Sittings · Document
OPINION (COM(2023)0161 – C90062/2023 – 2023/0081(COD)) 2023-10-09
On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act)
Committee on Employment and Social Affairs · Rapporteur: MariePierre Vedrenne
SHORT JUSTIFICATION
Equipping people with the right skills and preparing the workforce to the net-zero technologies is an essential piece of the green transition puzzle. Ensuring Europe’s competitiveness in the industries of the future while moving towards climate neutrality can only become real if the EU and its Member States invest massively in people and in the right skills. Having the knowledge to design, produce, install, update and recycle net-zero technologies is a matter of strategic autonomy and while competition from other regions of the world is on the rise, it is high time for the EU to act on this.
Strategic autonomy and Made in Europe
The current labour shortages in several strategic sectors in Europe hinder its industrial capacities. The EU is currently a net importer of key components and technologies and this dependency is a threat to the EU’s economy and prosperity. While there has been high demands from citizens and national initiatives to boost EU made technologies, the answers provided so far still lack an appropriate coordination between an industry strategy and skills- related policies. In addition, and despite their global nature, the industrial policies implemented on other continents can be seen as protectionist, thus reinforcing the need for the EU to act.
The Rapporteur welcomes the proposal put forward by the Commission and its attempt to put the skills dimension as an integral part of the net-zero industry act. An ambitious chapter on skills is key to contribute to the EU’s open strategy autonomy by ensuring that the workforce can match the EU’s ambitions towards a climate neutral economy with high social standards. To achieve this objective, it is necessary to ensure that this new Regulation is supported by a fact-based approach, sufficient financial means, a solid governance structure involving the relevant stakeholders and is well coordinated with other relevant EU policies and instruments. Only that way can the investment in net-zero technologies pays off and be deployed massively across the Union’s territory.
Deploying the learning content of the Academies
The creation of the Net Zero Academies building up on the expertise and knowledge of the best European actors in each sector. is a timely answer to the need for a better skilled workforce, To be successful, the Rapporteur wants the Net Zero Academies to be based on a mapping exercise assessing the shortage in net-zero technologies according to the principle of technology neutrality and analysing the lack of training opportunities in such technologies across the EU. In addition, the Academies shall cover the value chain of the concerned sectors and support all workers, regardless of their age, gender or education. Their design and the learning content that they will produce shall facilitate upskilling, reskilling, adult education and long-term training, as well as be adequate for apprenticeships. A special emphasis to make the Net Zero academies and the corresponding careers more attractive to women, young and older workers is also necessary, as well as making them affordable and accessible. Reinforcing attractiveness of the net-zero industries and deploying adequate learning programmes to all workers today will contribute to counter the labour shortage of tomorrow. Mobility should also be seen as key to the success of this regulation, and should be encouraged and facilitated notably through the recognition of diploma, training certificates, and micro credentials.
Attracting talents
Providing mobility opportunities will not only help workers move where jobs are located but it will also make the EU more attractive for outside talents and boost the competitiveness of the EU’s economy. Europe must be able to attract and train skilled workers it needs from third countries to support its net-zero-emission industries through national or European talent schemes. Europe’s competitiveness is at stake: Europe needs to strengthen its market share in sectors with very high added value, which are currently dominated by competitors on other continents.
Appropriate funding
To match this ambition, appropriate funding should be allocated to the Net-Zero Academies. While they should, in the long run, thrive towards being self-sufficient and receive private funding, the EU shall support their launch and implementation, while ensuring their close coordination with relevant EU funding instruments, such as the ESF +. Given the urgency for the EU industrial sector, Net Zero Academies should be running and providing content by the end of 2025.
Governance structure
Net Zero Academies must reflect the diversity and richness of our continent and sectorial actors. Universities, training centres, and enterprises, including SMEs and start-ups, ideally from different member states and with linguistic diversity should come together to train the EU workforce in the best way possible, and end the current shortage of a skilled workforce. All this work shall be coordinated by a well-governed net-zero Europe platform ensuring a proper link with national efforts in deploying the learning content of the Academies. Proper monitoring shall also be an essential component of this platform, which shall keep a close look at and report on the results achieved in the Member States, while allowing for an update of the scope and content of the Academies.
Public Procurement
By introducing social criteria in public procurement, the Rapporteur wants to promote quality jobs that strive for equality and social justice in the tendering process. Public procurement could then become a powerful tool for advancing not only economic prosperity but also coherence with the EU public policies, such as environmental and social policies.
AMENDMENTS
The Committee on Employment and Social Affairs calls on the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, as the committee responsible, to take the following into account:
Amendment 1
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (6) The net-zero transformation is already causing huge industrial, economic, and geopolitical shifts across the globe, which will become ever more pronounced as the world advances in its decarbonisation efforts. The road to net zero translates into strong opportunities for the expansion of Union’s net-zero industry, making use of the strength of the Single Market, by promoting investment in technologies in the field of renewable energy technologies , electricity and heat storage technologies, heat pumps, grid technologies, renewable fuels of non-biological origin technologies, electrolysers and fuel cells, fusion, small modular reactors and related best-in-class fuels, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies, and energy-system related energy efficiency technologies and their supply chains, allowing for the decarbonisation of our economic sectors, from energy supply to transport, buildings, and industry. A strong net zero industry within the European Union can help significantly in reaching the Union’s climate and energy targets effectively, as well as in supporting other Green Deal objectives, while creating jobs and growth. | (6) The net-zero transformation is already causing huge industrial, economic, and geopolitical shifts across the globe, which will become ever more pronounced as the world advances in its decarbonisation efforts. The road to net zero translates into strong opportunities for the expansion of Union’s net-zero industry and the related jobs, making use of the strength of the Single Market, by promoting investment in technologies in the field of renewable energy technologies, electricity and heat storage technologies, heat pumps, grid technologies, renewable fuels of non-biological origin technologies, electrolysers and fuel cells, fusion, small modular reactors and related best-in-class fuels, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies, and energy-system related energy efficiency technologies and their supply chains, allowing for the decarbonisation of our economic sectors, from energy supply to transport, buildings, and industry. A strong net zero industry within the European Union can help significantly in reaching the Union’s climate and energy targets effectively, as well as in supporting other Green Deal objectives, while creating quality jobs, sustainable growth and ensuring decent working conditions for all. |
Amendment 2
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 16
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (16) The Union has helped build a global economic system based on open and rules-based trade, pushed for respecting and advancing social and environmental sustainability standards, and is fully committed to those values. | (16) The Union should promote a global economic system based on open and rules-based trade providing quality jobs, including a living wage, job security and access to social protection, lifelong learning opportunities, good working conditions in safe and healthy workplaces, reasonable working time with a good work-life balance, as well as trade union representation and bargaining rights, respecting and advancing social and environmental sustainability standards. |
Amendment 3
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 21
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (21) In order to maintain competitiveness and reduce current strategic import dependencies in key net-zero technology products and their supply chains, while avoiding the formation of new ones, the Union needs to continue strengthening its net zero industrial base and become more competitive and innovation friendly. The Union needs to enable the development of manufacturing capacity faster, simpler and in a more predictable way. | (21) In order to maintain competitiveness and reduce current strategic import dependencies in key net-zero technology products and their supply chains, while avoiding the formation of new ones, the Union needs to continue strengthening its net zero industrial base and become more competitive and innovation friendly. The Union needs to enable the development of manufacturing capacity faster, simpler and in a more predictable way, without compromising on its high environmental and social standards and values. Union policies should ensure regional and social cohesion in view of overcoming structural differences between regions as well as social inequalities, including inequalities between women and men. |
Amendment 4
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 22
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (22) Member States should submit updated drafts of their 2021-2030 National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) in June 202340 . As emphasised in the Commission’s Guidance to Member States for the update of the 2021-2030 national energy and climate plans41 , the updated plans should describe Member States’ objectives and policies to facilitate the scale-up of manufacturing projects of commercially available energy efficient and low-carbon technologies, equipment and key components within their territory. Those plans should also describe Member States’ objectives and policies to achieve such scale-up through diversification efforts in third countries, and to enable their industries to capture and store CO2 emissions permanently in geological storage sites. | (22) Member States should submit updated drafts of their 2021-2030 National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) in June 202340 . As emphasised in the Commission’s Guidance to Member States for the update of the 2021-2030 national energy and climate plans41 , the updated plans should describe Member States’ objectives and policies to facilitate the scale-up of manufacturing projects of commercially available energy efficient and low-carbon technologies, equipment and key components within their territory. Those plans should also describe Member States’ objectives and policies to achieve such scale-up through diversification efforts in third countries, and to enable their industries to capture and store CO2 emissions permanently in geological storage sites. In their revised National Energy and Climate Plans Member States should also identify the social challenges expected from the transition to net zero as well as the detailed measures and resources that will be necessary to manage them, to be compiled as just transition plans in cooperation with the social partners. |
| _________________ | _________________ |
| 40 Member States shall update their national plans for 2021-2030 by June 2023 (draft plans) and June 2024 (final plans). See Article 14 and requirements of Chapter 2 and Annex I of the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. | 40 Member States shall update their national plans for 2021-2030 by June 2023 (draft plans) and June 2024 (final plans). See Article 14 and requirements of Chapter 2 and Annex I of the Regulation (EU) 2018/1999. |
| 41 Commission Notice on the Guidance to Member States for the update of the 2021-2030 national energy and climate plans 2022/C 495/02, (OJ C 495, 29.12.2022, p. 24). | 41 Commission Notice on the Guidance to Member States for the update of the 2021-2030 national energy and climate plans 2022/C 495/02, (OJ C 495, 29.12.2022, p. 24). |
Amendment 5
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 23
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (23) In addition, the Communication on the Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age42 sets out a comprehensive approach to support a clean energy technology scale up based on four pillars. The first pillar aims at creating a regulatory environment that simplifies and fast-tracks permitting for new net-zero technology manufacturing and assembly sites and facilitates the scaling up of the net-zero industry of the Union. The second pillar of the plan is to boost investment in and financing of net-zero technology production, through the revised Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework adopted in March 2023 and the creation of a European Sovereignty fund to preserve the European edge on critical and emerging technologies relevant to the green and digital transitions. The third pillar relates to developing the skills needed to make the transition happen and increase the number of skilled workers in the clean energy technology sector. The fourth pillar focuses on trade and the diversification of the supply chain of critical raw materials. That includes creating a critical raw materials club, working with like-minded partners to collectively strengthen supply chains and diversifying away from single suppliers for critical input. | (23) In addition, the Communication on the Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age42 sets out a comprehensive approach to support a clean energy technology scale up based on four pillars. The first pillar aims at creating a regulatory environment that simplifies and fast-tracks permitting for new net-zero technology manufacturing and assembly sites and facilitates the scaling up of the net-zero industry of the Union. The second pillar of the plan is to boost investment in and financing of net-zero technology production, through the revised Temporary Crisis and Transition Framework adopted in March 2023 and the creation of a European Sovereignty fund to preserve the European edge on critical and emerging technologies relevant to the green and digital transitions. The third pillar relates to developing the skills and quality jobs needed to make the transition happen and increase the number of skilled workers in the clean energy technology sector. The fourth pillar focuses on trade and the diversification of the supply chain of critical raw materials. That includes creating a critical raw materials club, working with like-minded partners, in full compliance with social and labour standards, to collectively strengthen supply chains and diversifying away from single suppliers for critical input. |
| _________________ | _________________ |
| 42 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: A Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age, COM/2023/62 final, 01.02.2023. | 42 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the European Council, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: A Green Deal Industrial Plan for the Net-Zero Age, COM/2023/62 final, 01.02.2023. |
Amendment 6
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (25) Directives 2014/23/EU, 2014/24/EU and 2014/25/EU already allow contracting authorities and entities awarding contracts through public procurement procedures to rely, in addition to price or cost, on additional criteria for identifying the most economically advantageous tender. Such criteria concern for instance the quality of the tender including social, environmental and innovative characteristics. When awarding contracts for net-zero technology through public procurement, contracting authorities and contracting entities should duly assess the tenders’ contribution to sustainability and resilience in relation to a series of criteria relating to the tender’s environmental sustainability, innovation, system integration and to resilience. | (25) Directives 2014/23/EU, 2014/24/EU and 2014/25/EU already allow contracting authorities and entities awarding contracts through public procurement procedures to rely, in addition to price or cost, on additional criteria for identifying the most economically and socially advantageous tender. Such criteria concern for instance the quality of the tender including social, environmental and innovative characteristics. When awarding contracts for net-zero technology through public procurement, contracting authorities and contracting entities should duly assess the tenders’ contribution to environmental and social sustainability as well as resilience in relation to a series of criteria relating to the tender’s environmental and social sustainability, innovation, system integration and to resilience. The tender’s contribution to social sustainability should be assessed against the criteria as to whether it goes beyond the minimum Union and national legal requirements in the area of labour law, social rights and workers’ rights with fair and adequate wages, skilling, reskilling and upskilling measures, gender equality and diversity at work and quality and paid apprenticeships. |
Amendment 7
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (26) Social sustainability criteria can already be applied under existing legislation and can include working conditions and collective bargaining in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights in line with Articles, 30 (3) of Directive 2014/23/EU, 18 (2) of Directive 2014/24/EU and 36 (2) of Directive 2014/25/EU. Contracting authorities should contribute to social sustainability by taking the appropriate measures to ensure that in the performance of public contracts economic operators comply with applicable obligations in the fields of social and labour law established by Union law, national law, collective agreements or by the international environmental, social and labour law provisions listed in Annex X of Directive 2014/23/EU, Annex X of Directive 2014/24/EU and Annex XIV of Directive 2014/25/EU43 . | (26) Social sustainability criteria can already be applied under existing legislation and can include working conditions and collective bargaining in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights in line with Articles, 30 (3) of Directive 2014/23/EU, 18 (2) of Directive 2014/24/EU and 36 (2) of Directive 2014/25/EU. Contracting authorities should contribute to social sustainability by taking the appropriate measures to ensure that in the performance of public contracts economic operators comply with applicable obligations in the fields of Union and national labour law, social rights and workers’ rights, collective agreements or by the international environmental, social and labour law provisions listed in Annex X of Directive 2014/23/EU, Annex X of Directive 2014/24/EU and Annex XIV of Directive 2014/25/EU. |
| __________________ | __________________ |
| 43 Commission Notice "Buying Social - a guide to taking account of social considerations in public procurement (2nd edition)", C(2021) 3573 final. | 43 Commission Notice "Buying Social - a guide to taking account of social considerations in public procurement (2nd edition)", C(2021) 3573 final. |
Amendment 8
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (26a) Member States should use their purchasing power to promote Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP), including gender equality, in order to ensure a good balance between the three pillars of sustainable development - economic, social and environmental - when procuring goods, services or works. |
Amendment 9
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (32) The weighting of criteria on the sustainability and resilience contribution of the tender in relation to public procurement procedures is without prejudice to the possibility for contracting authorities and contracting entities to set a higher threshold for the criteria relating to environmental sustainability and innovation, in line with Article 41 (3) and Recital 64 of Directive 2014/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council50 , Article 67 (5) of Directive 2014/24/EU and Article 82 (5) of Directive 2014/25/EU. | (32) The weighting of criteria on the environmental and social sustainability, as well as resilience contribution of the tender in relation to public procurement procedures is without prejudice to the possibility for contracting authorities and contracting entities to set a higher threshold for the criteria relating to environmental and social sustainability and innovation, in line with Article 41 (3) and Recital 64 of Directive 2014/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council50 , Article 67 (5) of Directive 2014/24/EU and Article 82 (5) of Directive 2014/25/EU. |
| _________________ | _________________ |
| 50 Directive 2014/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the award of concession contracts (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 1). | 50 Directive 2014/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the award of concession contracts (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 1). |
Amendment 10
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 33
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (33) In order to limit administrative burden resulting from the need to take into account criteria relating to the sustainability and resilience contribution of the tender, in particular for smaller public buyers and for contracts of lower value which do not have an important impact on the market, the application of the relevant provisions of this Regulation should be deferred for two years for public buyers which are not central purchasing bodies and for contracts of a value below EUR 25 million. | (33) In order to limit administrative burden resulting from the need to take into account criteria relating to the environmental and social sustainability, as well as resilience contribution of the tender, in particular for smaller public buyers and for contracts of lower value which do not have an important impact on the market, the application of the relevant provisions of this Regulation should be deferred for two years for public buyers which are not central purchasing bodies and for contracts of a value below EUR 25 million. |
Amendment 11
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (35) Households and final consumers are an essential part of the Union’s demand for net-zero technologies final products and public support schemes to incentivize the purchase of such product by households, in particular for vulnerable low- and lower middle-class income households and consumers, are important tools to accelerate the green transition. Under the solar rooftop initiative announced in the EU solar strategy52 , Member States should for instance set-up national programmes to support the massive deployment of rooftop solar energy. In the REPowerEU plan, the Commission called Member States to make full use of supporting measures which encourage switching to heat pumps. Such support schemes set up nationally by Member States or locally by local or regional authorities should also contribute to improving the sustainability and resilience of the EU net-zero technologies. Public authorities should for instance provide higher financial compensation to beneficiaries for the purchase of net-zero technology final products that will make a higher contribution to resilience in the Union. Public authorities should ensure that their schemes are open, transparent and non-discriminatory, so that they contribute to increase demand for net-zero technology products in the Union. Public authorities should also limit the additional financial compensation for such products so as not to slow down the deployment of the net-zero technologies in the Union. To increase the efficiency of such schemes Member States should ensure that information is easily accessible both for consumers and for net-zero technology manufacturers on a free website. The use by public authorities of the sustainability and resilience contribution in schemes targeted at consumers or households should be without prejudice to State aid rules and to WTO rules on Subsidies. | (35) Households and final consumers are an essential part of the Union’s demand for net-zero technologies final products and public support schemes to incentivize the purchase of such product by households, in particular for vulnerable low- and lower middle-class income households and consumers, are important tools to accelerate the green transition. Under the solar rooftop initiative announced in the EU solar strategy52 , Member States should for instance set-up national programmes to support the massive deployment of rooftop solar energy. In the REPowerEU plan, the Commission called Member States to make full use of supporting measures which encourage switching to heat pumps. Such support schemes set up nationally by Member States or locally by local or regional authorities should also contribute to improving the environmental and social sustainability, as well as the resilience of the EU net-zero technologies. Public authorities should for instance provide higher financial compensation to beneficiaries for the purchase of net-zero technology final products that will make a higher contribution to resilience in the Union. Public authorities should also limit the additional financial compensation for such products so as not to slow down the deployment of the net-zero technologies in the Union. To increase the efficiency of such schemes Member States should ensure that information is easily accessible both for consumers and for net-zero technology manufacturers on a free website. The use by public authorities of the environmental and social sustainability, as well as the resilience contribution in schemes targeted at consumers or households should be without prejudice to State aid rules and to WTO rules on Subsidies. |
| _________________ | _________________ |
| 52 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions : EU Solar Energy Strategy, COM(2022) 221 final, 18.05.2022. | 52 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions : EU Solar Energy Strategy, COM(2022) 221 final, 18.05.2022. |
Amendment 12
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 49
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (49) In order for net-zero technology manufacturing projects to be deployed or expanded as quickly as possible to ensure the Union’s security of supply for net-zero technologies, it is important to create planning and investment certainty by keeping the administrative burden on project promoters to a minimum. For that reason, permit-granting processes of the Member States for net zero technology manufacturing projects should be streamlined, whilst at the same time ensuring that such projects are safe, secure, environmentally performant, and comply with environmental, social and safety requirements. Union environmental legislation sets common conditions for the process and content of national permit-granting processes, thereby ensuring a high level of environmental protection. Being granted the status of Net-Zero Strategic Project should be without prejudice to any applicable permitting conditions for the relevant projects, including those set out in Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council58 , Council Directive 92/43/EEC59 , Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council60 , Directive 2004/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council61 , and Directive (EU) 2010/75 of the European Parliament and of the Council62 . | (49) In order for net-zero technology manufacturing projects to be deployed or expanded as quickly as possible to ensure the Union’s security of supply for net-zero technologies, it is important to create planning and investment certainty by keeping the administrative burden on project promoters to a minimum, without compromising on the high environmental and social standards and values of the Union. For that reason, permit-granting processes of the Member States for net zero technology manufacturing projects should be streamlined, whilst at the same time ensuring that such projects are safe, secure, environmentally performant, and comply with environmental, social and safety requirements. Union environmental legislation sets common conditions for the process and content of national permit-granting processes, thereby ensuring a high level of environmental protection. Being granted the status of Net-Zero Strategic Project should be without prejudice to any applicable permitting conditions for the relevant projects, including those set out in Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council58 , Council Directive 92/43/EEC59 , Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council60 , Directive 2004/35/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council61 , and Directive (EU) 2010/75 of the European Parliament and of the Council62 . |
| _________________ | _________________ |
| 58 Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, p. 1). | 58 Directive 2011/92/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 2011 on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment (OJ L 26, 28.1.2012, p. 1). |
| 59 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7). | 59 Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7). |
| 60 Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1). | 60 Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, p. 1). |
| 61 Directive 2004/35/CE of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage (OJ L 143, 30.4.2004, p. 56). | 61 Directive 2004/35/CE of the European Parliament and of the Council of 21 April 2004 on environmental liability with regard to the prevention and remedying of environmental damage (OJ L 143, 30.4.2004, p. 56). |
| 62 Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) (recast) (OJ L 334, 17.12.2010, p. 17). | 62 Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 November 2010 on industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control) (recast) (OJ L 334, 17.12.2010, p. 17). |
Amendment 13
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 64
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (64) The scaling up of European net-zero technology industries requires significant additional skilled workers which implies important investment needs in re-skilling and upskilling, including in the field of vocational education and training. This should contribute to the creation of quality jobs in line with the targets for employment and training of the European Pillar of Social Rights. The energy transition will require a significant increase in the number of skilled workers in a range of sectors, including renewable energy and energy storage, and has a great potential for quality job creation. The skill needs for the fuel cell hydrogen sub-sector in manufacturing alone are estimated at 180.000 trained workers, technicians and engineers by the year 2030, according to the Commission’s European Strategic Energy Technology Plan65 . In the photo-voltaic solar energy sector, up to 66.000 jobs would be needed in manufacturing alone. The European network of employment services (EURES) is providing information, advice and recruitment or placement for the benefit of workers and employers, including across internal market borders. | (64) One of the main objectives of European industrial policy is to enable the green and digital transitions while preserving the sustainable growth and competitiveness of the Union, maintaining quality jobs and strengthening its ability to innovate and produce, particularly with regard to clean technologies. The scaling up of European net-zero technology industries as well as ensuring Europe’s open strategic autonomy require significant additional skilled workers which implies important investment needs in re-skilling and upskilling, including in the field of vocational education and training. More specifically, the energy transition will require a significant increase in the number of skilled workers in a range of sectors, including renewable energy and energy storage, grid technologies, battery production as well as IT/Smart solutions for energy system optimization and management, and other industrial decarbonisation technologies. According to studies, the circular economy could contribute to the creation of around 700,000 jobs in the EU alone by 203064a. It is therefore of utmost importance to make jobs in Net Zero technologies attractive and accessible, especially technical careers including through EU information campaigns to promote technical and vocational education, as well as jobs related to circular economy, resource management and industrial transformation and decarbonisation in general. Furthermore, it is necessary to tackle the current mismatch between the skills of European workers and the needs of companies. The skill needs for the fuel cell hydrogen sub-sector in manufacturing alone are estimated at 180.000 trained workers, technicians and engineers by the year 2030, according to the Commission’s European Strategic Energy Technology Plan65 . In the photo-voltaic solar energy sector, up to 66.000 jobs would be needed in manufacturing alone. In addition, the absence of educational programmes that promote skills necessary for net zero technologies, which also cause a scarcity of skilled employees and a lack of understanding within local administration in certain regions of the Union, can create a significant bottleneck for sustainable industrial development. |
| __________________ | __________________ |
| 64a European Parliament resolution of 10 February 2021 on the New Circular Economy Action Plan (2020/2077(INI)). | |
| 65 European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Joint Research Centre, The strategic energy technology (SET) plan, Publications Office, 2019, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2777/04888. | 65 European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Joint Research Centre, The strategic energy technology (SET) plan, Publications Office, 2019, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2777/04888. |
Amendment 14
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 65
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (65) Since strengthening the manufacturing capacity of key net-zero technologies in the Union will not be possible without a sizeable skilled workforce, it is necessary to introduce measures to boost the activation of more people to the labour market, notably women and young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs), including via skills first approaches as a complement to qualifications-based recruitment. In addition, in line with the objectives of the Council Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate-neutrality, specific support for job-to-job transition for workers in redundant and declining sectors are important. This means investing in skills and in quality job creation required for net-zero technologies in the Union. Building on and fully taking into account existing initiatives such as the EU Pact for Skills, EU level activities on skills intelligence and forecasting, such as by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop) and the European Labour Authority, and the Blueprints for sectoral cooperation on skills, the objective is to mobilise all actors: Member States authorities, including at regional and local levels, education and training providers, social partners and industry, in particular SMEs, to identify skills needs, develop education and training programmes and deploy these at large scale in a fast and operational manner. Net-zero strategic projects have a key role to play in this regard. Member States and the Commission may ensure financial support including by leveraging the possibilities of the Union budget through instruments such as the European Social Fund Plus, Just Transition Fund, European Regional Development Funds, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the Modernisation Fund, REPowerEU and the Single Market Programme. | (65) Since strengthening the manufacturing capacity of key net-zero technologies in the Union will not be possible without a sizeable skilled workforce, it is necessary to introduce measures to boost the integration of more people to the labour market, and to make the industries and the technical careers concerned by this Regulation more attractive, especially to women as the gender balance is far from being reached in technology-oriented professions, and to young people including via skills first approaches as a complement to qualifications-based recruitment. In addition, workers from third countries should also be targeted as the Union only attracts a small share of qualified migrants. In addition, in line with the objectives of the Council Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate-neutrality, specific support for job-to-job transition and with a view to favour lifelong learning and training for workers in redundant and declining sectors are important. This means investing in skills for all, while having, at the same time, a targeted approach towards vulnerable groups. This includes those not in employment, education or training (NEETs), legally residing migrant workers as well as people who are excluded from the labour market, have limited access to training opportunities or are in jobs, which are either at risk of disappearing or whose content and tasks are being highly transformed by new technologies, especially in regions affected by the impacts of the transition towards the Union's 2030 targets pursuant to Article 2 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1056 and Article 5(1) of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 (regions in transition). The end objective should be the creation of quality job required for net-zero technologies in the Union in line with the targets for employment and training of the European Pillar of Social Rights, including fair and adequate wages, improving living and working conditions pursuant to Directive (EU)2022/2041, access to social protection, lifelong learning opportunities, good working conditions in safe and healthy workplaces, as well as collective bargaining rights. In fact, upskilling and reskilling are important tools but do not guarantee quality jobs. Labour shortages might also be the result of low wages, unattractive jobs, poor working conditions, and a lack of investment in vocational education and training (VET). Addressing these issues and improving job quality in sectors and companies with poor working conditions are also important elements to attract workers and address the issue of brain drain which results in growing inequalities between regions, unequal development as well as unequal capacity to drive innovation and create quality jobs. Building on and fully taking into account existing initiatives such as the EU Pact for Skills, EU level activities on skills intelligence and forecasting, such as by the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (Cedefop), Eurofound, and the European Labour Authority (ELA), and the Blueprints for sectoral cooperation on skills, the objective is to mobilise all actors: Member States authorities, including at regional and local levels, education and training providers including universities, research universities, universities of applied science and university alliances, as well as social partners and industry, SMEs, start-ups, and social enterprises to identify skills needs, develop education and training programmes and deploy these at large scale in a fast and operational manner. Net zero strategic projects have a key role to play in this regard. Member States and the Commission should ensure financial support to deploy their impact and outreach by leveraging the possibilities of the Union budget through instruments such as the European Social Fund Plus, InvestEU, Just Transition Fund, European Regional Development Funds, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the Modernisation Fund, REPowerEU and the Single Market Programme. |
Amendment 15
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 66
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (66) Building on previous experiences, such as the EU Pact for Skills and the European Battery Alliance, European Net-Zero Industry Academies should develop and deploy education and training content to upskill and reskill workers required for key net-zero technology value chains, such as solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies, renewable hydrogen technologies and raw materials. The academies would aim to enable the training and education of 100.000 learners each, within three years of their establishment, to contribute to the availability of skills required for the net-zero technologies, including in small and medium-sized enterprises. That content should be developed and deployed with education and training providers in Member States, relevant Member States authorities and social partners. Education and training providers, industry and other actors involved in up- and reskilling in the Member States, such as Public Employment Services, should deliver the content produced by the academies. To ensure skills transparency and portability and the mobility of workers, the European Net-Zero Industry Academies will develop and deploy credentials, including micro-credentials, covering learning achievements. They should be issued in the format of European credentials for learning and could be integrated in EUROPASS and, where relevant, included in National Qualifications Frameworks. Member States are encouraged to support the continuous reskilling and upskilling offered via the academies and the relevant education and training providers in their territories through national programmes and Union funding, including from the European Social Fund Plus, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, the European Regional Development Fund, the Just Transition Mechanism, the Modernisation Fund and the Technical Support Instrument. The Net-Zero Europe Platform should assist in guiding the work of the Academies and providing oversight. | (66) Building on local and regional initiatives and on previous experiences, such as hubs for skills development, the EU Pact for Skills and the European Battery Alliance, or the Offshore Renewable Energy Alliance, the European Net-Zero Industry Academies, which are a network of relevant experts (hereafter the Academies), should develop and deploy education and training content to upskill and reskill workers required for key net-zero technology value chains, such as solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies, marine renewable energy, renewable hydrogen technologies and raw materials, and carbon capture and utilisation (CCU). The scope and number of the Academies should be determined by the Commission and the Member States in the framework of the Net Zero Platform on the basis of existing and objective studies in line with the principle of technological neutrality as well as based on a mapping exercise of current and forecasted needs in net-zero industries, including in regions in transition. Such a mapping exercise should provide information about current and upcoming skills shortages in key net-zero industries across the Union and how training opportunities are provided in such industries. The mapping exercise should also analyse the root cause of skills and labour shortages in particular related to the quality of the job offer in net-zero industries such as by assessing the working conditions and the coverage of collective bargaining. Additionally, based on the results of the mapping exercise and existing studies and in consultation with the Net Zero Platform, the Commission should issue a call for proposals to launch an Academy in a given technology when a critical level of skills shortage in relation to a net zero technology is identified. Union’s seed-funding should be made available to set up the Academies and allow their functioning in view of becoming financially sustainable three years after their establishment by receiving financial contributions from the private sector. A strong governance is needed to make the Academies operational as fast as possible in order to develop training programmes in Net Zero technologies. This should be done without prejudice to the determining role that social partners and universities can also play in the creation of such Academies, as it was the case in the Battery Alliance. The role of international and interdisciplinary university alliances, such as Transform4Europe, should in particular be considered to achieve more unified and common standards in training and re/upskilling activities. In general, the use of already existing research and teaching infrastructures should also be prioritised. |
Amendment 16
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 66 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (66 a) One of the aims of the Academies will be to contribute to the Union’s re-industrialisation and decarbonisation as well as to its open strategic autonomy. The Academies should also address the need for Union-made net zero technologies with high social and climate standards. The Academies should already be established by [31 December 2024] and provide learning content in as many different Union’s official languages as possible, with the aim to achieve geographical balance across Member States. [By 31 December 2025], they should start disseminating initial learning content to relevant education and training providers in Member States, such as universities, research universities, universities of applied sciences and university alliances, undertakings that provide such education and training, including SMEs, start-ups and social enterprises, social partners and by training trainers. The Academies should aim to enable the training and education of 100.000 learners each within three years of their establishment, taking the extent of the identified skills shortages into account which may result in a variation of the number of learners per Academy. The Academies should contribute to the availability of skills required for the net-zero technologies, including in small and medium-sized enterprises. The learning content should take into account already existing learning programmes developed in the framework of the local Pact for Skills and the centres of professional excellence and should target all levels of education and qualification and all workers, including apprentices, along the value chain in the sectors concerned whereby all successive industrial phases are taken into account, from the design of the product (or the service), to the manufacturing phase, including the recycling and reuse of materials, whereby all the different professions across the value chain are considered. That content should also include learning modules with relevant information about health and safety at work for each specific technology as well as general relevant information on workers’ rights and working conditions, including on working time and workers’ rights to information and consultation. That content could, where relevant, be further adjusted to national law, applicable collective agreements and territorial and sectoral specificities by the education and training providers. The learning content should also target employees in national and local administrations (particularly responsible for permitting, impact assessment and regulations of new technologies), thus contributing to capacity building among national administrations and to a reduction of disparities among Member States. |
Amendment 17
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 66 b (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (66 b) Member States should use and deploy the learning content developed by the Academies in existing instruments such as in the reinforced Youth Guarantee whose one of its objectives is to provide education and training to NEETs, and in existing mentoring programmes. To ensure skills transparency and portability and the mobility of workers, and support the Member States in these efforts, the European Net-Zero Industry Academies will develop and deploy credentials, including micro-credentials, covering learning achievements. They should be issued in the format of European credentials for learning and could be integrated in EUROPASS and, where relevant, included in National Qualifications Frameworks. Member States are encouraged to use the content developed by the Academies for supporting the continuous reskilling and upskilling and the relevant education and training providers in their territories through national programmes and Union funding, including from the European Social Fund Plus, the reinforced Youth Guarantee, the Recovery and Resilience Facility, InvestEU the European Regional Development Fund, the Just Transition Mechanism, the Modernisation Fund and the Technical Support Instrument, and to support the integration of women in line with the European Strategy for Gender Equality in order to address educational and occupational gender stereotypes. The European network of employment services (EURES) can play a significant role in using the learning content of training programmes delivered by the skills Academies in the creation and deployment of European occupation profiles and by providing information to national employment services about them. |
Amendment 18
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 66 c (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (66 c) The Net-Zero Europe Platform should assist in guiding the work of the Academies ensuring that their content addresses the skills shortages identified by the mapping exercise and providing oversight. Member States should ensure that the appointed national representative can act as a bridge between the relevant national ministries and competent authorities of the Member States as well as the national social partners and industry representatives. The Platform should collect information on the progress made by the different Academies and produce by the end of 2026 an overview report on the deployment of the learning programmes, including the number of learners benefiting from the Academies’ programmes disaggregated by industrial sectors, gender, age, and levels of education and qualification. |
Amendment 19
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 68
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (68) Where the learning programmes developed by the European net-zero industry academies lead to credentials that would be of assistance to persons seeking access to a profession that is regulated, Member States should, in order to facilitate the mobility in strategic net-zero industry professions, accept these credentials as sufficient proof of the knowledge, skills and competences to which they attest. | (68) Where the learning programmes developed by the European net-zero industry academies lead to credentials that would be of assistance including to persons seeking access to a profession that is regulated, Member States and employers should, in order to facilitate the mobility in strategic net-zero industry professions, accept these credentials as sufficient proof of the knowledge, skills and competences to which they attest. |
Amendment 20
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 68 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (68a) Subcontracting often leads to higher risks of occupational accidents. Therefore, joint and several liability should be ensured along the sub-contracting chain for all sub-contractors and contractors; Contractors and sub-contractors must fully respect health and safety frameworks as well as other rules and regulations. |
Amendment 21Proposal for a regulation
Recital 69
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (69) At Union level, a Net-Zero Europe Platform, should be established, composed of the Member States and chaired by the Commission. The Net-Zero Europe Platform may advise and assist the Commission and Member States on specific questions and provide a reference body, in which the Commission and Member States coordinate their action and facilitate the exchange of information on issues relating to this Regulation. The Net-Zero Europe Platform should further perform the tasks outlined in the different Articles of this Regulation, notably in relation to permitting, including one-stop shops, Net-Zero Strategic Projects, coordination of financing, access to markets and skills as well as innovative net-zero technologies regulatory sandboxes. Where necessary, the Platform may establish standing or temporary subgroups and invite third parties, such as experts or representatives from net-zero industries. | (69) At Union level, a Net-Zero Europe Platform, should be established, composed of the Member States and chaired by the Commission. The European Parliament should be invited to participate in the meetings of the Platform on a regular basis. The Net-Zero Europe Platform may advise and assist the Commission and Member States on specific questions and provide a reference body, in which the Commission and Member States coordinate their action and facilitate the exchange of information on issues relating to this Regulation. The Net-Zero Europe Platform should further perform the tasks outlined in the different Articles of this Regulation, notably in relation to permitting, including one-stop shops, Net-Zero Strategic Projects, coordination of financing, access to markets and skills as well as innovative net-zero technologies regulatory sandboxes. Where necessary, the Platform may establish standing or temporary subgroups including on skills and invite third parties, such as experts, representatives from net-zero industries, social partners, civil society organisations. |
Amendment 22
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 70
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (70) As part of the Green Deal Industrial Plan the Commission announced its intention to conclude Net-Zero Industrial Partnerships covering net-zero technologies, to adopt net-zero technologies globally and to support the role of EU industrial capabilities in paving the way for the global clean energy transition. The Commission and Member States may coordinate within the Platform the Partnerships, discussing existing relevant partnerships and processes, such as green partnerships, energy dialogues and other forms of existing bilateral contractual arrangements, as well as potential synergies with relevant Member States’ bilateral agreements with third countries. | (70) As part of the Green Deal Industrial Plan the Commission announced its intention to conclude Net-Zero Industrial Partnerships covering net-zero technologies, to adopt net-zero technologies globally and to support the role of EU industrial capabilities in paving the way for the global clean energy transition. The Commission and Member States should coordinate within the Platform the Partnerships, discussing existing relevant partnerships and processes, such as green partnerships, energy dialogues and other forms of existing bilateral contractual arrangements, as well as potential synergies with relevant Member States’ bilateral agreements with third countries. |
Amendment 23
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 2 – point b a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| ba) that economic operators involved in the manufacturing of strategic net-zero technologies provide quality jobs. |
Amendment 24
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point s a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (sa) “quality job” means a job providing decent wages, ensuring work security via standard employment contract and access to social protection, giving access to good quality lifelong learning opportunities, securing good working conditions in safe and healthy workplaces, including a reasonable working time with good work-life balance, while ensuring trade union representation and bargaining rights. |
Amendment 25
Proposal for a regulation
Article 6 – paragraph 4 – subparagraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Where competent authorities consider that the proposed project raises exceptional risks for the health and safety of workers or of the general population, and where additional time is necessary to establish that adequate safeguards are put in place, they may extend those time limits by a further 6 months, before their expiry and on a case-by-case basis. | Where competent authorities consider that the proposed project raises exceptional risks for the health and safety of workers or of the general population, and where additional time is necessary to establish that adequate safeguards are put in place, they may extend those time limits by a further 12 months, before their expiry and on a case-by-case basis. |
Amendment 26
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. When preparing plans, including zoning, spatial plans and land use plans, national, regional and local authorities shall, where appropriate, include in those plans provisions for the development of net-zero technology manufacturing projects, including net-zero strategic projects. Priority shall be given to artificial and built surfaces, industrial sites, brownfield sites, and, where appropriate, greenfield sites not usable for agriculture and forestry. | 1. When preparing plans, including zoning, spatial plans and land use plans, national, regional and local authorities, in cooperation with social partners and civil society organisations in the respective territory, shall, where appropriate, include in those plans provisions for the development of net-zero technology manufacturing projects, including net-zero strategic projects. Priority shall be given to artificial and built surfaces, industrial sites, brownfield sites, and, where appropriate, greenfield sites not usable for agriculture and forestry. |
Amendment 27
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – introductory part
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| b) the net-zero technology manufacturing project has positive impact on the Union’s net-zero industry supply chain or downstream sectors, beyond the project promoter and the Member States concerned, contributing to the competitiveness and quality job creation of the Union’s net-zero industry supply chain, according to at least three of the following criteria: | (b) the net-zero technology manufacturing project has positive impact on the Union’s net-zero industry supply chain or downstream sectors, beyond the project promoter and the Member States concerned, contributing to the competitiveness and quality job creation of the Union’s net-zero industry supply chain, according to at least two of the following criteria: |
Amendment 28
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (iii) it puts into place measures to attract, upskill or reskill a workforce required for net-zero technologies, including through apprenticeships, in close cooperation with social partners; | deleted |
Amendment 29
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| In accordance with Chapter V, Member States shall recognize as net-zero technology strategic projects the net-zero technology manufacturing projects that put into place measures for the purpose of attracting, upskilling or reskilling the workforce, and especially women, young people as well as workers currently employed in declining sectors and regions in transition, by means of training and lifelong learning programmes required for net-zero technologies, including by means of apprenticeships, in close cooperation with the social partners. Member States shall ensure that net technology strategic projects comply with Union’s and national labour law, social rights and workers’ rights, as well as applicable collective agreements to be recognised as net-zero strategic projects. |
Amendment 30
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – title
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Sustainability and resilience contribution in public procurement procedures | Environmental and social sustainability, as well as resilience contribution in public procurement procedures |
Amendment 31
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. Contracting authorities or contracting entities shall base the award of contracts for net-zero technology listed in the Annex in a public procurement procedure on the most economically advantageous tender, which shall include the best price-quality ratio, comprising at least the sustainability and resilience contribution of the tender, in compliance with Directives 2014/23/EU, 2014/24/EU, or 2014/25/EU and applicable sectoral legislation, as well as with the Union’s international commitments, including the GPA and other international agreements by which the Union is bound. | 1. Contracting authorities or contracting entities shall base the award of contracts for net-zero technology listed in the Annex in a public procurement procedure on the most economically and socially advantageous tender, which shall include the best price-quality ratio, comprising the environmental and social sustainability as well as resilience contribution of the tender, in compliance with Directives 2014/23/EU, 2014/24/EU, or 2014/25/EU and applicable sectoral legislation, as well as with the Union’s international commitments, including the GPA and other international agreements by which the Union is bound. |
Amendment 32
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 2. The tender’s sustainability and resilience contribution shall be based on the following cumulative criteria which shall be objective, transparent and non-discriminatory: | 2. The tender’s environmental and social sustainability, as well as resilience contribution shall be based on the following cumulative criteria which shall be objective, transparent and non-discriminatory: |
Amendment 33
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point a a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (a a) social sustainability going beyond the minimum Union and national legal requirements in the area of labour law, social rights and workers’ rights with fair and adequate wages and well-defined objectives in terms of skilling, reskilling and upskilling, measures to improve gender equality and diversity at work, and quality and paid apprenticeships; |
Amendment 34
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 3. Contracting authorities and contracting entities shall give the tender’s sustainability and resilience contribution a weight between 15% and 30% of the award criteria, without prejudice of the application of Article 41 (3) of Directive 2014/23/EU, Article 67 (5) of Directive 2014/24/EU or Article 82 (5) of Directive 2014/25/EU for giving a higher weighting to the criteria referred to in paragraph 2, points (a) and (b). | 3. Contracting authorities and contracting entities shall give the tender’s environmental and social sustainability, as well as resilience contribution a weight of between 20 and 45% of the award criteria, among which at least half should be allocated to the social criteria, without prejudice of the application of Article 41 (3) of Directive 2014/23/EU, Article 67 (5) of Directive 2014/24/EU or Article 82 (5) of Directive 2014/25/EU for giving a higher weighting to the criteria referred to in paragraph 2, points (a), (aa) and (b). |
Amendment 35
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. Without prejudice to Article 4 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and Articles 107 and 108 the Treaty, and to the Union’s international commitments including the GPA and other international agreements by which the Union is bound, Member States, regional or local authorities, bodies governed by public law or associations formed by one or more such authorities or one or more such bodies governed by public law, shall assess the sustainability and resilience contribution as referred to in Article 19(2) of this Regulation when designing the criteria used for ranking bids in the framework of auctions, the aim of which is to support the production or consumption of energy from renewable sources as defined in Article 2, point (1) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. | 1. Without prejudice to Article 4 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and Articles 107 and 108 the Treaty, and to the Union’s international commitments including the GPA and other international agreements by which the Union is bound, Member States, regional or local authorities, bodies governed by public law or associations formed by one or more such authorities or one or more such bodies governed by public law, shall assess the environmental and social sustainability and resilience contribution as referred to in Article 19(2) of this Regulation when designing the criteria used for ranking bids in the framework of auctions, the aim of which is to support the production or consumption of energy from renewable sources as defined in Article 2, point (1) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. |
Amendment 36
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 2. The sustainability and resilience contribution shall be given a weight between 15% and 30% of the award criteria, without prejudice of the possibility to give a higher weighting to the criteria in Article 19(2), points (a) and (b), where applicable under Union legislation, and of any limit for non-price criteria set under State aid rules. | 2. The environmental and social sustainability as well as resilience contribution shall be given a weight of between 20% to 45% of the award criteria, without prejudice of the possibility to give a higher weighting to the criteria in Article 19(2), points (a), (aa) and (b), where applicable under Union legislation, and of any limit for non-price criteria set under State aid rules. |
Amendment 37
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 3. The Member States, regional or local authorities, bodies governed by public law or associations formed by one or more such authorities or one or more such bodies governed by public law shall not be obliged to apply the considerations relating to the sustainability and resilience contribution of net-zero technologies where their application would oblige those entities to acquire equipment having disproportionate costs, or technical characteristics different from those of existing equipment, resulting in incompatibility, technical difficulties in operation and maintenance. Cost differences above 10% may be presumed by contracting authorities and contracting entities to be disproportionate. | 3. The Member States, regional or local authorities, bodies governed by public law or associations formed by one or more such authorities or one or more such bodies governed by public law shall not be obliged to apply the considerations relating to the sustainability and resilience contribution of net-zero technologies where their application would oblige those entities to acquire equipment having disproportionate costs, or technical characteristics different from those of existing equipment, resulting in incompatibility, technical difficulties in operation and maintenance. Cost differences above 30% may be presumed by contracting authorities and contracting entities to be disproportionate. Such exception does not apply to social sustainability criteria. |
Amendment 38
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 3 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 3a. When cost differences are below 10%, the contracting authority or the contracting entity shall award the contract to the tender exhibiting the highest sustainability and job quality contribution. |
Amendment 39
Proposal for a regulation
Article 21 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. Without prejudice to Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty and Article 4 of Directive 2018/200173 and in line with the Union’s international commitments, when deciding to set up schemes benefitting households or consumers which incentivise the purchase of net-zero technology final products listed in the Annex, Member States, regional or local authorities, bodies governed by public law or associations formed by one or more such authorities or one or more such bodies governed by public law, shall design them in such a way as to promote the purchase by beneficiaries of net-zero technology final products with a high sustainability and resilience contribution as referred in Article 19(2), by providing additional proportionate financial compensation. | 1. Without prejudice to Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty and Article 4 of Directive 2018/200173 and in line with the Union’s international commitments, when deciding to set up schemes benefitting households or consumers which incentivise the purchase of net-zero technology final products listed in the Annex, Member States, regional or local authorities, bodies governed by public law or associations formed by one or more such authorities or one or more such bodies governed by public law, shall design them in such a way as to promote the purchase by beneficiaries of net-zero technology final products with a high environmental and social sustainability as well as resilience contribution as referred in Article 19(2), by providing additional proportionate financial compensation. |
| __________________ | __________________ |
| 73 Directive 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources | 73 Directive 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources |
Amendment 40
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. Where relevant, the Commission shall provide guidance on the criteria to assess the resilience and sustainability contribution of available products covered by the forms of public intervention covered under articles 19, 20 and 21. | 1. Where relevant, the Commission shall provide guidance on the criteria to assess the environmental and social sustainability, as well as resilience contribution of available products covered by the forms of public intervention covered under articles 19, 20 and 21. |
Amendment 41
Proposal for a regulation
Article 22 – paragraph 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 3. The Net-Zero Europe Platform shall discuss measures carried out by Member States to implement Articles 19 and 21 and exchange best practices, inter alia, as concerns the practical use of criteria defining the sustainability and resilience contribution in public procurement, or schemes incentivising the purchase of net-zero technology final products. | 3. The Net-Zero Europe Platform shall discuss measures carried out by Member States to implement Articles 19 and 21 and exchange best practices, inter alia, as concerns the practical use of criteria defining the environmental and social sustainability, as well as resilience contribution in public procurement, or schemes incentivising the purchase of net-zero technology final products. |
Amendment 42
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. The Commission shall support, including through the provision of seed-funding, the establishment of European Net Zero Industry Academies, which have as their objectives to: | 1. Based on a mapping exercise as referred to in Article 23a, the Commission shall support, including through the provision of seed-funding, the establishment of European Net-Zero Industry Academies as a network of experts in net-zero technologies, which have as their objectives to: |
Amendment 43
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point a
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (a) develop learning programmes, content and learning and training materials for training and education on developing, producing, installing, commissioning, operating, maintaining and recycling net-zero technologies, on raw materials, as well as to support the capacities of public authorities competent to issue permits and authorisations referred to in Chapter II and contracting authorities referred to in Chapter IV of this Regulation; | (a) develop learning programmes, content and learning and training materials for training and education on developing, producing, installing, commissioning, operating, maintaining and recycling net-zero technologies and on raw materials, that have been identified by the mapping exercise, as well as to support the capacities of public authorities competent to issue permits and authorisations referred to in Chapter II and contracting authorities referred to in Chapter IV of this Regulation; |
Amendment 44
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point a a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (a a) ensure that the learning programmes developed facilitate the acquisition and strengthening of transversal competences, beyond skills that are specific to a particular technology or a particular sector, to facilitate the adaptation from one industry to another, allowing learners to be mobile and adaptable to the ever-changing situation on the labour market and beyond; |
Amendment 45
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point a b (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (a b) ensure that the learning programmes contain relevant and accessible up-to-date information and training on health and safety issues as well as relevant information on workers' rights and working conditions; |
Amendment 46
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point a c (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (a c) aim to enable the training and education of 100.000 learners per Academy, within three years of their establishment by encouraging professional lifelong learning and upskilling or reskilling, including through apprenticeships, mentoring programmes as well as short and long duration training programmes; |
Amendment 47
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point b
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (b) enable and promote the use of the learning programmes, content and materials by education and training providers in the Member States, among others by training trainers and develop mechanisms to ensure the quality of the training offered by education and training providers in the Member States based on the above learning programmes, content and materials; | (b) enable and promote the use of the learning programmes, content and materials by education and training providers in the Member States, such as universities, research universities, universities of applied sciences and university alliances, undertakings that provide such education and training, including SMEs, start-ups and social enterprises, social partners, and by training trainers; |
Amendment 48
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (b a) develop mechanisms to ensure the quality of the training offered by education and training providers in the Member States and, where applicable, in countries associated with Union research and innovation programmes, such as Horizon Europe and Digital Europe, based on learning programmes, content and materials of the European Net-Zero Industry Academies; |
Amendment 49
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point b b (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (b b) contribute to the long-term objective of simultaneously reindustrialising and decarbonising the Union as well as contributing to its open strategic autonomy and address the need for Union-made net-zero technologies and skilled workers; |
Amendment 50
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point c
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (c) develop and deploy credentials, including micro-credentials, to facilitate the transparency of skills acquired and enhance the transferability between jobs and the cross-border mobility of the workforce, and to promote matching with relevant jobs through tools such as the European Employment Services (EURES) network and EURAXESS. | (c) develop and deploy credentials, including micro-credentials, to facilitate the recognition of skills acquired, to enhance the transferability between jobs and industries, to facilitate the cross-border mobility of the workforce, and to promote matching with relevant quality jobs through tools such as the European Employment Services (EURES) network and EURAXESS. |
Amendment 51
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 2. European Net Zero Industry Academies shall counter gender stereotypes and pay particular attention to the need to activate more women and young people, who are not in education, employment or training for the labour market. | 2. European Net-Zero Industry Academies shall counter gender stereotypes and shall promote equal access to learning contents for all, paying particular attention to women, young people, in particular those who are not in education, employment or training (NEETs), older people, workers in professions which are at risk of disappearing or the content and tasks of which are being highly transformed by new technologies and people working in regions in transition. The European Net-Zero Industry Academies shall promote diversity and inclusivity of people with disability, migrants and people in vulnerable situations. |
Amendment 52
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Article23a | |
| Establishment and governance of the European Net-Zero Industry Academies | |
| A mapping exercise shall identify labour and skills shortages in key industrial sectors and net-zero industries based on the needs of industrial transformation and decarbonisation and assess the access to training opportunities related to such technologies at national level. | |
| The mapping exercise shall analyse the root causes of such shortages, especially those related to the quality of the job offer, thus assessing whether additional measures are needed to attract more workers of all qualification levels in certain industries. | |
| If, on the basis of the mapping exercise, a critical level of skills shortages in a strategic net-zero technology is identified, the Commission shall issue a call for proposals for the establishment of European Net-Zero Industry Academies. | |
| The members of Net-Zero Industry Academies shall comprise several actors, such as industries in which the use of net-zero technologies is key in their value chains, education and training providers, social partners and undertakings including SMEs. The composition of the membership shall, where possible, aim for geographical balance across Member States, while ensuring that the learning content developed by the European Net-Zero Industry Academies is available in different languages so that the learning programmes be accessed by a maximum of learners, especially among the most vulnerable groups. | |
| A financial envelope of at least EUR 102 000 000 in current prices shall be made available for the establishment and functioning of the European Net-Zero Industry Academies between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2027. Members States shall make use of relevant Union funds in particular the ESF+, for an effective deployment of the Academies’ learning content, and shall provide information to the European Commission on how much EU funds have been allocated to achieve that objective. | |
| Three years after their establishment, the European Net-Zero Industry Academies shall become financially sustainable by receiving financial contributions from the private sector. | |
| The Net-Zero Europe Platform established pursuant to Article 28(1) shall monitor the work of the European Net-Zero Industry Academies and shall issue a report by 31 December 2026 on the deployment of their learning programmes. | |
| Without delay after the entry into force, the Commission shall launch the mapping process and issue a first call for proposals to establish European Net-Zero Industry Academies, which could benefit from the existing work and projects of relevant actors and Member States. | |
| By [31 December 2024], European Net-Zero Industry Academies shall be established. | |
| By [31 December 2025], the European Net-Zero Industry Academies shall start providing and disseminating initial learning content. The deployment phase of the learning content shall pay particular attention to regions in industrial transformation, with critical skills shortages or those with a high rate of unemployment, in particular youth unemployment. |
Amendment 53
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. By 31 December 2024 and every two years thereafter, Member States shall identify whether the learning programmes developed by the European net-zero industry academies are equivalent to the specific qualifications required by the host Member State to access regulated activities within the scope of a profession with particular interest for the net-zero industry. Member States shall ensure that the results of the assessments are made public and easily accessible online. | 1. By 31 December 2024 and every two years thereafter, Member States shall identify whether the learning programmes developed by the European net-zero industry academies are equivalent to the specific qualifications required by the host Member State to access regulated activities within the scope of a profession with particular interest for the net-zero industry to simultaneously reindustrialise and decarbonise with a view to aligning the requested qualifications, covering both technical and academic qualifications. Member States shall ensure that the results of the assessments are made public and easily accessible online. In the event that the learning programmes are deemed not to be equivalent to the qualifications required by the host Member State to access regulated activities, that Member State shall explain to the European Commission the differences and specify how to achieve equivalence. |
Amendment 54
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 2. If a Member State concludes there is equivalence, as described in the first paragraph of this Article, it shall facilitate the recognition of credentials issued by education and training providers on the basis of the learning programmes developed by the academies, under Title III Chapter I of Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council74 , whenever a holder of such a credential requests access to a regulated profession within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a) of Directive 2005/36/EC, and of particular importance for the net-zero industry, by accepting the credential as sufficient evidence of formal qualifications. | 2. If a Member State concludes there is equivalence, as described in the first paragraph of this Article, it shall, in accordance with national law and practice, ensure the recognition of credentials issued by education and training providers on the basis of the learning programmes developed by the academies, under Title III Chapter I of Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council74 , whenever a holder of such a credential requests access to a regulated profession within the meaning of Article 3(1)(a) of Directive 2005/36/EC, and of particular importance for the net-zero industry, by accepting the credential as sufficient evidence of formal qualifications. |
| __________________ | __________________ |
| 74 Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications (Text with EEA relevance), (OJ L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 22). | 74 Directive 2005/36/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 September 2005 on the recognition of professional qualifications (Text with EEA relevance), (OJ L 255, 30.9.2005, p. 22). |
Amendment 55
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| The Net-Zero Europe Platform referred to in Article 28 shall support the availability and deployment of skills in net-zero technologies, and in competent authorities and contracting authorities referred to in Chapter II and Chapter IV, through the following tasks: | The Net-Zero Europe Platform referred to in Article 28 shall support the availability and deployment of skills in net-zero technologies, and in competent authorities and contracting authorities referred to in Chapter II and Chapter IV, through the following tasks, while building upon existing structures within national educational and vocational training systems: |
Amendment 56
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (2) monitor the activity of the European Net-Zero Industry Academies and of education and training providers who offer the learning programmes developed by the Academies, foster synergies with other national and Union skills initiatives and projects, and provide oversight; | (2) monitor the activity of the European Net-Zero Industry Academies and, based on the data provided by Member States and national authorities pursuant to Article 31(2), collect information on how many people have benefited from the learning programmes developed by the Academies and provide disaggregated data by industrial sectors, gender, age, and levels of education and qualification, foster synergies with other national and Union skills initiatives and projects, and provide oversight so as to attract a diverse workforce, including through targeted communication campaigns; |
Amendment 57
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (3) assist the mobilisation of stakeholders including industry, social partners and education and training providers for the roll-out of learning programs developed by the European Net-Zero Industry Academies; | (3) assist the mobilisation of stakeholders including industry, undertakings, including SMEs, start-ups and social enterprises, social partners and education and training providers, such as universities, research universities, universities of applied sciences and university alliances, for the roll-out of learning programmes developed by the European Net-Zero Industry Academies; |
Amendment 58
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 4
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (4) assist the uptake and recognition of learning credentials of the European Net-Zero Industry Academies in the Member States to promote the recognition of skills and the matching of skills and jobs, inter alia by promoting the validity and acceptance of the credentials throughout the labour market of the European Union; | (4) assist the uptake and recognition of learning credentials of the European Net-Zero Industry Academies in the Member States to promote the recognition of skills and the matching of skills and jobs, inter alia by promoting the validity and acceptance of the credentials throughout the Union’s labour market and by emphasising long-term training programmes and remunerated apprenticeships; |
Amendment 59
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 4 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (4 a) monitor the enforcement of the uptake and recognition of learning credentials and contribute to providing solutions where issues of non-recognition are detected; |
Amendment 60
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 6
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (6) promote adequate working conditions in jobs in net-zero technology industries, the activation of youth, women and seniors to the labour market for net-zero technology industries, and the attraction of skilled workers from third countries, and thereby achieve a more diverse workforce; | (6) promote career prospects and quality working conditions, including fair and adequate wages in jobs in net-zero technology industries as well as the appeal of technical education, the labour market integration of youth, women, seniors and people from disadvantaged background for net-zero technology industries, and the attraction of skilled workers from third countries through instruments such as the European Blue Card and thereby achieve a more diverse workforce; |
Amendment 61
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 6 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (6 a) encourage and support labour mobility across the Union and publish vacant posts by means of the EURES network; |
Amendment 62
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 7
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (7) facilitate closer coordination and the exchange of best practices between Member States to enhance the availability of skills in the net-zero technologies, including by contributing to Union and Member States policies to attract new talents from third countries. | (7) facilitate closer coordination and the exchange of best practices and know-how between Member States and within the private sector to enhance the availability of skills in the net-zero technologies, including by contributing to Union and Member States policies to attract new talents from third countries and from all educational levels. |
Amendment 63
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 4 – point c – point i a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| ia) decent working conditions and social conditionalities. |
Amendment 64
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 7
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 7. The Platform shall invite representatives of the European Parliament to attend, as observers, its meetings, including of the standing or temporary sub-groups referred to in paragraph 6. | 7. The Platform shall regularly invite representatives of the European Parliament to attend, as observers, its meetings, including of the standing or temporary sub-groups referred to in paragraph 6, and shall report annually to the European Parliament. |
Amendment 65
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 8
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 8. Where appropriate, the Platform or the Commission may invite experts and other third parties to Platform and sub-group meetings or to provide written contributions. | 8. Where appropriate, the Platform or the Commission may invite experts, including the social partners, civil society organisations, and other third parties to Platform and sub-group meetings or to provide written contributions, while ensuring a balanced representation of the different stakeholders. |
Amendment 66
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 9 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 9 a. The Commission shall consult the Platform prior to issuing calls for proposals to establish the Academies. |
Amendment 67
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 11
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 11. The Platform shall coordinate and cooperate with existing industrial alliances. | 11. The Platform shall coordinate and cooperate with existing industry alliances, as well as sectorial social partners. |
Amendment 68
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – title
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Articulation with National Energy and Climate Plans | Coherence with National Energy and Climate Plans and national skills strategies |
Amendment 69
Proposal for a regulation
Article 30 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Member States shall take into consideration this Regulation when preparing their national energy and climate plans and their updates, submitted pursuant to Articles 3, 9, and 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, in particular as regards the dimension “research, innovation and competitiveness” of the Energy Union, and in the submission of their biennial progress reports in accordance with Article 17 of that Regulation. | Member States shall take into consideration this Regulation when preparing their national energy and climate plans and their updates, submitted pursuant to Articles 3, 9, and 14 of Regulation (EU) 2018/1999, in particular as regards the dimension “research, innovation and competitiveness” of the Energy Union, and in the submission of their biennial progress reports in accordance with Article 17 of that Regulation. Member States shall also take into account the conclusions of the mapping exercise carried out pursuant to Article 23a, the data provided in accordance with Article 31(2), and the anticipated social challenges expected from the transition to Net-Zero technologies in the drafting of the energy and climate plans as well as in the design of their skills policies, thus ensuring that net-zero training content reaches those who need it most. |
Amendment 70
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 1 – point b a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (b a) the outreach of the learning content of the European Net-Zero Industry Academies. |
Amendment 71
Proposal for a regulation
Article 31 – paragraph 2 – point h a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (h a) the deployment of the learning programmes of the European Net-Zero Academies including the number of learners benefiting from those programmes disaggregated by industrial sectors, gender, age, and levels of education and qualification. |