Sittings · Document
OPINION (COM(2023)0161 – C90062/2023 – 2023/0081(COD)) 2023-09-26
On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing a framework of measures for strengthening Europe’s net-zero technology products manufacturing ecosystem (Net Zero Industry Act)
Committee on Regional Development · Rapporteur: Niklas Nienass
SHORT JUSTIFICATION
The Rapporteur for opinion Niklas Nienass would like to state that he is opposed to all amendments going beyond the strict REGI competence and touching upon competences of the lead committee, namely the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy.
Due to the extremely limited timeframe of this report, with a first exchange of views only at the end of May, an agreement was made at the outset of the procedure to respect the individual committees’ competences. This permitted for more time in the negotiations, as no draft opinion was prepared and amendments were tabled directly to the original text. The rapporteur regrets the decision to forego his right to drawing up a draft opinion.
This agreement was not followed by one political group, which tabled amendments to many more parts of the text, particularly the Annex, which does not fall under REGI competence as it defines the strategic net-zero technologies referred to in many other parts of the text and falls under ITRE jurisdiction. In the following, it was established in the technical proceedings that the negotiations would only include the amendments tabled to relevant parts of the text. As all other groups respected the original agreement, no other amendments were tabled to the Annex, meaning that no compromises were possible, and the tabled amendments had to be voted separately.
Unfortunately, many of the other political groups decided to emulate the previous breach of agreement, and decided not to respect it during the vote, voting in favour of these stand-alone amendments.
The Rapporteur for opinion wishes to distance himself from the final text adopted in REGI Committee on 20 September 2023, as he was explicitly against these amendments that he considers an infringement of ITRE competence. He nevertheless voted in favour of his opinion in the final vote, for the sake of a united REGI voice on the reached compromises that were properly negotiated and are considered constructive.
AMENDMENT
The Committee on Regional Development calls on the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, as the committee responsible, to take the following into account:
Amendment 1
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (1) The Union has committed to the accelerated decarbonisation of its economy and ambitious deployment of renewable energy sources to achieve climate neutrality or net zero emissions (emissions after deduction of removals) by 2050. That objective is at the heart of the European Green Deal, the updated EU Industrial Strategy, and in line with the Union’s commitment to global climate action under the Paris Agreement31 . To reach the climate neutrality goal, Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council32 sets a binding Union climate target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990. The proposed “Fit for 55”33 package aims to deliver on the Union’s 2030 climate target and revises and updates Union legislation in this respect. | (1) The Union has committed to the accelerated decarbonisation of its economy and ambitious deployment of renewable energy sources to achieve climate neutrality or net zero emissions (emissions after deduction of removals) by 2050. That objective is at the heart of the European Green Deal, the updated EU Industrial Strategy, and in line with the Union’s commitment to global climate action under the Paris Agreement31 . To reach the climate neutrality goal, Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council32 sets a binding Union climate target to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990. The proposed “Fit for 55”33 package aims to deliver on the Union’s 2030 climate target and revises and updates Union legislation in this respect, while respecting the principle set in Just Transition Mechanism, making sure that no person and no region is left behind in the climate transition. |
| __________________ | __________________ |
| 31 Council Decision (EU) 2016/1841 of 5 October 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Paris Agreement adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change OJ L 282, 19.10.2016, p. 4. | 31 Council Decision (EU) 2016/1841 of 5 October 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Paris Agreement adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change OJ L 282, 19.10.2016, p. 4. |
| 32 Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’) (OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, p. 1). | 32 Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’) (OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, p. 1). |
| 33 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. 'Fit for 55': delivering the EU's 2030 Climate Target on the way to climate neutrality. COM(2021) 550, 14.7.2021. | 33 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. 'Fit for 55': delivering the EU's 2030 Climate Target on the way to climate neutrality. COM(2021) 550, 14.7.2021. |
Amendment 2
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (3) Regarding external aspects, in particular regarding emerging markets and developing economies, the EU will seek win-win partnerships in the framework of its Global Gateway strategy, which contribute to the diversification of its raw materials supply chain as well as to partner countries’ efforts to pursue twin transition and develop local value addition. | (3) Regarding external aspects, in particular regarding emerging markets and developing economies, the EU will seek win-win partnerships in the framework of its Global Gateway strategy, which contribute to the diversification of its raw materials supply chain as well as to partner countries’ efforts to pursue a socially balanced twin transition and develop local value addition. |
Amendment 3
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 3 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (3a) Green transition can offer new possibilities especially for less developed and transition regions. In this relation, climate policy needs to recognise regions special needs and possibilities. Renewable energy, biomass and other regional natural resources and geographical possibilities in relation to net-zero technologies offer possibilities for regions to participate in achieving common climate goals. |
Justification
Emphasizes green transitions significance for less developed and transition regions as an opportunity in building more resilient community and sustainable economy and in creating new jobs and business opportunities.
Amendment 4
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 4
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (4) To fulfil those commitments, the Union must accelerate its pace of transition to clean energy, notably by increasing energy efficiency and the share of renewable energy sources. This will contribute to achieving the EU targets of the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan for 2030 of an employment rate of at least 78% and participation in training of at least 60% of adults. It will also contribute to ensuring that the green transition is fair and equitable34 . | (4) To fulfil those commitments, the Union must accelerate its pace of transition to clean energy, notably by increasing circularity, recycling and re-use, energy saving and efficiency and the share of renewable energy sources. This will contribute to achieving the EU targets of the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan for 2030 of an employment rate of at least 78% and participation in training of at least 60% of adults. It will also contribute to ensuring that the green transition is fair and equitable34 . |
| __________________ | __________________ |
| 34 Council Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutrality, adopted on 16 June 2022 as part of the Fit for 55 package. | 34 Council Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutrality, adopted on 16 June 2022 as part of the Fit for 55 package. |
Amendment 5
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 6
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (6) The net-zero transformation is already causing huge industrial, economic, and geopolitical shifts across the globe, which will become ever more pronounced as the world advances in its decarbonisation efforts. The road to net zero translates into strong opportunities for the expansion of Union’s net-zero industry, making use of the strength of the Single Market, by promoting investment in technologies in the field of renewable energy technologies , electricity and heat storage technologies, heat pumps, grid technologies, renewable fuels of non-biological origin technologies, electrolysers and fuel cells, fusion, small modular reactors and related best-in-class fuels, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies, and energy-system related energy efficiency technologies and their supply chains, allowing for the decarbonisation of our economic sectors, from energy supply to transport, buildings, and industry. A strong net zero industry within the European Union can help significantly in reaching the Union’s climate and energy targets effectively, as well as in supporting other Green Deal objectives, while creating jobs and growth. | (6) The net-zero transformation is already causing huge industrial, economic, and geopolitical shifts across the globe, which will become ever more pronounced as the world advances in its decarbonisation efforts. The road to net zero translates into strong opportunities for the expansion of Union’s net-zero industry, making use of the strength of the Single Market, by promoting investment in technologies in the field of renewable energy technologies , electricity and heat storage technologies, heat pumps, grid technologies, renewable fuels of non-biological origin technologies, electrolysers and fuel cells, fusion, small modular reactors and related best-in-class fuels, carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies, and energy-system related energy efficiency technologies and their supply chains, and sustainable circular bioeconomy technologies, allowing for the decarbonisation of our economic sectors, from energy supply to transport, buildings, and industry. A strong net zero industry within the European Union can help significantly in reaching the Union’s climate and energy targets effectively, as well as in supporting other Green Deal objectives, while creating jobs and growth. |
Justification
Accelerating sustainable circular bioeconomy is crucial to increase the capacity of supply chains and in decreasing the use of fossil resources. Bioeconomy is vital for many regions in using sustainably their natural resources in achieving common climate goals.
Amendment 6
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 8 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (8a) Renewable, biobased energy resources have the potential to replace fossil energy resources and critical raw materials. These resources are derived from biological materials, which can be replenished naturally. In addition, they emit less greenhouse gas emissions, reduce the dependence on imported fossil fuels, support rural development and create jobs in rural areas and decrease waste and pollution by utilizing agricultural and forestry residues. Additionally, renewable resources lessen our reliance on critical raw materials that are becoming scarce. |
Justification
Bioeconomy is vital for many regions in using sustainably their natural resources in achieving common climate goals. Emphasizes the significance of biobased, renewable resources in reducing emissions and the need to use critical raw materials, hence increasing the strategic autonomy of the European Union. For instance bio-based lignin, can be used in the production of batteries.
Amendment 7
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 10
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (10) To achieve the 2030 objectives a particular focus is needed on some of the net-zero technologies, also in view their significant contribution towards the path to net zero by 2050. These technologies include solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies, onshore and offshore renewable technologies, battery/storage technologies, heat pumps and geothermal energy technologies, electrolysers and fuel cells, sustainable biogas/biomethane, carbon capture and storage technologies and grid technologies. These technologies play a key role in the Union’s open strategic autonomy, ensuring that citizens have access to clean, affordable, secure energy. Given their role, these technologies should benefit from even faster permitting procedures, obtain the status of the highest national significance possible under national law and benefit from additional support to crowd-in investments. | (10) To achieve the 2030 objectives a particular focus is needed on some of the net-zero technologies, also in view their significant contribution towards the path to net zero by 2050. These technologies include solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies, onshore and offshore renewable technologies, battery/storage technologies, heat pumps and geothermal energy technologies, electrolysers and fuel cells, sustainable biogas/biomethane, carbon capture and storage technologies and grid technologies. These technologies play a key role in the Union’s open strategic autonomy, ensuring that citizens have access to clean, affordable, secure energy. Given their role, these technologies should benefit from more efficient permitting procedures, obtain the status of the highest national significance possible under national law and benefit from additional support to crowd-in investments. |
Amendment 8
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 11
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (11) In order to ensure that the Union’s future energy system is resilient this scaling-up should be carried out across the whole supply chain of the technologies in question, in full complementarity with the Critical Raw Materials Act. | (11) In order to ensure that the Union’s future energy system is resilient, fair, inclusive and sustainable this scaling-up should be carried out across the whole supply chain of the technologies in question, in full complementarity with the Critical Raw Materials Act, the international human rights law, the international environmental law and due diligence principles, and with meaningful engagement with local communities. |
Amendment 9
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 25
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (25) Directives 2014/23/EU, 2014/24/EU and 2014/25/EU already allow contracting authorities and entities awarding contracts through public procurement procedures to rely, in addition to price or cost, on additional criteria for identifying the most economically advantageous tender. Such criteria concern for instance the quality of the tender including social, environmental and innovative characteristics. When awarding contracts for net-zero technology through public procurement, contracting authorities and contracting entities should duly assess the tenders’ contribution to sustainability and resilience in relation to a series of criteria relating to the tender’s environmental sustainability, innovation, system integration and to resilience. | (25) Directives 2014/23/EU, 2014/24/EU and 2014/25/EU already allow contracting authorities and entities awarding contracts through public procurement procedures to rely, in addition to price or cost, on additional criteria for identifying the most economically advantageous tender. Such criteria concern for instance the quality of the tender including social, environmental and innovative characteristics. When awarding contracts for net-zero technology through public procurement, contracting authorities and contracting entities should duly assess the tenders’ contribution to sustainability and resilience as well as to territorial cohesion, creation of job opportunities for socially vulnerable groups, inclusiveness in relation to a series of criteria relating to the tender’s environmental sustainability, innovation, system integration, social impacts and to resilience. No one should be left behind, those in need should also benefit from net-zero technology. |
Amendment 10
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 26
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (26) Social sustainability criteria can already be applied under existing legislation and can include working conditions and collective bargaining in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights in line with Articles, 30 (3) of Directive 2014/23/EU, 18 (2) of Directive 2014/24/EU and 36 (2) of Directive 2014/25/EU. Contracting authorities should contribute to social sustainability by taking the appropriate measures to ensure that in the performance of public contracts economic operators comply with applicable obligations in the fields of social and labour law established by Union law, national law, collective agreements or by the international environmental, social and labour law provisions listed in Annex X of Directive 2014/23/EU, Annex X of Directive 2014/24/EU and Annex XIV of Directive 2014/25/EU43 . | (26) Social sustainability criteria can already be applied under existing legislation and can include working conditions and collective bargaining in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights in line with Articles, 30 (3) of Directive 2014/23/EU, 18 (2) of Directive 2014/24/EU and 36 (2) of Directive 2014/25/EU. Contracting authorities should contribute to social sustainability and inclusiveness by taking the appropriate measures to ensure that in the performance of public contracts economic operators comply with applicable obligations in the fields of social and labour law established by Union law, national law, collective agreements or by the international environmental, social and labour law provisions listed in Annex X of Directive 2014/23/EU, Annex X of Directive 2014/24/EU and Annex XIV of Directive 2014/25/EU43 . |
| __________________ | __________________ |
| 43 Commission Notice "Buying Social - a guide to taking account of social considerations in public procurement (2nd edition)", C(2021) 3573 final. | 43 Commission Notice "Buying Social - a guide to taking account of social considerations in public procurement (2nd edition)", C(2021) 3573 final. |
Amendment 11
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 32
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (32) The weighting of criteria on the sustainability and resilience contribution of the tender in relation to public procurement procedures is without prejudice to the possibility for contracting authorities and contracting entities to set a higher threshold for the criteria relating to environmental sustainability and innovation, in line with Article 41 (3) and Recital 64 of Directive 2014/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council50 , Article 67 (5) of Directive 2014/24/EU and Article 82 (5) of Directive 2014/25/EU. | (32) In relation to public procurement procedures, the weighting of criteria on the contribution of the tender regarding sustainability, resilience, territorial cohesion and creation of equal opportunities to all is without prejudice to the possibility for contracting authorities and contracting entities to set a higher threshold for the criteria relating to environmental sustainability and innovation, in line with Article 41 (3) and Recital 64 of Directive 2014/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council50 , Article 67 (5) of Directive 2014/24/EU and Article 82 (5) of Directive 2014/25/EU. |
| __________________ | __________________ |
| 50 Directive 2014/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the award of concession contracts (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 1). | 50 Directive 2014/23/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 February 2014 on the award of concession contracts (OJ L 94, 28.3.2014, p. 1). |
Amendment 12
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 35
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (35) Households and final consumers are an essential part of the Union’s demand for net-zero technologies final products and public support schemes to incentivize the purchase of such product by households, in particular for vulnerable low- and lower middle-class income households and consumers, are important tools to accelerate the green transition. Under the solar rooftop initiative announced in the EU solar strategy52 , Member States should for instance set-up national programmes to support the massive deployment of rooftop solar energy. In the REPowerEU plan, the Commission called Member States to make full use of supporting measures which encourage switching to heat pumps. Such support schemes set up nationally by Member States or locally by local or regional authorities should also contribute to improving the sustainability and resilience of the EU net-zero technologies. Public authorities should for instance provide higher financial compensation to beneficiaries for the purchase of net-zero technology final products that will make a higher contribution to resilience in the Union. Public authorities should ensure that their schemes are open, transparent and non-discriminatory, so that they contribute to increase demand for net-zero technology products in the Union. Public authorities should also limit the additional financial compensation for such products so as not to slow down the deployment of the net-zero technologies in the Union. To increase the efficiency of such schemes Member States should ensure that information is easily accessible both for consumers and for net-zero technology manufacturers on a free website. The use by public authorities of the sustainability and resilience contribution in schemes targeted at consumers or households should be without prejudice to State aid rules and to WTO rules on Subsidies. | (35) Households and final consumers are an essential part of the Union’s demand for net-zero technologies final products and public support schemes to incentivize the purchase of such product by households, in particular for vulnerable low- and lower middle-class income households and consumers, are important tools to accelerate the green transition For many, access to finance is the key. In order for these groups to make it more accessible, the Member States should create citizens friendly mechanism that would ease the financial and administrative burden placed on them. They should also invest in raising awareness and better communication to reach out these groups. The socially vulnerable groups who are living at risk of poverty should also not be left behind. The special assistance should be provided within the holistic approach using the join schemes combining the State aid and EU funds.Under the solar rooftop initiative announced in the EU solar strategy52 , Member States should for instance set-up national programmes to support the massive deployment of rooftop solar energy. In the REPowerEU plan, the Commission called Member States to make full use of supporting measures which encourage switching to heat pumps. Such support schemes set up nationally by Member States or locally by local or regional authorities should also contribute to improving the sustainability and resilience of the EU net-zero technologies. Public authorities should for instance provide higher financial compensation to beneficiaries for the purchase of net-zero technology final products that will make a higher contribution to resilience in the Union. Public authorities should ensure that their schemes are open, transparent and non-discriminatory, so that they contribute to increase demand for net-zero technology products in the Union. Public authorities should also limit the additional financial compensation for such products so as not to slow down the deployment of the net-zero technologies in the Union. To increase the efficiency of such schemes Member States should ensure that information is easily accessible both for consumers and for net-zero technology manufacturers on a free website. The use by public authorities of the sustainability and resilience contribution in schemes targeted at consumers or households should be without prejudice to State aid rules and to WTO rules on Subsidies. |
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| 52 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions : EU Solar Energy Strategy, COM(2022) 221 final, 18.05.2022. | 52 Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions : EU Solar Energy Strategy, COM(2022) 221 final, 18.05.2022. |
Amendment 13
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 45
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (45) Member States can provide support from cohesion policy programmes in line with applicable rules under Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council57 to encourage the take up of net-zero strategic projects in less developed and transition regions through investment packages of infrastructure, productive investment in innovation, manufacturing capacity in SMEs, services, training and upskilling measure, including support to capacity building of the public authorities and promoters. The applicable co-financing rates set in programmes may be up to 85% for less developed regions and up to 60% or 70% for transition regions depending on the fund concerned and the status of the region but Member States may exceed these ceilings at the level of the project concerned, where feasible under State aid rules. The Technical Support Instrument can help Member States and regions in preparing net-zero growth strategies, improve the business environment, reducing red tape and accelerating permitting. Member States should be encouraged to promote the sustainability of net-zero strategic projects by embedding these investments in European value chains, building notably on interregional and cross border cooperation networks. | (45) Member States should provide support from cohesion policy programmes in line with applicable rules under Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council57 to encourage the take up of net-zero strategic projects in all regions, especially in less developed, transition regions and Just Transition Fund Territories, through investment packages of infrastructure, productive investment in innovation, manufacturing capacity in SMEs and, where appropriate, mid-cap companies as defined in Article 2, points (6) and (7) of Regulation (EU) 2015/1017, as well as productive investment in services, research, job-search assistance, training and upskilling measure, including support to capacity building of the public authorities and promoters. To mitigate the risk of de-commitments of unspent cohesion funds, the Commission may, one year before the ending of the funding period, advise Member States to redirect these funds towards the financing of strategic Net-Zero projects. The applicable co-financing rates set in programmes may be up to 85% for less developed regions and up to 60% or 70% for transition regions and 40% to 50% for more developed regions, depending on the fund concerned and the status of the region but Member States may exceed these ceilings at the level of the project concerned, where feasible under State aid rules. The Technical Support Instrument can help Member States and regions in preparing net-zero growth strategies, improve the business environment, reducing red tape and accelerating permitting. Member States should be encouraged to promote the sustainability of net-zero strategic projects by embedding these investments in European value chains, building notably on interregional and cross border cooperation networks. |
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| 57 Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159). | 57 Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 June 2021 laying down common provisions on the European Regional Development Fund, the European Social Fund Plus, the Cohesion Fund, the Just Transition Fund and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund and financial rules for those and for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy (OJ L 231, 30.6.2021, p. 159). |
Amendment 14
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 47
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (47) A European Sovereignty Fund would provide a structural answer to the investment needs. It will help preserving a European edge on critical and emerging technologies relevant to the green and digital transitions, including net-zero technologies. This structural instrument will build on experience of coordinated multi-country projects under the IPCEIs and seek to enhance all Member States’ access to such projects, thereby safeguarding cohesion and the Single Market against risks caused by unequal availability of State Aids. | (47) A European Sovereignty Fund would provide a structural answer to the investment needs. It will help preserving a European edge on critical and emerging technologies relevant to the green and digital transitions, including net-zero technologies. This structural instrument will build on experience of coordinated multi-country projects under the IPCEIs and seek to enhance all Member States’ access to such projects, thereby safeguarding cohesion and the Single Market against risks caused by unequal availability of State Aids, including appropriate measures mitigating those risks, and providing a key part of the necessary additional funding indispensable for tackling the challenges related to the twin transition. |
Amendment 15
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 48
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (48) To overcome the limitations of the current fragmented public and private investments efforts, facilitate integration and return on investment, the Commission, and Member States should better coordinate and create synergies between the existing funding programmes at Union and national level as well as ensure better coordination and collaboration with industry and key private sector stakeholders. The Net-Zero Europe Platform has a key role to play to build a comprehensive view of available and relevant funding opportunities and to discuss the individual financing needs of net-zero strategic projects. | (48) To overcome the limitations of the current fragmented public and private investments efforts, facilitate integration and return on investment, the Commission, and Member States should better coordinate and create synergies between the existing funding programmes at Union and national level as well as ensure better coordination and collaboration with industry and key private sector stakeholders. The Net-Zero Europe Platform has a key role to play to build a comprehensive view of available and relevant funding opportunities and to discuss the individual financing needs of net-zero strategic projects and in order to support regions, municipalities and project promoters. |
Amendment 16
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 48 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (48 a) In order to ensure strategic territorial development and cohesion, municipalities may become shareholders of Net-Zero projects located in their administrative region. |
Amendment 17
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 58
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (58) Land use conflicts can create barriers to the deployment of net zero technologies manufacturing projects. Well-designed plans, including spatial plans and zoning, that take into account the potential for implementing net-zero technologies manufacturing projects and whose potential environmental impacts are assessed, have the potential to help balance public goods and interests, decreasing the potential for conflict and accelerating the sustainable deployment of net-zero technologies manufacturing projects in the Union. Responsible national, regional and local authorities should therefore consider the inclusion of provisions for net-zero technologies manufacturing projects when developing relevant plans. | (58) Land use conflicts can create barriers to the deployment of net zero technologies manufacturing projects. Well-designed plans, including spatial plans and zoning, that take into account the potential for implementing net-zero technologies manufacturing projects and whose potential environmental impacts are assessed, have the potential to help balance public goods and interests, decreasing the potential for conflict and accelerating the sustainable deployment of net-zero technologies manufacturing projects in the Union. Responsible national, regional and local authorities should therefore, in accordance with the partnership principle stipulated in Article 8 of the Common Provisions Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 consider the inclusion of provisions for net-zero technologies manufacturing projects when developing relevant plans. |
Amendment 18
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 69
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (69) At Union level, a Net-Zero Europe Platform, should be established, composed of the Member States and chaired by the Commission. The Net-Zero Europe Platform may advise and assist the Commission and Member States on specific questions and provide a reference body, in which the Commission and Member States coordinate their action and facilitate the exchange of information on issues relating to this Regulation. The Net-Zero Europe Platform should further perform the tasks outlined in the different Articles of this Regulation, notably in relation to permitting, including one-stop shops, Net-Zero Strategic Projects, coordination of financing, access to markets and skills as well as innovative net-zero technologies regulatory sandboxes. Where necessary, the Platform may establish standing or temporary subgroups and invite third parties, such as experts or representatives from net-zero industries. | (69) At Union level, a Net-Zero Europe Platform, should be established, composed of the Member States and chaired by the Commission. The Net-Zero Europe Platform may advise and assist the Commission and Member States on specific questions and provide a reference body, in which the Commission and Member States coordinate their action and facilitate the exchange of information on issues relating to this Regulation. The Net-Zero Europe Platform should further perform the tasks outlined in the different Articles of this Regulation, notably in relation to permitting, including one-stop shops, Net-Zero Strategic Projects, coordination of financing, access to markets and skills as well as innovative net-zero technologies regulatory sandboxes. Additionally, the Net-Zero Platform should assess the progress of NUTS 2 regions and support their social, economic and territorial development to ensure cohesion. Where necessary, the Platform may establish standing or temporary subgroups and invite the European Economic and Social Committee and the European Committee of the Regions, as well as social partners, civil society organisations, and third parties, such as experts or representatives from net-zero industries. |
Amendment 19
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 70
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (70) As part of the Green Deal Industrial Plan the Commission announced its intention to conclude Net-Zero Industrial Partnerships covering net-zero technologies, to adopt net-zero technologies globally and to support the role of EU industrial capabilities in paving the way for the global clean energy transition. The Commission and Member States may coordinate within the Platform the Partnerships, discussing existing relevant partnerships and processes, such as green partnerships, energy dialogues and other forms of existing bilateral contractual arrangements, as well as potential synergies with relevant Member States’ bilateral agreements with third countries. | (70) As part of the Green Deal Industrial Plan the Commission announced its intention to conclude Net-Zero Industrial Partnerships covering net-zero technologies, to adopt net-zero technologies globally and to support the role of EU industrial capabilities in paving the way for the global clean energy transition. The Commission and Member States should coordinate within the Platform the Partnerships, and may discuss existing relevant partnerships and processes, such as green partnerships, energy dialogues and other forms of existing bilateral contractual arrangements, as well as potential synergies with relevant Member States’ bilateral agreements with third countries. |
Amendment 20
Proposal for a regulation
Recital 71
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (71) The Union should aim to diversify international trade and investments in net-zero technologies and to promote globally high social and environmental standards should be done in close cooperation and partnership with like-minded countries. Similarly, stronger research and innovation efforts to develop and deploy net-zero technologies should be pursued in close cooperation with partner countries in an open but assertive approach. | (71) The Union should aim to diversify international trade and investments in net-zero technologies and to promote globally high social and environmental standards in close cooperation and partnership with like-minded countries. Similarly, stronger research and innovation efforts to develop and deploy net-zero technologies should be pursued in close cooperation with partner countries in an open but assertive approach. |
Amendment 21
Proposal for a regulation
Article 1 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. This Regulation establishes the framework of measures for innovating and scaling up the manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies in the Union to support the Union’s 2030 target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % relative to 1990 levels and the Union’s 2050 climate neutrality target, as defined by Regulation (EU) 2021/1119, and to ensure the Union’s access to a secure and sustainable supply of net-zero technologies needed to safeguard the resilience of the Union’s energy system and to contribute to the creation of quality jobs. | 1. This Regulation establishes the framework of measures for innovating and scaling up the manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies in the Union to support the Union’s 2030 target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % relative to 1990 levels and the Union’s 2050 climate neutrality target, as defined by Regulation (EU) 2021/1119, and to ensure the Union’s access to a secure and sustainable supply of net-zero technologies needed to safeguard the resilience of the Union’s energy system and to contribute to the creation and maintenance of quality jobs. |
Amendment 22
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point a
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (a) ‘net-zero technologies’ means renewable energy technologies66 ; electricity and heat storage technologies; heat pumps; grid technologies; renewable fuels of non-biological origin technologies; sustainable alternative fuels technologies67 ; electrolysers and fuel cells; advanced technologies to produce energy from nuclear processes with minimal waste from the fuel cycle, small modular reactors, and related best-in-class fuels; carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies; and energy-system related energy efficiency technologies. They refer to the final products, specific components and specific machinery primarily used for the production of those products. They shall have reached a technology readiness level of at least 8. | (a) ‘net-zero technologies’ means renewable energy technologies66 ; electricity and heat storage technologies; heat pumps; grid technologies; renewable fuels of non-biological origin technologies; sustainable alternative fuels technologies67 ; electrolysers and fuel cells; technologies to produce energy from nuclear processes and their related fuel cycle, small modular reactors, and related best-in-class fuels; carbon capture, utilisation, and storage technologies; and energy-system related energy efficiency and renewable bioenergy technologies. They refer to the final products, specific components and specific machinery, including technologies for circularity, primarily used for the production of those products. They shall have reached a technology readiness level of at least 7. |
| _________________ | _________________ |
| 66 ‘renewable energy' means ‘renewable energy’ as defined in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources | 66 ‘renewable energy' means ‘renewable energy’ as defined in Directive (EU) 2018/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 December 2018 on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources |
| 67 ‘sustainable alternative fuels’ means fuels covered by the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport, COM/2021/561 final and by the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and Council on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport COM/2021/562 final. | 67 ‘sustainable alternative fuels’ means fuels covered by the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on ensuring a level playing field for sustainable air transport, COM/2021/561 final and by the Proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and Council on the use of renewable and low-carbon fuels in maritime transport COM/2021/562 final. |
Justification
Accelerating sustainable circular bioeconomy is crucial to increase the capacity of supply chains and in decreasing the use of fossil resources. Bioeconomy is vital for many regions in using sustainably their natural resources in achieving common climate goals.
Amendment 23
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point b
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (b) ‘component’ means a small part of a net-zero technology that is manufactured and traded by a company starting from processed materials; | (b) ‘component’ means a small part of a net-zero technology that is manufactured and traded by a company starting from processed materials and recycled components; |
Justification
Accelerating the circular economy is crucial to increase the capacity of supply chains.
Amendment 24
Proposal for a regulation
Article 3 – paragraph 1 – point c
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (c) ‘innovative net-zero technologies’ means technologies which satisfy the definition of ‘net-zero technologies’, except that they have not reached a technology readiness level of at least 8, and that comprise genuine innovation which are not currently available on the market and are advanced enough to be tested in a controlled environment. | (c) ‘innovative net-zero technologies’ means technologies which satisfy the definition of ‘net-zero technologies’, except that they have not reached a technology readiness level of at least 7, and that comprise genuine innovation which are not currently available on the market and are advanced enough to be tested in a controlled environment. |
Justification
Lowers technology readiness level from 8 to 7. Innovation and energy policy needs to emphasize more development and early-stage investments in substitution of direct, production related state aid.
Amendment 25
Proposal for a regulation
Article 4 – paragraph 6
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 6. The national competent authority shall ensure that applicants have easy access to information on and simple procedures for the settlement of disputes concerning the permit-granting process and the issuance of permits to construct or expand projects, including, where applicable, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. | 6. The national competent authority shall ensure that applicants have easy access to information on and clear and simple procedures for the settlement of disputes concerning the permit-granting process and the issuance of permits to construct or expand projects, including, where applicable, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. |
Amendment 26
Proposal for a regulation
Article 5 – paragraph 1 – point d
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (d) business support services, including but not limited to corporate tax declaration, local tax laws, labour law. | (d) business support services, including but not limited to corporate tax declaration, national, regional, and local tax legislation, labor law, state aid and competition legislation, and other relevant legislative components. |
Amendment 27
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. Where an environmental impact assessment must be carried out in accordance with Articles 5 to 9 of Directive 2011/92/EU, the project promoter concerned shall request an opinion to the competent authority referred to in Article 4 on the scope and level of detail of the information to be included in the environmental impact assessment report pursuant to Article 5(1) of that Directive. The national competent authority shall ensure that the opinion referred to in the first subparagraph is issued as soon as possible and within a period of time not exceeding 30 days from the date on which the project promoter submitted its request. | 1. Where an environmental impact assessment must be carried out in accordance with Articles 5 to 9 of Directive 2011/92/EU, the project promoter concerned shall request an opinion to the competent authority referred to in Article 4 on the scope and level of detail of the information to be included in the environmental impact assessment report pursuant to Article 5(1) of that Directive. The national competent authority shall ensure that the opinion referred to in the first subparagraph is issued as soon as possible and within a period of time not exceeding 30 days from the date on which the project promoter submitted its request and that the public concerned is consulted according to Art. 11 of Directive 2011/92/EU. |
Amendment 28
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 2 – subparagraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Under the coordinated procedure referred to in the first subparagraph, the national competent authority shall coordinate the various individual assessments of the environmental impact of a particular project required by the applicable Union legislation. | Under the coordinated procedure referred to in the first subparagraph, the national competent authority shall, in accordance with the partnership principle stipulated in Article 8 of the Common Provisions Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, coordinate the various individual assessments of the environmental impact of a particular project required by the applicable Union legislation. |
Amendment 29
Proposal for a regulation
Article 7 – paragraph 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 3. The national competent authority shall ensure that the authorities concerned issue a reasoned conclusion as referred to in Article 1(2), point (g)(iv) of Directive 2011/92/EU on the environmental impact assessment within three months of receiving all necessary information gathered pursuant to Articles 5, 6 and 7 of that Directive and completing the consultations referred to in Articles 6 and 7 of that Directive. | 3. The national competent authority shall ensure that the authorities concerned issue a reasoned conclusion as referred to in Article 1(2), point (g)(iv) of Directive 2011/92/EU on the environmental impact assessment within three months of receiving all necessary information gathered pursuant to Articles 5, 6 and 7 of that Directive, validating their quality and completing the consultations referred to in Articles 6 and 7 of that Directive. |
Amendment 30
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. When preparing plans, including zoning, spatial plans and land use plans, national, regional and local authorities shall, where appropriate, include in those plans provisions for the development of net-zero technology manufacturing projects, including net-zero strategic projects. Priority shall be given to artificial and built surfaces, industrial sites, brownfield sites, and, where appropriate, greenfield sites not usable for agriculture and forestry. | 1. When preparing national and regional plans, as well as action plans for sustainable energy and energy efficiency strategies, Member States shall ensure cooperation with national, regional and local authorities, in accordance with the partnership principle stipulated in Article 8 of the Common Provisions Regulation (EU) 2021/1060, to promote the development of net-zero technology manufacturing projects, including strategic net-zero projects. Priority shall be given to artificial and built surfaces, industrial sites, brownfield sites, and, where appropriate, greenfield sites not usable for agriculture and forestry, and not classified as Natura 2000. |
Amendment 31
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 2. Where plans include provisions for the development of net-zero technology manufacturing projects, including net-zero strategic projects, are subject to an assessment pursuant to Directive 2001/42/EC and pursuant to Article 6 of Directive 92/43/EEC, those assessments shall be combined. Where relevant, that combined assessment shall also address the impact on potentially affected water bodies and verify whether the plan potentially prevent a water body from achieving good status or good potential or cause deterioration of status or of potential referred to in Article 4 of Directive 2000/60/EC or would potentially hamper that a water body achieves good status or good potential. Where relevant Member States are required to assess the impacts of existing and future activities on the marine environment, including land-sea interactions, as referred to in Article 4 of Directive 2014/89/EU, these impacts shall also be covered by the combined assessment. | 2. Where plans include provisions for the development of net-zero technology manufacturing projects, including net-zero strategic projects, are subject to an assessment pursuant to Directive 2001/42/EC and pursuant to Article 6 of Directive 92/43/EEC, those assessments shall be combined. Where relevant, that combined assessment shall also address the impact on potentially affected water bodies and verify whether the plan potentially prevent a water body from achieving good status or good potential or cause deterioration of status or of potential referred to in Article 4 of Directive 2000/60/EC or would potentially hamper that a water body achieves good status or good potential. Where relevant Member States are required to assess the impacts of existing and future activities on the marine environment, including land-sea interactions, as referred to in Article 4 of Directive 2014/89/EU, these impacts shall also be covered by the combined assessment. The combination of assessment pursuant to this paragraph shall not lower nor endanger the quality of either of the assessments. |
| The Commission shall issue guidelines on how to combine assessments pursuant to the first subparagraph. |
Amendment 32
Proposal for a regulation
Article 8 – paragraph 2 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 2a. In support of achieving strategic autonomy, the EU commission develops a strategic action plan on how sustainable bioeconomy can contribute to the NZIA ambitions, including a strategic agenda for bio-based materials in the EU; outlining the materials needed, their sources, and manufacturing processes. | |
| (Will be added as a new paragraph.) |
Justification
EU needs a diverse set of different energy sources in order to achieve set goals in climate policy and in regard strengthening strategic autonomy. Bioeconomy is vital for many regions in using sustainably their natural resources in achieving common climate goals.
Amendment 33
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. Member States shall recognise as net-zero strategic projects net-zero technology manufacturing projects corresponding to a technology listed in the Annex and located in the Union that contributes to the realisation of the objectives set out in Article 1 of this Regulation and meet at least one of the following criteria: | 1. Member States in consultation with regional and local authorities shall recognise as net-zero strategic projects net-zero technology manufacturing projects corresponding to a technology listed in the Annex and located in the Union that contributes to the realisation of the objectives set out in Article 1 of this Regulation and meet at least one of the following criteria: |
Amendment 34
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point a
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (a) the net-zero technology manufacturing project contributes to the technological and industrial resilience of the Union’s energy system by increasing the manufacturing capacity of a component or part in the net-zero technology value chain for which the Union heavily depends on imports coming from a single third country ; | (a) the net-zero technology manufacturing project contributes to the technological and industrial resilience of the Union’s energy system by sustainably and strategically increasing the manufacturing capacity of a component or part in the net-zero technology value chain for which the Union heavily depends on imports coming from a single third country ; |
Amendment 35
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point ii
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (ii) it manufactures technologies with improved sustainability and performance; | (ii) it manufactures technologies with significantly improved sustainability and performance; |
Amendment 36
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iii
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (iii) it puts into place measures to attract, upskill or reskill a workforce required for net-zero technologies, including through apprenticeships, in close cooperation with social partners; | (iii) it puts into place measures to attract, upskill or reskill a workforce required for net-zero technologies, including through apprenticeships, in close cooperation with social partners; pays attention to social impact, promotes inclusiveness, creates stable employment; |
Amendment 37
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 1 – point b – point iv
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (iv) it adopts comprehensive low-carbon and circular manufacturing practices, including waste heat recovery. | (iv) it adopts comprehensive low-carbon and circular manufacturing practices, including waste heat recovery, side streams valorisation and water efficiency. |
Justification
Waste recovery is important but so is also the water efficiency, side streams valorisation and others.
Amendment 38
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 2. Member States shall recognise as net-zero strategic projects CO2 storage projects that meet the following cumulative criteria: | 2. Member States, in line with the "do no significant harm” principle within the meaning of Article 9 of Regulation (EU) 2021/1060 shall recognise as net-zero strategic projects only such CO2 storage projects that meet the following cumulative criteria: |
Amendment 39
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 – paragraph 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 3. Net-zero technology manufacturing projects corresponding to a technology listed in the Annex located in ‘less developed and transition regions’ and Just Transition Fund Territories and eligible for funding under cohesion policy rules, shall be recognised by Member States as net-zero strategic projects under Article 11(3) upon request of the project promoter without the project promoter having to submit a formal application under Article 11(2). | 3. Only net-zero technology manufacturing projects corresponding to a technology listed in the Annex located in ‘less developed and transition regions’ and Just Transition Fund Territories and eligible for funding under cohesion policy rules, shall be recognised by Member States as net-zero strategic projects under Article 11(3) upon request of the project promoter without the project promoter having to submit a formal application under Article 11(2). The Commission shall nevertheless verify the adherence to the technologies listed in the Annex. |
Amendment 40
Proposal for a regulation
Article 10 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Article10a | |
| State aid thresholds for Member States for Net-Zero project investments | |
| 1. In order to ensure the proportional disbursement of state aid by the individual Member States, the Commission shall identify an individual threshold for state aid per Member State that reflects the average investment amount to prevent further divergence in the development of regions. | |
| 2. The Commission shall propose a method of calculation for the threshold that takes into account indicators of possible unequal distribution of state aid between Member States, such as financial resources, share of industries and population data in EU-average. |
Amendment 41
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. Applications for recognition of net-zero technology projects as net-zero strategic projects shall be submitted by the project promoter to the relevant Member State. | 1. Applications for recognition of net-zero technology projects as net-zero strategic projects shall be submitted by the project promoter to the relevant Member State who, in the case of carbon storage projects, shall submit all approved projects to the Commission for confirmation. |
Amendment 42
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 4
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 4. The Commission may provide its opinion on the approved projects. In the case of a rejection of the application by a Member State, the applicant shall have the right to submit the application to the Commission, which shall assess the application within 20 working days. | 4. The Commission shall provide its opinion on the approved projects of the Member State. In the case of a rejection of the application by a Member State, the applicant shall have the right to submit the application to the Commission, which shall assess the application within 20 working days. |
Amendment 43
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 6
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 6. Where the Commission or a Member State finds that a net-zero strategic project has undergone substantial changes or that it no longer fulfils the criteria set out in Article 10(1) or 10(3), or where its recognition was based on an application containing incorrect information, it shall inform the project promoter concerned. After hearing the project promoter, the Member State may repeal the decision granting a project the status of net-zero strategic project. | 6. Where the Commission or a Member State finds that a net-zero strategic project has undergone substantial changes or that it no longer fulfils the criteria set out in Article 10(1) or 10(3), or where its recognition was based on an application containing incorrect information, or, following Commission's ex-post evaluation, that it no longer sufficiently contributes to innovation and scaling up the manufacturing capacity of net-zero technologies it shall inform the project promoter concerned. After hearing the project promoter, the Member State may repeal the decision granting a project the status of net-zero strategic project. |
Amendment 44
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 7
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 7. Projects which are no longer recognised as net-zero strategic project shall lose all rights connected to that status under this Regulation. | 7. Projects which are no longer recognised as net-zero strategic project referred to in paragraph 6 shall lose all rights connected to that status under this Regulation. |
Amendment 45
Proposal for a regulation
Article 11 – paragraph 8
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 8. The Commission shall set up and maintain an openly available registry of net-zero strategic projects. | 8. Based on the data submitted by Member States, the Commission shall set up and maintain an openly available registry of net-zero strategic projects. |
Amendment 46
Proposal for a regulation
Article 12 – paragraph 2
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 2. Without prejudice to obligations provided for in Union law, Member States shall grant net-zero strategic projects the status of the highest national significance possible, where such a status exists in national law, and be treated accordingly in the permit-granting processes including those relating to environmental assessments and if national law so provides, to spatial planning. | 2. Without prejudice to obligations provided for in Union law, Member States shall grant net-zero strategic projects the status of the highest national significance possible, where such a status exists in national law, and be treated accordingly in the permit-granting processes including those relating to environmental assessments and if national law so provides, to spatial planning. National, regional and local authorities shall cooperate with each other in environmental procedures, spatial planning and other related legal obligations. |
Amendment 47
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. The Commission and the Member States shall undertake activities to accelerate and crowd-in private investments in net-zero strategic projects. Such activities may, without prejudice to Article 107 and Article 108 of the TFEU, include providing and coordinating support to net-zero strategic projects facing difficulties in accessing finance. | 1. The Commission and the Member States shall undertake activities to accelerate and crowd-in private investments in net-zero strategic projects. Such activities may, without prejudice to Article 107 and Article 108 of the TFEU, include providing and coordinating administrative support to net-zero strategic projects facing difficulties in accessing finance. |
Amendment 48
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 2. Member States may provide administrative support to net-zero strategic projects to facilitate their rapid and effective implementation, including by providing: | 2. Member States may provide administrative support, through competent authorities, to net-zero strategic projects to facilitate their rapid and effective implementation, including by providing: |
Amendment 49
Proposal for a regulation
Article 14 – paragraph 2 – point b
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (b) assistance to project promoters to further increase the public acceptance of the project. | (b) assistance to project promoters to further increase the public acceptance of the project. The support must be point to ‘less developed and transition regions’ and Just Transition Fund Territories and eligible for funding under cohesion policy rules, especially outermost regions and northern sparsely populated areas. |
Justification
Support should be focused on the regions which need it the most.
Amendment 50
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. The Net-Zero Europe Platform as established in Article 28 shall discuss financial needs and bottlenecks of net-zero strategic projects, potential best practices, in particular to develop EU cross-border supply chains, notably based on regular exchanges with the relevant industrial alliances. | 1. The Net-Zero Europe Platform as established in Article 28 shall discuss financial needs and bottlenecks of net-zero strategic technologies, potential best practices, in particular to develop EU cross-border supply chains, notably based on regular exchanges with the relevant industrial alliances. . |
Amendment 51
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 2. The Net-Zero Europe Platform shall, at the request of the net-zero strategic project promoter, discuss and advise on how the financing of its project can be completed, taking into account the funding already secured and considering at least the following elements: | 2. The Net-Zero Europe Platform shall, at the request of regions, municipalities or a net-zero strategic project promoter, discuss and advise on how the financing of its project can be completed, taking into account the funding already secured and considering at least the following elements: |
Amendment 52
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 – point d a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (d a) other legally recognised sources of funding provided for in the legislation of the Member States. |
Amendment 53
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 – paragraph 2 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (2 a) The Net-Zero Europe Platform shall propose the creation of an additional funding instrument at European Union level. This instrument shall provide an ambitious and accelerated financial support for large-scale net-zero technologies projects, both in terms of capital and operational expenditure for the entire supply chains, to create a competitive and attractive environment in the European Union and conditions of fair competition with third countries |
Amendment 54
Proposal for a regulation
Article 15 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Article 15 a | |
| Net-Zero project share gains | |
| Municipalities that have strategic Net-Zero projects located in their administrative regions, may become shareholders depending on the market value and the amount of investments received, without prejudice to State aid law provisions. |
Amendment 55
Proposal for a regulation
Article 17 – paragraph 1 – point a
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (a) make publicly available data on areas where CO2 storage sites can be permitted on their territory. | (a) make publicly available data on areas where CO2 storage sites can be permitted on their territory. Based on data provided by Member States, an online registry of CO2 storage sites will be managed by the Commission. |
Amendment 56
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – title
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Sustainability and resilience contribution in public procurement procedures | Sustainability, quality of employment, resilience contribution and regional development in public procurement procedures |
Amendment 57
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. Contracting authorities or contracting entities shall base the award of contracts for net-zero technology listed in the Annex in a public procurement procedure on the most economically advantageous tender, which shall include the best price-quality ratio, comprising at least the sustainability and resilience contribution of the tender, in compliance with Directives 2014/23/EU, 2014/24/EU, or 2014/25/EU and applicable sectoral legislation, as well as with the Union’s international commitments, including the GPA and other international agreements by which the Union is bound. | 1. Contracting authorities or contracting entities shall base the award of contracts for net-zero technology listed in the Annex in a public procurement procedure on the most economically advantageous tender, which shall include the best price-quality ratio, comprising the contribution of the tender to sustainability, quality of employment, resilience and regional development, in compliance with Directives 2014/23/EU, 2014/24/EU, or 2014/25/EU and applicable sectoral legislation, as well as with the Union’s international commitments, including the GPA and other international agreements by which the Union is bound. |
Amendment 58
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – introductory part
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 2. The tender’s sustainability and resilience contribution shall be based on the following cumulative criteria which shall be objective, transparent and non-discriminatory: | 2. The tender’s contribution to sustainability, quality of employment, resilience and regional development shall be based on the following cumulative criteria which shall be objective, transparent, inclusive and non-discriminatory: |
Amendment 59
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 2 – point c
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (c) where applicable, the tender’s contribution to the energy system integration; | (c) where applicable, the tender’s contribution to the energy system integration, territorial cohesion, job creation and equal opportunities; |
Amendment 60
Proposal for a regulation
Article 19 – paragraph 3
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 3. Contracting authorities and contracting entities shall give the tender’s sustainability and resilience contribution a weight between 15% and 30% of the award criteria, without prejudice of the application of Article 41 (3) of Directive 2014/23/EU, Article 67 (5) of Directive 2014/24/EU or Article 82 (5) of Directive 2014/25/EU for giving a higher weighting to the criteria referred to in paragraph 2, points (a) and (b). | 3. Contracting authorities and contracting entities shall give the tender’s sustainability and resilience contribution a weight between 15% and 30% of the award criteria, without prejudice of the application of Article 41 (3) of Directive 2014/23/EU, Article 67 (5) , Article 36 of Directive 2014/24/EU or Article 82 (5) of Directive 2014/25/EU for giving a higher weighting to the criteria referred to in paragraph 2, points (a) and (b). |
Amendment 61
Proposal for a regulation
Article 20 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. Without prejudice to Article 4 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and Articles 107 and 108 the Treaty, and to the Union’s international commitments including the GPA and other international agreements by which the Union is bound, Member States, regional or local authorities, bodies governed by public law or associations formed by one or more such authorities or one or more such bodies governed by public law, shall assess the sustainability and resilience contribution as referred to in Article 19(2) of this Regulation when designing the criteria used for ranking bids in the framework of auctions, the aim of which is to support the production or consumption of energy from renewable sources as defined in Article 2, point (1) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. | 1. Without prejudice to Article 4 of Directive (EU) 2018/2001 and Articles 107 and 108 the Treaty, and to the Union’s international commitments including the GPA and other international agreements by which the Union is bound, Member States, regional or local authorities, bodies governed by public law or associations formed by one or more such authorities or one or more such bodies governed by public law, shall assess the sustainability and resilience contribution as referred to in Article 19(2) of this Regulation when designing the criteria used for ranking bids in the framework of auctions, the aim of which is to support the production or consumption of energy from renewable sources as defined in Article 2, point (1) of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Member States may prioritize the public funding, including European funds, of entities that contribute to the net-zero emissions objective listed in the annex. |
Amendment 62
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – introductory part
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. The Commission shall support, including through the provision of seed-funding, the establishment of European Net Zero Industry Academies, which have as their objectives to: | 1. The Commission shall support, including through the provision of seed-funding, the establishment of European Net Zero Industry Academies, with priority given to transition and less developed regions. The Academies shall have as their objectives to: |
Amendment 63
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point a
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (a) develop learning programmes, content and learning and training materials for training and education on developing, producing, installing, commissioning, operating, maintaining and recycling net-zero technologies, on raw materials, as well as to support the capacities of public authorities competent to issue permits and authorisations referred to in Chapter II and contracting authorities referred to in Chapter IV of this Regulation; | (a) develop learning programmes, content and learning and training materials for training and education on developing, producing, installing, commissioning, operating, maintaining and recycling net-zero technologies, on raw materials, as well as to support the capacities of public authorities competent to issue permits and authorisations referred to in Chapter II and contracting authorities referred to in Chapter IV of this Regulation. The Commission shall involve actors with proven experience in developing educational content, as well as enterprises or consortiums of enterprises developing a technological project or a strategic project that contributes to the net-zero emissions objective. |
Amendment 64
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point b
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (b) enable and promote the use of the learning programmes, content and materials by education and training providers in the Member States, among others by training trainers and develop mechanisms to ensure the quality of the training offered by education and training providers in the Member States based on the above learning programmes, content and materials; | (b) enable and promote the use of the learning programmes, content and materials by education and training providers in the Member States, among others by training trainers and develop mechanisms to ensure the quality and adequate monitoring by competent national and regional authorities of the training offered by education and training providers in the Member States based on the above learning programmes, content and materials, making use of the best practices already in place in the Member States; |
Amendment 65
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 – point c
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (c) develop and deploy credentials, including micro-credentials, to facilitate the transparency of skills acquired and enhance the transferability between jobs and the cross-border mobility of the workforce, and to promote matching with relevant jobs through tools such as the European Employment Services (EURES) network and EURAXESS. | (c) develop and deploy credentials, including micro-credentials, to facilitate the transparency of skills acquired and enhance the transferability between jobs and the cross-border mobility of the workforce, and to promote equal opportunities and greater participation of long term unemployed and socially disadvantaged groups as well as matching with relevant jobs through tools such as the European Employment Services (EURES) network and EURAXESS. |
Amendment 66
Proposal for a regulation
Article 23 – paragraph 1 a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1 a. In order to identify regions with a particular need for European Net-Zero Academies, Member States shall evaluate the number of applications and realised strategic Net-Zero projects at NUTS 2 level and assess, in coordination with the Net-Zero Platform according to Art. 28 (4d), the establishment of their Net-Zero Academies in those regions. |
Amendment 67
Proposal for a regulation
Article 24 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. By 31 December 2024 and every two years thereafter, Member States shall identify whether the learning programmes developed by the European net-zero industry academies are equivalent to the specific qualifications required by the host Member State to access regulated activities within the scope of a profession with particular interest for the net-zero industry. Member States shall ensure that the results of the assessments are made public and easily accessible online. | 1. By 31 December 2024 and every two years thereafter, Member States, in consultation with education and training providers, social partners, and industries that contribute to the net-zero emissions objectives, shall identify whether the learning programmes developed by the European net-zero industry academies are equivalent to the specific qualifications required by the host Member State to access regulated activities within the scope of a profession with particular interest for the net-zero industry. Member States shall ensure that the results of the assessments are made public and easily accessible online to all relevant stakeholders. |
Amendment 68
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 5
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (5) facilitate the development of European occupation profiles consisting of a common set of knowledge, skills and competences for key professions in the net-zero technologies, drawing inter alia upon the learning programmes developed by the European Net-Zero Industry Academies, and, where appropriate, using the terminology provided by the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) classification to facilitate transparency and mobility between jobs and across internal market borders; | (5) facilitate the development of European standards and occupation profiles consisting of a common set of knowledge, skills and competences for key professions in the net-zero technologies, drawing inter alia upon the learning programmes developed by the European Net-Zero Industry Academies, and, where appropriate, using the terminology provided by the European Skills, Competences, Qualifications and Occupations (ESCO) classification to facilitate transparency and mobility between jobs and across internal market borders; |
Amendment 69
Proposal for a regulation
Article 25 – paragraph 1 – point 6
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (6) promote adequate working conditions in jobs in net-zero technology industries, the activation of youth, women and seniors to the labour market for net-zero technology industries, and the attraction of skilled workers from third countries, and thereby achieve a more diverse workforce; | (6) promote adequate working conditions in jobs in net-zero technology industries, the activation of youth, women and seniors, socially vulnerable groups, long term unemployed to the labour market for net-zero technology industries, and the attraction of skilled workers from third countries, and thereby achieve a more diverse workforce; |
Amendment 70
Proposal for a regulation
Article 27 – paragraph 1 – point b
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (b) organise awareness raising activities about participation to the regulatory sandboxes by small and medium enterprises; | (b) organise information and awareness raising activities about participation to the regulatory sandboxes by small and medium enterprises; |
Amendment 71
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 4 – introductory part
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 4. The Commission and Member States may coordinate within the Platform on the Net-Zero Industrial Partnerships and also with relevant third countries to help promote the adoption of net-zero technologies globally and to support the role of Union industrial capabilities in paving the way for the global clean energy transition, in line with the overall objectives of this Regulation stemming from Article 1 of this Regulation. The Platform may periodically discuss: | 4. The Commission and Member States may coordinate within the Platform on the Net-Zero Industrial Partnerships and also with relevant third countries to help promote the adoption of net-zero technologies globally and to support the role of Union industrial capabilities in paving the way for the global clean energy transition, in line with the overall objectives of this Regulation stemming from Article 1 of this Regulation. The Platform shall periodically discuss: |
Amendment 72
Proposal for a regulation
Article 28 – paragraph 4 – point c a (new)
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| (c a) how to support Member States in improving the development of their regions at NUTS 2 level by assessing projects no longer considered as strategic Net-Zero projects according to Art. 11 (7) in order to identify bottlenecks and challenges, build up more resilient and sustainable structures, and attract new projects to the area. |
Amendment 73
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 7
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 7. The Platform shall invite representatives of the European Parliament to attend, as observers, its meetings, including of the standing or temporary sub-groups referred to in paragraph 6. | 7. The Platform shall invite representatives of the European Parliament, the European Committee of the Regions and the European Economic and Social Committee to attend, as observers, its meetings, including of the standing or temporary sub-groups referred to in paragraph 6. The Platform shall present an annual activity report to the competent committees of the European Parliament. |
Amendment 74
Proposal for a regulation
Article 29 – paragraph 8
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 8. Where appropriate, the Platform or the Commission may invite experts and other third parties to Platform and sub-group meetings or to provide written contributions. | 8. On a regular basis, the Platform or the Commission may invite social partners and civil society organisations, as well as experts and other third parties, to Platform and sub-group meetings or to provide written contributions. |
Amendment 75
Proposal for a regulation
Article 35 – paragraph 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| 1. By…[3 years after the date of application of this Regulation], and every 3 years thereafter, the Commission shall evaluate this Regulation and present a report on the main findings to the European Parliament, the Council and the European Economic and Social Committee. | 1. By…[3 years after the date of application of this Regulation], and every 3 years thereafter, the Commission shall evaluate this Regulation and present a report on the main findings to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee, and the European Committee of the Regions. |
Amendment 76
Proposal for a regulation
Annex I – subheading 1
| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| Strategic net-zero technologies | Strategic net-zero technologies Table: 1. Solar photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies 2. Onshore wind and offshore renewable technologies 3. Battery/storage technologies 4. Heat pumps and geothermal energy technologies 5. Electrolysers and fuel cells 6. Sustainable biogas/biomethane technologies 7. Carbon Capture, storage (CCS / BECCS) and carbon utilization (CCU) technologies 8. Grid technologies 9. Renewable bioenergy technologies 10. Nuclear technologies 11. Energy fusion technologies |
| (Complements the original annex list.) |
Justification
Widens the list of strategic technologies in order to consider the regional specifics of energy production, resources and infrastructure.