18.3.2010   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 67/1

—

having regard to Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds (1) (Birds Directive),

—

having regard to Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora (2) (Habitats Directive),

—

having regard to the European Union's ecological network of special areas of conservation established by the two above-mentioned Directives, called the ‘Natura 2000’ network,

—

having regard to the outcome of the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 9) to the Convention on Biological Diversity,

—

having regard to the report No 3/2008 of the European Environment Agency (EEA) ‘European forests - ecosystem conditions and sustainable use’,

—

having regard to Rule 45 of its Rules of Procedure,

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety (A6-0478/2008),

A.

Whereas the effective protection and, where necessary, restoration of Europe's last wilderness areas are vital to halting the loss of biodiversity by 2010,

B.

Whereas the target to halt the loss of biodiversity by 2010 will not be achieved and the negative social and economic impact of biodiversity loss and declining ecosystem services are already being felt,

C.

Whereas the European Union should build on current achievements such as Natura 2000 and develop a significantly strengthened and ambitious new policy framework for biodiversity after 2010,

D.

Whereas the Birds and Habitats Directives provide a strong and workable framework for the protection of nature, including wilderness areas, from harmful developments,

E.

Whereas the objectives of the European Union's biodiversity policy and of the Birds and Habitats Directives are still far from being properly integrated in sectoral policies, such as agriculture, regional development, energy or transport,

F.

Whereas many wilderness areas provide important carbon stocks, whose protection is important both for biodiversity and for climate protection,

G.

Whereas the impacts of invasive alien species on biodiversity constitute a particularly serious threat to wilderness areas, where early detection of invasive species may not be possible, and where significant ecological and economic damage may occur before action can be taken,

1.

Calls on the Commission to define wilderness; the definition should address aspects such as ecosystem services, conservation value, climate change and sustainable use;

2.

Calls on the Commission to mandate the EEA and other relevant European bodies to map Europe's last wilderness areas, in order to ascertain the current distribution, level of biodiversity and cover of still-untouched areas as well as areas where human activities are minimal (divided into major habitats types: forest, freshwater and marine wilderness areas);

3.

Calls on the Commission to undertake a study on the value and benefits of wilderness protection; the study should particularly address the issues of ecosystem services, the level of biodiversity of wilderness areas, climate change adaptation and sustainable nature tourism;

4.

Calls on the Commission to develop an EU wilderness strategy, coherent with the Birds and Habitats Directives, using an ecosystem approach, identifying threatened species and biotopes, and setting priorities;

5.

Calls on the Commission and the Member States to develop wilderness areas; stresses the need for the provision of special funding for reducing fragmentation, careful management of re-wilding areas, development of compensation mechanisms and programmes, raising awareness, building understanding and introducing wilderness-related concepts such as the role of free natural processes and structural elements resulting from such processes into the monitoring and measurement of favourable conservation status; considers that this work should be carried out in cooperation with the local population and other stakeholders;

6.

Calls on the Commission and Member States to co-operate with local non-governmental organisations, stakeholders and the local population to promote the value of wilderness;

7.

Calls on the Member States to launch and support information campaigns to raise awareness among the general public about wilderness and its significance and to cultivate the perception that biodiversity protection can be compatible with economic growth and jobs;

8.

Calls on the Member States to exchange their experiences of best practices and lessons learned about wilderness areas by bringing together key European experts to examine the concept of wilderness in the European Union and place wilderness on the European agenda;

9.

In view of the well-documented damage which tourism has inflicted, and continues to inflict, on a great deal of Europe's most precious natural heritage, calls on the Commission and the Member States to ensure that tourism, even if focused on introducing visitors to the habitats and wildlife of a wilderness area, is handled with extreme care, making full use of experience gained inside and outside Europe on how to minimise its impact, and with reference, where appropriate, to Article 6 of the Habitats Directive; models where wilderness areas are for the most part closed to access (outside of permitted scientific research), but where a limited part is opened to sustainable high-quality tourism based on the wilderness experience and economically benefiting local communities, should be considered;

10.

Calls on the Commission and Member States to devote special attention to the effective protection of wilderness areas;

11.

Calls on the Commission to detect immediate threats linked to wilderness areas;

12.

Calls on the Commission to develop appropriate recommendations that provide guidance to the Member States on the best approaches for ensuring the protection of natural habitats;

13.

Calls on the Commission and Member States to protect wilderness areas by implementing the Birds and Habitats Directives, the Water Framework Directive (3) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (4) in a more effective and more consistent way, with better financing, in order to avoid the destruction of these areas by harmful, non-sustainable development;

14.

Welcomes the review of the Birds and Habitats Directives with a view, where necessary, to amending them to provide better protection for threatened species and biotopes;

15.

Calls on the Commission to accept the Wild Europe Initiative, a partnership of several nature conservation organisations including IUCN, IUCN-WCPA, WWF, Birdlife International and PAN Parks, with a strong interest in wild lands or nearly wild areas;

16.

Calls on the Commission, in cooperation with stakeholders, to develop guidelines on how to protect, manage, use sustainably, monitor and finance wilderness areas under the Natura 2000 network, especially with regard to upcoming challenges such as climate change, illegal logging and increasing demand for goods;

17.

Expresses deep concerns for European biodiversity policy due to lack of funding for management of the Natura 2000 network; in this context, calls on the Commission to prepare, as provided for in the Habitats Directive, Community co-funding for the management of sites in Member States;

18.

Calls on the Commission to give a special status to and stricter protection for wilderness zones in the Natura 2000 network;

19.

Considers that rural development policy and the integration of environmental protection into the EU agricultural sector must be reinforced; judges, however, the Rural Development Fund insufficient to finance biodiversity and wilderness conservation in terms of resources and its programming and expertise;

20.

Calls on the Commission to ensure that the Natura 2000 network will be strengthened further to become a coherent and functioning ecological network in which wilderness areas have a central place; stresses the need for coherent policies, in particular in the common agricultural policy, transport, energy and the budget in order not to undermine the conservation objectives of Natura 2000;

21.

Calls on the Commission and Member States to work together to develop a robust legislative framework on invasive alien species that tackles both ecological and economic impacts arising from such species and the particular vulnerability of wilderness areas to this threat;

22.

Calls on the Commission to monitor and assess the impact of climate change on wilderness;

23.

Calls on the Commission and the Member States to set wilderness conservation as a priority in their strategy to address climate change;

24.

Calls on the Commission, in the context of climate change, to undertake research and provide guidance as to when and how human intervention can manage wilderness in order to preserve it;

25.

Expresses its strong support for the strengthening of wilderness-related policies and measures;

26.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission, and to the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

18.3.2010   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 67/5

—

having regard to the communication from the Commission of 11 January 2007 entitled ‘Agenda for Sustainable Future in General and Business Aviation’ (COM(2007)0869),

—

having regard to the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2008 amending Regulations (EC) No 549/2004, (EC) No 550/2004, (EC) No 551/2004 and (EC) No 552/2004 in order to improve the performance and sustainability of the European aviation system (COM(2008)0388),

—

having regard to the proposal for a Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 June 2008 amending Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 in the field of aerodromes, air traffic management and air navigation services and repealing Council Directive 2006/23/EC (COM(2008)0390),

—

having regard to Directive 2008/101/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 November 2008 amending Directive 2003/87/EC so as to include aviation activities in the scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community (1),

—

having regard to Regulation (EC) No 549/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2004 laying down the framework for the creation of the single European sky (2), Regulation (EC) No 550/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2004 on the provision of air navigation services in the single European sky (3), and Regulation (EC) No 551/2004 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 March 2004 on the organisation and the use of airspace in the single European sky (4),

—

having regard to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 February 2008 on common rules in the field of civil aviation and establishing a European Aviation Safety Agency (5) (EASA Regulation),

—

having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) No 95/93 of 18 January 1993 on common rules for the allocation of slots at Community airports (6) (Slot Allocation Regulation),

—

having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 375/2007 of 30 March 2007 amending Regulation (EC) No 1702/2003 laying down implementing rules for the airworthiness and environmental certification of aircraft and related products, parts and appliances, as well as for the certification of design and production organisations (7),

—

having regard to Commission Regulation (EC) No 376/2007 of 30 March 2007 amending Regulation (EC) No 2042/2003 on the continuing airworthiness of aircraft and aeronautical products, parts and appliances, and on the approval of organisations and personnel involved in these tasks (8),

—

having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 219/2007 of 27 February 2007 on the establishment of a Joint Undertaking to develop the new generation European air traffic management system (SESAR) (9),

—

having regard to the Cost Effective Small Aircraft (CESAR) project financed under the 6th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development,

—

having regard to the communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of Regions of 25 June 2008 entitled ‘Single European Sky II : towards more sustainable and better performing aviation’ (COM(2008)0389),

—

having regard to the communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions of 24 January 2007 entitled ‘An action plan for airport capacity, efficiency and safety in Europe’ (COM(2006)0819),

—

having regard to the communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of Regions of 30 April 2008 entitled ‘On the application of Regulation (EEC) No 95/93 on common rules for the allocation of slots at Community airports, as amended’(COM(2008)0227),

—

having regard to the communication from the Commission of 15 March 2007 entitled ‘State of progress with the project to implement the new generation European air traffic management system (SESAR)’ (COM(2007)0103),

—

having regard to Rule 45 of its Rules of Procedure,

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Transport and Tourism and the opinion of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A6-0501/2008),

A.

whereas general and business aviation comprises a variety of aircraft activities; whereas the term covers all civil aircraft operations other than commercial air transport, as well as on-demand, remunerated, civil air transport operations,

B.

whereas this sector also comprises high value activities as diverse as specialised aerial works (aerial cartography, agricultural flights, firefighting, traffic surveillance), aerial training and recreational flying,

C.

whereas there is currently a lack of data and statistical information on general and business aviation,

D.

whereas general and business aviation is the fastest growing segment of civil aviation in Europe; whereas general and business aviation complements regular air transport performed by commercial airlines and thus provides specific social and economic benefits such as increasing the mobility of citizens, the productivity of businesses and regional cohesion,

E.

whereas general and business aviation is of growing economic importance, in particular for the European manufacturing industry, which has continuously increased its share in the worldwide market and has considerable potential for further growth,

F.

whereas EU aviation policy has traditionally focussed on commercial air transport, while not giving due consideration to its growing impact on general and business aviation,

G.

whereas rules intended to govern the operation of highly complex commercial aircraft may place a disproportionate financial and regulatory burden on operators of small private aircraft; whereas, therefore, one-size-fits-all regulatory approaches and the uniform enforcement of rules across different aviation sectors have proven inappropriate in certain respects,

H.

whereas access to airspace and aerodromes is a key issue for general and business aviation, since there is a growing gap between demand and capacity; whereas general and business aviation is increasingly in competition for access to airspace and aerodromes with the wider airline industry,

1.

Broadly welcomes the Commission Communication on general and business aviation since it provides a sound analysis of the issues affecting the sector and identifies a number of suitable approaches for addressing the specific needs of this sector within a framework of permanent dialogue between all the stakeholders;

2.

Stresses the need to take into account the interests and specificities of general and business aviation in the development of future air transport policy initiatives, with a view to strengthening its competitiveness; in this respect calls on the Commission to ensure the application of the proportionality and subsidiarity principles in the design and implementation of both existing and future aviation legislation;

3.

Reminds the Commission of the need to carry out, on a systematic basis, segmented impact assessments to provide for differentiation of regulations affecting different categories of undertakings and airspace users, if necessary and in so far as this does not compromise safety;

4.

Calls on the Commission when adopting implementing rules on aviation safety, to ensure that they are proportionate and commensurate to the complexity of the respective category of aircraft and operation;

5.

Welcomes the recent adaptation of maintenance standards for aircraft not involved in commercial air transport and in particular for aircraft not classified as ‘complex motor-powered aircraft’ as a good example of proportionate regulation;

6.

Considers that a degree of flexibility at the implementation stage would be desirable as far as general aviation is concerned; believes that this could be achieved by delegating certain supervisory powers to sports and recreational aviation associations and organisations subject to appropriate oversight by the relevant aviation authority and provided that there is no conflict of interests;

7.

Invites the Commission to examine the possibility of laying down simplified security procedures and screening processes for business aviation passengers without in any way compromising their security and safety;

8.

Suggests that the Commission facilitate the exchange of best practice on security measures at small to medium-sized airports;

9.

Points out that it becomes increasingly difficult for general and business aviation to get access not only to major airports but also to regional airports as growing demand from commercial air transport is placing a strain on the availability of slots and parking stands;

10.

Urges the Commission and Member States, through their airport authorities, to tackle these problems by implementing measures to optimise the use of existing capacity by better planning and through the deployment of modern technologies, such as foreseen in the Commission Action Plan for airport capacity, efficiency and safety in Europe (‘the Commission's Action Plan’);

11.

Awaits the advice of the new Community Observatory on Airport Capacity on developing measures to improve the capacity of the European airport network and expects the observatory to play an important role in the implementation of the Commission's Action Plan;

12.

Believes that helicopters can be an important short-haul means of connecting between airports and urges the Commission and Member States to include them in capacity-enhancing strategies;

13.

Encourages Member States and regional and local authorities to invest in the modernisation and establishment of small and medium-sized airports, which are of major importance for general and business aviation;

14.

Encourages the Member States to invest in specific infrastructure necessary for the operation and stationing of aircraft in the field of general and business aviation;

15.

Encourages Member States, as well as regional and local authorities, to involve all interested parties in consultation processes with a view to dedicating, where appropriate, potential or existing airports for use specifically by general and business aviation; where decommissioned military airports are concerned, the consultation should include military authorities;

16.

Considers it vitally important that airspace zoning around small and medium-sized airports be appropriate for general and business aviation users, and that any changes to such zones be preceded by a consultation with such users;

17.

Underlines that business aviation should be given, where possible, adequate access to major airports in order to enable it to connect Europe's regions to its economic centres and requests the Commission to examine and prepare a report to Parliament by the end of 2009 on whether there is a need to adapt relevant provisions of the existing Slot Allocation Regulation;

18.

Stresses the need to develop, at European level, a harmonised approach for guaranteeing consistency between airport slots and flight plans, calls on the Commission to propose appropriate measures and encourages the participation of the European airport coordinators in this matter;

19.

Expects that the introduction of a system of Air Traffic Management with state-of-the-art and innovative technologies within the framework of the SESAR Joint Undertaking would contribute to fighting fragmentation of European airspace and its forecasted congestion and would significantly increase airspace capacity, which will benefit all airspace users, including general and business aviation;

20.

Underlines, however, that the SESAR programme must fully take into account the specificities of general and business aviation and deliver real benefits to the sector without placing unnecessary burdens on it;

21.

Believes that it should be one of the objectives to provide Visual Flight Rules (VFR) users with access to traffic, meteorological and aeronautical information in a user-friendly and cost-effective way;

22.

Insists that the ‘Single European Sky’ legislation and SESAR do not lead to disproportionate and excessively costly technological requirements for small aircraft operated under VFR, while fully recognising that all aircraft using controlled airspace must feature equipment providing for an adequate level of safety, such as positioning devices;

23.

Considers that general and business aviation has a reduced environmental impact in terms of CO2 emissions and noise, when compared with that of commercial air transport;

24.

Believes it to be necessary, however, to reduce emissions through further enhancing the environmental performance of smaller aircraft by using cleaner fuels and by promoting research, technological development and innovation; in this respect stresses the importance of initiatives such as ‘Clean Sky’ and CESAR;

25.

Notes that the majority of general and business aviation falls outside the scope of the Commission Directive to include aviation activities in the scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading;

26.

Is of the view that noise issues should be dealt with at national and local levels in accordance with the subsidiarity principle and considers that noise mapping is one of several tools providing for a balanced methodology to ensure airport development without causing significant noise pollution to local citizens;

27.

Believes that policy-makers must have at their disposal adequate data and statistical information on general and business aviation in order to fully understand the sector and thus be able to regulate it properly; therefore calls on the Commission and Eurostat to develop and implement a systematic approach to the gathering and sharing of international and European data;

28.

Welcomes the Commission's clarification of legal definitions, including the definition of fractional ownership and recalls that the issue is addressed in the revised EASA Regulation and in the related implementing rules, which are currently under preparation;

29.

Calls on the Commission to take appropriate measures to facilitate access of the EU's general and business aviation manufacturing industry to world markets;

30.

Considers it necessary that the interests of general and business aviation are taken into account in the development of the EU's external aviation policy, in particular as regards transatlantic flights;

31.

Calls on the Commission to reinforce support for aeronautical research, development and innovation, in particular by SMEs that develop and build aircraft for general and business aviation;

32.

Considers as essential the promotion of recreational and sport aviation, as well as of European aeroclubs, which constitute an important source of professional skills for the entire aviation sector;

33.

Calls on the Commission to take account of the important role that this aviation sector plays and can continue to play in the development of vocational training for pilots;

34.

Requests the Commission to report back to the European Parliament by the end of 2009 on progress achieved in relation to the issues identified in this resolution;

35.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.

18.3.2010   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 67/10

—

having regard to the communication from the Commission of 14 December 2007 entitled ‘Pre-commercial Procurement: Driving innovation to ensure sustainable high quality public services in Europe’ (COM(2007)0799) (the ‘Commission communication’),

—

having regard to Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on the coordination of procedures for the award of public works contracts, public supply contracts and public service contracts (1),

—

having regard to Directive 2004/17/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 31 March 2004 on the coordination of procedures for the award of utilities contracts for entities operating in the water, energy, transport and postal services sectors (2),

—

having regard to the Commission interpretative communication on the application of Community law on Public Procurement and Concessions to institutionalised PPP (IPPP) (3),

—

having regard to all applicable competition rules regarding State Aid and intellectual property rights,

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 21 December 2007 on a lead market initiative for Europe (COM(2007)0860), and to the Commission consultation on establishing public procurement networks in support of this initiative,

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 25 June 2008 entitled ‘“Think small first” - A “Small Business Act” for Europe’ (COM(2008)0394), and to the Commission staff working document of 25 June 2008 on the European code of Best practices facilitating access by SMEs to public procurement contracts (SEC(2008)2193),

—

having regard to the Commission communication of 13 September 2006 entitled ‘Putting knowledge into practice: A broad-based innovation strategy for the EU’ (COM(2006)0502) and to the resolution of the European Parliament of 24 May 2007 (4),

—

having regard to the Commission staff working document of 23 February 2007 entitled ‘Guide on dealing with innovative solutions in public procurement: 10 elements of good practice’ (SEC(2007)0280),

—

having regard to the report of the Independent Expert Group on R&D and Innovation entitled ‘Creating an Innovative Europe’ (5) (the Aho report),

—

having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions on Pre-commercial Procurement: Driving innovation to ensure sustainable high quality public services in Europe (6),

—

having regard to Rule 45 of its Rules of Procedure,

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection and the opinions of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and the Committee on Legal Affairs (A6-0018/2009),

A.

whereas the Lisbon Strategy calls for Member States to raise research and development investment to 3% of GDP, a key commitment to drive innovation and the knowledge economy,

B.

whereas the Aho Report has identified public procurement as a strategic instrument to achieve this goal,

C.

whereas the Commission and the Member States must help develop the expertise required to make best use of the recommendations of the Commission communication,

D.

whereas there are currently no instruments available to the Commission to promote pre-commercial procurement pilot projects, and the initiative rests solely with the Member States,

1.

Welcomes the Commission communication and supports the proposed risk/benefit sharing pre-commercial procurement model as one of the drivers of innovation;

2.

Endorses the Aho Report and in particular the view that Member States should use public procurement to drive demand for innovative goods whilst improving the quality and accessibility of public services;

3.

Notes that, in spite of the numerous European research programmes, the results thereof have not yet been exploited by public authorities through public procurement;

4.

Notes the attention already given to pre-commercial procurement, in particular in the USA, China and Japan, who are actively exploiting the potential through a range of public policy instruments, such as the Defence Acquisitions Performance Assessment (DAPA) project in the USA;

5.

Considers that pre-commercial procurement constitutes an under-exploited driver of innovation-led growth for the EU with significant potential to achieve high-quality and readily accessible public services for example healthcare and transport, as well as to address the social challenges of climate change, sustainable energy and an ageing population;

6.

Regrets that many public authorities are not aware of the potential of pre-commercial procurement and do not yet act as ‘intelligent customers’;

7.

Considers that the optimum benefits of this initiative will only be realised if contracting authorities include innovation as one of the goals of their procurement programme;

8.

Notes that pre-commercial procurement can be deployed within the existing legal framework of Directives 2004/17/EC and 2004/18/EC, which exempt research and development services from their scope (7) unless the services procured are fully paid for by, and the benefits accrue solely to, the contracting authority;

9.

Urges Member States to screen national legislation to ensure that public authorities are not limited in pre-commercial procurement through inexistent, incorrect, or unnecessarily complex transposition of the relevant exemptions and unnecessarily elaborate national tendering requirements and procurement models;

10.

Notwithstanding the distinctive approach taken in pre-commercial procurement, notes that good principles of procurement should still apply, namely transparency and competitiveness, to ensure that integrated end-solutions meet customer needs;

11.

Endorses the Commission communication, which provides a potential conceptual basis for pre-commercial procurement and its implementation, but considers that there are some gaps regarding the manner of giving effect to the procedure proposed, especially at local and regional level;

12.

Considers, as far as local and regional authorities are concerned, that there is still not enough information about the continuing obstacles preventing them from implementing pre-commercial procurement with the aim of promoting genuinely innovative solutions in the public interest;

13.

Urges the Commission and Member States to work together to ensure that contracting authorities in local, regional, and other authorities removed from central administration develop the required expertise to implement innovative procurement;

14.

Urges the Commission and the Member States to provide local and regional contracting authorities with training guidelines and tools showing how pre-commercial procurement might be used in research and development;

15.

Welcomes, therefore, the Commission initiative to fund exchange of good practices and training on pre-commercial procurement in the 2009 work programme of the Seventh Framework Programme;

16.

Commends the above-mentioned Commission staff working document on 10 elements of good practice for innovative solutions in public procurement and welcomes the broader activities of Pro Inno Europe in support of innovation; calls on the Commission to draw up a similar best practice guide for pre-commercial procurement;

17.

Considers that pre-commercial procurement has very great potential as a further step towards embedding innovative procurement, but recognises the need for specialist procurement skills and for Member States, in partnership with business, universities, and training centres, to sponsor training activities for the development of management tools;

18.

Calls on the competent Commission Directorates-General to cooperate with each other in producing a comprehensive, easy-to-understand but legally watertight handbook in all the official languages with practical case illustrations showing how the relevant legal principles can be applied correctly in practice, particularly for the use of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and contracting authorities;

19.

Urges the Commission to provide in the handbook, in particular, practical examples of risk-benefit sharing according to market conditions; considers, in addition, that intellectual property rights must be vested in the companies participating in pre-commercial procurement, inasmuch as the US and Japan work on the basis of this model, which encourages numerous companies to become involved in pre-commercial procurement procedures;

20.

Notes in particular the importance for successful pre-commercial procurement of developing risk/benefit sharing according to market conditions and the vesting of intellectual property rights in participating undertakings;

21.

Calls on the Member States and the Commission to identify in the innovation policy mix medium- to long-term public challenges to be solved by technological solutions developed through pre-commercial procurement; is of the opinion that such solutions could include design contests and challenge funds, such as the US Driverless Vehicle Challenge;

22.

Considers that knowledge transfers between technologically innovative universities, research centres and contracting authorities form an integral part of successful pre-commercial procurement;

23.

Notes that European innovation agencies, such as VINNOVA in Sweden, Tekes in Finland, Senternovem in the Netherlands and Innovation Norway, play an integral part in the transfer of knowledge between prospective customers and researchers; by fostering cooperation between parties involved in research and development, they encourage the uptake of pre-commercial procurement; therefore encourages the Member States to examine the operation of these agencies as a benchmark for their own activities;

24.

Notes the importance of EU Technology Platforms in providing a framework to define research and development priorities and in linking innovations which are ready for exploitation to the needs of prospective customers; also notes that Technology Platforms can align the early market development of new technologies with the needs of public authorities; calls on the Commission, therefore, to ensure better involvement of Technology Platforms in pre-commercial procurement;

25.

Welcomes the Commission's Lead Market Initiative (LMI) as a strong catalyst for the use of pre-commercial procurement in support of innovation with a view to the development of key markets of scale, noting in particular the initiative to establish public procurement networks to support the LMI;

26.

Welcomes the Commission's efforts to improve access to public procurement for EU SMEs in the Small Business Act's European Code of Best Practices;

27.

Welcomes the Commission's clarification that pre-commercial procurement can be carried out by contracting authorities at all stages of developing and rolling-out a new product or service, and not only for fundamental research; notes that this comprehensive approach encourages access by SMEs to public procurement;

28.

Commends the Commission proposal for clarifying the role of public authorities in fostering research and development and stimulating innovation through their procurement activities; stresses that Member States' procurement policies should not be overly prescriptive, since pre-commercial procurement can be practically organised in different ways to suit specific projects and needs whilst still complying with Community rules;

29.

Considers that the concept of pre-commercial procurement is important, but fears that it will be unsuccessful in drawing in SMEs unless it is clearly understood how pre-commercial procurement is to work, particularly in a cross-border context; points out that the key principle of pre-commercial procurement – namely that the public authority does not keep all benefits resulting from the research and development, but that each company retains the ownership rights in respect of the new ideas it generates – ensures legal certainty and the protection of ideas for participating businesses;

30.

Recognises that SMEs can benefit from pre-commercial procurement through risk sharing (given their more limited investment capabilities), progressive growth (in size and experience) at each stage of the research and development process and the streamlined bidding process compared to traditional procurement;

31.

Calls on the Commission to consolidate these strategies into one single public procurement policy aimed at encouraging innovation through public procurement, pre-commercial procurement, the development of lead markets and SME growth through public procurement;

32.

Considers, as part of a consolidated strategy to promote innovation through pre-commercial procurement, that public campaigns would provide an improved climate for contracting authorities to invest more in activities encouraging innovation with a longer-term return on investment; supports in this regard opportunities for networking between local, regional and national public authorities as regards pre-commercial procurement;

33.

Considers that pre-commercial procurement can work most effectively if there are sufficient incentives for public authorities to tap into research and development markets and for suppliers to become involved in government projects; notes therefore that financial incentives are extremely important in the uptake of pre-commercial procurement and already exist in certain Member States, where a substantial proportion of the costs of the first pre-commercial procurement can be matched by a central authority;

34.

Considers that, within the scope of Community programs to stimulate innovation, financial incentives for public authorities across the EU to jointly undertake pre-commercial procurement of innovative technology in lead markets and other areas of common European interest should be considered;

35.

Notes that such Community pilots would benefit from an automatic Commission review and wide publication of practical experiences and contract clauses enabling procurers to refer to sound precedents which could also be used in a best practice guide;

36.

Identifies the need for a European pilot project in the context of pre-commercial procurement in order to show by example an implementation approach that ensures maximum legal certainty and protection for businesses, in particular for SMEs, which, by definition, are the weaker parties compared with contracting authorities and the large undertakings generally involved in public procurement;

37.

Notes that strengthening pre-commercial procurement remains one way among many for Member States to raise their game in innovation and research; calls therefore on Member States to promote innovation by engaging all stakeholders, including universities, research institutes and other bodies involved in the promotion of economic development, so as to better engage public authorities with innovative enterprise; considers that this engagement should be included in a consistent strategy for research, innovation and development;

38.

Recommends to the Commission and the Member States that, with the aim of encouraging competition, the use of electronic procurement systems and dynamic procedures be promoted in order to facilitate the process of pre-commercial procurement;

39.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission.

18.3.2010   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 67/16

—

having regard to the Commission Communication of 13 November 2008 entitled Second Strategic Energy Review – an EU energy security and solidarity action plan (COM(2008)0781) (the Communication on the Second Strategic Energy Review),

—

having regard to the Commission Green Paper of 13 November 2008 entitled Towards a secure, sustainable and competitive energy network (COM(2008)0782),

—

having regard to the Commission report of 13 November 2008 on the implementation of the trans-European energy networks programme in the period 2002-2006 (COM(2008)0770),

—

having regard to the Commission Communication of 13 November 2008 on Directive 2004/67/EC of 26 April 2004 concerning measures to safeguard security of natural gas supply (COM(2008)0769),

—

having regard to the Commission's proposal of 13 November 2008 for a Council directive imposing an obligation on Member States to maintain minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products (COM(2008)0775),

—

having regard to the Commission Communication of 13 November 2008 entitled Energy efficiency: delivering the 20% target (COM(2008)0772),

—

having regard to the Commission proposal of 13 November 2008 for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the energy performance of buildings (recast) (COM(2008)0780),

—

having regard to the Commission proposal of 13 November 2008 for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the indication by labelling and standard product information of the consumption of energy and other resources by energy-related products (recast) (COM(2008)0778),

—

having regard to the Commission proposal of 13 November 2008 for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on labelling of tyres with respect to fuel efficiency and other essential parameters (COM(2008)0779),

—

having regard to the Commission proposal of 26 November 2008 for a Council directive setting up a Community framework for nuclear safety (COM(2008)0790),

—

having regard to the Commission Communication of 13 November 2008 entitled Europe can save more energy by combined heat and power generation (COM(2008)0771),

—

having regard to the Commission Communication of 13 November 2008 entitled Offshore Wind Energy: Action needed to deliver on the Energy Policy Objectives for 2020 and beyond (COM(2008)0768),

—

having regard to the Commission Communication of 13 November 2008 entitled Update of the nuclear illustrative programme in the context of the second strategic energy review (COM(2008)0776),

—

having regard to the Commission Communication of 10 January 2007 entitled Limiting Global Climate Change to 2 degrees Celsius: The way ahead for 2020 and beyond (COM(2007)0002),

—

having regard to the Commission Communication of 23 January 2008 entitled 20 20 by 2020 – Europe's climate change opportunity (COM(2008)0030),

—

having regard to the Commission proposal of 23 January 2008 for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council on the promotion of the use of energy from renewable sources (COM(2008)0019),

—

having regard to the Commission Communication of 26 November 2008 entitled A European Economic Recovery Plan (COM(2008)0800),

—

having regard to its position of 4 April 2006 on the Council common position for adopting a decision of the European Parliament and of the Council laying down guidelines for trans-European energy networks and repealing Decision 96/391/EC and Decision No 1229/2003/EC (1),

—

having regard to its resolution of 10 May 2007 on Assessing Euratom – 50 Years of European nuclear energy policy (2),

—

having regard to its resolution of 25 September 2007 on the Road map for renewable energy in Europe (3),

—

having regard to its resolution of 26 September 2007 on towards a common European foreign policy on energy (4),

—

having regard to its resolution of 24 October 2007 on conventional energy sources and energy technology (5),

—

having regard to its resolution of 31 January 2008 on an Action Plan for Energy Efficiency: Realising the Potential (6),

—

having regard to its resolution of 13 March 2008 on the Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund (7),

—

having regard to its resolution of 9 July 2008 on the European Strategic Energy Technology Plan (8),

—

having regard to its position of 18 June 2008 on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/54/EC concerning common rules for the internal market in electricity (9),

—

having regard to its position of 9 July 2008 on the proposal for a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Directive 2003/55/EC concerning common rules for the internal market in natural gas (10),

—

having regard to its position of 18 June 2008 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1228/2003 on conditions for access to the network for cross-border exchanges in electricity (11),

—

having regard to its position of 9 July 2008 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EC) No 1775/2005 on conditions for access to the natural gas transmission networks (12),

—

having regard to its position of 18 June 2008 on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council establishing an Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (13),

—

having regard to its resolution of 18 November 2008 on supporting early demonstration of sustainable power generation from fossil fuels (14),

—

having regard to the Presidency conclusions of the European Council of 8 and 9 March 2007,

—

having regard to the Presidency conclusions of the European Council of 13 and 14 March 2008,

—

having regard to the Presidency conclusions of the European Council of 15 and 16 October 2008,

—

having regard to Rule 45 of its Rules of Procedure,

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and the opinion of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (A6-0013/2009),

A.

whereas any European energy policy must pursue three principal and equally important objectives in an integral manner, namely security of supply and solidarity among Member States, tackling climate change including a strong commitment to and implementation of the Union's own targets, and competitiveness,

B.

whereas a complete shift of paradigm in energy policy is necessary to achieve the above three main objectives while leading at the same time to a solution which takes account of social, environmental, economic and employment concerns,

C.

whereas the Union's dependence on conventional energy sources and on a limited number of energy producers presents a serious risk to stability, prosperity and security of energy supply,

D.

whereas increasing energy efficiency must play a key role in reducing dependence on energy imports, increasing competitiveness and combating climate change,

E.

whereas at present, the Union's energy demand continues to rise in most sectors, leaving energy efficiency potential largely unexploited,

F.

whereas the Union currently imports 50% of the energy that it consumes and whereas this proportion could rise to 70% by 2030,

G.

whereas the risks to the Union's security of supply are increased by the lack of vision towards an economy based on energy sobriety and to the low level of investment, in particular at local and regional levels, which, in all energy and energy-related sectors, is leading to capacities which are stretched or even inadequate, making it necessary in particular to renew electricity generating plants at an estimated investment cost of 900 billion EUR by 2030,

H.

whereas the decreasing level of oil and gas prices has a negative effect on planned investments, making it necessary to support all major infrastructure projects that contribute to the import of significant gas volumes to Europe, diversifying sources, routes and avoiding transit risks,

I.

whereas the present economic crisis is further hampering investment in energy infrastructure,

J.

whereas notwithstanding that the Commission's scenario foresees the decrease of demand of conventional sources in the next two decades, Europe needs to support all planned investments in new import energy infrastructure; whereas this will guarantee a safe transition to the new European energy system expected to be in place by 2020,

K.

whereas from 2030, in order to alleviate the major risk of fossil fuel energy shortages, the Union will have to have developed and programmed new competitive, sustainable, low CO2 energy technologies, while having significantly reduced its energy consumption,

L.

whereas the Union urgently needs to develop major network investments and to complete the internal energy market, and whereas forward-looking initiatives, such as the European transmission system operator and the establishment of a single European gas network, should be encouraged,

M.

whereas the energy sector and investments in energy infrastructure need a stable regulatory framework and a closer cooperation between the national regulators,

N.

whereas the development of energy networks is essential for improving security of supply, which must figure prominently among European energy policy priorities,

O.

whereas the electricity and gas sectors need a stable and predictable regulatory framework, making it necessary to confer strong powers on the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (Agency) so as to contribute to the harmonisation of national regulatory frameworks and to avoid the uncertainty that might result from the comitology procedure,

P.

whereas to contribute to security of supply objectives, the conventional indigenous energy resources of the Union must be exploited in Member States where they are available in compliance with national and the Community environmental legislation,

1.

Calls on Member States to regard this strategic energy review as a basis for implementing an energy policy for Europe and setting an ambitious action plan for 2010 - 2012;

2.

Reaffirms the threefold objective set for 2020 of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20%, and 30% in the case of an international agreement, reducing energy consumption by at least 20% and attaining at least a 20% share for renewables in final energy consumption; calls on the European Union and Member States to become the most energy-efficient economy in order to actively contribute to the achievement of the 2°C climate objective; calls on the European Union and the Member States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80 % by 2050; calls on the Commission, in consultation with stakeholders, to draw up possible energy scenarios, illustrating ways in which these objectives may be reached and setting out the underlying technical and economic hypotheses;

3.

Strongly believes that reducing energy consumption is the absolute priority with a view to achieving sustainable development, innovation, job creation and competitiveness objectives and is also a very effective and inexpensive way of improving energy security;

4.

Calls on the Commission and Member States to make the 20% energy saving target by 2020 legally binding on Member States and to propose and implement consistent measures to secure its achievement;

5.

Calls on the European Union and the Member States to adopt as objectives a 35% improvement in energy efficiency and a 60% share of renewable energy by 2050;

6.

Calls on the Commission to support all planned investments in new import energy infrastructure and renewable energy technologies to face the decreasing level of oil and gas prices that has a negative effect on planned investments;

7.

Calls on Member States, in the light of the growing risks which the European Union is running in terms of energy security, to speak with a single voice; notes that their current practices are anything but geared to this aspiration; considers it imperative, in the interests of security of supply, solidarity and of the effectiveness of negotiations with a view to determining the international regulatory framework, for the Commission to propose to Parliament and the Council the drawing up of a European energy policy which has due regard for the respective competences of the European Union and of the Member States: international relations, energy efficiency, combating climate change, further development of the internal market, negotiation of international treaties, forward studies and dialogue with producers and transit countries, energy research and diversification of energy supplies;

8.

Calls on the Commission to contribute to the creation of a single European voice towards third country producers through the development of mutually beneficial interdependency and to support the strengthening of the trading power of EU undertakings as against that of the state-owned undertakings of third countries;

9.

Considers that energy solidarity must become a major European concern at European, regional and bilateral level and that damaging energy supply in a Member State afflicts the European Union as a whole;

10.

Stresses the importance of local initiatives to combat climate change; endorses measures to promote energy efficiency and renewable energies, such as the financing programmes which fall under the cohesion policy or green taxation, or the contribution by the ‘Covenant of Mayors’, and supports in this regard the idea of a ‘Covenant of Islands’ towards the dissemination of best practices and the development of highly efficient and renewable energy communities and cities;

11.

Believes that an appropriate European energy policy must be founded on a balanced energy mix based on the use of non-carbon energy and the lowest emitting fossil fuels and on new technologies which drastically reduce emissions of greenhouse gases from solid fossil fuels;

12.

Believes that Member States should develop national strategies to tackle the issue of energy poverty within their territory;

13.

Considers that the division of tasks between undertakings and political decision-makers, whereby undertakings take responsibility for security of supply, is of proven value and should therefore in principle be preserved; calls on political decision-makers, in view of the increasingly difficult global environment, in future to adopt more accompanying measures for business operations;

14.

Recalls the commitments made by Member States in signing the Lisbon Treaty, to combating climate change and to practising solidarity in times of energy crisis;

15.

Considers that the ratification of the Lisbon Treaty will further strengthen all efforts for the establishment of a common European energy policy;

16.

Welcomes the European Union energy security and solidarity action plan;

17.

Notes a very significant delay in the building of the priority and European-interest transport and energy networks; stresses that this low level of investment is acting as a brake on the proper functioning of the internal market and is responsible for the fact that, in all energy sectors, capacity is stretched or even inadequate; notes as well that this is only partly the responsibility of industry and calls for the Member States to involve their citizens better, notably by informing them about the needs of new infrastructure and generation projects; calls therefore on national regulatory authorities to do whatever they can within their fields of decision-making to accelerate investment;

18.

Notes that the new wave of investment must be forward-looking to take into account the changing way in which energy is consumed and produced and that decentralised energy systems must be matched with large renewable sources;

19.

Notes that the European Council set a target of 10% for achieving gas and electricity interconnection capacity between Member States;

20.

Welcomes the idea of increasing European financing with the aim of encouraging investment in networks; notes with interest the Commission's proposal to allocate - under the framework of the 2008 Economic Recovery Plan - 5 billion EUR of 2008/2009 unspent budgets in particular on new energy connections; asks to be fully involved in the decision-making process on the final list of projects; considers that the European Investment Bank should have a more prominent role in providing funding for energy efficiency, renewable energies and research and development (R&D) projects;

21.

Calls on the Commission and Member States to work actively to increase the number of operators on the energy market and in particular to adopt measures to promote energy production by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their market entry;

22.

Emphasises the importance of the development of gas and electricity interconnections through Central and South-Eastern Europe along a north-south axis, recalling that the networks in the Baltic sea region should be developed and integrated into the Western European network; underlines the need for special attention for the development of a Baltic Interconnection Plan covering gas, electricity and storage in 2009; also supports the building of interconnections with islands, remote and isolated areas in the European Union;

23.

Urges, for the same reasons, the development of the interconnections with South-Western Europe, especially from the Iberian peninsula to northern France;

24.

Recalls that cross-border links already exist between various countries; observes that regional initiatives such as the Pentalateral Forum have devised usable practical solutions which increase the integration of the internal market; encourages those responsible for these initiatives to continue their successful work;

25.

Calls on the Commission to propose adequate measures to encourage interconnection and development of electricity networks to allow for the optimised integration and balancing of fluctuating renewable energy production on- and offshore;

26.

Welcomes the proposal to submit a plan for an offshore network in the North Sea in order to exploit its enormous wind energy potential; also welcomes in this connection the creation of a European supergrid by linking the network infrastructures of the North Sea, Mediterranean and Baltic regions;

27.

Calls on the Commission and Member States to ensure appropriate regulation and to allow for non-discriminatory access to new infrastructure, for example, to the North Sea offshore grid;

28.

28Believes that the EU must substantially and as rapidly as possible continue to increase its diversification and security in energy sources; calls on the Commission and on the Czech Presidency to present a new ambitious and far-sighted diversification plan to the next European Council;

29.

Expresses its support for projects to diversify sources and routes of supply, particularly the development of a southern gas corridor including the Nabucco, the Turkey-Greece-Italy Gas Interconnector (TGI), and South Stream projects; stresses the need to work with the countries concerned, notably in the Caspian region; considers it of great importance that in the longer term, when political conditions permit, supplies from other countries in the region, such as Uzbekistan and Iran, should represent a further significant source of supply for the European Union;

30.

Expresses also its support for the full interconnection of the Argelian-Spain-France and continental Europe MEDGAZ project, regarded by the Commission as a project of European interest in the Priority Interconnection Plan to further diversify entry gas routes to Europe;

31.

Advocates, in view of the decline in domestic natural gas production and the change in the energy mix in many Member States, that all currently planned natural gas and electricity infrastructure projects be implemented rapidly in order to ensure that demand can still be met in future;

32.

Considers that relations and partnerships with key energy suppliers, transit countries and consumer countries are important and must be deepened; points out, however, that the deepening of those relations and partnerships should in no circumstances take place to the detriment of the Union's founding values with regard, in particular, to respect for human rights; emphasises in this regard that the development of confidence and deeper and legally binding ties between the European Union and producer and transit countries should go hand in hand with the promotion of, and respect for, democracy, human rights and the rule of law; calls for the development and adoption of policies and concrete measures to those ends;

33.

In this connection calls for a trilateral agreement between the EU, Russia and Ukraine concerning the transit of gas from Russia to the EU to guarantee security of supply in the coming years;

34.

Calls on the Commission to reinforce its efforts to find a solution to the as yet unresolved open questions concerning the conditions for the transit of natural gas through Turkey via the Nabucco gas pipeline;

35.

Considers that sufficient liquefied natural gas (LNG) capacity consisting of liquefaction facilities in the producing countries and LNG terminals and ship-based regasification in the Union should be available to all Member States, either directly or through other Member States on the basis of a solidarity mechanism; considers that new LNG terminals should be regarded as projects of European interest on account of their key contribution to diversification of supply routes;

36.

Calls on the Commission to give its full support to investments in the construction of strategic gas stock facilities, as an important element of European energy security;

37.

Believes that oil refining capacity represents an important additional factor in ensuring the Union's energy security; notes that it is therefore important to improve the level of transparency of the supply-demand balance for refining capacity necessary to serve the Union's needs, in particular taking account of concerns regarding the potential availability of diesel fuel in the future;

38.

Seeks, in accordance with the principle of European energy solidarity, to ensure security of supply and of energy for the Baltic region under conditions of economic recession;

39.

Calls on the Commission and Member States to draw up strategic guidelines intended for lasting application, while encouraging private industrial undertakings to participate in their implementation, striking a balance between market mechanisms and regulation;

40.

Stresses the importance of creating a clear and stable legal framework by finalising before the end of the Parliament's legislature in 2009 the negotiations on the legislative package on the internal energy market; supports the setting up of the independent Agency, as provided for in the above mentioned Commission proposal for a regulation establishing the Agency, with strong and independent powers, including powers relating to security of supply and networks; calls on Member States to foster the implementation of the third energy package, in particular to start cooperating among themselves in order to promote regional and bilateral solidarity for the purpose of safeguarding secure supplies on the internal market;

41.

Invites Member States and the Commission to develop major network investments and to complete the internal energy market through forward-looking initiatives such as the European transmission system operator and the establishment of a single European gas grid;

42.

Calls on the Commission to bring forward to 2020 the objective of developing and completing a smart interconnected electricity network as an important ingredient for achieving the 2020-targets;

43.

Calls on Member States to cooperate to draw up a European strategic plan with a view to multiannual programming of the investment necessary to meet future electricity generation needs on the basis of medium-term projections of energy requirements; believes that an indicative multiannual plan should also be envisaged in the gas sector to provide an overall view of investment requirements at European level;

44.

Calls on Member States and relevant stakeholders to consult and coordinate future plans for cross-border infrastructure investments (grids, pipelines, and power plants for example) with relevant parties in all countries which could be affected by planned investments so as to make best use of available resources.; considers that the establishment of an Infrastructure Coordination Group at European level would help this coordination effort and could supplement the development of a 10-year network development plan as proposed in the internal energy market package;

45.

Stresses that the completion of the internal energy market will be a success only if obstacles to investment are removed and physical connections linking all Member States to one common energy network are constructed and if the market makes it possible ultimately to avoid volatility of energy prices and to ensure a fair market for all generators and grid connection, access and integration of new energy producers and technologies; stresses that the recently revised Directive 2003/87/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 October 2003 establishing a scheme for greenhouse gas emission allowance trading within the Community (15) provides, in a comprehensible and predictable manner, an assessment of CO2;

46.

Welcomes the Communication on the Second Strategic Energy Review, and in particular its proposals on external energy policy, which are broadly in line with the above-mentioned resolution of 26 September 2007; expresses disappointment about the lack of detailed proposals and underlines once more the need for further intensification of the Union's efforts to develop a coherent and effective common European foreign policy on energy with a renewed focus on energy-producing countries;

47.

Calls on the Commission to support the inclusion of the so-called ‘energy security clause’ in trade, association and partnership as well as cooperation agreements with producer and transit countries, which would lay down a code of conduct and prohibition of disruption due to commercial disputes, and explicitly outline measures to be taken in the event of unilateral disruption, or any change in the terms of the contract or in the terms of supply by one of the partners;

48.

Recalls that, even with the help of ambitious and rigorously implemented energy efficiency and energy saving plans, the European Union is likely still to be dependent in the medium term on third countries for supplies of fossil energy; calls therefore for dialogue with producer, transit and other consumer countries to be stepped up and, more generally, for enhanced international cooperation to increase transparency on world energy markets and to tackle the issue of sustainable development;

49.

Notes the importance of long-term supply contracts for the development of long-term trust-based relations between extracting and purchasing countries and for securing the necessary investment in both upstream and downstream sectors;

50.

Calls on the European Union to cooperate with the countries of the Mediterranean region, and of North Africa in view of their significant energy resource potential and substantial opportunities for development of Africa; believes, in particular, that the use of solar and wind energy should be researched and encouraged; calls, therefore, for common objectives for renewable energy and energy efficiency to be included in the Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean;

51.

Calls on the European Union to cooperate with the countries of Middle East in view of their significant energy resource potential;

52.

Supports the intention to negotiate a wide-ranging new agreement replacing the 1997 Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with Russia including the Chapter on Energy, which should fully respect the principles of the Energy Charter Treaty and its transit protocols; notes that Russia has signed and Ukraine ratified the Energy Charter Treaty; recalls that it contains amongst others the dispute settlement mechanism which provides for dispute settlement for instance in the case of transit or trade disputes between the respective parties to the Treaty;

53.

Stresses the need to include Ukraine in the European arrangements for ongoing dialogue with Russia on account of the key role which Ukraine plays as a transit country;

54.

Urges the Commission, so as to ensure security of supply, to consider extending the Energy Community Treaty between the European Union and South-Eastern Europe to other third countries and to creating new regional energy markets with neighbouring countries on the model of the South East Europe Energy Community, including for example, the Euro-Mediterranean Energy Community,

55.

Stresses the need to include Turkey in the European arrangements for ongoing dialogue with the Caspian/Caucasus region on account of the key role which Turkey can play as a transit country; reiterates at the same time Turkey's commitments as a candidate country for the alignment with the acquis communautaire;

56.

Stresses the geopolitical importance of the Black Sea region for the Union's energy security and for the diversification of its energy supplies;

57.

Calls on the Member States to reinforce energy relations with the countries of Latin America in the context of existing and future association and cooperation agreements;

58.

Calls on Member States to use the euro as an instrument to structure international financial relations in order to reduce fluctuations arising from the invoicing of purchases of oil and gas; calls on the European Union to examine the issue of foreign investment in the European energy sector by applying the reciprocity clause; indeed believes that as long as reciprocity concerning access to markets is not guaranteed the European Union should, as proposed by Parliament and the Commission, apply an effective third country clause regarding the acquisition of a transmission system or transmission system operator;

59.

Calls on the Commission to analyse different ways in which the volatility of oil and gas prices can be reduced; notes in particular the role of transparency and sufficient spare production capacity as well as of the catalytic effect of financial speculation on price formation on the market; rejects the use of strategic oil stocks to reduce price fluctuations on economic grounds;

60.

Calls on Member States to intensify and coordinate their actions with a view to securing supply routes, particularly maritime routes;

61.

Calls on Member States to identify best practices at international level and to step up technological cooperation with these countries so as to enhance knowledge and experience in this area; in particular, calls on Member States to step up their technological cooperation with Japan, whose economy is totally dependent on imported energy and which has developed one of the most efficient energy systems in the world;

62.

Notes that China's growing energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions represent a huge challenge to environmental goals and security of energy supply; calls for an enhanced cooperation between the EU and China to promote the transfer of low carbon technology, in particular energy efficiency and renewables; stresses the critical importance of developing and deploying carbon capture and storage (CCS) in China, given the importance of coal to its economy;

63.

Notes the importance of the EU-OPEC energy dialogue and encourages the Commission to intensify the energy dialogue with Norway;

64.

Welcomes the Commission's intention to revise Directive 2006/67/EC of 24 July 2006 imposing an obligation on Member States to maintain minimum stocks of crude oil and/or petroleum products (codified version) (16) and proposes the publication of weekly rather than monthly data as at present to render the market transparent and avoid a disproportionate reaction to the American situation;

65.

Notes the failure of the Member States to demonstrate solidarity, with regard to increasing the amount of gas available to the affected Member States during the recent gas crisis between Ukraine and Russia; urges the Council and the Commission to create a solidarity mechanism, in accordance with the Treaty of Lisbon, which would allow the EU to act efficiently, swiftly and coherently in crisis situations caused by disruption of supply, damage to critical infrastructure or any other such event;

66.

Welcomes, in the light of the above-mentioned gas crisis that afflicted the Union's territory, the Commission's intention to improve the framework of Council Directive 2004/67/EC of 26 April 2004 concerning measures to safeguard security of natural gas supply (17) and calls on the Commission to propose amendments to this Directive before the end of 2009 along the lines proposed in its above mentioned Communication COM(2008)0769;

67.

Stresses that the key elements of the revision of Council Directive 2004/67/EC should contain mandatory and effective national and EU emergency action plans, which among other things define a common declaration of an emergency situation, allocation of available supplies and infrastructure capacity among the affected States, coordinated dispatching, activation of emergency measures in unaffected or less affected States in order to increase the amount of gas available to the affected markets using all means possible, including, among others, interruptible contracts, fuel switching, storage withdrawal and supply flexibilities for example; considers that it is essential to improve the functioning of the market through transparency and increase the availability of gas in the market; calls on the European Union and its Member States to develop gas storage with fast-release capacity;

68.

Proposes that information technologies should be used better for total or partial cut-offs in the event of a crisis, and considers, for this purpose, that under the supervision of the regulator, a system capable of reducing consumption in response to a collective decision could be introduced;

69.

Considers that improving energy efficiency by at least 20% by 2020 is the priority in contributing to sustainable development and competitiveness objectives and is also the most effective and cost-efficient way of improving energy security; calls therefore on the Commission and Member States immediately to adopt a legally binding energy efficiency target of at least 20% by 2020; calls on the Commission and Member States to step up awareness campaigns and make practical information available concerning the energy efficiency solutions to be adopted and also to promote energy education and training programmes in schools and universities throughout the Union;

70.

Stresses the importance of rigorous and timely implementation and enforcement of energy savings and energy efficiency legislation by Member States and the Commission; stresses the importance of adopting mandatory public procurement measures at the Community and national levels in order to stimulate the demand for innovative products and services that will enhance energy efficiency; calls therefore for an ambitious approach in forthcoming legislation relating to energy savings and energy efficiency (in particular in the building, industry and transport sectors and as regards urban planning and appliances);

71.

Welcomes the Commission's intention of observing carefully the progress of combined heat and power (CHP), and calls on the Commission to submit further support measures as part of the review of the energy efficiency action plan in 2009; reminds the Commission that savings on primary energy, cost efficiency and security of supply are the principal aims of the CHP process, irrespective of what technology is used; considers that it must be left to the market to develop and select the most effective technologies; advocates the development of a promotion and financing strategy for infrastructure such as heating and cooling networks using local resources such as geothermal energy and cogenerated heat, for example;

72.

Supports the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation, to promote more uniform standards and encourage ambitious worldwide objectives;

73.

Calls for more efficient use of oil, particularly in the field of transport, which is the main sector in which this fuel is used; calls for the adoption of ambitious medium-term objectives (for 2020) for vehicle fuel efficiency, while encouraging Member States to seek alternative fuels and propulsion technologies, for example electric engines, for goods and individual passenger transport, particularly in urban areas; considers that achieving a significant modal shift in transport towards more environmentally friendly options, for instance from private individual road transport to public transport, should be a key component of the Union's strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transport sector;

74.

Considers that a ‘frontrunner’ approach for vehicles from the European car industry would help to win back international markets, particularly from Asian producers;

75.

Regrets that rail accounts for only 10% of European goods transport; calls on Member States to make better use of rail transport and waterways; calls for more determined efforts to establish the optimal combination of rail, water and road transport;

76.

Stresses the importance of adopting the necessary mix of policy measures so as to improve the energy efficiency both of existing and new electric appliances;

77.

Considers that renewable energies, such as wind, biogas, solar, hydro, biomass, geothermal and marine resources, are the most important potential sources of energy available to the European Union, which can help to stabilise energy prices and combat increasing energy dependence, and welcomes the initiative to submit a communication on eliminating obstacles to renewable energies; stresses in this context that any new initiative should not lead to a postponement of existing projects;

78.

Considers that exploiting indigenous fossil resources, in particular onshore and off-shore natural gas fields, may contribute to enhancing Europe's energy independence and must be developed where available, in compliance with national and European environmental legislation; calls on Member States and the Commission to find the right regulatory balance between environmental safeguards and production opportunities in the Union's territory both inland and off-shore;

79.

Recalls that, given the constantly flowing nature of renewable sources, it is essential to boost electrical interconnection capacity at Community level, while paying special attention to those Member States and regions which are most isolated within the Union energy market, with a view to equipping Member States with the means necessary to meet the 20% renewables target by 2020;

80.

Calls on the Commission, Member States and local authorities to revolutionise relations between the agriculture and energy sectors by means of a plan designed to equip the roofs of agricultural installations with renewable energy devices such as solar panels; calls on Member States and local authorities to provide local incentives for the use of used oils and sustainable local biomass resources, while ensuring an appropriate balance between energy crops and food crops;

81.

Urges the Commission to submit a report to Parliament indicating the technical obstacles and standards which impede investment by SMEs in energy production and their use of the existing networks to distribute the energy so produced;

82.

Calls on the Commission to increase the priority assigned to R&D in electricity storage, ICT-based linkup of distributed generating facilities (‘virtual power plants’), smart grids and increase of infrastructure capacity to enable priority connection of renewable energies;

83.

Calls on the Commission to redefine European development aid policy, incorporating a new energy pillar; considers in this context that solar power station projects for North Africa should be primarily intended to meet local needs;

84.

Recalls that both lignite and coal remain an important transitional element in the energy mix and in the Union's security of supply, due to large domestic reserves, as an alternative to oil and gas; stresses however that its CO2 emissions are higher than other primary energy sources; calls therefore for the reduction of such emissions by means of the modernisation of power-stations through CCS technologies and calls in that context on the Commission to consider all financial possibilities to build the 12 demonstration projects by 2015;

85.

Acknowledges that admixing biomass for burning in modern coal-fired power stations is already achieving 45% efficiency, and that efficiency levels as high as 90% can be achieved using CHP; therefore calls on the Commission and the Member States to establish incentives for increasing the admixture of biogenic fuels in fossil-fuel-fired power stations;

86.

Endorses the Commission's analysis that it is important to maintain the contribution of nuclear energy in the energy mix, and to that end to promote without delay the establishment of a harmonised regulatory and economic framework facilitating the necessary investment decisions; calls on the Commission to draw up a specific road map for nuclear investments; considers it imperative to launch a debate within society, without prejudging the outcome, on the safe use of this source of energy; calls on the Commission to promote, as an integral part of European Neighbourhood Policy, the adoption by neighbouring countries of the acquis communautaire in nuclear safety every time a new nuclear plant is planned or an old plant is upgraded in these countries;

87.

Recalls the significance of nuclear energy, which is produced in 15 out of 27 Member States and used by an even greater number, and which meets around one-third of electricity demand in the European Union; also recalls the six new reactors currently under construction in four Member States;

88.

Stresses the competitiveness of nuclear energy, which is largely unaffected by fuel price fluctuations owing to the small proportion of generating costs that the fuel, uranium, represents;

89.

Stresses that the European nuclear industry is the world leader in all nuclear cycle technologies, particularly enrichment, which contributes significantly to the Union's security of supply;

90.

Welcomes the Commission's generally supportive stance regarding nuclear energy; points out, however, that it does not adequately address the issue of final disposal of radioactive waste, despite its immense importance for public perception; calls on the Member States concerned to step up their efforts with regard to resolving the problem of final disposal of all types of radioactive waste, but especially highly radioactive waste;

91.

Considers it essential to reassure the Union's citizens that, in the Union, nuclear energy is used safely and transparently, and at the highest technologically possible level of safety particularly as regards the management of nuclear waste; welcomes the above-mentioned Commission proposal for a Council directive setting up a Community framework for nuclear safety; calls on the Council and Commission to develop models and procedures jointly with the International Atomic Energy Agency to prevent the peaceful use of nuclear energy leading to the proliferation of nuclear weapons;

92.

Stresses that neither in its Revised Illustrative Programme nor in the strategic review has the Commission examined the likely development of nuclear technology by 2050, as suggested in the reference document of the Sustainable Nuclear Energy Technology Platform, or the position assigned to the ITER controlled fusion project;

93.

Calls on the Commission and Member States to devise a European energy policy which will permit a massive conversion to energy efficient and low carbon emission energy technologies to meet the needs for energy consumption; stresses that, if energy efficiency and energy saving remain a priority, as does the continued development of renewable energies, it will be possible to meet energy needs from low-emission sources by 2050;

94.

Reminds the Commission and Member States that steering the transition towards a highly-efficient energy system will imply a systemic approach based on synergies between different sectors; underlines the key importance of assessing all measures on the basis of their contribution to decrease CO2 emissions; believes that to that end the development of local integrated solutions should be a priority;

95.

Considers the global and European long-term energy and climate change challenges as a unique opportunity to enable new business models across the economy in order to boost green innovation and entrepreneurship;

96.

Calls on the Commission to perform feasibility studies of projects to develop wind power platforms in the North Sea and the project to build solar power stations in Africa;

97.

Approves, as part of the Strategic Energy Technology Plan, the drawing-up of a political agenda for 2030 and a road map for energy policy in 2050; calls on the Commission, therefore, to assess trends in the composition of the energy mix under several scenarios, in the light of the development of energy demand, potential energy resources, environmental impact, the estimated price of energy and CO2;

98.

Calls on the Commission to ensure that the roadmap make it possible to direct energy technology research and development as well as education in order to reduce the cost of renewable energies, and energy storage, to ensure the success of fourth-generation nuclear reactors and CCS and notably to find an alternative to oil for transport, while highlighting solar energy, which is an infinite resource;

99.

Recalls the need constantly to encourage research into transmutation of nuclear waste and nuclear fusion as a source of energy in the very long term;

100.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission as well as to the parliaments and governments of Member States.

18.3.2010   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 67/31

—

having regard to Articles 2, Article 3(2) and Article 141 of the EC Treaty,

—

having regard to the resolution of the Council and of the Ministers for Employment and Social Policy, meeting within the Council of 29 June 2000 on the balanced participation of women and men in professional and family life (1),

—

having regard to its resolution of 15 December 2000 on the Communication from the Commission ‘Towards a Europe for all ages - promoting prosperity and intergenerational solidarity’ (2),

—

having regard to its resolution of 9 March 2004 on reconciling professional, family and private lives (3),

—

having regard to the European Youth Pact adopted by the Brussels European Council of 22 and 23 March 2005,

—

having regard to its resolution of 23 March 2006 on demographic challenges and solidarity between the generations (4),

—

having regard to the Commission Communication of 12 October 2006 entitled ‘The demographic future of Europe - from challenge to opportunity’ (COM(2006)0571),

—

having regard to its resolution of 19 June 2007 on a regulatory framework for measures enabling young women in the European Union to combine family life with a period of studies (5),

—

having regard to the Commission Communication of 10 May 2007 entitled ‘Promoting solidarity between the generations’ (COM(2007)0244),

—

having regard to the Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee on the Communication from the Commission on ‘Promoting solidarity between the generations’ (6),

—

having regard to its resolution of 27 September 2007 on equality between women and men in the European Union - 2007 (7),

—

having regard to the Commission Staff Working document entitled ‘Europe's demographic future: facts and figures’ (SEC(2007)0638),

—

having regard to its resolution of 21 February 2008 on the demographic future of Europe (8),

—

having regard to its resolution of 3 September 2008 on equality between women and men - 2008 (9),

—

having regard to Rule 45 of its Rules of Procedure,

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (A6-0492/2008),

A.

whereas women and men are equal in terms of human dignity and rights and obligations,

B.

whereas equal treatment of women and men is a principle that informs the legal system and as such must be taken into account and observed whenever laws are interpreted and enforced,

C.

whereas considerable gaps between women and men persist in all other aspects of work quality, for instance reconciling professional and private life; whereas the employment rate for women with dependent children is only 62,4%, as compared with 91,4% for men; whereas 76,5% of part-time workers are women,

D.

whereas the Lisbon Strategy aims to ensure that 60% of women able to work are in employment; whereas the quantitative and qualitative objectives of the Lisbon Strategy and the new Integrated Guidelines for Growth and Jobs (10) - especially where female and adult employment is concerned - are dictated by the realisation that, from the point of view of sustainability, it is intolerable to allow the resources in question and their potential go to waste, and that the stability of pension and welfare systems is in jeopardy,

E.

whereas the principle of equal treatment of women and men implies that there must be no discrimination whatsoever, be it direct or indirect, based on gender, least of all on account of motherhood, the fact of shouldering family responsibilities, or marital status,

F.

whereas the figures quoted in the above-mentioned Commission Communication of 12 October 2006 show that countries and regions with a high female employment rate that have social protection systems also have a higher birth rate,

G.

whereas the three main challenges facing the EU – demographic change, globalisation, and climate change – demand intergenerational solidarity based on a wide-ranging pact not just between generations, but also between genders,

H.

whereas the pact between gender and generations must be built on the possibility for individuals to organise their working and private lives and reconcile the economic imperatives of production entailed in gainful employment with the possibility of choosing what tasks to devote themselves to and when, within a context of rights and responsibilities laid down by legislation and agreements,

I.

whereas intergenerational responsibility requires public authorities to adopt a proactive approach, and all social stakeholders to play a leading role, in order to guarantee high standards in services of general interest and provide for the necessary welfare and social security systems on a sufficient scale,

J.

whereas the presence of women on the labour market is linked to cultural changes and reforms designed to give effect to policies making for a work-life balance and a redistribution of roles; whereas such policies cover a variety of fundamentally interconnected areas ranging from temporarily shorter working hours, to be achieved by converting employment contracts into part-time working contracts, and leave arrangements (maternity, paternity, parental, and family leave) to the network of personal care services,

K.

whereas demographic changes are having a significant impact on people's personal and working lives; whereas inadequate services, low wage levels, delay in entering the labour market, lengthy successions of fixed-term contracts, and insufficient incentives for young women and men are among the reasons why they choose not to start a family and have children until later; whereas rigid working patterns and the difficulty of returning to the labour market after spending time as a carer make it difficult to enter freely into decisions, whether they are intended to achieve a work-life balance or involve alternation of work and family life,

L.

whereas non-discrimination based on gender, relates, prima facie and as a general rule, not just to women/mothers but also to men/fathers; whereas political action in this field should no longer focus solely on women, and European and national policies should henceforth take into consideration the needs and abilities of men/fathers in this area,

M.

whereas it is necessary to begin to focus on the concept of care-related discrimination, linked to the fact of taking up maternity, paternity, parental, and family leave, the object being to determine whether discrimination in such instances constitutes forms of discrimination based on gender; whereas it is necessary to agree upon a Europe-wide definition of the concept of multiple discrimination,

N.

whereas the concept of intergenerational solidarity is not limited to childcare alone but also extends to responsibility for the elderly and dependent, contributing to respect for human dignity and its promotion among future generations,

O.

whereas great poverty must not be a discriminatory factor in the area of intergenerational solidarity, and whereas the poorest families also maintain links and activities that are an expression of solidarity among generations,

P.

whereas persons who devote their time and skills to looking after and bringing up children or caring for the elderly should receive social recognition and this could be done by giving such persons individual rights, particularly regarding social security and pensions,

Q.

whereas the educational role played by parents towards children and by children towards elderly and dependent persons and the role of women and men as caregivers towards the elderly and dependent persons are essential for the advancement of the common good and should be recognised as such by cross-cutting policies, including policies for women and men who make a free choice to devote all or part of their time to this activity,

R.

whereas since October 2003 the Commission has been holding consultations with the social partners on the subject of the work-life balance; whereas those consultations, which have entered a second phase, are predicated on the importance of finding policies and means enabling ‘good jobs’ to be combined with women's and men's responsibilities as caregivers,

S.

whereas there is a key role to be played by men in achieving genuine equality,

T.

whereas the principles of flexicurity as applicable to women were set out in its resolution of 29 November 2007 on Common Principles of Flexicurity (11), and whereas working time arrangements in most parts of Europe do not seem to provide much support for people with children and employees with children seem to be less likely to work in jobs with flexible working arrangements than those without (12),

U.

whereas the right balance can only be struck between family plans, private life and professional ambitions if the people concerned have genuine freedom of choice, in economic and social terms, and are supported by political and economic decisions at the European and national level without being penalised, and if the requisite infrastructure is in place,

V.

whereas there is a risk of being ‘forced’ to work part-time, particularly for women/mothers, this choice often being imposed upon them due to the lack of viable childcare structures, and there is also a risk that the switch from full time to part time might not be allowed, making it difficult, not to say impossible, to achieve a work-life balance,

1.

Emphasises that the principle of solidarity between generations is one of the structural keys to the European social model; asks that, in order to maintain this principle, an active approach be taken by the public authorities at various levels, and that all social stakeholders be involved in guaranteeing high-quality social services of general interest for families, young people and all those unable to support themselves;

2.

Points out that care policies and the provision of care services are intrinsically related to the achievement of equality between women and men; criticises the lack of affordable, accessible and high quality care services in most Member States, which is linked to the fact that care work is not equally shared between women and men, which in turn has a direct negative impact on women's ability to participate in all aspects of social, economic, cultural and political life;

3.

Emphasises that good-quality affordable childcare facilities, operating at hours which suit parents and children, as well as affordable good-quality care structure for older people and other dependents, must be central elements of the EU social model and key elements in facilitating women's access to the labour market and paid employment, making use of their abilities in order to achieve economic independence;

4.

Reminds the Member States of their commitments, agreed at the Barcelona European Council of 2002, to eliminate obstacles to the equal participation of women and men in the labour market and to introduce by 2010 childcare for 90% of children between three years old and the mandatory school age and for at least 33% of children under three years old; calls on the Member States to put forward similar targets for facilities for care for the elderly and sick relatives;

5.

Refers to the huge imbalance between men and women in the sharing of domestic and family responsibilities, leading mainly women to opt for flexible working arrangements or even to give up work altogether, with an impact on women's career development, on the continuing wage gap between men and women and on the accumulation of pension rights;

6.

Fears that the Czech Presidency's proposal for childcare as a ‘fully fledged alternative to a professional career’ is geared towards the traditional division of labour between men and women, that is to say the traditional concept of a worker being male, available on a full time basis, whose personal needs are taken care of by ’invisible hands’ (women) organising the home and the family;

7.

Is very concerned by the fact that, especially in times of economic recession, the Czech Presidency's proposal forces women to give up their jobs in order to follow their ‘natural’ path, i.e. to look after children and other dependents; urges the Council and the Member States to make every effort to achieve the Barcelona childcare goals;

8.

Underlines that full participation by a parent or parents in work with decent pay can help to avoid in-work poverty and helps to combat the risk of poverty in single-parent households, which suffer a much higher poverty rate (32%);

9.

Points out that pension schemes in the Member States still leave many women with only derived rights based on their husband's employment record, with the consequence that the majority of older people living in poverty are women;

10.

Calls on the Member States to address the structural factors contributing to inequality in pension schemes, including the organisation of care and combining family and work life, inequalities in the labour market, the gender pay gap and direct discrimination in second and third pillar pensions;

11.

Calls on the Commission to bring forward a proposal for a new directive regarding specific rights and safeguards in relation to the reconciliation of working and family life where there are dependent family members (children, elderly and disabled people);

12.

Calls for research facilities and institutes to invest more resources to better effect in the ecological improvement of products aimed at children or those who are reliant on care, or intended for household use in general;

13.

Calls on Eurostat to develop measures to present statistics on childcare and care for dependents broken down by gender;

14.

Calls on the Commission to present specific initiatives to validate the skills acquired in carrying out educational tasks, caring for dependent persons and household management so that these skills are taken into consideration upon re-entry into the labour market; points out that soft skill assessment is central to skill assessment according to the best traditions of national experimentation with systems to make demand for labour intersect with the labour supply;

15.

Calls on the Commission to conduct an awareness-raising campaign and introduce pilot projects to facilitate the balanced participation of women and men in professional and family life;

16.

Calls on the Member States to consider flexible working hours for parents (as a result of free choice) and flexible times for childcare institutions, to help both women and men to combine work and family life more successfully;

17.

Asks the Commission to monitor Member States' good practices in relation to carers and to communicate these best practices to all the Member States, in order to show that carers play a central role in the field of intergenerational solidarity and to encourage implementation of a strategy for carers in Member States;

18.

Calls on the Member States to support and promote the operational programmes launched by the Commission the context of the European Alliance for Families; asks the Commission to step up the development of tools for the systematic exchange of best practices and research in this field;

19.

Calls on the public authorities to take the necessary steps to enable working mothers and fathers to be assisted under policies aimed at promoting a work-life balance and to have access to the means serving to achieve that end;

20.

Calls on the Member States to support leave arrangements (parental leave, adoption leave, solidarity leave) applicable to persons wishing to interrupt their careers to look after a dependant;

21.

Believes that steps need to be taken to improve the treatment not just of maternity leave, but also of paternity and parental leave, with particular reference to the leave taken by working fathers, bearing in mind that in all of the Member States only a small percentage of men make use of their leave entitlements;

22.

Insists that all persons wishing to interrupt their formal careers or reduce the number of hours they work for the sake of intergenerational solidarity should be able to benefit from flexible working arrangements; calls therefore on small and medium-sized enterprises to cooperate more willingly and on the public authorities to exhibit greater financial flexibility in their State aid budget forecasts;

23.

Calls on the Commission, in collaboration with the Member States and the social partners, to launch a review of work-life balance policies, particularly by:

24.

Welcomes the proposal to include a separate article on work-life balance in Directive 2003/88/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 November 2003 concerning certain aspects of working time (13) and points to the need to allow for such a provision when laying down the working week and on-call time arrangements;

25.

Calls on the Member States to ensure that all persons who have temporarily interrupted their careers to bring up children or care for elderly or dependent persons can (re)enter the labour market and retain the right to return to their former position and level of career advancement;

26.

Points out that women's own income and paid employment remains the key to their economic autonomy and to greater equality between women and men in society as a whole;

27.

Stresses that solidarity with our elders must become stronger, but emphasising that it must also be met with reciprocal solidarity towards children and young people; whereas, while older people can pass on wisdom, knowledge and experience, the younger generations offer energy, dynamism, joie de vivre and hope;

28.

Believes that intergenerational solidarity should be promoted by means of judicious fiscal policies (in the form of transfers, deductions, and rebates), measures to promote active ageing, skills development policies, and integrated service networks for children, older people, people with disabilities, and those who cannot look after themselves, assessing how they facilitate or adversely affect personal choices and the work-life balance;

29.

Reminds the Commission and the Member States that it is necessary to adopt affirmative measures for the benefit of women and men to facilitate their return to employment after a period of carrying out family duties (bringing up children and/or caring for a sick or handicapped parent), by promoting policies of (re)integration into the employment market with a view to enabling them to regain financial independence;

30.

Calls on the Member States to promote a fiscal policy that takes account of household financial obligations, and particularly the costs of childcare and looking after elderly and dependent persons through a system of taxation or tax breaks;

31.

Calls on the Member States to review their tax systems and set tax rates based on individual rights and consequently demands the individualisation of pension rights as well as social security system rights;

32.

Calls on the institutions and the Member States, with a view to giving effect to the principle of equality between women and men, to take specific measures in favour of women in order to remedy manifest instances of de facto inequality in relation to men; considers that measures of this kind, which should apply for as long as such situations continue to exist, must be reasonable and, in every case, proportionate to the objective being pursued;

33.

Asks national and local authorities to develop programmes targeted at young people that incorporate the intergenerational dimension, so that the younger generation understand that the current levels of prosperity and welfare are due to the efforts and hardships of previous generations;

34.

Calls on the institutions of the European Union and all public authorities to take the principle of equality between women and men actively into account when adopting and implementing regulations, drawing up public policies, and pursuing their activities as a whole;

35.

Asks the media to give positive and consistent attention to intergenerational relationships, through coverage of intergenerational issues, discussions among different age groups and, more generally, positive reflection of the older generations' contribution to society;

36.

Maintains that the principle of equal treatment and opportunities has to be taken into account in all economic, employment, and social policies, as this will help to avert segregation on the labour market and eliminate pay gaps, as well as boosting the growth of female entrepreneurship;

37.

Believes, given the changes in the family model and women's gradual entry into the labour market, that it is essential to reform the traditional care arrangements for dependants; recommends that the Member States broaden and add to the protection afforded by their social services so as to ensure that the right of self-fulfilment can invariably be exercised on an equal footing and that dependants are cared for;

38.

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Economic and Social Committee, the parliaments and national statistical offices of the Member States, the ILO, the OECD and the UNDP.

18.3.2010   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 67/38

—

having regard to the proposal for a recommendation to the Council by Roberta Angelilli on behalf of the UEN Group on combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography (B6-0216/2008),

—

having regard to Article 24 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union which enshrines children's right to protection and care,

—

having regard to Article 34 of UN Convention of 20 November 1989 on the Rights of the Child and the Optional Protocol thereto of 25 May 2000 on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (‘the Optional Protocol’),

—

having regard to Council Framework Decision 2004/68/JHA of 22 December 2003 on combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography (1) (‘the Framework Decision’),

—

having regard to the report from the Commission of 16 November 2007 based on Article 12 of the Council Framework Decision of 22 December 2003 on combating the sexual exploitation of children and child pornography (COM(2007)0716) (‘the Commission Report’),

—

having regard to the Council of Europe Convention of 13 July 2007 on the Protection of Children against Sexual Exploitation and Sexual Abuse (‘the CoE Convention’),

—

having regard to its resolution of 16 January 2008: Towards an EU strategy on the rights of the child (2),

—

having regard to the findings of the Rio de Janeiro Pact to Prevent and Stop Sexual Exploitation of Children agreed on 25-28 November 2008 at the III World Congress against the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Adolescents,

—

having regard to Rule 114(3) of its Rules of Procedure,

—

having regard to the report of the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs and the opinion of the Committee on Women's Rights and Gender Equality (A6-0012/2009),

A.

whereas the CoE Convention signed by twenty EU Member States is the first international legal instrument to categorise the various forms of sexual abuse of children as criminal offences, including such abuse, perpetrated inter alia with the use of force, coercion or threats, even within the family,

B.

whereas seven Member States have still not signed the CoE Convention and eight Member States have still not ratified the Optional Protocol,

C.

whereas children make a constantly growing use of new technologies and whereas an increasingly significant part of the social life of children and young people takes place online where continually evolving advanced technologies and communication tools are used; whereas as a consequence the Internet is increasingly being used by potential and actual sex offenders for preparing the sexual abuse of children, in particular through grooming and child pornography,

1.

Addresses the following recommendations to the Council:

Implementation of the Framework Decision

Revision of the Framework Decision

2.

Instructs its President to forward this recommendation to the Council, and, for information, to the Commission and to the Members States.

18.3.2010   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 67/42

—

having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, signed and proclaimed on 7 December 2000, which defends the freedom and pluralism of the media,

—

having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure,

A.

whereas the European Union is based on and defined by its adherence to the principles of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law,

B.

whereas freedom of speech, particularly that of the media, including the Internet, is heavily restricted in China,

C.

whereas NTDTV is a non-profit-making television broadcaster and is the only independent Chinese-language television station to broadcast into China since 2004,

D.

whereas Eutelsat suspended NTDTV's broadcasts into China as of 16 June 2008, a few weeks before the Olympic Games, citing technical reasons, and provided no other explanation,

1.

Urges Eutelsat to resume NTDTV transmission to China without delay and to provide reasons for its suspension;

2.

Calls on the Commission and Member States to take the necessary action to help restore NTDTV's broadcasts to China and to support access to uncensored information for millions of Chinese citizens;

3.

Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories, to the Council, the Commission and the Member States:

List of signatories

Vittorio Agnoletto, Vincenzo Aita, Gabriele Albertini, Jim Allister, Alexander Alvaro, Jan Andersson, Georgs Andrejevs, Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Emmanouil Angelakas, Roberta Angelilli, Rapisardo Antinucci, Elspeth Attwooll, Marie-Hélène Aubert, Jean-Pierre Audy, Margrete Auken, Liam Aylward, Pilar Ayuso, Maria Badia i Cutchet, Mariela Velichkova Baeva, Paolo Bartolozzi, Domenico Antonio Basile, Alessandro Battilocchio, Katerina Batzeli, Edit Bauer, Jean Marie Beaupuy, Christopher Beazley, Zsolt László Becsey, Glenn Bedingfield, Angelika Beer, Bastiaan Belder, Ivo Belet, Irena Belohorská, Jean-Luc Bennahmias, Giovanni Berlinguer, Thijs Berman, Johannes Blokland, Godfrey Bloom, Sebastian Valentin Bodu, Herbert Bösch, Guy Bono, Mario Borghezio, Erminio Enzo Boso, Costas Botopoulos, Catherine Boursier, John Bowis, Sharon Bowles, Iles Braghetto, Mihael Brejc, Frieda Brepoels, Hiltrud Breyer, Kathalijne Maria Buitenweg, Nicodim Bulzesc, Colm Burke, Philip Bushill-Matthews, Simon Busuttil, Jerzy Buzek, Maddalena Calia, Martin Callanan, Mogens Camre, Luis Manuel Capoulas Santos, Marco Cappato, Marie-Arlette Carlotti, Giorgio Carollo, David Casa, Paulo Casaca, Pilar del Castillo Vera, Jean-Marie Cavada, Călin Cătălin Chiriță, Zdzisław Kazimierz Chmielewski, Ole Christensen, Philip Claeys, Luigi Cocilovo, Carlos Coelho, Richard Corbett, Dorette Corbey, Thierry Cornillet, Michael Cramer, Jan Cremers, Gabriela Crețu, Brian Crowley, Magor Imre Csibi, Marek Aleksander Czarnecki, Ryszard Czarnecki, Dragoș Florin David, Chris Davies, Antonio De Blasio, Arūnas Degutis, Jean-Luc Dehaene, Panayiotis Demetriou, Jean-Paul Denanot, Gérard Deprez, Marielle De Sarnez, Marie-Hélène Descamps, Albert Deß, Agustín Díaz de Mera García Consuegra, Jolanta Dičkutė, Gintaras Didžiokas, Koenraad Dillen, Giorgos Dimitrakopoulos, Beniamino Donnici, Bert Doorn, Den Dover, Mojca Drčar Murko, Petr Duchoň, Bárbara Dührkop Dührkop, Andrew Duff, Árpád Duka-Zólyomi, Christian Ehler, Lena Ek, Saïd El Khadraoui, James Elles, Maria da Assunção Esteves, Harald Ettl, Jill Evans, Robert Evans, Göran Färm, Hynek Fajmon, Richard Falbr, Carlo Fatuzzo, Markus Ferber, Emanuel Jardim Fernandes, Francesco Ferrari, Anne Ferreira, Elisa Ferreira, Petru Filip, Roberto Fiore, Hélène Flautre, Karl-Heinz Florenz, Alessandro Foglietta, Hanna Foltyn-Kubicka, Brigitte Fouré, Carmen Fraga Estévez, Juan Fraile Cantón, Monica Frassoni, Duarte Freitas, Ingo Friedrich, Daniel Petru Funeriu, Urszula Gacek, Milan Gaľa, Gerardo Galeote, José Manuel García-Margallo y Marfil, Iratxe García Pérez, Elisabetta Gardini, Giuseppe Gargani, Salvador Garriga Polledo, Jas Gawronski, Eugenijus Gentvilas, Georgios Georgiou, Lidia Joanna Geringer de Oedenberg, Claire Gibault, Lutz Goepel, Bruno Gollnisch, Ana Maria Gomes, Donata Gottardi, Genowefa Grabowska, Vasco Graça Moura, Luis de Grandes Pascual, Nathalie Griesbeck, Lissy Gröner, Elly de Groen-Kouwenhoven, Mathieu Grosch, Françoise Grossetête, Ignasi Guardans Cambó, Umberto Guidoni, Cristina Gutiérrez-Cortines, Fiona Hall, David Hammerstein, Małgorzata Handzlik, Malcolm Harbour, Satu Hassi, Christopher Heaton-Harris, Anna Hedh, Roger Helmer, Erna Hennicot-Schoepges, Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert, Esther Herranz García, Luis Herrero-Tejedor, Jim Higgins, Jens Holm, Mary Honeyball, Milan Horáček, Ján Hudacký, Ian Hudghton, Stephen Hughes, Alain Hutchinson, Jana Hybášková, Sophia in 't Veld, Mikel Irujo Amezaga, Marie Anne Isler Béguin, Ville Itälä, Carlos José Iturgaiz Angulo, Caroline Jackson, Lily Jacobs, Anneli Jäätteenmäki, Stanisław Jałowiecki, Mieczysław Edmund Janowski, Lívia Járóka, Georg Jarzembowski, Elisabeth Jeggle, Rumiana Jeleva, Anne E. Jensen, Pierre Jonckheer, Romana Jordan Cizelj, Madeleine Jouye de Grandmaison, Aurelio Juri, Jelko Kacin, Filip Kaczmarek, Gisela Kallenbach, Syed Kamall, Othmar Karas, Piia-Noora Kauppi, Metin Kazak, Tunne Kelam, Glenys Kinnock, Wolf Klinz, Dieter-Lebrecht Koch, Silvana Koch-Mehrin, Eija-Riitta Korhola, Miloš Koterec, Sergej Kozlík, Guntars Krasts, Rodi Kratsa-Tsagaropoulou, Ģirts Valdis Kristovskis, Urszula Krupa, Wiesław Stefan Kuc, Helmut Kuhne, Sepp Kusstatscher, Zbigniew Krzysztof Kuźmiuk, Joost Lagendijk, André Laignel, Jean Lambert, Alexander Graf Lambsdorff, Vytautas Landsbergis, Carl Lang, Esther De Lange, Raymond Langendries, Anne Laperrouze, Kurt Joachim Lauk, Vincenzo Lavarra, Henrik Lax, Johannes Lebech, Bernard Lehideux, Klaus-Heiner Lehne, Lasse Lehtinen, Jörg Leichtfried, Jo Leinen, Jean-Marie Le Pen, Marine Le Pen, Fernand Le Rachinel, Katalin Lévai, Janusz Lewandowski, Marcin Libicki, Marie-Noëlle Lienemann, Peter Liese, Kartika Tamara Liotard, Alain Lipietz, Pia Elda Locatelli, Eleonora Lo Curto, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Andrea Losco, Patrick Louis, Caroline Lucas, Astrid Lulling, Florencio Luque Aguilar, Elizabeth Lynne, Marusya Ivanova Lyubcheva, Jules Maaten, Linda McAvan, Arlene McCarthy, Mary Lou McDonald, Mairead McGuinness, Edward McMillan-Scott, Eugenijus Maldeikis, Ramona Nicole Mănescu, Vladimír Maňka, Erika Mann, Thomas Mann, Marian-Jean Marinescu, Catiuscia Marini, Sérgio Marques, David Martin, Hans-Peter Martin, Jan Tadeusz Masiel, Véronique Mathieu, Marios Matsakis, Maria Matsouka, Jaime Mayor Oreja, Erik Meijer, Íñigo Méndez de Vigo, Rosa Miguélez Ramos, Marianne Mikko, Francisco José Millán Mon, Gay Mitchell, Claude Moraes, Eluned Morgan, Luisa Morgantini, Philippe Morillon, Roberto Musacchio, Cristiana Muscardini, Sebastiano (Nello) Musumeci, Riitta Myller, Pasqualina Napoletano, Juan Andrés Naranjo Escobar, Michael Henry Nattrass, Catherine Neris, Bill Newton Dunn, Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, James Nicholson, null Nicholson of Winterbourne, Rareș-Lucian Niculescu, Angelika Niebler, Lambert van Nistelrooij, Ljudmila Novak, Cem Özdemir, Péter Olajos, Jan Olbrycht, Seán Ó Neachtain, Gérard Onesta, Janusz Onyszkiewicz, Dumitru Oprea, Josu Ortuondo Larrea, Miroslav Ouzký, Siiri Oviir, Reino Paasilinna, Justas Vincas Paleckis, Marie Panayotopoulos-Cassiotou, Marco Pannella, Pier Antonio Panzeri, Georgios Papastamkos, Neil Parish, Alojz Peterle, Maria Petre, Markus Pieper, Sirpa Pietikäinen, Józef Pinior, Mirosław Mariusz Piotrowski, Umberto Pirilli, Paweł Bartłomiej Piskorski, Gianni Pittella, Francisca Pleguezuelos Aguilar, Zita Pleštinská, Anni Podimata, Zdzisław Zbigniew Podkański, Bernard Poignant, José Javier Pomés Ruiz, Nicolae Vlad Popa, Miguel Portas, Horst Posdorf, Bernd Posselt, Christa Prets, Pierre Pribetich, Jacek Protasiewicz, John Purvis, Luís Queiró, Karin Resetarits, Herbert Reul, José Ribeiro e Castro, Frédérique Ries, Karin Riis-Jørgensen, Giovanni Rivera, Maria Robsahm, Ulrike Rodust, Bogusław Rogalski, Zuzana Roithová, Luca Romagnoli, Raül Romeva i Rueda, Dariusz Rosati, Wojciech Roszkowski, Dagmar Roth-Behrendt, Paul Rübig, Leopold Józef Rutowicz, Eoin Ryan, Guido Sacconi, Aloyzas Sakalas, Katrin Saks, José Ignacio Salafranca Sánchez-Neyra, Antolín Sánchez Presedo, Manuel António dos Santos, Salvador Domingo Sanz Palacio, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, Toomas Savi, Lydia Schenardi, Agnes Schierhuber, Carl Schlyter, Frithjof Schmidt, Olle Schmidt, Pál Schmitt, György Schöpflin, Inger Segelström, Czesław Adam Siekierski, Eva-Riitta Siitonen, José Albino Silva Peneda, Kathy Sinnott, Marek Siwiec, Peter Skinner, Alyn Smith, Csaba Sógor, Renate Sommer, Søren Bo Søndergaard, Bogusław Sonik, María Sornosa Martínez, Jean Spautz, Francesco Enrico Speroni, Bart Staes, Grażyna Staniszewska, Peter Šťastný, Gabriele Stauner, Petya Stavreva, Dirk Sterckx, Catherine Stihler, Margie Sudre, David Sumberg, Gianluca Susta, Eva-Britt Svensson, Hannes Swoboda, István Szent-Iványi, Konrad Szymański, Hannu Takkula, Charles Tannock, Andres Tarand, Salvatore Tatarella, Britta Thomsen, Marianne Thyssen, Gary Titley, Patrizia Toia, László Tőkés, Ewa Tomaszewska, Witold Tomczak, Antonios Trakatellis, Helga Trüpel, Claude Turmes, Evangelia Tzampazi, Thomas Ulmer, Vladimir Urutchev, Inese Vaidere, Nikolaos Vakalis, Adina-Ioana Vălean, Frank Vanhecke, Johan Van Hecke, Anne Van Lancker, Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna, Ioannis Varvitsiotis, Ari Vatanen, Yannick Vaugrenard, Armando Veneto, Riccardo Ventre, Donato Tommaso Veraldi, Marcello Vernola, Alejo Vidal-Quadras, Cornelis Visser, Oldřich Vlasák, Dominique Vlasto, Graham Watson, Henri Weber, Manfred Weber, Renate Weber, Anja Weisgerber, Åsa Westlund, John Whittaker, Andrzej Wielowieyski, Jan Marinus Wiersma, Anders Wijkman, Glenis Willmott, Iuliu Winkler, Lars Wohlin, Janusz Wojciechowski, Corien Wortmann-Kool, Jan Zahradil, Zbigniew Zaleski, Andrzej Tomasz Zapałowski, Stefano Zappalà, Tatjana Ždanoka, Dushana Zdravkova, Vladimír Železný, Roberts Zīle, Jaroslav Zvěřina, Tadeusz Zwiefka

18.3.2010   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

CE 67/44

—

having regard to its decision of 25 April 2007, adopted pursuant to Rule 175 of its Rules of Procedure, on setting up a temporary committee on climate change (1),

—

having regard to existing EU environmental legislation making a positive contribution to combating climate change in various policy areas (Annex A) and to its resolutions on climate change, particularly those adopted during the current sixth parliamentary term (Annex B),

—

having regard to its resolution of 15 November 2007 on limiting global climate change to 2 degrees Celsius – the way ahead for the Bali Conference on Climate Change and beyond (COP 13 and COP/MOP 3) (2),

—

having regard to its resolution of 31 January 2008 on the outcome of the Bali Conference on Climate Change (COP 13 and COP/MOP 3) (3),

—

having regard to its resolution of 10 April 2008 on the Commission Green Paper on ‘Adapting to climate change in Europe – options for EU action’ (4),

—

having regard to its resolution of 21 May 2008 on the scientific facts of climate change: findings and recommendations for decision-making (5),

—

having regard to its resolution of 21 October 2008 on building a Global Climate Change Alliance between the European Union and poor developing countries most vulnerable to climate change (6),

—

having regard to the 14th Conference of Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (COP 14) and the Fourth Conference of Parties serving as a meeting of the parties to the Kyoto Protocol (COP/MOP 4), held from 1 to 12 December 2008 in Poznań (Poland),

—

having regard to the Citizens' Agora on Climate Change, held on 12 and 13 June 2008,

—

having regard to the Joint Parliamentary Meeting of the European Parliament and the national parliaments, held on 20 and 21 November 2008 to debate energy and sustainable development,

—

having regard to the results of the Eurobarometer Special opinion poll No 300 on Europeans' attitudes to climate change,

—

having regard to the public hearings and exchanges of views with senior figures held by the Temporary Committee on Climate Change and the outcome of delegation visits,

—

having regard to Rule 45 of its Rules of Procedure,

—

having regard to the report of the Temporary Committee on Climate Change (A6-0495/2008),

A.

whereas the task of preserving nature and humanity is passed on from one generation to the next,

B.

whereas global warming and climate change are recognised as a very serious, urgent and man-made threat,

C.

whereas, particularly in the current sixth parliamentary term, the European Parliament's work on climate change has been a source of inspiration and a mandate for action to shape an integrated European policy to combat climate change and to reconcile climate change with sustainable economic growth,

D.

whereas the Lisbon Treaty explicitly lays down the objectives and competences of the European Union in the field of climate change and, if ratified, will strengthen the Union's role in promoting sustainable development and fighting climate change,

E.

whereas the leading role of the European Union in the international fight against global warming and its particular responsibility as a union of developed countries contribute to its sense of identity and imply an obligation, vis-à-vis the citizens of Europe, not only to formulate medium- and long-term climate objectives but to achieve those objectives through forward-looking political measures, as well as through political dialogue with developing countries,

F.

whereas a key objective of the European Union as regards both its internal policy and its external relations is promoting respect for human rights, and whereas, in particular, the European Union recognises the rights to life, security, health, education and environmental protection as fundamental, as well as the protection of persons particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including women, children, the elderly and persons with disabilities,

G.

whereas parliamentary representatives of the citizens of Europe, not only now but in the future, should be guided by these climate policy principles and by the principles of sustainability, social responsibility and equity between the generations and people, and should not cease from putting the necessary global climate objectives into practice,

H.

whereas human society is facing a dual challenge as regards threats to the earth's life-supporting system, namely climate change and the overuse and destruction of many of the most important ecosystems; whereas there are many interlinkages between the climate system and ecosystems – in particular the capacity of oceans and terrestrial ecosystems to sequester carbon – and whereas climate change can only be addressed effectively within the context of healthy ecosystems,

I.

whereas climate change has a particularly damaging and costly impact on some areas, such as upland and coastal areas,

J.

whereas the impact of climate change on human societies is already being felt in many places, such as the Sahel, where desertification is having a major effect, Bangladesh, which is subject to repeated flooding, certain parts of Europe, and several Pacific islands which are destined to disappear underwater,

K.

whereas climate change is a challenge to which there is no single political solution, but whereas the combination of existing opportunities and a dramatic increase in efficiency in all areas of the economy and society may make a contribution to resolving the problem of resources and distribution and pave the way for a third industrial revolution,

L.

whereas urgent measures are needed to tackle energy and fuel poverty,

M.

whereas according to data for 2006 supplied by the European Environment Agency (EEA), energy production accounts for 30,9% of total greenhouse gas emissions within the EU, transport for 19,4%, private households and services for 14,6%, building trades and industrial production for 12,9%, agriculture for 9,2%, industrial processes for 8,1% and the waste sector for 2,9%, the other emissions being caused by chemical solvents and non-specific combustion processes,

N.

whereas many sectors are already making a contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and many cost-efficient climate change opportunities and efficiency-improving technologies are already available, though their comprehensive application is being blocked by market access barriers, bureaucratic obstacles and high funding costs,

O.

whereas measures aimed at greenhouse gas reductions in production, land use and waste management are of the highest priority; whereas however it will not be possible to overcome climate change solely by emissions reductions in each individual sector; whereas, instead, a systematic approach to the problem will be needed in order to seek cross-sectoral political solutions and to achieve changes to production, consumption, lifestyle and trade patterns throughout society by coherent legislation and adaptation to unavoidable change,

P.

whereas the negotiations towards a post-2012 agreement are being carried on under UN leadership in accordance with the Bali roadmap in the following core areas: emissions reductions and new binding reduction targets, adaptation measures, forest clearance, destruction and degradation, development of technology for mitigation and adaptation measures, the necessary financial resources and, finally, the review of the flexible mechanisms under the Marrakesh Accords on the Kyoto Protocol,

Q.

whereas the World Trade Organization (WTO), the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) should also be deeply involved in the mitigation effort,

R.

whereas the negotiations on a post-2012 agreement need to be concluded at the Copenhagen climate conference (COP 15) at the end of 2009 in order to avoid a gap between the first and second commitment periods,

S.

whereas the European Council of March 2008 stressed the need to speed up the negotiations on the Bali roadmap with a view to adopting a new climate change agreement by 2009, in accordance with the EU's 2°C objective,

T.

whereas climate change may exacerbate the potential for conflict in international relations, for example through climate-induced migration, loss of land and border disputes arising from floods and receding coastlines, as well as conflicts over resources owing to shrinking arable land, growing water scarcity or deforestation,

U.

whereas the European Council of March 2008 requested the Commission to draw up a European strategy for the financing of measures to combat climate change, aimed at the reduction of emissions and adaptation linked to research into, and development of, low-carbon technologies; whereas the transfer of such technologies is an essential precondition for the successful implementation of global emissions reduction and adaptation measures to combat climate change,

V.

whereas mitigation and adaptation efforts are both of paramount importance; whereas industrialised countries have an historical responsibility for climate change; whereas developing countries have contributed little to climate change and yet are the most affected by it; whereas the available funding to combat climate change in developing countries is inadequate and should be substantially increased,

W.

whereas technology transfer is being hindered by concerns about the protection of intellectual property, by weak political institutions and the absence of the rule of law, and by a general lack of capital,

X.

whereas the WTO does not represent an alternative negotiating forum for international action on the climate, and whereas without a successful conclusion to the post-2012 negotiations world trade cannot be expected to help in combating climate change,

Y.

whereas the EU's carbon footprint includes the greenhouse gases emitted in the production of goods consumed in Europe but produced elsewhere,

Z.

whereas oil is the most important source of energy worldwide, accounting for some 35% of primary energy consumption, followed by coal at 25% and natural gas at 21%; whereas, however, the age of cheap and abundant fossil energy is coming to an end,

AA.

whereas, according to Eurostat data, in 2006 33,5% of the EU's crude oil imports originated from Russia, 15,8% from Norway and 27% from Arab countries, and whereas 42% of the EU's gas imports came from Russia, 24,2% from Norway and 25,9% from Arab countries,

AB.

whereas the International Energy Agency predicts an increase of at least 60% in world energy requirements by 2030, some of which will be engendered by the emerging countries,

AC.

whereas developments on the energy markets help the pursuit of climate objectives, since market-driven increases in energy prices form important incentives to sustainable use of resources and thus to low carbon consumption,

AD.

whereas in the medium to long term there can be no question of covering the increasing need for energy solely with fossil fuels, and whereas investment decisions over the next few years will determine the structure of the energy system and the composition of the energy mix for the coming decades,

AE.

whereas the growing need for energy requires a number of complementary measures, such as the urgently needed modernisation of the existing fossil-fuel-fired power stations and transmission networks with a view to a massive improvement in overall energy efficiency, the construction of new power plants and the constant expansion of renewable energy sources,

AF.

AFwhereas energy savings are in the long term the most cost-effective and cleanest way of saving resources and thus combating climate change, and whereas committed and sustained efforts to enhance the EU's energy efficiency will bring about widespread structural solutions across the economy, thereby paving the way towards a green low-carbon economy,

AG.

whereas the use of nuclear energy – irrespective of the availability of uranium – still raises the issue of the safe final storage of nuclear waste and the spread of the technology to undemocratic states,

AH.

whereas the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor project has become a capital-intensive development centre for nuclear fusion as a possible new energy source for the future, and whereas any contribution to the energy market can only be expected in the ultra-long term,

AI.

whereas current policy on biofuels must be seen in a global perspective, where on the one hand there is growing competition for productive land and on the other there is an increasing need for renewable energy, in particular in the transport sector,

AJ.

whereas the production of biomass offers many developing countries new economic opportunities for energy production and as a fuel, and will make them less dependent on energy imports, provided that such production is sustainable and does not lead, for example, to monocultures or to competition as regards food production,

AK.

whereas the emissions reduction potential of many first-generation biofuels in comparison to conventional fuels has been revised downwards, in some cases substantially, following a comprehensive life-cycle analysis, and whereas issues of sustainability, environmental impact and the availability of arable land in competition with food production have still not been satisfactorily resolved,

AL.

whereas a sustainable biofuels policy should be geared not only to setting sustainability criteria for the manufacture of biofuels but also to promoting the most rapid development possible of second-generation biofuels,

AM.

whereas the petroleum industry will only put in place the necessary comprehensive infrastructure for new fuels when there is a sufficient demand for biofuels, but whereas the motor industry has made technological advances permitting any mixture of petrol and biofuels to be detected by a sensor in the vehicle, a device which will also enable older vehicles to run on biofuels, thus achieving CO2 emissions reductions over the whole range of existing vehicles,

AN.

whereas the potential of biofuels can only be realised if they are seen as a component in the development of sustainable transport systems, including the development and use of highly fuel-efficient vehicles,

AO.

whereas several Member States do not have a clear strategy for energy efficiency,

AP.

whereas the Member States should improve and expand the use of energy-efficiency certificates, and link the recommendations to financial incentives,

AQ.

whereas decreasing energy consumption together with energy efficiency at an individual and community level creates new commerce and jobs and combats energy poverty,

AR.

whereas the construction sector accounts for 40% of final energy consumption, and 33% of all greenhouse gas emissions are thus generated by the built environment,

AS.

whereas the building sector (residential buildings, commercial and public buildings) has an enormous cost-efficient potential for reducing CO2 by modernising thermal insulation and heating/cooling systems, electrical appliances and ventilation systems and by installing sun protection,

AT.

whereas low-energy houses are attractive, fashionable and cost-effective,

AU.

whereas decoupling growth in energy consumption from economic growth by investing in energy efficiency in all sectors of society is a key objective of the EU,

AV.

whereas there is a need to develop financial instruments, to allocate the necessary budgetary resources for the improvement of energy efficiency and to constantly review and adjust efficiency standards for electrical and electronic appliances in line with market developments, as well as to extend standards to cover large industrial appliances and to consider making it compulsory for devices to have a switch-off function,

AW.

whereas the separation of transport growth from economic growth as a whole is a key objective of EU transport policy, but whereas demand for transport services has nevertheless outstripped GDP growth and the already high share of transport in EU greenhouse gas emissions is thus continuing to rise,

AX.

whereas transport currently accounts for approximately one third of final energy consumption in the EU and the transport sector is almost completely (97%) dependent on petroleum-based fuels (petrol and diesel),

AY.

whereas the EU's greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2005 would have fallen by 14% instead of 7,9% if the transport sector had achieved the same reductions as other sectors,

AZ.

whereas 80% of Europe's population live in urban areas, where 40% of all transport emissions are produced, with congestion – which is also concentrated in urban areas – costing the EU some 1% of its GDP,

BA.

whereas on the one hand urban mobility is directly linked to individual quality of life, while on the other hand it is individual transport in cities that contributes substantially to greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental problems such as air pollution and noise, so that instead of enhancing the quality of life for many citizens it can considerably detract from it through negative effects on health,

BB.

whereas half of all journeys made by EU citizens are shorter than 5 km,

BC.

whereas 60% of all car journeys and 90% of all rail journeys in daily regional and commuter traffic are no longer than 30km,

BD.

whereas the transport of freight by rail and waterways decreased between 2001 and 2006 (from 18,6% to 17,7% and from 6,5% to 5,6% respectively) while freight transport by road increased (from 74,9% to 76,7%),

BE.

whereas the transport of passengers and goods by water is one of the most energy-efficient transport modes and the proportion of goods transported by water in the EU is around 40%,

BF.

whereas it is estimated that the energy consumed per tonne of goods and km of travel by inland waterways transport amounts to one sixth of the energy consumption of road transport and half that of rail transport,

BG.

whereas programmes such as Marco Polo and NAIADES have been insufficiently used by Member States to shift the transport of merchandise to inland waterways and to seas,

BH.

whereas trade on overseas routes is on the increase and the trend is towards larger container and passenger ships which consume more heavy-grade oil and thus pollute the environment more severely than in the past, and yet international shipping forms no part of international efforts to combat climate change,

BI.

whereas on the one hand the gradual liberalisation and deregulation of the aviation sector over the past decade was an essential precondition for the dynamic growth of European air transport, with a 49% increase in passenger flights within the EU from 1999 to 2004, while on the other hand CO2 emissions from the sector as a whole rose by 79% from 1990 to 2005,

BJ.

whereas the growth of the air transport sector continues to increase its environmental impact in spite of technical and operational improvements, but whereas there has as yet been only limited debate on binding emission standards for aero engines aimed at bringing about technological improvements in their propulsion mechanisms, and there are no studies on implementing possibilities,

BK.

whereas the Commission and the Member States have launched the ‘Clean Sky’ Joint Technology Initiative and the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research (SESAR), European Satellite Navigation System (Galileo) and Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) programmes, as well as research projects for intelligent transport systems, with a view to improving energy efficiency in the transport field,

BL.

whereas air transport emits into the atmosphere not only CO2 but also nitrogen oxides, water vapour, sulphates and carbon particulates which, according to estimates by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), intensify the overall effect of aviation emissions by a factor of two to four, estimates which do not take account of the additional effect of cirrus cloud formation,

BM.

whereas the inhabitants and economies of the outermost regions are extremely dependent on air transport for their mobility and development,

BN.

whereas it should be stressed that, in the long term, the most efficient way of reducing transport-based emissions is to decrease transport growth as a whole by making public transport a more attractive alternative to passenger cars, increasing the volume of rail transport and ensuring that urban and infrastructure planning takes into account the absolute need to reduce the use of passenger cars,

BO.

whereas a study by the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Centre states that one tenth of all world cultural heritage sites and traditional landscapes are threatened by the effects of climate change,

BP.

whereas, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, Europe is the most important tourist region in the world, accounting for 55% of all international tourist arrivals in 2006,

BQ.

whereas climate change may alter tourist flows, which would involve major economic disadvantages for the holiday regions affected,

BR.

whereas the European Union Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) is a unique instrument for achieving emissions reductions with maximum efficiency and may act as a model for similar schemes, though the compatibility of such schemes would have to be guaranteed,

BS.

whereas the industrial sectors are key to meeting the greenhouse gas emission reduction targets set by the European Council and whereas they should be encouraged to reduce their industrial greenhouse gas emissions further, whilst remaining competitive,

BT.

whereas the idea underlying the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI), namely the dissemination of modern and efficient technologies, should work in reality; whereas CDM/JI should be limited to high-quality projects which provide documented additional reductions in greenhouse gas emissions,

BU.

whereas changes to agricultural practices, EU environmental legislation and the most recent structural reforms in the common agricultural policy aim at sustainability and thus indirectly – via improved use of available resources – bring about a reduction in emissions,

BV.

whereas agriculture is an emitter of greenhouse gases but also contributes positively to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and also suffers directly from the negative effect of climate change leading to different economic and social consequences across regions of Europe,

BW.

whereas the widespread cultivation of feedstuffs for livestock production contributes substantially to the total greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture,

BX.

whereas specific climate objectives – such as binding requirements for the reduction of methane and nitrous oxide emissions – are lacking in agriculture, as are incentive schemes to exploit existing emissions reduction potential,

BY.

whereas the rearing of livestock in a more nearly natural way has significant benefits for the environment in terms of care for the landscape and the conservation of grazing areas, while also reducing energy input and emissions,

BZ.

whereas livestock numbers should be adapted to suit the land areas available and whereas sustainable grazing practices could help to prevent soil erosion in pasturage areas,

CA.

whereas forests are very valuable for the biosphere and have many functions in the global eco-system, and whereas the current economic value assigned to forests is not able to take into account their eco-system or social/societal value,

CB.

whereas forests have three-dimensional roles in climate change mitigation: as carbon stocks through sustainable use and protection of forests, as carbon sinks through forestation and as a substitute for fossil fuels and fossil products as a renewable raw material,

CC.

whereas over 30% of the world's landmass is covered in forest, which is home to more than two thirds of all species living on earth, and whereas some 30% of annual greenhouse gas emissions are absorbed by forests,

CD.

whereas on the one hand forests play a vital role in holding back climate change while on the other hand at least a third of the world's forests are affected by the consequences of climate change,

CE.

whereas the most serious problem underlying forest destruction lies in related socio-economic factors such as poverty and under-development, weak political institutions and absence of the rule of law, as well as unjust property ownership conditions and corruption which can, amongst other consequences, lead to the illegal logging and clearing of forests,

CF.

whereas forest destruction through deforestation, unsustainable logging or fires caused inter alia by heat waves contributes significantly to CO2 emissions,

CG.

whereas there are not enough strategies and programmes for the reforestation of forests that have been cleared,

CH.

whereas the make-up of forest plantations in the EU does not reflect the natural mixed woodland characteristic of Europe,

CI.

whereas the soils of Europe are undergoing irreversible damage at a faster rate than ever before, and the extent of this damage is being intensified by climate change,

CJ.

whereas the thawing of permafrost soils is altering the nature of soils in the northern hemisphere and releasing significant additional quantities of methane into the atmosphere,

CK.

whereas the availability of water resources, drinking water and other water supplies, water consumption and the treatment of waste water are closely linked to economic and social conditions,

CL.

whereas the regional disparities in Europe with regard to available water resources, and the occurrence of floods and droughts, are being intensified still further by climate change,

CM.

whereas fish and shellfish are an important source of food, and whereas the ocean is the largest carbon sink in the world and serves as a source of biomass and raw materials,

CN.

whereas the nutritional resources of the sea are already being overexploited,

CO.

whereas waste hierarchy is a key principle guiding climate change mitigation in the waste sector,

CP.

whereas it should be acknowledged that EU legislation on waste together with waste disposal innovations and the increased use of recycled products already have a positive impact on the environment and contribute to reducing net greenhouse gas emissions from the waste sector, even though not every potential is yet being exploited,

CQ.

whereas the quantity of waste is regrettably continuing to rise, in spite of all efforts to reduce it,

CR.

whereas adaptation measures of all kinds represent an insurance for the future with a view to alleviating damage from past greenhouse gas emissions and the consequent rise in temperature,

CS.

whereas using a pure cost-benefit analysis in the development of adaptation measures is not sufficient to guarantee the necessary minimum protection to all population groups; whereas, with a view to such measures, the local effects of climate change need to be analysed as a matter of urgency,

CT.

whereas according to the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment the consumption of natural resources currently threatens two thirds of all ecosystems, increases vulnerability to climate change and thus further intensifies the pressure to develop adaptation measures as soon as possible,

CU.

whereas the joint EEA, JRC (Joint Research Centre) and WHO (World Health Organization) report entitled ‘Impacts of Europe's changing climate’ draws attention to the fact that vulnerability to climate change varies widely across regions and sectors in Europe, hitting mountainous regions, coastal zones, the Mediterranean and the Arctic harder, and whereas that report underlines that, in addition to enhanced global greenhouse gas emission reductions, proactive adaptation measures are needed at European and national level in order to moderate effects,

CV.

whereas many of the effects of climate change on health as reported, for instance, by the WHO may be kept at bay by preparing and strengthening health systems by means of appropriate preventive measures, with particular attention being paid to the spread of tropical diseases, and by public information campaigns addressing especially vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, newborn babies, children and elderly people,

CW.

whereas the European Environment and Health Action Plan 2004-2010 is definitely inadequate to address the environmental causes which affect health, especially those stemming from climate change,

CX.

whereas the climate policy goals agreed at the European Council of March 2007 are technically and economically feasible and offer unique business opportunities for thousands of EU undertakings,

CY.

whereas many businesses have not yet sufficiently recognised the scope of the opportunities and risks linked to climate change,

CZ.

whereas committed action to combat climate change is compatible with continued economic growth and prosperity; whereas it could represent an effective investment with an important anti-recession function and must be seen as a challenge for wide-ranging structural changes having as their ultimate objective the development of a truly green economy,

DA.

whereas there is more likely to be a restructuring of jobs within particular industries than between one industry and another,

DB.

whereas emissions trading is the essential component of the European climate change programme, being designed to achieve a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions through improved efficiency; whereas emissions trading alone is not, however, sufficient to find a way out of the CO2 impasse and to spark a widespread revolution in the field of low-CO2 technologies,

DC.

whereas achieving climate change mitigation targets requires appropriate financial steering mechanisms to endorse the development and application of energy-efficient and clean technologies,

DD.

whereas sustainable housing offers enormous potential for job creation,

DE.

whereas improved efficiency alone will not spark off a technological revolution, but will necessitate an integrated strategy at EU, national and local level to boost research and development (R&D) in novel and advanced technologies and processes, and to strengthen their take-up,

DF.

whereas carbon capture and storage (CCS) is already being applied on a small scale in various areas – e.g. in oil and gas extraction – but is still in the early stages as a major technology designed to combat climate change,

DG.

whereas the costs and risks still outweigh the economic advantages, and the effectiveness of power stations using CCS is diminishing despite the use of the latest technology,

DH.

whereas the technology for CCS, as a bridging technology on the way to the decarbonisation of the energy system, may contribute to resolving the issue of reducing CO2 emissions from power stations and could serve to complement renewable technologies, but whereas CCS is an end-of-pipe technology,

DI.

whereas the ICT sector currently produces 2% of global CO2 emissions, but the industry is potentially capable not only of reducing its own CO2 emissions but also, in particular, of developing innovative and more energy-efficient applications for the economy as a whole,

DJ.

whereas the current EU budget is insufficient to achieve the climate objectives, since the political priority of combating climate change has not yet been furnished with the necessary budgetary appropriations,

DK.

whereas in the forthcoming financial framework budgetary appropriations must be allocated to combat climate change and create a European adaptation policy, in order to ensure that the EU has a sufficient ‘climate change budget’ for the next budgetary period after 2013,

DL.

whereas combating climate change must be taken into account in all EU policies; whereas, consequently, the EU can no longer merely redistribute existing resources but should promote the creation of new resources to finance the cross-sectoral nature of the fight against climate change,

DM.

whereas economic and social policy measures to combat climate change herald a cultural transformation which will alter established habits and lifestyles, but whereas it will not be possible to achieve genuinely sustainable consumption and use of raw materials in all areas of society without a change of thinking and behaviour, for which new models of consumption and lifestyles must be developed,

DN.

whereas climate change will give a boost to technological modernisation, representing an economic opportunity which can only be exploited if there are enough qualified specialist workers on the labour market,

DO.

whereas the Eurobarometer Special Poll (Special Eurobarometer No 300) clearly shows that climate change is regarded as a very serious problem by a large majority of respondents in Europe, but whereas many complain of a lack of information and personal initiatives to counteract global warming tend to be confined to fairly simple measures such as waste sorting or lower energy and water consumption which do not call for any drastic changes in daily life,

DP.

whereas the information needed to examine one's own mobility habits regarding, for example, the use of private cars and alternative means of transport (walking, cycling or public transport) is available,

DQ.

whereas EU climate requirements and laws help local and municipal decision-makers to improve the quality of life in many towns in the European Union, and whereas local initiatives in metropolitan regions make a crucial contribution to reducing the EU's CO2 emissions,

DR.

whereas it is not the responsibility of retailers alone to bring about alternative purchasing behaviour among their customers; whereas, however, businesses as a whole could set examples of sustainability and resource efficiency through their business models and production processes and could make their staff into a significant disseminator of information about climate-friendly action,

DS.

whereas consumer information concerning the climatic effects of agricultural products is largely lacking, but whereas targeted information campaigns can influence the purchasing behaviour of consumers and thus also achieve health policy objectives,

DT.

whereas the problem of climate change cannot be tackled without the large-scale involvement of the populace in all parts of the world, and whereas, therefore, one of the essential tasks will be to provide people, by every possible means, with the information they require in order to help solve problems and also to protect themselves when adaptation difficulties arise, as they inevitably will ,

DU.

whereas the world population's need for resources already exceeds by one quarter the earth's natural regeneration capacity, thus depriving future generations of the essentials of life,

DV.

whereas the foundations of future production methods and consumer behaviour will be definitively laid by the political decisions of the present, which call for far-sightedness and political leadership, but whereas a more sustainable lifestyle will not be possible without the contribution of the economy, science, the media, organised civil society and the citizens,

DW.

whereas climate change is a global environmental problem the causes of which are structural in nature,

1.

Recalls its abovementioned resolution of 21 May 2008, and in particular the fact that all efforts to curb emissions should aim at staying well below the objective of limiting global temperature increases to below 2° C, inasmuch as a level of warming of that magnitude would already impact heavily on our society and individual lifestyles and would also entail significant changes in ecosystems and water resources; is deeply concerned about the fact that, as indicated by many recent scientific reports, climate change is both more rapid and more serious in terms of its adverse effects than was previously thought; consequently, calls on the Commission to closely monitor and analyse the latest scientific findings with a view to assessing, in particular, whether the EU 2° C target would still achieve the aim of avoiding dangerous climate change;

2.

Stresses that there is an urgent need – pursuing a horizontal approach – to incorporate global warming and climate change as new parameters into all spheres and policies, and to take the causes and consequences of global warming and climate change into account in every relevant area of EU legislation;

3.

Recalls in particular the essential objectives in combating climate change and stresses the importance, in accordance with the recommendations contained in the IPCC's Fourth Assessment Report (AR4) and as included in the Bali roadmap, of setting, for the EU and the other industrialised countries as a group, a medium-term target of a 25%-40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020, as well as a long-term reduction target of at least 80% by 2050, compared to 1990, maintaining the focus on restricting the increase in average global temperature to 2°C over pre-industrial levels and thus achieving a 50% probability of meeting this objective;

4.

Stresses that a nation's impact on the climate is not limited to its physical emissions; urges the EU to take urgent steps at home and in the context of international negotiations to develop accounting principles that also include the full effects of consumption, including the effects of international aviation;

5.

Calls on the Commission to consider the carbon footprints of future European policy initiatives so as to ensure that climate change targets set at European level are met, whilst still ensuring a high level of protection for the environment and public health;

6.

Stresses the political measures, and cooperation at international level (including regional multilateral agreements) and at EU and Member State level, repeatedly proposed by Parliament with a view to combating climate change;

7.

Welcomes the adoption of the EU package of legislative measures (the so-called ‘climate and energy package’) requiring the unilateral reduction by 20% of EU greenhouse gas emissions, setting up a procedure to step up the effort to achieve a 30% reduction in accordance with commitments under the future international agreement and increasing to 20% the share of renewable energy in the EU energy mix by 2020, and calls on the EU Member States to implement those legislative measures smoothly and rapidly; calls on the Commission to monitor the implementation of the ‘climate and energy package’ closely;

8.

Considers that certain principles agreed in the climate and energy package are also useful for the purposes of international agreement, in particular the binding linear pathway for industrialised country commitments, differentiation on the basis of emissions verified in 2005, and the regime of compliance with an annual abatement factor;

9.

Is committed to a leading role for the European Union in international negotiations under the UNFCCC at COP and MOP level, as well as in other international fora, such as the WTO, the World Bank and the IMF; also highlights the urgent need for the EU and its Member States to meet the targets of the Kyoto Protocol in order to play this leading role in a credible way;

10.

Agrees that the development, application and export of modern environmental technologies contributes simultaneously to fulfilling the Lisbon Strategy and meeting the EU's Kyoto targets and other climate objectives, and points out that, in order to achieve the ambitious environmental targets and economic growth to be realised, the Lisbon strategy and the climate and energy package should be fully integrated;

11.

Urges the Commission and the Member States to support the UN's call for a ‘Green New Deal’; in the light of the financial crisis, calls for the investments aimed at boosting economic growth to do so in a sustainable way, in particular by promoting green technologies which will at the same time advance Europe's future competitiveness and secure jobs;

12.

Emphasises, in this context, that tackling climate change will lead to societal changes that will help to create new jobs and industries, combat energy poverty and dependency on imports of fossil fuels and provide social benefits for citizens; stresses that cooperation at international, regional and local level will be critical if we are to be successful in achieving this goal;

13.

Is convinced, moreover, that climate change can only be successfully combated if citizens are fully engaged in the process and are protected during the period of transition to a carbon-neutral economy; highlights, therefore, the fact that mitigation and adaptation policies will push the European Union towards a new model of sustainable development which should promote its social character in order to secure the social consensus;

14.

Stresses the need, first of all, to achieve dramatic improvements in efficiency in all areas of everyday life and, in parallel, to launch a sustainable production and consumption model with a conscious saving of resources on the basis of renewable energy;

15.

Emphasises in this context the need to examine the EU's budget, and existing and future financing instruments, as to their compatibility with European climate policy, and where necessary to adapt them;

16.

Stresses that a successful R&D policy will only be made possible by the practical application of new technologies via secured market access points;

17.

Calls for research to be carried out into potential trends of climate-induced migration and the ensuing pressures on local services, in order to inform long-term planning and risk-management processes;

18.

Stresses that nearly half of the world's population is under the age of 25 and that today's decisions on climate policy will have far-reaching consequences for the largest generation of young people in human history;

19.

Welcomes the decision taken by COP 14 and COP/MOP 4 in Poznań to move from discussion to real negotiations with a view to a post-2012 agreement and the adoption, in this context, of a work programme for 2009; also welcomes the mandate given to the Chairs to propose a negotiating text to be examined at the June 2009 negotiating session;

20.

Urges the Commission and the coming Council Presidencies to assume a leadership role in the international negotiations aimed at securing a post-2012 agreement and to reach a conclusion by the end of 2009, so that sufficient time remains to ratify the forthcoming climate change agreement and avoid a gap between obligation periods;

21.

Stresses that the new climate change agreement should come into being under the auspices of the UN and on the principle of a ‘common but differentiated responsibility’, with the countries of the industrialised world taking the lead in reducing their domestic emissions while the developing countries also commit themselves, in accordance with the Bali Action Plan, to taking nationally appropriate mitigation actions in the context of sustainable development, supported and enabled, in a measurable, reportable and verifiable manner, by technology, financing and capacity-building from industrialised countries;

22.

Invites those industrialised parties to the UNFCCC who have not yet done so to propose individual emission reduction commitments, thus contributing to the global effort to attain the Convention's objective; welcomes the commitment by developing countries to the UNFCCC process and the independent commitments and policies adopted by several of them;

23.

Urges the incoming US administration to live up to expectations and, as such, to contribute, through the adoption of domestic legislation, to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the promotion of clean technologies, and, through active participation in the international negotiations, to the shaping of an ambitious post-2012 climate change framework;

24.

Stresses that the post-2012 agreement needs to be reconciled with other objectives on the international political agendas of the UN and the EU, such as conservation of biodiversity, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and security issues, so that political synergies can be exploited;

25.

Takes note of the adoption by the Commission of its Communication entitled ‘Towards a comprehensive climate change agreement in Copenhagen’ (COM(2009)0039) on the EU position in preparation for the UN Climate Change COP 15 Copenhagen Conference;

26.

Calls on the Commission and the Member States to construct a foreign policy on climate change and to repeatedly draw attention to the EU climate targets in the EU's and the Member States' diplomatic missions; for its own part, undertakes to repeatedly raise the issue of the EU climate targets, and to defend those targets, in its contacts with parliamentarians from other countries;

27.

Calls on the Commission and the Member States to incorporate the requirements of emission reductions, and measures to adapt to the consequences of climate change, into development aid programmes, and/or to refer to those requirements in the decision-making processes of international development aid agencies, thus involving the private sector, public authorities and non-governmental organisations in the countries or regions concerned by way of partnerships; stresses that additional resources need to be mobilised to help developing countries to tackle the climate change challenge, and that emerging initiatives in this context must be formally linked to the UNFCCC process and to achieving the MDGs; welcomes the EU's launching of a Global Climate Change Alliance to support adaptation to climate change in poor developing countries that are most vulnerable to climate change, and recalls in this regard its above-mentioned resolution of 21 October 2008;

28.

Welcomes the decision taken by COP 14 and COP/MOP 4 to make the Adaptation Fund fully operational, thereby enabling it to finance projects starting from 2009, and considers this a very important first step in addressing the developing countries' concerns in relation to the financing of climate change measures in those countries; also welcomes the decision to scale up the level of investment for technology transfer through the Poznań Strategic Programme for Technology Transfer;

29.

Welcomes the progress, albeit limited, made in addressing the issues of additionality and of the geographical distribution of CDM, and asks the Member States, in conformity with the Poznań decisions, to purchase by preference credits from projects in countries hosting fewer than ten registered CDM projects, especially in least developed countries, small island developing states and Africa, and to meet the cost of validating those projects;

30.

Recalls, in this context, the supplementarity principle as referred to in Articles 6, 12 and 17 of the Kyoto Protocol and in the Marrakesh Accords, according to which the parties are to meet most of their obligations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions domestically, before taking advantage of external flexible mechanisms such as CDM and JI;

31.

Underlines that excessive CDM/JI use undermines the credibility of the European Union in the international UN negotiations and thus its leadership role in fighting climate change; encourages Member States to be responsible and to minimise the use of CDM/JI and complete most emissions reductions in their own countries;

32.

Endorses the recommendations set out in the report by the High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and by the Commission on ‘Climate Change and International Security’, and stresses the need to construct an appropriate multilateral preventive EU climate diplomacy to that end, so that climate issues can be incorporated to a greater extent in the formation of international relations together with other international relations factors such as population growth and climate-induced migration, urbanisation, energy needs, rising energy prices and shortages of food and water;

33.

Calls on the EU and its Member States, in the context of the European Security Strategy and the European Security and Defence Policy, to prevent, monitor, and take action to tackle the effects of climate change and resultant natural disasters on civil protection and human safety as well as possible conflicts caused by changes in water and land supply resulting from climate change;

34.

Calls on the EU and its Member States to strengthen their existing climate partnerships with targeted developing countries, and to enter into new partnerships where these do not currently exist, providing significantly increased financial support for technology development and transfer, protection of intellectual property and institutional capacity-building;

35.

Calls on the Commission and Member States to attach the highest priority to energy efficiency and renewable resources in the context of development cooperation;

36.

Calls on the Commission, in the context of the WTO negotiation rounds and the post-2012 process, to pursue coordinated negotiation strategies in the field of trade and environment policy in order to send its negotiating partners a credible message about Europe's climate targets and the instruments developed to achieve them, to dispel concerns about trade barriers or other disadvantages to trade relations with third countries that have no binding climate objectives, and to implement the reciprocity principle in the interests of combating climate change at a global level;

37.

Calls on the Commission, the Council Presidencies and the Member States to adopt a leading role in the negotiations towards a post-2012 agreement, in order to ensure the success of the climate negotiations aimed at achieving the 2oC goal;

38.

Stresses that Europe needs a forward-looking common energy policy, based on solidarity between Member States, both within the EU and in external relations, so as to ensure a high level of security of energy supply meeting the conditions of sustainability, resource efficiency and climate neutrality, and tackling issues relating to climate change and competitiveness in order to prevent potential interruption of the supply of energy;

39.

Calls on the EU to create a European renewable energy community to promote further research and pilot projects in this field as well as the development of the grid so as to allow for the optimal integration of renewable energy resources;

40.

Calls on the EU and its Member States to ensure:

41.

Calls on the EU and its Member States to secure a transitional phase in the energy mix, influenced by politicians and led by entrepreneurs, during which the use of renewable energy sources gradually supplements and subsequently reduces and replaces the use of fossil fuels, by means of active support from the public authorities in the Member States and at EU level, together with the greatest possible degree of cooperation with other countries and international organisations;

42.

Calls on the Member States to support a sense of personal responsibility among regions and citizens and to promote the increased use of locally available renewable energy sources by means of legal and fiscal incentives;

43.

Calls on the Member States to motivate electricity suppliers, by means of depreciation systems and tax incentive schemes, to carry out the necessary modernisation of fossil-fuel-fired power stations in order to achieve substantial efficiency improvements in conventional power production;

44.

Calls on the Member States to secure network access for energy, gas and electricity from decentralised sources, to dismantle barriers to market access for innovative power suppliers in the renewable energy sector and to press for the expansion of local cogeneration and trigeneration, gearing it to medium-term targets;

45.

Proposes the creation, as an essential component of a European external energy policy, of solar energy partnerships with third countries in the Mediterranean region which aim in the initial phase to generate solar power and transfer it to the European Union via high-voltage direct-current cables, and which may in a second phase form the basis for electricity and hydrogen production and thus for the switch to a renewables-based economy;

46.

Calls on the EU, the Member States and the business community:

47.

Calls on the Member States to step up still further, in line with local or regional capabilities, the share in the energy mix of wind energy – which thanks to intensive promotion has already become an established means of energy generation – and of hydro and geothermal power, and to make further use of existing development potential, inter alia through European research initiatives and coordination via networks of excellence;

48.

Stresses the considerable potential of the use of sustainable biomass for energy production with a view to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and calls for a European strategy for the exploitation of sustainable biomass for production of electricity and gas, heating and cooling;

49.

Calls on the Commission to submit a comprehensive analysis of all emissions throughout the entire life-cycle of individual sources of bio-energy in order to determine what role biomass from residues and dedicated cultures can play as an energy source in future; considers that the advantages and disadvantages of the opportunities offered by breeding innovations and the use of biotechnology for improving the calorific value of biomass should be investigated, without prejudging the outcome;

50.

Regards combined heat and power as an effective, economical and environmentally sensible option;

51.

Acknowledges the different approaches of the Member States with regard to nuclear energy and therefore urges the Commission to pay special attention to radioactive waste and its full cycle, with a view to improving safety;

52.

Considers that research into the technological feasibility of nuclear fusion in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor is the first step towards the objective of commercial utilisation of this form of energy, and stresses that the achievement of that goal is highly dependent on long-term guarantees of funding for such research;

53.

Urges the Member States and the EU to further the development of CCS technology for coal and gas-fired power plants by giving incentives for demonstration projects and encouraging research;

54.

Notes that certain production-types of biofuels can have an impact on food prices, loss of biodiversity and deforestation, and notes at the same time that biofuels must be produced responsibly and through a verifiably sustainable process;

55.

Considers it essential to involve the developing countries in a long-term strategy for the development and production of biofuels, in order to examine the possibility of their economic planning and profitability, to secure the availability and production of food, to answer the question of their environmental sustainability, including an assessment of all relevant indirect effects, and, not least, to permit social development and a lasting increase in earnings, as well as to ensure that developing countries receive the training needed in order to be in a position to meet the EU sustainability criteria;

56.

Calls on the Commission and the Member States to step up R&D in respect of advanced biofuels, to ensure that they are allocated the necessary funding and to link them to fixed development goals;

57.

Calls on the Commission and the Member States to use the experience gained from the development of sustainability criteria within the EU to actively promote the development of a global biofuels standard;

58.

Calls on the Commission to propose a binding goal of a 20% increase in energy efficiency by 2020 and to accompany that proposal with concrete interim reduction targets;

59.

Calls for a broad, locally-based public information campaign to improve decentralised energy efficiency, with house and flat owners being offered thermal images and energy performance information for their properties and proposals being submitted for financing possible modernisation work, along the lines of micro-credits;

60.

Calls on the Commission and the Member States to take active steps to increase awareness of the importance of ICTs for improving energy efficiency, sustainable development and the quality of life of EU citizens;

61.

Calls for synergy to be generated between property owners, financial service providers, tradesmen and other operators in the property sector through trade fairs, open days and seminars;

62.

Calls for clear European coordination with a view to the expansion of electricity cogeneration and trigeneration and their integration into industrial plants, so as to guarantee local or regional starting-points for climate protection measures, whilst at the same time increasing energy consumption efficiency;

63.

Calls on the Economic and Financial Affairs Council to introduce reduced rates of VAT for renewable energy and for energy-saving goods and services; proposes, in particular, that the Member States create incentives to modernisation by means of VAT reductions on modernisation work and the equipment used to carry this out, by gearing land or property taxation to the energy efficiency of buildings and by fully implementing and promoting energy performance certifications;

64.

Proposes, as an incentive for the modernisation of rented property, the reduction of tax rates on rental income in line with investment in renewable heating and electricity systems as well as efficiency gains;

65.

Notes, given the long life of buildings, the paramount importance of ensuring that new buildings are constructed to the highest energy-efficiency standards possible, that existing buildings are upgraded to contemporary standards and that minimum levels of energy from renewable sources are used in all new or refurbished buildings requiring heating and cooling;

66.

Proposes that Member States improve and expand the use of energy-efficiency certificates and link the recommendations to financial incentives;

67.

Calls for minimum EU energy-efficiency standards for new and refurbished buildings; calls on the relevant local authorities and professional associations in the Member States to establish energy-efficiency criteria, guidelines and national legislation or administrative decisions for new buildings as a leitmotiv for architects and building engineers, with building regulations for the energy efficiency of new buildings and major renovation works, and to ensure in this context clean and healthy indoor air;

68.

Stresses the need for minimum energy-efficiency criteria to be included in a comprehensive public procurement policy for public buildings and services at national, regional and local levels, as a means of promoting innovation in new technologies and ensuring market access thereto;

69.

Asks that available studies on the carbon footprint and energy reduction potential of the European institutions be made public and easily accessible for users on their relevant websites;

70.

Calls on the Commission and the Member States to provide active support for R&D relating to lighting technologies and intelligent lighting applications, so that the introduction of more energy-efficient lighting in both indoor and outdoor public spaces – with an emphasis on highly efficient light-emitting diodes – can be more vigorously promoted;

71.

Notes that renovation and improvement of the energy efficiency of tower-block buildings, especially in those countries where such buildings make up the biggest part of the housing market, is the easiest way to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions; calls on the Commission to revise and increase the currently existing 2% structural funds limit applicable to grants for the renovation of tower blocks;

72.

Notes that the long-term target in the building sector in Europe should be net zero-energy performance in new residential buildings by 2015 and in new commercial and public buildings by 2020, and considers that the target should be extended in the long term to cover renovated buildings;

73.

Calls on the Commission to adjust the energy-efficiency requirements for electrical and electronic equipment of all kinds to market developments at least every five years following the ‘top runner’ principle, to update existing labelling programmes or efficiency classifications and thus to prevent the consumer from being given inaccurate information;

74.

Calls on the Commission to set stringent EU targets and establish integrated industrial policies designed to ensure market access and the uptake of energy-efficient technologies, including the development of common technological objectives (such as passive houses), greater use of integrated policy strategies such as lead markets and green public procurement, and supporting regulation in respect of product design and minimum standards;

75.

Calls on the Commission to implement consistently the ban on devices with high stand-by losses and, as a next step in the implementation of the Eco-design Directive (7), to consider making it compulsory for devices to have a switch-off function, and to make automatic switch-off and energy-saving modes mandatory even for installations with large motors and for industrial equipment and machinery;

76.

Urges early and rigorous implementation of the 2006 requirements relating to the installation of smart meters in order to raise consumer awareness of energy use and help energy suppliers manage demand more effectively;

77.

Notes that the European economic and social model is based on securing the mobility and availability of persons and goods, giving priority to efficiency of time rather than efficiency of resources, and that a combined approach using both factors will thus be necessary in future;

78.

Calls on the European Investment Bank and its risk-capital subsidiary, the European Investment Fund, to broaden significantly their support for energy efficiency and renewable energy development;

79.

Reminds the relevant operators that the transport sector must also comply with the EU climate goals of reducing CO2 emissions by 2020 by at least 20%, and if there is an international agreement by at least 30%, below 1990 levels and increasing energy efficiency by 20% during the same period;

80.

Calls for a comprehensive policy mix of mutually supportive measures aimed at a sustainable transport policy comprising the development of vehicle technology (eco-efficient innovation), increased use of alternative energy sources for transport, the creation of distribution networks for clean fuels, increased use of alternative forms of propulsion, intelligent traffic management, changes in driving styles and car use, improved logistics, ‘green corridors’ and ICT for transport, a CO2 tax and the modernisation of public transport in order to achieve the goal of zero emissions without ignoring the increased need for mobility; points out that all of these could be promoted by clear preferences in public procurement;

81.

Considers that special priority must be given to the application of the ‘polluter pays’ principle, and calls for all modes of transport to be fully involved in the internalisation of their external costs; points out that the achievement of this goal will require an adequate economic environment, and therefore calls on the Member States to review the taxes and duties concerned;

82.

Welcomes the Commission's Greening Transport Inventory, which lists both existing and necessary future legislation for sustainable growth in the transport sector;