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DRAFT OPINION (2024/2019(DEC))

On discharge in respect of the implementation of the general budget of the European Union – Commission for the financial year 2023

ENVI-PA-764980

Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety · Rapporteur: Antonio Decaro

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The Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety gives a positive opinion on granting discharge to the Commission for 2023 budget implementation in its areas, while raising concerns about climate spending reliability and agency funding.

Committee position. The committee proposes that discharge be granted to the Commission for 2023 expenditure in environment, climate, public health and food safety, while expressing concerns and making recommendations.

Key points

  1. Is satisfied with the Commission's overall implementation of the 2023 budget in environment, climate, public health and food safety.
  2. Is satisfied with the work and budget implementation of five decentralised agencies under its remit; stresses need for adequate funding and staffing for them and relevant Commission DGs.
  3. Notes that about EUR 160 billion (38% of the Union budget) was dedicated to climate mainstreaming in 2023, with largest contributions from RRF, CAP and cohesion; Innovation Fund added EUR 6.5 billion in grants.
  4. Is concerned about Court of Auditors findings on RRF: weaknesses in design, vaguely defined milestones, reporting issues, and unclear contribution to green transition.
  5. Calls on the Commission to follow Court recommendations to improve climate spending estimation, design of future instruments, and reporting on climate spending under RRF.
  6. Reiterates concern about unresolved cyberattack risks to the EU emissions trading registry, with a reservation repeated in DG CLIMA's 2023 AAR.
  7. Notes about EUR 20 billion (5% of the Union budget) was dedicated to biodiversity mainstreaming; urges maintaining efforts to meet 7.5% (2024) and 10% (2027) targets.
  8. Notes the EU4Health programme budget was EUR 735 million in 2023, acknowledges progress in health preparedness, Beating Cancer Plan, Pharmaceutical Strategy.
  9. Welcomes HERA's growth and progress in preparedness; recalls Commission's commitment to review HERA's operations by 2025, possibly transforming it into an agency.
  10. Is of the opinion that discharge can be granted to the Commission for 2023 expenditure in these areas.

Who is affected

  • The Commission and its Directorates-General for environment, climate, health and food safety.
  • Five decentralised agencies under the committee's remit, which need adequate funding and staffing.
  • Member states implementing the Recovery and Resilience Facility, whose reporting and control systems are criticised.
  • The Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA), which may be restructured by 2025.

Figures and deadlines

  • EUR 160 billion, approximately 38% of the Union budget, for climate mainstreaming in 2023.
  • EUR 6.5 billion in grants from the Innovation Fund for low-carbon technologies.
  • EUR 20 billion, approximately 5% of the Union budget, for biodiversity mainstreaming.
  • Targets of 7.5% for 2024 and 10% for 2027 for biodiversity mainstreaming.
  • EUR 735 million budget for the EU4Health programme in 2023.