44 Amendments of Giancarlo SCOTTÀ related to 2012/0337(COD)
Amendment 77 #
Proposal for a decision
Title
Title
Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on a General Union Environment Action Programme to 2020 ‘Living well, within the limits of on our planet’ (Text with EEA relevance) (This amendment applies throughout the text)
Amendment 108 #
Proposal for a decision
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
Article 2 – paragraph 1 – point b
(b) to turn the Union into amake competitive a circular, low- carbon economy that is resource- efficient, green and competitive low- carbon economy and respects the environment and ecosystems;
Amendment 124 #
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. FighAdapting to 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.
Amendment 137 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 10
Annex 1 – point 10
10. The following 2050 vision is intended to help guide action up to and beyond 2020: In 2050, we live well, within the planet's ecological limits. Our prosperity and healthy environment stem from an innovative, circular economy – on the basis of the fundamental postulate that 'nothing is created, nothing is lost, everything is transformed'1 – where nothing is wasted and where natural resources are managed in ways that enhance our society's resilience. Our low carbon growth has longwill, as far as possible, been decoupled from resource use, setting the pace for a global sustainable economy. __________________ 1 Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier.
Amendment 148 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 16
Annex 1 – point 16
16. The EU’s economic prosperity and well-being is underpinned by its natural capital, which includes ecosystems that provide essential goods and services, from fertile soil and multi-functional forests to productive land and seas, from fresh water and clean air to pollination, flood control and climate regulation and protection against natural disasters. A substantialhuge body of EU legislation seeks to protect, conserve and enhance natural capital, including the Water Framework Directive (WFD), the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the Air Quality and related directives and the Habitats and Birds Directives. Legislation to tackle climate change, chemicals, industrial emissions and waste also contribute to easing the pressures on biodiversity, including ecosystems, species and habitats.
Amendment 161 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 19
Annex 1 – point 19
19. Protecting, conserving and enhancing the EU’s natural capital therefore also requires tackling problems at source through, inter alia, better integration of natural capital objectives into other policies, ensuring that policies are coherent and deliver co-benefits. The greening elements set out in the Commission’s reform proposals, notably for EU agriculture, fisheries and cohesion policy, backed by the proposals for greening the EU budget under the Multi-Annual Financial Framework 2014-2020 (MFF) are designed to support these objectives. For instance, aquatic ecosystems in rural areas should benefit from the linking of farm payments to compliance with relevant requirements of the WFD as set out in the Commission's proposals for the reform of the CAP40. Greening of the CAP will also promote the environmentally beneficial agricultural practices of crop diversification, the protection of permanent grassland, and the establishment and maintenance of ecologically valuable farmland and forest areas.
Amendment 187 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 26 – introductory part
Annex 1 – point 26 – introductory part
26. In order to protect, conserve and enhance the EU's natural capital, the programme shallould ensure that by 2020:
Amendment 206 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 26 – subparagraph 2 – point d
Annex 1 – point 26 – subparagraph 2 – point d
(d) STaking account of the different geographical and climate conditions, strengthening efforts to reach full compliance with EU air quality legislation and defining strategic targets and actions beyond 2020.
Amendment 218 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – Priority objective 2
Annex 1 – Priority objective 2
Priority objective 2: To turn the EU into a resource-efficient, greenmake competitive a circular, low-carbon economy that is resource-efficient and respects the environment and ecompetitive low-carbon economy systems Or. it (Cf. amendment to Article 2(1)(b)).
Amendment 220 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 27
Annex 1 – point 27
27. The Europe 2020 Strategy’s ‘Resource- efficient Europe’ Flagship Initiative aims to support the shift towardsmake competitive an economy that is efficient in the way it uses all resources, decouples, absolutelys far as possible, economic growth from resource and energy use and its environmental impacts, reduces GHG emissions, enhances competitiveness through efficiency andaims at innovation and promotes greater energy security. The Roadmap to Resource Efficient Europe43 and the Roadmap for moving to a competitive low-carbon economy44 are key building blocks of the Initiative, setting out the framewoince they take some of the various possible scenarios as benchmarks for future actions to deliver on these objectives.
Amendment 225 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 28
Annex 1 – point 28
28. Innovation to improve resource efficiency is required across the economy to improve competitiveness in the context of rising resource prices, scarcity and supply constraints. The business sector is the prime driver of innovation, including eco-innovation. However, markets will not deliver on their own. Government action, at Union and Member State level, is essential to provide the right framework conditions for eco-innovation, stimulating should therefore confine itself to providing a general framework for eco-innovation, in order to avoid skewing the natural evolution of the free market towards the development of sustainable business or technological solutions to environmental challenges.
Amendment 228 #
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 toincrease in competitiveness of a 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.
Amendment 231 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 30
Annex 1 – point 30
30. Fully implementing the EU Climate and Energy Package is considered to be essential tofor reaching the milestones identified for 2020 and for building a competitive, low-carbon economy bymeeting the objectives for 2050. Whereas the EU is currently on track to reduce domestic GHG emissions 20 % below 1990 levels by 2020, meeting the 20 % energy efficiency target will require far more rapid efficiency improvements. This is also important in the light of still-growing demand for energy andit is regrettable to note that the implementation of the package is causing an unsustainable increase in the cost of energy and is paradoxically encouraging carbon leakage. It is hoped that the new Energy Efficiency Directive will significantly remedy this problem. As regards the efficient and sustainable use of resources, account should be taken in particular of the on-going debate on conflicts between land use for food and for bio-energy. The new Energy Efficiency Directive is expected to make a significant contribution in this regardfuels.
Amendment 237 #
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 global agreement, but also towith the aim of provideing Member States and industry with a clear framework to make the medium- and long-term investments needed. Hence the EU needs to consider policy options for delivering the reductions set out in the Low-Carbon Economy Roadmap for the period beyond 2020. 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 probably continue to be a central pillarone of the key instruments of EU climate policy beyond 2020.
Amendment 247 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 34
Annex 1 – point 34
34. Since 80% of all product-related environmental impacts are locked in during their design phase, the EU policy framework should ensure thatact as an incentive for priority products placed on the EU market arto be ‘eco-designed’ with a view to optimising resource and material efficiency, by addressing inter alia recyclability, recycled content and durability. These requirements will have to be implementable and enforceable. Efforts will be stepped up at EU and national level to remove barriers to eco-innovation and to unlock the full potential of Europe’s eco- industries, generating benefits for green jobs and growth.
Amendment 264 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 38
Annex 1 – point 38
38. Turning waste into a resource, as called for in the Resource Efficiency Roadmap, requires the full implementation of EU waste legislation across the EU, based on strict application of the waste hierarchy and covering different types of waste. Additional efforts are needed to: reduce per capitanational waste generation in absolute terms, limit energy recovery to non- recyclable materials, phase out landfillingrelation to GNP, ensure high quality recycling, and develop markets for secondary raw materials. Hazardous waste will need to be managed so as to minimise significant adverse effects on human health and the environment, as agreed at the Rio+20 Summit. To achieve this, market-based instruments that privilege prevention, recycling and re-use should be applied much more systematically across the EU. Barriers facing recycling activities in the EU internal market should be removed and existing prevention, re-use, recycling, recovery and landfill diversion targets reviewed so as to move towards a ‘circular’ economy, with a cascading use of resources and residual waste close to zero.
Amendment 273 #
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, whilst ensuring that each citizen has access to this vital resource. 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 279 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 41 – introductory part
Annex 1 – point 41 – introductory part
41. In order to turn the EU into a resource-efficient, green and competitive low-carbon economymake competitive a circular, low-carbon economy that is resource-efficient and that respects the environment and ecosystems, the programme shallould ensure that by 2020: Or. it (Cf. amendment to Article 2(1)(b)).
Amendment 281 #
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 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°that are consistent with the economic climate and the international situation within the UNFCCC.
Amendment 290 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 41 – subparagraph 1 - point d
Annex 1 – point 41 – subparagraph 1 - point d
(d) Waste is safely managed as a resource, waste generated per capita is in absolute decline, energy recovery is limited to non- recyclable materials and landfilling of recyclable and compostable materials is effectively eradicatedin relation to GNP is in decline, recyclable and compostable waste is genuinely sent for recycling and recovery.
Amendment 295 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 41 – subparagraph 2 – point a
Annex 1 – point 41 – subparagraph 2 – point a
(a) Fullyreezing the implementingation of the Climate and Energy Package and agreeing on the EU’s climate and energy policy framework , with the exception of energy efficiency standards, until, internationally, a new legally binding global agreement has been signed, with a view to reducing GHG emissions by 80-95% by 2050 compared to 1990, as part of a global effort the period beyond 2020o limit average temperature increase to below 2°C.
Amendment 300 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 41 – subparagraph 2 - point c
Annex 1 – point 41 – subparagraph 2 - point c
(c) Giving impetus to the public and private research and innovation efforts required for rolling out innovative technologies, systems and business models which will speed up and lower the cost of transition toincrease the competitiveness and cost-efficiency of a low-carbon, resource- efficient economy.
Amendment 310 #
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 to non- recyclable materialsrecyclable and compostable waste is genuinely sent for recycling and recovery, recycled waste is used as a majorn additional, 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 336 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 48
Annex 1 – point 48
48. Horizontal chemicals legislation (REACH and the Classification, Labelling and Packaging Regulations) provides baseline protection for human health and the environment and promotes the uptake of evolving non-animal testing methods. However, there is still uncertainty about the impacts on human health and the environment from the combined effects of different chemicals (mixtures), nanomaterials, chemicals that interfere with the endocrine (hormone) system (endocrine disruptors) and chemicals in products. In recent years, more information has come to light on the need for action to deal with these challenges, especially if the EU is to attain the goal agreed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in 2002, and reaffirmed at the Rio+20 Summit, to have ensured ‘the minimisation of significant adverse effects’ of chemicals on human health and the environment by 2020 and to respond to new and emerging issues and challenges in an effective, efficient, coherent and coordinated manner. The EU will further develop and implement approaches to address combination effects of chemicals and safety concerns related to the adverse effects of endocrine disruptors and set out a comprehensive approach for minimising adverse effects of hazardous substances, including chemicals in products, supported by a comprehensive chemical exposure and toxicity knowledge base. The safety and sustainable management of nanomaterials will be ensured as part of a comprehensive approach involving risk assessment and management, information and monitoring. Together these approaches will increase the chemical knowledge base and provide a predictable framework driving the development of more sustainable solutions.
Amendment 340 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 50
Annex 1 – point 50
50. Climate change willis expected to further aggravate environment problems by causing prolonged droughts and heat waves, floods, storms and forest fires, and new or more virulent forms of human, animal or plant disease. Dedicated action should be taken to ensure that the EU is adequately prepared to face the pressures and changes resulting from climate change, strengthening its environmental, economic and societal resilience. Since many sectors are and will be increasingly subject to climate change impacts, adaptation and disaster risk management considerations need to be further integrated into EU policies.
Amendment 347 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 52 – subparagraph 1 – point d
Annex 1 – point 52 – subparagraph 1 – point d
(d) The combination effects of chemicals and safety concerns related to the adverse effects of endocrine disruptors are effectively addressed, and risks for the environment and health associated with the use of hazardous substances, including chemicals in products, is assessed and minimised.
Amendment 354 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 52 – subparagraph 2 – point a
Annex 1 – point 52 – subparagraph 2 – point a
(a) Implementing updated EU policy on air quality, aligned with the latest scientific knowledge and variety of geographical and climate conditions, and measures to combat air pollution at source.
Amendment 368 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 58
Annex 1 – point 58
58. Second, the EU will extend requirements on inspections and surveillance to the wider body of EU environment law, complementing these with an EU-level capacity that can address situations where there is due reason for concernstrengthen the Member States' IMPEL network, providing appropriate long-term financing and stepping up the pooling of best practice, including at regional and local level.
Amendment 374 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 63 – introductory part
Annex 1 – point 63 – introductory part
63. In order to maximise the benefits of EU environment legislation, the programme shallould ensure that by 2020:
Amendment 382 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 63 – subparagraph 2 - point c
Annex 1 – point 63 – subparagraph 2 - point c
(c) Extending binding criteria for effective Member State inspections and surveillance to the wider body of EU environment law, and developing a complementary capacity at EU level to address situations where there is due reason for concern, backed up by support for networks of professionalswhilst at the same time strengthening the IMPEL network.
Amendment 402 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 69 – indent 4
Annex 1 – point 69 – indent 4
– Ensuring all sectors contribute to efforts to combatadapt to climate change requires a clear overview of GHG measurement, monitoring and data collection, which is currently incomplete for key sectors, such as agriculture.
Amendment 405 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 71 – introductory part
Annex 1 – point 71 – introductory part
71. In order to improve the evidence base for environment policy, the programme shallould ensure that by 2020:
Amendment 422 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 72
Annex 1 – point 72
72. The efforts required to achieve the objectives set out above will need adequate investment from public and private sources. At the same time, while many countries are struggling to cope with the economic and financial crisis, the need for economic reforms and the reduction of public debts offer new opportunities to move rapidly towards a more resource- efficient, low-carbon economymove towards a more resource-efficient, low- carbon economy can present an opportunity in terms of the reforms needed to boost economic growth and, accordingly, reduce public debt.
Amendment 425 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 74
Annex 1 – point 74
74. The Union and Member States will need to put in place the right conditions to ensure that environmental externalities are adequately addressed and that the right market signals are sent to the private sector, with due regard to any adverse social impacts. This will involve applying the polluter-pays principle more systematically, through phasing out environmentally harmful subsidies and shifting taxation away from labour towards pollution. As natural resources become increasingly scarce, the economic rent and profits associated with their ownership or exclusive use may increase. Public intervention to ensure that such rents are not excessive and that externalities are taken into account will lead to more efficient use of these resources and will help to avoid market distortions, as well as generate public revenue. Environment and climate priorities will be pursued in the framework of the European Semester where these are relevant to the sustainable growth prospects of individual Member States to which country-specific recommendations are addressed. Other market-based instruments, such as payments for ecosystem services, should be used more extensively aAt EU and national level to incentivise, private sector involvement and sustainable management of natural capital should be incentivised.
Amendment 437 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 82 – introductory part
Annex 1 – point 82 – introductory part
82. In order to secure investment for environment and climate policy and get the prices right, the programme shallould ensure that by 2020:
Amendment 446 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 86 – introductory part
Annex 1 – point 86 – introductory part
86. In order to improve environmental integration and policy coherence, the programme shallould ensure that by 2020:
Amendment 454 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 91 – introductory part
Annex 1 – point 91 – introductory part
91. In order to enhance the sustainability of EU cities, the programme shallould ensure that by 2020:
Amendment 470 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 95
Annex 1 – point 95
95. The time span covered by this programme corresponds to key phases in international climate, biodiversity and chemical policy. TAccording to the IPCC, to remain within the 2 °C ceiling, global GHG emissions need to be cut by at least 50 % of their 1990 levels by 2050. However, only half the emission reductions required by 2020 have been pledged by Parties under the UNFCCC. Without more resolute global action, climate change is unlikely to be curtailmitigated. Even in a best- case scenario, countries will increasingly face inevitable impacts of climate change because of historical GHG emissions and will need to develop climate adaptation strategies. Under the Durban Platform for Enhanced Action, a comprehensive and robust agreement applicable to all is to be agreed by 2015 and implemented as of 2020. The EU will remain engaged proactively in this process, including in discussions on how to close the gap between current emission reduction pledges by developed and developing countries, and on action needed to stay on an emission pathway compatible with the 2oC objective. The follow-up to Rio+ 20 should also help reduce GHG emissions, thus supporting the fight againstadaptation to climate change. In parallel, the EU should pursue and further intensify climate change partnerships with strategic partners and should take further action to mainstream environment and climate considerations in its development policexternal policy on the basis of reciprocity and conditionality.
Amendment 478 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 98
Annex 1 – point 98
98. The EU should also leverage its position as one of the largest markets in the world to promote policies and approaches that decrease pressure on the global natural resource base. This can be done by changing patterns of consumption and production, as well as ensuring that trade and internal market policies support the achievement of environmental and climate goals and provide incentives to, on the basis of reciprocity, include clauses to ensure that other countries to upgrade and enforce their environmental regulatory frameworks and standards and combat environmental dumping. The EU will continue to promote sustainable development through the negotiation and implementation of dedicated provisions in its international trade agreements and should consider other policy options to reduce the impacts of EU consumption on the environment in non- EU countries. An example of such a policy option are the bilateral Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) partnerships, which establish a framework to ensure only legally-harvested timber enters the EU market from partner countries.
Amendment 483 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 100 – introductory part
Annex 1 – point 100 – introductory part
100. In order to increase the EU’s effectiveness in addressing regional and global environmental and climate challenges, the programme shallould ensure that by 2020:
Amendment 490 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 100 – subparagraph 2 - point b
Annex 1 – point 100 – subparagraph 2 - point b
(b) Working towards a more effective UN structure for sustainable development through strengthening UNEP in line with the outcome of Rio+20, while continuing to strive for an upgrade of UNEP's status to that of UN Agency, and supporting ongoing efforts to enhance synergies between Multilateral Environmental Agreements;
Amendment 491 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 100 – subparagraph 2 - point c
Annex 1 – point 100 – subparagraph 2 - point c
(c) Strengthening the impact of various sources of funding, including taxation and the release of domestic resource mobilisations, private investment, new and innovative sources, and creating options for using development aid to leverage these other sources of financing as part of the sustainable development financing strategy established in Rio, as well as in the EU’s own policies, including international commitments on climate and biodiversity finance.
Amendment 492 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 100 – subparagraph 2 - point d
Annex 1 – point 100 – subparagraph 2 - point d
(d) Engaging with partner countries in a more strategic way. This should involve focusing cooperation: 1) with strategic partners on the promotion of best practice in domestic environment policy and legislation and convergence in multilateral environmental negotiations; 2) with countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy on gradual approximation with key EU environment and climate policy and legislation and on strengthening cooperation to address regional environmental and climate challenges; 3) with developing countries to support their efforts to protect the environment, fightadapt to climate change and reduce natural disasters, and implement international environmental commitments as a contribution to poverty reduction and sustainable development.
Amendment 497 #
Proposal for a decision
Annex 1 – point 100 – subparagraph 2 - point f
Annex 1 – point 100 – subparagraph 2 - point f
(f) Ratifying all key multilateral environmental agreements well before 2020.;