Activities of Konrad SZYMAŃSKI related to 2013/2135(INI)
Plenary speeches (4)
A 2030 framework for climate and energy policies (A7-0047/2014 - Anne Delvaux, Konrad Szymański) (vote)
A 2030 framework for climate and energy policies (A7-0047/2014 - Anne Delvaux, Konrad Szymański) (vote)
A 2030 framework for climate and energy policies (debate)
A 2030 framework for climate and energy policies (debate)
Reports (1)
REPORT on a 2030 framework for climate and energy policies PDF (377 KB) DOC (227 KB)
Amendments (58)
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 a (new)
Citation 3 a (new)
- having regard to the Regulation (EU) No 347/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 April 2013 on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure and repealing Decision No 1364/2006/EC and amending Regulations (EC) No 713/2009, (EC) No 714/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 together with the first Union-wide list of energy infrastructure projects of common interest (PCIs) adopted by the European Commission on 14 October 2013;
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3 b (new)
Citation 3 b (new)
- having regard to the Regulation on Connecting Europe Facility (CEF);
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital A
Recital A
A. whereas security of supply, competitiveness and climate objectives are of the utmost importance for the EU, are inextricably linked and must be addressed and considered on an equal footing; whereas there are trade-offs among these objectives that must be openly addressed and made known to the public;
Amendment 69 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital B
Recital B
B. whereas this is acknowledged in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU), which stipulates that the objectives of the Union’s energy policy include the functioning of the energy market, security of energy supply, energy efficiency, energy saving, renewable energy and interconnections;
Amendment 91 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)
Recital D a (new)
Da. whereas targets, whether binding or indicatory, have proven successful in bringing about certain specific policy goals, but sometimes at the expense of other policy areas or the competitiveness of the EU industries;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E a (new)
Recital E a (new)
Ea. whereas according to the International Energy Outlook 2013 global energy use will grow by 56% between 2010 and 2040 (and non-OECD Asian states will account for 60% of the increase) and fossil fuels (with a remarkable share of coal) will continue to supply almost 80% of world energy use through 2040;
Amendment 137 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G a (new)
Recital G a (new)
Ga. whereas there is growing understanding that a revised economy- wide greenhouse gas reduction target, in combination with a well-functioning Emissions Trading System and effective actions in non-ETS sectors, is the most cost-effective approach to reducing emissions as well as promoting energy efficiency and renewable energies, and should not be disturbed by other targets or measures;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the Member States clearly differ both in terms of their economic potential and emissions per capita thus justifying more diverse levels of commitments towards the EU’s climate goals;
Amendment 179 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital I a (new)
Recital I a (new)
Ia. whereas studies show that overall system costs and effects vary significantly among different generation sources, such aspects should also be considered in the process of framing EU climate and energy policies;
Amendment 225 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Asks the Commission to take a multifaceted and flexible approach, the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of which ought to be enhanced by coordinated and coherent policies that address in equal measure issues such as competitiveness, energy security and climate objectives (e.g. GHG emission reduction, renewable energy sources and energy efficiency); believes, to this end, that the most effective GHG emission reduction objective will be reached by a policy that is technologically neutral and set at a level that is in accordance with progress in international commitments;
Amendment 242 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2 a (new)
Paragraph 2 a (new)
2a. Is of the opinion that multiple targets can create obligations to invest in areas that may be both expensive and ineffective, and that Member States should be given the flexibility to pursue climate change objectives by the most cost-effective means;
Amendment 263 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the European Council to keep up the progress made at EU level and set ambitious but, realistic and technology- neutral objectives for the 2030 EU policies that take account of the economic, social, environmental, international and technological contexts, and to establish a clear, stable, long-term and cost-effective framework for industries and investors;
Amendment 264 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Calls on the European Council to keep up the progress made at EU level and set ambitious but, realistic and technology- neutral objectives for the 2030 EU policies that take account of the economic, social, environmental, international and technological contexts, and to establish a clear, stable, long-term and cost-effective framework for industries and investors;
Amendment 281 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3 a (new)
Paragraph 3 a (new)
3a. Is of the opinion that both long-term EU policy objectives and specific policy tools on GHG emission reduction must be consistently based on 1990 as the reference year;
Amendment 329 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. IPoints out that voluntary targets for RES between 2001-2010 proved to be successful in increasing their share in the EU energy-mix (4,5% per annum between 2001-2010); is of the opinion that support schemes, if better used, could be an appropriate tool to incentivise thea cost- efficient development of renewable energy sources (RES) and energy efficiency; sees an important role for the Commission in providing guidance in this regard;
Amendment 364 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that some RES (such as onshore wind or solar) should now be considered mature energy sources and their subsidies should therefore be phased out on timein order to be able to reallocate these to research and development (R&D) programmes and RES and other low-emission generation technologies that are not yet cost- effective; asks the Commission to study the impact of RES priority dispatch on general energy costs with a view to phasing it out if justified by increased energy costs;
Amendment 380 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)
Paragraph 5 a (new)
5a. Highlights that all RES should be integrated into the market under normal market conditions as soon as practically possible; believes that returning to a level playing field between technologies/fuel sources is essential to providing predictability for investors;
Amendment 393 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 b (new)
Paragraph 5 b (new)
5b. Considers, however, that phasing-out subsidies to mature RES should be announced well in advance to avoid any harmful effect on the sector; calls on the Commission to prepare with the Member States roadmaps in each countries with clear commitments for phasing-out these subsidies;
Amendment 397 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 c (new)
Paragraph 5 c (new)
5c. Calls on the Commission to put forward proposals for the financing of research, development and demonstration activities beyond Horizon 2020 for all promising, non-mature low-emission technologies and techniques, on the basis of clear criteria for mature and non- mature technologies;
Amendment 410 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Stresses that increased energy efficiency and energy savings will play an essential role in non-ETS sectors will help to conserve resources and improve international competitiveness, as well as reducing the decarbonisation of the energy sector; EU's greenhouse gas emissions but they should not constrain the industry ability to grow and invest in Europe;
Amendment 438 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. AHas serious reservations related to the methodology for calculating and monitoring progress on energy efficiency which contributed to only indicative targets being introduced within the Energy Efficiency Directive; Therefore asks the Commission to develop better methods and tools for calculating and monitoring progress which could help to draw up a more consistent EU approach to energy efficiency; believes that more should be done to help EU industries to further reduce their energy intensity;
Amendment 452 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7 a. Notes furthermore that even though energy efficiency and energy savings are already legislated through the recently published Directive, subsequent results have not developed as quickly as initially envisaged, demonstrating that implementing and achieving the aims of the Directive is not easy;
Amendment 458 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Notes that as one of the cornerstones of the EU’s climate and energy package, the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) should be able to beshas proven that it fulfils its main function, the reduction of GHG emissions in a cost- efficient way, and respond efficiently to economic downturns and upturns; regrets it has been considered as a source of revenue for governments; recalls that the main objective of the EU ETS is to reduce GHG emissions and not to provide investors with sufficient incentives to invest in low-carbon technologies, as these should be seen merely as a secondary objective and not as a basis for evaluating if the scheme works as intended;
Amendment 477 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)
Paragraph 8 a (new)
8 a. Acknowledges that if the EU ETS is a truly liquid market and if it is intended to function in a cost-effective and economically efficient manner, the cost of allowances cannot be envisaged as market forces of supply and demand must determine the price;
Amendment 490 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Notes that the EU needs a comprehensive policy framework for 2030 that encourages investment in and the long- term decarbonisation of non-ETS sectors; therefore calls on the Commission and the Member States to review the non-ETS targets while preserving the flexibility for Member States to define their own ways of meeting their effort sharing targets;
Amendment 512 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Sees an important role for cogeneration in increasing energy efficiencand district heating and cooling in increasing energy efficiency and improving local air quality in the future;
Amendment 522 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -11 b (new) – after subheading 2
Paragraph -11 b (new) – after subheading 2
-11 b. Is of the opinion that EU climate goals, notwithstanding their legitimacy, must not impair EU competitiveness and security of supply; demands therefore that any new policy instrument related to these climate objectives undergo a mandatory and thorough macroeconomic impact assessment as regards its effect on the EU's and individual Member States' competitiveness and security of supply; believes that the existing legal framework should be subject to such an assessment;
Amendment 523 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph -11 a (new) – after subheading 2
Paragraph -11 a (new) – after subheading 2
-11 a. Calls on the EU to consider the full integration of the heating and cooling sector in the pathways towards a low- emission energy system; notes that this sector represents today ca. 45% of the final energy consumption in Europe, and that a better understanding of the important role of heating and cooling towards low-emission energy systems is needed; therefore, calls on the Commission to gather the required data reflecting the sources and the uses of heating and cooling, as well as the distribution of heat to the different groups of final consumers (e.g. residential, industry, tertiary);
Amendment 534 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Notes that under the 2020 framework, multiple regulations for the same target have led to confusing investment signals, excessive complexity and regulatory burden for industry thus undermining efforts to create an integrated, competitive EU energy market; calls for measures at both the EU and the national level to mitigate these impacts and limit the erosion of the EU citizens' expendable income and industries' global competitiveness;
Amendment 543 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)
Paragraph 12 a (new)
12 a. Believes that a coherent policy and regulatory framework should not disincentivise switching high-carbon fired power generation to natural gas;
Amendment 552 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Asks the Commission to examine the interactions between climate and energy objectives in order to achieve the most efficient policies at EU level avoiding problems encountered so far with the three target approach, taking also into consideration not only national GDP but also each Member State’'s capacity;
Amendment 567 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Believes that Member States and regions should be encouraged to improve cooperation in order to optimise the efficiency of renewables expansion; in this context, the Commission has an important role to play as a facilitator in coordinating, financially supporting and preparing appropriate analyses of renewable energy resources and potential for theeach Member States;
Amendment 584 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 15
Paragraph 15
15. Calls on the Commission to submit an analysis of how renewable energy sources can be developed sustainably, taking into account environmental impact, aspects related to dependency on raw materials (i.e. visual impacts of wind farms, noise emissions or decommissioning of photovoltaic panels), aspects related to dependency on raw materials necessary to build RES equipment which are scarce in Europe and life cycle and, above all, how to support stable sources of renewable energy such as hydropower, biomass or geothermal power;
Amendment 626 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Underlines the importance of an energy strategy focused on boosting energy security and economic and industrial competitiveness in the EU, job creation, social aspects and environmental sustainability by means of measures such as the diversification of supply routes, suppliers and sources and by increasing theuse of own resources (including an increased deployment of RES);
Amendment 647 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Stresses that, when bringing about security of supply, Member States must be able to freely choose their energy mix and take advantage of all of their indigenous energy resources (including unconventional hydrocarbons such as shale gas) in accordance with policies that ensure the safe and sustainable exploration, extraction, manufacture and use of these resources and related products;
Amendment 656 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20 a (new)
Paragraph 20 a (new)
20a. Calls on the Commission and the Member States, with regard to the internal gas market, to review all gas contracts based on obsolete pricing mechanisms – in particular the oil indexation principle – that impose high prices on the consumers, and urges the Commission to assist in exploring the possibilities of renegotiating these contracts, not only in the context of their prolongation; stresses the need to develop and support all products and mechanisms aimed at strengthening short-term gas trading capacities; underlines that the aforementioned measures are crucial for ensuring real competitiveness when it comes to the price of supplying gas to all consumers on the internal gas market;
Amendment 661 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Stresses that as the EU pursues its goal of energy security, emphasis needs to be shifted towards a model of energy interdependence between Member States by ensuring the swift completion of the EU internal energy market; believes furthermore that completing the EU supergrid and natural gas infrastructure linking the north, south, east and west will enable the EU to make the best use of the comparative advantages of each Member State, and calls for further support for decentralised and micro-scale energy production and smart energy infrastructures in all Member States; stresses, therefore, the need for strong coordination between Member States’ policies and for joint action, solidarity and transparency in view of the fact that national energy policy decisions can affect other Member States; suggests that it would be desirable to determine whether and how the expertise and facilities of the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) could be put to use in carrying out the above tasks;
Amendment 677 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Believes that the lack of full implementation of internal energy market legislation remains one of the main obstacles to completion of the single market; highlights the importance of eliminating remaining infrastructure bottlenecks and instances of market failure or abuse and of ensuring that no new barriers to electricity and gas market integration are created;
Amendment 710 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24
Paragraph 24
24. Notes that in order to ensure security of energy supply there must be enough capacity to meet demand in peak periods and in periods of (political or technological) difficulties and that excess capacity or backup must therefore be ensured and maintained; points out the need for storage in an economically efficient way; points out the need for storage, flexible backup fuels (such as gas) and more grid flexibility as a response to the intermittence of some sources of RES (in particular solar and wind energy);
Amendment 723 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 24 a (new)
Paragraph 24 a (new)
24a. Notes that physical integration of energy infrastructure between the EU Member States is a precondition for a proper functioning of energy markets; believes that a stable regulatory regime promoting long-term investments in energy infrastructure is essential for a swift implementation of infrastructure bringing benefits for all market participants in the perspective of 2030 and beyond;
Amendment 735 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25 a (new)
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25a . Underlines the significant potential of district heating and cooling in increasing energy efficiency by recycling heat from electricity production in combined heat and power plants, waste incineration plants and industrial energy processes, which would otherwise be wasted; moreover, it provides an integrated solution in urban areas that will allow the EU to reduce its reliance on energy imports and keep the cost of heating and cooling affordable for citizens;
Amendment 749 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27
Paragraph 27
27. Stresses that modernising the existing energy infrastructure and building new, intelligent and flexible infrastructure for the generation, transmission, distribution and storage of energy is essential for a stable, well-integrated and well-connected energy market, with diversified sources of supply, and emphasises that large- scale investments should be made in parallel with investments in regional or even local networks; highlights that infrastructure investments aimed at achieving such objectives should be granted EU support at each stage of their implementation in line with new guidelines for trans- European energy infrastructure and Connecting Europe Facility;
Amendment 767 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new) – after subheading 4
Paragraph 27 a (new) – after subheading 4
27a. Notes that EU has the highest environmental standards globally, an ageing population, high unemployment rates in many Member States and that current economic growth is low or inexistent and that this can only be rectified by increasing its competitiveness;
Amendment 768 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 b (new) – after subheading 4
Paragraph 27 b (new) – after subheading 4
27b. Notes further that economic activity in the EU since the introduction of the 2020 package has diminished and that many of the products EU citizens buy and which can only be produced and transported using energy and producing CO2, are imported into the Union and thus by definition diminish competitiveness, employment, growth, intra-EU energy consumption and lead to an increase in carbon leakage, unemployment and effectively export our emissions to third countries;
Amendment 792 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Calls on the Commission to launch a study analysing new and cost-efficient market designs with a view to ensuring reasonably priced electricity to private and industry consumers and to preventing carbon leakage; asks therefore the Commission to come forward as soon as possible with an additional assessment and recommendations for further actions to prevent the risk of carbon leakage caused by reallocation of production facilities and investments outside the EU, focusing in particular on additional scenarios in which limited or no further global action is taken on carbon emission reduction;
Amendment 798 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 a (new)
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29a. Calls on the Commission to lunch a study analysing overall system costs and effects of different energy sources and an impact on generation adequacy in the long run;
Amendment 803 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29 b (new)
Paragraph 29 b (new)
29b. Stresses that energy prices for individuals as well as for industrial clients are a very important element of their household budget and production costs respectively, and that in general the energy prices determine the competitiveness of the EU's entities against their counterparts in other developed economies in the world;
Amendment 807 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Notes that the EU’s main competitors on the global market place great emphasis on technological developments, innovation and improving industrial processes and avoiding imposition of generic and burdensome binding targets; notes also that their economies grow at a much faster pace than the EU; concludes that the EU must give priority to R&D and innovation;
Amendment 816 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 a (new)
Paragraph 30 a (new)
30a. Is of the opinion that necessary innovation will take place only if private enterprises are able to allocate sufficient funds not otherwise spent on unnecessary costs stemming from burdensome legislation; calls to genuinely treat cost- effectiveness in reaching future EU goals;
Amendment 823 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 b (new)
Paragraph 30 b (new)
30b. Is concerned that current EU policies that attempt to place RES as its primary energy source, if not mirrored by other main global players, will lead to European industries becoming dangerously uncompetitive vis-à-vis those economies that will continue to significantly rely on fossil fuels;
Amendment 824 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30 c (new)
Paragraph 30 c (new)
30c. Is therefore of the opinion that any future increase in the EU's emission reduction target have to be preceded by a global agreement guaranteeing an equitable share of responsibilities among both developed and developing countries, particularly many of the latter since they are fast becoming some of the main global polluters;
Amendment 834 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31 a (new)
Paragraph 31 a (new)
31a. Urges the Commission to carefully weigh up the impact of new policies in terms of estimated "green job" creation vs. the loss of industrial competitiveness and existing jobs in other sectors, with a special emphasis on heavy industries and acknowledging different circumstances in Member States;
Amendment 841 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Strongly underlines that any future EU policy must address the comparative strengths and weaknesses of its economy, particularly with regard to any free trade agreement the EU signs up to, especially in light of the planned free trade agreement (TTIP) with the US where energy prices and CO2 emissions have been decreasing significantly while efforts to re(duce GHG emissions are not on par with the progress already achieved in the EUto the "shale gas revolution");
Amendment 862 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33 a (new)
Paragraph 33 a (new)
33a. Points out that adopting a decarbonisation strategy that does not take into account the situation of some Member States may lead to a massive increase in energy poverty in those countries;
Amendment 864 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Underlines, in line with Article 194 TFEU, that Member States are the ultimate decision makers as regards their energy mix and should be able to use and develop different approaches for technologies and energy sources that are environmentally sound and socially and economically acceptable; calls in this regard for technology neutrality to be seriously upheld when designing EU policy goals;
Amendment 873 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34 a (new)
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34a. Notes serious concerns with regard to the Commission decision determining transitional Union-wide rules for the harmonised free allocation of emission allowances pursuant to Article 10a of Directive 2003/87/EC which set too rigorous benchmarks, without taking into account fuel or geographical specificity of the Member States, for which coal serves as the basic fuel, leading to the distortion of competitiveness in the common market;
Amendment 883 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 35 a (new)
Paragraph 35 a (new)
35a. Acknowledges that favouring certain energy sources (i.e. nuclear or RES) over others may lead to a situation in which certain Member States gain a comparative advantage and will unfairly benefit with regard to those that will have to rely on technology transfer from those privileged states;
Amendment 887 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Notes that access to capital, even for heavy industry sectors, is often a barrier to investment in cleaner technologies; therefore asks the Commission to study the possibility of creating a fund that could help to leverage investment, possibly financed by a share of ETS revenueoptions to improve existing financing schemes that could help to leverage investment;