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

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SUGGESTIONS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

INFORMATION ON ADOPTION IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

Date adopted

24.1.2024

Result of final vote

+:

–:

0:

73

4

8

Members present for the final vote

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

Substitutes present for the final vote

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

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

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

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE ASKED FOR OPINION

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