(Ordinary legislative procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council (COM(2015)0337),

–  having regard to Article 294(2) and Article 192(1) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C8‑0190/2015),

–  having regard to Article 294(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–  having regard to the opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee of 9 December 2015(1),

–  having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions of 7 April 2016(2),

–  having regard to the provisional agreement approved by the committee responsible under Rule 69f(4) of its Rules of Procedure and the undertaking given by the Council representative by letter of 22 November 2017 to approve Parliament’s position, in accordance with Article 294(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,

–  having regard to Rule 59 of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the report of the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety and the opinions of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy and of the Committee on Development (A8-0003/2017),

1.  Adopts its position at first reading hereinafter set out(3);

2.  Takes note of the statements by the Commission annexed to this resolution;

3.  Calls on the Commission to refer the matter to Parliament again if it replaces, substantially amends or intends to substantially amend its proposal;

4.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the national parliaments.

(1) OJ C 71, 24.2.2016, p. 57. (2) OJ C 240, 1.7.2016, p. 62. (3) This position replaces the amendments adopted on 15 February 2017 (Texts adopted, P8_TA(2017)0035).

(As an agreement was reached between Parliament and Council, Parliament's position corresponds to the final legislative act, Directive (EU) 2018/410).

Statements by the COMMISSION

Linear Reduction Factor (LRF)

The EU ETS is the EU's key instrument to achieving the EU climate goal of limiting global average temperature increase to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial level as also agreed in the context of the Paris Agreement. In line with this objective and the 2030 climate and energy policy framework, the revision of the EU ETS and the increase of the linear reduction factor from 1,74% to 2,2% are the first steps in delivering on the EU's target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% domestically by 2030. The Commission acknowledges that further efforts and more ambition are needed to achieve the EU's 2050 GHG objective to reduce GHG emissions in line with reaching the long-term targets of the Paris Agreement and its Impact Assessment accompanying the 2030 climate and energy framework states that the cap equal to this level would require a further increase of the linear reduction factor until 2050. As part of any future review of this Directive, the Commission undertakes to consider an increase of the linear reduction factor in the light of international developments calling for an increased stringency of Union policies and measures.

Maritime emissions

The Commission takes note of the European Parliament’s proposal. In April 2018, the IMO is expected to decide on the initial GHG emission reduction strategy for ships. The Commission will swiftly assess and duly report on this outcome, in particular the emission reduction objectives and list of candidate measures to achieve them, including the timeline for adoption of such measures. When doing so it will consider which next steps are appropriate to ensure a fair contribution of the sector, including the way forward proposed by Parliament. In the context of new legislative measures on maritime greenhouse gas emissions, the Commission will duly consider amendments in this regard adopted by the European Parliament.

Just transition in coal and carbon-intensive regions

The Commission re-iterates the commitment to develop a dedicated initiative which will provide tailor made support for the just transition in coal and carbon-intensive regions in Member States concerned.

To this end, it will work in partnership with the stakeholders of these regions to provide guidance, in particular for the access to and use of relevant funds and programmes, and encourage exchange of good practices, including discussions on industrial roadmaps and re-skilling needs.

CCU

The Commission takes note of the European Parliament’s proposal to exempt emissions verified as captured and used ensuring a permanent bound from surrender obligations under the EU ETS. Such technologies are currently insufficiently mature for a decision on their future regulatory treatment. In view of the technological potential of CO2 Carbon Capture and Use (CCU) technologies, the Commission undertakes to consider their regulatory treatment in the course of the next trading period, with a view to considering whether any changes to the regulatory treatment are appropriate by the time of any future review of the Directive. In this regard, the Commission will give due consideration to the potential of such technologies to contribute to substantial emissions reductions while not compromising the environmental integrity of the EU ETS.