19 Amendments of Richard SEEBER related to 2012/0337(COD)
Amendment 82 #
Proposal for a decision
Recital 9
Recital 9
(9) The Union has agreed to achieve a reduction of EU greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of at least 20 % by 2020 (30 %, provided that other developed countries commit themselves to comparable emissions reductions and that developing countries contribute adequately according to their responsibilities and respective capabilities); to ensure that 20 % of energy consumption comes from renewable energy by 2020; and a 20 % cut in primary energy use compared with projected levels, to be achieved by improving energy efficiency10. These pledges should continue to apply on the basis of the existing climate and energy policy framework, which sets binding targets for 2030, in order to ensure that long-term climate-policy objectives can be achieved in a cost-effective manner.
Amendment 125 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 4
Annex 1 – point 4
4. Considerable headway has also been made in integrating environmental objectives into other Union policies and activities. The reformed Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has, since 2003, linked direct payments to requirements for farmers to maintain land in good agricultural and environmental condition and to comply with relevant environmental legislation. Fighting climate change has become an integral part of energy policy and progress is being made on integrating resource efficiency, climate change and energy efficiency concerns into other key sectors, such as transport and buildings. In future, however, greater attention must be paid to implementing cross-compliance more effectively.
Amendment 135 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 9
Annex 1 – point 9
9. To live well in the future, urgent, concerted action should be taken now to improve ecological resilience and maximise the benefits environment policy can deliver for the economy and society, while respecting the planet’s ecological limits. This programme reflects the EU’s commitment to transforming itself into an inclusive green economy that secures growth and development, safeguards human health and well-being, provides decent jobs, reduces inequalities and invests in and preserves natural capitalbiodiversity and the ecosystem services it entails for its intrinsic value and for its essential contribution to human wellbeing and economic prosperity.
Amendment 142 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 12
Annex 1 – point 12
12. The EU has set this transformation in motion with long-term, integrated strategies to halt biodiversity loss27, improve resource efficiency28 and expedite the transition towards a low-carbon economy29. The Commission has further integrated environmental concerns and objectives in recent initiatives taken in other key policy areas, including energy30 and transport31, and sought to enhance the delivery of environmental benefits through reforms of EU policies for agriculture and rural development, fisheries and cohesion, building on achievements to date. In that connection, however, greater attention must be paid to the implementation of the provisions on cross-compliance.
Amendment 158 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 18
Annex 1 – point 18
18. Despite considerable efforts to date, the requirement under the WFD to achieve ‘good ecological status’ by 2015 is likely to be met only for some 53 % of surface water bodies in the EU. For that reason, the provisions on cross-compliance should also encompass the WFD. There is also a risk that the Marine Strategy Framework Directive target to achieve ‘good environmental status’ by 2020 may be missed, inter alia due to continued overfishing and the presence of marine litter in Europe’s seas. And while EU air and industrial emissions policies have helped to reduce many forms of pollution, ecosystems continue to suffer from excess nitrogen deposition and ozone pollution associated with emissions from transport, intensive agriculture and power generation.
Amendment 179 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 23
Annex 1 – point 23
23. To reduce the most significant man- made pressures on land, soil and other ecosystems in Europe, action will be taken to ensure that decisions relating to land use at all relevant levels give proper consideration to environmental as well as social and economic impacts. The Rio+20 Summit outcome called for a 'land degradation neutral world'. The EU and Member States should reflect on how best to make such a commitment operational within their respective competencies as well as to address soil quality issues within a bindthe existing legal framework42. Targets will also be set for sustainable land use and soil. __________________ 42 COM(2006) 232 (OJ C 332 of 30.12.2006) proposes a Directive establishing a framework for the protection of soil and amending Directive 2004/35/EC.
Amendment 183 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 24
Annex 1 – point 24
24. Although nitrogen and phosphorus inputs to the EU environment have decreased considerably over the past 20 years, excessive nutrient releases continue to affect air and water quality and to have a negative impact on ecosystems, causing significant problems for human health. In particular, ammonia release from inefficient fertiliser management and inadequate waste water treatment urgently need to be tackled to achieve further significant reductions in nutrient releases. Further efforts to manage the nutrient cycle in a more cost-effective and resource- efficient way, and to improve efficiency in use of fertilisers are also required. This calls for improving the implementation of EU environmental legislation to address these challenges, tightening standards where necessary and addressing the nutrient cycle as part of a more holistic approach which interlinks and integrates existing EU policies that play a role in tackling excessive nutrient releases and eutrophication. It is also important to improve people’s environmental awareness in this area. This should also be reflected in the reduced use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides in private gardens and green areas.
Amendment 192 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 26 – subparagraph 1 – point b
Annex 1 – point 26 – subparagraph 1 – point b
(b) The impacts of pressures on fresh, transitional and coastal waters are significantly reduced, inter alia by means of cross-cutting measures, to achieve, maintain or enhance good status as defined by the Water Framework Directive.
Amendment 202 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 26 – subparagraph 2 – point b
Annex 1 – point 26 – subparagraph 2 – point b
(b) Fully implementing the Water Framework Directive and the Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources, inter alia by means of cross-compliance measures.
Amendment 210 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 26 – subparagraph 2 – point f
Annex 1 – point 26 – subparagraph 2 – point f
(f) Taking further steps to reduce emissions of nitrogen and phosphorus, including those from urban and industrial wastewater and from fertiliser use; increasing people’s environmental awareness by means of initiatives to reduce the use of artificial fertilisers and pesticides, particularly in private gardens and green areas.
Amendment 229 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 29
Annex 1 – point 29
29. This key requirement for meeting the environmental challenge also has important socio-economic benefits. Potential job growth brought about by the transformation to a safe and sustainable low carbon and resource-efficient economy is key for delivering the Europe 2020 employment objectives. Employment in environmental technologies and service sectors in the EU has been growing by around 3 % annually over recent years. The global market for eco-industries is estimated to be worth at least a trillion Euros, and is forecast to almost double over the next 10 years. European companies already have a global lead in recycling and energy efficiency and should be encouraged to benefit from this growth in global demand, supported by the Eco- innovation Action Plan. For example, the European renewables sector alone is expected to generate more than 400,000 new jobs by 2020.49
Amendment 239 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 31
Annex 1 – point 31
31. All sectors of the economy will need to contribute to reducing GHG emissions for the EU to deliver its fair share of global efforts. The EU needs to agree the next steps for its climate and energy framework beyond 2020 in order to prepare itself for international negotiations on a new legally binding agreement, but also to provide Member States and industry with a clear framework to make the medium-term investments needed. Hence the EU needs to consider policy options for delivering the reductions should commit itself without delay to a framework for energy and climate policy for 2030 basetd out n binding the Low-Carbon Economy Roadmap for the period beyond 2020argets for greenhouse gas emissions, sustainable energy and energy efficiency. The 2050 Energy roadmap and the White Paper on transport need to be underpinned by strong policy frameworks. Moreover, Member States need to develop and put in place long-term, cost-effective low-carbon development strategies aimed at achieving the EU objective of reducing GHG emissions by 80% to 95% by mid- century, compared to 1990, as part of a global effort to limit average temperature increase to below 2°C. The EU Emissions Trading System will continue to be a central pillar of EU climate policy beyond 2020.
Amendment 250 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 35
Annex 1 – point 35
35. To set a framework for action to improve resource efficiency aspects beyond GHG emissions and energy, targets for reducing the overall environmental impact of consumption will be set, in particular in the food, housing and mobility sectors. Taken together, these are responsible for almost 80 % of the environmental impacts of consumption. The Rio+20 outcome recognised the need to significantly reduce post-harvest and other food losses and waste throughout the food supply chain. The Commission should therefore present a comprehensive strategy to combat unnecessary food waste and provide active support to the Member States in the fight against excessive waste generation.
Amendment 275 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 39
Annex 1 – point 39
39. Resource efficiency in the water sector will also be tackled as a priority to help deliver good water status. Even though droughts and water scarcity are affecting more and more parts of Europe, an estimated 20-40 % of Europe’s available water is still being wasted, for instance, through leakages in the distribution system. According to available modelling, there is still considerable scope for improving water efficiency in the EU. Moreover, rising demand and the impacts of climate change are expected to increase the pressure on Europe’s water resources significantly. Against this background, the Union and Member States should take action to ensure water abstraction respects available renewable water resource limits by 2020, including by improving water efficiency through the use of market mechanisms such as water pricing that reflects the true value of water. The agriculture and energy production sectors in particular, as the biggest consumers, should be encouraged to use water reserves more efficiently. Progress will be facilitated by accelerated demonstration and rolling out of innovative technologies, systems and business models building on the Strategic Implementation Plan of the European Innovation Partnership on Water.
Amendment 282 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 41 – subparagraph 1 - point a
Annex 1 – point 41 – subparagraph 1 - point a
(a) The EU has met its 2020 climate and energy targets, established a framework for energy and climate policy for 2030 which is based on binding GHG emission, renewable energy and energy efficiency targets and is working towards reducing GHG emissions by 80-95% by 2050 compared to 1990, as part of a global effort to limit the average temperature increase below 2°C.
Amendment 313 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 41 – subparagraph 2 - point e
Annex 1 – point 41 – subparagraph 2 - point e
(e) Fully implementing EU waste legislation. This will include applying the waste hierarchy and the effective use of market-based instruments and measures to ensure that landfilling is effectively phased out, energy recovery is limited tof non- recyclable materials is minimized , recycled waste is used as a major, reliable source of raw material for the EU, hazardous waste is safely managed and its generation is reduced, illegal waste shipments are eradicated and internal market barriers for environmentally-sound recycling activities in the EU are removed.
Amendment 322 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 41 – subparagraph 2 - point f
Annex 1 – point 41 – subparagraph 2 - point f
(f) Improving water efficiency by setting targets at river basin level and using market mechanisms, such as water pricing, as foreseen in Article 9 of the Water Framework Directive.
Amendment 353 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 52 – subparagraph 2 – point -a (new)
Annex 1 – point 52 – subparagraph 2 – point -a (new)
(-a) Implementing the initiatives in the transport White Paper, particularly by further internalising external costs.
Amendment 364 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 52 a (new)
Annex 1 – point 52 a (new)
52a. All external transport costs are fully internalised.