Activities of Cornelia ERNST related to 2020/0036(COD)
Plenary speeches (2)
European Climate Law (debate)
European Climate Law (continuation of debate)
Shadow opinions (1)
OPINION on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 (European Climate Law)
Amendments (57)
Amendment 72 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 2 a (new)
Recital 2 a (new)
(2 a) The Covid-19 crisis has led to a very significant decrease in greenhouse gas emissions demonstrating that it is possible to meet the UN Environment Programme's recommendation of a 7,6% annual emissions reduction4a to contribute to limiting global warming to the 1.5°C goal in the Paris Agreement. Nevertheless, this has been done without any systemic changes and without any planning and anticipation, which can lead to possible rebound effects and dramatic social consequences. Therefore, it is crucial to use this unique opportunity to radically change the production and consumption models and to put forward a democratic and social planning of the ecological transition. _________________ 4a UN Environment Programme, Emissions Gap Report, 2019
Amendment 128 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 15 a (new)
Recital 15 a (new)
(15a) The Commission in its Communication Europe's moment: Repair and Prepare for the Next Generation announced its intention to accelerate the digital transformation. The Covid-19 emergency highlighted the dependence on energy for societal participation, the exercise of citizenship and the ability to work in a digital economy. In order to prevent social exclusion and to ensure that EU citizens reach their full potential in the digital transformation the Commission shall ensure that all EU citizens have a right to energy including provisions for access to energy and protection and support for vulnerable consumers.
Amendment 138 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 17
Recital 17
(17) The Commission, in its Communication ‘The European Green Deal’, announced its intention to assess and make proposals for increasing the Union’s greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2030 to ensure its consistency with the climate-neutrality objective for 2050. In that Communication, the Commission underlined that all Union policies should contribute to the climate-neutrality objective and that all sectors should play their part. By September 2020, the Commission should, based on a comprehensive impact assessment and taking into account its analysis of the integrated national energy and climate plans submitted to the Commission in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council36 , review the Union’s 2030 target for climate and explore options for a new 2030 target of 50 to 5570 % emission reductions compared with 1990 levels. Where it considers necessary to amendincrease the Union’s 2030 target, it should make proposals to the European Parliament and to the Council to amend this Regulation as appropriate. In addition, the Commission should, by 30 June 2021, assess how the Union legislation implementing that target would need to be amended in order to achieve emission reductions of 50 to 55 70% compared to 1990. _________________ 36Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, amending Regulations (EC) No 663/2009 and (EC) No 715/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, Directives 94/22/EC, 98/70/EC, 2009/31/EC, 2009/73/EC, 2010/31/EU, 2012/27/EU and 2013/30/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, Council Directives 2009/119/EC and (EU) 2015/652 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 525/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 328, 21.12.2018, p. 1).
Amendment 141 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
Recital 16
(16) The transition to climate neutrality requires changes across the entire policy spectrum and a collective effort of all sectors of the economy and society, as illustrated by the Commission in its Communication ‘The European Green Deal’. The European Council, in its Conclusions of 12 December 2019, stated that all relevant Union legislation and policies need to be consistent with, and contribute to, the fulfilment of the climate- neutrality objective while respecting a level playing field, and invited the Commission to examine whether this requires an adjustment of the existing rules. Therefore, the Commission should assess the carbon footprint of major transport and energy infrastructure projects, taking into account the whole life cycle, including indirect emissions and should consider alternatives that take into account the global decrease of energy consumption as well as passenger and goods transports.
Amendment 153 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 18
Recital 18
(18) To ensure the Union and the Member States remain on track to achieve the climate-neutrality objective and progress on adaptation, the Commission should regularly assess progress. Should the collective progress made by Member States towards the achievement of the climate-neutrality objective or on adaptation be insufficient or Union measures inconsistent with the climate- neutrality objective or inadequate to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience or reduce vulnerability, the Commission should take the necessary measures in accordance with the Treaties. This should also apply to measure foreseen as part of the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, both at EU and Member State level. The Commission in its Communication Europe's moment: Repair and Prepare for the Next Generation described the European Green Deal as Europe’s growth strategy to this end, accordingly the Commission and Member States shall ensure that all measures taken towards economic recovery are geared towards and consistent with the climate-neutrality objective. The Commission should also regularly assess relevant national measures, and issue recommendations where it finds that a Member State’s measures are inconsistent with the climate-neutrality objective or inadequate to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change.
Amendment 188 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23 a (new)
Recital 23 a (new)
(23 a) Emissions from the transport sector have continuously increased since 1990, showing the failure of the measures based solely on new technologies without addressing the continuous increase of goods and passengers transport. General decrease of transportation in order to reduce emissions should be pursued through, in particular, ending the offshoring of value-added chains through free-trade agreements and the reshoring of productions, limitation to mass tourism and the development of local and sustainable tourism.
Amendment 196 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23 b (new)
Recital 23 b (new)
(23 b) The Commission should present as soon as possible and by spring 2021 at the latest a comprehensive set of legislation to reduce emissions from air transport taking into account the overall impact of emissions on climate change, especially the radiative effect which can double the impact on climate change. The Commission should focus on the general decrease of air transport rather than on hypothetical technological breakthrough and put forward a plan to phase out harmful “biofuels”.
Amendment 199 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23 c (new)
Recital 23 c (new)
(23 c) The Commission should start as soon as possible, and by spring 2021 at the latest, an evaluation of the ecological sustainability of all short-haul and taxi flights carried in the European Union sky, taking into account the availability and potential development of alternative transports, especially rail. This evaluation should then be used as groundwork for a legislative proposal in order to limit those flights when other viable alternatives exist.
Amendment 202 #
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23 d (new)
Recital 23 d (new)
(23 d) The Commission should present as soon as possible, and at the latest by spring 2021, a comprehensive set of legislation to reduce emissions from maritime transport, focusing on the general decrease of maritime transport rather than on hypothetical technological breakthrough and put forward a plan to phase out harmful “biofuels”.
Amendment 210 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
Article 1 – paragraph 1
This Regulation establishes a framework for the irreversible and gradualpid reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and enhancement of removals by natural or other sinks in the Union.
Amendment 213 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2
Article 1 – paragraph 2
This Regulation sets out a binding objective of climate neutrality in the Union by 20540 in pursuit of the long-term temperature goal set out in Article 2 of the Paris Agreement to limit the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, and provides a framework for achieving progress in pursuit of the global adaptation goal established in Article 7 of the Paris Agreement.
Amendment 217 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 3
Article 2 – paragraph 3
3. By September 2020, 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 5570% 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 appropriate.
Amendment 218 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 3
Article 1 – paragraph 3
This Regulation applies to anthropogenic emissions and removals by natural or other sinks of the greenhouse gases listed in Part 2 of Annex V to Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.
Amendment 219 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – title
Article 2 – title
2 Climate-neutrality objectives
Amendment 221 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 1
Article 2 – paragraph 1
1. Union-wide emissions, including Unions-related emissions from international maritime and air transport, embedded emissions and removals of greenhouse gases regulated in Union law shall be balanced at the latest by 20540, thus reducing emissions to net zero by that date; this measure applies to each Member State.
Amendment 231 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4
Article 2 – paragraph 4
4. By 30 June 2021, the Commission shall assess how the Union legislation implementing the Union’s 2030 target would need to be amended in order to enable the achievement of 50 to 5570 % emission reductions compared to 1990 and to achieve the climate-neutrality-objective set out in Article 2(1), and consider taking the necessary measures, including the adoption of legislative proposals, in accordance with the Treaties.
Amendment 232 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 2
Article 2 – paragraph 2
2. The relevant Union institutions and the Member States shall take the necessary measures at Union and national level respectively, to enable the collective and individual achievements of the climate- neutrality objectives set out in paragraph 1, taking into account the importance of promoting fairness and solidarity among Member States, social cohesion and protection of vulnerable citizens.
Amendment 246 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 3
Article 2 – paragraph 3
3. By September 2020, the Commission shall reviewIn light of objectives set out in article 2(1), 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 appropriateshall be set to be emission reductions of 70% compared to 1990.
Amendment 267 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4
Article 2 – paragraph 4
4. By 30 June 2021, the Commission shall assess how the Union legislation implementing the Union’s 2030 target would need to be amended in order to enable the achievement of 50 to 55 70% emission reductions compared to 1990 and to achieve the climate-neutrality-objective set out in Article 2(1), and consider taking the necessary measures, including the adoption of legislative proposals, in accordance with the Treaties.
Amendment 270 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a
(a) cost-effectiveness and economic efficiencyenvironmental impact and social benefit;
Amendment 279 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point b
Amendment 285 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1
Article 3 – paragraph 1
1. The Commission is empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 9 to supplement this Regulation by setting out aBy 30 September 2025, the Commission shall assess the trajectory at Union level to achieve the climate- neutrality objective set out in Article 2(1) until 2050. At the latest within six months after each global stocktake referred to in Article 14 of the Paris Agreement, the Commission shall review the trajectory and make legislative proposals.
Amendment 289 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point c
(c) best available technologyand sustainable technology and the need to phase out of fossil fuels;
Amendment 291 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a
Amendment 296 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a a (new)
(a a) the best available and most recent scientific evidence, including the latest reports of the IPCC;
Amendment 297 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point d
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point d
(d) energy efficiency, energy affordability, citizens’ right to energy and security of supply;
Amendment 297 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point a b (new)
(a b) international developments and efforts undertaken to achieve the long- term objectives of the Paris Agreement and the ultimate objective of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change;
Amendment 298 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point b
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point b
Amendment 304 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point c
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point c
(c) best available technologtechnology based on a very low use of energy and natural resources, robustness, recyclability and broad accessibility;
Amendment 317 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point g
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point g
Amendment 324 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point h
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point h
(h) the need to ensure a just and socially fair transition, ensuring employees professional reconversion mechanisms towards sustainable sectors while maintaining and upgrading current salary levels;
Amendment 328 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point h a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point h a (new)
(h a) Union responsibility for historical emissions, which can be seen as a climate debt, and its technological and economical resources;
Amendment 330 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point i
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point i
Amendment 334 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j
Amendment 351 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j a (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j a (new)
(ja) the need to phase out of fossil fuels;
Amendment 354 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j b (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j b (new)
(j b) resilience to climate change and other health emergencies;
Amendment 356 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j c (new)
Article 3 – paragraph 3 – point j c (new)
(j c) the need to protect vulnerable citizens.
Amendment 372 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 4
Article 5 – paragraph 4
4. The Commission shall assess any draft measure or legislative proposal in light of the climate-neutrality objective set out in Article 2(1), as well as the carbon footprint of major infrastructure projects taking account the whole life cycle, including indirect emissions, as expressed by the trajectory referred to in Article 3(1) before adoption, and include this analysis in any impact assessment accompanying these measures or proposals, and make the result of that assessment public at the time of adoption.
Amendment 374 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4 a. The Commission shall assess the overall impacts of “biofuels” from first, second and third generations: greenhouse emissions related to land use change and deforestation, greenhouse emissions related to “biofuels” transport, loss of natural sinks, loss of biodiversity, land grabbing, competition with subsistence agriculture and increase of vital food prices. The Commission and Member States shall accordingly re-evaluate their financial support to “biofuels” and put forward plans to phase them out.
Amendment 375 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 4 b (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 4 b (new)
4 b. The Commission shall bring forward proposals to phase out direct and indirect EU and national support for fossil fuels.
Amendment 376 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 4 c (new)
Article 5 – paragraph 4 c (new)
4 c. The Commission shall put forward a methodology to include embedded emissions in EU and Member States emissions balances in order to reflect the overall global carbon footprint.
Amendment 408 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
Article 8 – paragraph 1 a (new)
1a. Acknowledging the huge responsibility of fossil fuel industry on climate change, covering their responsibilities in it and denying its effect, representatives of this industry shall not be authorised to participate to climate-related legislative making process, Furthermore, EU institutions and Member States shall prohibit all forms of fossil fuels promotion and sponsorship.
Amendment 463 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – point c
Article 6 – paragraph 3 – point c
(c) the recommendations should be complementary to the latest coucountry-specific recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester should be complimentary- specific to the recommendations issued in the context of the European Semester. accordance with paragraph 2 and contribute to reaching the objectives of this Regulation..
Amendment 481 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
Article 8 – paragraph 1
The Commission shall engage with all parts of society to enable and empower them to take action towards a climate- neutral and climate-resilient society. The Commission shall facilitate an inclusive and accessible process at all levels, including at national, regional and local level and with social partners, citizens and civil society, for the exchange of best practice and to identify and carry out actions to contribute to the achievement of the objectives of this Regulation. In addition, the Commission may also draw on the multilevel climate and energy dialogues as set up by Member States in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999.
Amendment 493 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 9 a (new)
Article 9 a (new)
Article 9 a The Commission in its Communication Europe's moment: Repair and Prepare for the Next Generation announced its intention to accelerate the digital transformation. The Covid-19 emergency highlighted the dependence on energy for societal participation, the exercice of citizenship and the ability to work in a digital economy. In order to prevent social exclusion and to ensure that EU citizens reach their full potential in the green and digital transformation, the Commission shall propose legislation that gives EU citizens a right to energy including provisions for access to energy and protection and support for vulnerable consumers.
Amendment 498 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 1
Regulation (EU) 2018/1999
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point a
Article 1 – paragraph 1 – point a
(a) implement strategies and measures designed to meet the Union’s climate- neutrality objective as set out in Article 2 of Regulation …/… [Climate Law], the objectives and targets of the Energy Union, international commitments under the Paris Agreement and for the first ten-year period, from 2021 to 2030, in particular the Union’s 2030 targets for energy and climate;;
Amendment 505 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 4
Regulation (EU) 2018/1999
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point e
Article 8 – paragraph 2 – point e
(e) the manner in which existing policies and measures and planned policies and measures contribute to the achievement of the Union’s climate- neutrality objective set out in Article 2 of Regulation …/… [Climate Law]. and international commitments under the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 509 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Within a year after adoption of the current legislation, the Commission shall assess the needed 2030 target for reducing methane emissions, from all sources including biogenic sources, to enable the achievement of the climate-neutrality objectives set out in article 2. Within a year after adoption of the current legislation, the Commission shall propose policy options for rapidly reducing methane emissions from all sources, including biogenic sources, and shall put forward a Union strategic plan for methane in line with the Article 16 of Regulation 2018/1999 article.
Amendment 509 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 5
Regulation (EU) 2018/1999
Article 11
Article 11
Each Member State shall establish a multilevel climate and energy dialogue pursuant to national rules, in which local authorities, civil society organisation, trade unions, business community, investors and other relevant stakeholders and the general public are able actively to engage and discuss the achievement of the Union’s climate-neutrality objective set out in Article 2 of Regulation …/… [Climate Law] and the different scenarios envisaged for energy and climate policies, including for the long term, and review progress, unless it already has a structure which serves the same purpose. Integrated national energy and climate plans may be discussed within the framework of such a dialogue.;
Amendment 514 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 6
Regulation (EU) 2018/1999
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – point c
Article 15 – paragraph 3 – point c
(c) achieving long-term greenhouse gas emission reductions and enhancements of removals by sinks in all sectors in accordance with the Union's climate- neutrality objective set out in Article 2 of Regulation …/… [Climate Law] and international commitments under the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 517 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point a
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point a
Regulation (EU) 2018/1999
Annex I – Part 1 – section A – point 3.11 – point i
Annex I – Part 1 – section A – point 3.11 – point i
(i) Policies and measures to achieve the target set under Regulation (EU) 2018/842 as referred in point 2.1.1 and policies and measures to comply with Regulation (EU) 2018/841, covering all key emitting sectors and sectors for the enhancement of removals, with an outlook to the climate-neutrality objective set out in Article 2 of Regulation …/… [Climate Law] and international commitments under the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 518 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point b
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 7 – point b
Regulation (EU) 2018/1999
Annex I – Part 1 – section B – point 5.5
Annex I – Part 1 – section B – point 5.5
5.5. The contribution of planned policies and measures to the achievement of the Union’s climate-neutrality objective set out in Article 2 of Regulation …/… [Climate Law] and international commitments under the Paris Agreement;
Amendment 521 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point 8
Regulation (EU) 2018/1999
Annex VI – point c – point viii
Annex VI – point c – point viii
(viii) an assessment of the contribution of the policy or measure to the achievement of the Union’s climate-neutrality objective set out in Article 2 of Regulation …/… [Climate Law] and international commitments under the Paris Agreementand to the achievement of the long-term strategy referred to in Article 15;.
Amendment 522 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4 b (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 4 b (new)
4b. Within a year after adoption of the current legislation, the Commission shall assess the needed 2030 target for reducing nitrous oxide emissions from all sources, to enable the achievement of the climate- neutrality objectives set out in Article 2. Within a year after adoption of the current legislation, the Commission shall propose policy options for rapidly reducing nitrous oxide emissions from all sources and shall put forward a Union strategic plan for nitrous oxide.
Amendment 524 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 2 – paragraph 4 c (new)
Article 2 – paragraph 4 c (new)
4c. Within a year after adoption of the current legislation, the Commission shall assess the needed 2030 target for reducing CO2 emission from each land accounting category as referred in Article 2 of the Regulation 2018/841, to enable the achievement of the climate-neutrality objectives set out in article 2. Within a year after adoption of the current legislation, the Commission shall propose policy options for rapidly reducing CO2 emission from each land accounting category as referred in Article 2 of the Regulation 2018/841 and shall put forward a Union strategic plan for these emissions.
Amendment 904 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b a (new)
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 1 – point b a (new)
(ba) the consistency of national measures for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and for the sequestration of carbon on agricultural land, implemented through CAP Strategic Plans submitted in accordance with Regulation (EU) [XX] establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the Common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans), as relevant for the achievement of the climate-neutrality objective set out in Article 2 with that objective as expressed by the trajectory referred to in Article 3(1);
Amendment 909 #
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
Article 6 – paragraph 1 – subparagraph 2
The Commission shall submit the conclusions of that assessment, together with the State of the Energy Union Report prepared in the respective calendar year in accordance with Article 35 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999 and in the relevant year together with the performance assessment as required under Article 128 of Regulation (EU) [XX] establishing rules on support for strategic plans to be drawn up by Member States under the Common agricultural policy (CAP Strategic Plans), to the European Parliament and to the Council.