42 Amendments of Jo LEINEN related to 2018/2974(RSP)
Amendment 50 #
Paragraph 5
5. Notes that the strategy presents eight pathways for the economic, technological and social transformation needed for the Union to comply with the long-term temperature goal of the Paris Agreement; stresses that there are many ways to reach net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 at the latest, but that this requires swift action from the local and regional levels to the national level; calls on the Member States to put in place clear targets and policies and provide investment support for net-zero pathways and adopt long-term strategies using the tool of the multi-level climate dialogue as foreseen in the Governance Regulation;
Amendment 65 #
Paragraph 7
7. Points that the EU GDP is expected to increase more under zero emissions scenarios than in scenarios with lower emission reductions, however this may be spread unevenly across the EU; considers that the price of non-action would be by far the costliest scenario and would not only result in massive GDP loss in Europe, but also further increase economic inequalities between Member States and regions as some are expected to be harder hit than others by the consequences of inaction;
Amendment 77 #
Paragraph 8
8. Welcomes the inclusion of two pathways aiming at reaching net zero GHG emissions by 2050, and the Commission’s support for these; considers this mid- century objective as the only one compatible with the Union's commitments under the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 92 #
Paragraph 9
9. Notes however that those pathways rely to a large extent on carbon removal technologies, including through carbon capture and storage and direct air capture, that yet have to prove their feasibility; considers that the EU net-zero strategy should not overly rely on such technologies, which should complement direct emissions reductions; believes that further aemissions reductions by 2030 isare needed if the Union is to avoid relying on carbon removal technologies that would entail significant risks for ecosystems, biodiversity and food security as confirmed by the IPCC 1.5 report;
Amendment 100 #
Paragraph 9 a (new)
9 a. Recalls that by being the first major economy to go for climate neutrality, Europe’s businesses will be able to gain first-mover advantage on international markets to become the global leader in sustainable and resource- efficient production; emphasises that delayed or insufficient action to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 at the latest will result in ecologically, economically and socially unjustifiable costs and effectively hamper the future competitiveness of Europe’s industrial sector; insists that carbon leakage must be and can be avoided by intelligent policy frameworks;
Amendment 117 #
Paragraph 11
11. Believes that Europe's climate transition must be ecologically, economically and socially sustainable; emphasises thatstresses the need for a comprehensive concept for the social and ecological transformation in Europe that preempts social disruptions, including tailor-made and sufficiently funded strategies will need to be designed in close collaboration with local and regional public authorities, trade unions, educational institutions, civil society organisations and the private sector, to ensure fair and equal opportunities are offered to all European citizens in this transition, to promote the set-up of new infrastructure and to attract the settling of new companies and organisations in affected regions and to support the education and training of the affected workers;
Amendment 119 #
Paragraph 11
11. Believes that Europe's climate transition must be ecologically, economically and socially sustainable; emphasises that tailor-made and sufficiently funded strategies will need to be designed in close collaboration with local and regional public authorities, trade unions, educational institutions, civil society organisations and the private sector, to ensure that social fairness and equal opportunities are offered to all European citizens in this transition while avoiding disproportionate effects on people with low income;
Amendment 124 #
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Believes that young people have increasingly strong social and environmental awareness, which has the power to transform our societies towards a climate resilient future, and that youth education represents one of the most effective tools to combat climate change; stresses the need to actively involve younger generations in building international, intercultural and intergenerational relationships, which underpin cultural change that will support the global efforts for a more sustainable future;
Amendment 128 #
Paragraph 11 a (new)
11 a. Considers that social aspects should be fully streamlined throughout all EU climate policy and climate funding;
Amendment 129 #
Paragraph 11 b (new)
11 b. Recalls that approximately 50 to 125 million European citizens are currently suffering from energy poverty1a; reiterates its strong conviction that Europe must act swiftly and vigorously to eliminate energy poverty in European households; __________________ 1a http://www.europarl.europa.eu/RegData/e tudes/STUD/2015/563472/IPOL_STU(201 5)563472_EN.pdf
Amendment 130 #
Paragraph 11 c (new)
11 c. Emphasises that inclusion and participation of Europe’s citizens is vital for Europe to reach net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 at the latest; encourages all levels of national, regional and local government to put in place concrete measures stimulating and facilitating the participation of citizens in the transition to the decarbonised society;
Amendment 150 #
Paragraph 13
13. Considers that a strong and stable medium-term targetalls on the Commission and the Member States to support a strong and stable medium-term target for 2030 as well as to formulate additional milestones for the time between 2030 and 2050, as this is necessary to bring sufficient stability for investments to the market and to fully harness the potential of technological innovation and strengthen the possibilities for Europe's businesses' to become global market leaders in low- emission production;
Amendment 170 #
Paragraph 15
15. Supports an update of the Union’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC); calls therefore on EU leaders to consider raising the level of ambition of the Union’s NDC at the special EU Summit in Sibiu in May 2019 and to include locally determined contributions (LDCs) in the EU's NDCs, in view of the UN Climate Summit in September 2019;
Amendment 177 #
Paragraph 16
16. Considers therefore that the Commission should, at the latest, use its 2022-2024 reviews of the 2030 climate package and other relevant legislation, to raise the ambition level accordinglyin line with the updated NDC; believes that insufficient 2030 ambition would limit future options, possibly limiting the availability of some options for cost-efficient decarbonisation; considers these reviews to be an important milestone for securing the EU climate commitments;
Amendment 183 #
Paragraph 17
17. Believes that, as a means to further ensure increased stability for markets, it would be appropriateill be beneficial for the EU to also establish a further interim emissions reduction target by 2040 that can provide additional stability and ensure that the long-term 2050 target is met;
Amendment 184 #
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17 a. Considers it necessary to review the EU's net-zero emission strategy regularly, while such a review should be imformed by the 5-yearly global stocktake as set out in the Paris Agreement, and take into account techonological and societal developments as well as input of non-state actors and the European Parliament;
Amendment 195 #
Paragraph 18
18. Emphasises that emissions will have to be reduced close to zero in all Member States and sectors of the economy which should all contribute in the joint efforts to reduce emissions; therefore calls on the Commission to develop pathways to climate neutrality for all sectors; stresses the importance of the polluter pays principle in this regard;
Amendment 199 #
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Emphasises that the successful transition towards a net-zero emission economy requires an integrated approach and the right enabling environment to better stimulate and support zero- and low emission mobility; calls for additional measures to be put in place to enable access to zero- and low-emission vehicles to consumers in all Member States; stresses the need for more public and private investments in the roll-out of recharging and refuelling infrastructure, its integration into the energy systems, as well as the sustainable sourcing, production, supply, re-use and recycling of batteries in Europe, and reiterates the need for coherent action at EU, national, regional and local levels to achieve this;
Amendment 202 #
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Stresses the importance to adopt an integrated, cross-sectoral strategy that formulates strategic objectives along the whole economy, in order to benefit from symbiotic connections and increased efficiency, for example by strengthening sector coupling; calls on the Commission and the Member States to reflect this approach through cohesive policy making, regulation, funding and research preferences;
Amendment 206 #
Paragraph 18 a (new)
18 a. Highlights the central role of renewable energy sources in the transition towards a net-zero GHG economy, as energy is currently responsible for 75% of Europe’s GHG emissions;
Amendment 208 #
Paragraph 18 b (new)
18 b. Stresses the importance of Europe's energy-intensive industries, as they deliver valuable products for society, but also for decarbonisation itself; highlights that these industries should be supported in its efforts to reduce emissions, to adapt industrial processes, to use innovative technologies and to fully use the potentials of the digitisation;
Amendment 220 #
Paragraph 19
19. Considers that technology developments and new, innovative solutions, energy efficiency and sustainable renewable energy in the transport and power sectors will be key; underlines in this respect the importance of technology- specific strategies, such as forelectric mobility, hydrogen or methane;
Amendment 225 #
Paragraph 19 a (new)
19 a. Emphasises that the ‘energy efficiency first’ principle entails large GHG emissions reductions possibilities and must be fully taken into account throughout the full energy chain, including energy generation, transmission, distribution and end-use;
Amendment 244 #
Paragraph 21
21. Stresses the need to implement the Energy Union and ensure further integration of the European Energy market in order to most effectively decarbonise the power sector and to facilitate investments where most renewable energy production can be effectuated, whilst reducing energy poverty and empowering consumers;
Amendment 263 #
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22 a. Recalls that GHG emissions from international shipping are projected to increase by as much as 250% by 2050; reiterates that emissions from international shipping and aviation activities must be significantly reduced in order to be consistent with the Union’s economy-wide greenhouse gas emission reduction commitment and to reach net- zero GHG emissions by 2050 at the latest;
Amendment 267 #
Paragraph 22 b (new)
22 b. Notes that approximately 60% of the current global methane is emitted by sources such as agriculture, landfills and wastewater, and the production and pipeline transport of fossil fuels; recalls that methane is a potent GHG with a 100- year warming potential 28 times larger than CO21a and that methane emission reductions can play an important role in reducing ground-level ozone concentrations and their negative impacts on air quality and human health; welcomes the Commission’s intention to reduce methane emissions in concerned sectors, which could deliver further reductions of ozone concentrations in the EU, and to promote methane reductions internationally; __________________ 1a Van Dingenen, R., Crippa, M., Maenhout, G., Guizzardi, D., Dentener, F., Global trends of methane emissions and their impacts on ozone concentrations, EUR 29394 EN, Publications Office of the European Union, Luxembourg, 2018, ISBN 978-92- 79-96550-0, doi:10.2760/820175, JRC113210
Amendment 276 #
Paragraph 23 a (new)
Amendment 289 #
Paragraph 23 b (new)
23 b. Notes that increased energy efficiency in the heating and cooling sector can have positive impacts in terms of reducing GHG emissions as well as reducing prices and thereby energy poverty in European households;
Amendment 303 #
Paragraph 24
24. Supports active and sustainable forest management at national level, together with concrete means to incentivise the potentialacknowledges the potential, but also the natural limitations of the EU bioeconomy, givenvaluing the large potential of forests to contribute to strengthening Europe's climate efforts (through sequestration, storage and substitution effects) and achieving the target of zero emissions by 2050; recognising the need to halt the loss of biodiversity and the degradation of ecosystems services in the EU by 2020;
Amendment 316 #
Paragraph 25 a (new)
25 a. Points out that EU action and policies have an impact also on natural sinks, land and forests outside of Europe and that the EU net-zero emission strategy should prevent harmful climate effects of EU action in third countries; calls on the Commission and the Member States, in this regard, to advocate for robust international rules in the framework of the Paris Rulebook, especially relating to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement to prevent loopholes in accounting as well as double counting of afforestation measures that could dilute global climate efforts;
Amendment 325 #
Draft motion for a resolution
Subheading 6
Subheading 6
Financing and research
Amendment 328 #
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for rapid implementation of the EU ETS Innovation Fund and for the start of the first call for proposals in 2019; calls for the inclusion in the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework of adequate financial means for supporting investments in the demonstration of low- carbon industrial breakthrough technologies; highlights the importance of successfully coordinating the different funding and support streams to make efficient use of them;
Amendment 329 #
Paragraph 26
26. Calls for rapid implementation of the EU ETS Innovation Fund and for the start of the first call for proposals in 2019 in order to boost investments in the demonstration of low-carbon industrial breakthrough technologies; calls for the inclusion in the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework of adequate financial means for supporting investments in the demonstration of low- carbon industrial breakthrough technologialigned with the objectives under the Paris Agreement and to reach net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 at the latest;
Amendment 346 #
Paragraph 28
28. Considers that the EU and the Member States must immediately phase out all European and national fossil fuel subsidies;
Amendment 349 #
Paragraph 29
29. Stresses the importance of creating a just transition fund, especially for the most affected regionsmeaningful and well equipped just transition fund as one element of a broader strategy to enable a socially fair transformation in Europe; underlines that this fund should provide support to workers, citizens and regions especially affected by economic and structural changes that is additional to existing EU cohesion funds, but which is coordinated with the existing funding, with a general horizontal streamlining of social aspects into existing climate funding;
Amendment 353 #
Paragraph 29
29. Stresses the importance of creating a just transition fund, especially for the regions most affected regions,by decarbonisation, combined with a general horizontal streamlining of social aspects into existing climate funding;
Amendment 356 #
Paragraph 29 a (new)
29 a. Underlines that climate mainstreaming must be fully integrated in research and innovation content and applied at all stages of the research cycle as one of the principles of EU funding;
Amendment 362 #
Paragraph 30
30. Highlights the significant impact of behavioural change in achieving GHG emissions reduction, including from the transport sector and particularly the aviation sector; calls on the Commission to explore as soon as possible policy options to encourage behavioural change including support to effective bottom-up initiatives such as the Covenant of Mayors;
Amendment 375 #
Paragraph 32
32. Stresses the importance of green public procurement, of ecodesign, and reducing the carbon footprint of products while at the same time aligning them with the circular economy strategy; considers that options to levy products’ carbon content in Europe might be further explored;
Amendment 387 #
Paragraph 34
34. Underlines the importance of increased initiatives and sustained dialogue in relevant international fora, with the aim to spur similar policy decisions ramping up climate ambition in other regions and third countries; considers that the EU, must, inter alia, increase its own climate financing and work actively to encourage Member States to increase their climate aid (development aid rather than loans) in third countries through new contributions (to ensure adding to rather than redirecting existing aid);
Amendment 394 #
Paragraph 34 a (new)
34 a. Highlights the importance of a strong EU climate and energy diplomacy and leadership to strengthen global, multilateral partnership and ambition in the fight against climate change and for a sustainable development; calls on the Commission and Member States to advocate for common frameworks and action within UN formats;
Amendment 397 #
Paragraph 35
35. Highlights the merit of strengthening the interoperability between EU policy instruments and third countries' equivalents, notably carbon marketpricing mechanims; calls on the Commission to continue and intensify cooperation and support in the development of carbon pricing mechanisms outside of Europe to pursue increased emission reductions and an improved level playing field globally, and to advocate for strict and robust international rules relating to Article 6 of the Paris Agreement to prevent loopholes in accounting or double counting of emission reductions;