Activities of Lena KOLARSKA-BOBIŃSKA related to 2013/2038(INI)
Shadow reports (1)
REPORT on the implementation and impact of the energy efficiency measures under Cohesion Policy PDF (216 KB) DOC (135 KB)
Amendments (48)
Amendment 1 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 1
Citation 1
– having regard to Article 191(2)4 TFEU,
Amendment 2 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 3
Citation 3
– having regard to Article 3 and Article 6 of the TEU,
Amendment 3 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 11
Citation 11
Amendment 4 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 16
Citation 16
Amendment 5 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 21
Citation 21
Amendment 6 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 23
Citation 23
Amendment 8 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 32
Citation 32
– having regard to the report submitted to the Commission by Ismeri Europa entitled ‘'Expert evaluation network delivering policy analysis on the performance of Cohesion policy 2007-2013 – Synthesis of national reports 2011’ - renewable energy and Energy efficiency of housing',
Amendment 9 #
Motion for a resolution
Citation 34
Citation 34
Amendment 13 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital D
Recital D
D. whereas investment in EE can bring economic, social and environmental returns to the European regions;
Amendment 16 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital E
Recital E
E. whereas a timely and effective implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive canould significantly reduce energy consumption, restrict imports of fossil fuels, create new jobs, provide social protection and eradicate energy poverty;
Amendment 19 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital F
Recital F
F. whereas in the current 2007-2013 programming period, EUR 5.5 billion were allocated for energy efficiency, co- generation and energy management within the Cohesion Policy budget;
Amendment 21 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital G
Recital G
G. whereas the latest Commission's report concludes that up to the end of 2011, almost EUR 3.8 billion had been allocated to specific EE projects, including revolving funds, representing an implementation rate of 68 %; whereas the report also noted that this implementation rate was uneven across the Union;
Amendment 22 #
Motion for a resolution
Recital H a (new)
Recital H a (new)
Ha. whereas the minimum amount for an ELENA eligible project is 50 Million Euros and for the Intelligent Energy programme, the minimum is greater than 6 Million Euros, which is larger than many projects in small and rural communities;
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1
Paragraph 1
1. Stresses that in the current period of crisis, improving EE can prove to be a decisive means ofin a cost-effective manner can contribute to boosting competitiveness and the, to creationg of jobs and growth, an as well as to reduce our dependence on energy imports, and could represents a win-win option in the fight against climate change and high energy expenses;
Amendment 29 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Supports the EU's commitment to achieve the objective of increasing EE by 20 % until 2020; notes with concern that current estimates of energy saving efforts undertaken or announced by Member States show th, that a proper implementation of the Energy Efficiency Directive and its instruments in line with the individual nat ionly a 9 % improvement can be reached; urges, in this regard, the Member States to put further efforts towards achieving the EU2020 objectiveal circumstances would bring back Member States on track, so that the target can be reached;
Amendment 34 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Notes that steering public spending towardsructural funds could help incentivising private investment in energy efficient products, transport modes, buildings, industry, works and services including energy efficiency services can help to reduce public authorities' expenditure on energy bills and offer an improved value for public money; welcomes the suggested prioritisation of energy efficiency within the energy research chapter of Horizon 2020;
Amendment 37 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4
Paragraph 4
4. Stresses that the Member States should see the use of Structural Funds for EE as an investment opportunity with a high leverage effect and not as an expenditure; calls on the European Commission further revise the rules on State Aids in order to allow greater national funding for EE alongside European investments;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6
Paragraph 6
6. Recalls that currently over, according to some academic research, close to 9 % of EU citizens canin 2010 from the EU, Norway and Switzerland (52.08 million people) could not keep their homes adequately warm; notes that fuel poverty is particularly severe in new Member States and is in most cases due to poorly performing homes; calls on the Commission to examine in detail the link between EE promotion, fuel poverty and vulnerable consumers;
Amendment 50 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Highlights the need to ensure targeted support to social housing investments; cCalls on the Member States and all stakeholders to giveconsider social housing a prominent place inin the national reform programmes and in the shaping of strategic priorities under partnership agreements in the upcoming programming period 2014- 2020; reminds Member States in this context of the provisions laid down in Article 20 of the Directive 2012/27/EU on Energy Efficiency;
Amendment 55 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls the 2009 relaxation of European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) regulations regarding energy efficiency, making housing eligible for support in all parts of EU, with a cap of 4 %; notes with concern that, in practice, this policy action has not resulted in a substantial increase of funds diverted to this objective; points at the importance of legal clarity regarding EE measures before the start of the new programming period 2014-2020;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9
Paragraph 9
9. Welcomes the new opportunities offered by, and the more important role in realising the EE objectives given to, the ERDF and Cohesion Fund in the new programming period 2014-2020; supports in particular the future role of Cohesion Policy funding in the entire the housbuilding sector, including housing;
Amendment 66 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Strongly maintains its position in the ongoing negotiations on the ERDF regulation regarding the earmarked percentages to be used on specific thematic objectives for each category of regions, which would guarantee an importantallow an increase in the EE allocations and renewable energy resources; recalls that earmarking is crucial for easier mobilisation of local actors and helps create stable, long-term renovation programmes;
Amendment 73 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Welcomes the progress achieved in negotiations on CPR with regard to partnership agreements; calls, in this regard, on the Member States and the Managing Authorities to make good use of this mechanism by organising a wide consultation fworak with relevant actorexperts from the field of energy efficiency in order to make good use of this mechanism when preparing the operational programs (OPs);
Amendment 75 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14
Paragraph 14
14. Calls on the Member States to align their national, regional and local energy and climate strategies with EU objectives; specifically, eEncourages the Member States to strengthen relations between their respective National Energy Efficiency Action Plans and the OPs with a view to ensuring that European Structural and Investment Funds will be part of a coherent strategy while still responding to territorial needs; points out that this could be enhanced within the new framework of ex-ante conditionalities;
Amendment 79 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)
Paragraph 14 a (new)
14a. Believes that EU measures should support energy efficiency in the energy production, distribution and consumption phases; notes that while currently cohesion policy energy funding is mainly spent on renewables1, a better balance must be reached by which a greater percentage of funding is targeted at energy efficiency projects; __________________ 1 Commission by Ismeri Europa entitled ‘Expert evaluation network delivering policy analysis on the performance of Cohesion policy 2007-2013 – Synthesis of national reports 2011 - renewable energy and Energy efficiency of housing’ http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/source s/docgener/evaluation/pdf/eval2007/expert _innovation/2011_synt_rep_en.pdf
Amendment 83 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16
Paragraph 16
16. Calls on the Commission to improve further andthe disseminate the incomplete and asymmetric information that is now available on EE issues,of practical information on EE issues to local and regional authorities about the gains to be made from EE investment, the best methodologies and the providers of relevant services, including energy performance contracting; notes the problems of a lack of energy service companies in many regions and Member States which will effect the uptake of EE funding;
Amendment 86 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17
Paragraph 17
17. Highlights that the lack of detailed information regarding characteristics of the building stock at the regional level presents a major barrier for national and regional authorities when formulating strategies and plans; notes the requirements for the listing of such information as foreseen in Directive 2012/27/EU and asks for this to be completed at regional level as well and made available to the public;
Amendment 87 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 18
Paragraph 18
18. Encourages Managing Authorities to improve the visibility of OPs and the opportunities for sustainable energy projects they offer potential beneficiariepotential beneficiaries of offered sustainable energy projects; suggests that this be done through the creation of national websites, platforms or database for potential beneficiaries and stakeholders, the organisation of workshops and events to inform target groups, and measures to improve the visibility and accessibility to existing web resources (such as the Build Up web portal and the SF Energy Invest Manual);
Amendment 90 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 19
Paragraph 19
19. Encourages Managing Authorities, in the upcoming programming period 2014- 2020, to promote integrated projects by adopting a holistic approach to EE on a territorial level, in particular by making use of the new strategic programming tools, such as Integrated Territorial Investment, and by involving existing initiatives, such as the Covenant of Mayors, to help develop integrated plans; encourages the Commission and Member States to apply a 'fast-track' approach to fund applications from authorities which are signatures to the Covenant of Mayors and are fully implementing its requirements;
Amendment 93 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 20
Paragraph 20
20. Suggests that the Commission, the Member States and the Managing Authorities set up a Concerted ActionWelcomes the annual 'Open Days' conference and the number of panels dedicated to local and regional energy efficiency projects in 2012; suggests that the Commission, the Member States and the Managing Authorities build upon this event towards set up an information exchange platform with a view to promote much needed dialogue and an exchange of best practices for the implementation and management of EE projects funded by European Structural and Investment Funds, with a view to promote much needed dialogue and an exchange of best practices;
Amendment 95 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 21
Paragraph 21
21. Calls on the Member States to follow up on the Commission's recommendations and to increase capacity building, using technical assistance budgets, in order that local, regional and civil society actors can participate in regional climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies;
Amendment 98 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22
Paragraph 22
22. Acknowledges that the transition to energy efficient technologies requires new skills, environment-conscious vocational education and specific training in construction and other sectors; encourages, in this regard, the Member States to continue to use funds to provide technical assistance at all levels (such as through the ELENA facility); calls, furthermore, on the Member States to make use of the Structural Funds to re-train and up-skill workers for newly emerging jobs in the low-carbemission economy;
Amendment 102 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 22 a (new)
Paragraph 22 a (new)
22a. Encourages further administrative support to LRA towards the grouping of small and medium size energy efficiency projects which would normally be below the minimum financial limits for access to the ELENA, JESSICA and Intelligent Energy programmes; draws the attention of the Member States and the Commission to the fact that small and medium-sized towns and rural communities often lack the necessary administrative capacity to use new financial instruments fully;
Amendment 107 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 25
Paragraph 25
25. Highlights with concern that the current economic and financial crisis, and the extensive austerity measures implemented across the EU, have made it increasingly difficult for the Member States to find the funding needed to co- finance Cohesion Policy programmes related to EE; finds it essential, in this regard, that new innovative ways of financing EE projects are found;
Amendment 115 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 27 a (new)
Paragraph 27 a (new)
27a. Emphasises that the allocation of funds must be based on principles of proportionality, cost effectiveness and economic effectiveness and that it must not increase administrative burdens;
Amendment 116 #
Motion for a resolution
Subheading 6
Subheading 6
Climate realitiand competitiveness realities and energy prices
Amendment 118 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 28
Paragraph 28
28. Highlights the importance of adaptingregularly assessing whether EE measures and requirements to climate realitieare still adequate in relation to both climate realities, the competitiveness impacts on industry and SMEs as well as the energy price implications in different Member States and regions; calls on the Commission to consider this carefully when preparing a set of performance indicators;
Amendment 123 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 29
Paragraph 29
29. Supports the progress of the MARIE programme in setting up a Mediterranean Building Energy Efficiency Improvement Strategy; calls, in this regard, on the Member States in the Mediterranean area to share best practices in order to deliver a cost-optimal model for southern Europe; calls for the creation of similar programmes in other European regions, especially Central Europe;
Amendment 125 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 30
Paragraph 30
30. Calls on the Member States to set demanding targets for ensuring that public buildings, and both private and social housing, meet the highest EU EE standards as foreseen in Directive 2010/31/EU, and to make them subject to energy certification on a regular basis;
Amendment 130 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 31
Paragraph 31
31. Calls on the Commission to clarify the common indicators for EE in Cohesion policy to be applied and used by the Member States in the upcoming programming period 2014-2020;
Amendment 133 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 32
Paragraph 32
32. Calls on the Commission to develop, without delayin consultation with the Member States, EE project assessment guidelines, which could serve as a basis for setting up project evaluation, monitoring and verification mechanism;
Amendment 135 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 33
Paragraph 33
33. Calls on the Member States to apply result indicators and project selection criteria for EE that measure actual energy savings potential; s well as the use of transparent project selection criteria and standard investment costs per unit of energy to be saved, with a maximum acceptable simple payback period for EE projects;
Amendment 136 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 34
Paragraph 34
34. Takes note of the latest Court of Auditors report on the cost-effectiveness of cohesion policy investments in EE; highlights the Court's recommendation of using transparent and stricter selection criteria for projects both at the EU and Member State level; agrenotes with the Court's conclusion that assessment criteria used to make an investment decision must be clearer and more precise as regards to how EE aspects are to be considered;
Amendment 140 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 36
Paragraph 36
36. Points out that energy consumption in buildings constitutes the largest share – 40 % – of total final energy consumption in the EU in 2010, of which 26.7% was household consumption; regrets that most Member States fall short when it comes to making full use of the energy saving potential of buildings; calls on the Commission to find ways to guaranteencourage that the greatest energy saving potential will not remained untapped;
Amendment 144 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 37
Paragraph 37
37. Notes that energy saving potential, which largely depends on the condition of existing building stock, is not equally spread among the Member Stateregions;
Amendment 149 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 40
Paragraph 40
40. Calls on the relevant public authorities to speed up the renovation of buildings they own, using Cohesion Policy funding to provide the needed leverage and create exemplarity alongside promoting and helping private businesses to invest in EE projects;
Amendment 151 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 41
Paragraph 41
41. Calls on the Commission to build awareness around the real potential of deep renovation and staged deep renovation of the building stock by supporting Member States in the preparation of their renovation roadmapstrategies; recommends that these roadmapstrategies be developed in parallel with proposals for OPs, and that they focus on incorporating the use of innovative FI and include indicative milestones to build investor confidence;
Amendment 154 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 42
Paragraph 42
42. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and the Commiss, the Commission and the Committee of the Regions.