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DRAFT OPINION (2023/2129(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union for the financial year 2022 – Section III, Commission and executive agencies

ENVI-PA-754665

Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety · Rapporteur: Pascal Canfin

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The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety gives its suggestions on the 2022 budget discharge for the Commission and executive agencies. It is satisfied with spending on environment, climate action, public health and food safety, and says discharge can be granted. It reviews the budgets and staffing of DG Environment, DG Climate Action and DG Health and Food Safety, and of five decentralised agencies and HERA. It asks for enough funding for these bodies. It calls for scrutiny of climate spending and an annual Commission report on each budget item's contribution to climate and biodiversity goals, including whether any item breaches the 'do no significant harm' criterion.

Committee position. The committee is satisfied with the Commission's implementation of the 2022 budget for environment, climate, public health and food safety, and believes discharge can be granted. It asks the Committee on Budgets to include its suggestions in its proposal.

Key points

  1. The committee is satisfied with the Commission's overall implementation of the 2022 budget headings for environment, climate action, public health and food safety.
  2. It is satisfied with the work and budget implementation of the five decentralised agencies under its remit, and says sufficient funding must be guaranteed for them and the relevant Commission Directorates-General.
  3. It notes DG Environment's 2022 budget of EUR 567 million in commitments and EUR 470 million in payments, 511 staff, and implementation rates above 99%.
  4. It notes that the share of DG Environment payments made after legal deadlines rose to 3,93% in 2022 from 1,51% in 2021.
  5. It notes DG Climate Action managed EUR 33,80 million under the 'Climate action' budget title, that EUR 2 897,4 million was available for the innovation fund, and that the DG had 310 staff.
  6. It notes that 34,8% of the 2022 EU budget went to climate action, in line with the plan for at least 30% of the 2021-27 multiannual financial framework.
  7. It notes the Commission changed its climate-tracking methodology in 2022 after the Court found reported climate spending was overstated by at least EUR 72 billion and that only around 13% of the 2014-2020 budget went to climate purposes.
  8. It calls on the Commission to report annually on each budget item's contribution to climate mainstreaming and biodiversity targets, and on any item failing the 'do no significant harm' criterion.
  9. It regrets the Court's finding that EU agricultural funding for climate action has not cut greenhouse gas emissions, and shares the view that the new Common Agricultural Policy should focus more on reducing agricultural emissions.
  10. It repeats its concern that the reservation on significant security risks in the EU Emissions Trading System Union Registry is repeated in DG Climate Action's 2022 annual activity report.
  11. It highlights DG Health and Food Safety's role in the COVID-19 response and its work on the European Health Union, HERA, the Europe's Beating Cancer Plan, the Pharmaceutical Strategy and the Farm to Fork Strategy.
  12. It notes DG Health and Food Safety managed EUR 644,20 million in 2022, down from EUR 1 162,42 million in 2021, had 791 staff, and that HERA spent EUR 438 million and grew from 30 to 80 staff.

Who is affected

  • The Commission and its Directorates-General for environment, climate action, health and food safety, which face scrutiny of their 2022 spending.
  • Five decentralised agencies in environment, climate, public health and food safety, whose work and budgets the committee backs.
  • HERA, the Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority, whose operations and staffing growth are noted.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 567 million in commitment appropriations and EUR 470 million in payment appropriations for DG Environment in 2022.
  • 511 members of staff at DG Environment.
  • 3,93% of DG Environment payments exceeded legal deadlines in 2022, compared to 1,51% in 2021.
  • EUR 33,80 million managed by DG Climate Action under the 'Climate action' title, and EUR 2 897,4 million available for the innovation fund.
  • 34,8% of the EU budget in 2022 dedicated to climate action, against a plan for at least 30% of the 2021-27 MFF.
  • Climate spending overstated by at least EUR 72 billion, with only around 13% of the 2014-2020 budget spent on climate purposes.
  • DG Health and Food Safety budget of EUR 644,20 million in 2022, down from EUR 1 162,42 million in 2021, with 791 staff.
  • HERA managed EUR 438 million in 2022 and increased its staff from 30 to 80 members.