On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (‘STEP’) and amending Directive 2003/87/EC, Regulations (EU) 2021/1058, (EU) 2021/1056, (EU) 2021/1057, (EU) No 1303/2013, (EU) No 223/2014, (EU) 2021/1060, (EU) 2021/523, (EU) 2021/695, (EU) 2021/697 and (EU) 2021/241
ENVI-AD-753684
Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety · Rapporteur: Tiemo Wölken
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The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety proposes amendments to the proposed regulation establishing the Strategic Technologies for Europe Platform (STEP). The amendments concern the Innovation Fund and the Modernisation Fund under Directive 2003/87/EC.¶¶¶ They set a financial envelope of EUR 5 billion for 2024-2027 for the Innovation Fund, with 75% reserved for Member States whose average GDP per capita is below the EU average.¶ They add a just and inclusive transition focus and require Member States to treat critical clean technology projects with a Sovereignty Seal as a priority for Modernisation Fund support.¶
Committee position. The committee proposes amendments to the STEP proposal, focusing on the Innovation Fund and Modernisation Fund: a EUR 5 billion envelope for 2024-2027, 75% for less wealthy Member States, a just and inclusive transition emphasis, and priority for Sovereignty Seal projects.¶¶¶
Key points
- The committee calls on the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy to take its amendments into account.¶
- The amendments would give the Innovation Fund an additional financial envelope of EUR 5 billion for 2024-2027, stemming from the multiannual financial framework.¶¶
- 75% of the additional envelope would go to entities from Member States whose average GDP per capita is below the EU average of the EU-27, measured in purchasing power standards for 2015-2017.
- Calls for proposals should be designed and aligned to deliver on Union objectives for domestic manufacturing capacity in key industrial value chains.
- The amendments add support for the green and just transition and the development of clean technologies throughout the Union.
- In calls for proposals under this envelope, special attention should be given to projects' ability to promote a just and inclusive transition, while implementing the Innovation Fund's objectives and criteria and aiming for geographical balance.¶
- Member States would have to consider as a priority project for critical clean technologies any project that has received the Sovereignty Seal and that particularly emphasises a just and inclusive transition.¶
- Member States may grant national support to projects with a Sovereignty Seal that contribute to the Platform objective in Article 2(1), point (a)(ii).
Who is affected
- Member States with average GDP per capita below the EU average: 75% of the additional Innovation Fund envelope is reserved for entities from these countries.¶¶
- Member States managing the Modernisation Fund: they must prioritise critical clean technology projects with a Sovereignty Seal that emphasise a just and inclusive transition.¶
- Entities applying for Innovation Fund support: calls for proposals must align with Union domestic manufacturing objectives and consider just transition and geographical balance.¶¶
Figures and deadlines
- EUR 5 billion — financial envelope for the period 2024-2027 for the Innovation Fund.¶¶
- 75% — share of the additional financial envelope reserved for entities from Member States below the EU average GDP per capita.
- 2015-2017 — period used to calculate average GDP per capita in purchasing power standards.
- 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2027 — period of the financial envelope.