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DRAFT OPINION (2023/2149(DEC))

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

ENVI-PA-754680

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 calls on the Committee on Budgets to incorporate its suggestions into the discharge resolution for the European Environment Agency's 2022 budget. It commends the Agency's 2022 outputs, notes its new tasks under the European Climate Law and the launch of the European Scientific Advisory Board for Climate Change, and records its 2021 budget of EUR 92 857 777. It notes excellent budget implementation in 2022, high delivery rates for key performance indicators, and a 20% rise in media coverage. It notes the Agency has 243 posts, considers this number should grow, invites continued cooperation and dialogue, and recommends that discharge be granted to the Executive Director for 2022.

Committee position. The committee recommends that discharge be granted to the Executive Director of the European Environment Agency for the 2022 financial year, and asks the Committee on Budgets to include its suggestions in the discharge resolution.

Key points

  1. The committee calls on the Committee on Budgets to incorporate its suggestions into the discharge resolution for the European Environment Agency's 2022 budget.
  2. It stresses the Agency provides sound, independent environmental information and commends its 2022 outputs, including the Trends and projections in Europe 2022 Report, support to the EU biodiversity strategy, and the Zero pollution monitoring assessment.
  3. It recalls that in 2022 the Agency took on new tasks for the green transition and the European Climate Law, including launching the European Scientific Advisory Board for Climate Change and linking actions to the EU adaptation strategy.
  4. It notes that in 2021 the Agency's total budget was EUR 92 857 777, of which EUR 49 682 516 came from the general budget of the Union.
  5. It notes with satisfaction that the Agency achieved excellent budget implementation in 2022, with cancelled appropriations well below the 3% threshold and a positive budgetary outturn of EUR 251 876 to be reimbursed to the Commission.
  6. It acknowledges high delivery rates for 2022 key performance indicators: a budget execution rate of 95% of the annual budget, a 95% delivery rate of key reports and assessments, and high engagement with stakeholders and network partners.
  7. It notes that 2022 was an extreme year for climate and weather events, leading to a 20% increase in media coverage compared to 2021, reaching 27,818 articles, and that social media reach amounted to 224,000 followers, growing by 8% compared with 2021.
  8. It notes the Agency has 243 posts, 85% dedicated to operational activities and 15% to support, and considers this number should grow in the years to come to perform tasks on the Union's path to climate neutrality.
  9. It invites the Agency to continue promoting cooperation with other Union agencies and international organisations and fostering dialogue with stakeholders and citizens.
  10. It recommends, based on the facts available, that discharge be granted to the Executive Director of the European Environment Agency for the implementation of the Agency's budget for the financial year 2022.

Who is affected

  • The European Environment Agency: its 2022 budget implementation is assessed and discharge is recommended.
  • The Executive Director of the European Environment Agency: discharge is recommended for the 2022 budget.
  • The Committee on Budgets: asked to incorporate the suggestions into its discharge motion.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 92 857 777: the Agency's total budget in 2021.
  • EUR 49 682 516: the part of the 2021 budget from the general budget of the Union.
  • 3%: threshold for cancelled appropriations, which the Agency stayed well below in 2022.
  • EUR 251 876: positive budgetary outturn for 2022 to be reimbursed to the Commission.
  • 95%: budget execution rate of the annual budget in 2022.
  • 95%: delivery rate of key reports and assessments in 2022.
  • 20%: increase in media coverage in 2022 compared to 2021, reaching 27,818 articles.
  • 224,000 followers: combined social media reach, growing by 8% compared with 2021.