects a large number of persons or a large area of the environment, or which is irreversible, or is particularly difficult to remedy as a result of the measures necessary to restore the situation prevailing prior to the impact;
Amendment 358 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that companies take appropriate measures to identify actual and potential adverse human rights, adverse labour impacts and adverse environmental impacts arising from their own operations or those of their subsidiaries and, where related to their value chains, from their established business relationships, in accordance with paragraph 2, 3 and 4.
Amendment 364 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Amendment 367 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Amendment 372 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Member States shall ensure that companies conduct human rights, labour rights and environmental due diligence as laid down in Articles 5 to 11 (‘due diligence’) by carrying out the following actions:
Amendment 376 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 4
Article 6 – paragraph 4
4. Member States shall ensure that, for the purposes of identifying the adverse impacts referred to in paragraph 1 based on, where appropriate, quantitative and qualitative information, companies are entitled to make use of appropriate resources, including independent reports and information gathered through the complaints procedure provided for in Article 9. Companies shall, where relevant, also carry out consultations with potentially affected groups including workers and other relevant stakeholders to gather information on actual or potential adverse impacts.
Amendment 380 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that companies take appropriate measures to prevent, or where prevention is not possible or not immediately possible, adequately mitigate potential adverse human rights impacts, adverse labour rights impacts and adverse environmental impacts that have been, or should have been, identified pursuant to Article 6, in accordance with paragraphs 2, 3, 4 and 5 of this Article.
Amendment 388 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) a code of conduct describing rules and principles to be followed by the company’s employees, with a special emphasis on directors, and subsidiaries;
Amendment 388 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) where necessary due to the nature or complexity of the measures required for prevention, develop and implement a prevention action plan, with reasonable and clearly defined timelines for action and qualitative and quantitative indicators for measuring improvement. The prevention action plan shall be developed in consultation with affected stakeholders, including indigenous peoples in line with their right to free, prior and informed consent where these peoples are affected;
Amendment 403 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(ea) train, communicate or collaborate with suppliers on the enforcement of relevant protective laws.
Amendment 404 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that companies take appropriate measures to identify actual and potential adverse human rights impacts, adverse labour rights impacts and adverse environmental impacts arising from their own operations or those of their subsidiaries and, where related to their value chains, from their established business relationships, in accordance with paragraph 2, 3 and 4.
Amendment 404 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
(eb) establish a pricing policy whereby the company pays suppliers at a price that enables them to produce with respect for human rights, labour rights and the environment.
Amendment 405 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e c (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e c (new)
(ec) carry out gender-sensitive human rights assessments, including by gathering and using dissagregated data.
Amendment 406 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
The contractual assurances or the contract shall be accompanied by the appropriate measures to verify compliance. For the purposes of verifying compliance, the company may refer to suitable industry initiatives or independent third-party verification. Compliance verification through industry initiatives or independent third-party verification shall not exonerate the company from its obligations and its liability under this Directive.
Amendment 410 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Amendment 414 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 6
Article 7 – paragraph 6
Amendment 415 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Article 6 – paragraph 3
Amendment 423 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) neutralise the adverse impact or minimise its extent, including by the payment of damages to the affected persons and of financial compensation to the affected communities, public apologies, and, where possible, restitution and rehabilitation. The action shall be proportionate to the significance and scale of the adverse impact and to the contribution of the company’s conduct to the adverse impact;
Amendment 427 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) where necessary due to the fact that the adverse impact cannot be immediately brought to an end, develop and implement a corrective action plan with reasonable and clearly defined timelines for action and qualitative and quantitative indicators for measuring improvement. Where relevant, tThe corrective action plan shall be developed in consultation with stakeholdersall the affected stakeholders, including indigenous peoples in line with their right to free, prior and informed consent where these peoples are affected;
Amendment 434 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that companies take appropriate measures to prevent, or where prevention is not possible or not immediately possible, adequately mitigate potential adverse human rights impacts, adverse labour rights impacts and adverse environmental impacts that have been, or should have been, identified pursuant to Article 6, in accordance with paragraphs 2, 3, 4 and 5 of this Article.
Amendment 440 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. Companies shall be required to take the following actions, where relevant:
Amendment 441 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
The contractual assurances or the contract shall be accompanied by the appropriate measures to verify compliance. For the purposes of verifying compliance, the company may refer to suitable industry initiatives or independent third-party verification. Compliance verification through industry initiatives or independent third-party verification shall not exonerate the company from its obligations and its liability under this Directive.
Amendment 442 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
The company shall be able to prove its efforts to minimise the actual adverse impacts prior in order to avoid liability for the adverse impacts generated prior to the conclusion of the contract.
Amendment 446 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) where necessary due to the nature or complexity of the measures required for prevention, develop and implement a prevention action plan, with reasonable and clearly defined timelines for action and qualitative and quantitative indicators for measuring improvement. The prevention action plan shall be developed in consultation with affected stakeholders, including indigenous peoples in line with their right to free, prior and informed consent where these peoples are affected;
Amendment 446 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 7
Article 8 – paragraph 7
Amendment 457 #
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, where compliance with the code of conduct or the prevention action plan would jeopardise the viability of the SME;
Amendment 459 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e a (new)
(ea) train, communicate or collaborate with suppliers regarding the enforcement of relevant protective laws.
Amendment 459 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) persons who are affected or have reasonable grounds to believe that they might be affected by an adverse impact, . The procedure shall guarantee that these persons can file the complaint anonymously or confidentially.
Amendment 460 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e b (new)
(eb) establish a pricing policy whereby the company pays suppliers at a price that enables them to produce with respect for human rights, labour rights and the environment.
Amendment 461 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e c (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – point e c (new)
(ec) carry out gender-sensitive human- rights assessments, including by gathering and using disaggregated data.
Amendment 461 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) trade unions and other workers’ representatives representing individuals working in the value chain concerned,.
Amendment 465 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Article 9 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall ensure that the companies establish a legitimate, accessible, predictable, safe equitable, transparent, rights-compatible and adaptable procedure for dealing with complaintgrievances referred to in paragraph 1, including a procedure when the company considers the complaintgrievance to be unfounded, and inform theall relevant stakeholders, including workers and trade unions, of those procedures. Member States shall ensure that where the complaintgrievance is well- founded, the adverse impact that is the subject matter of the complaintgrievance is deemed to be identified within the meaning of Article 6. The company shall publicly report on how grievances are taken into account in identifying and responding to risks or violations, including inter alia statistics about the grievance received, the types of adverse impacts referred to, their treatment by companies and the publication of processed and anonymised cases.
Amendment 467 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 1
The contractual assurances or the contract shall be accompanied by the appropriate measures to verify compliance. For the purposes of verifying compliance, the company may refer to suitable industry initiatives or independent third-party verification. Compliance verification through industry initiatives or independent third-party verification shall not exonerate the company from its obligations and its liability under this Directive.
Amendment 472 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – point b
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – point b
(b) to meet with the company’s representatives at an appropriate level to discuss potential or actual severe adverse impacts that are the subject matter of the complaint and propose appropriate remedy.
Amendment 476 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 7 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) temporarily suspend commercial relations with the partner in question, while pursuing prevention and minimisation efforts, if there is reasonable expectation that these efforts will succeed in the short- term;
Amendment 479 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Member States shall ensure that companies carry out periodic assessments of their own operations and measures, those of their subsidiaries and, where related to the value chains of the company, those of their established business relationships, to monitor the effectiveness of the identification, prevention, mitigation, bringing to an end and minimisation of the extent of human rights and environmental adverse impacts. Such assessments shall be based, where appropriate, on qualitative and quantitative indicators and be carried out at least every 12 months and whenever there are reasonable grounds to believe that significant new risks of the occurrence of those adverse impacts may arise. The due diligence policy shall be updated in accordance with the outcome of those assessments.
Amendment 480 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Member States shall ensure that companies that are not subject to reporting requirements under Articles 19a and 29a of Directive 2013/34/EU report on the matters covered by this Directive by publishing on their website an annual statement in a language customary in the sphere of international business. The statement shall be uploaded to the European Single Point. The statement shall be published by 30 April each year, covering the previous calendar year.
Amendment 482 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 6
Article 7 – paragraph 6
Amendment 483 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
The statement shall include meaningful, relevant, timely and meaningful information about the operations of the company and its and value chains. A detailed mapping of the value chains of the company shall be provided, including names, locations, products and services.
Amendment 495 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 2
Article 8 – paragraph 2
2. Where the adverse impact cannot be brought to an end, Member States shall ensure that companies minimise the extent of such an impact to the greatest extent possible.
Amendment 500 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) neutralise the adverse impact or minimise its extent, including by the payment of damages to the affected persons and of financial compensation to the affected communities, public apologies, and, where possible, restitution and rehabilitation. The action shall be proportionate to the significance and scale of the adverse impact and to the contribution of the company’s conduct to the adverse impact;
Amendment 501 #
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 503 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 8 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) where necessary due to the fact that the adverse impact cannot be immediately brought to an end, develop and implement a corrective action plan with reasonable and clearly defined timelines for action and qualitative and quantitative indicators for measuring improvement. Where relevant, the corrective action plan shall be developed in consultation with stakeholdersall the affected stakeholders, including indigenous peoples in line with their right to free, prior and informed consent where these peoples are affected;
Amendment 508 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that companies referred to in Article 2(1), point (a), and Article 2(2), point (a), shall adopadopt and effectively implement a plan to ensure that the business model and strategy of the company are compatible with the transition to a sustainable economy and with the limiting of global warming to 1.5 °C in line with the Paris Agreement. This plan shall, in particular, identify, on the basis of information reasonably available to the company, the extent to which climate change is a risk for, or an impact of, the company’s operations.
Amendment 512 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Amendment 515 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 3
Article 15 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall ensure that companies duly take into account the fulfilment of the obligations referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 when setting variable remuneration, if variable remuneration is linked to the contribution of a director to the company’s business strategy and long- term interests and sustainability.
Amendment 521 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 1
The contractual assurances or the contract shall be accompanied by the appropriate measures to verify compliance. For the purposes of verifying compliance, the company may refer to suitable industry initiatives or independent third-party verification. Compliance verification through industry initiatives or independent third-party verification shall not exonerate the company from its obligations and its liability under this Directive.
Amendment 525 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 3
Article 18 – paragraph 3
3. Inspections shall be conducted in compliance with the national law of the Member State in which the inspection is carried out and without prior warning to the company, except where prior notification hinders the effectiveness of the inspection. Where, as part of its investigation, a supervisory authority wishes to carry out an inspection on the territory of a Member State other than its own, it shall seek assistance from the supervisory authority in that Member State pursuant to Article 21(2).
Amendment 526 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. The company shall be able to prove its prior efforts to minimise the actual adverse impacts in order to avoid liability for the adverse impacts generated prior to the conclusion of the contract.
Amendment 527 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 5 – point a
Article 18 – paragraph 5 – point a
(a) to order the cessation of infringements of the national provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive, abstention from any repetition of the relevant conduct and, where appropriatpossible, remedial action proportionate to the infringement and necessary to bring it to an end;
Amendment 528 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 5 – point b
Article 18 – paragraph 5 – point b
(b) to impose effective, proportionate and dissuasive pecuniary sanctions in accordance with Article 20;
Amendment 530 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 6
Article 18 – paragraph 6
6. Where tThe legal system of the Member State does notshall provide for administrative sanctions, to implement this Article and Article 20 may be implemented in such a manner that the sanction is initiated by the competent supervisory authority and imposed by the competent national courts, while ensuring that those legal remedies are effective and have an equivalent effect to the administrative sanctions imposed by supervisory authorities., without prejudice to the possibility of the judicial revision of such administrative sanctions;
Amendment 534 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 7
Article 8 – paragraph 7
Amendment 538 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 20 – paragraph 3
Article 20 – paragraph 3
3. When pecuniary sanctions are imposed, they shall be based onproportional to the company’s turnover.
Amendment 553 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) persons who are affected or have reasonable grounds to believe that they might be affected by an adverse impact,. The procedure shall guarantee that these persons can file the complaint anonymously or confidentially.
Amendment 554 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 22 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Member States shall ensure that, beyond monetary compensation, the complaining party can require the court to order companies to act or to refrain from acting in a certain way with the aim of preventing harm from an infringement of the due diligence obligations laid down in this Directive.
Amendment 562 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) trade unions and other workers’ representatives representing individuals working in the value chain concerned,
Amendment 562 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 3
Article 22 – paragraph 3
3. The civil liability of a company for damages arising under this provision shall be without prejudice to the civil liability of its subsidiaries or of any direct and indirect business partners in the value chain. It shall also be without prejudice to the administrative liability of the company before the supervisory authorities of Member States for breaches of the due diligence requirements set out in this Directive.
Amendment 570 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) civil society organisations active in the areas related to the value chain concerned.
Amendment 570 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 4
Article 22 – paragraph 4
4. The civil liability rules under this Directive shall be without prejudice to Union or national rules on civil liability related to adverse human rights impacts, adverse labour rights impacts or to adverse environmental impacts that provide for liability in situations not covered by or providing for stricter liability than this Directive.
Amendment 573 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 3
Article 9 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall ensure that the companies establish a legitimate, accessible, predictable, safe equitable, transparent, rights-compatible and adaptable procedure for dealing with complaints referred to in paragraph 1, including a procedure when the company considers the complaint to be unfounded, and inform the relevant workers and, trade unions and organizations representing the interests of other affected stakeholders of those procedures. Member States shall ensure that where the complaint is well- founded, the adverse impact that is the subject matter of the complaint is deemed to be identified within the meaning of Article 6.
Amendment 575 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 22 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Member States shall ensure that the limitation period for taking legal action for damage caused as a result of a breach of a due diligence obligation laid down in this Directive is not less than five years.
Amendment 580 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 23 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 23 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Member States shall introduce the measures necessary to protect all stakeholders and their representatives, including human rights and environmental defenders, from any reprisals or adverse impacts when seeking to exercise their rights under the Directive.
Amendment 582 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 25 – paragraph 1
Article 25 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that, when fulfilling their duty to act in the best interest of the company, directors of companies referred to in Article 2(1) take into account the consequences of their decisionsintegrate climate risks and potential and actual adverse impacts identified pursuant to this Directive into for sustainability matters, including, where applicable, human rights, labour rights, climate change and environmental consequences, including in the short, medium and long term.
Amendment 585 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – point b
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – point b
(b) to meet with the company’s representatives at an appropriate level to discuss potential or actual severe adverse impacts that are the subject matter of the complaint, and propose appropriate remedy.
Amendment 586 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – point b a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 4 – point b a (new)
(ba) to not receive reprisals because of the initiation of the complaint procedure.
Amendment 589 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 9 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Complaints procedures shall be established without prejudice of the right to effective judicial protection. Member States shall ensure that there is no requirement to start a complaint procedure before taking legal action in court.
Amendment 589 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) whether Articles 4 to 14 should be extended to adverse climateadditional adverse environmental, climate, biodiversity, human rights, labour rights or rule of law and democracy impacts.
Amendment 593 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1
Member States shall ensure that companies carry out periodicbiannual assessments of their own operations and measures, those of their subsidiaries and, where related to the value chains of the company, those of their established business relationships, to monitor the effectiveness of the identification, prevention, mitigation, bringing to an end and minimisation of the extent of human rights, labour rights and environmental adverse impacts. Such assessments shall be based, where appropriate, on qualitative and quantitative indicators and be carried out at least every 12 months and whenever there are reasonable grounds to believe that significant new risks of the occurrence of those adverse impacts may arise. The due diligence policy shall be updated in accordance with the outcome of those assessments.
Amendment 593 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – Part I – subheading 1
Annex I – Part I – subheading 1
Violations of human rights and labour rights prohibitions included in international human rights agreements
Amendment 602 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Article 11 – paragraph 1
Member States shall ensure that companies that are not subject to reporting requirements under Articles 19a and 29a of Directive 2013/34/EU report on the matters covered by this Directive by publishing on their website an annual statement in a language customary in the sphere of international business. The statement shall be uploaded to the European Single Access Point. The statement shall be published by 30 April each year, covering the previous calendar year.
Amendment 603 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
The statement shall include meaningful, relevant, timely and meaningful information about the operations of the company and its and value chains. A detailed mapping of the value chains of the company shall be provided, including names, locations, products and services.
Amendment 604 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – Part I – subheading 2
Annex I – Part I – subheading 2
Human rights, labour rights and fundamental freedoms conventions
Amendment 608 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – Part I – indent 10 a (new)
Annex I – Part I – indent 10 a (new)
- The United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders;
Amendment 615 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – Part I – indent 21 a (new)
Annex I – Part I – indent 21 a (new)
- Occupational Safety and Health Convention, 1981 (No. 155)
Amendment 618 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – Part I – indent 23 a (new)
Annex I – Part I – indent 23 a (new)
- Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169);
Amendment 634 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that companies referred to in Article 2(1), point (a), and Article 2(2), point (a), shall adopshall adopt and effectively implement a plan to ensure that the business model and strategy of the company are compatible with the transition to a sustainable economy and with the limiting of global warming to 1.5 °C in line with the Paris Agreement. This plan shall, in particular, identify, on the basis of information reasonably available to the company, the extent to which climate change is a risk for, or an impact of, the company’s operations.
Amendment 644 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Article 15 – paragraph 2
Amendment 651 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 3
Article 15 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall ensure that companies duly take into account the fulfilment of the obligations referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 when setting variable remuneration, if variable remuneration is linked to the contribution of a director to the company’s business strategy and long- term interests and sustainability.
Amendment 660 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 16 – paragraph 2
Article 16 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall ensure that the name, address, electronic mail address and telephone number of the authorised representative is notified to a supervisory authority in the Member State where the authorised representative is domiciled or established. Member States shall ensure that the authorised representative is obliged to provide, upon request, a copy of the designation in an official language of language that holds official status in a Member State to any of the supervisory authorities.
Amendment 665 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 3
Article 18 – paragraph 3
3. Inspections shall be conducted in compliance with the national law of the Member State in which the inspection is carried out and without prior warning to the company, except where prior notification hinders the effectiveness of the inspection. Where, as part of its investigation, a supervisory authority wishes to carry out an inspection on the territory of a Member State other than its own, it shall seek assistance from the supervisory authority in that Member State pursuant to Article 21(2).
Amendment 670 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 5 – point a
Article 18 – paragraph 5 – point a
(a) to order the cessation of infringements of the national provisions adopted pursuant to this Directive, abstention from any repetition of the relevant conduct and, where appropriatfeasible, remedial action proportionate to the infringement and necessary to bring it to an end;
Amendment 672 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 5 – point b
Article 18 – paragraph 5 – point b
(b) to impose effective, proportionate and dissuasive pecuniary sanctions in accordance with Article 20;
Amendment 674 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 6
Article 18 – paragraph 6
6. Where tThe legal system of the Member State does notshall provide for administrative sanctions, to implement this Article and Article 20 may be implemented in such a manner that the sanction is initiated by the competent supervisory authority and imposed by the competent national courts, while ensuring that those legal remedies are effective and have an equivalent effect to the administrative sanctions imposed by supervisory authorities., without prejudice to the possibility of the judicial revision of such administrative sanctions;
Amendment 687 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 20 – paragraph 3
Article 20 – paragraph 3
3. When pecuniary sanctions are imposed, they shall be based onproportional to the company’s turnover.
Amendment 689 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 20 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 20 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Member States shall take the appropriate measures to ensure that companies that have been sanctioned for breaches of due diligence obligations laid down in this Directive are excluded from public procurement.
Amendment 703 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 22 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Member States shall ensure that, beyond monetary compensation, the complaining party can require the court to order companies to act or to refrain from acting in a certain way with the aim of preventing harm from an infringement of the due diligence obligations set out in this Directive.
Amendment 705 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 22 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Member States shall provide for the reversal of the burden of the proof in judicial proceedings regarding damages caused by breaches of the due diligence obligations laid down in this Directive.
Amendment 706 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 3
Article 22 – paragraph 3
3. The civil liability of a company for damages arising under this provision shall be without prejudice to the civil liability of its subsidiaries or of any direct and indirect business partners in the value chain. It shall also be without prejudice to the administrative liability of the company before the supervisory authorities of Member States for breaches of the due diligence requirements set out in this Directive.
Amendment 708 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 4
Article 22 – paragraph 4
4. The civil liability rules under this Directive shall be without prejudice to Union or national rules on civil liability related to adverse human rights impacts, to adverse labour rights impacts or to adverse environmental impacts that provide for liability in situations not covered by or providing for stricter liability than this Directive.
Amendment 711 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 22 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 22 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Member States shall ensure that the limitation period for taking legal action for damage caused as a result of a breach of a due diligence obligation laid down in this Directive is not less than five years.
Amendment 730 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 25 – paragraph 1
Article 25 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that, when fulfilling their duty to act in the best interest of the company, directors of companies referred to in Article 2(1) take into account the consequences ofintegrate climate risks and potential and actual adverse impacts identified pursuant to this Directive into their decisions for sustainability matters, including, where applicable, human rights, labour rights, animal rights, climate change and environmental consequences, including in the short, medium and long term.
Amendment 762 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 29 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) whether Articles 4 to 14 should be extended to adverse climatditional adverse environmental, climate, biodiversity, human rights, labour rights or animal welfare impacts.
Amendment 776 #
2022/0051(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Annex I – Part I – subheading 1
Annex I – Part I – subheading 1
1. Violations of rightshuman rights and labour rights, and prohibitions included in international human rights agreements
Amendment 1 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1 a (new)
Citation 1 a (new)
— having regard to the Commission's roadmap for an improved European financial architecture for development and 2021 progress report (COM/2022/139 final),
Amendment 14 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas achieving the SDGs and the goals of the Paris Agreement and addressing other acute global challenges requires joint engagement at international level; the various impacts from the continuing pandemic, the war in Ukraine, worsening climate change and other acute global challenges requires joint engagement at international level; whereas the debt burden of partner countries has dramatically increased because of these impacts;
Amendment 39 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that the policy-first-driven European financial architecture for development (EFAD) should be guided by the principles and objectives set out in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, as well as environmental, social, human rights and rule of law standards;
Amendment 48 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. sStrongly insists that EFAD must strengthen the strategic partnerships between the European Union and its global development partners; reiterates that such partnerships should always be based on mutual respect and dignity, shared interests and values; and the recognition of country ownership regarding the implementation of developmental strategies
Amendment 57 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Underlines the interconnection between development and security; highlights the role that development plays in preventing conflicts, ensuring durable exits from conflicts and bolstering crisis management; insists on the importance of further developing a well-tailored development-security nexus; recalls, however, that Official Development Assistance should not be conditional upon the cooperation of partner countries in controlling migratory flows;
Amendment 66 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the role of a collective, coherent EU approach, which could be effective in helping to foster the expansion of social protection systems in developing countries that are in line with all the relevant ILO instruments on social security;
Amendment 75 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Underlines that consistency across all EU financing instruments, initiatives and, strategies and policies is crucial in order to maximise the EU’s global response to sustainable growth, development and peace;
Amendment 77 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Insists that more action should be taken to meet investment needs for climate-smart agriculture and sustainable ocean industries, since SDG 14 on ‘life below water’ remains one of the most underfunded of all the SDGs;
Amendment 82 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. iIs alarmed at how the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the long-standing structural drivers of health inequalities; insists on the need to invest heavily in the development of resilient public health systems in partner countries and to carry out research to develop vaccines and treatments against diseases that are recurrent in developing countries;
Amendment 95 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recognises the need to enhance and improve the institutional set-up, address the ‘development effectiveness deficit’ in the current set-up, reduce heavy bureaucratic coordination and strengthen institutional flexibility;
Amendment 97 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Insists that mechanisms for ensuring policy coherence for sustainable development must be enshrined in EFAD and used more systematically and efficiently by all relevant EU institutions and all Member States, including at the highest political level; insists that policy coherence for sustainable development should be mainstreamed in the design and implementation of all kinds of EU policies in order to ensure that they do not negatively affect the attainment of the SDGs;
Amendment 108 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Believes that the Team Europe approach should play a key role in further improving strategic cooperation and global coordination and the coherence and effectiveness of development efforts, especially at partner-country level, and believes that it has the potential to further identify key issues that need to be solved; stresses that the Team Europe approach must ensure effective coordination of the development policies of the EU and the Member States, including those of regional governments holding powers in development cooperation;
Amendment 110 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Calls on the Commission to play a stronger role in helping to develop the supply of projects, providing project preparation support and assisting Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) in coordination, while ensuring that smaller DFIs are integrated;
Amendment 115 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Calls on the Commission to put forward a powerful EU policy direction and to further align the EU development financial institutions’ activities within the new open, collaborative, transparent and inclusive architecture; is of the opinion that the programming process must fully cover the use of EU budgetary guarantees;
Amendment 120 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13 a. Stresses that it is essential that the EFAD prioritizes grants over loans to avoid worsening an already spiralling debt crisis in partner countries, thus enabling them to invest in mitigating the effects of the pandemic, supply chain disruptions and increasing food and energy prices;
Amendment 122 #
2021/2252(INI)
13 b. Underlines the need to simplify the access to financing, strengthen inclusiveness, support smaller actors and promote greater access to public sustainability data, including by developing a shared digital platform to improve accessibility to relevant publicly available sustainability data;
Amendment 126 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. cConsiders EU taxonomy toshould be an important tool for achieving the SDGs and the objectives of the Paris Agreement; regrets, in this regard, that the inclusion of gas and nuclear power in the EU Taxonomy Complementary Climate Delegated Act does not prevent greenwashing and misleads investors in identifying economic activities that are in line with the EU environmental and climate objectives;
Amendment 129 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14 a. Urges the EU to refrain from scaling up blended finance and adopt a cautious and evidence-based approach towards blended finance;
Amendment 144 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Welcomes the setting-up of EIB Global, a dedicated development branch within the EIB Group, which has been operational since 1 January 2022; points out that the governance structure of the new branch needs to be fully transparent and designed to enable meaningful representation from recipient countries and to facilitate an extensive dialogue with Civil Society Organisations;
Amendment 151 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Amendment 152 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18 b. Underlines that all EIB operations must clearly justify their contribution to the EU development policy objectives and that intensive ex ante impact assessments on human rights should be carried out for every project funded by the EIB;
Amendment 160 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Encourages the EIB, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European development banks and financial institutions to strengthen their cooperation, both at strategic and technical level;
Amendment 170 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Recognises the importance and potential of Member State development banks within the EFAD structure; stresses the pressing need to boost private sector development in sub-Saharan Africa; , with special regard for building industrial capacity in green energy industries, boosting the manufacturing capacity of medical equipment and enabling the development of regional supply chains;
Amendment 190 #
2021/2252(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Strongly regrets that only four Member States attain at least 0.7% of their ODA/GNI ratio; insists that all the Member States honour their commitment to spend 0.7 % of their gross national income on ODA; underlines the important role of ODA as a catalyst for change and a lever for the mobilisation of other resources; stresses the importance of the EU’s commitment to mobilise resources for climate action and the EIB’s role in making progress in this area;
Amendment 4 #
2021/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the lack of adequate national regulations and strategies, as well as the lack of trained professionals, of the necessary infrastructure and of proper equipment and facilities, and the significant educational inequalities between children are barriers to free quality public education in several developing countries;
Amendment 11 #
2021/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Takes note of the fact that Africa’s population will double by 2050 and that a majority of the current population is under the age of 25; underlines that young people are the most valuable assets for Africa to boost the continent’s economic development and, therefore, regrets that less than 10% of Africa's population under the age of 25 is enrolled in some form of postsecondary education; stresses the need to provide scholarships programmes in low and low-middle income countries;
Amendment 19 #
2021/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises that the COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the existing vulnerabilities in social services in Africa, in particular in the field of education and has highlighted the need to expand the concept of education, and to build back equitable, quality school-based health and nutrition services; calls on the EU to work with partner countries to increase the resilience of their school systems in face of emergency crises, especially with regard to ensuring that all children can access online education when needed;
Amendment 27 #
2021/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Underlines that this crisis could serve as an opportunity to build more inclusive, efficient and resilient education systems, and for school health and nutrition services to be scaled up appropriately, leveraging cross-sectoral partnerships;
Amendment 33 #
2021/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Acknowledges that education is a cross-cutting issue relevant to all dimensions of sustainable development; points out that education is also a tool to empower young people and to support sustainable economic growth and human development in Africa, and that in the long term, it indirectly paves the way to eradicating poverty and challenging negative social norms and promote gender equality;
Amendment 38 #
2021/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. UStresses that the rapid transformations in educational methods as a result of the closure of schools and the implementation of distance learning has revealed not only the digital divide, but has also exacerbated the pre-existing social divide; underlines that access to quality education for all must be ensured regardless of socio-economic status, cultural background, religion and the rural- urban divide; notes the particular importance of supporting girls in accessing quality education and of addressing the issue of girls dropping out of school at an early stage; points out the need to engage with partner countries to put gender equality at the heart of their national education plans; stresses the importance of tackling barriers that prevent girls from effectively accessing education, such as the lack of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities within schools;
Amendment 54 #
2021/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has aggravated education funding gaps, adding up to one third to the annual funding gap and reaching USD 200 billion1 ; calls on the EU to increase funding for education and to engage with other donors to increase their share of ODA directed towards education; calls on the EU to engage in political dialogues with low and low-middle income partner countries to expand their tax base, establish a progressive tax base system, tackle illicit financial flows and tax avoidance, and provide all technical necessary means that are needed to achieve these goals; stresses the importance of debt relief, including cancellation, to enable low and low- middle income countries to spend more funds on education; __________________ 1 https://en.unesco.org/news/unesco-warns- funding-gap-reach-sdg4-poorer-countries- risks-increasing-us-200-billion-annually
Amendment 59 #
2021/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Regrets that even before COVID- 19.48% of the world’s children – and 90% of children in low-income countries – were ‘learning poor’: unable to read and understand a simple text by age 10; underlines the need to ensure diverse distance learning solutions, such as radio- based and TV programmes in resource- poor and isolated environments; points out that the parents must also be engaged to support equal learning opportunities for their children, and to dismantle gendered stereotypes about digital skills;
Amendment 63 #
2021/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Considers that in the context of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, appropriate preparation and resource support for teachers and education systems are needed, and particular efforts must be undertaken to invest in well- trained teachers in order to equip children with skills which are relevant to the job market and to ensure that gender expertise is mobilized at all levels of the education sector response;
Amendment 72 #
2021/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Emphasises that school-related vaccination strategies need to be considered to ensure the continuity of schooling in low and low-middle income developing countries;
Amendment 78 #
2021/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission to establish a road map to provide technical assistance in the education sector, together with Member States, to developing partner countries in order to draw up proper national regulations and strategies, and to share best practices in this context to transform education systems, prioritize resilience, and to share best practices in this context; stresses the need to allocate funding resources to the countries most in need and to increase the share of investment in basic and pre-primary education in low income countries, in line with SDG 4;
Amendment 80 #
2021/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission to establish a road map to provide technical assistance in the education sector, together with Member States, to developing partner countries in order to draw up proper national regulations and strategies, to establish effective data collection and management systems that allow proper policy implementation, and to share best practices in this context;
Amendment 84 #
2021/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls on the Commission to take the absorption capacities of partner countries into account in the context of increased funding for education; emphasises the need to engage with reliable local partners, particularly with local faith-based organisations, in to ensure the continuity of education and the return of all learners when schools reopen; emphasises the need to engage with reliable local partners in the programme design and implementation of education funding and to address cross-cutting health, social and education issues theat implementation of education funding.act on continuity of learning and return to school;
Amendment 90 #
2021/2209(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Underlines the need to boost the establishment of compulsory comprehensive sexual education programmes in the national education plans of partner countries to reduce girls and young women’s vulnerability to early and unintended pregnancy, HIV transmission and gender-based violence;
Amendment 35 #
2021/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the severity and magnitude of food crises has risen since 2020, with 161 million people severely food insecure in 2021 and in need of urgent food assistance12 ; _________________ 12 Global Report on Food Crises 2021, September update.and with between 720 and 811 million people facing hunger; whereas this figure represents an increase of between 118 and 161 million affected people in relation to 2019; _________________ 12 https://www.fao.org/state-of-food- security-nutrition/en/
Amendment 43 #
2021/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K a (new)
Recital K a (new)
Ka. whereas the Russian aggression on Ukraine can dramatically increase food insecurity in many developing countries that are highly dependent on Ukrainian and Russian wheat imports;
Amendment 78 #
2021/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas chronic poverty and, high and persistent levels of inequality and unsustainable food systems are the underlying causes of food insecurity and malnutrition;
Amendment 99 #
2021/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas the number of people in need of urgent food, nutrition and livelihood assistance is on the rise15 ; whereas the major drivers of this are conflict, climate variability and climate extremechange and its impacts, environmental degradation, economic shocks, global population growth and failed governance; _________________ 15 Global Report on Food Crises 2021.
Amendment 109 #
2021/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic exposed weaknesses in global food systems, exacerbating inequalities and threatening the lives and livelihoods of the most vulnerable; whereas the supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic exposed the non-resilience of import- based food systems and the importance of sustainable agri-food systems;
Amendment 124 #
2021/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital H
Recital H
H. whereas nutrition is an important investment as good nutrition during the first thousand days of a child’s life is critical to achieving full physical, intellectual and human potential; whereas good nutrition is therefore the cornerstone of prosperity for societies; whereas the school closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have had a dramatic impact on the nutrition of children in developing countries;
Amendment 166 #
2021/2208(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital K b (new)
Recital K b (new)
Kb. whereas an active role of the EU in tackling food insecurity is essential, insofar it provides nearly half of the global official development assistance (ODA);
Amendment 16 #
2021/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls the critical role of small- scale and artisanal fisheries in food security and nutrition; notes the potential conflicts between fisheries and other emerging sectors of the blue economy;
Amendment 22 #
2021/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses the need to implement an integrated ecosystem-based approach to all sectors of the blue economy, including extractive industries, and to ensure that support policies do not encourage overfishing, illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing, or other fishing practices that destroy ocean ecosystems and compromise the sustainability of resources; insists on the need to eliminate harmful fisheries subsidies worldwide and guarantee the environmental and social harmless of publicly subsidised distant fleets;
Amendment 26 #
2021/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Considers that deterring illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing requires stronger harmonized sanctions across EU Member States;
Amendment 30 #
2021/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls the EU’s responsibility in global fisheries governance, which should prioritise the rights of small-scale and artisanal fishers and protect their use of and control over fishing resources; stresses that small-scale fisheries in developing countries should have priority access to fishing resources and that EU vessels should be kept away from resources and fishing areas that small-scale and artisanal fishers depend on for their livelihoods; underlines the need to involve coastal communities in fisheries management schemes and in the development of alternative income sources for fishers to effectively reduce overfishing;
Amendment 33 #
2021/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure that private EU investment operates in a transparent manner, does not enter in competition with coastal communities and is in line with the SDGs;
Amendment 35 #
2021/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls the EU’s commitment to the principle of policy coherence for development; and stresses the need to improve its contribution to the SDGs through the CFP external dimension; underlines that sustainable fisheries partnership agreements must neither undermine local food security nor threaten small-scale fisheries in non-EU countries by putting them in direct competition with EU vessels; calls for the agreements to be aligned with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by increasing sectoral support and sustainability provisions on surpluses, discards and the precautionary approach; stresses the need to include all stakeholders in the negotiation of sustainable fisheries partnership agreements and to ensure that the needs of the communities most affected by these partnerships are taken into account;
Amendment 41 #
2021/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Considers that insufficient, inaccurate and non-public data makes it difficult to evaluate the contributions of the sustainable fishing partnership agreements towards the attainment of the SDGs in partner countries; calls on the EU to collect more data on catches, vessel registrations, labour conditions and on how EU funding is used in partner countries;
Amendment 50 #
2021/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that the production of fishmeal and fish oil contributes to overfishing in developing countries; underlines the need to enhance the value of fish products through improved fisheries management practices, eco- labelling and new technologies for product traceability; calls for mandatory due diligence measures to ensure that the whole seafood-industry supply chain is fair, fully traceable and free of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing;
Amendment 54 #
2021/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Is concerned about the numerous cases of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by EU vessels in non- EU waters; calls on the Commission to put forward, when necessary, infringement procedures to reduce instances of non-compliance by the Member States’ external fleets;
Amendment 61 #
2021/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Urges the EU to develop a human rights-based approach towards ocean governance and the blue economy by including and empowering local communities supporting food sovereignty for local fishing communities and protecting resources for future growth;
Amendment 77 #
2021/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Calls on the EU to provide developing countries with better infrastructure, technical resources and innovative technologies such as blockchain to properly manage and control fisheries activities, increase traceability of fish, help combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and curb human rights violations, including human trafficking and slavery on fishing boats;
Amendment 79 #
2021/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9 b (new)
Paragraph 9 b (new)
9 b. Points out that the means to evaluate the activity of EU fleet in external waters are less comprehensive than those in the internal waters; calls on the EU to improve recordings and reporting of infringements, both within and outside the EU, and to establish a centralised socio-economic database from all EU vessels regardless of where they operate;
Amendment 83 #
2021/2188(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls for the EU to act on the detrimental impacts of fishing techniques such as bottom-contacting gears, dynamite fishing, improper trawling or fish aggregating devices by limiting their use.
Amendment 14 #
2021/2187(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reaffirms that access to water is a vital imperative and a fundamental right, a fundamental right and a necessary condition for human and economic development; stresses that water should be treated as a social good rather than an economic good, and that investment in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) should be a global priority;
Amendment 20 #
2021/2187(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Recalls that waterborne diseases are a constant threat to health, which entails that people not having access to clean water are regularly exposed to diseases such as cholera, typhoid fever, and other diseases transmitted by contaminated water; is worried about the pressure that widespread waterborne diseases entail for fragile healthcare systems in developing countries; calls on the Commission and Member States to step up water sanitation efforts in least developed countries and increase emergency funding for WASH in healthcare facilities;
Amendment 34 #
2021/2187(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the European Union to promote a sustainable and human rights- based approach to access to water and sanitation in its external action in accordance with the UN-declared Water Action Decade 2018-2028, and in keeping with Sustainable Development Goal 6; points out that SDG 6 will not be achieved in 2030 at current funding rates, and calls on the EU to promote accelerated efforts to meet water-related goals and objectives;
Amendment 44 #
2021/2187(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Stresses the need to establish the new UN special envoy for water and the importance of effective coordination and coherence of the UN’s work on water;
Amendment 56 #
2021/2187(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Stresses the need to reduce the social, environmental, and economic impacts of droughts and identifying pathways towards drought-resilient societies; underlines that a common understanding of the drivers of drought risk and ways in which drough timpacts materialize is crucial for the identification and planning of targeted drought risk reduction and adaptation options;
Amendment 69 #
2021/2187(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls urgently, following the COVID-19 pandemic and given the increasing number of climate change- related natural disasters, for access to water and sanitation to be made a priority in developing countries, in particular in the least developed countries and small island developing states; calls on the European Commission to support the Resilient Water Accelerator as part of its climate adaptation programmes in developing countries; stresses the need to develop and use all necessary water risk mapping tools and early warning systems;
Amendment 74 #
2021/2187(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that the Commission mobilised almost EUR 2.6 billion over the period 2014-2020 for water-related issues, and calls for efforts to be pursued in the context of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument that go beyond 20% of spending on human development; stresses that reducing the impacts of water shocks must be complemented by strategies that build the long-term resilience of communities;
Amendment 77 #
2021/2187(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Points out that the activity of EU companies in developing countries can have an impact on the right of access to water in certain countries, especially on indigenous communities, and that this can happen even in cases where certain companies are implementing EU-funded projects; calls for the main risks that the activities of these companies may pose in relation to the right of access to water and other basic human rights to be considered in the legislative proposal on corporate due diligence; stresses the need to avoid boosting the privatisation of water and sanitation services in developing countries;
Amendment 85 #
2021/2187(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Draws attention to the major geostrategic dimension of water and the increasing competition for limited water resources, which can give rise to sudden conflict and forced displacement; calls on the Commission to promote regional cooperation on the shared management of water resources around the 286 transboundary river basins;
Amendment 98 #
2021/2187(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls for strengthening Team Europe's commitment to human development and for coordinated and coherent water management in developing countries with regard to its various uses (agriculture, energy production, industry, etc.), and calls on the European Union to provide better support to developing countries for sustainable water management by ensuring adequate support for safely managed on-site sanitation, including faecal sludge management.;
Amendment 105 #
2021/2187(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Notes that agriculture uses about 70% of the world's fresh water; calls on the Commission to prioritize, in the framework of the bilateral dialogue with the governments of partner countries, the development of sustainable agricultural techniques that ensure efficient use of water and to provide the necessary funding to make this possible;
Amendment 115 #
2021/2187(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Underlines the high impact that lack of access to drinking water has on women; is extremely concerned that adolescent girls are forced to miss class for long periods, skip about a quarter of school days and in many cases drop out of school altogether because of the lack of santitation facilities at school and the responsabilities that they take for fetching water for their families; calls on the Commission to ensure the inclusion of gender perspective in the management of projects related to the right to access water and to ensure the participation of women in the decision-making process on these projects, including those women belonging to discriminated minorities;
Amendment 120 #
2021/2187(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 b (new)
Paragraph 8 b (new)
8 b. Recalls the vital role of environmental human rights defenders regarding access to water and their exposure to threats and intimidation; calls on EU Delegations to act to ensure their protection in accordance with the principles of action set out in the EU Guidelines on the Protection of Human Rights Defenders;
Amendment 121 #
2021/2187(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 c (new)
Paragraph 8 c (new)
8 c. Calls on the Commission to report regularly to Parliament on the implementation of the EU human rights guidelines on safe drinking water and sanitation with tangible examples of the activities and impact.
Amendment 3 #
2021/2178(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the positiveCalls for a more pronounced shift in EU- Africa relations towards a partnership on an equal footing, allowing both sides to pursue their own interests but also to identify common areas of cooperation; stresses that free, fair and sustainable trade facilitates inclusive economic growth and sustainable development and contributes to poverty reducnotes that trade liberalization on its own cannot ensure the attainment of development objectives without taking into account the economic, social and environmental impact of FTAs; stresses that fair and sustainable trade facilitates inclusive economic growth and sustainable development and contributes to poverty reduction by enabling sustainable agricultural development, ensuring food security, boosting green industrialisation, creating employment opportunities and promoting regional integration; highlights, in this regard, the importance of the new partnership agreement between the EU and the members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States, the upcoming summit between the African Union and the EU, and joint innovative initiatives such as the EU multi-stakeholder dialogue for sustainable cocoa;
Amendment 9 #
2021/2178(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Stresses that fair trade between the EU and Africa entails that African products access the EU market without the same degree of reciprocity for EU goods, given that some degree of protection is necessary to ensure the development of competitive and sustainable agriculture systems and nascent green industries in Africa;
Amendment 13 #
2021/2178(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
Amendment 23 #
2021/2178(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Believes that the AU-EU partnership should seek to build on potential synergies, and deploy accompanying measures to contribute to the African priority of sustainable and green industrialisation; underlines that the long-term objective of industrial development needs to be appropriately matched by short-term programmes and initiatives that ensure continuity and coherence with regional and continental frameworks, especially by building on existing initiatives like the Boosting Intra- Africa Trade initiative (BIAT) of the African Union;
Amendment 27 #
2021/2178(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)
Paragraph 2 b (new)
2 b. Points out that the “Aid for trade” agenda should play a role in mobilizing resources to address trade-related constraints, financing infrastructure needs and helping to build the capacity of African countries to establish appropriate regulatory structures;
Amendment 28 #
2021/2178(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. EIs of the opinion that EPAs should be considered to be, first and foremost, an instrument of development cooperation rather than trade liberalisation; regrets that current EPAs place too much weight on trade liberalisation, which prevents the consolidation of nascent industries in the African countries due to competition of EU products; emphasises that economic partnership agreements need toshould support and be coherent with the various regional trade communities in Africa and the further development of the AfCFTA, contribute to the building of resilient and sustainable regional value chains, and help to boost and diversify intra-African trade; calls for chapters ensuring consistency with development needs and policies and the UN sustainable development goals to always be included, monitored and implemented; stresses the need to generate economic opportunities for African women, especially by providing them with ICTs skills and encouraging employers to hire more women, and improve gender equality in all social fields across the continent;
Amendment 36 #
2021/2178(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Points out that EPAs can potentially undermine African continental trade integration because of their fragmented nature and non-alignment with existing regional frameworks; underlines that the current orientation of EPAs could thwart the efforts of African countries to industrialise; regrets that labour rights commitments in EPAs are weak and that there is no guarantee that jobs created in partner countries will comply with the standards laid down in the ILO core conventions;
Amendment 38 #
2021/2178(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Notes that, despite the large abolishment of export subsidies and coupled subsidy payments, CAP direct payments to EU farmers continue to account for up to 50% of total farm income in the EU; regrets that EU spending in agricultural development in African countries is small in relation to the needs for innovation and increase of production capacity; calls on the Commission and Member States to provide more support to African agricultural development;
Amendment 40 #
2021/2178(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3 c. Is deeply concerned that EPAs with countries of the Economic Community of West Africa States (ECOWAS) have boosted a large volume of EU dairy exports to Western African countries, especially milk powder, which hinder local production, aggravate unemployment, contribute to food insecurity and consolidate rural malaise;
Amendment 41 #
2021/2178(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 d (new)
Paragraph 3 d (new)
3 d. Points out that the inclusion of the most-favored-nation (MFN) clause in the EPAs could pose a threat to the AfCFTA; stresses that the principle of reciprocity between all countries, whatever their situation, should be replaced by reciprocity between equals, differentiating between those who find themselves in very different situations;
Amendment 44 #
2021/2178(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the reform of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences as one of the EU’s key trade instruments for supporting developing countries in their efforts to promote sustainable development, reduce poverty and ensure respect for human rights; welcomes, in particular, the aim to facilitate increased economic growth and job creation in developing countries on the African continent; calls onurges the EU to make ensure that European trade policy towards Africa is fully in line with the principle of Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD) and that it does not contradict efforts by African partners to establish viable economic structures.
Amendment 4 #
2021/2176(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes with concern the asymmetry of international investment agreements (IIA), which give rights to foreign investors without putting the host state under any obligations in terms of human rights, public health, labour and environmental law; regrets that IIAs usually include the investor-state dispute settlement mechanism (ISDS), which provides protection for investors but not for states or citizens, and deprive states of their right to enact regulatory frameworks that protect essential public interests, such as economic, social, cultural and environmental rights;
Amendment 9 #
2021/2176(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Deplores the asymmetry of this private justice system, which gives foreign investors the right to bring claims against governments; highlights the risks posed by the high costs of ISDS claims, regardless of their outcome, for the public finance of developing countries, which can avoid regulatory measures being taken in the public interest because of the high cost of arbitrary procedures and the unpredictability of their result; stresses that the costs of investment lawsuits have the potential to bring the public budgets of most African countries to breaking point;
Amendment 20 #
2021/2176(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls for the EU to align its investment policy with the European Green Deal and the European Climate Law1 ; stresses the importance of setting up industrial capacity in green energy industries like battery and solar photovoltaic manufacturing plants in partner countries, especially in Africa, and to share the technologies that are required for this green industrialisation process; _________________ 1 OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, p. 1.
Amendment 22 #
2021/2176(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Underlines the importance of aligning EU investments with the development priorities of partner countries and the regional organizations to which they belong in order to ensure that these investments are mutually beneficial for both parties, and to carry out inclusive ex ante impact assessments in this regard;
Amendment 26 #
2021/2176(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Regrets the breach of the commitment made by developed countries in the 2009 Copenhagen Agreement to provide predictable and adequate funding for climate action in developing countries, especially for adaptation needs, that should have reached 100 billion dollars in 2020; calls on the EU to step up climate funding beyond the framework of the NDICI-Global Europe instrument, including through an ambitious use of the revenue raised by ETS auctions and CBAM certificates;
Amendment 28 #
2021/2176(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 c (new)
Paragraph 3 c (new)
3 c. Stresses the need to boost the manufacturing capacity of medical equipment in developing countries and the establishment of regional supply chains;
Amendment 30 #
2021/2176(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Urges the EU to review its investment treaties in order to ensure a fair balance between rights and obligations for investors with full respect for human rights and the environment; stresses the need to oblige the investor to support sustainable investment in the host state and to oblige the home state of the investor to allow victims to seek justice, including clear and precise binding human rights obligations, with full respect for the environment, corporate social responsibility, labour standards and the rule of law; stresses the need to build strong alliances with local actors and oblige the investor to support sustainable, green, gender-sensitive and inclusive investment in the host state and define a clear coherent definition of the investments in third countries that are to be qualified as sustainable, which should be established in accordance with the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises on corporate social responsibility; underlines the need to oblige the home state of the investor to allow victims to seek justice before its national courts, and to provide victims with the necessary resources that safeguard their right to effective judicial protection; stresses the need to conduct gender-responsive human rights due diligence, in meaningful consultation with all relevant stakeholders, including civil society organizations, women’s organizations, trade unions and representatives of minorities and autochthonous peoples, prior to making an investment and throughout its life cycle; underlines that the upcoming legislation on corporate due diligence needs to be provide a clear framework to achieve these goals;
Amendment 36 #
2021/2176(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Believes that governments should not sign new investment protection treaties that include the ISDS mechanism and should remove it from the existing ones; is of the view that investment treaties should instead provide mechanisms and technical assistance to strengthen domestic legal systems and the rule of law, which would ensure a favourable environment for foreign investment while addressing the systemic failures that have a negative impact on sustainable development in partner countries;
Amendment 46 #
2021/2176(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that the Investment Court System designed by the EU does not protect governments’ right to regulate, despite some procedural improvements like the selection of arbitrators or the establishment of an appellation body, does not protect governments’ right to regulate because it reinforces investor privileges and exposes the governments of developing countries to even more costly lawsuits; underlines that foreign investment should contribute to bridging gaps to address economic inequality rather than entrenching it further;
Amendment 56 #
2021/2176(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Calls for the EU to foster a consensus towards adjustment and reforms to improve debt sustainability in international investments; underlines that debt relief, including debt cancellation, should be considered for the countries most in need, including middle-income countries when necessary; recalls the urgent need for reforming the international debt architecture to avoid a serious debt crisis;
Amendment 60 #
2021/2176(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls that governments have the right to regulate in a precautionary way that prioritises public health, labour and human rights, and the environment. ; stresses that the precautionary principle is an essential element of EU law, and that therefore the EU cannot prevent partner countries from enshrining this same principle in their legal orders; insists on the need to reform existing international investment agreements in line with the recommendations made by UNCTAD;
Amendment 2 #
2021/2166(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission communication of 29 April 2021 entitled ‘Better regulation: Joining forces to make better laws’ (COM(2021)0219) and its commitment to ensuring that every legislative proposal contributes to the 2030 sustainable development agenda; recalls that the principles and objectives set out by the SDGs are indivisible and must not be undermined by burden and cost reduction targets;
Amendment 9 #
2021/2166(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Highlights the EU’s obligation to incorporate the development cooperation objectives into any policies that it implements which are likely to affect developing countries, as set out in Article 208 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union; recalls that many Union policies with a more domestic dimension contribute to the implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs), and therefore achieving more foresight-based policymaking and coherence across all Union policies is crucial to achieving the SDGs worldwide;
Amendment 15 #
2021/2166(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Strongly believes that the Union’s better regulation system is a valuable instrument in the implementation of this legal obligation, as long as the tools that the system proposes are used appropriately and to their maximum potential; welcomes the new versions of the better regulation guidelines and the better regulation toolbox; believes that tool number 35 in particular contains the necessary elements to guide the performance of impact analyses in developing countries and expects that this tool will be used extensively; notes with concern that by referring only to ‘relevant SDGs’, the integrated and holistic nature of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development risks being overlooked; underlines the need to take a holistic perspective that takes into account the impact on the SDGs as whole in this regard;
Amendment 28 #
2021/2166(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the Commission’s commitment to improving the analysis and reporting of the impact of proposals, in particular on developing countries and with regard to achieving the SDGs; is concerned that the envisaged simplification of the public consultation process may jeopardise its effectiveness and should be reconsidered; underlines that consultation should be more effective and fulfil the requirements of the social partners and civil society;
Amendment 36 #
2021/2166(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reiterates the importance of policy coherence in relation to external EU policy affecting developing countries; welcomes any initiatives that make the EU’s approach more consistent in this regard; underlines that the assessment of impacts of regulation on fundamental rights and values still needs to be strengthened.
Amendment 3 #
2021/2164(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas effective coordination, integration and evaluation of all EU policies regarding its impact on developing countries is essential to achieve PCD;
Amendment 11 #
2021/2164(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the current global geopolitical context is marked, in particular, by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, and climate change, refugee crisis, increasing energy prices, global debt distress and threats to global food security, and these problems are seriously threatening the global achievement of the SDGs such that a comprehensive response is necessary; whereas this further increases the need for effective implementation of PCD and coherence and consistency between different policies, as in the case of the humanitarian-development nexus;
Amendment 15 #
2021/2164(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
D a. whereas many developing countries have expressed their disappointment with the EU's development policy, with the way in which developing countries have been taken into account when defining EU policies that affect them, and with the repeated failure by the EU and other developed countries to honour certain promises, such as the promise of 100 billion annual financing for climate adaptation in developing countries made in 2009 at COP 15 in Copenhagen; whereas over the last years geopolitical competitors have taken advantage of this situation and have managed to present themselves in many developing countries as alternative partners to the EU for development, mainly by granting loans for public infrastructure, thus extending its influence in many regions of the world; whereas PCD is an essential tool to ensure the credibility and reliability of the EU in partner countries against geopolitical competitors;
Amendment 17 #
2021/2164(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)
Recital D b (new)
D b. whereas avoiding over-declaration of development aid is essential to achieve PCD and ensure the credibility of the EU development policy in the eyes of partner countries;
Amendment 19 #
2021/2164(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas PCD mechanisms in the Commission include, among others, inter- service groups, stakeholder and public consultations, a PCD screening (tracker) of the Commission Work Programme, Tools 19, 27 and 35 in the impact assessment guidelines (revised Better Regulation Agenda), and the sustainability impact assessment of trade agreements; whereas the extent to which these arrangements are used varies and the quality of PCD work can only be measured by its concrete results; whereas there is no PCD coordination centre in the Commission; whereas in some cases the PCD analyses in the Commission’s impact assessments for recent legislative proposals are still superficial (e.g. the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, and the Environmental Crime Directive) or have not been conducted despite the clear need for them (e.g. anti-money laundering package, the directive and regulation on corporate sustainability reporting); whereas this clearly shows that more action on the recommendations of the 2018 external evaluation of the PCD is needed;
Amendment 39 #
2021/2164(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reiterates that all EU institutions and Member States must comply with their PCD obligations under the treaties in all legislative and policy initiatives likely to have an impact on developing countries; calls for a step change in efforts to implement PCD to ensure that impacts on developing countries are properly identified and analysed, that negative impacts are avoided or minimised, and that full use is made of possible synergies with the pursuit of development objectives and poverty reduction;
Amendment 44 #
2021/2164(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for a communication that clarifies the definition and role of PCD in the context of the SDGs and is accompanied by an time-bound action plan on PCD with a clear methodology and concrete quantitative and qualitative indicators, division of tasks, mandates and timelines to measure the implementation of PCD by the EU and Member States and ensure the evidence base for accountability by including this in a new framework for monitoring and coordination of development policies across the EU; calls for this communication to be published before the end of the current Commission’s mandate;
Amendment 49 #
2021/2164(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Reiterates its call for a high-level EU strategy for the implementation of the UN’s 2030 Agenda and the SDGs that should be ambitious and integrated, be grounded in human rights frameworks, work to leave no one behind, respect inter-generational equity, and realize progress within planetary boundaries; underlines the need to ensure coherent action across the Commission and Member States towards the implementation of the SDGs, and for proper engagement with civil society and scientists during the drafting of a high- level EU Strategy for the implementation of the UN's 2030 Agenda and the SGDs; considers that PCD, which represents a unique EU contribution to the broader objective of PCSD, must be a central pillar of this strategy;
Amendment 52 #
2021/2164(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines that PCD needs to remain a key part of the EU’s foreign policy and calls for it to be given more visibility, especially at a time of increased geopolitical competition that requires credibility and reliability in the eyes of developing countries; calls for PCD to be given more visibility, since it is a key component of public diplomacy, and for the EU to play a leading role in promoting PCD globally, including at the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and at the UN; highlights, with a view to avoiding the over-declaration of development aid, the need to promote a more precise definition of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in order to avoid counting concepts such as debt relief, reallocation to developing countries of IMF Special Drawing Rights or aid to refugees in DAC countries as ODA;
Amendment 75 #
2021/2164(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – indent 2
Paragraph 6 – indent 2
- systematically screen all planned Commission policy and legislative initiatives for possible impacts on developing countries at an early stage and in a transparent manner; undertake detailed ex ante impact assessments, which should include the results of meaningful consultations with stakeholders, including partner countries, civil society organisations, research institutes, local and indigenous communities, and the private sector, as well as input from EU delegations in developing countries; stresses, in this regard, the need to establish a PCD coordination centre that undertakes all these tasks;
Amendment 79 #
2021/2164(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – indent 3
Paragraph 6 – indent 3
- make widespread use of ex post evaluations to identify the impact of EU policies on developing countries and, improve the quality of future impact assessments and propose policy changes in those areas where negative effects have been identified;
Amendment 85 #
2021/2164(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 – indent 4
Paragraph 6 – indent 4
- resume the publication of a specific annual report on the EU’s performance in all its development policy commitments and ensure that it adequately covers the implementation of PCD and, any challenges met and overall progress;
Amendment 89 #
2021/2164(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Emphasises the critical role of the Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) in ensuring the implementation of PCD in the Commission; calls on DG INTPA to actively and meaningfully engage with other DGs as early as possible through all available mechanisms to ensure that PCD is implemented in all relevant Commission initiatives; welcomes DG INTPA’s complementary studies on the impact of key legislative initiatives on developing countries, but notes that these should instead be fully analysed in the relevant impact assessment; calls for the re- establishment of a dedicated PCD team within DG INTPA to coordinate and reinforce the PCD work of thematic units; is of the opinion that DG INTPA should be responsible for the PCD coordination centre that would lead the screening of planned policies and legislative initiatives;
Amendment 94 #
2021/2164(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that the Neighbourhood, development and international cooperation instrument – Global Europe cshould be used to prevent and minimise the negative impacts of new EU legislation or policy initiatives, when these cannot be avoided, and to build positive synergies in developing countries and to effectively evolve from a donor-recipient relationship to a partnership between equals; calls also for the EU Development Education and Awareness Raising Programme to include activities focused on PCD;
Amendment 99 #
2021/2164(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – indent 1
Paragraph 9 – indent 1
- analyse the possible local impact of new EU policies and initiatives, by identifying sustainable development gaps, affected people and interests, organising multi-stakeholder consultations, including with civil society organisations, research institutes, partners from the Global South, research institutes, local and indigenous communities, and the private sector, and take into the account information and views put forward by them;
Amendment 109 #
2021/2164(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 – indent 3
Paragraph 9 – indent 3
- regularly monitor the impact and progress of EU policies on developing countries and contribute to detailed, transparent and regular reporting on PCD;
Amendment 113 #
2021/2164(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recognises the important role of Parliament and the Council as co- legislators, and calls for both institutions to carefully assess the impact on developing countries of their amendments to the Commission’s legislative proposals; stresses the need to invite UN and OECD experts to provide the co-legislators with their knowledge during the trilogues so as to facilitate a maximum degree of PCD; notes that this work will be facilitated by a better quality of initial Commission impact assessments;
Amendment 2 #
2021/2163(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
— having regard to the IV Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of war,
Amendment 3 #
2021/2163(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 b (new)
Citation 6 b (new)
— having regard to Council Decision 2003/335/JHA of 8 May 2003 on the investigation and prosecution of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes,
Amendment 4 #
2021/2163(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 c (new)
Citation 6 c (new)
— having regard to the EU guidelines on the promotion of compliance with international humanitarian law,
Amendment 18 #
2021/2163(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has revealed that, despite good intentions and commitment to accountability, the global humanitarian system is far from efficient, and exacerbated existing fragilities and inequalities, amplified humanitarian needs – notably a sharp increase in hunger, with almost 300 million people at risk of becoming acutely food insecure and over 40 million facing emergency levels of food insecurity – and hampered the humanitarian response owing to border closures and other restrictions;
Amendment 53 #
2021/2163(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas addressing humanitarian crises requires not only more funding but also decisive political efforts to reduce needs by preventing and ending conflicts, protecting basic human rights, promoting sustainable development and, reducing risks and vulnerabilities, tackling corruption in the allocation of funds and addressing the lack of transparency in relations with local organisations;
Amendment 63 #
2021/2163(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the Commission communication on the EU’s humanitarian action: new challenges, same principles and its concrete proposals to improve the provision of humanitarian aid, and calls for the swift implementation of these proposals; reiterates that in accordance with the European Consensus, the EU’s humanitarian aid must always be provided solely on the basis of need, must be fully in line with the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, and must pay particular attention to vulnerable groupsthe challenges that vulnerable groups and minorities face when accessing humanitarian assistance due to marginalization, active targeting on the ground or weak socio-economic position; calls on the Commission to assess the effective access of minorities and vulnerable groups to humanitarian assistance and to ensure that EU's humanitarian policy leaves no one behind;
Amendment 75 #
2021/2163(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes with concern the sharp increase in the humanitarian funding gap, as major donors are reducing funding at a time of growing needs; underlines the stark differences in contributions both at a global level and from within the EU; calls for the EU to advocate for greater international responsibility-sharing and an increase in humanitarian funding and launch a joint initiative on new donorship and burden sharing; urges the Member States to lead by example and contribute a fixed share of their gross national incomes to humanitarian aid; calls on the Commission to report annually on the amount of humanitarian funding disbursed from within the EU and at a global level;
Amendment 94 #
2021/2163(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Stresses that enforcement of international humanitarian law requires that procedural criminal law of all EU Member States enable the effective universal prosecution of international humanitarian law violations without any restriction regarding the place where these breaches are committed, the citizenship of perpetrators or the place where perpetrators reside; calls on the Commission to submit a legislative proposal to harmonize the procedural aspects for the universal prosecution of international humanitarian law violations in all EU Member States;
Amendment 103 #
2021/2163(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for the EU and its Member States to swiftly fulfil the commitments made at the World Humanitarian Summit and as part of the Grand Bargain; highlights the importance of making humanitarian aid more efficient and effective by increasing multiannual and multi-country funding, reducing the administrative burden for humanitarian partners and promoting innovative solutions that move away from the one- size-fits-all approach, among other endeavours;
Amendment 113 #
2021/2163(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses the particular importance of supporting local actors and urges the Commission to develop a localisation policy outlining how to provide more and better support for local respondents to enable them to make use of all the instruments available; underlines that relevant local actors should also be involved in the decision-making processes regarding humanitarian action in the territories where they operate, including priority-setting, response coordination and implementation;
Amendment 124 #
2021/2163(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Notes the challenges posed by climate change and welcomes the commitments to strengthen the climate resilience of vulnerable regions through disaster preparedness and anticipatory action via a nexus approach; welcomes, in addition, the commitments to green the EU’s humanitarian aid and track climate- related spending; calls on the Commission to provide the necessary resources for climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction through the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe, among other tools, and to accelerate the implementation of the Sendai commitments in the EU’s external action; stresses that the private sector has a vital role to play with regard to ensuring that the vulnerability of populations to climate change effects is not exacerbated and, therefore, calls on the Commission to include the necessary provisions in its legislative proposal on corporate due diligence to ensure that EU undertakings operating in third countries refrain from engaging in activities that could worsen the exposition of populations to the effects of climate change;
Amendment 138 #
2021/2163(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Underlines the fact that while humanitarian aid seeks to tackle immediate, life-threatening situations, crises are caused by drivers that require long-term solutions; calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to adopt a communication developing a clear policy on a humanitarian-development-peace nexus in order to bridge the gaps between the individual policy areas and the Humanitarian Development Peace Nexus Action Plan, that should be linked as much as possible to the EU programming process; underlines that coordination between the Humanitarian Aid Instrument and the NDICI-Global Europe Instrument will be crucial to ensure complementarity and a smooth transition from relief to sustainable development; calls for the EU and the Member States to swiftly implement this nexus approach, with a particular focus on upholding the do-no-harm principle, implementing a conflict-sensitive approach, preventing conflicts, tackling hunger, providing education and livelihood opportunities, and building resilience, while protecting the rights of vulnerable groups;
Amendment 5 #
2021/2158(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Draws attention to the context in which official development assistance (ODA) is now provided, marked by the COVID pandemic, the aggravating climate crisis, the relentless growth of the needs of humanitarian aid, developing countries’ woefully inadequate financial and other resources to respond to the challenges they face, the reversal of the progress towards key Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris climate agreement, including those to eradicate poverty and hunger, and the continued global failure to scale up climate action to the urgent need;
Amendment 8 #
2021/2158(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Insists that the Union and its Member States scale up their ODA and climate finance while upholding high standards for the responsible financing of sustainable development, impact management, and transparency, so as to honour their commitments, that maximum efficiency of the spending be sought, that policy coherence for development (PCD) be practiced in a more convincing way and that new efforts to create an enabling international environment for domestic resource mobilisation (DRM) be made; takes the view that well-functioning PCD and support for DRM to reduce structural gaps and expand fiscal space to mitigate the effects of the pandemic and boost investments for a sustainable and inclusive recovery, should be considered part and parcel of sound financial management as these are means to increase the efficiency of EU action which do not need to imply significant additional costs to the Union budget;
Amendment 17 #
2021/2158(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Expresses disappointment about the continued absence of major action by the Commission on the recommendations of the external evaluation of the Union’s PCD1 , ordered by the Commission and received in 2018; regrets the lack of transparency in public procurement procedures; _________________ 1 https://ec.europa.eu/international- partnerships/system/files/pcd-main- report_en.pdf
Amendment 27 #
2021/2158(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Regrets that, with the NDICI- Global Europe instrument, the Commission has effectively limited the European Parliament’s control and scrutiny role, thereby limiting transparency and accountability;
Amendment 7 #
2021/2126(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls that, in 2020, the EEA provided the State of the Environment Report 20201a, alongside assessments and briefings on topics such as biowaste management and treatment, biodegradable plastics, the emerging challenges of waste management in Europe, and how Europe will be affected by key climate hazards such as droughts, floods, forest fires and sea level rise during the 21st century and beyond; _________________ 1aEuropean Environment – State and Outlook 2020 https://www.eea.europa.eu/soer/2020
Amendment 8 #
2021/2106(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Recalls the need to define a strategy for “building back better and greener” to link the COVID-19 response to the ecological transformation required by the Green Deal;
Amendment 12 #
2021/2106(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that the Global Europe Instrument’s spending target of 20% for human development and social inclusion is a minimum target; calls for increasing the fiscal space to protect human development investments and substantially higher expenditure in this area, given the crucial importance of health, education, social protection, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene for the realisation of human rights, addressing inequalities, with special attention to women and children, and of a life in dignity for all, the devastating impacts of the COVID pandemic and the human rights-based approach laid down in the Global Europe - NDICI regulation, the implementation of which Parliament will scrutinise; notes, however, that with the NDICI, the European Commission has effectively limited the European Parliament’s control and scrutiny role, thereby limiting transparency and accountability;
Amendment 16 #
2021/2106(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that Parliament resolutions shall help guide Union cooperation and intends to follow the Commission’s application of this; welcomes the success of Team Europe to contribute to positive attitudes concerning joint action; calls on the Commission to extend its ambition for a better coordinated approach to the multilateral system;
Amendment 23 #
2021/2106(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Underlines the crucial importance of promoting and reinforcing the establishment of social protection mechanisms in developing countries;
Amendment 26 #
2021/2106(DEC)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that choices of aid modalities should always be based on realistic assessments of the likely efficiency of possible options, supported by evidence; points to the salience of this in the rapidly expanding area of private sector cooperation, where the evidence base is limited and should carefully be broadened and deepened in order to facilitate optimal use of official development assistance (ODA); calls on the Commission to consider countries’ debt situations when implementing projects in developing countries, and to favour grant-based funding as the default option;
Amendment 7 #
2021/2055(INI)
1. Acknowledges that churches, faith- based organisations (FBOs) and, religious associations and non-confessional organisations alike have a major role in the social fabric of developing countries, are important partners in delivering humanitarian assistance to hard-to-reach communities and greatly contribute to sustainable development and to achieving the SDGs, in particular SDGs 3 and 4; further notes that churches and FBOs deliver in social sectors where shortcomings in state services are experienced;
Amendment 14 #
2021/2055(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Stresses that freedom of religion or belief should be understood as a fundamental right, rejecting the trend to see it as inimical to women's, LGBTQI rights or freedom of expression, and should be acknowledged as a key component of peaceful and resilient societies;
Amendment 18 #
2021/2055(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Amendment 23 #
2021/2055(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recognises that FBOs cover approximately 40 % of healthcare and a significant part of education in sub-Saharan Africa alone1 , while their role remains mostly unrecognised; stresses that public services such as healthcare and education should always be guaranteed by the State, in line with SDG 4; _________________ 1 https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/1 0665/43884/9789241596626_eng.pdf
Amendment 33 #
2021/2055(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that churches and FBOs are frequentlyFBOs are sometimes the only providers of healthcare and other social services in remote areas of sub- Saharan Africa and in conflict-prone settings such as northern Mozambique and other crisis zones;
Amendment 39 #
2021/2055(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Welcomes the activities of churcheFBOs and religious leaders in the field of conflict management and mediation, and in fostering reconciliation, dialogue and peace, and the inclusion of religious minorities as part of the EU's external push for peace, democracy and sustainable development; highlights that inter-religious dialogue is crucial, notably in conflict areas, to foster peace and reconciliation;
Amendment 46 #
2021/2055(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Calls on the EU and its partners to consider a mapping of the role religion has in any specific conflict, the identification and engagement with existing positive actions of religious leaders in peace-building actions, conflict analysis and prevention, and the listening and assessment of multiple voices representatives of both majority and minority religious groups;
Amendment 55 #
2021/2055(INI)
5. Calls on the Commission and the Council to assist in providing support to stronger political strategies and longer- term accountability and to make the fight against the persecution of religious and other minorities a priority in the programming of activities related to EU development assistance, in line with the areas of cooperation for geographic and thematic programmes of NDICI-Global Europe;
Amendment 60 #
2021/2055(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Stresses that the EU should take into account the concrete challenges that religious, ethnic and linguistic minorities often face when accessing humanitarian assistance due to marginalization, active targeting on the ground or weak socio- economic position; calls on the Commission to assess the effective access of minorities to humanitarian assistance and to ensure that its humanitarian policy does not overlook minorities;
Amendment 67 #
2021/2055(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls on the EU to develop the necessary reaction and sanction mechanisms to combat effectively violations of freedom of religion or belief, including discrimination or legal restrictions based on religion or belief in its partner countries, as well as any kind of impediment to freedom of religion or belief, freedom of association and freedom of expression., as well as the misuse and instrumentalisation of religion to undermine other human rights, including SRHR and the rights of LGBTI persons;
Amendment 75 #
2021/2055(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Points out that, in some countries, the main sources of discrimination against minorities come from non-State actors; calls on the Commission and Member States not to focus exclusively on government-based discrimination and to work with partner countries in tackling the causes of societal discrimination against minorities, with special regard to hate speech;
Amendment 19 #
2021/2046(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the decarbonisation of transport will reduce the Union’s dependence on imports of fossil fuels while fostering renewable energy production and consumption;
Amendment 53 #
2021/2046(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Takes note of the Commission’s communication entitled ‘Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy – putting European transport on track for the future’ and points out shortcomings that need to be overcome; stresses that the sector's potential to reduce its emissions is greatly dependent on investment in environmentally sustainable public transport systems, which must give rise to a paradigm shift in mobility, which is overly focused on individual transport and on fossil fuels consumption;
Amendment 173 #
2021/2046(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Advocates that the objective of global emissions reduction in the transport sector should be grounded in a regulatory approach that is no longer exclusively focused on market-based instruments, makes each economic agent responsible and paves the way for the rapid dissemination of the best available technologies. and practices;
Amendment 187 #
2021/2046(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Reminds the importance to engage all levels of government, especially regional and local authorities, in giving rise to a paradigm shift in mobility through education and awareness, and taking into account the close relationships between mobility, climate change, air pollution and human health;
Amendment 3 #
2021/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15
Citation 15
— having regard to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, the European Social Charter, the case law of the European Court of Human Rights and the European Committee of Social Rights, the Council of Europe Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities (FCNM) and the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages (ECRML) and the conventions, recommendations, resolutions, opinions and reports of the Parliamentary Assembly, the Committee of Ministers, the Human Rights Commissioner, the European Commission Against Racism and Intolerance, the Steering Committee on Anti- Discrimination, Diversity and Inclusion, the Venice Commission, the Advisory Committee on the FCNM, the Committee of Experts of the ECRML and other bodies of the Council of Europe,
Amendment 31 #
2021/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
C a. whereas respect for the rights of minorities is a part of the political criteria an accession-candidate country must fulfil at the time of accession; whereas while the Union has an important role in ensuring respect for the rights of national and linguistic minorities in candidate- countries, it so far hasn't yet adopted any benchmarks for its Member States in this area, thus making possible that Member States backtrack on their commitments; whereas the 2020 report, too, misses to cover the rights of national and linguistic minorities;
Amendment 32 #
2021/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
C b. whereas the European Parliament has already called on the European Commission to adopt a common framework of Union minimum standards for the protection of rights of persons belonging to minorities, which are strongly embedded in a legal framework guaranteeing democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights throughout the Union1a; _________________ 1aEuropean Parliament Resolution of 13 November 2018 on minimum standards for minorities in the EU (OJ C 363, 28.10.2020, p. 13)
Amendment 209 #
2021/2025(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Calls on the Commission to include in its next reports detailed analyses and recommendations on the situation of the rights of autochthonous national and linguistic minorities, including through the involvement of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights; stresses that this is an area where it should establish strong links and synergies with the Council of Europe, and in particular with its Advisory Committee on the Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities and the Committee of Experts of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages;
Amendment 75 #
2021/2011(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Asks the Commission to set ambitious product design requirements for easy removal of CRMs; calls for ambitious minimum recycled CRM content targets; requests that the Commission propose new collection schemes to increase collection rates of waste products containing CRMs; asks the Commission to propose dedicated recycling targets for CRMs, by extending the approach suggested in the proposal for a regulation on batteries and waste batteries (COM(2020)0798) to other product groups, to improve resource circularity and efficiency;
Amendment 105 #
2021/2011(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission and the European Raw Materials Alliance to prioritise CRM extraction from existing mines and waste dumps over new mining; requests that the Commission assess whether current due diligence and environment rules are sufficient to guarantee minimal environmental impact of potential new mining projects in the EU, and to ensure reclamation once mining activities are completed;
Amendment 139 #
2021/2011(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Believes that mining permits should include requirements and targets for the proper recovery of all CRMs; requests that the Commission urgently implement Parliament’s demands in its resolution of 27 April 2017 on implementation of the Mining Waste Directive2 ;[1];[1] OJ C 298, 23.8.2018, p. 132. __________________ 2 OJ C 298, 23.8.2018, p. 132.
Amendment 160 #
2021/2011(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Believes that mining should be forbidden in nature conservation areas and that restoration should be obligatory for the ongoing mining activities in these areas; calls on the Commission to evaluate legislative options to ensure that local communities are fully involved in the permit procedures for new industrial and new mining projects.
Amendment 180 #
2021/2011(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Recalls that responsible sourcing and due diligence are key issues throughout the raw materials value chain; and that, given the EU’s high dependence on imports, sustainable and responsible sourcing from third countries must be guaranteed.
Amendment 186 #
2021/2011(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Reminds that control over natural resources too often opens the door to armed conflicts or social inequality, and that the Union should take into account such risks when addressing its policies regarding CRM sourced in third countries, especially
Amendment 7 #
2021/2007(INI)
2. Calls on the Commission to continue strengthening intellectual property rights (IPR) protection and enforcement in non-EU countries through EU-funded technical cooperation programmes by increasing funding for targeted technical assistance and capacity-building around IPR; welcomes in particular the intention to promote better generation and management of intellectual property (IP) on the African continent as part of a joint partnership building on the current four- year cooperation programme for Africa;
Amendment 9 #
2021/2007(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Welcomes that the Commission intends to ensure that R&I results achieved using EU funds are used for the benefit of the EU economy when IP on R&I results is to be exploited primarily in non-associated countries; stresses, however, that such condition should not be strictly required when results protected by EU-funded IPRs are exploited in low and low-middle income developing countries, and that instead applicants should explain how the candidate R&I project can critically contribute to the attainment of the SDGs in the country or group of countries concerned;
Amendment 19 #
2021/2007(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. SCalls on the Commission to boost research to determine how the IP strategies of companies based in developing countries differ from firms located in developed countries, and how legal systems in developing countries address IP protection; strongly encourages the Commission to assist producers and their associations as well as local authorities in developing countries in unlocking the potential of IP and reaping the economic value of local innovations, geographical indications and traditional knowledge; reiterates its call, in this regard, to respect the progress achieved in the international protection of indigenous peoples’ rights over their genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge;
Amendment 22 #
2021/2007(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that owners of standard essential patents commit to license their patents on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms in developing countries;
Amendment 24 #
2021/2007(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recognises that IP systems contribute to the development of new medicines, but stresses that they must comply with international human rights law and public health requirements; notes that strong IPRs may limit access to medicines in developing countries while not necessarily encouraging pharmaceutical innovation that responds to the needs of developing countries; underlines, in this regard, that the current legal system on IPRs is not boosting enough research on diseases that are recurrent in developing countries, such as malaria or zika, due to lack of potential profitability; calls on the Commission and Member States to increase efforts to offer qualified technical assistance and research funding in view of developing vaccines that prevent future outbreaks of such diseases;
Amendment 29 #
2021/2007(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Believes that full enjoyment of IPRs is legitimate in sofar as R&I results protected by patents are not generated with public investment; stresses that, when an invention is generated with are levant amount of public funding, a fair share of patent rights should be secured in favour of the public administration concerned; consequently, calls on the Commission to issue a legislative proposal to create a system of public ownership of IPRs on inventions that are generated with substantive public funding, in which case any product covered by this type of patent should be subject to open and non- exclusive licensing; believes that this legislation should establish that public administrations are entitled to hold partial ownership of IPRs if, despite the know- how of a company, the protected invention could not have been generated without public funding or would only have been developed over a much longer time span;
Amendment 38 #
2021/2007(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes, as a positive step, the recently announced US support for a proposal to temporarily waive certain provisions of the Agreement on Trade- Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights for the prevention, containment and treatment of COVID-19; urges the Commission, therefore, to follow through on its promise to engage in active and constructive text-based negotiations at World Trade Organization level. and support the temporary waiver of Sections 1, 4, 5 and 7 of Part II of the TRIPS Agreement in order to increase the production of COVID-19 vaccines in the shortest time possible;
Amendment 44 #
2021/2007(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Notes that a temporay waiver of the TRIPS agreement on COVID-19 vaccines' patents could also help to create diverse regional manufacturing hubs and protect the EU and the rest of the world from supply chain disruptions in future pandemics;
Amendment 45 #
2021/2007(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5 b. Calls on the Commission to engage in negotiations at the World Trade Organization to simplify the use of compulsory licenses under the TRIPS Agreement and provide more legal certainty to countries that use this flexibility, especially regarding the compensation to be paid; calls on the Commission to provide developing countries with technical assistance to enable the effective implementation of the current compulsory licensing framework when the circumstances provided for in Article 31 of the TRIPS Agreement occur in these countries, and to ensure that Member States smoothly implement Regulation (EC) No 816/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council on compulsory licensing of patents to export when requested by developing countries with insufficient manufacturing capacity facing public health crises; welcomes, in this regard, that the Commission explores with Member States the possibility of creating an emergency coordination mechanism to be triggered when Member States consider issuing a compulsory license;
Amendment 49 #
2021/2007(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5 c. Calls on the Commission to refrain from seeking expansive IP chapters in Free Trade Agreements with middle- income and low-middle income developing countries, such as TRIPS-plus measures, and to review the existing ones in order to ensure that they are in line with the Doha Declaration on TRIPS and Public Health;
Amendment 51 #
2021/2007(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 d (new)
Paragraph 5 d (new)
5 d. Calls on the Commission to support developing countries in reviewing their national IP laws taking into account available flexibilities, especially the LDCs transition waivers and those not commonly used in these countries, such as the research exception and the regulatory review exception;
Amendment 30 #
2021/2006(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 10 a (new)
Citation 10 a (new)
— having regard to the most recent reports of the International Energy Agency and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change;
Amendment 35 #
2021/2006(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the total methane emissions to the atmosphere are unknown, since an important part of them come from fossil fuel mining and burning; whereas these total emissions are estimated to be around 570 Mt/year1a; _________________ 1aIPCC Fourth Assessment Report: Climate Change 2007. https://archive.ipcc.ch/publications_and_ data/ar4/wg1/en/ch7s7-4-1.html
Amendment 39 #
2021/2006(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas anthropogenic sources of methane emissions account for approximately a 60% of total methane emissions, and natural sources for the remaining 40%;
Amendment 58 #
2021/2006(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas reducing methane emissions is indispensable in the fight against climate change, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement; whereas methane emissions also contribute to air pollution and it is therefore necessary to tackle these emissions in order to protect the health of EU citizens;
Amendment 137 #
2021/2006(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses the importance of developing an inventory of best practices and available technologies to promote the wider uptake of innovative mitigating actions and abatement options;
Amendment 155 #
2021/2006(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recognises the importance of voluntary industry initiatives aimed at reducing methane emissions and considers that any regulatory initiatives should build upon best practices from existing voluntary actions and must be duly preceded by thorough impact assessments;
Amendment 226 #
2021/2006(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Calls on the Commission to support the establishment of an independent international methane emissions observatory, in partnership with the United Nations Environmental Programme, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition and the International Energy Agency, tasked with collecting, reconciling, verifying and publishing anthropogenic methane emissions data at a global level;
Amendment 264 #
2021/2006(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Stresses that technologies and practices to limit methane emissions from agriculture are developing at a fast pace; calls on the Commission to ensure that proven effective and cost-efficient innovations are quickly implemented in the EU and integrated into EU agriculture policies and duly financed by EU programs and tools;
Amendment 6 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3
Citation 3
— having regard to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted in September 2015, in particular goals 1, 4, 5, 8, 10 and 107 thereof,
Amendment 7 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
— having regard to the International Labour Organisation Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (nº100),
Amendment 9 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 b (new)
Citation 4 b (new)
— having regard to the International Labour Organisation Discrimination (Employment and Occupation) Convention, 1958 (nº111),
Amendment 10 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 c (new)
Citation 4 c (new)
— having regard to the International Labour Organisation Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (nº190),
Amendment 11 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 d (new)
Citation 4 d (new)
— having regard to the International Labour Organisation Social Protection Floors Recommendation 202,
Amendment 14 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
— having regard to the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of war of 12 August 1949,
Amendment 24 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 13 a (new)
Citation 13 a (new)
Amendment 53 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas gender inequality is deeply engrained in societal values built upon the patriarchal concept of women’s role within the family;
Amendment 57 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A b (new)
Recital A b (new)
Ab. whereas there should be a more strategic and systematic approach to how the EU and Member States work together on gender issues in partner countries; whereas the EU delegations and Member States do not systematically work together to ensure that GAPs are integrated into the planning and implementation of the Multiannual indicative programmes and Joint programming;
Amendment 62 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A c (new)
Recital A c (new)
Ac. whereas GAP III should be the framework for an active contribution of the EU external action in the fight against gender inequality;
Amendment 63 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A d (new)
Recital A d (new)
Ad. whereas empowering and providing adequate funding to CSOs defending the rights of women and girls in partner countries is vital to generate new societal attitudes and consensus that facilitate gender equality; whereas active involvement of women organisations on the ground is essential for the successful implementation of GAP III;
Amendment 65 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas violence is the most extreme form of gender inequality; whereas preventing gender-based violence requires challenging gender norms that legitimate women subjection and adopting holistic legislative reforms;
Amendment 75 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
Ba. whereas women human rights defenders are critically exposed to threats, intimidation and violence;
Amendment 78 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas extremist discourse that threatens the upholding of sexual and reproductive rights both within and outside the EU is on the rise; whereas with regard to healthcare services and services relating to sexual and reproductive rights, access must be universal;
Amendment 86 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas GAP III should ensure that no woman or girl is discriminated because of her belonging to a particular social class, ethnicity, religion, race or disability group;
Amendment 108 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas there is a lack of female students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields of study;
Amendment 129 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Regrets that six Member States have still not ratified the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence; calls on the EU to directly access the Istanbul Convention in the shortest possible timeframe;
Amendment 131 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1b. Strongly condemns the withdrawal of Turkey from the Istanbul Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence; considers that the denunciation of the Istanbul Convention is another step that questions the status of Turkey as a candidate for membership of the EU;
Amendment 151 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for fullReminds that the GAP III should not be exclusively implemented through the EU development cooperation policy; calls for full and coherent implementation of GAP III in every aspect of EU external action;
Amendment 161 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses the need for an annual assessment of GAP results at every level and every stage, against targeted and measurable objectives; insists that the GAP annual assessment, beyond its role in the EU development policy, should evaluate the implementation of GAP III in all EU policies that are relevant to the EU external action, such as trade or agriculture;
Amendment 171 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Calls on EU missions and delegations and onDelegations and Member States to cooperate closely in the implementation of GAP III, as well as to establish a coordinated approach to implementation between the Commission Headquarters, EU Delegations and all management levels; points out theat Member States to cooperate closely in the implementation of GAP III; should fully align their policies with the GAP III; calls on the Commission to establish a stronger and systematic monitoring and evaluation system to ensure that by 2025 the commitment on paper will be fully put into practice; underlines that regional and local governments should also be involved in the implementation of GAP III in accordance with their competencies in development cooperation and other areas with relevant external impact; calls on Member States to ensure high quality reporting on GAP III and to make it public for accountability reasons;
Amendment 179 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Notes that the EEAS should deploy more leadership to put gender as a key component of external action, and incentivise and politically back EU Delegations to do the same at partner country level - even if the scope and quality of political dialogue on gender would vary from country to country;
Amendment 183 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls for close ties to be established with organisational networks and, ministries, regional and local governments in partner countries and; calls for an annual dialogue regarding GAP III programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluation encompassing stakeholders and, in particular, civil society and women organisations;
Amendment 186 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Calls for stronger and systematic collaboration between stakeholders involved in the implementation of the GAP III, including between the Commission Directorate-Generals, different management levels of the same Directorate General, the Commission and EU Delegations in third countries, the Commission and EU Member States, and at all management levels within EU Delegations;
Amendment 190 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for funding for local women’s organisations to be increased; condemns all moves to clamp down on women’s rights activists and urges all governments to protect, support and cooperate with civil society; calls on EU Delegations to strictly implement the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders in relation to activists defending the rights of women, especially regarding the duties to complain about governmental bodies responsible for violations of human rights and provide professionally qualified legal assistance to activists when needed; calls on the HR/VP to report annually to the European Parliament on the implementation of the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders;
Amendment 235 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for action to combat femicide and all types of violence against women to be stepped up; stresses the need to work with partner countries in view of criminalising all forms of gender-based violence and ensuring that criminal procedural norms take into account the special vulnerability of gender-based violence victims;
Amendment 243 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9 a (new)
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9a. Is of the opinion that promoting gender equality in all fields of social life is essential to address the root causes of gender-based violence; calls on EU Delegations and Member States to deploy all possible diplomatic means to promote the adoption of legislation providing for structural gender equality in every aspect, such as minimum age for marriage, divorce, child custody, inheritance, control over assets, access to the labour market and overall equal civil capacity;
Amendment 246 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that child marriages make girls vulnerable to violence and abuse; points out that at least three million girls are at risk of genital mutilation every year; calls for integrated action to prevent female genital mutilation and forced marriages; underlines the need to engage in raising awareness about the harm of female genital mutilation in countries where this practice is widespread and to achieve the criminalisation this specific form of gender-based violence in all partner countries;
Amendment 259 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Points out to the special vulnerability that women with intersectionalities may have in various respects, such as LGBTI women, migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, women with disabilities and living with HIV, ethnic minorities, indigenous and tribal women; believes that there is need for greater investment in data disaggregation which can provide precise information on intersectional discrimination in partner countries and enable proper policy responses to tackle it;
Amendment 266 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Paragraph 11 b (new)
Amendment 292 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13 a (new)
Paragraph 13 a (new)
13a. Notes that the EU should be a leading example worldwide in terms of promoting the right to bodily integrity and autonomy of women and girls in all their diversity, both in terms of ending gender- based violence against them and concerning their sexual and reproductive rights;
Amendment 298 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Stresses the importance of sexual and reproductive rights with regard to women’s bodies and their autonomy and urges that they be treated as public health issues; calls for universal access tocompulsory sexual education in the school system, contraception and safe and legal abortion; stresses that the EU should promote that partner countries include these issues in their national public health plans;
Amendment 306 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Reminds that the quality of maternal healthcare is an important indicator of the development of a country; believes that the EU should help partner countries to uphold the right to health in the context of pregnancy and childbirth through the establishment of decent maternal health services that effectively decrease infant mortality and deaths related to complications of childbirth;
Amendment 308 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14b. Stresses the importance of improving the availability of contraception methods in partner countries, especially for adolescent girls who are at greater risk of complications in case of pregnancy; affirms that all women and adolescent girls are entitled to make their own free and informed choices with regard to their sexual and reproductive health and lives;
Amendment 342 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Reiterates that the crisis is affecting women’s access to the labour market and the formal economy; believes that GAP III should finance measures to enforce the economic rights of women and promote the establishment of tax policies that support the economic self- empowerment of women; stresses the need for the inclusion of a gender dimension in all recovery plans;
Amendment 349 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Welcomes that the Commission intends to require compliance with relevant ILO and UN conventions regarding gender equality in its upcoming review of the Generalised Scheme of Preferences Regulation; calls on the Commission to effectively include gender equality in all TSDs and to ensure that trade and investment do not exacerbate gender inequality; stresses that all impact assessments linked to trade should take into account SCOs views;
Amendment 351 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 b (new)
Paragraph 17 b (new)
17b. Calls on the Commission and Member States to work with partner countries to prevent and tackle harassment on women at work, as well as to promote the ratification of ILO Violence and Harassment Convention (nº190);
Amendment 352 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 c (new)
Paragraph 17 c (new)
Amendment 353 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Calls for GAP III to promote women’s economic activity and their access to the necessary resources and social protection; calls for measures to help make women more employable and provide them with business opportunitgender-responsive social protection systems, including social protection floors that are universal, fair and inclusive, in line with the ILO Social Protection Floors Recommendation 202; calls for measures to help make women more employable and provide them with business opportunities; underlines, in this regard, the need to promote the adoption of effective maternity protection, family leave and care leave legislation in partner countries;
Amendment 367 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 a (new)
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18a. Calls for GAP III to promote gender-responsive macroeconomic policies that will identify and address the needs of diverse groups of women, as well as care deficits;
Amendment 369 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 b (new)
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18b. Calls on the Commission and Member States to work with partner countries to fund measures that address the disproportionate burden of unpaid work that women have to bear, and to support actions helping women workers moving from the informal to the formal economy;
Amendment 370 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Paragraph 18 c (new)
Amendment 401 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Notes that women are under- represented at every level of political and public life; stresses the importance to boost the establishment of female youth organisations, given that teenage girls and young women are among the sectors most affected by gender-based discrimination; calls for programme funding to promote the training and participation of women;
Amendment 446 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Reiterates the need to prevent and combat the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war and to combat impunity; calls on the Commission and Member States to work with partner countries and their armed forces to ensure proper enforcement of the Fourth Geneva Convention relative to the protection of persons in time of war with a specific focus on preventing and punishing sexual violence;
Amendment 474 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Points out that women are at the forefront when it comes to expertise in the fields of agriculture, climate and biodiversity, energy and digitalisation; calls for them to be given support in the form of funding, legislative framework provisions and access to resources;
Amendment 499 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Stresses the need to work with partner countries to enact and enforce proper criminal law provisions to counter online abuse, threating messages, sexual harassment and sharing of private images without consent;
Amendment 524 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Recalls the Commission’s commitment to earmark EUR 4 billion from the external budget for women and girls and to increase funding for women’s organisations; calls for these commitments to be clarified and to establish a baseline and clear targets;
Amendment 530 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Underlines that proper funding through the EU programming process is needed for the effective implementation of GAP III; insists that the EU needs to develop a clear EU-wide definition of gender mainstreaming and specific guidelines to apply it at policy and programming level; calls on EU Delegations to prioritise funding for gender equality in partner countries;
Amendment 533 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30b. Calls on the Commission to revise funding mechanisms and practices to allow smaller, grass-root organisations to access EU funding for gender equality through established networks of women's rights organisations in partner countries who are able to manage and redistribute funds to their members;
Amendment 534 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 c (new)
Paragraph 30 c (new)
Amendment 540 #
2021/2003(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Is of the opinion that the EU should step up actions to tackle religious fundamentalism in coordination with faith-based organisations and religious leaders;
Amendment 104 #
2021/0428(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3 a) Since the establishment of the Schengen area cross border communities have developed and strengthened economic, cultural and social links. Cross border communities share and access health and education services.The reintroduction of border controls together with the closure of border crossing points, such as the one in Coll de Banyuls, between France and Spain has had a huge negative impact on cross border communities.
Amendment 105 #
2021/0428(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 b (new)
Recital 3 b (new)
(3 b) The reintroduction of border controls and the closure of border crossing points causes underdevelopment in border regions. Border closures separate families, friends and neighbours and thwart economic, cultural and political freedoms. Freedom of movement should be preserved as the corner stone of the European Union.
Amendment 53 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The Union continues to be concerned with the rise in environmental criminal offences and their effects, which undermine the effectiveness of Union environmental legislation. These offences are moreover increasingly extending beyond the borders of the Member States in which the offences are committed. Such offences pose a threat to the environment, entail habitat damage and biodiversity loss, amplify climate change, threaten the sustainable livelihood of vulnerable populations, create public health risks and therefore call for an appropriate and effective response.
Amendment 58 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The existing systems of penalties under Directive 2008/99/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council20 and environmental sectoral law have not been sufficient in all environmental policy area to achieve compliance with Union law for the protection of the environment. Compliance should be strengthened by the availability of criminal penalties, which demonstrate social disapproval of a qualitatively different nature compared to administrative penalties and increase deterrence. _________________ 20 Directive 2008/99/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on the protection of the environment through criminal law (OJ L 328, 6.12.2008, p. 28).
Amendment 70 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Member States should provide for criminal penalties in their national legislation in respect of serious infringements of provisions of Union law concerning protection of the environment. In the framework of the common fisheries policy, Union law provides for comprehensive set of rules for control and enforcement under Regulation (EC) No 1224/200921 and Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 in case of serious infringements, including those that cause damage to the marine environment. Under this system the Member States have the choice between administrative and/or criminal sanctioning systems. In line with the Communication from the Commission on the European Green Deal22 and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 203023 , certain intentional unlawful conduct coveredall conducts deemed to be serious infringements under Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 and Regulation (EC) 1005/200824 should be established as criminal offences. _________________ 21 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 of 8 April 2011 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L 112, 30.4.2011, p. 1–153). 22 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 The European Green Deal, COM/2019/640 final. 23 COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 Bringing nature back into our lives, COM/2020/380 final 24 Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1936/2001 and (EC) No 601/2004 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1093/94 and (EC) No 1447/1999, (OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, p. 1– 32).
Amendment 72 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6 a) The establishment of the offence of ecocide would ensure a broad and reinforced prosecution of any action that causes irreversible destruction or long- lasting substantial damage to an ecosystem with knowledge that there was a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by these actions. Such broad and reinforced prosecution should ensure that these kind of acts, which cause extremely grave damage to the environment and are carried out at least with dolus eventualis, are prosecuted and tried without any statute of limitation.
Amendment 73 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 6 b (new)
Recital 6 b (new)
(6 b) Acts established as criminal offences under this Directive can often be carried out by EU citizens or legal persons established in the EU in third countries where such conducts might not be established as criminal offences or where law enforcement tools are weak. Therefore, jurisdiction of Member States regarding criminal acts against the environment should be extended to third countries where the offender is an EU citizen or a legal person established in the EU in order to avoid impunity of such acts.
Amendment 74 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) In order to constitute an environmental offence under this Directive, conduct should be unlawful under Union law protecting the environment or national laws, administrative regulations or decisions giving effect to that Union law, or under a third state national law when the conduct is carried out by an EU citizen or a legal person established in the EU. The conduct which constitutes each category of criminal offence should be defined and, where appropriate, a threshold which needs to be met for the conduct to be criminalised should be set. Such conduct should be considered a criminal offence when committed intentionally and, in certain cases, also when committedor with serious negligence. Illegal conduct that causes death or serious injury of persons, substantial damage or a considerable risk of substantial damage for the environment or is considered otherwise as particularly harmful to the environment constitutes a criminal offence when committed with serious negligence. Member States remain free to adopt or maintain more stringent criminal law rules in that area.
Amendment 77 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) A conduct should be considered unlawful also when it is carried out under an authorisation by a competent authority in a Member State, or a third country where the conduct is carried out by an EU citizen or a legal person established in the EU, if such authorisation was obtained fraudulently, or by corruption, extortion or coercion. Moreover, operators should take the necessary steps to comply with the legislative, regulatory and administrative provisions concerning the protection of environment applicable when they carry out the respective activity, including by complying with their obligations, as laid down in applicable EU and national laws, in procedures governing amendments or updates to existing authorisations.
Amendment 94 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) In criminal proceedings and trials, due account should be taken of the involvement of organised criminal groups operating in ways that negatively impact the environment. Criminal proceedings should address corruption, money laundering, cyber-crime and document fraud and – in relation to business activities – the intention of the offender to maximise profits or save expenses, where these occur in the context of environmental crime. These crime forms are often interconnected with serious environmental crime forms and should therefore not be dealt with in isolation. In this respect, it is of particular concern that some environmental crimes are committed with the tolerance or active support of the competent administrations or officials performing his/her public duty. In certain cases this can even take the form, which is often obtained by means of corruption. Examples of such behaviours are turning a blind eye or remaining silent on the infringement of laws protecting the environment following inspections, deliberately omitting inspections or controls for example with regard to whether the conditions of a permit are being respected by the permit- holder, resolutions or votes in favour of granting illegal licences or issuing falsified or untrue favourable reports.
Amendment 97 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The Union continues to be concerned with the rise in environmental criminal offences and their effects, which undermine the effectiveness of Union environmental legislation. These offences are moreover increasingly extending beyond the borders of the Member States in which the offences are committed. Such offences pose a threat to the environment, entail habitat damage and biodiversity loss, amplify climate change, threaten the sustainable livelihood of vulnerable populations in developing countries, create public health risks and therefore call for an appropriate and effective response.
Amendment 98 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The existing systems of penalties under Directive 2008/99/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council20 and environmental sectoral law have not been sufficient in all environmental policy area to achieve compliance with Union law for the protection of the environment. Compliance should be strengthened by the availability of criminal penalties, which demonstrate social disapproval of a qualitatively different nature compared to administrative penalties and increase deterrence. _________________ 20 Directive 2008/99/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on the protection of the environment through criminal law (OJ L 328, 6.12.2008, p. 28).
Amendment 98 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) Inciting, and aiding and abetting the criminal offences committed intentionally should also be punishable. An attempt to commit a criminal offence that causes death or serious injury of a person, substantial damage to the environment or is likely to cause substantial damage to the environment or is otherwise considered particularly harmful should also constitute a criminal offence when committed intentionally or with serious negligence.
Amendment 99 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Member States should provide for criminal penalties in their national legislation in respect of serious infringements of provisions of Union law concerning protection of the environment. In the framework of the common fisheries policy, Union law provides for comprehensive set of rules for control and enforcement under Regulation (EC) No 1224/200921 and Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 in case of serious infringements, including those that cause damage to the marine environment. Under this system the Member States have the choice between administrative and/or criminal sanctioning systems. In line with the Communication from the Commission on the European Green Deal22 and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 203023 , certain intentional unlawful conduct coveredall conducts deemed to be serious infringements under Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 and Regulation (EC) 1005/200824 should be established as criminal offences. _________________ 21 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 of 8 April 2011 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L 112, 30.4.2011, p. 1–153). 22 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 The European Green Deal, COM/2019/640 final. 23 COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 Bringing nature back into our lives, COM/2020/380 final 24 Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1936/2001 and (EC) No 601/2004 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1093/94 and (EC) No 1447/1999, (OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, p. 1– 32).
Amendment 101 #
2021/0422(COD)
(6a) Acts established as criminal offences in this Directive can often be carried out by EU citizens or legal persons established in the EU in third countries where such conducts might not established as criminal offences or where law enforcement tools are weak. Therefore, jurisdiction of Member States regarding criminal acts against the environment contained in this Directive should be extended to third countries where the offender is an EU citizen or a legal person established in the EU in order to avoid impunity of such acts.
Amendment 102 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) In order to constitute an environmental offence under this Directive, conduct should be unlawful under Union law protecting the environment or national laws, administrative regulations or decisions giving effect to that Union law. The conduct which constitutes each category of criminal offence should be defined and, where appropriate, a threshold which needs to be met for the conduct to be criminalised should be set. Such conduct should be considered a criminal offence when committed intentionally and, in certain cases, also when committed with serious negligence. Illegal conduct that causes death or serious injury of persons, substantial damage or a considerable risk of substantial damage for the environment or is considered otherwise as particularly harmful to the environment constitutes a criminal offence when committed with serious negligence. Member States remain free to adopt or maintain more stringent criminal law rules in that area.
Amendment 104 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) In criminal proceedings and trials, due account should be taken of the involvement of organised criminal groups operating in ways that negatively impact the environment. Criminal proceedings should address corruption, money laundering, cyber-crime and document fraud and – in relation to business activities – the intention of the offender to maximise profits or save expenses, where these occur in the context of environmental crime. These crime forms are often interconnected with serious environmental crime forms and should therefore not be dealt with in isolation. In this respect, it is of particular concern that some environmental crimes are committed with the tolerance or active support of the competent administrations or officials performing his/her public duty. In certain cases this can even take the form, which is often obtained by means of corruption. Examples of such behaviours are turning a blind eye or remaining silent on the infringement of laws protecting the environment following inspections, deliberately omitting inspections or controls for example with regard to whether the conditions of a permit are being respected by the permit- holder, resolutions or votes in favour of granting illegal licences or issuing falsified or untrue favourable reports or, especially in developing countries, promoting prosecution of environmental defenders who act against environmental crime.
Amendment 106 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) A further approximation and effectiveness of sanction levels imposed in practice should be fostered through common aggravating circumstances that reflect the severity of the crime committed. Where the death of, or serious injury to, a person, have been caused and where these elements are not already constituent for the criminal offence, these could be considered as aggravating circumstances. Equally, when an environmental criminal offence causes substantial and irreversible or long- lasting damage to an entire ecosystem, this should be an aggravating circumstance because of its severity, including in cases comparable to ecocide. As the illegal profits or expenditure that can be generated or avoided through environmental crime are an important incentive for criminals and often fuel organised crime, these should be taken into account when determining the appropriate level of sanctioning in the individual case.
Amendment 106 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) A further approximation and effectiveness of sanction levels imposed in practice should be fostered through common aggravating circumstances that reflect the severity of the crime committed. Where the death of, or serious injury to, a person, have been caused and where these elements are not already constituent for the criminal offence, these could be considered as aggravating circumstances. EquallyOn the other hand, when an environmental criminal offence causes substantial and irreversible or long- lasting damage to an entire ecosystem, this should be an aggravating circumstance because of its severity, including in cases comparable toestablished as a crime of ecocide. As the illegal profits or expenditure that can be generated or avoided through environmental crime are an important incentive for criminals and often fuel organised crime, these should be taken into account when determining the appropriate level of sanctioning in the individual case.
Amendment 109 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) The obligations in this Directive to provide for criminal penalties should not exempt Member States from the obligation to provide for effective, proportionate and dissuasive administrative sanctions and other measures in national law for breaches established in Union environmental legislation.
Amendment 110 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) Given, in particular, the mobility of perpetrators of illegal conduct covered by this Directive, together with the cross- border nature of offences and the possibility of cross-border investigations, including conducts carried out in third countries, Member States should establish jurisdiction in order to counter such conduct effectively.
Amendment 114 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) To effectively tackle the criminal offences referred to in this Directive, it is necessary that competent authorities in the Member States collect accurate, consistent and comparable data on the scale of and trends in environmental offences and the efforts to combat them and their results. These data should be used for preparing statistics to serve the operational and strategic planning of enforcement activities as well as for providing information to citizens. Member States should collect and report to the Commission relevant statistical data on environmental offences. The Commission should regularannually assess and publish the results based on the data transmitted by the Member States.
Amendment 115 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) The obligations in this Directive to provide for criminal penalties should not exempt Member States from the obligation to provide for effective, dissuasive and proportionate administrative sanctions and other measures in national law for breaches established in Union environmental legislation.
Amendment 117 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – paragraph 1
The conduct shall be deemed unlawful even if carried out under an authorisation by a competent authority in a Member State, or in a third state where the conduct was carried out by an EU citizen or a legal person established in the EU, when the authorisation was obtained fraudulently or by corruption, extortion or coercion;
Amendment 119 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Member States shall ensure that the following conduct constitutes a criminal offence when it is unlawful and committed intentionally or with serious negligence:
Amendment 120 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) the ship-source discharges of polluting substances referred to in Article 4(1) of Directive 2005/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council42 on ship-source pollution and on the introduction of penalties, including criminal penalties, into any of the areas referred to in Article 3(1) of that Directive, provided that the ship-source discharges do not satisfy the exceptions set in Article 5 of that Directive; this provision shall not apply to individual cases, where the ship- source discharge does not cause deterioration in the quality of water, unless repeated cases by the same offender in conjunction result in deterioration in the quality of water; _________________ 42 Directive 2005/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on ship-source pollution and on the introduction of penalties for infringements (OJ L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 11– 21).
Amendment 122 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 23
Recital 23
(23) Given, in particular, the mobility of perpetrators of illegal conduct covered by this Directive, together with the cross- border nature of offences and the possibility of cross-border investigations, including actions carried out in third states, Member States should establish jurisdiction in order to counter such conduct effectively.
Amendment 124 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point p – point ii
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point p – point ii
(ii) the conduct breaches a condition of permit issued under Article 8 or of authorisation granted under Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 and causes or is likely to cause death or serious injury to any person or substantial damage to the quality of air, the quality of soil or the quality of water, or to animals or plants;
Amendment 125 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Amendment 126 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point e a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point e a (new)
(ea) monetary value of the damage;
Amendment 127 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point e b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point e b (new)
(eb) conservation status of the species affected by the damage;
Amendment 128 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – point d a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – point d a (new)
(da) the commission of the offence by a criminal organization within the meaning of Council Framework Decision 2008/841/JHA;
Amendment 129 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) The Union continues to be concerned with the rise in environmental criminal offences and their effects, which undermine the effectiveness of Union environmental legislation. These offences are moreover increasingly extending beyond the borders of the Member States in which the offences are committed. Such offences pose a threat to the environment, entail habitat damage and biodiversity loss, amplify climate change, threaten the sustainable livelihood of vulnerable populations, create public health risks, and therefore call for an appropriate and effective response.
Amendment 130 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that an attempt to commit any of the criminal offences referred to in Article 3 (1) points (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (h), (i), (j), (k), (m), (n), (p) (ii), (q), (r) when committed intentionally or with serious negligence is punishable as a criminal offence.
Amendment 132 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that offences referred to in Article 3 are punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least tfifteen years if they cause or are likely to cause death or serious injury to any person.
Amendment 133 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 3
Article 5 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the offences referred to in Article 3(1) points (a) to (j), (n), (q), (r) are punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least sixten years.
Amendment 134 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The existing systems of penalties under Directive 2008/99/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council20 and environmental sectoral law have not been sufficient in all environmental policy area to achieve compliance with Union law for the protection of the environment. Compliance should be strengthened by the availability of criminal penalties, which demonstrate social disapproval of a qualitatively different nature compared to administrative penalties and increase deterrence. _________________ 20 Directive 2008/99/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 on the protection of the environment through criminal law (OJ L 328, 6.12.2008, p. 28).
Amendment 134 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 4
Article 5 – paragraph 4
4. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the offences referred to in Article 3(1) points (k), (l), (m), (o), (p) are punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least foursix years.
Amendment 135 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the offences of ecocide established in article 3a are punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 15 years.
Amendment 136 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – point b
(b) fines, which shall be proportional to the damage caused by the offence;
Amendment 137 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – point e a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – point e a (new)
(ea) bans to pursue activities which have resulted in committing the offence;
Amendment 138 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall also ensure that legal persons can be held liable where the lack of supervision or control throughout its entire supply chain by a person referred to in paragraph 1 has made possible the commission of an offence referred to in Articles 3 and 4 for the benefit of the legal person by a person under its authority.
Amendment 143 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) Member States should provide for criminal penalties in their national legislation in respect of serious infringements of provisions of Union law concerning protection of the environment. In the framework of the common fisheries policy, Union law provides for comprehensive set of rules for control and enforcement under Regulation (EC) No 1224/200921 and Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 in case of serious infringements, including those that cause damage to the marine environment. Under this system the Member States have the choice between administrative and/or criminal sanctioning systems. In line with the Communication from the Commission on the European Green Deal22 and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 203023 , certain intentional unlawful conduct coveredall conducts deemed to be serious infringements under Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 and Regulation (EC) 1005/200824 should be established as criminal offences. _________________ 21 Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 of 8 April 2011 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy (OJ L 112, 30.4.2011, p. 1–153). 22 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 The European Green Deal, COM/2019/640 final. 23 COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 Bringing nature back into our lives, COM/2020/380 final 24 Council Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 of 29 September 2008 establishing a Community system to prevent, deter and eliminate illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, amending Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1936/2001 and (EC) No 601/2004 and repealing Regulations (EC) No 1093/94 and (EC) No 1447/1999, (OJ L 286, 29.10.2008, p. 1– 32).
Amendment 144 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) The establishment of the offence of ecocide would ensure a broad and reinforced prosecution of any action that causes irreversible destruction or long- lasting substantial damage to an ecosystem with knowledge that there was a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by these actions. Such broad and reinforced prosecution should ensure that these kinds of acts, which cause extremely grave damage to the environment and are carried out with dolus eventualis, are prosecuted regardless of their specific inclusion on the list contained in Article 3(1) and are punished by penalties which are equivalent to those imposed upon when the act causes the death or serious injury of a person.
Amendment 145 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 6 b (new)
Recital 6 b (new)
(6b) Acts established as criminal offences in this Directive can often be carried out by EU citizens or legal persons established in the EU in third countries where such conducts might not be established as criminal offences or where law enforcement tools are weak. Therefore, jurisdiction of Member States regarding criminal acts against the environment contained in this Directive should be extended to third countries where the offender is an EU citizen or a legal person established in the EU in order to avoid impunity of such acts.
Amendment 146 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) In order to constitute an environmental offence under this Directive, conduct should be unlawful under Union law protecting the environment or national laws, administrative regulations or decisions giving effect to that Union law. The conduct which constitutes each category of criminal offence should be defined and, where appropriate, a threshold which needs to be met for the conduct to be criminalised should be set. Such conduct should be considered a criminal offence when committed intentionally and, in certain cases, also when committed with serious negligence. Illegal conduct that causes death or serious injury of persons, substantial damage or a considerable risk of substantial damage for the environment or is considered otherwise as particularly harmful to the environment constitutes a criminal offence when committedor with serious negligence. Member States remain free to adopt or maintain more stringent criminal law rules in that area.
Amendment 148 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) the offence damaged a legally protected area in a third country;
Amendment 150 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) A conduct should be considered unlawful also when it is carried out under an authorisation by a competent authority in a Member State, or a third country when the conduct is carried out by an EU citizen or a legal person established in the EU, if such authorisation was obtained fraudulently, or by corruption, extortion or coercion. Moreover, operators should take the necessary steps to comply with the legislative, regulatory and administrative provisions concerning the protection of environment applicable when they carry out the respective activity, including by complying with their obligations, as laid down in applicable EU and national laws, in procedures governing amendments or updates to existing authorisations.
Amendment 150 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) the offense converges with other crimes;
Amendment 153 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) To effectively tackle the criminal offences referred to in this Directive, it is necessary that competent authorities in the Member States collect accurate, consistent and comparable data on the scale of and trends in environmental offences and the efforts to combat them and their results. These data should be used for preparing statistics to serve the operational and strategic planning of enforcement activities as well as for providing information to citizens. Member States should collect and report to the Commission relevant statistical data on environmental offences. The Commission should regularannually assess and publish the results based on the data transmitted by the Member States.
Amendment 159 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the limitation period of criminal offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4 does not commence until the concrete scope of the damage to the environment has been fully established by appropriate scientific means.
Amendment 160 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) of offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4 which are punishable by a maximum sanction of at least tfifteen years of imprisonment, for a period of at least tfifteen years from the time when the offence was committed, when offences are punishable;
Amendment 161 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) of offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4 which are punishable by a maximum sanction of at least sixten years of imprisonment, for a period of at least sixten years from the time when the offence was committed, when offences are punishable;
Amendment 162 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) of offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4 which are punishable by a maximum sanction of at least foursix years of imprisonment, for a period of at least foursix years from the time when the offence was committed, when offences are punishable.
Amendment 162 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – paragraph 1
The conduct shall be deemed unlawful even if carried out under an authorisation by a competent authority in a Member State, or in a third state where the conduct was carried out by an EU citizen or a legal person established in the EU, when the authorisation was obtained fraudulently or by corruption, extortion or coercion;
Amendment 163 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 3
Article 11 – paragraph 3
Amendment 164 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point a
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point a
(a) a penalty of imprisonment in the case of a criminal offence which is punishable by a maximum sanction of at least tfifteen years of imprisonment, imposed following a final conviction for a criminal offence referred to in Articles 3 and 4, for at least tfifteen years from the date of the final conviction;
Amendment 164 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 a (new)
(1 a) "severe" means damage which involves very serious adverse changes, disruption or harm to any element of the environment, including great impacts on human life or natural, cultural or economic resources;
Amendment 165 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point b
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point b
(b) a penalty of imprisonment in the case of a criminal offence which is punishable by a maximum sanction of at least sixten years of imprisonment, imposed following a final conviction for a criminal offence referred to in Articles 3 and 4, for at least sixten years from the date of the final conviction;
Amendment 165 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 b (new)
(1 b) "widespread" means damage which extends beyond a limited geographic area, crosses state boundaries, or is suffered by an entire ecosystem or species or a large number of human beings;
Amendment 166 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) In criminal proceedings and trials, due account should be taken of the involvement of organised criminal groups operating in ways that negatively impact the environment. Criminal proceedings should address corruption, money laundering, cyber-crime and document fraud and – in relation to business activities – the intention of the offender to maximise profits or save expenses, where these occur in the context of environmental crime. These crime forms are often interconnected with serious environmental crime forms and should therefore not be dealt with in isolation. In this respect, it is of particular concern that some environmental crimes are committed with the tolerance or active support of the competent administrations or officials performing his/her public duty. In certain cases this can even take the form, which often is obtained by means of corruption. Examples of such behaviours are turning a blind eye or remaining silent on the infringement of laws protecting the environment following inspections, deliberately omitting inspections or controls for example with regard to whether the conditions of a permit are being respected by the permit- holder, resolutions or votes in favour of granting illegal licences or, issuing falsified or untrue favourable reports or, especially in developing countries, promoting prosecution of environmental defenders who act against projects that may constitute an environmental crime.
Amendment 166 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point c
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point c
(c) a penalty of imprisonment in the case of a criminal offence which is punishable by a maximum sanction of at least foursix years of imprisonment, imposed following a final conviction for a criminal offence referred to in Articles 3 and 4, for at least foursix years from the date of the final conviction.
Amendment 166 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 c (new)
(1 c) "environment" means the earth, its biosphere, cryosphere, lithosphere, hydrosphere and atmosphere, as well as outerspace;
Amendment 167 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) the offender is one of its nationals or habitual residents, regardless of whether the offence takes place in an EU Member State or a third country.
Amendment 169 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 3
(3) ‘legal person’ means any legal entity having such status under the applicable national law, except forincluding States or public bodies exercising State authority and for public international organisations;
Amendment 172 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Member States shall ensure that, in accordance with their national legal system, members of the public concerned have appropriate rights to participate in proceedings concerning offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4, for instance as a civil party or as a private prosecution.
Amendment 174 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Member States shall take appropriate action, such as preventive law enforcement tools, information and awareness- raising campaigns and research and education programmes, to reduce overall environmental criminal offences, raise public awareness and reduce the risk of population of becoming a victim of an environmental criminal offence. Where appropriate, Member States shall act in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders.
Amendment 175 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Member States shall ensure that national authorities which prevent, detect, investigate, prosecute or adjudicate environmental offences have a sufficient number of qualified staff and sufficient financial, technical and technological resources necessary for the effective performance of their functions related to the implementation of this Directive.
Amendment 175 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Member States shall ensure that the following conduct constitutes a criminal offence when it is unlawful and committed intentionally or with serious negligence:
Amendment 176 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Without prejudice to judicial independence and differences in the organisation of the judiciary across the Union, Member States shall request those responsible for the training of judges, prosecutors, police, judicial staff and competent authorities’ staff involved in criminal proceedings and investigations to provide at regular intervals specialised training, especially in the case of environmental crime committed within the framework of criminal organizations, with respect to the objectives of this Directive and appropriate to the functions of the involved staff and authorities.
Amendment 177 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) A further approximation and effectiveness of sanction levels imposed in practice should be fostered through common aggravating circumstances that reflect the severity of the crime committed. Where the death of, or serious injury to, a person, have been caused and where these elements are not already constituent for the criminal offence, these could be considered as aggravating circumstances. Equally, when an environmental criminal offenceOn the other hand, when any act causes substantial and irreversible or long- lasting damage to an entire ecosystem, this should be an aggravating circumstance because of its severity, including in cases comparable to ecocideestablished as a separate criminal offence of ecocide, which should be prosecuted regardless of its specific inclusion in Article 3(1) and should be punished with the same penalties imposed upon to criminal offences listed in Article 3 (1) that cause the death or serious injury of a person. As the illegal profits or expenditure that can be generated or avoided through environmental crime are an important incentive for criminals and often fuel criminal organisations, these should be taken into account when determining the appropriate level of sanctioning in the individual case.
Amendment 178 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that effective investigative tools, such as those which are used in organised crime, cybercrime, financial crime or other serious crime cases, are also available for investigating or prosecuting offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4.
Amendment 180 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 21 – paragraph 5
Article 21 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission shall regularannually publish a report based on the statistical data transmitted by the Member States. The report shall be published for the first time three years after the standard format referred to in Article 22 has been determined.
Amendment 189 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) The obligations in this Directive to provide for criminal penalties should not exempt Member States from the obligation to provide for effective, proportionate and dissuasive administrative sanctions and other measures in national law for breaches established in Union environmental legislation.
Amendment 191 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) the ship-source discharges of polluting substances referred to in Article 4(1) of Directive 2005/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council42 on ship-source pollution and on the introduction of penalties, including criminal penalties, into any of the areas referred to in Article 3(1) of that Directive, provided that the ship-source discharges do not satisfy the exceptions set in Article 5 of that Directive; this provision shall not apply to individual cases, where the ship- source discharge does not cause deterioration in the quality of water, unless repeated cases by the same offender in conjunction result in deterioration in the quality of water; _________________ 42 Directive 2005/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on ship-source pollution and on the introduction of penalties for infringements (OJ L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 11– 21).
Amendment 198 #
2021/0422(COD)
(23) Given, in particular, the mobility of perpetrators of illegal conduct covered by this Directive, together with the cross- border nature of offences and the possibility of cross-border investigations, including conducts carried out in third states, Member States should establish jurisdiction in order to counter such conduct effectively.
Amendment 200 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point m
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point m
(m) trading in specimens of wild fauna or flora species or parts or derivatives thereof listed in Annexes A, B and BC to Council Regulation (EC) No 338/9751 , except for cases where the conduct concerns a negligible quantity of such specimens; _________________ 51 Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (OJ L 61, 3.3.1997, p. 1).
Amendment 213 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point p – point ii
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point p – point ii
(ii) the conduct breaches a condition of permit issued under Article 8 or of authorisation granted under Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 and causes or is likely to cause death or serious injury to any person or substantial damage to the quality of air, the quality of soil or the quality of water, or to animals or plants;
Amendment 215 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point p – point ii a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point p – point ii a (new)
(ii a) The conduct causes or is likely to cause death or serious injury to any person or substantial damage to the quality of air, the quality of soil or the quality of water, or to animals or plants;
Amendment 217 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
(r a) serious acts of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, as defined in Article 42 of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 and Article 90 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009.
Amendment 219 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Member States shall tipify as "ecocide" any action that causes destruction or irreversible or long-lasting substantial damage to an ecosystem with knowledge that there was a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by this action.
Amendment 220 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Amendment 224 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 32
Recital 32
(32) To effectively tackle the criminal offences referred to in this Directive, it is necessary that competent authorities in the Member States collect accurate, consistent and comparable data on the scale of and trends in environmental offences and the efforts to combat them and their results. These data should be used for preparing statistics to serve the operational and strategic planning of enforcement activities as well as for providing information to citizens. Member States should collect and report to the Commission relevant statistical data on environmental offences. The Commission should regularannually assess and publish the results based on the data transmitted by the Member States.
Amendment 226 #
2021/0422(COD)
(e a) monetary value of the damage;
Amendment 228 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point e b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point e b (new)
(e b) conservation status of the species affected by the damage.
Amendment 234 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – point d a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – point d a (new)
(d a) the commission of the offense in the framework of a criminal organization within the meaning of Council Framework Decision 2008/841/JHA.
Amendment 240 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that inciting, and aiding and abetting the commission of any of the criminal offences referred to in Article 3(1) and Article 3(1a) are punishable as criminal offences.
Amendment 241 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – paragraph 1
The conduct shall be deemed unlawful even if carried out under an authorisation by a competent authority in a Member State, or in a third state where the conduct was carried out by an EU citizen or a legal person established in the EU, when the authorisation was obtained fraudulently or by corruption, extortion or coercion;
Amendment 243 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that an attempt to commit any of the criminal offences referred to in Article 3 (1) points (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (h), (i), (j), (k), (m), (n), (p) (ii), (q), (r) when committed intentionally or with serious negligence is punishable as a criminal offence.
Amendment 248 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that offences referred to in Article 3(1) are punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least tfifteen years if they cause or are likely to cause death or serious injury to any person.
Amendment 249 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 3
Article 5 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the offences referred to in Article 3(1) points (a) to (j), (n), (q), (r) are punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least sixten years.
Amendment 250 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 4
Article 5 – paragraph 4
4. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the offences referred to in Article 3(1) points (k), (l), (m), (o), (p) are punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least foursix years.
Amendment 252 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the offences referred to in Article 3(1a) are punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 15 years.
Amendment 260 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – point b
(b) fines, which shall be proportional to the damage done;
Amendment 261 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – point e a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – point e a (new)
(e a) bans to pursue activities which have resulted in committing the offence;
Amendment 274 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 4
Article 7 – paragraph 4
Amendment 277 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Member States shall ensure that the following conduct constitutes a criminal offence when it is unlawful and committed intentionally or with serious negligence:
Amendment 279 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 5
Article 7 – paragraph 5
5. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that offences referred to in Article 3(1) points (k), (l), (m), (o), (p) are punishable by fines, the maximum limit of which shall be not less than 310% of the total worldwide turnover of the legal person [/undertaking] in the business year preceding the fining decision.
Amendment 281 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that offences referred to in Article 3(1a) are punishable by fines, the maximum limit of which shall be not less than 25% of the total worldwide turnover of the legal person [/undertaking] in the business year preceding the fining decision.
Amendment 286 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(b a) The offense damaged a legally protected area in a third country;
Amendment 288 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(f a) the offense converges with other crimes.
Amendment 301 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the limitation period of criminal offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4 does not commence until the scope of the damage to the environment has been fully measured by appropriate scientific means.
Amendment 304 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) of offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4 which are punishable by a maximum sanction of at least tfifteen years of imprisonment, for a period of at least ten years from the time when the offence was committed, when offences are punishable;
Amendment 305 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) of offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4 which are punishable by a maximum sanction of at least tfifteen years of imprisonment, for a period of at least tfifteen years from the time when the offence was committed, when offences are punishable;
Amendment 307 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) of offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4 which are punishable by a maximum sanction of at least sixten years of imprisonment, for a period of at least sixten years from the time when the offence was committed, when offences are punishable;
Amendment 309 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) of offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4 which are punishable by a maximum sanction of at least foursix years of imprisonment, for a period of at least foursix years from the time when the offence was committed, when offences are punishable.
Amendment 310 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the investigation, prosecution, trial and judicial adjudication of the criminal offence established in Article 3(1a) is not subject to any limitation period.
Amendment 311 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 3
Article 11 – paragraph 3
Amendment 313 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point h
(h) the ship-source discharges of polluting substances referred to in Article 4(1) of Directive 2005/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council42 on ship-source pollution and on the introduction of penalties, including criminal penalties, into any of the areas referred to in Article 3(1) of that Directive, provided that the ship-source discharges do not satisfy the exceptions set in Article 5 of that Directive; this provision shall not apply to individual cases, where the ship- source discharge does not cause deterioration in the quality of water, unless repeated cases by the same offender in conjunction result in deterioration in the quality of water; _________________ 42 Directive 2005/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on ship-source pollution and on the introduction of penalties for infringements (OJ L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 11– 21).
Amendment 313 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point a
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point a
(a) a penalty of imprisonment in the case of a criminal offence which is punishable by a maximum sanction of at least tfifteen years of imprisonment, imposed following a final conviction for a criminal offence referred to in Articles 3 and 4, for at least tfifteen years from the date of the final conviction;
Amendment 315 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point b
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point b
(b) a penalty of imprisonment in the case of a criminal offence which is punishable by a maximum sanction of at least sixten years of imprisonment, imposed following a final conviction for a criminal offence referred to in Articles 3 and 4, for at least sixten years from the date of the final conviction;
Amendment 316 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point c
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point c
(c) a penalty of imprisonment in the case of a criminal offence which is punishable by a maximum sanction of at least foursix years of imprisonment, imposed following a final conviction for a criminal offence referred to in Articles 3 and 4, for at least foursix years from the date of the final conviction.
Amendment 317 #
2021/0422(COD)
4 a. Member States shall take the necessary measures to enable the enforcement of a penalty of imprisonment in the case of a criminal offence referred to in Article 3(1a) without any limitation period.
Amendment 318 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Each Member State shall take the necessary measures to establish its jurisdiction over the offences referred to in Articles 3, 3(1a) and 4 where:
Amendment 321 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(d a) the offence was committed for the benefit of a legal person established on its territory;
Amendment 322 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. A Member State shall inform the Commission where it decidesensure to extend its jurisdiction to offences referred to in Articles 3, 3(1a) and 4 which have been committed outside its territory, where:
Amendment 325 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) the offence has created a severe risk for the environment or for the biodiversity on its territory.
Amendment 336 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point m
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point m
(m) trading in specimens of wild fauna or flora species or parts or derivatives thereof listed in Annexes A, B and BC to Council Regulation (EC) No 338/9751 , except for cases where the conduct concerns a negligible quantity of such specimens; _________________ 51 Council Regulation (EC) No 338/97 of 9 December 1996 on the protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (OJ L 61, 3.3.1997, p. 1).
Amendment 341 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Member States shall ensure that, in accordance with their national legal system, members of the public concerned have appropriate rights to participate in proceedings concerning offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4, for instance as a civil party or as a private prosecution.
Amendment 348 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Member States shall take appropriate action, such as preventive law enforcement tools, information and awareness- raising campaigns and research and education programmes, to reduce overall environmental criminal offences, raise public awareness and reduce the risk of population of becoming a victim of an environmental criminal offence. Where appropriate, Member States shall act in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders.
Amendment 350 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Member States shall ensure that national authorities which prevent, detect, investigate, prosecute or adjudicate environmental offences have a sufficient number of qualified staff and sufficient financial, technical and technological resources necessary for the effective performance of their functions related to the implementation of this Directive.
Amendment 351 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point p – point ii
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point p – point ii
(ii) the conduct breaches a condition of permit issued under Article 8 or of authorisation granted under Article 9 of Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014 and causes or is likely to cause death or serious injury to any person or substantial damage to the quality of air, the quality of soil or the quality of water, or to animals or plants;
Amendment 351 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Without prejudice to judicial independence and differences in the organisation of the judiciary across the Union, Member States shall request those responsible for the training of judges, prosecutors, police, judicial staff and competent authorities’ staff involved in criminal proceedings and investigations to provide at regular intervals specialised training, especially in the cases of environmental crime committed within the framework of criminal organizations, with respect to the objectives of this Directive and appropriate to the functions of the involved staff and authorities.
Amendment 355 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point p – point ii a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point p – point ii a (new)
(iia) The conduct causes or is likely to cause death or serious injury to any person or substantial damage to the quality of air, the quality of soil or the quality of water, or to animals or plants;
Amendment 355 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that effective investigative tools, such as those which are used in organised crime, cybercrime, financial crime or other serious crime cases, are also available for investigating or prosecuting offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4.
Amendment 358 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point r a (new)
(ra) serious acts of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, as defined in Article 42 of Regulation (EC) No 1005/2008 and Article 90 of Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009;
Amendment 365 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Member States shall establish as "ecocide" any action that causes destruction or irreversible or long-lasting substantial damage to an ecosystem with knowledge that there was a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term damage to the environment being caused by this action.
Amendment 366 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Amendment 366 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 21 – paragraph 5
Article 21 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission shall regularannually publish a report based on the statistical data transmitted by the Member States. The report shall be published for the first time three years after the standard format referred to in Article 22 has been determined.
Amendment 384 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point e a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point e a (new)
(ea) monetary value of the damage.
Amendment 385 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point e b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point e b (new)
(eb) conservation status of the species affected by the damage.
Amendment 404 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – point d a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – point d a (new)
(da) the scale of the financial benefits gained by committing the offence.
Amendment 406 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – point d b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 5 – point d b (new)
(db) the commission of the offence by an criminal organisation within the meaning of Council Framework Decision 2008/841/JHA
Amendment 414 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. Member States shall ensure that inciting, and aiding and abetting the commission of any of the criminal offences referred to in Article 3(1) and Article 3 (1a) are punishable as criminal offences.
Amendment 417 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that an attempt to commit any of the criminal offences referred to in Article 3 (1) points (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (h), (i), (j), (k), (m), (n), (p) (ii), (q), (r) when committed intentionally is punishable as a criminal offence.
Amendment 421 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that an attempt to commit the criminal offence referred to in Article 3 (1a) is punishable as a criminal offence.
Amendment 427 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that offences referred to in Article 3 (1) are punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least tfifteen years if they cause or are likely to cause death or serious injury to any person.
Amendment 432 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 3
Article 5 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the offences referred to in Article 3(1) points (a) to (j), (n), (q), (r) are punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least sixten years.
Amendment 435 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 4
Article 5 – paragraph 4
4. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the offences referred to in Article 3(1) points (k), (l), (m), (o), (p) are punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least foursix years.
Amendment 436 #
2021/0422(COD)
4a. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the offences referred to in Article 3(1a) are punishable by a maximum term of imprisonment of at least 15 years.
Amendment 449 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – point b
(b) fines, which shall be proportional to the damage caused by the offence;
Amendment 456 #
2021/0422(COD)
(ea) bans to pursue activities which have resulted in committing the offence;
Amendment 465 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) an authority to exercise control within the legal person, including supply chain due diligence.
Amendment 466 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. Member States shall also ensure that legal persons can be held liable where the lack of supervision or control throughout its entire supply chain by a person referred to in paragraph 1 has made possible the commission of an offence referred to in Articles 3 and 4 for the benefit of the legal person by a person under its authority.
Amendment 495 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 4
Article 7 – paragraph 4
4. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that offences referred to in Article 3(1) points (a) to (j), (n), (q), (r) are punishable by fines, the maximum limit of which shall be not less than 15% of the total worldwide turnover of the legal person [/undertaking] in the business year preceding the fining decision.
Amendment 505 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 5
Article 7 – paragraph 5
5. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that offences referred to in Article 3(1) points (k), (l), (m), (o), (p) are punishable by fines, the maximum limit of which shall be not less than 310% of the total worldwide turnover of the legal person [/undertaking] in the business year preceding the fining decision.
Amendment 507 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 7 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that offences referred to in Article 3(1a) are punishable by fines, the maximum limit of which shall be not less than 25% of the total worldwide turnover of the legal person [/undertaking] in the business year preceding the fining decision.
Amendment 520 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) the offence damaged a Natura 2000 site;
Amendment 521 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b b (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point b b (new)
(bb) the offence damaged a legally protected area in a third country;
Amendment 531 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) the offence converges with other crimes.
Amendment 545 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) the offender restores nature to its previous condition prior to the indictment of criminal proceedings;
Amendment 554 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 11 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the limitation period of criminal offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4 does not commence until the concrete scope of the damage to the environment has been fully measured by appropriate scientific means.
Amendment 558 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point a
(a) of offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4 which are punishable by a maximum sanction of at least tfifteen years of imprisonment, for a period of at least tfifteen years from the time when the offence was committed, when offences are punishable;
Amendment 561 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) of offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4 which are punishable by a maximum sanction of at least sixten years of imprisonment, for a period of at least sixten years from the time when the offence was committed, when offences are punishable;
Amendment 565 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) of offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4 which are punishable by a maximum sanction of at least foursix years of imprisonment, for a period of at least foursix years from the time when the offence was committed, when offences are punishable.
Amendment 567 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 3
Article 11 – paragraph 3
Amendment 572 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point a
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point a
(a) a penalty of imprisonment in the case of a criminal offence which is punishable by a maximum sanction of at least tfifteen years of imprisonment, imposed following a final conviction for a criminal offence referred to in Articles 3 and 4, for at least tfifteen years from the date of the final conviction;
Amendment 575 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point b
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point b
(b) a penalty of imprisonment in the case of a criminal offence which is punishable by a maximum sanction of at least sixten years of imprisonment, imposed following a final conviction for a criminal offence referred to in Articles 3 and 4, for at least sixten years from the date of the final conviction;
Amendment 577 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point c
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point c
(c) a penalty of imprisonment in the case of a criminal offence which is punishable by a maximum sanction of at least foursix years of imprisonment, imposed following a final conviction for a criminal offence referred to in Articles 3 and 4, for at least four years from the date of the final conviction.
Amendment 578 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point c
Article 11 – paragraph 4 – point c
(c) a penalty of imprisonment in the case of a criminal offence which is punishable by a maximum sanction of at least foursix years of imprisonment, imposed following a final conviction for a criminal offence referred to in Articles 3 and 4, for at least foursix years from the date of the final conviction.
Amendment 582 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) the offender is one of its nationals or habitual residents., regardless of whether the offence takes place in an EU Member State or a third country;
Amendment 584 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) the offence is committed for the benefit of a legal person established on its territory;
Amendment 586 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point d b (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point d b (new)
(db) the offence is committed against one of its nationals or its habitual residents;
Amendment 587 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point d c (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point d c (new)
(dc) the offence has created a severe risk for the environment on its territory.
Amendment 588 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 2
Article 12 – paragraph 2
Amendment 591 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point a
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point a
Amendment 592 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point b
Amendment 593 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point c
Amendment 596 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 12 – paragraph 3
Article 12 – paragraph 3
3. In cases referred to in paragraph 1, points (c) and (d) and (da), Member States shall take the necessary measures to ensure that the exercise of their jurisdiction is not subject to the condition that a prosecution can be initiated only following a denunciation from the State of the place where the criminal offence was committed.
Amendment 610 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 1
Member States shall ensure that, in accordance with their national legal system, members of the public concerned have appropriate rights to participate in proceedings concerning offences referred to in Articles 3 and 4, for instance as a civil party or as a private prosecution.
Amendment 617 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Member States shall take appropriate action, such as preventive law enforcement tools, information and awareness- raising campaigns and research and education programmes, to reduce overall environmental criminal offences, raise public awareness and reduce the risk of population of becoming a victim of an environmental criminal offence. Where appropriate, Member States shall act in cooperation with the relevant stakeholders.
Amendment 620 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Article 16 – paragraph 1
Member States shall ensure that national authorities which prevent, detect, investigate, prosecute or adjudicate environmental offences have a sufficient number of qualified staff and sufficient financial, technical and technological resources necessary for the effective performance of their functions related to the implementation of this Directive.
Amendment 650 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 21 – paragraph 3
Article 21 – paragraph 3
3. Member States shall ensure that a consolidated review of their statistics is regularannually published.
Amendment 654 #
2021/0422(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 21 – paragraph 5
Article 21 – paragraph 5
5. The Commission shall regularannually publish a report based on the statistical data transmitted by the Member States. The report shall be published for the first time three years after the standard format referred to in Article 22 has been determined.
Amendment 8 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Deforestation and forest degradation, such as overharvesting of timber, contribute to the global climate crisis in multiple ways. Most importantly, they increase greenhouse gas emissions through associated forest fires, permanently removing carbon sink capacities, decreasing climate change resilience of the affected area and substantially reducing its biodiversity. Deforestation alone accounts for 11 % of greenhouse gas emissions20 . _________________ 20 IPCC, Climate Change and Land: an IPCC special report on climate change, desertification, land degradation, sustainable land management, food security, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems, https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/.
Amendment 13 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5 a) Savannahs, wetlands and high biodiversity grasslands are also threatened by intensive harvesting, such as soy, and cattle production. In the case of palm oil, peatlands are in particular danger. Upon the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission should assess whether there is a risk of increasing destruction of these ecosystems.
Amendment 21 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Deforestation and forest degradation, such as overharvesting of timber, contribute to the global climate crisis in multiple ways. Most importantly, they increase greenhouse gas emissions through associated forest fires, permanently removing carbon sink capacities, decreasing climate change resilience of the affected area and substantially reducing its biodiversity. Deforestation alone accounts for 11 % of greenhouse gas emissions20 . _________________ 20 IPCC, Climate Change and Land: an IPCC special report on climate change, desertification, land degradation, sustainable land management, food security, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems, https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/.
Amendment 26 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) Savannahs, wetlands and high biodiversity grasslands are also threatened by intensive harvesting, such as soy, and cattle production. In the case of palm oil, peatlands are in particular danger. Upon the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission should assess whether there is a risk of increasing destruction of these ecosystems.
Amendment 41 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The Union imported and consumed one third of the globally traded agricultural products associated with deforestation between 1990 and 2008. Over that period, Union consumption was responsible for 10% of worldwide deforestation associated with the production of goods or services. Even if the relative share of EU consumption is decreasing, EU consumption is a disproportionally large driver of deforestation. The Union should therefore take action to minimise global deforestation and forest degradation driven by its consumption of certain commodities and products and thereby seek to reduce its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and global biodiversity loss as well as promote sustainable production and consumption patterns in the Union and globally. To have the greatest impact, Union policy should aim at influencing the global market, not only supply chains to the Union. PMultilateral and bilateral partnerships and efficient international cooperation with producer and consumer countries are fundamental in that respect and should take into account the inputs from all stakeholders, including small holders, civil society, SMEs, women, indigenous peoples and local communities. To be effective, such partnerships should ensure trade incentives and support for local livelihoods, as well as roadmaps for reforms to be carried out in partner countries.
Amendment 49 #
2021/0366(COD)
(17) This Regulation should also respond to the 2021 Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use37 that recognises that “to meet our land use, climate, biodiversity and Sustainable Development Goals, both globally and nationally, will require transformative further action in the interconnected areas of sustainable production and consumption; infrastructure development; trade, finance and investment; and support for smallholders, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities”. The signatories also stressed in that Declarationcommitted to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 and also stressed that they will strengthen their shared efforts to facilitate trade and development policies, internationally and domestically, that promotes sustainable development and sustainable commodity production and consumption, that work to countries’ mutual benefit, and that do not drive deforestation and land degradation. _________________ 37 https://ukcop26.org/glasgow-leaders- declaration-on-forests-and-land-use/.
Amendment 53 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) The Commission should continue to work in partnership with producer countries, and more generally in cooperation with international organisations and bodies, stakeholders on the ground and local communities, and should be reinforcing its support and incentives with regard to protecting forests and transition to deforestation-free production, acknowledging the role of indigenous people, improving governance and land tenure, increasing law enforcement and promoting sustainable forest management, climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable intensification and diversification, agro- ecology and agroforestry that respect human rights. In doing so it should acknowledge the role of indigenous people in protecting forestsand local communities in protecting forests and natural ecosystems and maintaining of, socially and environmentally sustainable agricultural practices which do not make them exclusively dependent on commodity production for export but support a transition focused on agro-ecology. Building upon the experience and lessons learned in the context of the already existing initiatives, the Union and the Member States should work in partnership with producer countries, upon their request, to exploit the multi-functionalities of forest, support them in the transition to sustainable forest management, and address global challenges while meeting local needs and paying attention to the challenges faced by smallholders in line with the Communication to Stepping up Action to Protect and Restore the World’s Forests. The partnership approach should help producer countries in protecting, restoring and sustainably using forest, hence contributing to the objective of this Regulation to reduce deforestation and forest degradation and support forest regeneration, in line with the Communication on Stepping up Action to Protect and Restore the World's Forests.
Amendment 61 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) Another important action announced in the Communication is the establishment of the EU Observatory on deforestation, forest degradation, changes in the world’s forest cover and associated drivers (“EU Observatory”) launched by the Commission in order to better monitor changes in the world’s forest cover and related drivers. Moreover, building on already existing monitoring tools, including Copernicus products, the EU Observatory will facilitate access to information on supply chains for public entities, consumers and business, providing easy-to-understand data and information linking deforestation, forest degradation, and changes in the world’s forest cover to EU demand/trade for commodities and products. The EU Observatory will thus directly support the implementation of this Regulation by providing scientific evidence in regard to global deforestation and forest degradation and related trade. The EU Observatory will cooperate closely with relevant international organisations, research institutes, and third countrieCommission should also examine how land rights can be integrated into monitoring under the EU Observatory. The EU Observatory will cooperate closely with relevant international organisations, research institutes non-governmental organisations, operators, indigenous communities and third countries at national, regional and local levels.
Amendment 73 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) Operators placing a commodity or product concerned for the first time on the Union market or exporting a product to a third country should formally assume responsibility for the compliance of the relevant commodities or products that they intend to place on the Union market or to export by making available due diligence statements. A template for such statements should be provided by this Regulation. This is expected to facilitate enforcement of this Regulation through competent authorities and courts as well as increase compliance by operators. The template should be understandable, provided in all languages of the Member States, included in the web portal managed by the Commission. The portal should be open to complaints and observations from all stakeholders.
Amendment 75 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
Recital 38
(38) Other EU legislative instruments that set out due diligence requirements in the value chain with regard to adverse human rights or environmental impacts, such as Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council and the forthcoming Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence should apply in so far as there are no specific provisions with the same objective, nature and effect in this Regulation which may be adapted in the light of future legislative amendments. The existence of this commodity-specific Regulation should not exclude the application of other EU legislative instruments that lay down requirements regarding value chain due diligence. Where such other EU legislative instruments provide for more specific provisions or add requirements to the provisions laid down in this Regulation, such provisions should be applied in conjunction with those of this Regulation. Furthermore, where this Regulation contains more specific provisions, they should not be interpreted in a way that undermines the effective application of other EU legislative instruments on due diligence or the achievement of their general aim. the Commission will ensure that the Union's due diligence legal framework will be harmonised and coherent.
Amendment 81 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 46
Recital 46
(46) The risk of non-compliant commodities and products being placed on the Union market varies depending on the commodity and product as well as on its country of origin and production. Operators sourcing commodities and products from countries or parts thereof that present a low high-risk of growing, harvesting or producing relevant commodities in violation of this Regulation should be subject to fewer obligations, thereby reducing compliance costs and administrative burden. Commodities and products from high-risk countries or parts thereof should be subject to enhanced scrutiny by the competent authorities.
Amendment 83 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
Recital 47
(47) For this reason, the Commission should assess the deforestation and forest degradation risk at a level of a country or parts thereof based on a range of criteria that reflect both quantitative, objective and internationally recognised data, and indications that the countries are actively engaged in fighting deforestation and forest degradation and information provided by third parties, including local communities, Indigenous Peoples and Civil society organisations. This benchmarking information should make it easier for operators in the Union to exercise due diligence and for competent authorities to monitor and enforce compliance, while also providing an incentive for producer countries to increase the sustainability of their agricultural production systems and reduce their deforestation impact. This should help making supply chains more transparent and sustainable. This benchmarking system should be based on a threewo-tier classification of countries to be regarded as low, standard or high risk. In order to ensure appropriate transparency and clarity, the Commission should in particular make publicly available the data being used for benchmarking, the reasons for the proposed change of classification and the reply of the country concerned. For relevant commodities and products from low risk countries or parts of countries identified as low-risk, operators should be allowed to apply a simplified due diligence, whilstThe competent authorities should be required to apply enhanced scrutiny on relevant commodities and products from high risk countries or parts of countries identified as high-risk. The Commission should be empowered to adopt implementing measures to establish the countries or parts thereof that present a low or high risk of producing relevant commodities and products that are not compliant with this Regulation.
Amendment 87 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 51
Recital 51
(51) The plan for checks should be regularly updated on the basis of the results of its implementation. Those operators showing a consistent track record of compliance should be subject to a reduced frequency of checks. For that to happen accordingly, the Commission should ask the Member State to duly enforce the control in line with this Regulation.
Amendment 92 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 57 a (new)
Recital 57 a (new)
(57a) The Commission should assist least developed countries (LDCs) and SMEs in their understanding, implementation and compliance with the standards set out in this Regulation, keeping an open cooperation towards capacity-building with national, regional and local governments, civil society organisations and producers, especially small producers.
Amendment 106 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6
(6) ‘forest degradation’ means harvesting operations that are not sustainable and cause a reduction or loss of the biological or economic productivity and complexity of forest ecosystems, resulting in the long-term reduction of the overall supply of benefits from forest, which includes wood,the changes within a natural ecosystem that significantly and negatively affect its species composition, structure, and/or function and reduce the ecosystem’s capacity to supply products, support biodiversity, and other products or/or deliver ecosystem services;
Amendment 107 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Deforestation and forest degradation, such as overharvesting of timber, contribute to the global climate crisis in multiple ways. Most importantly, they increase greenhouse gas emissions through associated forest fires, permanently removing carbon sink capacities, decreasing climate change resilience of the affected area and substantially reducing its biodiversity. Deforestation alone accounts for 11 % of greenhouse gas emissions20 . __________________ 20 IPCC, Climate Change and Land: an IPCC special report on climate change, desertification, land degradation, sustainable land management, food security, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems, https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/.
Amendment 114 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) Savannahs, wetlands and high biodiversity grasslands are also threatened by intensive harvesting, such as soy and cattle production. In the case of palm oil, peatlands are in particular danger. Upon the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission should assess whether there is a risk of increasing destruction of these ecosystems.
Amendment 116 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 28
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 28
(28) ‘relevant legislation of the country of production’ means the rules applicable in the country of production concerning the legal status of the area of production in terms of land use rights, environmental protection, third parties’ rights and relevant trade and customs regulations under legislation framework applicable in the country of production; and in compliance with international human rights law instruments ratified by the country of production, including specifically the respect for customary tenure rights and the principle of free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples;
Amendment 129 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The Union imported and consumed one third of the globally traded agricultural products associated with deforestation between 1990 and 2008. Over that period, Union consumption was responsible for 10% of worldwide deforestation associated with the production of goods or services. Even if the relative share of EU consumption is decreasing, EU consumption is a disproportionally large driver of deforestation. The Union should therefore take action to minimise global deforestation and forest degradation driven by its consumption of certain commodities and products and thereby seek to reduce its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and global biodiversity loss as well as promote sustainable production and consumption patterns in the Union and globally. To have the greatest impact, Union policy should aim at influencing the global market, not only supply chains to the Union. Partnerships and efficient international cooperation with producer and consumer countries are fundamental in that respect. taking into account the inputs from all stakeholders, including small holders, civil society, SMEs, women, indigenous peoples and local communities. To be effective, such partnerships should ensure trade incentives and support for local livelihoods, as well as roadmaps of reforms in the partner country.
Amendment 131 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The Union imported and consumed one third of the globally traded agricultural products associated with deforestation between 1990 and 2008. Over that period, Union consumption was responsible for 10% of worldwide deforestation associated with the production of goods or services. Even if the relative share of EU consumption is decreasing, EU consumption is a disproportionally large driver of deforestation. The Union should therefore take action to minimise global deforestation and forest degradation driven by its consumption of certain commodities and products and thereby seek to reduce its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions and global biodiversity loss as well as promote sustainable production and consumption patterns in the Union and globally. To have the greatest impact, Union policy should aim at influencing the global market, not only supply chains to the Union. PartnershipsMultilateral and bilateral partnerships, including Free Trade Agreements, and efficient international cooperation with producer and consumer countries are fundamental in that respect.
Amendment 135 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) This Regulation should also respond to the 2021 Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use37 that recognises that “to meet our land use, climate, biodiversity and Sustainable Development Goals, both globally and nationally, will require transformative further action in the interconnected areas of sustainable production and consumption; infrastructure development; trade, finance and investment; and support for smallholders, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities”. The signatories committed to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 2030 and also stressed in that Declaration that they will strengthen their shared efforts to facilitate trade and development policies, internationally and domestically, that promotes sustainable development and sustainable commodity production and consumption, that work to countries’ mutual benefit, and that do not drive deforestation and land degradation. __________________ 37 https://ukcop26.org/glasgow-leaders- declaration-on-forests-and-land-use/.
Amendment 146 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) The Commission should continue to work in partnership with producer countries, and more generally in cooperation with international organisations and bodies, stakeholders on the ground or local communities, and should be reinforcing its support and incentives with regard to protecting forests and transition to deforestation-free production, acknowledging the role of indigenous people, improving governance and land tenure, increasing law enforcement and promoting sustainable forest management, climate-resilient agriculture, sustainable intensification and diversification, agro- ecology and agroforestry. In doing so it should acknowledge the role of indigenous people in protecting forests. Building upon the experience and lessons learned in the context of the already existing initiatives, the Union and the Member States should work in partnership with producer countries, upon their request, to exploit the multi-functionalities of forest, support them in the transition to sustainable forest management, and address global challenges while meeting local needs and paying attention to the challenges faced by smallholders in line with the Communication to Stepping up Action to Protect and Restore the World’s Forests. The partnership approach should help producer countries in protecting, restoring and sustainably using forest, hence contributing to the objective of this Regulation to reduce deforestation and forest degradation and support forest regeneration, in line with the Communication of the Commission of 23 July 2019 on Stepping up Action to Protect and Restore the World's Forests.
Amendment 152 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) Another important action announced in the Communication is the establishment of the EU Observatory on deforestation, forest degradation, changes in the world’s forest cover and associated drivers (“EU Observatory”) launched by the Commission in order to better monitor changes in the world’s forest cover and related drivers. Moreover, building on already existing monitoring tools, including Copernicus products, the EU Observatory will facilitate access to information on supply chains for public entities, consumers and business, providing easy-to-understand data and information linking deforestation, forest degradation, and changes in the world’s forest cover to EU demand/trade for commodities and products. The EU Observatory will thus directly support the implementation of this Regulation by providing scientific evidence in regard to global deforestation and forest degradation and related trade. The EU Observatory will cooperate closely with relevant international organisations, research institutes, and third countrieCommission should also examine how land rights can be integrated into monitoring under the EU Observatory. The EU Observatory will cooperate closely with relevant international organisations, research institutes, non-governmental organisations, operators, indigenous communities and third countries at national, regional and local levels.
Amendment 174 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12
Article 12
Amendment 186 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 34
Recital 34
(34) Operators placing a commodity or product concerned for the first time on the Union market or exporting a product to a third country should formally assume responsibility for the compliance of the relevant commodities or products that they intend to place on the Union market or to export by making available due diligence statements. A template for such statements should be provided by this Regulation. This is expected to facilitate enforcement of this Regulation through competent authorities and courts as well as increase compliance by operators. The template should be understandable, provided in all languages of the Member States, included in the web portal built and managed by the Commission. The portal should be open to complaints and observations from all parties involved.
Amendment 194 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 38
Recital 38
(38) Other EU legislative instruments that set out due diligence requirements in the value chain with regard to adverse human rights or environmental impacts, such as Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council1a and the forthcoming Directive on Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence, should apply in so far as there are no specific provisions with the same objective, nature and effect in this Regulation which may be adapted in the light of future legislative amendments. The existence of this Regulation should not exclude the application of other EU legislative instruments that lay down requirements regarding value chain due diligence. Where such other EU legislative instruments provide for more specific provisions or add requirements to the provisions laid down in this Regulation, such provisions should be applied in conjunction with those of this Regulation. Furthermore, where this Regulation contains more specific provisions, they should not be interpreted in a way that undermines the effective application of other EU legislative instruments on due diligence or the achievement of their general aim. The Commission will ensure that the Union's due diligence legal framework will be harmonised and coherent. _____________ 1a 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 (OJ L 198, 22.6.2020, p. 13).
Amendment 212 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 1
Article 27 – paragraph 1
1. This Regulation establishes a threewo- tier system for the assessment of countries or parts thereof. Unless identified in accordance with this Article as presenting a low or highstandard risk, countries shall be considered as presenting a standardhigh risk. The Commission may identify countries or parts thereof that present a low or highstandard risk of producing relevant commodities or products that are not compliant with Article 3, point (a). The list of the countries or parts thereof that present a low or highstandard risk shall be published by means of implementing act(s) to be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 34(2). That list shall be updated as necessary in light of new evidence.
Amendment 215 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 27 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The identification of low and highstandard risk countries or parts thereof pursuant to paragraph 1 shall take into account information provided by the country concerned and be based on the following assessment criteria:
Amendment 219 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 51 a (new)
Recital 51 a (new)
(51a) The plan for checks should be regularly updated on the basis of the results of its implementation. Those operators showing a consistent track record of compliance should be subject to a reduced frequency of checks. For that to happen, the Commission should accordingly ensure that the Member States duly enforce the controls in line with this Regulation.
Amendment 227 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 57 a (new)
Recital 57 a (new)
(57a) The Commission should assist least developed countries (LDCs) and SMEs in their understanding, implementation and compliance with the standards set out in this Regulation, keeping an open cooperation towards capacity-building with national, regional and local governments, civil society organisations and producers, especially small producers.
Amendment 230 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 27 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) the consequences of its identification as a high or lowstandard or high risk country.
Amendment 237 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 1
Article 28 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission shall engage with producer countries concerned by this Regulation to develop partnerships and cooperation to jointly address deforestation and forest degradation. Such partnerships and cooperation mechanisms will focus on the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of forests, deforestation, forest degradation, adoption of agro- ecological practices and production systems, that are free from forest and ecosystem destruction and which respect human rights, and the transition to sustainable commodity production, consumption processing and trade methods. Partnerships and cooperation mechanisms may include structured dialogues, support programmes and actions, administrative arrangements and provisions in existing agreements or agreements that enable producer countries to make the transition to an agricultural production that facilitates the compliance of relevant commodities and products with the requirements of this regulation. Such agreements and their effective implementation will be taken into account as part of the benchmarking under Article 27 of this Regulation.
Amendment 248 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 2
Article 28 – paragraph 2
2. Partnerships and cooperation should allow the full participation of all stakeholders, including local environmental defenders and civil society, indigenous people, local communities and the private sector including, SMEs and smallholders.
Amendment 249 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 28 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Commission shall assist least developed countries (LDCs) and SMEs in their understanding, implementation and compliance with the standards laid down in this Regulation, keeping an open cooperation towards capacity building with national, regional and local governments, civil society organisations and producers, especially small producers.
Amendment 253 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 3
Article 28 – paragraph 3
3. Partnerships and cooperation shall include a process to demarcate and recognise community tenure rights in line with the Voluntary Guidelines for the Governance of Tenure and promote the development of integrated land use planning processes, relevant legislations, fiscal incentives and other pertinent tools to improve forest and biodiversity conservation, sustainable management and restoration of forests, tackle the conversion of forests and vulnerable ecosystems to other land uses, optimise gains for the landscape, tenure security, agriculture productivity and competitiveness, transparent supply chains, strengthen the rights of forest dependent communities including smallholders, indigenous peoples and local communities and other groups with customary land rights, and ensure public access to forest management documents and other relevant information.
Amendment 258 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 28 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Partnerships with third countries shall include a process to demarcate and recognise community tenure rights, in line with the internationally accepted Voluntary Guidelines for the Governance of Tenure, in order to clarify the domestic legal situation and set clear obligations for undertakings.
Amendment 263 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 30 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Commission shall prepare a delegated regulation to set up a remedy mechanism for communities whose rights have been violated by infringements of this Regulation and penalties relating to environmental damage.
Amendment 269 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 32 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Upon the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission shall assess whether there is a risk of increasing destruction of savannahs, wetlands, peatlands and high biodiversity grasslands, amongst other ecosystems, due to intensive harvesting and cattle production related to commodities production, and foresee the need to expand this Regulation.
Amendment 270 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 32 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. No later than fivthree years after the entry into force and at least every five years there after, the Commission shall carry out a general review of this Regulation, and shall present a report to the European Parliament and the Council accompanied, if appropriate, by a legislative proposal. The first of the reports shall include in particular, based on specific studies, an evaluation of:
Amendment 725 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 27 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The identification of low and high risk countries or partregions thereof pursuant to paragraph 1 shall take into account information provided by the country concerned, regional authorities concerned, operators as well as NGOs, indigenous communities and other local stakeholders, and be based on the following assessment criteria:
Amendment 749 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
Article 27 – paragraph 2 – point f a (new)
(fa) laws from partner countries;
Amendment 774 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 28 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Commission shall assist least developed countries (LDCs) and SMEs in their understanding, implementation and compliance with the standards set out in this Regulation, keeping an open cooperation towards capacity-building with national, regional and local governments, civil society organisations and producers, especially small producers.
Amendment 783 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 28 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Partnerships with third countries shall include a process to demarcate and recognise community tenure rights, in line with the internationally accepted Voluntary Guidelines for the Governance of Tenure (VGGT), in order to clarify the domestic legal situation and that the obligations of undertakings are clear.
Amendment 808 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 30 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Commission shall prepare a delegated regulation to set up a mechanism for communities whose rights have been violated by infringements of this Regulation, with the aim to obtain compensation and penalties relating to environmental damage. The delegated regulation shall include information on who shall receive penalties paid by undertakings that infringe this Regulation.
Amendment 836 #
2021/0366(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 32 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 32 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Upon the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission shall assess whether there is a risk of increasing destruction of savannahs, wetlands, peatlands and high biodiversity grasslands, amongst other ecosystems, due to intensive harvesting and cattle production related to commodities production, and foresee the need to expand this Regulation.
Amendment 6 #
2021/0300M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the new direction taken in the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreements (SFPAs) and their Implementing Protocols, which duly reflect EU priorities and external policy lines; rRecalls the EU’s commitment to the principle of policy coherence for development and the need for the SFPAs and their implementing protocols to be in line with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; considers that insufficient, inaccurate and non-public data makes it difficult to evaluate the contributions of the sustainable fishing partnership agreements towards the attainment of the SDGs in partner countries;
Amendment 11 #
2021/0300M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. RecognisesTakes note of the role of the SFPAs in improving fisheries management and enhancing sustainability and good governance in the EU’s partner countries and globally;
Amendment 13 #
2021/0300M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Stresses that fishing is an important sector for Mauritania’s economy and is essential to the country’s economic development, employment opportunities and food security; insists that fisheries investments must be clearly aligned with the SDGs and not jeopardise the needs of coastal communities;
Amendment 28 #
2021/0300M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. WelcomNotes the amount allocated to the sectoral support component and encourages this allocation to be used to improve research, surveillance and control of fishing activity and the sustainable development of Mauritania’s fisheries sector; underlines the need to ensure that the identification of sectoral support spending priorities is a transparent and participatory process, involving the scientific as well as local communities, including women fish processors.
Amendment 33 #
2021/0300M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the fostering of local economic development and the strengthening of coastal communities that are dependent on marine resources; underlines the need for regular consultation of coastal communities throughout the implementation process;
Amendment 36 #
2021/0300M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Calls for more onshore investment and for sectoral support, coupled with other actions, to become a catalyst for land-based investments aimed at improving the use of catches for human consumption, which is essential to avoid the massive processing of fish into meal and oil;
Amendment 38 #
2021/0300M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission and the Islamic Republic of Mauritania to ensure that small-scale artisanal fishers and small- scale processors of fish are able to make a living by promoting a sustainable local blue economy, acknowledging the role of women in fish processing and keeping EU vessels away from resources and fishing areas upon which small-scale fishers depend for their livelihoods;
Amendment 43 #
2021/0300M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Highlights the need to work to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing to ensure that fish stocks are maintained at sustainable levels. ; insists on the need to trigger infringement procedures against Member States who do not ensure compliance of their external fleets;
Amendment 4 #
2021/0277(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1a. Recalls that this budget has to be aligned with the most recent policies adopted by the Union, within the frame of the European Green Deal, and thus reflect a paradigm shift; recalls that some policies, such as the Common Agriculture Policy, should reflect this shift through its strategic planning;
Amendment 16 #
2021/0277(BUD)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Emphasises the importance of achieving the EU’s climate and biodiversity mainstreaming targets1 as soon as possible using the new funds available under the Next Generation EU (NGEU) instrument, in particular the Recovery and Resilience Facility2 and the Just Transition Fund; highlights that it is essential that funding from the multiannual financial framework and the NGEU is only awarded for activities which are in line with the ‘do no significant harm’ principle and are consistent with the Paris Agreement objectives as laid down in the European Council conclusions of 21 July 2020; recalls the importance of identifying and phasing out existing ‘harmful subsidies’; _______________ 1 30 % of EU expenditure contributing to climate objectives, and annual spending levels for biodiversity of at least 7.5 % in 2024, increasing to 10 % in 2026 and 2027. 2At least 37 % of RRF spending contributing to climate objectives.
Amendment 9 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) Renewable energy plays a fundamental role in delivering the European Green Deal and for achieving climate neutrality by 2050, given that the energy sector contributes over 75% of total greenhouse gas emissions in the Union. By reducing those greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy also contributes to tackling environmental-related challenges such as biodiversity loss and food insecurity.
Amendment 19 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 31
Recital 31
(31) The Union’s renewable energy policy aims to contribute to achieving the climate change mitigation objectives of the European Union in terms of the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. In the pursuit of this goal, it is essential to also contribute to wider environmental objectives, and in particular the prevention of biodiversity loss, which is negatively impacted by the indirect land use change associated to the production of certain biofuels, bioliquids and biomass fuels. Apart from land use impacts, the increased demand for food commodities for biofuels perpetuates an agricultural model based on intensive agriculture, contributing to the alarming decline in biodiversity and intensifying the pressure on land access worldwide, increasing the risk of land grabbing in developing countries. Contributing to these climate and environmental objectives constitutes a deep and longstanding intergenerational concern for Union citizens and the Union legislator. As a consequence, the changes in the way the transport target is calculated should not affect the limits established on how to account toward that target certain fuels produced from food and feed crops on the one hand and high indirect land-use change-risk fuels on the other hand. In addition, in order not to create an incentive to use biofuels and biogas produced from food and feed crops in transport, Member States should continue to be able to choose whether count them or not towards the transport target. If they do not count them, they may reduce the greenhouse gas intensity reduction target accordingly, assuming that food and feed crop-based biofuels save 50% greenhouse gas emissions, which corresponds to the typical values set out in an annex to this Directive for the greenhouse gas emission savings of the most relevant production pathways of food and feed crop-based biofuels as well as the minimum savings threshold applying to most installations producing such biofuels.
Amendment 23 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Directive (EU) 2018/2001
Article 15a – paragraph 1
Article 15a – paragraph 1
1. In order to promote the production and use of renewable energy in the building sector, Member States shall set an bindicativeng target for the share of renewables in final energy consumption in their buildings sector in 2030 that is consistent with an indicative target of at least a 49 % share of energy from renewable sources in the buildings sector in the Union’s final consumption of energy in 2030. The national target shall be expressed in terms of share of national final energy consumption and calculated in accordance with the methodology set out in Article 7. Member States shall include their target in the updated integrated national energy and climate plans submitted pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 as well as information on how they plan to achieve it.
Amendment 109 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) Industry accounts for 25% of the Union’s energy consumption, and is a major consumer of heating and cooling, which is currently supplied 91% by fossil fuels. However, 50% of heating and cooling demand is low-temperature (<200 °C) for which there are cost-effective renewable energy options, including through electrification. In addition, industry uses non-renewable sources as raw materials to produce products such as steel or chemicals. Industrial investment decisions today will determine the future industrial processes and energy options that can be considered by industry, so it is important that those investments decisions are future-proof. Therefore, benchmarks should be put in place to incentivise industry to switch to a renewables-based production processes that not only are fueled by renewable energy, but also use renewable-based raw materials such as renewable hydrogen. Moreover, a common methodology for products that are labelled as having been produced partially or fully using renewable energy or using renewable fuels of non-biological origin as feedstock is required, taking into account existing Union product labelling methodologies and sustainable product initiatives. This would avoid deceptive practices and increase consumers trust. Furthermore, given consumer preference for products that contribute to environmental and climate change objectives, it would stimulate a market demand for those products.
Amendment 119 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) To ensure district heating and cooling participate fully in energy sector integration, it is necessary to extend the cooperation with electricity distribution system operators to electricity transmission system operators and widen the scope of cooperation to grid investment planning and markets to better utilise the potential of district heating and cooling for providing flexibility services in electricity markets. Further cooperation with gas network operators, including hydrogen and other energy networks, should also be made possible to ensure a wider integration across energy carriers and their most cost-effective use.
Amendment 188 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1 – point a
Directive (EU) 2018/2001
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point 36
Article 2 – paragraph 2 – point 36
“(36) ‘renewable fuels of non-biological origin’ means liquid and gaseous fuels the energy content of which is derived from renewable sources other than biomass and produced from additional renewable electricity;”
Amendment 252 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2 – point a
Directive (EU) 2018/2001
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
“1. Member States shall collectively ensure that the share of energy from renewable sources in the Union’s gross final consumption of energy in 2030 is at least 450%.;”
Amendment 637 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 16 – point e – point ii
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 16 – point e – point ii
Directive (EU) 2018/2001
Article 27 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 4
Article 27 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 4
Where additional electricity is used for the production of renewable fuels of non- biological origin, either directly or for the production of intermediate products, the average share of electricity from renewable sources in the country of production, as measured two years before the year in question, shall be used to determine the share of renewable energy.;
Amendment 819 #
2021/0218(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 19
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 19
the following paragraph 3a is added: “3a. For recycled carbon fuels, the methodology shall include the fossil carbon content of wastes and their release to the atmosphere on combustion. The emissions shall be accounted for at the point of combustion in cases where the liability of CO2 emission to the atmosphere cannot be allocated to the producer of the waste inputs”
Amendment 31 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 54
Recital 54
(54) The Commission should strive to engage in an even handed manner and in line with the international obligations of the EU, with the third countries whose trade to the EU is affected by this Regulation, to explore possibilities for dialogue and cooperation with regard to the implementation of specific elements of the Mechanism set out this Regulation and related implementing acts. It should also explore possibilities for concluding agreements to take into account their carbon pricing mechanism. In the case of least developed countries and lower middle-income countries especially affected by the costs of adaptation to the provisions of the CBAM and lacking adequate resources, technical and financial assistance should also be provided.
Amendment 34 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 55
Recital 55
(55) As the CBAM aims to encourage cleaner production processes, the EU stands ready to work with low and middle- income countries towards the de- carbonisation of their manufacturing industries. Moreover, the Union, in respect of the UNFCCC’s principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities”, should support lessast developed countries with the necessary technical assistance in order to facilitate theirand lower middle-income countries with particularly important needs and an important lack of resources by providing the necessary technical and financial assistance to adaptation to the new obligations established by this regulationrequirements of the CBAM.
Amendment 41 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 59
Recital 59
(59) 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 on Better Law-Making of 13 April 201651 , and also guarantee the participation of local civil society organisations, governments and other stakeholders in developing countries. 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. _________________ 51 Interinstitutional Agreement between the European Parliament, the Council of the European Union and the European Commission on Better Law-Making (OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1).
Amendment 42 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 61 a (new)
Recital 61 a (new)
(61 a) Given that the CBAM revenue is incorporated into the Union budget as an own resource, and in order to ensure the effective mobilisation of this revenue for climate action and technical assistance for compliance costs in least developed and lower middle-income countries, the Commission should review the Council Regulation (EU, Euratom) 2020/2093 laying down the multiannual financial framework for the years 2021 to 2027 to ensure that the ceiling for expenditure category 6 'Neighbourhood and the world' is raised.
Amendment 49 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 24 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Usage of the revenues from the sale of the CBAM certificates The revenues generated from the sale of the CBAM certificates will constitute a new own resource for the Union budget, reflected in the Multiannual Financial Framework through raised ceilings in its expenditure category 6: “Neighbourhood and the World”. Additional support for climate action and widened aid for trade shall be provided to Least Developed Countries, as well as to lower middle- income countries facing particularly important investment needs and compliance costs related to the CBAM and an important lack of resources.
Amendment 176 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Existing mechanisms to address the risk of carbon leakage in sectors or sub- sectors at risk of carbon leakage are the transitional free allocation of EU ETS allowances and financial measures to compensate for indirect emission costs incurred from GHG emission costs passed on in electricity prices respectively laid down in Articles 10a(6) and 10b of Directive 2003/87/EC. However, both free allocation under the EU ETS and compensations for indirect emission costs weakens the price signal that the system provides for the installations receiving ithem, compared to full auctioning, and thus affectsreduce the incentives for investment into further abatement of emissions. Furthermore, they cover the risk of relocation outside the EU but do not prevent the import of carbon intensive products into the EU.
Amendment 253 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12a) While the surrendering of CBAM certificates for EU imports addresses the risk of carbon leakage on the EU market, it is essential to also avoid the risk that EU exports on global markets are replaced by more carbon intensive goods or by goods that are not subject to equivalent carbon costs. To this purpose, the Commission shall present a report to the European Parliament and Council accompanied with a legislative proposal to address the carbon leakage risk on export markets before the end of the transition period.
Amendment 473 #
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 possibilities to enhance climate actions towards the objective of a climate neutral Union by 2050. The Commission should, as part of that evaluation, develop the relevant methodologies to apply the CBAM indirect emissions, and initiate collection of information necessary to possibly extend the scope to indirect emissions, as well as to oother sectors, goods and downstream products of ther goods listed in Annex I 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 666 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 28 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 28 a (new)
(28a) ‘transport emissions’ means emissions from transportation services consumed during the production processes of goods and their transport to their destination point,
Amendment 751 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2
Article 9 – paragraph 2
2. The authorised declarant shall keep records of the documentation, certified by an independent person verifier accredited pursuant to article 18 of this Regulation. The accredit required shall be, required to demonstrate that the declared embedded emissions were subject to an explicit carbon price in the country of origin of the goods and keep evidence of the proof of the actual payment for that carbon price which should not have been subject to an export rebate or any other direct or indirect form of compensation on exportation.
Amendment 864 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. The CBAM competent authority shall authorise a declarant who submits an application for authorisation in accordance with Article 5(1), if the following conditions are fulfilled:
Amendment 875 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) the declarant has not repeatedly failed to comply with CBAM obligations in accordance to Article 26and has not been involved in practices of circumvention in accordance to Article 27.
Amendment 988 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 2
Article 27 – paragraph 2
2. Practices of circumvention include situations where a change in the pattern of trade in relation to goods included in the scope of this Regulation has insufficient due cause or economic justification other than avoiding obligations as laid down in this Regulation and may consist in: (a) replacing those goods with slightly modified products, which are not included in the list of goods in Annex I but belong to a sector included in the scope of this Regulation. (b)replacing these goods by goods with a lower carbon content than those normally produced in the exporting country, exclusively for the purpose of exporting to the Customs Union, for instance via practices of resource shuffling. For the purposes of this article, resource shuffling shall be defined as any practice, processor work that that have insufficient due cause or economic justification other than avoiding obligations as laid down in this Regulation, or undermining their effects, without delivering environmental benefits on global greenhouse gas emissions; (c)shipping goods to an intermediary country before being exported to the internal market in order to avoid the obligations laid down in this Regulation.
Amendment 1091 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 2
Article 28 – paragraph 2
2. The power to adopt delegated acts referred to in Articles 2(6), 2(10), 2(11), 18(3) and 27(57(3), 8(3),18(3), 27(5), 27a (4), 31(2) and 35(6) shall be conferred on the Commission for an indeterminate period of time.
Amendment 1097 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 3
Article 28 – paragraph 3
3. The delegation of power referred to in Articles 2(6), 2(10), 2(11), 18(3) and 27(5) 7(3), 8(3), 18(3), 27(5), 27a (4), 31(2) and 35(6)may be revoked at any time by the European Parliament or by the Council.
Amendment 1102 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 7
Article 28 – paragraph 7
7. A delegated act adopted pursuant to Articles 2(6), 2(10), 2(11), 18(3) and 27(5) 7(3), 8(3), 18(3), 27(5), 27a (4), 31(2) and 35(6)shall enter into force only if no objection has been expressed either by the European Parliament or by the Council within a period of two months of notification of that act to the European Parliament and to the Council or if, before the expiry of that period, the European Parliament and the Council have both informed the Commission that they will not object. That period shall be extended by two months at the initiative of the European Parliament or of the Council.
Amendment 1247 #
2021/0214(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – subheading 1 – row 1 a(new)
Annex I – subheading 1 – row 1 a(new)
2523 30 00 - Aluminous Cement Carbon dioxide
Amendment 335 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 31 a (new)
Recital 31 a (new)
(31a) While the surrendering of CBAM certificates for EU imports addresses the risk of carbon leakage on the EU market, it is essential to also avoid the risk of EU exports on global markets being replaced by more carbon intensive goods or by goods that are not subject to equivalent carbon costs.
Amendment 398 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 40
Recital 40
(40) Renewable liquid and gaseous fuels of non-biological origin and recycled carbon fuels can be important to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in sectors that are hard to decarbonise. Where recycled carbon fuels and renewable liquid and gaseous fuels of non-biological origin are produced from captured carbon dioxide under an activity covered by this Directive, the emissions should be accounted under that activityfor at the point of release. To ensure that renewable fuels of non-biological origin and recycled carbon fuels contribute to greenhouse gas emission reductions and to avoid double counting for fuels that do so, it is appropriate to explicitly extend the empowerment in Article 14(1) to the adoption by the Commission of implementing acts laying down the necessary adjustments for how to account for the eventual release of carbon dioxide and how to avoid double counting to ensure appropriate incentives are in place, taking also into account the treatment of these fuels under Directive (EU) 2018/2001.
Amendment 920 #
2021/0211(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point a – point i
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 12 – point a – point i
Directive 2003/87/EC
Article 10a – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2a a (new)
Article 10a – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2a a (new)
In the case of installations whose greenhouse gas emissions are intrinsically hard or impossible to abate according to the chemical procedures involved in the production process (such as calcium production installations) the chemically irreductible fraction of emissions has to be assessed and taken into account, so that special measures regarding free allowances may be taken into account.
Amendment 28 #
2021/0202(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4a) The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the inherent connection between, on the one hand, the health of our environment and biodiversity, and, on the other, the health of human beings, as stated by the One Health approach. It has accentuated the need to mitigate climate change in order to sustain and improve the health of our biodiversity, therefore in turn protecting human health. European citizens have also expressed strong views on the need to tackle climate change as a priority to improve public health.
Amendment 69 #
2021/0202(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) The rate of 36 % after 2023 should be established separately from the general review of Directive 2003/87/EC and Decision (EU) 2015/1814 to strengthen the EU ETS in line with the Union’s increased climate ambition for 2030 to ensure that there is market predictability.
Amendment 43 #
2021/0191(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) The transition to a low-carbon, more sustainable, resource-efficient, innovation-driven, circular and fair economy, with the objective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, is key to ensuring the long-term competitiveness of the economy of the Union and the well- being of its peoples. In 2016, the Union concluded the Paris Agreement31 . Article 2(1), point (c), of the Paris Agreement sets out the objective of strengthening the response to climate change by, among other means, making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate- resilient development. __________________ 31Council Decision (EU) 2016/1841 of 5 October 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Paris Agreement adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (OJ L 282, 19.10.2016, p. 4).
Amendment 46 #
2021/0191(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) The Union definition of sustainability not only includes environmental principles, such as the objective towards climate neutrality, but also the principles enshrined in the European Pillar of Social Rights, namely sustainable and inclusive growth, the recognition of the relevance of international standards on minimum human and labour rights, and environmental, social and governance aspects. Therefore, bonds that are labelled as ‘sustainable’ or ‘green’ should adhere to the ‘do-no-significant-harm’ principle referred to in Regulation (EU) 2019/2088.
Amendment 48 #
2021/0191(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) Environmentally sustainable bonds are one of the main instruments for financing investments related to low- carbon technologies, energy and resource efficiency as well as sustainable transport infrastructure and research infrastructure. Financial or non-financial undertakings or sovereigns can issue such bonds. Various existing initiatives for environmentally and socially sustainable bonds do not ensure common definitions of environmentally sustainable economic activities. This prevents investors from easily identifying bonds the proceeds of which are aligned with, or are contributing to environmental objectives as laid down in the Paris Agreement.
Amendment 50 #
2021/0191(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
Recital 3 a (new)
(3a) After a transition period set by the Commission and stakeholders, in close cooperation with the European Parliament and the Council, all debt instruments, and not only bonds, should direct their capital flows towards the overarching goals of sustainability and climate neutrality, for which additional regulatory requirements will eventually be necessary.
Amendment 54 #
2021/0191(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) In ensuring alignment with the objectives of the Paris agreement and of the Sustainable Development Goals , and given the existing divergences and absence of common rules, it is likely that Member States will adopt diverging measures and approaches, which will have a direct negative impact on, and create obstacles to, the proper functioning of the internal market, and be detrimental to issuers of environmentally sustainable bonds. The parallel development of market practices based on commercially driven priorities that produce divergent results causes market fragmentation and risks further exacerbating inefficiencies in the functioning of the internal market. Divergent standards and market practices make it difficult to compare different bonds, create uneven market conditions for issuers, cause additional barriers within the internal market, and risk greenwashing and distorting investment decisions.
Amendment 60 #
2021/0191(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) A uniform and harmonised set of specific requirements should therefore be laid down for bonds issued by financial or non- financial undertakings or sovereigns that voluntarily wish to use the designation ‘European green bond’ or ‘EuGB’ for such bonds. Specifying quality requirements for European green bonds in the form of a Regulation should ensure that there are uniform conditions for the issuance of such bonds by preventing diverging national requirements that could result from a transposition of a Directive, and should also ensure that those conditions are directly applicable to issuers of such bonds. Issuers that voluntarily use the designation ‘European green bond’ or ‘EuGB’ should follow the same rules across the Union, to increase market efficiency by reducing discrepancies and thereby also reducing the costs of assessing those bonds for investors, who should over time come to regard sustainable finance as mainstream.
Amendment 62 #
2021/0191(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) After a transition period set by the Commission, in contact with stakeholders and in collaboration with the European Parliament and the Council, the ‘European green bond’ or ‘EuGB’ standard should become the main green bond standard within the Union’s capital market. Transparency, accountability, sustainability and the prevention of greenwashing should be the guiding principles of that standard, which should also align with the existing sustainable finance legal framework.
Amendment 67 #
2021/0191(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) TNotwithstanding the green bond markets already functioning prior to the entry into force of this Regulation, for which best practices should be kept, fostered, and eventually standardised within the ‘EuGB’ standard provided for in this Regulation, the proceeds of European green bonds should be used to finance economic activities that have a lasting positive impact on the environment. Such lasting positive impact can be attained in several ways. Since fixed assets are long-term assets, a first way is to use the proceeds of such European green bonds to finance fixed tangible or fixed intangible assets that are not financial assets, provided that those fixed assets relate to economic activities that meet the requirements for environmentally sustainable economic activities set out in Article 3 of Regulation (EU) 2020/852 (‘taxonomy requirements’). Since financial assets can be used to finance economic activities with a lasting positive impact on the environment, a second way is to use those proceeds to finance financial assets, provided that the proceeds from those financial assets are allocated to economic activities that meet the taxonomy requirements. Since the assets of households can also have a long- term positive impact on the environment, those financial assets should also include the assets of households. Since capital expenditure and selected operating expenditure can be used to acquire, upgrade, or maintain fixed assets, a third way is to use the proceeds of such bonds to finance capital and operating expenditures that relate to economic activities that meet the taxonomy requirements or that will meet those requirements within a reasonably short period from the issuance of the bond concerned, which can be extended however where duly justified by the specific features of the economic activities and investments concerned. For the reasons outlined above, the capital and operating expenditures should also include the expenditures of households.
Amendment 73 #
2021/0191(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Sovereigns are frequent issuers of environmentally sustainable bonds and should therefore also be allowed to issue ‘European green bonds’, provided that the proceeds of such bonds are used to finance either assets or expenditure that meet the taxonomy, or assets or expenditure that will meet those requirements within a reasonably short period from the issuance of the bond concerned, which can be extended however where duly justified by the specific features of the economic activities and investments concerned. European green bonds issued by the Union could propel green public investment, with the aim of invigorating the economy of the Union, levelling the playing field of its regions, and ensuring the Union’s open strategic autonomy.
Amendment 88 #
2021/0191(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Issuers of European green bonds should abide by their commitments to investors and allocate the proceeds of their bonds within a reasonably short time after issuance. At the same time, issuers should not be penalised for allocating bond proceeds to economic activities that do not yet meet the taxonomy requirements, but will do so within the five year period (or extended ten year period). Issuers should in any case allocate all proceeds of their European green bonds before the maturity of each bond. Once this Regulation enters into force, the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) should develop draft regulatory technical standards to specify how taxonomy- alignment plans will be prepared. The Commission should eventually adopt those regulatory technical standards as a delegated act.
Amendment 96 #
2021/0191(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 a (new)
Recital 18 a (new)
(18a) Notwithstanding the current legal framework, and two years after the entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission should also explore the need to regulate blockchain-based decentralised autonomous organisations specialised in decentralised finance that tokenise and exchange bonds, with the aim for those bonds to fall within the EuGB standard and in order to maintain a level playing field among platforms and stakeholders.
Amendment 101 #
2021/0191(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 27
Recital 27
(27) To enable ESMA to perform its supervisory tasks, and in particular to compel external reviewers to put an end to an infringement, to supply complete and correct information or to comply with an investigation or an on-site inspection, ESMA should be able to impose penalties or periodic penalty payments. Six months after the entry into force of this Regulation, and after gaining a first understanding of the EuGB standard market, ESMA should develop draft regulatory technical standards to counter possible conflicts of interest that might have occurred during those six months. The Commission should eventually adopt those regulatory technical standards as a delegated act.
Amendment 103 #
2021/0191(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 36
Recital 36
(36) In order to encourage external reviewers to provide their services to the issuers of European green bonds as of the entry into application of this Regulation, this Regulation sets out a transitional regime for the first 30 months following the entry into force of this Regulation. Sustainable bonds already issued before the entry into force of this Regulation should be invited by ESMA to comply with this Regulation as regards disclosure requirements and the use of external reviewers.
Amendment 112 #
2021/0191(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 a (new)
(5a) ‘sustainable investment’ means a sustainable investment as defined in Article 2, point (17), of Regulation (EU) 2019/2088;
Amendment 113 #
2021/0191(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 5 b (new)
(5b) ‘sustainability risk’ means a sustainability risk as defined in Article 2, point (22), of Regulation (EU) 2019/2088
Amendment 84 #
2021/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 2
Recital 2
(2) In its Action Plan: Financing Sustainable Growth the Commission set out measures to achieve the following objectives: reorient capital flows towards sustainable investment in order to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth, manage financial risks stemming from climate change, resource depletion, environmental degradation and social issues, and foster transparency and long-termism in financial and economic activity33 . The disclosure by all undertakings of relevant, comparable and reliable sustainability information is a prerequisite for meeting those objectives. The European Parliament and the Council adopted a number of legislative acts as part of the implementation of the Action Plan on Financing Sustainable Growth. Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 of the European Parliament and of the Council34 governs how financial market participants and financial advisers are to disclose sustainability information to end investors and asset owners. Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council35 creates a classification system of environmentally sustainable economic activities with the aim of scaling up sustainable investments and combatting greenwashing of financial products that unduly claim to be sustainable. Regulation (EU) 2019/2089 of the European Parliament and of the Council36 , complemented by Commission Delegated Regulations (EU) 2020/181637 , (EU) 2020/181738 and (EU) 2020/181839 , introduces environmental, social and governance (‘ESG’) disclosure requirements for benchmarks administrators and minimum standards for the construction of EU Climate Transition Benchmarks and EU Paris-aligned Benchmarks. Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council40 requires large institutions which have issued securities that are admitted to trading on a regulated market to disclose information on ESG risks from 28 June 2022. The new prudential framework for investment firms set by Regulation (EU) 2019/2033 of the European Parliament and of the Council41 and Directive (EU) 2019/2034 of the European Parliament and of the Council42 contains provisions concerning the introduction of an ESG risk dimension in the supervisory review and evaluation process (SREP) by competent authorities, and contains ESG risks disclosure requirements for investment firms, applicable from 26 December 2022. The Commission has also announced a proposal on a European Green Bond Standard in its Work Programme for 2021, following up on the Action Plan on Financing Sustainable Growth. _________________ 33 COM(2018) 97 final. 34 Regulation (EU) 2019/2088 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 on sustainability‐related disclosures in the financial services sector (OJ L 317, 9.12.2019, p. 1). 35 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 (OJ L 198, 22.6.2020, p. 13). 36Regulation (EU) 2019/2089 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 amending Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 as regards EU Climate Transition Benchmarks, EU Paris-aligned Benchmarks and sustainability-related disclosures for benchmarks (OJ L 317, 9.12.2019, p. 17). 37 Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1816 of 17 July 2020 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the explanation in the benchmark statement of how environmental, social and governance factors are reflected in each benchmark provided and published (OJ L 406, 3.12.2020, p. 1). 38Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1817 of 17 July 2020 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards the minimum content of the explanation on how environmental, social and governance factors are reflected in the benchmark methodology (OJ L 406, 3.12.2020, p. 12). 39Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/1818 of 17 July 2020 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2016/1011 of the European Parliament and of the Council as regards minimum standards for EU Climate Transition Benchmarks and EU Paris-aligned Benchmarks (OJ L 406, 3.12.2020, p. 17). 40Regulation (EU) No 575/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on prudential requirements for credit institutions and investment firms and amending Regulation (EU) No 648/2012 (OJ L 176, 27.6.2013, p. 1). 41 Regulation (EU) 2019/2033 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 on the prudential requirements of investment firms and amending Regulations (EU) No 1093/2010, (EU) No 575/2013, (EU) No 600/2014 and (EU) No 806/2014 (OJ L 314, 5.12.2019, p. 1). 42Directive (EU) 2019/2034 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 November 2019 on the prudential supervision of investment firms and amending Directives 2002/87/EC, 2009/65/EC, 2011/61/EU, 2013/36/EU, 2014/59/EU and 2014/65/EU (OJ L 314, 5.12.2019, p. 64).
Amendment 99 #
2021/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) In the absence of policy action, the gap between users’ information needs and the sustainability information reported by undertakings is expected to grow. This gap has significant negative consequences. Investors are unable to take sufficient account of sustainability-related risks and opportunities in their investment decisions. The aggregation of multiple investment decisions that do not take adequate account of sustainability-related risks has the potential to create systemic risks that threaten financial stability. The European Central Bank and international organisations such as the Financial Stability Board have drawn attention to those systemic risks, in particular in the case of climate. Investors are also less able to channel financial resources to undertakings and economic activities that address and do not exacerbate social and environmental problems, which undermines the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Action Plan on Financing Sustainable Growth. Non- governmental organisations, social partners, communities affected by undertakings’ activities, and other stakeholders are less able to hold undertakings accountable for their impacts on people, human rights and the environment. This creates an accountability deficit, and may contribute to lower levels of citizen trust in businesses, which in turn may have negative impacts on the efficient functioning of the social market economy. The lack of generally accepted metrics and methods for measuring, valuing, and managing sustainability-related risks is also an obstacle to the efforts of undertakings to ensure that their business models and activities are sustainable.
Amendment 131 #
2021/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Recital 26
Recital 26
(26) Articles 19a(1) and 29a(1) of Directive 2013/34/EU require undertakings to disclose information about five reporting areas: business model, policies (including due diligence processes implemented), the outcome of those policies, risks and risk management, and key performance indicators relevant to the business. Article 19a(1) of Directive 2013/34/EU does not contain explicit references to other reporting areas that users of information consider relevant, some of which align with disclosures included in international frameworks, including the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. Disclosure requirements should be specified in sufficient detail to ensure that undertakings report information on their resilience to risks related to sustainability matters. In addition to the reporting areas identified in Articles 19a(1) and 29a(1) of Directive 2013/34/EU, undertakings should therefore be required to disclose information about their business strategy and the resilience of the business model and strategy to risks related to sustainability matters, any plans they may have to ensure that their business model and strategy are compatible with the transition to a sustainable and climate- neutral economy; whether and how their business model and strategy take account of the interests of stakeholders; any opportunities for the undertaking arising from sustainability matters; the implementation of the aspects of the business strategy which affect, or are affected by sustainability matters; any sustainability targets set by the undertaking and the progress made towards achieving them; the role of the board and management with regard to sustainability matters; the principal actual and potential adverse impacts connected with the undertaking’s activities; and how the undertaking has identified the information that they report on, including on whether undertakings have directly consulted with stakeholders to identify such information. Once the disclosure of elements such as targets and the progress towards achieving them is required, the separate requirement to disclose the outcomes of policies is no longer necessary.
Amendment 354 #
2021/0104(COD)
Proposal for a directive
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 7
Directive 2013/34/EU
Article 29a – paragraph 2 – point a – point iv
Article 29a – paragraph 2 – point a – point iv
(iv) how the group’s business model and strategy take account of the interests of the group’s stakeholders, with a specific reference on whether there have been direct consultations with stakeholders to identify such information, and of the impacts of the group on sustainability matters;
Amendment 53 #
2021/0000(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Supports the Commission’s guidance to Member States to include in their Recovery Plans investments and reforms in flagship areas under the green transition that are in line with the EU’s objective of achieving climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest – such as renewable energy, renovation, sustainable mobility, the circular economy and biodiversity – given their potential to create jobs and growth.
Amendment 59 #
2021/0000(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Underlines the Commission’s call to Member States to engage as soon as possible in a broad policy dialogue that includes all relevant stakeholders and regional, economic and social partners, to prepare their Recovery and Resilience plans; and stresses the importance of establishing robust coordination mechanisms with local governments under this aim;
Amendment 64 #
2021/0000(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Underlines that Member States’ Recovery Plans are an opportunity for the transition into a social and solidarity- based economy and to an economic democracy; and asks the Commission to review the national Plans under this scope and to ensure that SME and other small stakeholders are not left behind in the implementation of the Plan’s projects and proposals;
Amendment 69 #
2021/0000(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Stresses that social and human development is the main driver for economic growth, as far as planetary bounds are respected, and that therefore other indicators than GDP must be considered to assess economic success, so that social and human development is truly taken into account;
Amendment 1 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 2
Citation 2
— having regard to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) of 1992, and the upcoming 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties thereto (COP15),
Amendment 2 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 a (new)
Citation 7 a (new)
— having regard to Global Biodiversity Outlook 5 of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity of 15 September 2020,
Amendment 3 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 b (new)
Citation 7 b (new)
— having regard to the UN Summit on Biodiversity of 30 September 2020,
Amendment 4 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 7 c (new)
Citation 7 c (new)
— having regard to the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs),
Amendment 14 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11 a (new)
Citation 11 a (new)
— having regard to the Streamlining European Biodiversity Indicators (SEBI) 2020, issued by the Environmental European Agency,
Amendment 17 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18 a (new)
Citation 18 a (new)
— having regard to the in-depth analysis entitled “The link between biodiversity loss and the increasing spread of zoonotic diseases”, published by its Directorate-General for External Policies in December 2020,
Amendment 19 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 18 c (new)
Citation 18 c (new)
— having regard to the IPBES Workshop Report on Biodiversity and Pandemics of 29th October 2020,
Amendment 28 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas according to the IPBES 2019 global assessment report on biodiversity and ecosystem services, most of the Aichi Biodiversity Targets for 2020 willhave been missed;
Amendment 35 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
C b. whereas there is scientific evidence for a complex link between biodiversity loss and the increasing risk of zoonotic diseases such as COVID-19;
Amendment 60 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
G a. whereas the total ecological footprint of the EU-27 Member States plus the United Kingdom is high and is now more than twice the biocapacity available in the region, and this results in a large ecological deficit, which has negative consequences for the environment within and outside Europe;
Amendment 68 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I
Recital I
I. whereas in addition to international trade, illegal wildlife trade and illegal trade in timber and raw materials can accelerate the degradation and destruction of biodiversity in countries with weak institutions and environmental regulations;
Amendment 72 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital I b (new)
Recital I b (new)
I b. whereas there are overlaps between biodiversity hotspots and areas suffering from poverty, as most conservation hotspots are located in countries with a high prevalence of poverty and food insecurity;
Amendment 88 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for the EU to address the root causes of global biodiversity loss and to mainstream obligations on conservation and the sustainable use of resources into broader development policies;
Amendment 108 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. Highlights the direct and indirect impacts of EU Economy on global biodiversity and that EU has special responsibility for global biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity
Amendment 116 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Regrets the fact that the EU budget for supporting external biodiversity policy remains considerably low in comparison with that earmarked for climate change policies and that environmentally harmful subsidies have not been phased out;
Amendment 124 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recalls that the effectiveness of EU external biodiversity policy depends on policy coherence between biodiversity and other key EU external policies, such as trade and investment agreements;
Amendment 126 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10 a. Underlines the need to implement an accessible, transparent, and publicly available screening system to identify and mitigate potential biodiversity risk of development projects funded by EU.
Amendment 131 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Urges the EU to mainstream biodiversity and ecosystem services into all policy areas, notably agriculture, fisheries, energy, mining, trade and climate change;
Amendment 147 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Recalls that agriculturale and food production both depends and has ve significant impacts on biodiversity;
Amendment 162 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Recalls that agricultural development projects should comply with the international and EU environmental and social standards, especially those related to deforestation-free and land- neutral trade chains;
Amendment 186 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Highlights the EU’s responsibility to reduce the indirect drivers of biodiversity loss, by systematically including biodiversity and safeguards against landgrabs in trade negotiations and dialogues with developing countries;
Amendment 201 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Stresses that the deterioration of biodiversity and ecosystems have both direct and indirect impacts on public health, and the link between increasing spread of zoonotic diseases and biodiversity loss;
Amendment 206 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Recalls that ecological restoration is critical for the implementation of the ‘One Health’ approach, and the awareness on the links between biodiversity, which signals a healthy ecosystem, and human and animal health; underlines that air, water and soil quality, as well as processes such as pollination, depend on healthy ecosystems and biodiversity;
Amendment 238 #
2020/2274(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Underlines the fact that environmental crime poses a global threat to nature conservation, sustainable development, stability and security;
Amendment 14 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
- having regard to the European Environment Agency (EEA) report of 19 October 2020 entitled "State of Nature in the EU - Results from reporting under the nature directives 2013-2018",
Amendment 28 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 8 a (new)
Citation 8 a (new)
- having regard to the Directorate- General for Internal Policies report of December 2020 entitled "The link between biodiversity loss and the increasing spread of zoonotic diseases",
Amendment 85 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the evidence available suggests that it is not too latstill possible to halt and reverse current trends in the decline of biodiversity if significant efforts are made4 ; _________________ 4 Global Biodiversity Outlook 5.
Amendment 97 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas the growing internalisation of economies through delocalised processes of production and consumption exert multiple impacts on nature at a global scale and beyond the EU territory;
Amendment 106 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C b (new)
Recital C b (new)
Cb. whereas the Secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity has strongly encouraged local and subnational action for biodiversity, on the understanding that decentralised planning serves as an effective support to deploy global biodiversity strategies;
Amendment 167 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls the conclusions of the IPBES report of 2019, according to which nature is globally declining at a rate unprecedented in human history and around 1 million species are threatened with extinction; strongly regrets that the Union has neither fully met the 2020 biodiversity strategy objectives set in 2010 nor the global Aichi Biodiversity Targets;
Amendment 267 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Expresses strong support for the targets of protecting at least 30 % of the Union’s marine and terrestrial areas, and of strictly protecting at least 10 % of these areas, including primary and old-growth forests; stresses that these should be binding and implemented by Member States in accordance with science-based criteria and biodiversity needs; underlines that in addition to increasing protected areas, their quality and connectivity of protected areas should be ensured and clear conservation plans implemented;
Amendment 349 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the upcoming legislative proposal on the EU Nature Restoration Plan and reiterates its call for a restoration target of at least 30 % of the EU’s land and seas, which should be implemented by each Member State consistently throughout their territory; considers that in addition to an overall restoration target, ecosystem- specific targets should be set, with a particular emphasis on ecosystempromoting natural processes for the dual purposes of biodiversity restoration and climate change mitigation and adaptation; stresses that after restoration, no ecosystem degradation should be allowed;
Amendment 412 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses that the Biodiversity Strategy has to adopt a global perspective and take into account the Union's external responsibility and the extra- territorial dimension of biodiversity loss;
Amendment 454 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Highlights the need to consider urban and territorial planning as a key tool for nature conservation, since it can lay out landscape and ecological connectivity measures and effectively integrate green infrastructure;
Amendment 458 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Is aware of the difficulties regarding sea use through marine spatial planning, especially to design marine protected areas beyond the jurisdictional waters of Member States; calls on Member States to fully implement the Marine Spatial Planning Directive;
Amendment 562 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Stresses that all fishing activities must be subject to maximum sustainable yield levels, or to maximum economic sustainable yield levels where possible, especially in the Mediterranean Sea; with zero tolerance of illegal fishing practices and the elimination of by- catches of sensitive species;
Amendment 617 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Insists that priority for protected areas must be environmental conservation and restoration and that no activity in these areas should undermine this goal; calls on the Commission to avoidphase out and ultimately ban future marine renewable energy developments and bottom-trawling fishing within Marine Protected Areas;
Amendment 677 #
2020/2273(INI)
14. Stresses that the Union’s tree planting initiatives should be based on proforestation, close to nature forestry, sustainable reforestation and the greening of urban areas; calls on the Commission to ensure that these initiatives are carried out only in a manner compatible with and conducive to the biodiversity objectives;
Amendment 709 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15 a (new)
Paragraph 15 a (new)
15a. Calls on the Commission to urgently put forward a proposal for an EU legal framework based on mandatory due diligence regarding wildlife trade (under the CITES Convention) and taking into account impacts on biodiversity loss in third countries;
Amendment 941 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23
Paragraph 23
23. Calls on the Commission to provide an assessment of all subsidies harmful to the environment, including those that cause harm beyond the Union's borders, with a view to their phasing out by 2030 at the latest; reiterates its calls for the reorientation of taxation systems towards an increased use of environmental taxation;
Amendment 972 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Highlights the need for a legally binding biodiversity governance framework, similar to the Climate Law, which steers a path to 2050 through a set of binding objectives, including targets for 2030 and the COP15 commitments, and which establishes a monitoring mechanism with smart indicators, such as the ecological footprint; calls on the Commission to submit a legal proposal to this end in 2022;
Amendment 1002 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a. Calls on the Commission to scale up and align all EU policies with the Biodiversity Strategy 2030 and to apply the principle of policy coherence for nature conservation;
Amendment 1005 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 b (new)
Paragraph 25 b (new)
25b. Calls on the Commission to encourage Member States to update, align and adopt their own biodiversity strategies under the framework of the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030, and to count on the role of subnational governments, cities and other local authorities to effectively tackle biodiversity loss at all scales, as suggested by the UN CBD Secretariat;
Amendment 1008 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 c (new)
Paragraph 25 c (new)
25c. Urges the Commission to consider the extra-territorial dimension of biodiversity loss, especially on developing countries, and to scientifically assess the overall impact of the EU on global biodiversity;
Amendment 1143 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Calls on the Commission and Member States to join efforts to reach an agreement on marine biological diversity beyond national jurisdictions; recalls that the establishment of MPAs in areas beyond national jurisdictions must be supported by socio-economic and ecological impact assessments based on the best available scientific advice;
Amendment 1202 #
2020/2273(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Underlines that the successful implementation of the strategy depends on the involvement of all actors and sectors, and on an "all public administrations" approach that includes regional and local authorities; calls on the Commission to create a stakeholder platform for discussion and to ensure an inclusive, equitable and just transition;
Amendment 13 #
2020/2260(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Urges a shift away from industrial farming and trade- oriented agricultural policies and towards support for food sovereignty and local and regional market, food security, poverty reduction, local and regional markets, and inclusive and fair global supply chains; recalls that agroecology’s capacity to reconcile the economic, environmental and social dimensions of sustainability has been widely recognised;
Amendment 15 #
2020/2260(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Welcomes the upcoming legislative proposal on an EU Code and monitoring framework for responsible business and marketing conduct in the food supply chain; believes that the Code should lay down robust due diligence standards for agri-food companies and should be accompanied by binding targets and measures to discourage non-compliance, such as administrative or economic sanctions, and ensure sustainable practices in the food value chain;
Amendment 28 #
2020/2260(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Insists that EU funding for agriculture must be in line with Agenda 2030 and prioritise investments in agroecology, agroforestry and crop diversification; highlights the need to finance and develop green business models that support better animal farming and promote short food supply chains within the EU rather than boosting subsidized export-oriented food products that cause harm to local producers in developing countries and exacerbate their dependence on foreign imports; stresses the importance of preserving agricultural biodiversity, local animal and plant breeds and local varieties;
Amendment 37 #
2020/2260(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Stresses that the Farm to Fork (F2F) strategy should contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals at European and global levels; calls on the Commission and Member States to establish an EU platform to monitor and assess the implementation of the EU F2F Strategy and ensure that multilateral mechanisms, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), incorporate all the elements of the F2F approach in their policy recommendations;
Amendment 48 #
2020/2260(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Calls on the European Commission to strengthen its approach to ensure the Right to Adequate Food, implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants and Other People Working in Rural Areas, improve the working conditions of farm workers and the income of small-scale farmers that are part of international food supply chains, and ensure that the precautionary principle is included for all food safety requirements in developing countries;
Amendment 61 #
2020/2260(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. StressesNotes that the Farm to Fork lays out principles for a cleaner, pesticide-free EU agricultural sector with reduced reliance on fertiliser and decreased greenhouse-gas emissions; stresses, in this regard, that the EU-Mercosur Agreement is inconsistent with the Green Deal and the Farm to Fork Strategy, in particular its reduction of dependence on animal feed and industrial animal production, increasing organic farming, improving animal welfare, reversing biodiversity loss, and the shift to a more plant-based diet and shorter supply chains;
Amendment 64 #
2020/2260(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is gradually extended to food imports with lower standards for carbon footprints in products like meat, dairy and animal feed; believes that the CBAM should be used as a key tool to promote self-sufficient and sustainable food systems in developing countries;
Amendment 65 #
2020/2260(INI)
4 b. Highlights that EU trade policy should contribute to obtain ambitious commitments from third countries on animal welfare, the use of pesticides and the fight against antimicrobial resistance; calls on the Commission to ensure that all products imported to, and exported out of the EU by trade partners fully respect EU standards in the field of animal welfare, the use of pesticides and the fight against antimicrobial resistance; stresses that EU development cooperation must support local farmers and producers from developing countries to comply with relevant EU regulations and standards;
Amendment 68 #
2020/2260(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Stresses that EU free trade agreements (FTAs) should not disrupt local agriculture, damage small producers or exacerbate dependency on food imports; calls into question international trade rules which allow dumping through the WTO green box; calls on the Commission to review international trade relations to make food systems sustainable and fair, and integrate environmental and social objectives in a comprehensive and holistic manner across all trade agreement provisions; welcomes the Commission’s commitment to compliance of EU trade agreements with the Paris Agreement, and calls for market access in FTAs to be conditional on compliance with process and production methods criteria; calls on the Commission to strengthen the enforcement mechanism of the trade and sustainable development (TSD) chapters and use it as a tool to foster a more diverse and sustainable food system, and to ensure that no provisions in the FTAs undermine the objectives and standards enshrined in the TSD chapters;
Amendment 79 #
2020/2260(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Denounces the EU’s double standards on pesticides, which allow the export from the EU of hazardous substances banned in the EU; stresses that the EU legislation does not prohibit the export of pesticides banned in the EU to third countries, allowing companies to make profits by selling these chemicals to non-EU countries; points out that the EU should play a stronger role in supporting the establishment of the new UN mechanism to promote a phase-out of highly hazardous pesticides globally; calls on the Commission to stand firm in its commitment under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability to ensure that hazardous pesticides banned in the European Union are not produced for export, and to ensure that no banned pesticides are allowed as residues in food placed on the European market;.
Amendment 157 #
2020/2260(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 40 a (new)
Citation 40 a (new)
- having regard to the Directorate- General for Internal Policies report of December 2020 entitled “The link between biodiversity loss and the increasing spread of zoonotic diseases”,
Amendment 229 #
2020/2260(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas Europe’s food system shouldmust deliver food and nutrition security in a way that contributes to improve social well- being and maintains and restores ecosystem health; whereas currently, the food system is responsible for a range of impacts on human and animal health and on the environment, the climate and biodiversity; whereas the way in which we produce and consume food needs to transform in order to ensure coherence with and achievement of the SDGs, the Paris Agreement, the Convention on Biological Diversity and EU policies, particularly in the areas of sustainability, the environment, climate, public health, animal welfare, food and economic sustainability for farmers;
Amendment 304 #
2020/2260(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C
Recital C
C. whereas the European model of a multifunctional agricultural and farming sector, driven by family farms, continues to ensure quality food production, local supply chains, good agriculture practices, compliance with high environmental standards and vibrant rural areas throughout the EU;
Amendment 392 #
2020/2260(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas in free-market economy systems food prices should reflect environmental costs apart from internalizing direct production costs; whereas EU tax systems should aim to ensure that the price of different foods reflects their real costs in terms of use of finite natural resources, pollution, GHG emissions and other environmental externalities;
Amendment 597 #
2020/2260(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the announcement of an impact-assessed proposal for a legislative framework for sustainable food systems; invites the Commission to use this proposal to set out a holistic common food policy aimed at reducing the environmental and climate footprint of the EU food system in order to make Europe the first climate- neutral continent by 2050 and strengthen its resilience to ensure food security in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss, leading a global transition towards sustainability from farm to fork, based on the principle of a multifunctional agricultural sector while ensuring consistency between policies by taking into account the existing legislation in order to enable all actors in the European food system to develop long-term plans based on realistic and transparent objectives; suggests that the respective base lines and progress achieved in each Member State be taken into account, while promoting the exchange of know-how and best practices between Member States; stresses the need to incluconsider the entire food and beverage chains including processing, marketing, distribution and retail and to tax food and beverage production under an emission reduction scheme to achieve climate neutral food in 2040;
Amendment 643 #
2020/2260(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Welcomes the announcement of tax incentives that drive the transition to a sustainable food system and encourage consumers to choose sustainable and healthy diets, like the Commission’s proposal on VAT rates (currently being discussed in the Council) that could allow Member States to make more targeted use of rates, for instance to support organic fruit and vegetables;
Amendment 943 #
2020/2260(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Emphasises the importance of recognising the significant impact of agriculture and especially animal production on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, biodiversity loss, freshwater and groundwater pollution/over- exploitation and land use; stresses the need to enhance natural carbon sinks and reduce agricultural emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide, in particular in the feed and livestock sectors; calls for regulatory measures and targets to ensure progressive reductions in all GHG emissions in these sectors;
Amendment 1341 #
2020/2260(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Underlines that robust and reliablee need to strengthen legal frameworks for the fisheries and aquaculture sector should proviin order the basis foro ensure better protection measures with subsequent increases in fish populations and more clarity regarding the use of space and licenses in aquaculture, allowing for greater predictability for investments; stresses that good traceability mechanisms and high sustainability standards for all products sold on EU markets, included those imported from outside the EU, are essential to ensure transparency for consumers, the sector and the different administrations, and to achieve the targets of the Green Deal and the SDGs;
Amendment 1388 #
2020/2260(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Expresses its deep concern about the emergence of zoonotic diseases that are transferred from animals to humans (anthropozoonoses), such as COVID-19, Q fever, avian influenza and the new strain of influenza A (H1N1), which is exacerbated by the expansion of human activity, anthropogenic climate change, the destruction of biodiversity, environmental degradation and our current food production systems;
Amendment 1486 #
2020/2260(INI)
13. Urges the Commission to follow up on Directive (EU) 2019/633 on unfair trading practices22 and implement legal action beyond the EU code of conduct on responsible business and marketing practices by producing a monitoring framework for the food and retail sectors and providing for legal action if progress in integrating economic, environmental and social sustainability into corporate strategies is insufficient, and in so doing promoting and rewarding the efforts of sustainable agricultural producers while increasing the availability and affordability of healthy, sustainable food options and reducing the overall environmental footprint of the food system; stresses the importance of halting and addressing consolidation and concentration in the grocery retail sector in order to ensure fair prices for farmers while underlining the need to include and show environmental external costs in food prices; _________________ 22 OJ L 111, 25.4.2019, p. 59.
Amendment 1752 #
2020/2260(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Welcomes the fact that the strategy rightly recognises the role and influence of the food environment in shaping consumption patterns and the need to make it easier for consumers to choose healthy and sustainable diets; reiterates the importance of promoting sustainable diets by raising consumer awareness of the impacts of consumption patterns and providing information on diets that are better for human health and have a lower environmental footprint; underlines that food prices must send the right signal to consumers; welcomes, therefore, the strategy’s objective that the healthy, environmentally respectful and sustainable choice should become the most affordable one; urges the Commission to present legal or fiscal instruments by 2022 to translate this principle into practice, phasing out harmful subsidies to farming practices and food production systems not aligned under this principle;
Amendment 1887 #
2020/2260(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Highlights the recognition in the strategy that Europeans’ diets are not in line with recommendations for healthy eating, and that a population-wide shift in consumption patterns is needed towards more healthy and plant-based foods and less red and processed meat, sugars, salt, and fats, which will also benefit the environment; emphasises that EU-wide guidelines for sustainable and healthy diets would bring clarity to consumers on what constitutes a healthy and sustainable diet and inform Member States’ own efforts to integrate sustainability elements in national dietary advice; calls on the Commission to develop such guidelines and specific actions to effectively promote healthy plant-based diets and to promote stronger coordination between all public and private stakeholders, including local governments;
Amendment 1955 #
2020/2260(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21 a (new)
Paragraph 21 a (new)
21a. Welcomes the EU Commission proposal for an Action Plan on organic farming to help Member States stimulate both supply and demand for organic products to reach the objective of at least 25% of the EU’s agricultural land under organic farming by 2030; urges the EU Commission to support Member States and the retail sector to sign agreements on increasing sales of organic food;
Amendment 1966 #
2020/2260(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Calls for a revision of public procurement legislation, including minimum mandatory criteria in schools and other public institutions to encourage organic and local food production and to promote more healthy diets by creating a food environment that enables consumers to make the healthy choice; emphasises that public procurement legislation should also include obligations for rewarding ‘true pricing’ of food, including external environmental costs, that give the right price signals to consumers making healthy, environmentally respectful sustainable food the most easy and affordable choice;
Amendment 2194 #
2020/2260(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 26
Paragraph 26
26. Recalls the global responsibility of European food systems and their key role in setting global standards for food safety, environmental protection and animal welfare; calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that all food and feed products imported to the EU fully meet relevant EU regulations and standards and to provide development assistance to support primary producers from developing countries in meeting those standards; welcomes the Commission’s intention to take the environmental impacts of requested import tolerances into account; calls upon the EU Commission to adopt legislation for a carbon border adjustment mechanism not only for the ETS-sectors, but also for food imported to the EU from countries with lower standards for climate policies for the agricultural sector, lower standards for deforestation policies, or higher carbon footprints per kg, for products like meat, dairy and animal feed, compared to European equivalent products;
Amendment 7 #
2020/2255(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Notes that the 'New Pact on Migration and Asylum' is a holistic attempt to address Europe's migration challenges; stresses however that these challenges originate outside Europe and urges that the root causes and drivers of migration be effectively addressed; underlines that Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD) is essential to attain this goal and that PCSD should be mainstreamed across all Union policies;
Amendment 9 #
2020/2255(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. Points out that a coherent approach to migration should instead consider regular migration flows as an asset for achieving poverty reduction and sustainable development, for example through economic and social remittances, “brain gain”, diaspora engagement and positive effects on trade and investment;
Amendment 13 #
2020/2255(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)
Paragraph 1 b (new)
1 b. Underlines that armed conflicts are one of the main drivers of forced migration; stresses that the Union and its Member States must keep a people- centred approach in any Union migration policy and promote both within and outside its borders a fully functioning asylum system and grant access to its territory for all asylum applicants with full respect to the principle of non- refoulement, in accordance with the Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees;
Amendment 14 #
2020/2255(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)
Paragraph 1 c (new)
1 c. Stresses that all asylum applicants should have the right to an individual assessment of their application and should enjoy the right to an effective remedy when border procedures apply, including the right to remain in the territory pending the outcome of the remedy without being held in detention for the sole reason of being subject to these procedures;
Amendment 15 #
2020/2255(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 d (new)
Paragraph 1 d (new)
1 d. Notes that the extreme effects of climate change have been an increasing driver of forced migration in the last years; calls on the Commission and Member States to step up efforts to mitigate the effects of climate change in developing countries that are most affected; calls on the Commission to include in its upcoming proposal on corporate due diligence the limitation of economic activities carried out by Union- based companies that can adversely affect the ability of vulnerable populations to combat the adverse effects of climate change;
Amendment 22 #
2020/2255(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. RecallsStresses that Member States’ right to determine their own migration policies; underlines that facilitating should increase the coordination of their own migration policies because labour migration at Union level undermineshas an impact on Member States’ unique and diverse labour market policies and on the overall functioning of the Union internal market; considers that increasing regular migration channels will notis necessary to reduce illegalrregular migration or human trafficking;
Amendment 31 #
2020/2255(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Points out that external borders must be secured with respect to human rights obligations, and that migrants who lack the right to stay or enter the Member States must be swiftly returned; supports proposals for an accelerated border procedure to apply to persons whose asylum applications have been rejected; returned only after they have undergone due administrative process subject to judicial review, with the observation of all procedural safeguards laid down in Chapter III of the Return Directive;
Amendment 33 #
2020/2255(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Stresses that the Union and its Member States should not establish cooperation arrangements on border management with third countries that do not ensure respect for essential human rights standards; underlines that migration governance should be coherent with other Union external actions, respecting human rights and leaving no one behind as stipulated in the 2030 Agenda;
Amendment 36 #
2020/2255(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Highlights that the working document of the Frontex Scrutiny Working Group (FSWG) of the European Parliament concluded that the mechanisms of this agency to monitor, report and evaluate fundamental rights situations are deficient; urges the Frontex Management Board, the Commission and Member States to implement the recommendations of the FSWG without further delay;
Amendment 41 #
2020/2255(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Underlines that emigration of highly qualified citizens deprives countries of origin of their human capital and an educated workforce (“brain drain”) and seriously hampers their economic and social development; calls for the future EU Talent Partnerships to address this issue and take on board lessons from the recent EU pilot projects on legal migration; stresses the need to facilitate migration for medium-skilled jobs and urges the Commission to add a ‘light blue’ alternative for medium-skilled or qualified labour to the recast Blue Card Directive;
Amendment 57 #
2020/2255(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. CUnderlines that the SDG target 10.7 establishes the need to improve international cooperation for creating safe regular and orderly migration pathways; calls for strengthening international law enforcement efforts, in cooperation with local governments, to combat criminal networks of smugglers contributing to illegal migration; stresses however that the mere contention of migratory flows at any cost cannot stop forced migration insofar its root causes are not tackled, and that such a policy only forces migrants to take more dangerous routes and boosts human smuggling organizations; underlines that the Union’s external recovery response needs to be inclusive to migrants, refugees and internally displaced persons, while accounting for the impact of the pandemic on protection needs;
Amendment 63 #
2020/2255(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. Calls on the Commission and Member States not to hamper intra- African migration by prioritizing Union security interventions along migration routes, given that intra-African mobility is essential for development; strongly encourages the Commission and Member States to engage with the African partners in line with the Migration Policy Framework for Africa and Plan of Action 2018-2030 of the African Union;
Amendment 67 #
2020/2255(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the appropriate use of the NDICI-Global Europe to contribute to reducing migration flows by stimulating economic growth and development in third countries; stresses, however, that the evaluation of the NDICI-Global Europe instrument must be carried out in relation to the degree of attainment of the SDGs rather than using reduced migration as an indicator of success; underlines, in this regard, that Official Development Assistance cannot be used to strengthen borders, encourage deportations and prevent the influx of migrants into the Union;
Amendment 83 #
2020/2255(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Recalls that, according to Union Law, irregular entry to the Union is not a criminal offence; points out that the provisions of Chapter IV of the Return Directive enable Member States to hold third country nationals in detention centres for up to six months prior to the execution of removal processes; calls on the Commission to file a legislative proposal to legally prescribe human rights-compliant alternatives to detention in Chapter IV of the Return Directive, thus enforcing preventive detention of third country nationals as a true last resort measure, and to propose a harmonized timeframe and standard condition for detention;
Amendment 86 #
2020/2255(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7 b. Underlines that the Union should at all cost avoid using development cooperation policy as an instrument to manage migration flows and that development policies cannot be conditional upon cooperation of partner countries in the forced return of their nationals or border management;
Amendment 87 #
2020/2255(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 c (new)
Paragraph 7 c (new)
7 c. Calls on the Commission to carry out an impact assessment on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum with a specific focus on its impact on developing countries;
Amendment 9 #
2020/2215(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reaffirms that sExpresses its concern on the rise of extremist discourse that threatens the upholding of Sexual and rReproductive health and rights (Human Rights (SRHR) both within and outside the EU; reaffirms that SRHR) are grounded in human rights, are fundamental elements of human dignity, and remain crucial to achieving gender equality;
Amendment 24 #
2020/2215(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls for the elimination of harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and early and forced child marriage; is extremely concerned that more than 200 million girls and women worldwide have been forced to undergo FGM; calls for full access to physical and psychological care by interculturally sensitive and trained personnel; recalls that girls living in the EU territory are also subject to the risk of suffering FGM while visiting their countries of origin, mainly in the framework of family visits; considers that it is important that all member States, including regional and local administrations, share their best practices on protocols to prevent FGM committed to girls that travel to countries or regions where FGM is significantly practiced; calls on all EU Member States who have not done so yet to enact specific criminal law on FGM in order to prosecute this crime more effectively when it is committed outside their territories;
Amendment 33 #
2020/2215(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Condemns any violations of SRHR, including failures to provide access to comprehensive sexuality education (CSE), family planning services and maternal healthcare; stresses the importance of improving the availability of contraceptive methods in developing countries, especially for adolescent girls who are at greater risk of complications in case of pregnancy; affirms that all women and girls are entitled to make their own free and informed choices with regard to their sexual and reproductive health and lives;
Amendment 37 #
2020/2215(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Reminds that the quality of maternal healthcare is an important indication of the development of a country; believes that development cooperation should help partner countries to uphold the right to health in the context of pregnancy and childbirth through the establishment of decent maternal health services that effectively decrease infant mortality, as well as deaths related to complications of childbirth;
Amendment 43 #
2020/2215(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Insists that CSE programmes in the school system are important as they provide age-appropriate information about puberty, the menstrual cycle, pregnancy and, childbirth and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases; recalls the role of non-governmental organisations as service providers and advocates for SRHR; underlines that CSE programmes help prevent early pregnancy and marriage, which lead to girls dropping out of school and being excluded from the labour market;
Amendment 56 #
2020/2215(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Recalls that safe and legal abortion care is anchored in women’s and adolescent girls' health and rights; warns about the worrying backlash on women’s rights over their bodies in both developing countries and the EU; stresses the need for the full implementation of the Maputo Protocol, especially Article 14;
Amendment 61 #
2020/2215(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the Gender Action Plan III to give more prominence to its SRHR thematic policy area given the tremendous impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women and girls in developing countries; believes that in order to ensure that no one is left behind the SRHR thematic policy area of GAPIII should ensure that no woman or girl is discriminated because of her belonging to a particular social class, ethnicity, religion, race or disability group; notes that regional and local administrations, in their role of administrations closest to citizens and civil society, can play a key role to ensure that no one is left behind when implementing the SRHR thematic policy of GAP III;
Amendment 76 #
2020/2215(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the EU to secure adequate and well-targeted funding for SRHR in its development cooperation policy; stresses that it is essential to ensure that development cooperation policy involves civil society organisations which are directly implicated in the defence of SRHR in developing countries;
Amendment 80 #
2020/2215(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. EBelieves that the EU needs to promote that all partner countries integrate SRHR services into national public health strategies and programmes; emphasises that SRHR services should be gender-responsive, rights-based, youth- friendly and available to all, regardless of age or marital status or economic resources, including during conflicts and disasters;
Amendment 95 #
2020/2215(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Reiterates its call on both parties of the new agreement between the EU and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States to commit to the promotion, protection and fulfilment of SRHR free from discrimination, coercion and violence and to the full implementation of the International Conference on Population and Development’s Programme of Action; calls on the Commission to take into account SRHR when negotiating and enforcing human rights clauses in trade agreements;
Amendment 102 #
2020/2215(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Recalls that asylum seekers and refugees are too often victims of human trafficking and forced prostitution; points out that asylum seekers and refugees have more problems to access maternal care, contraceptive methods, safe abortion or services to prevent sexually transmitted diseases; insists that effective access to SRHR for these populations is critical for their survival.;
Amendment 106 #
2020/2215(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Considers that violations of SRHR are often deeply engrained in societal values built upon the patriarchal concept of women’s role within the family and their ability to reproduce; underlines the need for development cooperation programmes to boost cultural change in order to improve societal views on SRHR; believes that actions aiming at empowering civil societies in partner countries, mainly organizations defending the rights of women and girls, are vital in order to generate new societal attitudes and consensus that facilitate the recognition of SRHR.
Amendment 5 #
2020/2134(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that developing countries are the most exposed to climate change, and that their human rights activists and environmental defenders are particularly subjected to threats, repression and judicial persecution for defending their land, heritage and environment from the consequences of the exploitation of natural resources; considers that the protection of human rights defenders should be a prominent objective within the thematic pillar of the new Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument;
Amendment 23 #
2020/2134(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Is deeply concerned about the increased criminalisation and persecution of environmental activists in developing countries by governments and multinational companies that are investing in the exploitation of natural, non- renewable resources, thus contributing to deforestation, loss of biodiversity and human rights violations, mostly affecting indigenous peoples; invites the Commission to introduce a duty to protect these groups in its upcoming legislative proposal on business due diligence;
Amendment 42 #
2020/2134(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Believes that in the next few years climate change will create more environmental migrants from developing countries, and that in order to better protect their human rights, environmental refugee status needs international recognition; calls on the Commission to submit a legislative proposal to grant temporary or subsidiary protection to persons who may have had to temporarily move to the EU because of the catastrophic effects of climate change;
Amendment 70 #
2020/2134(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Calls on the Council and the EEAS, within the framework of the common foreign and security policy, to implement a consistent policy to protect human rights defenders, using the same language and taking the same measures in relation to all States where human rights defenders are under attack;
Amendment 74 #
2020/2134(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Calls on the Council and the EEAS to strengthen the application of their guidelines on support for human rights defenders, to take systematically into consideration measures to protect human rights defenders and, in addition to reacting to specific situations, to develop a long-term strategy to protect human rights defenders as effectively as possible;
Amendment 77 #
2020/2134(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6 c (new)
Paragraph 6 c (new)
6c. Considers that the Council and the EEAS should present an annual report to the European Parliament on EU action on protecting human rights defenders;
Amendment 13 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Acknowledges that there is sufficient strong evidence that shows that the voluntary efforts of Union companies to prevent and mitigate the negative impacts of their behaviour on developing countries have failed as violations of human rights of individuals, in particular worker’s rights, and of local communities, as well as activities that increase the effects of climate change in the most vulnerable countries, are still taking place at the end of the supply chain;
Amendment 46 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that all human rights should be covered by the future legislation; considers that emphasis should be placed on workers and trade union rights, women, children or indigenous people, as well as on the effects of business activity on the environment; stresses that full alignment with existing legal obligations and standards at European and international level should be sought, paying special attention to the ILO Conventions, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and the Convention on the Rights of the Child; is of the opinion that the legislation should address all types of human rights abuses;
Amendment 65 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is of the opinion that the new legislation should apply to all sectors, to all types of enterprises, whether public or private, and of all size across the Union; considers that the focus should be placed on the risksclassifying the types of risks entailed by the activities of businesses residing within the Union, and on defining in which States and regions human rights violations are most likely to occur on account of local authorities’ unwillingness or lack of capacity;
Amendment 67 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Is of the opinion that the new legislation should apply to all sectors, to all types of enterprises, whether public or private, and of all size across the Union; stresses the importance of government agencies in the Member States taking into account the criteria of the new legislation when carrying out projects supporting the internationalisation of enterprises residing within their territory; considers that the focus should be placed on the risks;
Amendment 92 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Underlines the need to design a sound monitoring system and to provide competent authorities (at Union and at national level) with effective instruments to monitor the compliance with the legislation, in particular, at local level; considers that a special effort has to be made to monitor business activities carried out in higher risk countries and regions;
Amendment 115 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Stresses the importance of victims of human rights violations caused directly or indirectly by the activities of companies residing within an EU Member State being able to take legal action in the courts of that Member State when the courts in the States in which the human rights violations occurred are unwilling or unable to remedy the harm done; is concerned that victims of human rights violations in the developing countries may encounter difficulties in obtaining effective judicial remedies from courts in the Member States owing to a lack of resources to take legal action; considers that a consultation process involving all interested parties, and in particular trade unions and civil society organisations, needs to be conducted in those areas where human rights violations are most likely to occur, so that mechanisms are established in the future directive on due diligence that guarantee access for the most vulnerable groups to effective judicial protection in Member State courts;
Amendment 120 #
2020/2129(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 11
Paragraph 11
11. Is convinced that it is crucial to make the sustainable development chapters of free trade agreements more enforceable and that the new legislation should explore ways of integrating the due diligence requirements into those chapters.; considers that active monitoring of the due diligence mechanisms established in free trade agreements should be one of the main duties of the Chief Trade Enforcement Officer;
Amendment 12 #
2020/2124(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Stresses the ‘policy first’ principle underpinning the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), which should enhance coherence and coordination among the EIB, the Commission and Member States in identifying investment operations that can contribute to sustainable development; is of the opinion that the EIB should avoid excessive overreliance on projects implemented by transnational companies and financial intermediaries that do not prioritize development projects, such as private equity funds;
Amendment 16 #
2020/2124(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Welcomes the commitments made by the EIB towards countering tax evasion of beneficiary companies for development projects; calls on the EIB to prevent companies controlled by entities located in countries listed on the EU blacklist of prohibited jurisdictions from accessing EIB financing; calls on the EIB to require potential beneficiary companies to disclose information about their tax payments in each country in which they operate as a precondition for accessing EIB financing;
Amendment 27 #
2020/2124(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Notes that the European Ombudsman has opened three inquiries on the EIB concerning the disclosure of information about projects it finances directly, the information about projects administered by national banks or financial institutions, and the access to minutes of the meetings of its Management Committee; calls on the EIB to disclose this information in order to enhance its transparency and accountability;
Amendment 34 #
2020/2124(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3 b. Calls on the Commission to regularly disclose the rationale behind its opinions on the projects financed by the EIB, given that making such information public would clarify the decision-making process for EIB operations covered by the EU guarantee and the contribution of such operations to the Union’s development policy objectives;
Amendment 37 #
2020/2124(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Recalls the need for robust ex ante impact assessments to mitigate the risks of EIB operations on human rights and on environmental, labour and social standards, and the need for meaningful consultations with stakeholders, including civil society organisations; believes that ex ante impact assessments on human rights should be carried out for every project funded by the EIB, especially when implemented by financial intermediaries, and that continuous monitoring of operations on the ground should be ensured; stresses that the EIB needs to deal with complaints in a transparent and effective manner;
Amendment 1 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 5 a (new)
Citation 5 a (new)
- having regard to the statement of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees of 7 October 2020 to the 71th session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme,
Amendment 2 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)
Citation 6 a (new)
- having regard to the United Nations Secretary General's Brief of May 2020 on the impact of COVID-19 on older persons,
Amendment 5 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 15 a (new)
Citation 15 a (new)
- having regard to the proposal submitted by India and South Africa before the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 2 October 2020 under Article IX:3 and IX:4 of the WTO Agreement asking for a temporary waiver of patent obligations under the TRIPS Agreement for COVID-19 vaccines,
Amendment 28 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas measures to control COVID-19 outbreaks are affecting global food supply chains and are threatening food security in many developing countries;
Amendment 45 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Ca. whereas lower income countries lose more than half what they spend on public health every year to tax havens; whereas tax evasion has especially deprived developing countries from resources to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic;
Amendment 74 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas the COVID-19 pandemic has not put on hold most armed conflicts in the world; whereas populations living in conflict zones and refugees have more difficulties to access COVID-19 treatment and their food insecurity is increasing;
Amendment 78 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E b (new)
Recital E b (new)
Eb. whereas, at the height of the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, 168 countries fully or partially closed their borders, with around 90 making no exception for those seeking asylum; whereas some countries have pushed asylum seekers, including children, back to their countries of origin;
Amendment 82 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E c (new)
Recital E c (new)
Ec. whereas strict implementation of intellectual property rights in the framework of the COVID-19 pandemic could severely hinder manufacturing and supply of medical equipment and vaccines to developing countries;
Amendment 83 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E d (new)
Recital E d (new)
Ed. whereas European pharmaceutical industries did not complete their research on coronavirus diseases SARS (2003) and MERS (2012) due to lack of potential economic profitability; whereas the completion of the research on such diseases would have provided knowledge likely to enable faster development of vaccines against COVID-19; whereas the European pharmaceutical industry has received between EUR 200 million and EUR 1.1 billion from the public sector, especially from the Commission;
Amendment 86 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Welcomes the EU’s global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which demonstrates its ambition to lead and show solidarity with all partner countries; points out, however, that current funds are essentially reallocated from other budget lines and that the challenge of aid front-loading has to be tackled; calls, therefore, for substantial new funds to be mobilised to assist developing countries worldwide in fighting the direct and indirect consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic; stresses that making safe vaccines available globally in a fast and affordable manner must be one of the first steps; considers that patent rights should not prevent the availability of vaccines against COVID-19 in developing countries, especially when the concerned laboratories have received massive public funding without which the research to produce a vaccine in such a short timeframe could have never been carried out; is worried that compulsory licensing foreseen in the Trade Related Aspects of the Intellectual Property (TRIPS) agreement might not suffice to make vaccines and medical products available in a number of developing countries, since compensation is still to be paid to the companies owning the patents; deems necessary that the EU reconsiders its position and supports the proposal of India and South Africa for a temporary waiver of Sections 1, 4, 5 and 7 of Part II of the TRIPS Agreement in order to ensure that life-saving medical products, including vaccines, are effectively available and affordable in all developing countries in the shortest term possible;
Amendment 97 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Insists that the momentum gained from the common Team Europe approach in terms of joint analysis, joint programming and joint implementation must translate into a new standard for cooperation in the fields of humanitarian aid and development policy, both in law and in practice; considers that the EU should promote that such increased coordination be attained not only between Member States, but also with non-EU donor countries in view of maximizing the efficacy and efficiency of international cooperation and humanitarian aid;
Amendment 108 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Is deeply concerned about the underfunding of the EU humanitarian aid budget, given the additional humanitarian needs caused by the pandemic and the devastating impacts that such underfunding could have on the provision of critical basic needs for millions of people in the midst of the pandemic, such as food, water, sanitation or health services; calls for a clear distribution of the Solidarity and Emergency Aid Reserve (SEAR) envelope, which should aim to provide balanced coverage of its obligations as follows: neither internal nor external operations may be allocated more than 60 % of the annual amount of the reserve; on 1 October of each year, at least one quarter of the annual amount for ‘year n' must remain available to cover needs arising until the end of that year; as of 1 October, the remaining funds may be mobilised to cover needs arising until the end of that year;
Amendment 118 #
2020/2118(INI)
4. Underlines that pastoral farming is an ecologically sound, local method of food production and is therefore part of a sustainable food system; considers it essential to support pastoralists by ensuring safe access to local markets during the pandemic in order to make sure that they are able to continue to provide protein-rich food to the local population, that their herds have access to water and grazing land and that mobile community one-health teams monitor the situation and carry out interventions in individual cases but also, where necessary, with a view to maintaining public health; underlines the need to encourage partner countries to ensure that border closures and trade restrictions do not prevent pastoralists from moving their livestock, graze their animals or sell them; calls for cash transfers and food aid for pastoralists, as well as feed aid for herds, as part of livelihood support in humanitarian aid, when this is needed;
Amendment 129 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Emphasises the need to support the actions of the FAO and the WFP aimed at mitigating hunger and loss of livelihood and building up resilient food systems, such as those to set up a global data facility for the provision of swift information on humanitarian needs, to provide food production assistance and access to diverse, balanced and nutritious food, to organise cash transfers and in-kind food distribution, to stabilise food systems, and to ensure the functioning of local food markets, value chains and systems while focusing on smallholder farmers by implementing sanitary measures in order to prevent the transmission of COVID-19; points out that special measures have to be foreseen in order to ensure that food reaches people living in areas facing special difficulties with regard to food security, such as conflict-affected states or countries that suffer most from climate change;
Amendment 157 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Underlines that global extreme poverty is expected to rise dramatically in 2020 for the first time in over 20 years, with the COVID-19 pandemic compounding the forces of conflict and climate change and having a particularly hard impact on informal and migrant workers (who represent one quarter of the global workforce), the tourism sector and Latin American and Caribbean economies; highlights, against the backdrop of this extreme crisis, the importance of universal social protection; asks the Commission to work out strategies with partner countries strategies for the economic recovery and job creation and for improving social security systemsactively supporting partner countries to establish social security systems through the provision of economic resources and technical assistance;
Amendment 182 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Regrets that the pandemic has created an important number of difficulties and restrictions for refugee protection in several countries on the grounds of public health; affirms that protecting the populations against the Covid-19 pandemic and maintaining fair and efficient asylum procedures is compatible; stresses that the EU must promote both within and outside its borders the need to reinstate a fully functioning asylum system and grant access to its territory for all asylum seekers, in accordance with the Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees;
Amendment 194 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Reminds that the strengthening of health systems does not have to exclusively take into account the epidemiologic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on partner countries, but should also consider factors such as the need for managing increased malnutrition caused by the disruptions of food supply chains or the psychological impact of the mitigation measures of Covid-19 outbreaks;
Amendment 199 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Stresses the need to catch up on routine immunisation programmes as soon as possible and to provide adequate funding for initiatives such as Gavi, the vaccine Alliance, and CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations; calls on the Commission to ensure that the EU global response to the COVID-19 pandemic does not undermine EU funding for other vital health programmes, including the Minimum Initial Services Package for sexual and reproductive health and programmes targeting the health of women and pregnant women; points out that reallocation of resources away from sexual and reproductive health services in developing countries can severely increase maternal mortality, early pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases; urges all countries and the Commission to continue to provide services related to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) as well as routine immunisation services, while ensuring the safety of communities and health workers;
Amendment 214 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Supports the important work of the WHO and points out its central role as the leading and coordinating authority on the COVID-19 response, while recognising the need for its reform after the acute crisis has been managed in order to strengthen its capacity to prevent threats to global health that might arise in the future and establish mechanisms through which it can increase its responsibility independently of the political interference of each of its members;
Amendment 236 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11a. Highlights that restrictions against fundamental freedoms to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic have especially affected the human rights of older people in developing countries by aggravating their social exclusion due to movement limitation measures that prevent them from relying on their traditional sources of income, or by impacting their mental health and well-being due to forced isolation; calls on the EU to take into account the situation of older persons in its response to the COVID-19 crisis in developing countries, especially by planning logistic measures which ensure that older persons can receive essential goods, basic services and psychological support;
Amendment 239 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12
Paragraph 12
12. Is concerned that, since the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, many governments have used the emergency to justify placing restrictions on democratic processes and the civil space and to oppress minorities; draws attention to the growing negative impact of COVID-19 on all human rights, democracy and the rule of law and calls, therefore, for the strengthening of aid, political dialogue and support for institution-building in all these fields, with particular attention to human rights d; points out that human rights defenders can be even more exposed to attacks during the mobility restrictions imposed to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and stresses the importance that EU delegations especially oversee the action of authorities of non-EU countries with regard to the protection of threatened human rights defenders by keeping contact with them, evaluating potential dangers to their integrity, visiting detained activists, monitoring their trials and advocating for their protection, in accordance with the EU Guidelines for Human Rights Defenders;
Amendment 249 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12a. Calls on the EU Delegations to actively monitor all violations of civil, political and human rights in partner countries and engage in a positive dialogue with local authorities in order to invite them to not impose restrictions on fundamental freedoms that are not justified according to the principles of necessity and proportionality to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic;
Amendment 254 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the temporary suspension of debt service payments for the poorest countries announced by the G20 and joins the call on private creditors to follow suit; underlines that the magnitude of the economic and social crisis in the developing world requires more profound and far-reaching measures and encourages the Commission to support international efforts in this regard; considers that interest saved thanks to this suspension should instead be invested in the health sector, which is often severely underfunded in developing countries; highlights that definitive debt cancellations should be considered in some cases, especially in countries holding debts contracted by previous non- democratic regimes or having no financial capacity at all to reimburse their overall debt; considers that debt cancellations should be subject to conditions agreed within multilateral procedures that include the participation of the civil society from both creditor and debtor countries in order to establish country-owned results frameworks that effectively enable partner countries to overcome the consequences of the pandemic and achieve the SDG;
Amendment 260 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Points out that the budgets of many developing countries were already out of balance before the crisis and that too little funding was allocated to crisis prevention, health systems and social protection; calls on the Commission to take new initiatives to tackle the problems of illicit financial flows, tax evasion and tax fraud in order to improve the tax bases of developing countries; calls, furthermore, for budget support to be directed towards basic services and resilienceonsiders that Member States should take responsibility by actively promoting more international tax coordination for avoiding tax evasion and flight of capital; calls, furthermore, for budget support to be directed towards basic services and resilience; stresses that it is essential to prioritize grants over loans in order to avoid increasing the burden of debt in developing countries, thus enabling them to invest in mitigating the effects of the pandemic and achieving the SDG;
Amendment 271 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Underlines the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented numbers of pupils missing out on months of schooling, constituting a major set-back to efforts in the education sector especially with regard to girls’ and women’s education; reminds that school closures can severely worsen undernutrition since millions of children are dependent on school meals to be properly fed, especially in developing countries; urges governments to use school closures only as a measure of last resort in the fight against the pandemic; presses for education to be kept as a spending priority in EU development policy and for due consideration to be given to the social function of schools; urges governments, in this context, to prioritise support for the most marginalised children and their families; recommends that EU countries share their approaches to keeping up teaching even in times of crisis and asks the EU and its Member States to exploit the potential of remote and digital learning in their international support programmes, while supporting actions to guarantee internet access among all local populations in order to ensure that no one is left behind with regard to online education;
Amendment 291 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Underlines the importance of assisting and exchanging best practice with partner countries, including capacity- building of local and regional administrations, in identifying vulnerabilities, building up prevention and crisis response mechanisms as well as protecting critical infrastructure in order better to deal with future systemic shocks of all kinds;
Amendment 302 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Points out that pandemics are often of zoonotic origin; underlines, therefore, the need to support education programmes regarding the dangers of hunting and trading in wild animals as well as the stricter protection of ecosystems and habitats; considers that more EU funds need to be granted to anticipatory research on the links between human health, animal health and ecosystems in order to increase the readiness to respond to future health crises created by virus mutations of zoonotic origin;
Amendment 306 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Is of the opinion that resilience to future public health crises must also be built upon research on diseases that cause deadly outbreaks in developing countries on a regular basis; regrets that currently there is not enough research to develop vaccines that effectively prevent diseases that are recurrent in developing countries, such as malaria or zika; calls on the EU and Member States to fund more research in view of developing vaccines that prevent future outbreaks of such diseases;
Amendment 326 #
2020/2118(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19 a (new)
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19a. Regrets that only three Member States meet the requirement to dedicate 0.7% of GNI to international aid in 2019; calls on all Member States to increase their national budgets dedicated to development cooperation and humanitarian aid in order to attain a proper humanitarian-development nexus and to effectively tackle the additional needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic;
Amendment 16 #
2020/2117(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to mount an assertive and coordinated international trade policy response geared towards a multilateral, resilient and sustainable recovery in developing countries; calls on the Commission to deepen EU-Africa trade relations through economic partnership agreements, while making the most of the EU’s Aid for Trade Strategy; calls on the Commission and Members States to boost their targeted support for pan-African and sub-regional trade integration arrangements and to ensure that their financial and technical assistance responds to African needs and priorities at all levels, helps to foster regional value chains and production networks, diversify their productive capacities and integrate into regional and global value chains;
Amendment 21 #
2020/2117(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Welcomes the Commission’s intension to strengthen the enforcement mechanism of Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapters and to launch a comprehensive early review in 2021 of the 15-point action plan on the effective implementation and enforcement of TSD Chapters in trade agreements; underlines the need to ensure that no provisions in the FTAs undermine the objectives and standards enshrined in the TSD chapters;
Amendment 30 #
2020/2117(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Underlines that the COVID-19 crisis has highlighted the violations of fundamental rights at work, poor working conditions, lack of fair wages, irregular or excessive working time, discrimination, as well as gender-based violence and harassment; calls on the EU and its Member States to make real progress in the commitment to elaborate the UN binding treaty on business and human rights and enforce the ILO Conventions on decent work in supply chains; calls on the EU to oversee the enforcement of the labour standards set out in the eight core ILO Conventions in developing countries, and to assist them in establishing and reinforcing initiatives, notably partnership programmes, to strengthen the labour inspection systems and to collect more data on how international labour standards address decent work deficits in the global supply chains in order to close identified governance gaps;
Amendment 38 #
2020/2117(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Calls on the Commission to launch an EU Action Plan that focuses on shaping sustainable global supply chains, promoting human rights, social and environmental due diligence standards and transparency, which takes the experiences and lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic into account, and to update its 2006 Communication on ‘Promoting decent work for all – the EU contribution to the implementation of the decent work agenda in the world’;
Amendment 39 #
2020/2117(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Stresses that agricultural export subsidies cause enormous damage to local producers, destroy local markets in LDCs and exacerbate their dependence on foreign imports, with a negative impact on food security in particular during the COVID-19 pandemic; calls on the Commission to actively participate in WTO negotiations to abolish agricultural export subsidies, in line with the “Nairobi Package” adopted at the WTO's Tenth Ministerial Conference in 2015;
Amendment 49 #
2020/2117(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Points out that the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in developing countries, especially LDCs, faces unprecedented challenges due to a lack of logistical capacity, poor transportation and storage, including breaks in the cold chain integrity, and fragile healthcare systems; calls on the Commission to actively support LDCs in the handling and transportation of COVID-19 vaccines in line with international regulatory requirements and ensure that there is no delay in the attainment of mass immunisation against COVID-19 in these countries;
Amendment 51 #
2020/2117(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Is deeply worried that financing constraints and limitations in the supply of vaccines will prevent many LDCs from completing mass immunisation against COVID-19 until 2023 or even later; considers that waiving the patents on the vaccines that have been developed with massive public funding would increase the production of vaccines in all countries that have sufficient industrial capacity and would raise the purchasing capacity of COVAX due to the price lowering of vaccines that such a measure would entail; calls on the Commission to support the proposal of India and South Africa for a temporary waiver of Sections 1, 4, 5 and 7 of Part II of the TRIPS Agreement in order to ensure that vaccines are available in all developing countries in the shortest term possible;
Amendment 68 #
2020/2117(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Calls on the Commission to collaborate with developing partner countries in order to facilitate digital infrastructure, establish policy strategies and harmonise regulatory frameworks for e-commerce.; underlines the need for EU development cooperation to contribute to ensuring that populations have general broadband internet access at affordable prices in LDCs;
Amendment 2 #
2020/2116(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Reaffirms that the right to migrate is a human right; calls on the Commission to promote development and humanitarian policies that protect the human and social rights of all migrants, wherever EU action is deployed and irrespective of their legal status; recalls that the Treaties provide that the Union is founded on the respect of human rights and dignity, and therefore considers that the EU migration policy cannot entail human rights violations that weaken the position of the EU in the international arena and the credibility of its foreign policy;
Amendment 6 #
2020/2116(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Recalls that EU development cooperation must have as its main objective the reduction and eradication of poverty and that ite improvement of human security; believes that EU development cooperation must be based on partner countries’ development agendas, following a needcontext-specific needs, population vulnerability assessments and a rights- based approach, and not on EU domestic interests;
Amendment 22 #
2020/2116(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Takes note of the EU’s New Pact on Migration and Asylum; expresses its regret that the proposed measures are insufficient to ensure respect for migrants’ human rights and is especially worried about the externalisation of EU border management and migration control; considers that agreeing on a common migration policy that respects human rights and distributes the burden assumed by the Member States that receive the vast majority of asylum applications is a critical matter for the EU, and that failing to do so will entail a structural threat to the viability of the European integration project;
Amendment 33 #
2020/2116(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Insists on the need for humanitarian corridors and safe and legal migration pathways from neighbouring and developing countries into the EU; stresses that the mere containment of irregular migration does not lead to its effective reduction and only forces migrants to take more dangerous routes;
Amendment 49 #
2020/2116(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Expresses its deep concern about the possible misuse of development funds for border control purposes, including those of the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), and the suspected human rights violations linked to the EUTF in Libya, Ethiopia and Niger; considers that these facts prove the need for projects funded by the EUTF to include detailed risk assessments, specially concerning potential violations of human rights, as well as protocols that should foresee the situations that would entail the suspension of a project;
Amendment 51 #
2020/2116(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Deplores the lack of transparency of the EUTF and the fact that Parliament is not involved in its scrutiny; considers that, given their expertise in humanitarian and development affairs, civil society organizations should play a more active role in the identification of needs, should have a say in the formulation of programs and should engage in discussions on how to measure the success of development projects; considers that security projects funded by the EUTF should always focus on people’s right to feel safe in their environment, take into account the needs of the different groups that make up the population of partner countries -with a special regard for minority groups and women- and previously assess their impact on fragile and conflict-affected situations, rather than simply promoting the implementation of foreign policy agendas of EU Member States; regrets that barely 1.5% of the total worth of the EUTF for Africa is allocated to fund regular migration schemes; calls on the Commission to comprehensively review the implementation of the EUTF to ensure that it falls in line with development and humanitarian objectives;
Amendment 63 #
2020/2116(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Reiterates that the NDICI budget dedicated to migration should be used to address the root causes of migration and not to control migratory flows or fund external border management.; recalls that tackling the root causes of migration is the only way to achieve effective regulation of migration flows;
Amendment 20 #
2020/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
A a. whereas air pollution is transboundary in nature, but in many cases the harmful effects of poor air quality become a local problem;
Amendment 33 #
2020/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)
Recital B a (new)
B a. whereas the regulation of air quality is one of nature’s contribution to people, considered an environmental service;
Amendment 74 #
2020/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Notes that AAQ Directives are based on air quality standards that are now 15 to 20 years old, and that some of them are much weaker than current World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and the levels suggested by the latest scientific evidence on human health impacts; welcomes the commitment made in the European Green Deal to revise air quality standards and align them more closely with WHO standards, especially for particulate matter;
Amendment 84 #
2020/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recommends that revised air quality standards should also cover other non-regulated pollutants with relevant health impacts in the EU or with potential contribution to transboundary air pollution, such as ultrafine particulate matter UFP or PM; highlights the EU’s ambition to lead the transition to a healthy planet, and recalls that in order to become a global leader it should lead by example by adopting, inter alia, ambitious quality standards for all air pollutants;
Amendment 116 #
2020/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that the AAQ Directives do not focus on reducing emissions in places where people suffer most from air pollution, or where concentrations are highest, and that concrete action in this area is needed; notes that lower socio- economic groups are more exposed to air pollution because they are more likely to live close to sources of heavy pollution, both outdoor, such as traffic and industrial areas, and indoor, such as the combustion of low-quality solid fuels for domestic heating; underlines in this regard the need to better reflect human exposure to air pollution in EU law, and urges the Commission to include new indicators in air quality indices, such as population density around monitoring stations and sampling points, as well as to share existing best practices in this regard, such as the establishment of Priority Areas for Quality Air Improvement;
Amendment 152 #
2020/2091(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the announcement of the Commission’s Zero Pollution Action Plan; recalls the close link between nature conservation and air quality since the regulation of air quality is one of nature’s contribution to people; emphasises that air pollution is a burden that requires a holistic approach; alerts that any new measures will be worthless if air quality is not properly prioritised and mainstreamed in all EU policies, including EU emission source legislation, such as on climate, energy, transport, industry, agriculture and waste, while ensuring better synergies between all policy areas; calls on the Commission and the Member States to cooperate more closely in all areas and at all levels in order to help local authorities achieve cleaner air;
Amendment 19 #
2020/2085(INI)
Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas farm animals were recognised by the Union as sentient beings;
Amendment 30 #
2020/2085(INI)
Ab. whereas animal welfare is directly related to animal health; whereas stressed animals are more prone to infections and since some diseases that can infect animals can pass to humans (zoonotic diseases);
Amendment 78 #
2020/2085(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Draws the attention to the fact that, in line with the concept of One Health, animal welfare is many ways related to human health, for instance in terms of zoonotic spread risk or in terms of animal product consumption;
Amendment 122 #
2020/2085(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Amendment 31 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 a (new)
Citation 24 a (new)
- having regard to the Annual Reports of the European Commission on monitoring the application of EU law;
Amendment 32 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 24 b (new)
Citation 24 b (new)
- having regard to the EU Justice Scoreboard 2020 published by the European Commission;
Amendment 42 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 29 a (new)
Citation 29 a (new)
- having regard to the workings of the OHCHR of United Nations as well as the UN's WGAD (Working Group on Arbitrary Detentions) resolutions on Member States,
Amendment 43 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 29 b (new)
Citation 29 b (new)
Amendment 44 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 29 c (new)
Citation 29 c (new)
- having regard to the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights regarding human rights cases inside the Union and its Member States;
Amendment 45 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 29 d (new)
Citation 29 d (new)
- having regard to the results of the 44th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council;
Amendment 46 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 29 e (new)
Citation 29 e (new)
- having regard to the reports published by the UN Special Rapporteur (for national minorities, freedom of speech, defenders of judges and lawyers…) on the situation of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in Member States;
Amendment 60 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital A a (new)
Recital A a (new)
Aa. whereas the concept of rule of law must be understood as a democratic rule of law, i.e. a rule of law which is primarily based on the respect for democratic procedures and fundamental rights;
Amendment 70 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas the preceding decade has seen brazen attacks against Union values in several Member States; whereas international comparisons and Parliament resolutions have evidenced considerable democratic backsliding in particular in Hungary and Poland in particular, but also in other Member States; whereas Parliament has been calling since 2016 for a comprehensive, preventive and evidence- based monitoring in this field via an EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights;
Amendment 83 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)
Recital C a (new)
Amendment 87 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the results of the Annual report on the monitoring the application of EU law should be taken in account regarding the number of infringements, gravity and their impact on the rule of law for European citizens and companies;
Amendment 95 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas any monitoring mechanism must closely involve stakeholders active in the protection and promotion of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights, including civil society, Council of Europe and United Nations bodies, the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights, national and regional human rights institutions, national and regional parliaments and local authorities; however, the resolutions on the state of democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights of international institutions must have a differentiated treatment during the process
Amendment 104 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)
Recital F a (new)
Fa. whereas the new EU Mechanism on Democracy, the Rule of Law and Fundamental Rights must be based on clear and objective indicators in order to ensure an equal treatment to all Member States;
Amendment 106 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F b (new)
Recital F b (new)
Fb. whereas formal independence of the justice system can be undermined through political means if governments try to influence decisions and actions, both privately or through the media;
Amendment 109 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas the accession by the Union to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms is an obligation under Article 6(2) TEU;
Amendment 110 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. emphasises the urgent need for the Union to develop a robust and positive agenda for protecting and reinforcing democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights for all its citizens; insists that the Union must remain a champion of freedom and justice in Europe and the world but stresses that in order to be so, the Union needs to have a much higher standard on the defence of democracy and human rights inside the Union and regrets that some Member States refuse to comply with human rights resolutions issued by international bodies;
Amendment 123 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. warns that the Union is facing an unprecedented and escalating crisis of its founding values, which threatens its long- term survival as a democratic peace project; is gravely concerned by the rise and entrenchment of autocratic and illiberal tendencies, further compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recession, as well as corruption and state capture, in several Member States; underlines the dangers of this trend for the cohesion of the Union’s legal order, the functioning of its single market, the effectiveness of its common policies and its international credibility; notes with concern that the COVID-19 pandemic has been used to limit citizens’ rights and fundamental freedoms as embedded in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, including by means of unjustified censorship, fuelling discrimination, disinformation and hate speech; recalls in particular the importance of promoting and defending the rule of law as a precondition for any sound democratic systems as well as for ensuring the protection of fundamental rights and Union values and a prerequisite for upholding all rights and obligations deriving from the Treaties;
Amendment 135 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. recognises that the Union remains structurally ill-equipped to tackle democratic and rule of law backsliding in the Member States; regrets the inability of the Council to make meaningat the procedure provided for in Article 7 TEU cannot be used to its full progress in enforcing Union values in ongoing Article 7 TEU procedures; notes with concern the disjointed natureotential as the unanimity requirement in the European Council - de facto - hampers its application; regrets in this regard, the lack of progress made in the European Council ofn the Union’s toolkit in that fielcurrent Article 7 procedures against Hungary and Poland;
Amendment 136 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. recognises that the Union remains structurally ill-equipped to tackle democratic and rule of law backsliding in the Member States; regrets the inability of the Council to make meaningful progress in enforcing Union values in ongoing Article 7 TEU procedures; notes with concern the disjointed nature of the Union’s toolkit in that field and believes that a new instrument must be put in place which does not depend on the unanimity of Member States;
Amendment 142 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Recalls that the Union still has no effective mechanisms to monitor, prevent and put an end to systemic threats to the rule of law and democracy in the Member States; welcomes as a meaningful first step the Commission communication on further strengthening the Rule of Law within the Union and the actions set out therein; calls on the Commission to implement the proposed rule of law framework without undue delay; considers it necessary to put in place sanctions that could be effective, dissuasive and proportionate to effectively prevent breaches of rule of law within the Union;
Amendment 144 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 b (new)
Paragraph 3 b (new)
3b. Recalls that the accession of the Union to the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms is a legal obligation under Article 6(2) TEU; recalls that the accession to that convention would constitute a further step in the process of European integration and would enhance the coherence between the Union and the Council of Europe’s further strengthening the protection of fundamental rights and freedoms within the Union; regrets the lack of progress made so far to fulfil this Treaty obligation; calls on the Commission to step up efforts to respect the Treaties and conclude the negotiations without undue delay;
Amendment 158 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. proposes the establishment of an EU mechanism on democracy, the rule of law and fundamental rights (the ‘Mechanism’), building on Parliament’s 2016 proposal and the Commission’s 2020 Rule of Law Report, to be governed by an interinstitutional agreement between Parliament, the Council and the Commission, consisting of an Annual Monitoring Cycle on Union values, covering all aspects of Article 2 TEU, and applying equally, objectively and fairly to all Member States to ensure there are no double standards due to political interests;
Amendment 161 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. underlines that the Annual Monitoring Cycle must contain country- specific recommendations, with timelines and targets for implementation, to be followed up in subsequent annual or urgent reports; stresses that failures to implement the recommendations must be linked to concrete Union enforcement measures that the Commission would need to apply automatically as the violations occur; highlights, the importance of the annual monitoring cycle in order to prevent possible violations of the rule of law and democracy within the Union before they actually occur;
Amendment 163 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. underlines that the Annual Monitoring Cycle must contain country- specific recommendations, with timelines and targets for implementation, to be followed up in subsequent annual or urgent reports; stresses that failures to implement the recommendations must be linked to concrete Union enforcement measures; notes that in such cases in particular, the lack of implementation of the recommendations from international institutions other than the Union, such as the United Nations, the European Court of Human Rights or the Council of Europe, must be fully taken into account;
Amendment 180 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. points out that the Mechanism should consolidate and supersede existing instruments, avoiding unnecessary duplication of existing structures and instruments; calls for the integration and incorporation of existing tools, in particular the Annual Rule of Law Report, the Commission’s Rule of Law Framework, the Council’s Rule of Law Dialogue and the Cooperation and Verification Mechanism (CVM), while increasing complementarity and coherence with other available tools, including infringement procedures under Article 7 TEU, budgetary conditionality once in force, and the European Semester; is of the opinion that the Annual Monitoring Cycle can fulfil the objectives of the CVM for Bulgaria and Romania, thus contributing to equal treatment of all Member States; considers that the three institutions should use the findings from the Annual Monitoring Cycle in their assessment for the purposes of triggering Article 7 TEU and Regulation (EU) 2020/xxxx 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 States11 ; _________________ 11[instead of xxxx insert final number of 2018/136(COD) in the text and correct OJ reference in footnote] OJ C ..., ....., p. ....
Amendment 189 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. recalls the indispensable role played by civil society, national and regional human rights institutions and other relevant actors in all stages of the Annual Monitoring Cycle, from providing input to facilitating implementation; points out that the accreditation status of national human rights institutions and the space for civil society may themselves serve as indicators for assessment purposes; considers that national and regional parliaments must hold public debates and adopt positions on the outcome of the monitoring cycle; points out that to ensure that the respect for the rights of persons belonging to national minorities is fairly assessed, institutions and civil society organisations in this communities must also play an important role;
Amendment 205 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. is of the view that, in the long-term, strengthening the Union’s ability to promote and defend its constitutional core will require Treaty change; looks forward to the reflection and conclusions ofnotes in particular, that an urgent revision of the Article 7 TEU is needed in order to overcome the unanimity requirement in the European Council; calls for the Conference on the Future of Europe to come up with a meaningful proposal in that regard;
Amendment 227 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Annex I – paragraph 4 – point 4
Annex I – paragraph 4 – point 4
(4) The three institutions recognise the need for streamlining and strengthening the effectiveness of existing tools designed to foster compliance with Union values. A comprehensive interinstitutional mechanism should therefore be established in order to improve coordination between the three institutions and consolidate initiatives taken previously. In accordance with the Conclusions of the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 6 and 7 June 2013, such a mechanism should operate in 'a transparent manner, on the basis of well defined and measurable criteria and evidence objectively compiled, compared and analysed and on the basis of equality of treatment as between all Member States'.
Amendment 238 #
2020/2072(INL)
(6) The Annual Monitoring Cycle should consist of a preparatory stage, the publication of an annual monitoring report on Union values including country-specific reporting and recommendations, and a follow-up stage. The Annual Monitoring Cycle should be conducted in a spirit of transparency and openness.
Amendment 283 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Annex I – part 2 – point 9
Annex I – part 2 – point 9
9. The CommissionA group of experts selected both by the Commission and the European Parliament shall draft the Annual Report based on information gathered during the preparatory stage. The Annual Report should cover both positive and negative developments relating to Union values in the Member States. The Annual Report shall be impartial, based on objectively compiled evidence and respect equality of treatment between all Member States. The depth of reporting should reflect the gravity of the situation in question.
Amendment 313 #
2020/2072(INL)
Motion for a resolution
Annex I – part 3 – point 16
Annex I – part 3 – point 16
16. The three institutions acknowledge the complementary nature of the Annual Monitoring Cycle and other mechanisms for the protection and promotion of Union values, in particular the procedure laid down in Article 7 TEU and Regulation (EU) 2020/xxxx. The three institutions commit to avoid unnecessary duplication of existing instruments and integrate and incorporate existing instruments into the Annual Monitoring Cycle as the preferred option. The three institutions commit to take account of the objectives of this Interinstitutional Agreement in Union policies.
Amendment 314 #
2020/2072(INL)
16. The three institutions acknowledge the complementary nature of the Annual Monitoring Cycle and other mechanisms for the protection and promotion of Union values, in particular the procedure laid down in Article 7 TEU and Regulation (EU) 2020/xxxx. The three institutions commit to avoid unnecessary duplication of existing instruments and integrate and incorporate existing instruments into the Annual Monitoring Cycle as the preferred option. The three institutions commit to take account of the objectives of this Interinstitutional Agreement in Union policies.
Amendment 6 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 4 a (new)
Citation 4 a (new)
— having regard to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration,
Amendment 33 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the establishment of both the EUTFs and the Facility for refugees in Turkey (FRT) have been justified by the need for a flexible and swift reaction not possible under the classical institutional framework; whereas the extra-budgetary instruments such as the EUTFs, as well as extraordinary tools such as the FRT, pose challenges with respect to democratic accountability, includingharm democratic accountability and have a direct impact on the role of the European Parliament and also the integrity of the EU budget;
Amendment 62 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that Committee Chairs and relevant Members have been granted observer status in meetings of the Strategic Boards of the Trust Funds and in the FRT Steering Committee; notes furtherregrets that this status has not been formally reflected in the Constitutive Agreements of the Trust Funds;
Amendment 65 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Continues to expresses concerns overdeplore the limited role of Parliament in the supervision and scrutiny of the Union contributions to the EUTFs; recalls Parliament’s request to monitor the activities of the Operational Committee, and the Strategic Board, and to be involved in the scrutiny over the choice of projects, and in building a dialogue with local CSOs working on the ground and human rights CSOs; calls on the Commission to provide in good time detailed information on the decisions taken in that Committeeose governance structures and to ensure that Parliament is represented at itstheir meetings;
Amendment 93 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Amendment 115 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Considers that the Trust Fund for Africa should represents an important tool to provide a swift, flexible and, targeted and accountable response to emerging challenges and underlines that common, global challenges, such as migration and forced displacement, or the impact of climate change and economic crises in the context of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, make this flexibility and rapidity more necessary than ever;
Amendment 121 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. WelcomesPoints out the fact that the EUTF for Africa has not sufficiently contributed to the triple humanitarian-development- peace nexus approach, which was not possible with the EU financial instruments under the previous MFF; disapproves that funds of the EUTF for Africa have been used to strengthen borders, encourage deportations and prevent the influx of migrants into the EU; stresses that Official Development Assistance must fund long-term projects to tackle the root causes of forced migration and the drivers of forced displacement, should be allocated to countries based on actual recipients’ needs and development strategies, and should refrain from including conditionality on migration management, readmissions and returns;
Amendment 126 #
2020/2045(INI)
14 a. Points out that the short-term focus on implementing restrictive migration measures needs to be downplayed and the focus should be shifted to support human capital and welfare, such as health, education and strengthening social policies and to promote stability, democracy and resilience in Africa;
Amendment 127 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 b (new)
Paragraph 14 b (new)
14 b. Is concerned that the EUTF for Africa has very broad objectives and that it brings together external relations, home affairs, development cooperation, humanitarian aid and neighbourhood policies, which are different in nature, into a single financial instrument; believes that a direct nexus between these policies can only be established between home affairs and migration policies, on one side, and between development cooperation and humanitarian policies, on the other;
Amendment 128 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 c (new)
Paragraph 14 c (new)
14 c. Is concerned that barely 1.5% of the total worth of the Trust Fund for Africa is allocated to fund regular migration schemes; stresses that the mere containment of irregular migration does not lead to its effective reduction, only forces migrants to take more dangerous routes and boosts human smuggling networks;
Amendment 131 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Welcomes the generally strongRegrets that the absence of a comprehensive analysis of beneficiaries' needs under the EUTF limited the Commission’s ability to demonstrate that the right priorities had been identified and that actions approved were the most relevant to address them, as well as the generally low degree of local ownership, the and the weak involvement of local authorities and civil society organisations (CSOs) in projects supported by the EUTF for Africa; deplores the low transparency of the programming process, mainly regarding the lack of public calls for proposals;
Amendment 145 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Notes that the EUTF for Africa made a major contribution to strengthening resilience and implementing the humanitarian- development nexus in fragile contexts; notes further that it alsohas fostered cooperation between different stakeholders, and allowed contributions from non-EU donors, which in the post- Brexit context have acquired particular importance, and increased the visibility of the issue of migration and forced displacement and the EU’s response to it;
Amendment 155 #
2020/2045(INI)
17 a. Points out that more than 400 human rights defenders have been killed in Colombia since the beginning of the peace process in 2016, which is the highest deadly rate for human rights defenders in Latin America, and that more than 27,000 people have been internally displaced only this year, which entails a 177% increase with regard to the same period last year; stresses that enormous challenges remain in the implementation of the peace agreement despite the projects funded by the EUTF on the ground; calls on the Colombian government to take decisive steps to protect human rights defenders and prevent the activities of paramilitary organizations;
Amendment 191 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Reiterates its request that Turkey respect the principle of non-refoulement, in particular on the Syrian border, and that it not use the flows of refugees against the EU; stresses that Turkey should stop applying a geographical limitation to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees and its 1967 Protocol;
Amendment 198 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Calls on Turkey to refrain from keeping refugees in detention centres with the purpose to make them sign voluntary return forms and to guarantee their access to health care services regardless of their place of registration within the country;
Amendment 219 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Paragraph 23 a (new)
23 a. Stresses that irregular migration can only be prevented by tackling its root causes, such as extreme poverty, lack of employment, conflicts or climate-related emergencies, and that its mere containment only forces migrants to take more dangerous routes and boosts human smuggling networks;
Amendment 222 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 b (new)
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23 b. Considers that it is essential to ensure that development cooperation projects are in line with countries’ own development priorities, and fully involve regional and local authorities and civil society actors in their design and implementation; deems it necessary to increase the involvement of CSOs in African and European countries in monitoring the implementation of migration policies and their adherence to human rights frameworks;
Amendment 224 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 c (new)
Paragraph 23 c (new)
23 c. Underlines that Official Development Assistance cannot be conditional upon cooperation of partner countries in the forced return of their nationals or border management;
Amendment 225 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 23 d (new)
Paragraph 23 d (new)
23 d. Points out to the need to address the challenges related to intra-African migration, which makes up almost 90% of migration flows in Africa, in close cooperation with the African Union and in line with its Migration Policy Framework for Africa and Plan of Action 2018-2030;
Amendment 230 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24 a. Urges the Commission to present its final comprehensive review on the implementation of the EUTF to ensure that it falls in line with the EU’s development, human rights and humanitarian objectives; regrets that the extension of the EUTF was requested by the Commission in the absence of such review and that there is therefore no evidence to show whether these objectives have been properly assessed and achieved;
Amendment 233 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 b (new)
Paragraph 24 b (new)
24 b. Points out that projects funded by the Trust Funds should include detailed risk assessments, especially concerning potential violations of human rights; deplores the reported human rights violations linked to the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) in Libya, Ethiopia, Eritrea and Niger; calls on the Commission to duly investigate the alleged cases of human rights violations related to the implementation of the Trust Funds;
Amendment 243 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Reiterates Parliament’s long- standing insistence that external assistance be financed in full from the Union budget and be implemented in a coherent, sufficient and predictable way, following a streamlined set of rules, based on co- legislated instruments and in full respect of Parliament’s legislative, budgetary and monitoring prerogatives, and of the principles of accountability, transparency, effectiveness and sound budgetary management; reiterates its call for the full involvement of the European Parliament in the supervision and governance of the current EU Trust Funds;
Amendment 256 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Is confidentStresses that flexibility of financial instruments has to be compatible with parliamentary oversight, aligned with the sustainable development goals and respectful of the integrity of the EU budget; is confident, in this regard, that the NDICI-Global Europe will allow for increased flexibility and responsiveness, allowing it to continue the activities of the existing Trust Funds and thereby safeguard the unity of the Union budget and the role of the European Parliament;
Amendment 262 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. In the event of greater needs in the MFF 2021-2027,. advocates increasing the NDICI-Global Europe envelope through a revision of the MFF and the NDICI-Global Europe regulations, or a strengthening of the relevant NDICI-Global Europe budget lines with contributions in the form of external assigned revenue; stresses that, should a need for a duly justified new Trust Fund nevertheless arise, it insists that Parliament must be fully involved from the very outset Parliament must be fully involved from the very outset in any decision taken in this regard and that the creation of new Trust Funds has to be avoided in the future;
Amendment 270 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on the Commission to prioritise the nexus approach in the implementation of the NDICI-Global Europe, and calls for the cooperation between EU humanitarian and development actors, notably in post-crisis settings and in protracted crises, to be increased in order to better adapt to local needs and deliver more efficient results; calls on the Commission to ensure that all Union policies are aligned with regard to the principle of policy coherence for development to ensure the effectiveness of the nexus approach;
Amendment 278 #
2020/2045(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Notes that the close-to-ground decision-making procedure and adaptation to the local realities of the EUTFs and the FRT is of high added value, and needs to be mainstreamed in the future programming exercises linked to budgetary instruments for EU external policy;
Amendment 9 #
2020/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
– having regard to the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration,
Amendment 10 #
2020/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 b (new)
Citation 3 b (new)
– having regard to UN Human Rights Council Resolution 41/21 of 12 July 2019 on Human Rights and Climate Change,
Amendment 12 #
2020/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 c (new)
Citation 3 c (new)
– having regard to the UN Human Rights Council resolution on the slow onset effects of Climate Change and Human Rights Protection for cross- border migrants,
Amendment 13 #
2020/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 d (new)
Citation 3 d (new)
– having regard to the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty of 17 July 2019 in relation to climate change and poverty,
Amendment 44 #
2020/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas the impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations can exacerbate migratory flows to EU Member States; whereas people who are forced to flee their countries due to the effects of climate change are currently not entitled to apply for asylum, subsidiary protection or temporary protection;
Amendment 52 #
2020/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas poverty and inequality should be understood in a wide sense that includes deprivation of access to vital resources of all kinds, as well as discrimination, which reduces possible life choices and adaptation capabilities; whereas women, children, elderly people, persons with disabilities, national minorities and indigenous people are often subject to discrimination;
Amendment 73 #
2020/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas indigenous peoples are often seen only as victims of climate change as opposed to as persons able to conserve the environment by playing a key role in the fight against climate change; whereas indigenous peoples have to resist the occupation and deforestation of land they have lived on for centuries, as well as incursions on their territory for the extraction of fossil fuels; whereas indigenous populations are often excluded from decision-making procedures on how to adapt to, and mitigate, climate change;
Amendment 101 #
2020/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital L
Recital L
L. whereas the effects of climate change occur in societies comprising groups with very unequal access to resources enabling them to adapt to, and mitigate, those effects; whereas adaptation action should mainly focus on the most vulnerable and should include increasing the resilience of their dwellings, and the infrastructure they depend on, to extreme weather events, improving their food and water security, helping subsistence farmers to adapt their agricultural methods to changes in rainfall and temperature patterns, and helping poor people in increasingly uninhabitable areas to re- settle;
Amendment 155 #
2020/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – indent 1
Paragraph 2 – indent 1
- the pursuit of rapid, radical curbing and reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions, including through own emission cuts of up to 65% by 2030,
Amendment 156 #
2020/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – indent 1 a (new)
Paragraph 2 – indent 1 a (new)
Amendment 190 #
2020/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – indent 5 a (new)
Paragraph 2 – indent 5 a (new)
– transfer training facilities to developing countries in order to establish robust natural disaster warning and prevention systems, emergency response protocols, food storage facilities, durable infrastructure or public communication networks, among other mitigation measures,
Amendment 197 #
2020/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 – indent 5 b (new)
Paragraph 2 – indent 5 b (new)
– recognise the decision-making power of vulnerable populations in relation to the adoption of adaptation and mitigation measures,
Amendment 223 #
2020/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Reaffirms its commitment to poverty reduction as the fundamental objective of the EU’s development policy and to the implementation of policy coherence for development, especially so far as concerns industrial, commercial, agricultural and migratory policies; intends to strengthen its own contribution to this implementation, with a view, in particular, to helping to build an adequate EU response to the evolving climate crisis;
Amendment 231 #
2020/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Reiterates its call for a commitment by the EU and its Member States to set official development aid at 0.7% of GNI by 2020 to significantly increase the adaptation finance they provide and points once more to the need for progress on the issue of loss and damage, for which additional resources should be raised;
Amendment 249 #
2020/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8a. Recalls that the private sector has a key role to play in reducing the impact of climate change on vulnerable populations in developing countries; calls on all European companies operating in countries particularly affected by climate change to establish protocols designed to mitigate the impact of their activities on vulnerable populations and to comply with the highest environmental standards laid down in EU legislation; calls on the Member States to take action against companies that do not refrain from engaging in activities that aggravate the climate vulnerability of populations in developing countries; welcomes the fact that the Commission is preparing a proposal for the establishment of a harmonised legal framework on corporate due diligence, and calls on the Commission to ensure its proposal unequivocally includes maintenance of the highest environmental standards as one of the key elements to ensure that business activities do not have a negative impact on human rights in developing countries;
Amendment 258 #
2020/2042(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Calls for a common and coordinated international response led by the EU aimed at making progress in the implementation of recognition, protection and support measures for people who are compelled to move within and between countries in the context of disasters and the adverse effects of climate change, including its slow onset effects; encourages the Union to analyse and adopt new approaches, considering examples of regulation at regional level such as the Kampala Convention, and to promote the incorporation of, inter alia, the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement into the domestic laws of EU Member States and of third states through bilateral and regional agreements;
Amendment 259 #
2020/2042(INI)
9a. Calls on the Commission to consider proposing an amendment to Article 15 of Directive 2011/95/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on standards for the qualification of third-country nationals or stateless persons as beneficiaries of international protection in order to recognise the possibility of granting subsidiary protection to persons who, while not qualifying for refugee status, would suffer serious harm if they were forced to return to countries where the impacts of climate change have seriously called the habitability of their homes into question, especially in cases of extreme droughts or floods; calls on the Commission to consider proposing an amendment to Article 2 of Council Directive 2001/55/EC of 20 July 2001 on minimum standards for giving temporary protection in the event of a mass influx of displaced persons and on measures promoting a balance of efforts between Member States in receiving such persons and bearing the consequences thereof, so as to include potential future situations of mass influxes of persons displaced for climate-related reasons as an explicit ground for the Council to issue a decision granting such persons temporary- protection status;
Amendment 14 #
2020/2027(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Recalls that the Union should not merely promote a high level of environmental protection on its own territory, but should also take all possible action to prevent environmental damage anywhere in the world caused by companies based in Member States; recalls that environmental damage is particularly frequent and serious in developing countries due to factors such as less stringent legislative frameworks for environmental protection or the industrial and extractive activity of multinational corporations in those countries;
Amendment 17 #
2020/2027(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Calls on the Commission to consider a proposal for a reform of the Directive on the protection of the environment through criminal law in order to broaden the list of types of conduct classified as environmental offences and to establish a minimum framework of penalties to ensure that it has a deterrent effect throughout the EU; Urges the EU to make the fight against environmental crime an overriding strategic political priority in international judicial cooperation and for the EU institutions and COPs, notably by promoting compliance with MEAs through the adoption of criminal sanctions, through exchanges of best practices and by promoting the enlargement of the scope of the International Criminal Court to cover criminal acts that amount to ecocide;
Amendment 29 #
2020/2027(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that the Environmental Liability Directive (ELD) is crucial to the implementation of the ‘polluter pays’ principle; deplores the fact that liability rules have largely not been applied and are unable to fulfil their compensatory and preventive functions; believes that, in order to ensure effective compliance with the ‘polluter pays’ principle, the Environmental Liability Directive should establish a strict liability regime for any kind of environmental damage or situation of imminent danger to the environment, including in situations where damage is the result of explicitly authorised activities or where the potential damage of such actions could not have been known when the actions took place, and provide for the non- applicability of statutory limitations to penalty proceedings;
Amendment 33 #
2020/2027(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Considers that, in order to achieve a high level of environmental protection, the scope of the Environmental Liability Directive should be extended to include any type of conduct that is harmful to or creates an immediate risk for the environment, especially any type of imminent risk for, or damage to, water and soil;
Amendment 38 #
2020/2027(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Highlights the barriers to holding companies liable for environmental harm, such as the regime of limited liability, insolvency, barriers to access to justice, latency and causal uncertainty and the lack of detail in the assessment criteria for environmental damage;
Amendment 41 #
2020/2027(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Considers that all Member States should establish strict civil liability regimes to determine the redress to be provided for any direct damage caused to individuals as a result of environmental damage caused by an operator; calls on the Commission to present a legislative proposal to that effect.
Amendment 48 #
2020/2027(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that companies may abuse their limited liability to invest in hazardous industries through separate legal entities in order to externalise environmental costs; recalls the governance gap in global value chains; calls for the scope of strict liability to be extended to parent companies to avoid the risk of moral hazard; stresses the importance of free trade agreements signed by the EU incorporating clauses ensuring a high level of environmental protection in connection with industrial production in developing countries;
Amendment 55 #
2020/2027(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Calls for the development a harmonised framework of mandatory solvency guarantees to cover the ELD liabilities of companies in the event of insolvency to boost the preventive effect of said directive and to search for an optimal mix between future EU legislation on mandatory environmental due diligence, and administrative, civil and criminal enforcement regimes aiming to address environmental harm;
Amendment 61 #
2020/2027(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Stresses the need to improve access to justice for victims of environmental harm, i.e. through collective actions and redress mechanisms, primarily under a binding and enforceable UN treaty on business and human rights; recalls in this regard the exemplary role that the future mandatory due diligence directive should play in connection with the establishment of mechanisms to ensure that victims of environmental damage in third countries have effective access to justice in Member States when the harmful activities have been carried out by companies based in an EU Member State or by legal persons under the control of such companies; calls on the Union and its Member States to push for the creation of an international independent authority in the field of environmental liability.
Amendment 337 #
2020/0360(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20
Recital 20
(20) (20) The Union-wide ten-year network development plan process as basis for the identification of projects of common interest in the categories of electricity and gas has proven to be effective. However, while the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity and for Gas (ENTSOs) and transmission system operators ha. However, a long term vision is needed in order to guarantee the adoption of future-proof methodologies and scenarios contributing to achieve the 2030 climate objectives, the 2040 offshore energy development objectives and important role to play in the process, mn line with the target of climate neutrality as soon as possible and by 2050 at the latest. More scrutiny is required, in particular as regards defining the scenarios for the future, identifying long-term infrastructure gaps and bottlenecks and assessing individual projects, to enhance trust in the process. Therefore, due toindependent expertise and validation is required, notably, a newly created body, the Eneed for independent validation, trgy Infrastructure Council (EIC). In addition, the role of other stakeholders and market participants from the demand-side should be enhanced. The Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (‘the Agency’) and the Commission should have an increased role in the process, including in the process for of drawing up the Union-wide ten-year network development plan pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2019/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council31 and Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council32 . The Agency should conduct a consultation process involving the Commission, Member States and local governments when applicable and the EIC. The Agency should also operationalise the principle of ‘energy efficiency first’ and ensure that scenarios are leading to the climate neutrality target. The EIC should validate the TYNDP. _________________ 31Regulation (EU) 2019/943 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the internal market for electricity (OJ L 158, 14.6.2019, p. 54). 32Regulation (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 on conditions for access to the natural gas transmission networks and repealing Regulation (EC) No 1775/2005 (OJ L 211, 14.8.2009, p. 36).
Amendment 365 #
2020/0360(COD)
(30a) Expedited procedures can be counterproductive to project development, and the right to appeal against expedited procedures should be granted to stakeholders, including civil society and local authorities. Therefore, in order to ensure the success of projects and to limit appeals, information provided to and consultation of stakeholders, including civil society, is essential. Stakeholders' opinion should be fully taken into account.
Amendment 452 #
2020/0360(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Regional groups shall be established (‘Groups’) as set out in Section 1 of Annex III. The membership of each Group shall be based on each priority corridor and area and their respective geographical coverage as set out in Annex I. Decision-making powers in the Groups shall be restricted to Member Statesrepresentatives of the EIC, Member States, local authorities if interested, and the Commission, who shall, for those purposes, be referred to as the decision- making body of the Groups.
Amendment 462 #
2020/0360(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1 – point a a (new)
(aa) it shall require the approval of the states and the local authorities, to whose territory the project relates; where a state decides not to give its approval, it shall present its substantiated reasons for doing so to the Group concerned;
Amendment 770 #
2020/0360(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 a (new)
Article 12 a (new)
Article 12 a Article 12a Long-term scenarios 1. After having conducted an extensive consultation process involving the Commission and at least the organisations representing all relevant stakeholders, as well as concerned local authorities, the EIC shall develop broad long-term scenarios in line with the Union climate neutrality target for the planning horizon up until 2050. 2. The long- term scenarios shall take as a starting point the revised Union 2030 climate and energy targets and set out the path for infrastructure scenarios necessary to achieve the climate neutrality objective as soon as possible in line with the need to limit global temperature increase to 1,5°C, also taking into account the latest available Commission scenarios. They shall be based on the Member States’ energy efficiency and renewable energy potential, and interlink with their National Energy and Climate Plans, as well as the offshore grid planning according to Article 14 of this Regulation. 3. The scenarios shall set binding network development milestones and intermediate steps to be achieved every 5 years in a cycle aligned to the UNFCCC ratchet-up mechanism. 4. The long-term scenarios shall be drafted and updated in coherence with the Ten-Year-Network-Development-Plan as described in Article 12. They shall be published with the corresponding input and output data in a sufficiently accurate form, allowing for transparency while taking due account of applicable legal requirements, including on confidentiality.
Amendment 1074 #
2020/0360(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex III – Part 1 – point 1 a (new)
Annex III – Part 1 – point 1 a (new)
(1a) The bodies hereinafter referred to as the “Decision-making bodies” are composed of representatives of the EIC, Member States, concerned local authorities and the Commission.
Amendment 1197 #
2020/0360(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Annex VI – point 1 – point h a (new)
Annex VI – point 1 – point h a (new)
(ha) the requirement on project promoters to publish a “transparency report” accessible to the public, containing at least project description, the promoters presentations used during meetings in Groups, list of participants of the Groups. This report shall contain a detailed justification showing how the projects would contribute to the Union’s 2030 climate and energy targets and the climate neutrality objective. It shall also contain measures taken to ensure the full inclusion and participation of local population, indigenous peoples and marginalised communities;
Amendment 105 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
Recital 1
(1) A network for the epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases was set up by Decision No 2119/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.13 Its scope was extended by Decision No 1082/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council14 to strengthen and provide for a further coordinated and wider approach to health security at Union level. The implementation of that legislation confirmed that coordinated Union action on monitoring, early warning of and combating those threats adds value to the protection and improvement of human health. The implementation of this legislation is another sign with which the Union is committed to the conclusions of the Global Conference on Primary Health Care of Astana of 25 and 26 October 2018. _________________ 13Decision No 2119/98/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 September 1998 setting up a network for the epidemiological surveillance and control of communicable diseases in the Community (OJ L 268, 3.10.1998, p.1). 14Decision No 1082/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 22 October 2013 on serious cross-border threats to health and repealing Decision No 2119/98/EC (OJ L 293, 5.11.2013, p. 1).
Amendment 106 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1 a) Among the most dangerous pathogens are the respiratory viruses, including orthopoxviruses such as smallpox, or novel influenzas, and coronaviruses. The Union, through its capabilities and know-how, should counter all these potential threats.
Amendment 110 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2 a) It is therefore necessary that the Union be a full-fledged complementary component of European health systems, providing a guarantee or a last-resource stakeholder in case of serious cross- border health threats. For this reason, the know-how, expertise and capabilities of Union agencies should be strengthened accordingly.
Amendment 111 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 b (new)
Recital 2 b (new)
(2 b) Knowing that the SARS-CoV-2 virus has been uncannily good at disrupting cellular programming, the Union should prepare itself for all those serious cross-border threats that could have the same levels of cellular disruption, for which the sufficient and most reliable research and capabilities should be deployed.
Amendment 112 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 c (new)
Recital 2 c (new)
(2 c) In October, 2019, the first Global Health Security Index reported of a world largely unprepared to deal with a pandemic. Inter alia, it stated that there was a lack of political will for accelerating health security in a perpetual cycle of panic and neglect, and that no country was fully prepared. With the current legislation, which builds upon the lessons- learned during the management of the COVID–19 pandemic, the Union wishes to amend this situation and prepare itself for future serious cross-border threats that may originate in epidemics or pandemics.
Amendment 114 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) An important role in the coordination of preparedness and response planning for serious cross-border threats to health is being played by the Health Security Committee (HSC), as formally established by Decision No 1082/2013/EU. This Committee should be given additional responsibilities with regard to the adoption of guidance and opinions to better support Member States in the prevention and control of serious cross-border threats to health. The European Parliament should nominate observers for the HSC.
Amendment 115 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 a (new)
Recital 4 a (new)
(4 a) There is plenty of scientific evidence that shows that health prevention and promotion policies (public health policies) are central to guaranteeing the right to health of citizens, and those are also the most efficient in terms of cost effectiveness. However, even today most of the budgets of the health systems of the majority of Member States are given very little space to policies for disease prevention and health promotion. The COVID-19 pandemic has firmly confirmed the importance of public health policies for our societies.
Amendment 116 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4 b (new)
Recital 4 b (new)
(4 b) It is necessary to remember that these prevention and promotion strategies concern all sectoral policies: fiscal, commercial, economic, agro- environmental, educational, housing, cultural, social assistance, etc. Health in all policies (HiAP) should be a non- negotiable principle of all public policies. An instrument already used at the national level is the so-called Health Test to assess the health impact of the different sectoral policies. It is necessary to deploy a Health Test methodology in all the programmes managed by the Union.
Amendment 119 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) This Regulation should apply without prejudice to other binding measures concerning specific activities or quality and safety standards for certain goods, which provide for special obligations and tools for monitoring, early warning and combatting specific threats of a cross-border nature. Those measures include, in particular, relevant Union legislation in the area of common safety concerns in public health matters, covering goods such as pharmaceutical products, medical devices and foodstuffs, in vitro diagnostic medical devices and applications, substances of human origin (blood, plasma, tissues and cells, organs), and exposure to ionising radiation.
Amendment 121 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) The protection of human health is a matter which has a cross-cutting dimension and is relevant to numerous Union policies and activities. In order to achieve a high level of human health protection, and to avoid any overlap of activities, duplication or conflicting actions, the Commission, in liaison with the Member States, should ensure coordination and exchange of information between the mechanisms and structures established under this Regulation, and other mechanisms and structures established at Union level and under the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community (the Euratom Treaty), the activities of which are relevant to the preparedness and response planning, monitoring, early warning of, and combating serious cross-border threats to health. In particular, the Commission should ensure that relevant information from the various rapid alert and information systems at Union level and under the Euratom Treaty is gathered and communicated to the Member States through the Early Warning and Response System (‘EWRS’) set up by Decision No 2119/98/EC. All actions should be consistent with the WHO’s One Health approach, as well as with the Health in All Policies principle, recognising the interconnections between human and animal health and the environment and the cross-sectoral character of health policies.
Amendment 128 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6 a) Demographic change and technological innovation are some of the most important challenges facing our health systems. The aging of the population is largely due to the success of our healthcare systems and forces them, at the same time, to a structural transformation: from a healthcare model focused mainly on acute diseases, a shift is needed towards a healthcare model in which chronic diseases gain more weight and pandemics’ risk is significantly reduced. It is important that the Member States accompany each other in this process of transformation of the healthcare model, and for this reason it is necessary to strengthen good practices exchanging mechanisms.
Amendment 132 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7
Recital 7
(7) Preparedness and response planning are essential elements for effective monitoring, early warning of and combatting serious cross-border threats to health. As such, a Union health crisis and pandemic preparedness plan needs to be established by the Commission and approved by the HSC. This should be coupled with updates to Member States’ preparedness and response plans so as to ensure they are compatible within the regional level structures. Where appropriate, regional authorities should participate in the drawing of these plans. To support Member States in this endeavour, targeted training and knowledge exchange activities for healthcare staff and public health staff should be provided knowledge and necessary skills should be provided by the Commission and Union Agencies, facilitating the sharing of best practices. To ensure the putting into operation and the running of these plans, the Commission should conduct stress tests, exercises and in-action and after-action reviews with Member States. These plans should be coordinated, be functional and updated, and have sufficient resources for their operationalisation. Following stress tests and reviews of the plans, corrective actions should be implemented and the Commission should be kept informed of all updates.
Amendment 136 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7 a) Preparedness and response planning are also essential elements in order to prevent a “doom loop” situation, namely a cycle of negative economic feedback. When the COVID–19 pandemic hit, the world suffered a supply shock, where trade was disrupted,factories and stores closed, then salaries where in danger, the supply shock could turn into a demand shock, and that would further weaken supply, which would increase unemployment and further diminish demand. In order to prevent a subsequent doom loop, the Union should make high- quality preparedness and response planning.
Amendment 137 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 b (new)
Recital 7 b (new)
(7 b) Ensuring supply chain resilience across the Union is not a primordial mission of the Centre, yet the ECDC can provide data, knowledge, and skills, to the Commission and the EMA in order to ensure supply chain resilience in Europe. Supply chain resilience is part of the four working groups of the COVID– 19 taskforce of the EMA, alongside the therapeutic response, business continuity and impact, and human resources.
Amendment 138 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 c (new)
Recital 7 c (new)
(7 c) It is therefore necessary that the European Medicines Agency (EMA) assist the Commission in assessing the supply chain resilience of these products and devices in order to achieve a sufficient strategic autonomy of the Union in health products and devices. Ensuring supply chain resilience across the Union is not a primordial mission of this authority, yet the EMA should provide data, knowledge, and skills, to the Commission and the ECDC in order to ensure supply chain resilience in Europe. Supply chain resilience is part of the four working groups of the COVID–19 taskforce of the EMA, alongside the therapeutic response, business continuity and impact, and human resources.
Amendment 141 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) To this end, Member States should provide the Commission with an update on the latest situation with regard to their preparedness and response planning and implementation at national level, and regional level where applicable. Information provided by the Member States should include the elements that Member States are obliged to report to the World Health Organization (WHO) in the context of the International Health Regulations (IHR)15 . In turn, the Commission should report to the European Parliament and to the Council on the state of play and progress with preparedness, response planning and implementation at Union level, including on corrective actions, every 2 years to ensure that national and regional preparedness and response plans are adequate. In order to support the assessment of these plans, EU audits in Member States should be conducted, in coordination with the ECDC and Union agencies. Such planning should include in particular adequate preparedness of critical sectors of society, such as energy, transport, communication or civil protection, which rely, in a crisis situation, on well-prepared gender-sensitive public health systems that are also in turn dependent on the functioning of those sectors and on maintenance of essential services at an adequate level. In the event of a serious cross-border threat to health originating from a zoonotic infection, it is important to ensure the interoperability between health and veterinary sectors for preparedness and response planning. _________________ 15World Health Organization. International Health Regulation (IHR, 2005) https://www.who.int/ihr/publications/9789 241596664/en/
Amendment 155 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) As serious cross-border threats to health are not limited to Union borders, joint procurement of medical countermeasures should be extended to include European Free Trade Association States and Union candidate countries, in accordance with the applicable Union legislation. The Joint Procurement Agreement, determining the practical arrangements governing the joint procurement procedure established under Article 5 of Decision No 1082/2013/EU, should also be adapted to include an exclusivity clause regarding negotiation and procurement for participating countries in a joint procurement procedure, to allow for better coordination within the EU. This exclusivity clause should entail that the Member States participating in the joint procurement procedure will not be allowed to negotiate and sign parallel contracts with producers. In case these Member States negotiate and sign parallel contracts, they should be excluded from the group of participating countries. The Commission should ensure coordination and information exchange between the entities organizing any action under different mechanisms established under this Regulation and other relevant Union structures related to procurement and stockpiling of medical countermeasures, such as the strategic rescEU reserve under Decision No 1313/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council16 . _________________ 16Decision No 1313/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on a Union Civil Protection Mechanism (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 924).
Amendment 174 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) Unlike for communicable diseases, the surveillance of which at Union level is carried out on a permanent basis by the ECDC, other potentially serious cross- border threats to health do not currently necessitate monitoring by EU Agencies. A risk-based approach, whereby monitoring is carried out by Member States and available information is exchanged through EWRS, is therefore more appropriate for such threats. The ECDC should also monitor the impact of communicable diseases on diseases that are not communicable(such as mental diseases), taking into account existing datasets, tools and registers.
Amendment 179 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The Commission should strengthen cooperation and activities with the Member States, the ECDC, the European Medicines Agency (‘EMA’), other Union Agencies, research infrastructures and the WHO to improve the prevention of communicable diseases, such as vaccine preventable diseases, as well as other health issues, such as antimicrobial resistance, cancer, and mental health.
Amendment 183 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) In case of cross-border health threats due to a communicable disease, the blood and transplant services in the Member States can provide a means for rapid testing of the donor population and assessing exposure to and immunity from the disease in the general population. These services in return are dependent on rapid risk assessments by the ECDC to safeguard patients, in need of a therapy from a substance of human origin, from a transmission of such communicable disease. Such risk assessment serves then as basis to allow for the appropriate adaptation of measures setting standards for quality and safety of such substances of human origin. The ECDC should therefore set up and operate a network of national bloodand regional blood, plasma and transplant services and their authorities to serve this dual purpose.
Amendment 185 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) A system enabling the notification at Union level of alerts related to serious cross-border threats to health has been put in place by Decision No 2119/98/EC in order to ensure that competent public health authorities in Member States and the Commission are duly informed in a timely manner. All serious cross-border threats to health covered by this Regulation are covered by the EWRS. The operation of the EWRS should remain within the remit of the ECDC. The notification of an alert should be required only where the scale and severity of the threat concerned are or could become so significant that they affect or could affect more than one Member State and require or could require a coordinated response at the Union level. To avoid duplication and ensure coordination across Union alert systems, the Commission and ECDC should ensure that alert notifications under the EWRS and other rapid alert systems at Union level are linked to each other to the extent possible so that the competent authorities of the Member States can avoid as much as possible notifying the same alert through different systems at Union level and can benefit from receiving all-hazard alerts from a single coordinated source. The notification system of the EWRS should be an electronic, digital, interoperable platform which may also be built upon distributed ledger technology (DLT) and include data from national and regional competent authorities. Finally, this platform should also be linked to the Health dataspace.
Amendment 190 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) In order to ensure that the assessment of risks to public health at the Union level from serious cross-border threats to health is consistent as well as comprehensive from a public health perspective, the available scientific expertise should be mobilised in a coordinated manner, through appropriate channels or structures depending on the type of threat concerned. That assessment of risks to public health should be developed by means of a fully transparent process and should be based on principles of excellence, independence, impartiality and transparency. The involvement of Union agencies and Commission bodies in these risk assessments needs to be broadened according to their speciality in order to ensure an all hazard approach, via a permanent network of agencies and relevant Commission services to support the preparation of risk assessments. In order to achieve a sufficient degree of increased expertise and competences, there should also be an increase of the respective financial and human resources of Union agencies and bodies.
Amendment 193 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The Member States have a responsibility to manage public health crises at national and regional level. However, measures taken by individual Member States could affect the interests of other Member States if they are inconsistent with one another or based on diverging risk assessments. The aim to coordinate the response at Union level should, therefore, seek to ensure, inter alia, that measures taken at national and regional level are proportionate and limited to public health risks related to serious cross-border threats to health, and do not conflict with obligations and rights laid down in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union such as those related to free movement of persons, goods and services.
Amendment 194 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) To this effect, the HSC responsible for the coordination of response at Union level, should assume additional responsibility for the adoption of opinions and guidance for Member States related to the prevention and control of a serious cross border threats to health. Furthermore, should the coordination of national and regional public health measures prove insufficient to ensure an adequate Union response, the Commission should further support Member States via the adoption of recommendations on temporary public health measures.
Amendment 196 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) Inconsistent communication with the public and stakeholders such as healthcare professionals as well as those dedicated to research, development and innovation, can have a negative impact on the effectiveness of the response from a public health perspective as well as on economic operators. The coordination of the response within the HSC, assisted by relevant subgroups, should, therefore, encompass rapid information exchange concerning communication messages and strategies and addressing communication challenges with a view to coordinating risk and crisis communication, based on robust and independent evaluation of public health risks, to be adapted to national and regional needs and circumstances. In those Member States with regions having health competences, the information should also come from these regions towards their Member State and the Commission. Such exchanges of information are intended to facilitate the monitoring of the clarity and coherence of messages to the public and to healthcare professionals. Given the cross- sectoral nature of this type of crises, coordination should also be ensured with other relevant constituencies, such as the Union Civil Protection Mechanism established by Decision (EU) 2019/420 of the European Parliament and of the Council17 . _________________ 17Decision (EU) 2019/420 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 March 2019 amending Decision No 1313/2013/EU on a Union Civil Protection Mechanism (OJ L 77I , 20.3.2019, p. 1).
Amendment 198 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) The recognition of public health emergency situations and the legal effects of this recognition provided by Decision No 1082/2013/EU should be broadened. To this end, this Regulation should allow for the Commission to formally recognise a public health emergency at Union level, taking into account the urgency of the situation where the Commission may have to recognise the public health emergency level. In order to recognise such an emergency situation, the Commission should establish an independent advisory committee that will provide expertise on whether a threat constitutes a public health emergency at Union level, and advise on public health response measures and on the termination of this emergency recognition. The advisory committee should consist of independent experts, selected by the Commission from the fields of expertise and experience most relevant to the specific threat that is occurring, representatives of the ECDC, of the EMA, and of other Union bodies or agencies as observers, therefore without any type of decision-making competence in order to guarantee that the Commission can act accordingly to the urgent need of recognising the public health emergency at Union level. Recognition of a public health emergency at Union level will provide the basis for introducing operational public health measures for medical products and medical devices, flexible mechanisms to develop, procure, manage and deploy medical countermeasures as well as the activation of support from the ECDC to mobilise and deploy outbreak assistance teams, known as ‘EU Health Task Force’.
Amendment 205 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) Before recognising a situation of public health emergency at Union level, the Commission should liaise with the WHO in order to share the Commission’s analysis of the situation of the outbreak and to inform the WHO of its intention to adopt such a decision. Where such a recognition is adopted, the Commission should also inform the WHO thereof. The liaison with the WHO should not question the Union’s strategic autonomy in countering the serious cross-border threats or outbreaks within its borders.
Amendment 211 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
Recital 22
(22) The processing of personal data for the purpose of implementing this Regulation should comply with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 and Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 of the European Parliament and of the Council19 . In particular, the operation of the EWRS should provide for specific safeguards for the safe and lawful exchange of personal data for the purpose of contact tracing measures implemented by Member States at national and regional level. In this regard, the EWRS includes a messaging function in which personal data, including contact and health data, can be communicated to relevant authorities involved in contact tracing measures. _________________ 19Regulation (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 213 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 24
Recital 24
(24) As responsibility for public health is not an exclusively national matter in certain Member States, but is substantially decentralised, national and regional authorities should, where appropriate, involve the relevant competent authorities in the implementation of this Regulation.
Amendment 216 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
Recital 25
(25) In order to ensure uniform conditions for the implementation of this Regulation, implementing powers should be conferred on the Commission to adopt implementing acts in relation to: templates to be used when providing the information on preparedness and response planning; organisation of the training activities for health care and public health staff; the establishment and update of a list of communicable diseases and related special health issues subject to the network of epidemiological surveillance and the procedures for the operation of such a network; the adoption of case definitions for those communicable diseases and special health issues covered by the epidemiological surveillance network and, where necessary, for other serious cross- border threats to health subject to ad hoc monitoring; the procedures for the operation of the EWRS; the functioning of the surveillance platform; the designation of EU reference laboratories to provide support to national and regional reference laboratories; the procedures for the information exchange on and the coordination of the responses of the Member States; the recognition of situations of public health emergency at Union level and the termination of such a recognition and procedures necessary to ensure that the operation of the EWRS and the processing of data are in accordance with the data protection legislation.
Amendment 219 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 28
Recital 28
(28) In order to ascertain the state of implementation of the national and regional preparedness plans and their coherence with the Union plan, 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 Commission in respect of procedures, standards and criteria for the audits aimed at the assessment of preparedness and response planning at national and regional level. 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 on Better Law-Making of 13 April 201621 . 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. _________________ 21 OJ L 123, 12.5.2016, p. 1.
Amendment 221 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b – point i
(i) preparedness plans at Union and national and regional levels;
Amendment 224 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
3. TIn order to honour the One Health approach and the Health in all policies principle, the implementation of this Regulation shall be supported by funding from relevant Union programmes and instruments. The European Health Union, with its regulation on a reinforced mandate for the European Medicines Agency, and its regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 851/2004 establishing a European Centre for disease prevention and control, strengthen the Union health framework in order to address serious cross-border health threats, and shall be funded by the EU4Health programme. It shall be complementary to other Union policies and funds, namely, but not exclusively, actions implemented under the Horizon Europe, the Digital Europe Programme, ESIF. rescEU, ESI, ESF+, Next Generation EU, and SMP.
Amendment 231 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point a – point iii a (new)
(iii a) rare diseases of biological origin;
Amendment 236 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2
Article 2 – paragraph 2
2. This Regulation shall also apply to the epidemiological surveillance of communicable diseases and of related special health issues, such as non- communicable diseases, or health consequences such as mental health conditions.
Amendment 240 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 6
Article 2 – paragraph 6
6. Member States shall retain the right to maintain or introduce additional arrangements, procedures and measures for their national and regional systems in the fields covered by this Regulation, including arrangements provided for in existing or future bilateral or multilateral agreements or conventions, on condition that such additional arrangements, procedures and measures do not impair the application of this Regulation.
Amendment 243 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 3
(3) ‘contact tracing’ means measures implemented in order to trace persons who have been exposed to a source of a serious cross-border threat to health, and who are in danger of developing or have developed a communicable or infectious disease, through manual or other technological means;
Amendment 245 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 4
(4) ‘epidemiological surveillance’ means the systematic collection, recording, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of data and analysis on communicable diseases and related special health issues as well as their impact on non- communicable diseases or health consequences such as mental health conditions;
Amendment 252 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 8 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 8 a (new)
(8 a) ‘Health in all policies’ means health in all policies as defined in Regulation (EU) .../... EU 4 Health [OJ: ...]
Amendment 253 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 8 b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point 8 b (new)
(8 b) ‘One Health approach’ means One health approach as defined in Regulation(EU) .../... EU 4 Health [OJ: ...]
Amendment 263 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
(d a) support policies that guarantee the health in all policies principle and the One Health approach;
Amendment 265 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d b (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d b (new)
(d b) exchange good practices in order to make it easier for Member States to make the transition towards a healthcare model where aging and chronicity have gained relevance;
Amendment 266 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d c (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 2 – point d c (new)
(d c) strengthen public sector participation in health research strategies, in coherence with the Horizon Europe programme, in order to reinforce the necessary resources so that all strategic health research that cannot be done without public support may be carried out;
Amendment 269 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 5
Article 4 – paragraph 5
5. The secretariat shall be provided by the Commission and shall be instituted within the competent directorate general of the Commission.
Amendment 273 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 7 – introductory part
Article 4 – paragraph 7 – introductory part
7. Member States shall designate one representative and not more than two alternate members of the HSC in each working formation referred to in paragraph 1. Member States shall designate their representatives and alternate members within 30 days after the entry into force of this Regulation. In case a representative or an alternate representative cedes her or his responsibilities within the HSC, the Member State shall designate a substitute or substitutes within 30 days.
Amendment 274 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 a (new)
In case the Member State has not designated any substitute within 30 days after the termination of the previous representative or alternate member, the HSC shall nevertheless continue its undertakings after an official letter sent to the Member State by the Chair of the HSC.
Amendment 276 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 b (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 7 – subparagraph 1 b (new)
The European Parliament shall nominate two observers, elected by its Committee on Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. These observers shall be elected during the European Parliament’s mandate. Each observer shall be elected for a maximum of five years.
Amendment 287 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 2
Article 5 – paragraph 2
2. The Union preparedness and response plan shall complement the national and regional preparedness and response plans established in accordance with Article 6.
Amendment 291 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) the timely cooperation between the Commission, the Member States, regions with health competences, and the Union agencies;
Amendment 292 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) the secure exchange of information between the Commission, Union agencies, regions with health competences, and the Member States;
Amendment 294 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – point c
Article 5 – paragraph 3 – point c
(c) the epidemiological surveillance and monitoring, as well as the impact of communicable diseases on non- communicable diseases;
Amendment 316 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – title
Article 6 – title
National and regional preparedness and response plans
Amendment 324 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1
Article 6 – paragraph 1
1. When preparing national and regional preparedness and response plans each Member State and region with health competences shall coordinate with the Commission in order to reach consistency with the Union preparedness and response plan, also inform without delay the Commission and the HSC of any substantial revision of the national and regional plan.
Amendment 333 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Member States shall by the end of November 2021 and every 2 years thereafter provide the Commission with a report on their preparedness and response planning and implementation at national and regional level.
Amendment 338 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) identification of, and update on the status of the implementation of the capacity standards for preparedness and response planning as determined at national and regional level for the health sector, as provided to the WHO in accordance with the IHR;
Amendment 365 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point c
(c) implementation of national and regional response plans, including where relevant implementation at the regional and local levels, covering epidemic response; antimicrobial resistance, health care associated infection, mental health, and other specific issues.
Amendment 371 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The report shall include, whenever relevant, interregional preparedness and response elements in line with the Union and national and regional plans, covering in particular the existing capacities, resources and coordination mechanisms across neighbouring regions.
Amendment 375 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 1
The report shall include country profiles for monitoring progress and developing action plans to address identified gaps at national and regional level.
Amendment 377 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 7 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. The notification platform shall use the distributed ledger technology (DLT) and include data from national and regional competent authorities and shall be linked to the Health data space.
Amendment 384 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
1. Every 3 years, the ECDC shall conduct audits in the Member States aimed at ascertaining the state of implementation of the national and regional plans and their coherence with the Union plan. Such audits shall be implemented with the relevant Union agencies, aiming at the assessment of preparedness and response planning at national level with regard to the information referred to in Article 7(1).
Amendment 407 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) promoting the interoperability of national and regional preparedness planning and the intersectoral dimension of preparedness and response planning at Union level;
Amendment 412 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point e
(e) monitoring progress, identifying gaps and actions to strengthen preparedness and response planning, including in the field of research, at national, regional and at Union levels.
Amendment 426 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 2
Article 11 – paragraph 2
2. The training activities referred to in paragraph 1 shall aim to provide staff referred to in that paragraph with knowledge and skills necessary in particular to develop and implement the national and regional preparedness plans referred to in Article 6, implement activities to strengthen crisis preparedness and surveillance capacities including the use of digital tools.
Amendment 441 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 12 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) Member States, EFTA States and Union candidate countries participating in a joint procurement shall procure the medical countermeasure in question through that procedure and not through other channels, and shall not run parallel negotiation processes for that product. Member States that run parallel negotiation processes, having reached the signature or not of such processes, shall be excluded from the group of participating countries;
Amendment 476 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
1. The network for the epidemiological surveillance of the communicable diseases and of the related special health issues referred to in points (i) and (ii) of point (a) of Article 2(1) shall ensure a permanent communication between the Commission, the ECDC, the EMA and the competent authorities responsible at national, and where applicable regional, level for epidemiological surveillance.
Amendment 477 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) detect and monitor any multinational communicable disease outbreaks with respect to source, time, population and place in order to provide a rationale for public health action, as well as its impact on non-communicable diseases or health consequences like mental health conditions;
Amendment 480 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) contribute to the evaluation and monitoring of communicable disease prevention and control programmes in order to provide the evidence for recommendations to strengthen and improve those programmes at the national , regional and Union level;
Amendment 485 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – point h
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – point h
(h) identify research priorities and needs, and implement relevant research activities with the aim of anticipating future health hazards;
Amendment 487 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – point h a (new)
Article 13 – paragraph 2 – point h a (new)
(h a) make mitigation plans containing preventative measures that help ensure the continued supply of critical medicines, such as diversification of supply chains, as well as including production and supply capacity;
Amendment 490 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 13 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. The national and regional competent authorities referred to in paragraph 1 shall communicate the following information to the participating authorities of the epidemiological surveillance network:
Amendment 493 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 3 – point f
Article 13 – paragraph 3 – point f
(f) information about contract tracing monitoring systems developed at national and regional level.
Amendment 496 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 4
Article 13 – paragraph 4
4. When reporting information on epidemiological surveillance, the national and regional competent authorities shall, where available, use the case definitions adopted in accordance with paragraph 9 for each communicable disease and related special health issue referred to in paragraph 1.
Amendment 518 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 6 a (new)
Article 14 – paragraph 6 a (new)
6 a. The surveillance platform shall use the distributed ledger technology (DLT) and include data from national and regional competent authorities and shall be linked to the health data space where possible.
Amendment 519 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. In the area of public health or for specific areas of public health relevant for the implementation of this Regulation or of the national and regional plans referred to in Article 6, the Commission may, by means of implementing acts, designate EU reference laboratories to provide support to national and regional reference laboratories to promote good practice and alignment by Member States on a voluntary basis on diagnostics, testing methods, use of certain tests for the uniform surveillance, notification and reporting of diseases by Member States.
Amendment 521 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
2. The EU reference laboratories shall be responsible in particular for the following tasks to coordinate the network of national and regional reference laboratories, in particular, in the following areas:
Amendment 523 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point g
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point g
(g) training in current and innovative research procedures and skills.
Amendment 524 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point g a (new)
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point g a (new)
(g a) obtaining, recording and sharing information about innovative medicinal products, devices, applications or developments that are still not harmonised throughout the Union, such as plasma- derived products;
Amendment 525 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 3
Article 15 – paragraph 3
3. The network of EU reference laboratories shall be operated and coordinated by the ECDC., with a governance structure where national and regional reference laboratories and networks shall cooperate;
Amendment 529 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
Article 15 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
4. The designations provided for in paragraph 1 shall follow a public selection process, be limited in time, with a minimum period of 5 years, and be reviewed regularly. Designations shall establish the responsibilities and tasks of the designated laboratories. Groups or coalitions of laboratories shall also be eligible for such designation.
Amendment 533 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 16 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 16 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1 a. The network shall share information on developments that are still not harmonised throughout the Union, such as plasma-derived products.
Amendment 540 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1
Article 17 – paragraph 1
1. Following an alert notified pursuant to Article 19 concerning a serious cross- border threat to health referred to in point (iii) of point (a) of Article 2(1) and in points (b), (c) or (d) of Article 2(1), Member States shall, in liaison with the Commission and on the basis of the available information from their monitoring systems, inform each other through the ‘Early Warning and Response System’ (‘EWRS’) and, if the urgency of the situation so requires, through the HSC about developments with regard to the threat concerned at national and regional level.
Amendment 543 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1
Article 18 – paragraph 1
1. The EWRS shall enable the Commission and the competent authorities responsible at national and regional level to be in permanent communication for the purposes of preparedness, early warning and response, alerting, assessing public health risks and determining the measures that may be required to protect public health.
Amendment 551 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 18 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. The EWRS shall establish interoperable databases with Member States, and regions where applicable. The ECDC shall coordinate the data exchange processes, from assessing the data requirement, transmission and collection, up to data updates and processing. The EWRS shall assess the implementation of distributed ledger technology (DLT).
Amendment 554 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 3
Article 18 – paragraph 3
3. Each Member State shall designate the competent authority or authorities responsible at national and regional level for notifying alerts and determining the measures required to protect public health, for the purposes of early warning and response.
Amendment 556 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 19 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. National and regional competent authorities or the Commission shall notify an alert in the EWRS where the emergence or development of a serious cross-border threat to health fulfils the following criteria:
Amendment 559 #
2020/0322(COD)
2. Where the national and regional competent authorities notify the WHO of events that may constitute public health emergencies of international concern in accordance with Article 6 of the IHR, they shall at the latest simultaneously notify an alert in the EWRS, provided that the threat concerned falls within those referred to in Article 2(1) of this Regulation.
Amendment 562 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
Article 19 – paragraph 3 – introductory part
3. When notifying an alert, the national and regional competent authorities and the Commission shall promptly communicate through the EWRS any available relevant information in their possession that may be useful for coordinating the response such as:
Amendment 564 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 3 – point g
Article 19 – paragraph 3 – point g
(g) public health measures implemented or intended to be taken at national and regional level;
Amendment 567 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 4
Article 19 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall make available to the national and regional competent authorities through the EWRS any information that may be useful for coordinating the response referred to in Article 21, including information related to serious cross-border threats to health and public health measures related to serious cross-border threats to health already transmitted through rapid alert and information systems established under other provisions of Union law or the Euratom Treaty.
Amendment 571 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
Article 20 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
1. Where an alert is notified pursuant to Article 19, the Commission shall, where necessary for the coordination of the response at Union level or upon request of the HSC referred to in Article 21 or on its own initiative, make promptly available to the national, and regional where appropriate, competent authorities and to the HSC, through the EWRS, a risk assessment of the potential severity of the threat to public health, including possible public health measures. That risk assessment shall be carried out by:
Amendment 576 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
Article 20 – paragraph 3 – subparagraph 1
The Commission shall make the risk assessment available to the national, and regional where appropriate, competent authorities promptly through the EWRS, and, if appropriate, through linked alerts systems. Where the risk assessment is to be made public, the national, and regional where appropriate, competent authorities shall receive it prior to its publication.
Amendment 578 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 4
Article 20 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall ensure that information that may be relevant for the risk assessment is made available to the national, and regional where appropriate, competent authorities through the EWRS and to the HSC.
Amendment 579 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 21 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) national and regional responses, including research needs, to the serious cross-border threat to health, including where a public health emergency of international concern is declared in accordance with the IHR and falls within Article 2 of this Regulation;
Amendment 592 #
2020/0322(COD)
3. Where a Member State has to adopt, as a matter of urgency, public health measures in response to the appearance or resurgence of a serious cross-border threat to health, it shall, immediately upon adoption, inform the other Member States and the Commission on the nature, purpose and scope of those measures, especially in cross-border regions, who shall also be accordingly informed.
Amendment 595 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 3 a (new)
Article 21 – paragraph 3 a (new)
3 a. Where the public health measures that a Member State adopts to counter a serious cross-border threat to health lasts or is extended for more than 14 days, it shall inform the other Member States and the Commission about the scientific evidence that justify the necessity, suitability and proportionality of the continuity of such measures to attain the purpose stated in the communications referred to in paragraphs 2and 3.
Amendment 598 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 2 – point b
Article 22 – paragraph 2 – point b
(b) respect the responsibilities of the Member States, and the regions where appropriate, for the definition of their health policy and for the organisation and delivery of health services and medical care;
Amendment 599 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 22 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) be necessary, suitable and proportionate to the public health risks related to the threat in question, avoiding in particular any unnecessary restriction to the free movement of persons, of goods and of services, and to the rights, freedoms and principles enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
Amendment 602 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
Article 22 – paragraph 2 – point c a (new)
(c a) assess the overall strategic implications of the public health measures proposed in the recommendation, with special regard for their economic, political, social and psychological consequences.
Amendment 616 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2
Article 24 – paragraph 2
2. The Advisory Committee shall be composed of independent experts, selected by the Commission according to the fields of expertise and experience most relevant to the specific threat that is occurring. The Committee should have multidisciplinary membership so it can advise on biomedical, behavioural, social, economic, cultural and international aspects. The Commission shall make public the selected experts and the professional and/or scientific backgrounds that support their nomination. The representatives of the ECDC and of the EMA participate as observers in the Advisory Committee. The representatives of other Union bodies or agencies relevant to the specific threat shall participate as observers in this Committee as necessary. The Commission may invite experts with specific expertise with respect to a subject matter on the agenda to take part in the work of the Advisory Committee on an ad- hoc basis.
Amendment 631 #
2020/0322(COD)
6 a. The minutes of the Advisory Committee shall be public.
Amendment 632 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) mechanisms to monitor shortages of, develop, procure, managufacture, produce, manage, store, distribute and deploy medical countermeasures;
Amendment 635 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 1
Article 26 – paragraph 1
1. The EWRS shall include a selective messaging functionality allowing personal data, including contact and health data, to be communicated only to national and regional competent authorities involved in the contact tracing measures concerned. That selective messaging functionality shall be designed and operated so as to ensure safe and lawful processing of personal data and to link with contact tracing systems at Union level.
Amendment 636 #
2020/0322(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 26 – paragraph 5
Article 26 – paragraph 5
5. Personal data may also be exchanged in the context of automated contact tracing, with the user’s consent, and using contact tracing applications. In order to ensure a sufficient degree of data privacy, the Commission shall assess the use of technologies such as blockchain.
Amendment 639 #
2020/0322(COD)
(b) procedures for the interlinking of the EWRS with contact tracing systems at Union and international level;
Amendment 114 #
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 healthshown the difficulties of Member States to cope with a cross-border or global health emergency, and has therefore demonstrated the need to strengthen the competences of the Union in order to be more effective, efficient and expeditious in managing the availability of medicinal products and medical devices, in asserting supply chains of medicinal products and medical devices, and in developing medical countermeasures to address the threats posed to public health. The unprecedented experience of the COVID- 19 pandemic has also underlined the risks to human health posed by zoonotic spill- overs triggered by global biodiversity loss and wildlife over-exploitation. 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.
Amendment 125 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2a) It is therefore necessary that the Union be a full-fledged complementary component of European health systems, providing a guarantee or a last-resource stakeholder in case of serious cross- border health threats. For this reason, the know-how, expertise and capabilities of Union agencies should be strengthened accordingly.
Amendment 142 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the problem of shortages for certain medicinal products, devices and services considered as critical in addressing the pandemic, and has highlighted the structural limitations in the Union’s ability to rapidly, efficiently and effectively react to such challenges during public health crises.
Amendment 144 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5 a (new)
Recital 5 a (new)
(5a) It is therefore necessary that the Agency assist the Commission in assessing the supply chain resilience of these products and devices in order to achieve a sufficient strategic autonomy of the Union in health products and devices. Ensuring supply chain resilience across the Union is not a primordial mission of the Agency, yet the European Medicines Agency (EMA) should provide data, knowledge, and skills, to the Commission and the ECDC in order to ensure supply chain resilience in Europe. Supply chain resilience is part of the four working groups of the COVID–19 taskforce of the EMA, alongside the therapeutic response, business continuity and impact, and human resources.
Amendment 147 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) The rapid evolution of COVID-19 and the spread of the virus led to a sharp increase in demand for medical devices such as ventilators, surgical masks, and COVID-19 test kits while disruption of production or limited capacity to rapidly increase production and the complexity and global nature of the supply chain for medical devices, led to a negative impact on supply. Those issues resulted in new entities being involved in the production of those products, which subsequently resulted in bottlenecks in conformity assessment, as well as the prevalence of non-compliant, unsafe, and in some cases counterfeit products. It is therefore appropriate to establish long-term structures within an appropriate Union body to ensure monitoring of shortages of medical devices resulting from a public health emergency. These structures should, among other obligations, assess supply chain resilience and reliance.
Amendment 161 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) During the COVID-19 pandemic ad hoc solutions, including contingent arrangements between the Commission, the European Medicines Agency (‘the Agency’), marketing authorisation holders, manufacturers and Member States, had to be found to achieve the objective of making available safe and efficacious medicinal products to treat COVID-19 or prevent its spread, and to facilitate and speed up the development and marketing authorisation of treatments and vaccines. These ad-hoc solutions should be taken into account as well as all the lessons learned during the pandemic in order to better use the Agency’s potential to face future outbreaks.
Amendment 166 #
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. The Union's actions should be consistent with the WHO’s One Health approach, as well as with the Health in All Policies principle, recognising the interconnections between human and animal health and the environment and the cross-sectoral character of health policies.
Amendment 174 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) This Regulation aims to ensure the smooth functioning of the internal market as regards medicinal products and medical devices, withas well as a high level of human health protection being fundamental in those aims. Moreover, this Regulation aims to ensure the quality, safety and efficacy of medicinal products with the potential to address public health emergencies. Both objectives are being pursued simultaneously and are inseparably linked whilst one not being secondary to the other. As regards Article 114 TFEU, this Regulation establishes a framework for the monitoring and reporting on shortages of medicinal products and medical devices during public health crises. As regards Article 168(4)(c) TFEU, this Regulation provides for a strengthened Union framework ensuring the quality and safety of medicinal products and medical devices.
Amendment 178 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) In order to improve crisis preparedness and management for medicinal products and medical devices and increase resilience and solidarity across the Union, the procedures and the respective roles and obligations of different concerned entities involved should be clarified. The framework should build on the ad hoc solutions identified so far in the response to the COVID-19 pandemic that have proven effective and operative and that can provide foundational protocols on which to build upon.
Amendment 182 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) A harmonised system of monitoring of shortages of medicinal products and medical devices should be established, which will facilitate appropriate access to critical medicinal products and medical devices during public health emergencies and access to critical medicinal products, devices and applications in major events, which may have a serious impact on public health. That system should be complemented with improved structures to ensure appropriate management of public health crises and coordinate and provide advice on the research, innovation and development of medicinal products which may have the potential to address public health emergencies. In order to facilitate the monitoring and reporting on potential or actual shortages of medicinal products and medical devices, the Agency should be able to ask demand and obtain information and data from the concerned marketing authorisation holders, manufacturers and Member States through designated points of contact. Should any of the aforementioned stakeholders not give information to the Agency in the time lapse established by the Agency, the Commission should assist the Agency in obtaining such information, with the prospect of an eventual sanction, which should also be duly made available to the public.
Amendment 188 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13 a (new)
Recital 13 a (new)
(13a) The Agency, together with the Commission, should also do its upmost to counterbalance smear campaigns and disinformation on medicines, medical products, devices or applications, in order to ensure proper information to the public.
Amendment 192 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) With respect to medicinal products, an executive steering group should be established within the Agency to ensure a robust response to major events and to coordinate urgent actions within the Union in relation to the management of issues relating to the supply of medicinal products. The Steering Group should establish lists of critical medicinal products to ensure monitoring of those products and it should be able to provide advice on the necessary action to take to safeguard the quality, safety, and efficacy of medicinal products and ensure a high level of human health protection. The World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines for adults and for children is the best base for the identification of critical medicinal products at Union level.
Amendment 196 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
(16a) In order to facilitate the prevention, monitoring and reporting of shortages of medicinal products, devices and applications, the Agency and the Commission should establish an electronic platform to track and follow medicinal products, devices and applications throughout the supply chain. This platform should also be a one-stop shop for marketing authorisation holders and wholesale distributors to provide required information during major health events. This platform should use the distributed ledger technology (DLT) and include data from national and regional competent authorities. The platform should, among other duties, determine the volume of stock, the capabilities of all stakeholders linked in the supply chain or chains, the actual, current and foreseeable level of demand. This platform should also obtain, record and share information.
Amendment 197 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 b (new)
Recital 16 b (new)
(16b) Finally, this platform should also be linked to the Health data space and managed by the Agency and the Commission.
Amendment 198 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) In order to ensure that safe, high quality, and efficacious medicinal products, which have the potential to address public health emergencies, can be developed and made available within the Union as soon as possible during public health emergencies, an emergency task force should be established within the Agency to provide advice on such medicinal products. The Emergency Task Force should provide advice free of charge on scientific questions related to the development of treatments and vaccines and on clinical trial protocols, to those organisations involved in their development, such as marketing authorisation holders, clinical trial sponsors, public health bodies, and academia, irrespective of their exact role in the development of such medicinal products. The lessons learned during the COVID pandemic should be taken into account in order to better use the Agency’s potential to face future health crises.
Amendment 201 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) The work of the Emergency Task Force should be separate from the work of the scientific committees of the Agency and should be carried out without prejudice to the scientific assessments of those committees, although communication between these two bodies should be guaranteed. The Emergency Task Force should provide recommendations with regard to the use of medicinal products in the fight against the disease that is responsible for the public health crisis. The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use should be able to use those recommendations when preparing scientific opinions on compassionate or other early use of a medicinal product prior to marketing authorisation.
Amendment 206 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 20 a (new)
Recital 20 a (new)
(20a) The Emergency Task Force should build on the trial networks to ensure that adequate data on new medicinal products, devices and applications, and it could build also upon the HERA Incubator, presented by Communication of 17 February 2021 “HERA Incubator: Anticipating together the threat of COVID-19 variants” [COM(2021) 78 final].
Amendment 207 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
Recital 21
(21) With respect to medical devices, an executive steering group on medical devices should be established to coordinate urgent actions within the Union in relation to the management of supply and demand issues of medical devices, and to establish a list of critical devices in the case of a public health emergency. The executive steering group on medical devices should be managed by the Commission and the Agency.
Amendment 254 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) set up an interoperable and digital database at Union level to track, monitor, report and share information on shortages of medicinal products, devices and applications;
Amendment 297 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) ‘Health in all policies’ means health in all policies as defined in Regulation (EU) .../... EU 4 Health [OJ: ...]
Amendment 300 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f b (new)
(fb) ‘One Health approach’ means One health approach as defined in Regulation(EU) .../... EU 4 Health [OJ: ...]
Amendment 301 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f c (new)
(fc) ‘zoonosis’ means an infectious disease that has jumped from a non- human animal to humans through zoonotic spill-over;
Amendment 302 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f d (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f d (new)
(fd) ‘zoonotic spill-over’ is the spread of a non-human disease to humans resulting in zoonosis;
Amendment 303 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f e (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f e (new)
(fe) 'veterinary medicinal product' means a medicinal product as defined in point (1) of Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2019/6 of the European Parliament and the Council;
Amendment 304 #
2020/0321(COD)
(ff) 'supply' means total volume of stock of a medicinal product, a medical device, or a medical application, that is placed on the market by a marketing authorisation holder or a manufacturer;
Amendment 305 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f g (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point f g (new)
(fg) ‘supply chain’ is a steps-based network of activities, information and resources between a manufacturer company and its suppliers willing to produce and distribute a specific product to the final buyer;
Amendment 311 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 2
2. The Medicines Steering Group shall be composed of a representative of the Agency, a representative of the Commission and one senior representative per Member State. Each Member State shall appoint their representative. Members may be accompanied by experts in specific scientific or technical fieldThose Member States with devolved competences in health may appoint a representative from a regional competent authority who will represent the whole Member State. Members may be accompanied by experts in specific scientific or technical fields. The Steering Group shall also include a representative of the Patients’ and Consumers’ Working Party as well as a representative of the Healthcare Professionals’ Working Party as observers.
Amendment 336 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 5
Article 3 – paragraph 5
5. The Medicines Steering Group shall be supported in its work by a working party comprised of single points of contact related to shortages from national, and where applicable regional, competent authorities for medicinal products established in accordance with Article 9(1).
Amendment 349 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1
Article 4 – paragraph 1
1. The Agency shall continuously monitor any event that is likely to lead to a major event or a public health emergency in coordination with the national and regional competent authorities.
Amendment 354 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 2
Article 4 – paragraph 2
2. To facilitate the monitoring task referred to in paragraph 1, the national, and where applicable regional, competent authorities, through the single points of contact referred to in Article 3(5) or the digital interoperable database referred to in Article 1(b) and Article 12(g), shall, based on the reporting criteria specified by the Agency pursuant to Article 9(1)(b), report to the Agency on any event, including a shortage of a medicinal product in a given Member State, that is likely to lead to a major event or a public health emergency. Where a national, and where applicable regional, competent authority informs the Agency of a shortage of a medicinal product in a given Member State, it shall provide the Agency with any information received from the marketing authorisation holder pursuant to Article 23a of Directive 2001/83/EC. Based on a report of an event from a national or regional competent authority and in order to understand the impact of the event in other Member States, the Agency may request information from the national and where applicable regional, competent authorities, through the working party referred to in Article 3(5).
Amendment 364 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 3
Article 4 – paragraph 3
3. Where the Agency considers that an actual or imminent major event needs to be addressed, it shall inform the Commission and the Member States thereof. The Commission, on its own initiative or following a request from one or more Member States, or the Executive Director of the Agency mayshall request the assistance of the Medicines Steering Group to address the major event.
Amendment 365 #
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 production, manufacturing, safety, quality, distribution and efficacy of medicinal products, devices and applications Article 5 shall apply;
Amendment 366 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – title
Article 5 – title
Evaluation of information and the provision of advice on action in relation to the production, manufacturing, safety, quality, distribution and efficacy of medicinal products, devices and applications related to public health emergencies and major events
Amendment 368 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Following the recognition of a public health emergency or a request for assistance referred to in Article 4(3), the Medicines Steering Group shall evaluate the information related to the major event or the public health emergency and consider the need for urgent and coordinated action with regard to the production, manufacturing, safety, quality, distribution and efficacy of the medicinal products, devices and applications concerned.
Amendment 377 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
2. Immediately following the recognition of a public health emergency and after consultation of its working party, the Medicines Steering Group shall adopt a list of medicinal products authorised in accordance with Directive 2001/83/EC or Regulation (EC) No 726/2004 which it considers as critical during the public health emergency (‘the public health emergency critical medicines list’). The World Health Organization Model List of Essential Medicines for adults and for children shall be used as the base for its identification of critical medicinal products at Union level. The Agency shall make the public health emergency critical medicines list within 12 months after the entry into force of this Regulation. The list shall be updated whenever necessary until the termination of the recognition of the public health emergency as well as with the Commission and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.
Amendment 381 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. In case of an eventual zoonotic spill-over, the Medicines Steering Group shall work with the other relevant bodies of the Agency in order to counter it as soon as possible.
Amendment 389 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. The Agency, under its own assessment, shall establish an open, digital and interoperable database with information on expected and actual shortages of critical medical products, devices and applications. The database shall contain information on but not limited to: a. Trade name and international non- proprietary name; b. Indication; c. Reason for the shortage; d. Start and end dates; e. Member States and/or regions affected, especially cross-border regions; f. Possible consequences to non- communicable diseases or conditions, such as mental health and possible medical solutions and other measures; g. Information for healthcare professionals and patients, including information on alternative treatments. This database shall be accessible to the public. The Agency shall include the national, and where applicable regional, registries on medicine shortages on its web-portal.
Amendment 402 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
Article 7 – paragraph 1
On the basis of the critical medicines lists and the information and data provided in accordance with Articles 10 and 11, the Medicines Steering Group shall monitor supply and demand of medicinal products included on those lists with a view to identifying any potential or actual shortages of those medicinal products. As part of that monitoring, the Medicines Steering Group shall liaise, where relevant, with the Health Security Committee established in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2020/[…]19 and, in the case of a public health emergency, the Advisory Committee on public health emergencies established pursuant to Article 24 of that Regulation. The Medicines Steering Group shall provide the aggregated data and demand forecasts from the digital interoperable platform referred to in Article1(b) and Article 12(g). _________________ 19 [insert reference to adopted text referred to in footnote 4]
Amendment 436 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 5
Article 8 – paragraph 5
5. The Medicines Steering Group may upon request from the Commission coordinate measures, where relevant, between the national, and where applicable regional, competent authorities, the marketing authorisation holders and other entities to prevent or mitigate potential or actual shortages in the context of a major event or public health emergency.
Amendment 438 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 5 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 5 a (new)
5 a. In case any of the aforementioned stakeholders does not give information to the Agency in the time lapse established by the Agency, the Commission shall assist the Agency in obtaining such information, with the prospect of an eventual sanction, which should also be duly informed to the public. This sanction shall be established in an implementing regulation.
Amendment 440 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 5 b (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 5 b (new)
Amendment 446 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) specify the procedures for establishing the critical medicines lists, ensuring adequate consultation with consumers, patients and healthcare professionals and a high level of transparency;
Amendment 457 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point d
Article 9 – paragraph 1 – point d
(d) establish and maintain membership of the working party referred to in Article 3(5) comprised of single points of contacts from national, and where applicable regional, competent authorities for medicinal products;
Amendment 470 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 9 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) request information from the single points of contact from Member States’ national, and where applicable regional, competent authorities based on the set of information agreed on by the Medicines Steering Group and set a deadline for its submission.
Amendment 484 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 – paragraph 3 – point g
Article 9 – paragraph 3 – point g
(g) mitigation plans containing preventative measures that help ensure the continued supply of critical medicines, such as diversification of supply chains, as well as including production and supply capacity;
Amendment 511 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 5
Article 10 – paragraph 5
Amendment 550 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) assist the Agency in building the digital and interoperable database referred to in Article 1(b) and Article12(g), with the following main tasks: i. facilitate the prevention, monitoring and reporting of shortages of medicinal products, devices and applications, ii. track and follow medicinal products, devices and applications throughout the supply chain, iii. determine the volume of stock, the capabilities of all stakeholders linked in the supply chain or chains, the actual, current and foreseeable level of demand obtain, iv. record and share information about innovative medicinal products, devices, applications or developments that are still not harmonised throughout the Union, such as plasma-derived products.
Amendment 551 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point f b (new)
Article 12 – paragraph 1 – point f b (new)
(fb) sanction those marketing authorisation holders, manufacturers or Member States that do not comply with the demands of information by the Agency;
Amendment 556 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 13 – paragraph 1
Article 13 – paragraph 1
The Agency shall, via its web-portal and other appropriate means, in conjunction with national, or where applicable regional, competent authorities, inform the public and interest groups with regard to the work of the Medicines Steering Group, ensuring the sharing of information by the Patients’ and Consumers’ Working Party as well as a representative of the Healthcare Professionals’ Working Party as observers. The Agency shall assess the transparency of the undertakings of the Medicines Steering Group, taking into account principles of transparency and accountability.
Amendment 588 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
Article 15 – paragraph 1
1. During a public health emergency, the Emergency Task Force shall review clinical trial protocols submitted or intended to be submitted in a clinical trial application by developers of medicinal products as part of an accelerated scientific advice process, taking into account possible innovative medicinal products, devices, applications or developments that are still not harmonised throughout the Union, such as plasma-derived products.
Amendment 625 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
Article 18 – paragraph 1 – point d a (new)
(da) build the digital and interoperable database as referred to in Article1(b) and Article 12(g).
Amendment 630 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2
Article 19 – paragraph 2
2. The Medical Devices Steering Group shall be composed of a representative of the Agency, a representative of the Commission and one senior representative per Member State. Each Member State shall appoint their representative. Members may be accompanied by experts in specific scientific or technical fields. The Steering Group shall also include a representative of the Patients’ and Consumers’ Working Party as well as a representative of the Healthcare Professionals’ Working Party as observers. The Agency shall assess the transparency of the undertakings of the Executive Steering Group on Medical Devices, taking into account principles of transparency and accountability.
Amendment 637 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 3
Article 19 – paragraph 3
3. The Medical Devices Steering Group shall be chaired by the Agency. The Chair may invite third parties, including representatives of medical device interest groups to attend its meetings ensuring the sharing of information by the Patients’ and Consumers’ Working Party as well as a representative of the Healthcare Professionals’ Working Party as observers.
Amendment 644 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 5
Article 19 – paragraph 5
5. The Medical Devices Steering Group shall be supported in its work by a working party comprised of single points of contact from national, and where applicable regional, competent authorities for medical devices established in accordance with Article 23(1).
Amendment 665 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 5
Article 22 – paragraph 5
Amendment 671 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) specify the procedures for establishing the public health emergency critical devices list, ensuring adequate consultation with consumers, patients and healthcare professionals and a high level of transparency;
Amendment 674 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) establish and maintain membership of the working party referred to in Article 19(5) comprised of single points of contact from Member States’ national, and where applicable regional, competent authorities for medical devices;
Amendment 677 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 23 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) request information from the single points of contact from Member States’ national, and where applicable regional, competent authorities based on the set of information agreed on by the Medical Devices Steering Group and set a deadline for its submission.
Amendment 684 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 3 – point f
Article 23 – paragraph 3 – point f
(f) mitigation plans, containing preventative measures to ensure the continued supply of critical medical devices as well as including production and supply capacity;
Amendment 694 #
2020/0321(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point c a (new)
(ca) regional authorities with devolved health policy competences shall also comply with Article 25 and provide this information both to the national competent authority and to the Agency.
Amendment 67 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) On 11 March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the novel coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak a global pandemic. From the challenges experienced in responding to the pandemic it became clear that the Centre’s role in the Union’s framework for health crisis preparedness and response should be strengthened and improved taking into account the lessons learned during the pandemic in order to better use the Centre’s potential to face future outbreaks.
Amendment 81 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
Recital 6
(6) In this respect, the Centre should be tasked with providing epidemiological information and its analysis, epidemiological modelling, anticipation and forecasting, relevant risk assessments and recommendations, which set out options for prevention and control of communicable diseases. Its actions should be consistent with a One- Health approach, as well as with the Health in All Policies principle, recognising the interconnections between human and animal health and the environment and the cross-sectoral character of health policies. In this sense, the Centre should also take into account the complex links between biodiversity loss and zoonotic disease risk. It should monitor the capacity of the national health systems to respond to communicable disease threats, in particular given the importance of this information in the preparation of the national preparedness and response plans. The Centre should support the implementation of actions funded by the relevant Union funding programmes and instruments and related to communicable diseases, provide guidelines for treatment and case management based on a thorough assessment of the latest evidence, support epidemic and outbreak responses in Member States and third countries, including field response, and provide timely objective, reliable and easily accessible information on communicable diseases to the public. The Centre should also establish clear procedures for cooperation with the public health actors in third countries, as well as international organisations competent in the field of public health hence contributing to EU’s commitment to reinforcing partners’ preparedness and response capacity, both globally and internally, with the aim to communicate smoothly with specialists at Union, Member States and regional level. Finally, the Centre should keep a network with its peers in third countries, and share best practices achieved both in the Union and elsewhere.
Amendment 89 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6 a (new)
Recital 6 a (new)
(6a) Ensuring supply chain resilience across the Union is not a primordial mission of the Centre, yet the Centre should provide data, knowledge, and skills, to the Commission and the European Medicines Agency in order to ensure supply chain resilience in the Union. Supply chain resilience is part of the four working groups of the COVID– 19 taskforce of the European Medicines Agency, alongside the therapeutic response, business continuity and impact, and human resources.
Amendment 97 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 7 a (new)
Recital 7 a (new)
(7a) The Centre should keep a thorough vigilance on modern epidemics such as mental health consequences deriving from communicable diseases, or mental health pathologies such as depression, anxiety, or sleep deprivation. In this regard, the Centre should follow up and share information with the Member States and the regions on how to improve the situation.
Amendment 110 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) With a view to enhance the effectiveness of epidemiological surveillance of communicable diseases and of the related special health issues in the Union, the Centre should be tasked with the further development of digital platforms and applications, supporting epidemiological surveillance at Union level, enabling the use of digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence distributed ledger technology (DLT), in the compilation and analysis of data, and providing Member States with technical and scientific advice to establish integrated epidemiological surveillance and follow- up systems. Such digital platforms and applications should be developed with integrated EU space generated data with the intention to be integrate them in the future European Health Data Space as governed by the Union legislation.
Amendment 113 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
Recital 10
(10) To strengthen the capacity of the Union and Member States to assess the epidemiological situation and perform accurate risk assessment and response, the Centre should in particular monitor and report on trends in communicable diseases, support and facilitate evidence-based response action, provide recommendations for improvement of communicable disease prevention and control programmes established at the national and Union level, monitor and assess the capacity of national health systems for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of communicable diseases, including in a gender-sensitive way, identify population groups at risk requiring specific measures, analyse the correlation of disease incidence with societal and environmental factors, identify possible zoonotic spillovers, and identify risk factors for transmission and disease severity of communicable diseases, and identify research needs and priorities, also in the field of anticipatory research for health, knowing that this type of research puts its focus more on anticipating and preventing future health risks, complementing that research that seeks to solve current health challenges. The Centre should work with nominated national and, where appropriate, regional focal points for surveillance, forming a network that strategically advises the Centre on such matters and would promote the use of enabling sectors, such as EU space data and services.
Amendment 121 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
Recital 11
(11) The Centre should help strengthen the capacity within the Union to diagnose, detect, identify and characterise infectious agents which may threaten public health by ensuring the operation of the network of Union reference laboratories in accordance with Regulation (EU) …/… [OJ: please, insert reference to Regulation SCBTH [ISC/2020/12524]]. This network is responsible for the promotion of good practice and alignment on diagnostics, testing methods, training in current and innovative procedures and use of tests, in order to ensure uniform surveillance, notification and reporting of diseases, as well as strengthened quality of testing and surveillance.
Amendment 127 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12
Recital 12
(12) Where in case of cross-border health threats posed by communicable diseases, the blood and transplant services in the Member States can provide a means for rapid testing of the donor population and assessing exposure to and immunity from the disease in the general population. These services are dependent on rapid and urgent risk assessments by the Centre to safeguard patients in need of a therapy from a substance of human origin from the transmission of such a communicable disease. Such risk assessments serve as the basis for appropriate adaptation of measures setting standards for quality and safety of the substances of human origin. The Centre should therefore establish and operate a network of national blood and transplant services and their authorities to serve this purpose.
Amendment 133 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) With the aim of reducing the occurrence of epidemics and strengthening capacities to prevent communicable diseases in the Union, the Centre should develop a framework for the prevention of communicable diseases, which addressetaking into account the close relationship between nature deterioration and increasing emergence of zoonotic diseases. This framework should address such issues as vaccine preventable diseases, antimicrobial resistance, health education, health literacy, mental health, interlinkages between health and nature and behaviour change.
Amendment 141 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14
Recital 14
(14) The Centre should enhance preparedness and response capabilities at regional, national and Union level by providing scientific and technical expertise to the Member States and the Commission. In this context the Centre, in close collaboration with the Member States, regional centres where appropriate, and the Commission, should carry out various actions, including the development of Union and national preparedness and response plans and preparedness monitoring and evaluation frameworks, provide recommendations on capacities to prevent, prepare and respond to disease outbreaks and on the strengthening of national health systems. The Centre should broaden its collection and analysis of data in terms of epidemiological surveillance and related special health issues, progression of epidemic situations, unusual epidemic phenomena, zoonotic disruptions and spillovers, or new diseases of unknown origin, including in third countries, molecular pathogen data and health systems data. To this end, the Centre should ensure appropriate datasets as well as the procedures to facilitate consultation and data transmission and access, carry out scientific and technical evaluation of prevention and control measures at Union level and work with agencies, competent bodies and organisations operating in the field of data collection both in the Union and abroad.
Amendment 153 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) Regulation …/… [OJ: please, insert reference to Regulation SCBTH [ISC/2020/12524]] provides for the early warning and response system enabling the notification at Union level of alerts related to serious cross-border threats to health which continues to be operated by the ECDC. Given that modern technologies can be of substantial support to combat health threats and to contain and reverse epidemics, the ECDC should work on updating this system to enable the use of artificial intelligence technologies and interoperable and privacy-preserving digital tools, such as distributed ledger technology, or mobile applications, with tracing functionalities identifying at- risk individuals.
Amendment 155 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The Centre should establish appropriate capacities to support international and field response, in accordance with Regulation …/… [OJ: please, insert reference to Regulation SCBTH [ISC/2020/12524]]. These capacities should enable the Centre to mobilise and deploy outbreak assistance teams, known as ‘EU Health Task Force’, to assist local responses to outbreaks of diseases. The Centre should therefore ensure capacity to carry out missions to Member States as well as in third countries and to provide recommendations on response to health threats. These recommendations should be highly regarded in all Member States in case an outbreak is considered by the Centre to be a high threat. These teams will also be able to be deployed under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism with the support of the Emergency Response Coordination Centre. The Centre should also support the strengthening of preparedness capacities under the International Health Regulations (IHR) in third countries, in order to address serious cross border threats to health and the consequences thereof.
Amendment 167 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19
Recital 19
(19) This Regulation should not confer any regulatory powers on the Centre. For this purpose, the Centre should take all technological means necessary to strengthen its cybersecurity processes and hardware.
Amendment 181 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation ( EC) No 851/2004
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
(6a) ‘Health in All Policies’ means Health in All Policies as defined in point (10) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU)2021/522 of the European Parliament and of the Council (‘EU4Health Programme’); __________________ 1a Regulation (EU) 2021/522 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 March 2021 establishing a Programme for the Union’s action in the field of health (‘EU4Health Programme’) for the period 2021-2027, and repealing Regulation (EU) No 282/2014 (OJ L 107, 26.3.2021, p. 1).
Amendment 182 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation ( EC) No 851/2004
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 b (new)
(6b) ‘One Health approach’ means a One Health approach as defined in point (5) of Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2021/522;
Amendment 183 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation ( EC) No 851/2004
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 c ( new )
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 c ( new )
(6c) ‘zoonosis’ means an infectious disease that has jumped from a non- human animal to humans through zoonotic spillover;
Amendment 184 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation ( EC) No 851/2004
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 d ( new )
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 6 d ( new )
(6d) ‘zoonotic spillover’ means the spread of a non-human disease to humans resulting in zoonosis;
Amendment 194 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
In the case of other outbreaks of illnesses of unknown origin, such as zoonotic spillovers, that may spread within or to the Union, the Centre shall act on its own initiative until the source of the outbreak is known. In the case of an outbreak that clearly is not caused by a communicable disease, the Centre shall act only in cooperation with the competent body upon request from that body.
Amendment 198 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 3
In pursuing its mission, the Centre shall take full account of the responsibilities of the Member States, the Commission and other Union bodies or agencies, and of the responsibilities of international organisations active within the field of public health, in order to ensure comprehensiveness, coherence and complementarity of action. Special cooperation shall be foreseen with the European Medicines Agency, the European Environmental Agency and the Commission.
Amendment 211 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
(ba) identify possible zoonotic spillovers;
Amendment 215 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) monitor health systems’ capacity and support health administrations in their assessment of the capacity of their health systems relevant to the management of communicable disease threats and other special health issues;
Amendment 233 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point j
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point j
(j) provide, upon request of the Commission or the Health Security Committee (‘HSC’), easily accessible and evidence-based communication messages to the public on communicable diseases, on the threats to health posed by them and on the relevant prevention and control measures.
Amendment 234 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point j a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point j a (new)
(ja) ensure vigilance on modern epidemics such as mental health consequences deriving from communicable diseases, or mental health pathologies such as depression, anxiety, or sleep deprivation.
Amendment 237 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point j b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point j b (new)
(jb) cooperate with relevant Union bodies and agencies to help ensure supply chain resilience across the Union;
Amendment 238 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 2
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point j c (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 2 – point j c (new)
(jc) provide recommendations to relevant Union bodies and agencies on how to improve policies under the Health in All Policies principle; those recommendations shall be established done together with the European Environmental Agency;
Amendment 252 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 3
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point c
(c) identify, within the scope of the mission of the Centre, recognised competent bodies and public health experts who could be made available to assist in Union responses to health threats, such as by undertaking missions to Member States regions and, where necessary, third countries, in order to provide expert advice and field investigations in the event of disease clusters or outbreaks.;
Amendment 270 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2 – point a
(a) ensure the further development of the digital platforms and applications supporting epidemiological surveillance at Union level, supporting Member States, including the platform for surveillance established under Article 14 of Regulation (EU) .../... [the SCBTH Regulation], supporting Member States and, where applicable, regions and local entities, with technical and scientific advice to establish integrated surveillance systems enabling real-time surveillance where appropriate, benefiting from existing EU space infrastructures and services;
Amendment 302 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 5 – paragraph 4 – point d
Article 5 – paragraph 4 – point d
(d) monitor and assess health systems’ capacity for diagnosis, prevention and treatment of specific communicable diseases as well as patients’ safety, and provide support to relevant Union bodies and agencies, Member States, and regions and local entities, where appropriate;
Amendment 320 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 3
Article 5 – paragraph 5 – subparagraph 3
National focal points and operational contact points nominated for disease- specific interactions with the Centre shall form disease-specific or disease-group- specific networks whose tasks shall include the transmission of national surveillance data as well as mandatory guidelines for the prevention and control of communicable diseases, such as those of zoonotic spillover, to the Centre.
Amendment 326 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 5 – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 8 – subparagraph 1
The Centre shall ensure the operation of the network of Member State services supporting transfusion, transplantation, plasma-derived medicines, and medically assisted reproduction to allow for continuous and rapid access to sero- epidemiological data via sero- epidemiological surveys within the population, including assessment of donor population exposure and immunity. Participation in that network by Member States shall be compulsory.
Amendment 337 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 5a – paragraph 1
Article 5a – paragraph 1
1. The Centre shall support Member States, and regions where appropriate, to strengthen their communicable disease prevention and control systems.
Amendment 342 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 5a – paragraph 2
Article 5a – paragraph 2
2. The Centre shall develop a framework for the prevention of communicable diseases and special issues, including zoonotic spillover, vaccine preventable diseases, antimicrobial resistance, health education, health literacy, mental health and behaviour change.
Amendment 346 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 5a – paragraph 2 a (new)
Article 5a – paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. The Centre shall provide recommendations to the relevant Union bodies and agencies on how to improve policies under the ‘Health in All Policies’ principle. Those recommendations shall be established together with the European Environment Agency.
Amendment 436 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13 – point b
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 11 – paragraph 1a – point c
Article 11 – paragraph 1a – point c
(c) unusual epidemic phenomena or new communicable diseases of unknown origin, including thosezoonotic spillovers, happening both in the Union and in third countries;
Amendment 442 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13 – point c
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13 – point c
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point c
Article 11 – paragraph 2 – point c
(c) work in close cooperation with the competent bodies of the organisations operating in the field of data collection from the Union, third countries, the WHO, and other international organisations, ensuring robust safeguards concerning transparency and accountability; and
Amendment 448 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13 – point d
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 13 – point d
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 11 – paragraph 4
Article 11 – paragraph 4
4. In the situations of urgency related to severity or novelty of a serious cross- border threat to health or to the rapidity of its spread among the Member States, the Centre shall make available epidemiological forecasts as referred to in point (g) of Article 5(4), upon request of the Commission, the European Medicines Agency, or a Member State, in an objective, reliable, transparent and easily accessible way and on the basis of the best available information.
Amendment 477 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 16 – point b
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 16 – point b
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 14 – paragraph 5 – point i – subparagraph 1
Article 14 – paragraph 5 – point i – subparagraph 1
determine the rules governing the languages of the Centre, including the possibility of a distinction between the internal workings of the Centre and the external communication, taking into account the need to ensure access to, and participation in, the work of the Centre by all interested parties in both cases and in all languages of the Union.
Amendment 488 #
2020/0320(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 21
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 21
Regulation (EC) No 851/2004
Article 21 – paragraph 6 a (new)
Article 21 – paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. For the purpose of confidentiality, the Centre shall provide itself with high- quality cybersecurity technology.
Amendment 163 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 9 a (new)
Recital 9 a (new)
(9a) The Union should commit to a shift towards a sustainable well-being economy with the SDGs as the foundation. A wellbeing economy considers that public interests should determine economics, and not the other way around. It prioritises what truly matters: the wellbeing of all citizens, combining prosperity with equity and with social progress within planetary boundaries, protecting the planet’s resources for future generations and other species. Shifting to a wellbeing economy requires a governance approach, which puts people and their wellbeing at the centre of policy and decision-making. In order to achieve that, the Union will need to establish new indicators of economic performance and social progress 'beyond GDP' since it does not reflect depreciation of natural capital.
Amendment 217 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
Amendment 231 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 17 a (new)
Recital 17 a (new)
(17a) Whilst monitoring progress towards the 8th EAP priority objectives will initially be based on existing indicators, there is a need to transition to a way of measuring progress toward these objectives which can take into account and measure progress on systemic change. Such a monitoring framework would need to take into account the effects of feedback loops, tipping points, policy incoherence, global impacts beyond the Union borders and lock-in effects. The mid-term evaluation of the 8th EAP should include, inter alia, an assessment of progress made towards the development of such an evolved monitoring framework with the aim of deploying it in the context of the 8th EAP for the 2025-2030 period.
Amendment 239 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Recital 18 a (new)
Recital 18 a (new)
(18a) Pursuant to Article 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), Union policy on the environment is to aim at a high level of protection and is to be based on the precautionary principle and on the principles that preventive action should be taken, that environmental damage should, as a priority, be rectified at source, that the polluter should pay and that there is a global responsibility concerning nature conservation.
Amendment 254 #
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, sustainable, toxic-free, resource-efficient, clean and circular renewable energy-based and resilient economy in a just and inclusive way, and endorsesat protecting, restoring and improving the quality of the environment including air, water, and soil, and at halting and reversing biodiversity loss and tackling the degradation of ecosystems, putting Europe’s biodiversity on a path to recovery by 2030. It endorses and builds on the environmental and climate objectives of the European Green Deal and its initiatives.
Amendment 272 #
2020/0300(COD)
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 ofshall contribute to the EU’s efforts to measure progress towards greater sustainability, including climate neutrality and resource efficiency, wellbeing, equity and resilience.
Amendment 281 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. The 8th EAP shasll have the long- term priority objective for 2050 thathat by 2050 at the latest citizens live well, within the planetary boundaries in a regenerative and sustainable well-being economy where nothing is wasted, no net emissions of greenhouse gases are produced and economic growth is decoupled from resource use and environmental degradationbiodiversity loss is tackled and climate neutrality is achieved. A healthy environment underpins the well- being of citizens, biodiversity thrives and natural capital is protected, restored and valued in ways thatand the health of citizens, and directly depends on the recovery of biodiversity and the conservation and protection of nature. It also allows for the enhancement of resilience to climate change and other environmental risks. The Union sets the pace for ensuring the prosperity of present and future generations globally.
Amendment 350 #
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, land use and pollution, in particular in the areas of energy, industrial development, buildings and infrastructure, mobility and the food system, international trade and food systems including agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture.
Amendment 397 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3
– paying careful attention tosystematically evaluating synergies and potential trade-offs between economic, environmental and social objectives for all initiatives so as to ensure that citizens’ needs for nutrition, housing and mobility arewellbeing is met in a sustainable way that leaves no-one behind and does no harm to developing countries;
Amendment 403 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 3 a (new)
– developing practices and carrying out activities that support local and regional authorities in meeting their objectives;
Amendment 415 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 4 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b – indent 4 a (new)
– taking into account the consumption footprint of the Union beyond its political borders;
Amendment 431 #
2020/0300(COD)
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, consistent with the Union's sustainable finance strategy, and ensuring the right synergies, while making sure that sufficient investment can be allocated at the level where it is most needed and most effectively employed, ensuring that local and regional communities have adequate resources for implementation on the ground;
Amendment 465 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f a (new)
(fa) identifying and quantifying environmental impacts beyond the Union political borders, with a view to ensure a proper assessment of the Union environmental footprint and to share responsibility on global biodiversity conservation;
Amendment 467 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point f b (new)
(fb) ensuring the full participation of, and cooperation with, local and regional authorities across all dimensions of environmental policy-making through a collaborative and multi-level governance approach;
Amendment 532 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 5
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 5
– ensuring that the Union and the Member States’ financial assistance to third countries promotes the UN 2030 Agenda does not undermine any of the SDGs and helps to perform better on environmental and climate SDGs.
Amendment 537 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 5 a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point k – indent 5 a (new)
– ensuring that nature degradation and environmental impacts are not delocalized and that there is a global responsibility concerning nature conservation;
Amendment 579 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point c
Article 4 – paragraph 3 – point c
(c) delivering policy-relevant and systemic analyses, and contributing to implementing policy objectives at Union and nation, national, regional and local level;
Amendment 595 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 4 – paragraph 4
Article 4 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall regularly examine data and knowledge needs at Union and nation, national and, when necessary, local level, including the capacity of the European Environment Agency and the European Chemicals Agency to carry out the tasks referred to in paragraph 3.
Amendment 605 #
2020/0300(COD)
Proposal for a decision
Article 5 – paragraph 1
Article 5 – paragraph 1
By 31 March 2029, the Commission shall carry out an evaluation of the 8th EAP, based on the assessment of the headline indicators. The Commission shall submit a report to the European Parliament and to the Council containing the main findings of that evaluation, accompanied, if the Commission deems appropriate, by a legislative proposal for the next environmental action programme. Such a legislative proposal shall be presented in a timely manner, with a view to avoiding a gap between the 8th and the 9th EAP.
Amendment 20 #
2020/0289(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) In its Communication to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 11 December 2019, entitled ‘The European Green Deal’ the Commission committed itself to consider revising Regulation (EC) No 1367/2006 to improve access to administrative and judicial review at Union level for citizens and environmental non- governmental organisations who have concerns about the compatibility with environmental law of decisions with potential effects on the environment. The Commission also committed to take action to improve their access to justice before national courts in all Member States; to this end, it issued a Communication on ‘Improving access to justice in environmental matters in the EU and its Member States’.
Amendment 88 #
2020/0289(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EC) No 1367/2006
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point g
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point g
(g) ‘administrative act’ means any non- legislative act adopted by a Union institution or body, which has legally binding and external effects and contains provisions that may, because of their effects, contravene environmental law within the meaning of point (f) of Article 2(1), excepting those provisions of this act for which Union law explicitly requires implementing measures at Union or national level;’
Amendment 3 #
2020/0157M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Strongly supports the conclusion of the negotiations on the Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) between the EU and Honduras, which not only promotes sustainable trade in legal timber products, but also aims to address illegal logging and improve forest governance, law enforcement and transparency, human rights, transparency, accountability and institutional resilience;
Amendment 8 #
2020/0157M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Welcomes the commitment shown by Honduras and the progress made so far, and is aware that the full implementation of the VPA will be a long-term process entailing the adoption of a whole batch of legislation to establish the Timber Legality Assurance System (TLAS) and to make it operational; stresses that the implementation of the VPA will require sustained political will, as well as the dedication of significant human and financial resources to running the TLAS; stresses that EU Delegations should play a key role in overseeing that Honduran authorities effectively include all the relevant stakeholders in the process towards the establishment of a fully operational TLAS and the implementation of the VPA; believes that parliamentary oversight of the implementation process of the VPA is needed, especially with regard to holding regular exchange of views with the independent auditor appointed by the Honduras-EU Joint Implementation Committee;
Amendment 10 #
2020/0157M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2 a. Is concerned that timber products can be imported into Honduras as long as those products were produced in accordance with the laws of the country where the trees were harvested because of the lower due diligence standards that can exist in those countries and the ulterior incorporation of these products into goods subsequently exported to the EU internal market;
Amendment 12 #
2020/0157M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the Commission to allocate funding to accompany the implementation of the VPA as part of the next programming period of the EU bilateral programmes (2021-2027), especially with regard to the assistance for establishing a truly independent FLEGT licensing authority entrusted by the EU;
Amendment 18 #
2020/0157M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Welcomes the fact that the VPA’s definition of legality explicitly refers to the rights of Indigenous and Afro-descendant Peoples of Honduras living in forest areas and to the principles of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC); welcomes that the rights of forestry sector workers are also recognized in the VPA's definition of legality, and believes that ensuring full alignment of Honduran law with ILO standars and effective respect of labour rights should be a priority of the Honduras-EU Joint Implementation Committee;
Amendment 21 #
2020/0157M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls that land tenure has been a major source of violence and human rights abuses in Honduras; believes, in this context, that the VPA process could contribute to clarifying land tenure rights; deplores that human rights violations and attacks on human rights defenders, including enforced disappearances and murders, are recurrent and many times go unpunished; believes that the EU should help to improve the operational capacity of the Honduran protection mechanism for human rights defenders;
Amendment 26 #
2020/0157M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Emphasises that the success of the Agreement will also depend, inter alia, on tackling fraud and corruption; underlines that the VPA should not be considered as a mere trade agreement but as a tool to improve rule of law and human rights enforcement in Honduras; calls on the Commission to ensure that Honduras’s National Commission on Human Rights (CONADEH) duly monitors and assesses human rights violations; considers that independent civil society organisations should be involved from the very beginning in the monitoring of human rights and institutional resilience;
Amendment 29 #
2020/0157M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls for the EU to ensure the coherence of the VPA agreement with all of its policies., especially with regard to the establishment of a robust compulsory due diligence framework for European companies operating in third countries that makes those companies liable for damages linked to their activity in these countries and the effective enforcement of human rights clauses in trade agreements;
Amendment 31 #
2020/0157M(NLE)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Reminds that the current VPA builds upon the association agreement signed by the Union with Central America’s countries in 2012, entering into force in 2013, and whose legal dispositions already foresee comprehensive sustainable development criteria but only a mention on human rights in its preamble; calls on the Commission to increase mentions on human rights defence and guarantees in all free trade agreements (FTAs) and association agreements (AA) with third countries.
Amendment 196 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 12 a (new)
Recital 12 a (new)
(12a) Demographic change and technological innovation are some of the most important challenges facing our health systems. The aging of the population is largely due to the success of our healthcare systems and forces them, at the same time, to a structural transformation: from a healthcare model focused mainly on acute diseases, it is necessary to move towards a healthcare model in which chronic diseases gain more weight. It is important that the Member States accompany each other in this process of transformation of the healthcare model, and for this reason it is necessary to strengthen good practices exchanging mechanisms. TheEU4Health programme should play an important role in guiding these exchanges.
Amendment 240 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16 a (new)
Recital 16 a (new)
(16a) We now know that social and economic determinants are a persistent source of inequalities in health. One of the priority objectives of Member States' public health systems should be the fight against these inequalities. The COVID- 19pandemic has threatened the European population as a whole, but once again the most economically vulnerable populations have been the most affected. It is essential that the projects of the EU4Health programme are managed in accordance with the general and transversal objective of reducing health inequalities. Likewise, the EU4Health programme's projects should also serve to assist Member States in the reformulation of the budgets of their health systems, with the aim of making them more clearly redistributed according to the criteria of health inequalities of the population.
Amendment 310 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) There is plenty of scientific evidence that shows that health prevention and promotion policies (public health policies) are central to guaranteeing the right to health of citizens, and those are also the most efficient in terms of cost effectiveness. However, even today most of the budgets of the health systems of the majority of Member States are given very little space to policies for the prevention and promotion of health. The COVID-19 pandemic has firmly confirmed the importance of public health policies for our societies. For this reason, it is necessary that the projects of the EU4Health programme accompany Member States to reformulate the budgets of their health systems in order to fulfil greater financial strength to these policies.
Amendment 318 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 b (new)
Recital 19 b (new)
(19b) Likewise, it is absolutely necessary to remember that these prevention and promotion strategies concern all sectoral policies: fiscal, commercial, economic, educational, housing, cultural, social assistance, etc. "Health in all policies" (HiAP) should be a non-negotiable principle of all public policies. An instrument already used at the national level is the so-called Health Test to assess the health impact of the different sectoral policies. It is necessary to deploy a Health Test methodology of all the programmes managed by the Union.
Amendment 381 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25 a (new)
Recital 25 a (new)
Amendment 434 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point 10 a (new)
(10a) "health in all policies principle": policy formulation approach that systematically considers health implications of decisions in all sectors, seeking synergies and avoiding the harmful effects on health of policies outside the health sector, in order to improve population's health and health equity. It develops the capacity of health policy professionals to recognise and support the development goals of other sectors, recognising the interdependent nature of social, economic, and environmental development;
Amendment 540 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)
(4a) accompany the Member States in the reformulation of the budgets of their health systems so that they are more clearly redistributed according to the criteria of inequalities in population health;
Amendment 591 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 9
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 9
(9) support integrated work among Member States, and in particular their health systems, including the implementation of high-impact prevention practices, and scaling up networking through the European Reference Networks and other transnational networks, as well as exchange good practices in order to make it easier for Member States to make the transition towards a healthcare model where aging and chronicity have gained relevance;
Amendment 608 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 10 a (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 10 a (new)
(10a) support policies that guarantee the principle "health in all policies";
Amendment 609 #
2020/0102(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 10 b (new)
Article 4 – paragraph 1 – point 10 b (new)
(10b) strengthen public sector participation in health research strategies, in coherence with the Horizon Europe programme, in order to reinforce the necessary resources so that all strategic health research that cannot be done without public support may be carried out;
Amendment 239 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 a (new)
Recital 14 a (new)
(14 a) In order to achieve a successful adaptation to climate change, the Union should set up, among other measures, own resources coming from the Emission Trading Scheme (ETS), as well as a tax on maritime and aviation fuels. Without an adequate availability of economic resources for the application of National Energy and Climate Plans, derived from this Regulation in all levels of the public administration, national plans will be good but their objectives will be impossible to achieve.
Amendment 241 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 14 b (new)
Recital 14 b (new)
(14b) The Union should set up a carbon border tax in order to make the objectives set up in this regulation compatible with the competitivity of European companies, especially SMEs. The carbon border tax is the most efficient tool in order to ensure that the compliance of this Regulation’s objectives keeps intact the competitivity of European companies as regards to companies from third countries.
Amendment 308 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 a (new)
Recital 18 a (new)
(18a) Member States are structured in different administrative levels, some of them as federated or autonomous regional entities (NUTS 2), which have relevant competences as regards to climate mitigation and adaptation, and as regards to the reduction of greenhouse emissions. Some may even have established greenhouse reduction targets in their climate mitigation and adaptation plans. Mitigation may be enhanced by total or partial regional decentralisation of management on sources such as waste, agriculture and livestock, mobility, energy efficiency or forest management. The implementation of greenhouse emissions’ reduction measures should be made by decentralised administrative levels that are closer to the citizen. Mitigation measures should be based on the combination of top-down and bottom-up measures in order to achieve effective results. In terms of adaptation, the local component in the implementation of the measures is a more critical element than when it regards to mitigation. There may not be adaptation measures of general application since in each case the circumstances of each territory should be incorporated. If mechanisms for monitoring, follow-up and coordination of how the measures are being implemented internally in Member States are not established, the results cannot be successful in mitigation as well as in adaptation measures.
Amendment 317 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18 b (new)
Recital 18 b (new)
(18b) The level of ambition of this Regulation is very high. Nevertheless, it is difficult to believe that this very demanding objective could be achievable if climate neutrality is assessed only in the Union as a whole, and it should also be assessed in every and each one of the Member States.
Amendment 328 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 19 a (new)
Recital 19 a (new)
(19a) According to the latest IPCC recommendations, the two systems that generate the highest greenhouse emissions are fossil-based energetic systems and food systems, based on high levels of ruminant meat and milk intake. Therefore, together with the objective of achieving an industrial and transport model free from carbon emissions, it is also essential to advance towards a food system with lower meat intake. The Union should set up the necessary measures to avoid the collision between sectoral policy objectives and climate objectives.
Amendment 466 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 3
Article 2 – paragraph 3
3. By September 20201, the Commission shall review the Union’s 2030 target for climate referred to in Article 2(11) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 in light of the climate-neutrality objective set out in Article 2(1), and explore options for a new 2030 target of 50 to 55% emission reductions compared to 1990. Where the Commission considers that it is necessary to amend that target, it shall make proposals to the European Parliament and to the Council as appropriateorder for the reduction of emissions to be 65% compared to 1990.
Amendment 493 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4
Article 2 – paragraph 4
4. By 30 June 2021, the Commission shall assess how themend Union legislation implementing the Union’s 2030 target would need to be amended in order to enable the achievement of 650 to 55 % emission reductions compared to 1990 and to achieve the climate-neutrality-objective set out in Article 2(1), and considershall takinge the necessary measures, including the adoption of legislative proposals, in accordance with the Treaties.
Amendment 653 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point d a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point d a (new)
(da) food systems with high ruminant meat intake;
Amendment 719 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j a (new)
(ja) good practices, legislation or policies made by Member States, regions or local entities prior or during the entry into force of this Regulation;
Amendment 782 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4 a (new)
Article 4a Fiscal measures to achieve adaptation to climate change In order to achieve the adaptation measures set up in Article 4, the Commission shall by March 2021 adopt proposals for regulations to establish the following fiscal measures for the Union carbon budget set up in Article 3a: a) a border carbon tax in order to make the objectives of this Regulation compatible with the competitivity of the Member States as regards to companies from third countries; b) own resources coming from the ETS; c) a tax on maritime and aviation fuels. (The article 3a mentioned in this amendment refers to AM 38 of Mme Guteland, rapporteur for this proposal of a regulation.)
Amendment 796 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) the collective progress made by all Member States, as well as every Member State considered individually, towards the achievement of the climate-neutrality objective set out in Article 2(1) as expressed by the trajectory referred to in Article 3(1);
Amendment 805 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) the collective progress made by all Member States, as well as every Member State considered individually, on adaptation as referred to in Article 4.
Amendment 895 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point a
(a) the consistency of national and regional measures identified, on the basis of the National Energy and Climate Plans or the Biennial Progress Reports submitted in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, as relevant for the achievement of the climate-neutrality objective set out in Article 2(1) with that objective as expressed by the trajectory referred to in Article 3(1);
Amendment 903 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) the adequacy of relevant national and regional measures to ensure progress on adaptation as referred to in Article 4.
Amendment 916 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 2
Amendment 933 #
2020/0036(COD)
(a) the Member State, as well as the regions with legislative powers on climate change and environmental policies, concerned shall take due account of the recommendation in a spirit of solidarity between Member States and the Union and between Member States;
Amendment 937 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – point b
(b) the Member State, as well as the regions with legislative powers on climate change and environmental policies, concerned shall set out, in its first progress report submitted in accordance with Article 17 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, in the year following the year in which the recommendation was issued, how it has taken due account of the recommendation. If the Member State or the regions with climate change-related competences concerned decides not to address a recommendation or a substantial part thereof, that Member State shall provide the Commission its reasoning;
Amendment 971 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point e
Article 7 – paragraph 1 – point e
(e) any supplementary information on environmentally sustainable investment, by the Union and Member Stat, Member States, and regions with legislative powers on climate change and environmental policies, including, when available, investment consistent with Regulation (EU) 2020/… [Taxonomy Regulation].
Amendment 978 #
2020/0036(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 a (new)
Article 7 a (new)
Article 7a European Union Network on Climate Change 1. By 31 December 2021, the Commission shall set up the European Union Network on Climate Change (EUnCC), an independent scientific advisory panel on climate change, consisting of scientists selected on the basis of their expertise in the climate change field and proposed by regions, coalition of regions or local entities. 2. The Commission shall ensure that the governance structure of the EUnCC guarantees its scientific autonomy, including of Union and regional institutions. 3. The relevant committee of the European Parliament shall make an opinion as regards to any appointment to the EUnCC, based exclusively on the scientific autonomy of EUnCC’s members. 4. The EUnCC shall monitor the greenhouse gas emission reductions in the Union, Member States and regions, taking into account the Union’s carbon budget provided for in Article 3. 5. The EUnCC shall assess the consistency of measures and progress made to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 at the latest. 6. The EUnCC shall, on an annual basis, report its findings under paragraph 3 to the Commission and the relevant committee of the European Parliament. The EUnCC shall guarantee full transparency to the public and make its information available in all the official languages of Member States.
Amendment 45 #
2019/2184(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas the principles of ownership and, alignment, suitability, stability, multilateralism, resource sufficiency and focusing on results, inclusive partnerships, transparency and accountability, should underpin all forms of development cooperation;
Amendment 80 #
2019/2184(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that effectiveness means delivering more and better impact, achieving the SDGs and leaving no-one behind; believes that when EU support is aligned with partner countries’ own efforts, giving priority to official development aid being appropriate to these countries' needs over any other interests donor countries may have, and delivered through their institutions and systems in support of priorities that have been agreed through inclusive and equitable policy processes, the impact is bigger, faster and more sustainable;
Amendment 108 #
2019/2184(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Calls on the Commission and the Council to scale up joint programming between the EU and its Member States, with the aim of securing a European voice with which to move forward towards commonly defined policy objectivbetter multilateral planning of national development cooperation policies, which should take into account innovative financing methods such as blending and guarantees; stresses the need, where stable and transparent institutions have a presence in partner states, to increase the emphasis on donations, rather than credit, to prevent the increase in partner countries' external debt hobbling opportunities for economic growth and their capacity to focus government action on social priorities; calls for clear, actionable commitments towards joint implementation and evaluation and for shared accountability mechanisms towards citizens;
Amendment 196 #
2019/2184(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Reiterates its request that the Council and the Member States set out a clear timeline for reaching the target of raising the ODA budget to 0.7 % of GNI, preventing volatility and a lack of stability in Member States' official development aid resources, and that the Commission present a concrete action plan defining how additional resources will be leveraged towards achieving the SDGs; points out that without this sufficient and stable volume of resources agreed by the UN General Assembly in 1970 being dedicated to official development aid, it is not realistic to conceive of achieving the SDGs, particularly with regard to ensuring that no one is living below the extreme poverty line.
Amendment 13 #
2019/2182(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Recalls that worldwide hundreds of millions of people are, children included, are continuously exposed to asbestos every year, despite its health risks having been known for decades;
Amendment 32 #
2019/2182(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Recalls that there are several diseases related to asbestos, both malignant and non-malignant, and that the cumulative effect of non-malignant diseases related to asbestos has been proved to be a risk factor for death related to and caused by asbestos;
Amendment 42 #
2019/2182(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Considers that the European Plan on Beating Cancer and the Parliament’s upcoming Resolution from its Special Committee on Beating Cancer are opportunities to include asbestos as one of the causes that significantly increase the risk of cancers for workers, children, or inhabitants in areas close to asbestos factories and mines or in buildings containing asbestos;
Amendment 48 #
2019/2182(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)
Paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Recalls that, apart from the naturally occurring sites from where it is extracted, asbestos may be found as degraded flocking not only in water but also in soils and in the atmosphere;
Amendment 76 #
2019/2182(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Calls on the Commission to support the dissemination of information on the various systems for the destructionsafe and orderly removal or disposal of asbestos products based on best available techniques;
Amendment 102 #
2019/2182(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. The development of information campaigns on asbestos to provide relevant information to workers, employers, owners, tenants, users of buildings and infrastructure, and citizens about the risks and legal obligations relating to asbestos, especially on the fact of its delayed and cumulative effects on human health;
Amendment 125 #
2019/2182(INL)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. The need to include asbestos- related diseases as a key issue in preventive public health.
Amendment 89 #
2019/2157(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)
Paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Notes that the European Forest Strategy should incorporate a greater variety of objectives into forest management, including the conservation of biodiversity, the recovery of ecological processes, and the adaptation to climate change, in line with the European Green Deal; stresses that the Strategy should establish long-term goals for forest management, and plan at the landscape level in order to allow the coexistence of all the tiles of any forest’s heterogeneous mosaic;
Amendment 121 #
2019/2157(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Notes that although best-preserved forests, from which no products are extracted, are few, they should be given the attention they deserve, as they make a contribution to knowledge, health and ecotourism that we cannot deny to future generations; stresses that Natura 2000, as the European ecological habitat conservation network, should play a crucial role in the European Forest Strategy; is of the opinion that Natura 2000 should be key to guarantee the protection and conservation of forests;
Amendment 223 #
2019/2157(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Expresses its concern on the biodiversity loss occurring in the Union, something that needs to be also stopped by the European Forest Strategy; reminds that the loss of biodiversity is an internal problem of the Union; notes that the Strategy should protect the last fragments of mature forests in the Union due to their importance as biodiversity reservoirs and as a way to increase forest resilience; emphasises that the Strategy should promote a zero-impact silviculture on soil and landscapes;
Amendment 234 #
2019/2157(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Urges to improve knowledge about the dynamics of Mediterranean ecosystems in terms of their maturity and disturbance regime, which could also allow for new management models to be established; urges also to improve the professional training in the field of forestry in order to allow for new forest management objectives to be adapted to the needs of the 21st century; proposes to adapt Rural Development Plans (RDPs) in order to incorporate adequate funding for the measures previously outlined;
Amendment 247 #
2019/2157(INI)
Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Emphasises the therapeutic function of forests, which have direct positive consequences for human health and the quality of life of citizens; stresses that forests also contribute to the socio- economic development of Europe’s rural territories, including the distribution of income to the most depopulated areas of the Union thanks to ecotourism, one of the most demanded modalities within the tourism industry;
Amendment 98 #
2019/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas increased protection of forests provides opportunities for economic development, particularly at the level of local communities; whereas forests have a therapeutic function with direct positive consequences for human health and quality of life, and could therefore also contribute to the socioeconomic development of rural areas;
Amendment 190 #
2019/2156(INI)
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Notes that mature forests should be given the attention they deserve, as they make a contribution to knowledge and health that we cannot deny to future generations; expresses its concern on the biodiversity loss occurring in several parts of the world due to climate change and recalls that the loss of biodiversity should also be a priority for the Union;
Amendment 39 #
2019/0017(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1 a (new)
Recital 1 a (new)
(1a) The Union should guarantee that new measures are taken in order to integrate the objectives established in the Paris Agreement and the provisions presented in the Communication of the Commission of 11 December 2019 on the European Green Deal. Therefore, the Union should also integrate maritime emissions into the overall Union objectives to decrease greenhouse gas emissions in order not to pose a threat to the efforts made by other economic sectors that will have to achieve climate neutrality by, maximum, 2050, as foreseen in the European Green Deal.
Amendment 46 #
2019/0017(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
Recital 3
(3) The European Parliament's Resolution of Februaryresolutions of the European Parliament of 14 March 2019 on climate change and of 28 November 20149 on a 2030 framework for climate and energy policiesthe climate and environmental emergency urged to achieve climate neutrality by 2050. The European Parliament also called on the Commission and the Member States to set 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 efforts.
Amendment 53 #
2019/0017(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 5
Recital 5
(5) Building on the 2011 Union White paper on transport18 , in 2013 the Commission adopted a strategy for progressively integrating maritime emissions into the Union's policy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions19 . Furthermore, the Commission set up an ambitious road towards the achievement of climate neutrality by, maximum, 2050, in its Communication on the European Green Deal of 11 December 2019. __________________ 18 https://ec.europa.eu/transport/sites/transpor t/files/themes/strategies/doc/2011_white_p aper/white-paper-illustrated- brochure_en.pdf. 19 COM (2013) 479.
Amendment 67 #
2019/0017(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8
Recital 8
(8) Under the Paris Agreement that was adopted in December 2015 at the 21st Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)23 , the Union and its Member States have undertaken an economy-wide reduction target. Efforts to limit international maritime emissions through the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) are under way and should be encouraged. The IMO adopted24 in October 2016 a data collection system for fuel oil consumption of ships ("the global IMO DCS"). Furthermore, the Commission’s Communication on a European Green Deal of 11 December 2019 seeks to reach climate neutrality by 2050 as well as cutting greenhouse gas emissions at 55%. __________________ 23 Paris Agreement (OJ L 282, 19.10.2016, p. 4–18). 24IMO Resolution MEPC.278(70) amending MARPOL Annex VI.
Amendment 71 #
2019/0017(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 13
Recital 13
(13) Content of monitoring plans should be streamlined so as to take into consideration the global IMO DCS except for the parts of the plan which are necessary to ensure that only Union-related data are monitored and reported under the EU MRV Regulation. Therefore, any "per voyage" provisions should remain as part of the monitoring plan. The Commission should also assist the Member States by sharing expertise and good practices, as well as the implementation of new technologies, with the objective to decrease administrative barriers and to retrieve data efficiently and securely.
Amendment 85 #
2019/0017(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15
Recital 15
(15) The objective of Regulation (EU) 2015/757 is to monitor, report and verify CO2 emissions from ships calling at EEA ports as the first step of a staged approach to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This cannot be sufficiently achieved by the Member States but can rather, by reason of its scale and effects, be better achieved at Union level. The Commission should assist the competent authorities of the Member States, also those which may have devolved these competences to regional or local entities, by sharing good practices, information and training about new technologies, and duly implementing the provisions set up in this Regulation. The global IMO DCS should be taken into account and this Regulation ensures the continued comparability and reliability of collected data based on a single set of requirements. The Union may adopt measures, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as set out in Article 5 of the Treaty on European Union. In accordance with the principle of proportionality as set out in that Article, this Regulation does not go beyond what is necessary in order to achieve that objective.
Amendment 147 #
2019/0017(COD)
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 - paragraph 6 a (new)
Article 1 - paragraph 6 a (new)
Regulation (EU) 2015/757
Article 21 a (new)
Article 21 a (new)
(6a) The following Article 21a is inserted: “Article 21a Overall Assessment 1. By 31 December 2024, the Commission shall assess the correct overall implementation of this Regulation, taking into account developments to decrease greenhouse gas emissions from maritime transport and at fulfilling the Union’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and the objectives under the European Green Deal. 2. The Commission shall propose additional measures to reduce air pollutants from ships with the introduction of new technologies, laid down in the assessment, after a consultation undertaken with the competent authorities. 3. The assessment shall be accompanied by a proposal to amend this Regulation. The Commission shall take into account the report or reports that the European Parliament might produce on this matter during the years prior to the assessment.