What changed

1. PROPOSAL FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DECISION

– having regard to the statement of assurance as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2022, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

– having regard to the Council’s recommendation of …22 February 2024 on discharge to be given to the Agency in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2022 (00000/2024 – C90000/2024),

– having regard to Article 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

– having regard to the opinion of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety,

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A90000/2024),(A9-0130/2024),

1. Grants the Executive Director of the European Environment Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2022 / Postpones its decision on granting the Executive Director of the European Environment Agency discharge in respect of the implementation of the Agency’s budget for the financial year 2022;

2. Sets out its observations in the resolution below;

2. PROPOSAL FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DECISION

– having regard to the statement of assurance as to the reliability of the accounts and the legality and regularity of the underlying transactions provided by the Court of Auditors for the financial year 2022, pursuant to Article 287 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

– having regard to the Council’s recommendation of…of 22 February 2024 on discharge to be given to the Agency in respect of the implementation of the budget for the financial year 2022 (00000/2024 – C90000/2024),

– having regard to Article 319 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

– having regard to the opinion of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety,

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A90000/2024),(A9-0130/2024),

1. Approves the closure of the accounts of the European Environment Agency for the financial year 2022 / Postpones the closure of the accounts of the European Environment Agency for the financial year 2022;

2. Instructs its President to forward this decision to the Executive Director of the European Environment Agency, the Council, the Commission and the Court of Auditors, and to arrange for its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union (L series).

3. MOTION FOR A EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT RESOLUTION

– having regard to the opinion of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety,

– having regard to the report of the Committee on Budgetary Control (A90000/2024),(A9-0130/2024),

A. whereas, according to its statement of revenue and expenditure, the final budget of the European Environmental Agency (the ‘Agency’) for the financial year 2022 was EUR 88 173 021021, representing an increase of 35,93 % compared to 2021; whereas the Agency’s budget derives from the Union budget and the EFTA contribution (63,32 %) and contributions under specific agreements (36,67 %);

B. whereas the Court of Auditors (the ‘Court’), in its report on the annual accounts of the Agency for the financial year 2022 (the ‘Court's report’), states that it has obtained reasonable assurance that the Agency’s annual accounts are reliable and that the underlying transactions are legal and regular;

Budget and financial management

1. Notes with appreciation that the budget monitoring efforts during the financial year 2022 resulted in a budget implementation rate of 100 % of the current year commitment appropriations, the same as 2021; notes that the current year payment appropriations execution rate was 86,66 %, representing an increase of 1,75 % compared to the previous year;2021;

2. Notes that the Court concluded in its report in 2021 that the use of a negotiated procedure without prior publication to amend a framework contract by doubling the initial budget to EUR one1 million was irregular and as a result, all subsequent payments made in connection with this procedure are irregular; notes furthermore that the contract expired in December 2022 and the associated 2022 payments amounted to EUR 470 660; notes that the current status of thisthe Court’s observation on this is already closed;

Performance

3. Notes that the Agency’s performance framework is structured around five performance objectives monitored by 17 multiannual KPIskey performance indicators (KPIs) which includeinclude, inter alia, staff occupancy rate, budget execution and delivery of the annual work programme among others;programme; observes that 95the %delivery rate of the annual work programme as regards key reports and assessment wasachieved delivered95 % and 96 % as regards core set indicators updated, both above the target stablishedestablished at 90 %; takes note of the indicators that have not yet been achieved or are lagging behind;

4. Takes noteWelcomes that 2022in 2022, the Agency continued to play a key role in informing actions to support the environment, responding to the objectives of the European Green Deal (EGD) and the Eighth8th Environment Action Programme (8th(‘8th EAP),EAP’), as well as to Europe's overall ambitions and global commitments; welcomes that the Agency continued to deliver on agreed actions and tasks, and took on new ones in support of the green transition and the implementation of the European Climate Law, while linking actions to the EU adaptation strategy; notes furthermore that it was the second year of the implementation of the Agency-EuropeanEuropean Environment Information and Observation Network (Eionet) Strategy 2021-2030, which aims to give EUUnion policy makers and the public the best available knowledge to reach the targets on environment and sustainability;

5. Observes that in 2022, amid heat waves, droughts and forest fires affecting large parts of Europe as well as with the continent experiencing the hottest summer on record, the Agency was mentioned in 27 000 online articles, and several staff members were interviewed by media outlets across Europe as result of significant media interest, with a focus on the causes and consequences of extreme weather;

6. Recalls that, in 2022, the the Agency undertook new tasks in support of the green transition and the implementation of the European Climate Law, such as the launch of the European Scientific Advisory Board for Climate Change, while linking actions to the EU adaptation strategy, growing the Agency's role in supporting the delivery of Europe's climate targets; appreciates the Agency’s support of members of Parliament’s committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (ENVI) with science based, up-to-date data and information;

7. Welcomes the establishment in 2022 of the new European Topic Centre on Biodiversity and Ecosystems for the period 2023-2026;

Efficiency and gains

6.8. Recalls that in line with the approach in recent years, in 2022, the Agency has continued to pursue efficiency gains through sharing services with the European Commission, other EUUnion agencies, and the EU Agencies Network (EUAN) — Shared Support Office in Brussels; notes that following thisthat practice, the Agency pursued joint procurement with the Commission services and EUAN, either by procuring and leading on framework contracts that are also used by the Commission and other Union agencies or by using framework contracts led by others;

7.9. Notes that the Agency also uses a variety of Commission services (e.g. payroll, IT security) and systems (e.g. ABAC, Sysper, Ares, e-Prior) in line with efficiency gains linked to increased use of electronic tools to support administration processesprocesses, (inincluding in procurement, finance and human resources);resources; also notes that in response to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the Agency has been using online recruitment, supported by the implementation of a recruitment platform (Systal), which allowed itthe Agency to complete a large number of recruitment procedures in both 2021 and 2022, giving a low vacancy rate at the year end;

8.10. NotesNotes, furthermore, that the Agency's continued move to activity-based working has contributed to efficiency gains in the dynamic and flexible use of the refurbished office space, in addition to the extended possibility of teleworking for EEAthe Agency’s staff; notes also with satisfaction that the Agency has gone ‘mobile only’, which in turn has produced considerable savings in telephone costs;

11. Recalls the importance of increasing the digitalisation of the Agency in terms of internal operation and management but also in order to speed up the digitalisation of procedures; stresses the need for the Agency to continue to be proactive in that regard in order to avoid a digital gap between Union agencies; draws attention, however, on the need to take all the necessary security measures to avoid any risk to the online security of the information processed; insists on the need to step up action against cyberattacks or infiltration attempts particularly those originating from Russia or China;

12. Invites the Agency to continue promoting cooperation with other Union agencies and international organisations, and fostering dialogue with stakeholders and citizens;

Staff policy

9.13. Notes that, on 31 December 2022, the establishment plan was 97,33 % implemented, with 3three permanent officials and 143 temporary agents appointed out of 150 posts authorised under the Union budget (compared to 140 authorised posts in 2021); notes that, in addition, 84 contract agents and 13 seconded national experts worked for the Agency in 2022; notes that from 2021 to 2023, the establishment plan authorizedauthorised under the Union budget has increased inby 25 Temporarytemporary agents and 14 Contractcontract Agentsagents to address new tasks arising from the Scientific Advisory Board for Climate Change, LULUCF, Seveso and Naturenature Restorationrestoration Legislation;legislation;

10.14. NotesRegrets the lack of gender balance among the Agency’s senior management members, with 6six out of 9nine (67 %) being men; notes with satisfaction the gender balance within the Agency’s management board, with 18 out of 36 (50 %) being men; notes the gender balance within the Agency’s overall staff, with 118 out of 221 (53 %) being women; asks the Agency to ensure gender balance at the senior management level in the future; notes that the Agency has not adopted the ‘Charter on diversity and inclusion’;inclusion’ and encourages the Agency to adopt it and actively participate in initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace;workplace;15. Raises concerns about the geographical balance within the Agency’s senior and middle management having no managerial staff from central and eastern Europe; insists that improvements have to be made; asks the Agency to report back on this to the discharge authority;

11.16. NotesWelcomes that the Agency has a wellbeing coordinator and has donecarried out extensive work on awareness raising and setting up processes for staff returning from long term absence andand, in case needed, staff are offered professional assistance via the medical advisor;

12.17. Observes that to reduce the risk of burnout -burnout, the Agency has introduced a stress monitoring app (called ‘Howdy)‘Howdy’) with their health provider; takes note that staff are signed up to the app and asked a series of questions on a regular basis to monitor their stress levels and if there is an increase in this level, they are contacted by a medical psychologist to discuss the outcome; notes that there is the option for staff to consultconsult, for up to three visitsvisits, with a psychologist at the Agency’s medical provider to work through issues,issues; highlights that all this is handled anonymously with only statistics fed back to the Agency;

Prevention and management of conflicts of interest and transparency

18. Notes that the Agency has a policy on protecting the dignity of the person and preventing psychological and sexual harassment, and that the Agency is part of the interagency task force of confidential counsellors; looks forward to receiving their report and recommendations; notes that there were no cases of harassment reported in 2022 and encourages the Agency to continue and develop the work to prevent cases in the future as well;

13. Recalls that Senior management members and Management Board members shall provide a declaration of interest which is published on the Agency website; notes that senior management members shall, as part of the career development dialogue, update the awareness of conflict of interest based on a self declaration (as part of the self-assessment), where the senior management member, as a member of staff, shall state whether any new engagements or activities have been, or are to be, undertaken that could give rise to a potential conflict of interest; observes that when finalising the career development plan, the line manager responsible shall specify his/her own assessment of the question of conflict of interest.; notes that there were no cases of conflict of interest identified in 2022;

19. Notes with concern that despite the multi-year nature of the Agency’s tasks, an imbalance exists concerning the numbers of permanent versus contractual posts, as well as operational staff versus support staff, leading to a constant need for reskilling as well an overload of administrative work for scientists; calls on the Agency to review its staffing policy; considers that taking into account the substantial increase of workload, and in order to properly perform the tasks on the Union’s goals for, inter alia, climate neutrality, circular economy and nature restoration, the Agency’s staff number should continue to substantially grow in the years to come;Prevention and management of conflicts of interest and transparency

14. Notes that the Agency continues to keep track of submitted CVs and declarations of interests for management board members and senior managers and they are published in its website;

20. Recalls that senior management members and management board members should provide a declaration of interest which is to be published on the Agency website; notes that senior management members should, as part of the career development dialogue, update the awareness of conflict of interest based on a self declaration (as part of the self-assessment), where the senior management member, as a member of staff, should state whether any new engagements or activities have been, or are to be, undertaken that could give rise to a potential conflict of interest; observes that when finalising the career development plan, the line manager responsible should specify his or her own assessment of the question of conflict of interest.; notes that there were no cases of conflict of interest identified in 2022;

15. Notes that according to the follow up 2021 discharge observations, the Agency is in the process of reviewing its policy on the prevention and management of conflict of interest to assess its fitness and relevance following a risk-based approach; notes that in doing so, the Agency will consider its internal control and anticorruption mechanisms and make adjustments to any gap which it may identify; calls on the Agency to report back to the discharge authority on the result of the above mentioned assessment;

21. Notes that the Agency continues to keep track of submitted CVs and declarations of interests for management board members and senior managers and they are published in its website;

22. Notes that according to the follow up 2021 discharge observations, the Agency is in the process of reviewing its policy on the prevention and management of conflict of interest to assess its fitness and relevance following a risk-based approach; notes that in doing so, the Agency will consider its internal control and anticorruption mechanisms and make adjustments to any gap which it may identify; calls on the Agency to report back to the discharge authority on the result of the above mentioned assessment;

23. Acknowledges the achieved visibility of the Agency; is of the opinion that there is still a room for greater visibility in the media, internet, and social media in order to make its work and the dangers to our environment known to the citizens;

Internal control

16.24. Takes note that in 2022, the Agency continued to work on the structural changes in its ways of working launched in 2021; notes that once changes are fully in placeplace, full attention will be given to updating the documentation of procedures, which will remedy the weaknesses identified in the Agency’s internal control framework; notes that the Agency's risk management approach is partially compliant, as it identifies and analyses risks across the organization,organisation, but the systematic identification, assessment, and follow-up of risks at the project group level have been limited;

17.25. Observes that the control activities to mitigate risks are also partially compliant, as they are outdatedas, due to structural changes in 2022;2022, they are outdated; notes that the European Topic Centre policy and the policy for grants are also outdated given the change in the verification structure that was put in place in 2022 and2022; with regard to Businessbusiness continuity plans, they are in place and have been effectively used during crises, but their measures are scattered across various documents and have not been updated to reflect new ways of working; calls on the Agency to report back to the discharge authority on the measures taken to update the documentation of procedures;

Other comments

18.26. Welcomes that in September 2022, the EU Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) registration for the Agency was successfully extended by a competent body for another year; notes with satisfaction from the Court’s report that the AuthorityAgency is among the agencies that issue an annual environmental statement;

19.27. Commends the Agency for its ongoing efforts towards public visibility and online presence in 20222022, likesuch as the development of an interactive digital corporate publication ‘EEA 2021: the year in brief’ to explain what the Agency is and doesdoes, and the ongoing multiannual web project which delivered key elements in 2022, amongst themwhich, a user-centric navigation logic and updated content across the key knowledge areas based on intense user analysis;

20.28. Commends the Agency for taking part in a special task force to bring together knowledge, expertise and data for mapping the environmental impact of the Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified attack against Ukraine;

°

° °

21.29. Refers, for other observations of a cross-cutting nature accompanying its decision on discharge, to its resolution of ... on the performance, financial management and control of the agencies.

ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT

The rapporteur declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

12.2.2024

OPINION OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE ENVIRONMENT, PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY

for the Committee on Budgetary Control

on discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Environment Agency for the financial year 2022

(2023/2149(DEC))

Rapporteur for opinion: Pascal Canfin

SUGGESTIONS

The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety calls on the Committee on Budgetary Control, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions into its motion for a resolution:

1. Stresses that the European Environment Agency (EEA) provides sound, independent information on the environment; commends the quality of its outputs released in 2022, such as the Trends and projections in Europe 2022 Report, an overview of progress on emission reductions, renewable energy deployment and energy efficiency gains; the support to the EU biodiversity strategy for protected areas and nature restoration; the delivery of the Zero pollution monitoring assessment, which measures progress under the zero pollution action plan; highlights in this context the crucial importance of high-quality and accurate environmental information as a prerequisite for combating ongoing climate change and for meeting the Union's climate ambitions;

2. Recalls that, in 2022, the EEA undertook new tasks in support of the green transition and the implementation of the European Climate Law, such as the launch of the European Scientific Advisory Board for Climate Change, while linking actions to the EU adaptation strategy, growing the EEA's role in supporting the delivery of Europe's climate targets; appreciates the EEA’s support of members of the ENVI committee with science based, up-to-date data and information;

3. Notes that in 2022, the EEA's total budget was EUR 92 857 777, of which EUR 49 682 516 came from the general budget of the Union; recalls that policymakers rely on the expertise and support of the EEA in facilitating the reforms required to achieve a climate neutral future; stresses that inadequate resources for the EEA may undermine the ability of the institutions to deliver on commitments in relation to key policy instruments related to the EU′s policy framework until 2030 namely the the European Green Deal (EGD), the Eighth Environment Action Programme (8th EAP), and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); Notes that in this regard the EEA delivers actionable knowledge across five interlinked thematic work areas, namely biodiversity and ecosystems, climate change mitigation and adaptation, human health and the environment, circular economy and resource use and sustainability trends, prospects and responses.

4. Notes with satisfaction that EEA achieved excellent budget implementation in 2022, with cancelled appropriations well below the 3% threshold and that a positive budgetary outturn of EUR 251 876 is to be reimbursed to the Commission.

5. Welcomes that the Court of Auditors, in its "Annual report on EU agencies for the financial year 2022" has stated that it has obtained reasonable assurances that the EEA's annual accounts for 2022 are reliable and that the underlying transactions are legal and regular;

6. Highlights that the delivery rates for EEA key performance indicators 2022 were high, with a budget execution rate of 99,5% of the annual budget, 95% delivery rate of key reports and assessments, and high engagement with key stakeholders and network partners throughout the year.

7. Notes that 2022 was an extreme year for climate and weather events, recording, among other things, the hottest European summer on record and heat waves, droughts and forest fires affecting large parts of Europe, which resulted in significant media interest and an EEA media coverage increase by 20% compared to 2021, reaching 27,818 articles; notes that EEA combined social media reach amounted to 224,000 followers across channels, growing by 8% compared with 2021.

8. Notes that after EEA received an increase in its establishment table in 2020 for the first time since 2013, a significant increase in operational staff followed in 2021 and 2022, making a total of 150 approved posts. Notes that EEA was able to fill 98% of the approved posts; notes that the EEA has 243 posts, out of which 85% are dedicated to operational activities and 15% to support; notes with concern that despite the multi-year nature of EEA’s tasks, an imbalance exists concerning the numbers of permanent versus contractual posts as well as operational staff versus support staff, leading to a constant need for reskilling as well an overload of administrative work for scientists; calls on the EEA to review its staffing policy; considers that taking into account the substantial increase of workload and in order to properly perform the tasks on the Union’s goals for, inter alia, climate neutrality, circular economy and nature restoration, their number should continue to substantially grow in the years to come;

9. Recalls the importance of sufficiently informing the public about the risks of inaction as regards combating and adapting to climate change; welcomes the EEA's communication activities in this context, be it audiovisual content, online debates, the annual photo competition or local communication activities, and calls on the EEA to develop and, if possible, step up its activities in the upcoming period.

10. Invites the EEA to continue promoting cooperation with other Union agencies and international organisations, and fostering dialogue with stakeholders and citizens;

11. Welcomes the establishment in 2022 of the new European Topic Centre on Biodiversity and Ecosystems for the period 2023-2026;

12. Highlights the fact that effective cooperation with Eionet, EU institutions and other stakeholders, such as EU agencies and global partners, has been maintained despite numerous crises;

13. Recommends, based on the facts available, that discharge be granted to the Executive Director of the European Environment Agency in respect of the implementation of the Agency's budget for the financial year 2022.

ANNEX: ENTITIES OR PERSONS FROM WHOM THE RAPPORTEUR HAS RECEIVED INPUT

The Chair in his capacity as rapporteur declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.

INFORMATION ON ADOPTION IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

Date adopted

24.1.2024

Result of final vote

+:

–:

0:

73

4

8

Members present for the final vote

Catherine Amalric, Maria Arena, Hildegard Bentele, Sergio Berlato, Michael Bloss, Delara Burkhardt, Pascal Canfin, Sara Cerdas, Mohammed Chahim, Nathalie Colin-Oesterlé, Maria Angela Danzì, Esther de Lange, Christian Doleschal, Bas Eickhout, Pietro Fiocchi, Heléne Fritzon, Malte Gallée, Gianna Gancia, Catherine Griset, Teuvo Hakkarainen, Anja Hazekamp, Martin Hojsík, Jan Huitema, Karin Karlsbro, Petros Kokkalis, Danilo Oscar Lancini, Peter Liese, Javi López, César Luena, Elżbieta Katarzyna Łukacijewska, Marian-Jean Marinescu, Lydie Massard, Liudas Mažylis, Marina Mesure, Silvia Modig, Dolors Montserrat, Alessandra Moretti, Ville Niinistö, Ljudmila Novak, Nikos Papandreou, Francesca Peppucci, Stanislav Polčák, Jessica Polfjärd, Erik Poulsen, Nicola Procaccini, Frédérique Ries, María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, Maria Veronica Rossi, Silvia Sardone, Günther Sidl, Maria Spyraki, Petar Vitanov, Alexandr Vondra, Emma Wiesner

Substitutes present for the final vote

Christophe Clergeau, Martin Häusling, Billy Kelleher, Dace Melbārde, Marlene Mortler, Manuela Ripa, Edina Tóth

Substitutes under Rule 209(7) present for the final vote

Mazaly Aguilar, Katarina Barley, Daniel Buda, Asger Christensen, Ana Collado Jiménez, Marie Dauchy, Margarita de la Pisa Carrión, Matthias Ecke, Paola Ghidoni, Peter Jahr, Thierry Mariani, Sara Matthieu, Beata Mazurek, Nora Mebarek, Ivan Vilibor Sinčić, Sara Skyttedal, Michaela Šojdrová, Sergei Stanishev, Achille Variati, Idoia Villanueva Ruiz, Veronika Vrecionová, Thomas Waitz, Mick Wallace, Stefania Zambelli

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

Key to symbols:

INFORMATION ON ADOPTION IN COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

Date adopted

4.3.2024

Result of final vote

+:

–:

0:

21

2

0

Members present for the final vote

Dominique Bilde, Gilles Boyer, Olivier Chastel, Caterina Chinnici, Ilana Cicurel, Carlos Coelho, Daniel Freund, Isabel García Muñoz, Monika Hohlmeier, Joachim Kuhs, Markus Pieper, Petri Sarvamaa, François Thiollet

Substitutes present for the final vote

Katalin Cseh, Bas Eickhout, Hannes Heide, Marian-Jean Marinescu, Sabrina Pignedoli, Wolfram Pirchner

Substitutes under Rule 209(7) present for the final vote

Malin Björk, Michael Gahler, César Luena, Miguel Urbán Crespo

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

Key to symbols: