European Parliament legislative resolution of 19 May 2021 on the proposal for a Council decision amending Decision 2008/376/EC on the adoption of the Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel and on the multiannual technical guidelines for this programme (COM(2020)0320 — C9-0214/2020 — 2020/0141(NLE))
Date: 2021-05-19
Institutions: Committee on Budgets, Committee on Employment and Social Affairs, Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, Committee on Regional Development, Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety, European Parliament
Subjects: EU environmental policy, EU programme, EU research policy, coal, fund (EU), innovation, reduction of gas emissions, research and development, research programme, steel




C_2022015EN.01025701.xml










12.1.2022   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


C 15/257






P9_TA(2021)0237
Research Fund for Coal and Steel *
European Parliament legislative resolution of 19 May 2021 on the proposal for a Council decision amending Decision 2008/376/EC on the adoption of the Research Programme of the Research Fund for Coal and Steel and on the multiannual technical guidelines for this programme (COM(2020)0320 — C9-0214/2020 — 2020/0141(NLE))
(Consultation)
(2022/C 15/42)

The European Parliament,






—


having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2020)0320),










—


having regard to the second paragraph of Article 2 of Protocol No 37 on the financial consequences of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty and on the Research Fund for Coal and Steel, annexed to the Treaty on European Union and to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C9-0214/2020),










—


having regard to Rule 82 of its Rules of Procedure,










—


having regard to the report of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A9-0102/2021),












1.


Approves the Commission proposal as amended;












2.


Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, in accordance with Article 293(2) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and Article 106a of the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community;












3.


Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;












4.


Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to substantially amend the Commission proposal;












5.


Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and the Commission.





Amendment 1


Proposal for a decision


Recital 1








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(1)


On 5 October 2016, the Union ratified the Paris Agreement (28). This international agreement invites parties who have ratified it to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change 
limiting
 global temperature 
rise
 to well below 2 degrees.












(1)


On 5 October 2016, the Union ratified the Paris Agreement
, adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change

 (28)

, which entered into force on 4 November 2016
. This international agreement invites parties who have ratified it to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change 
holding the increase in the
 global temperature to well below 2 degrees 
and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1,5  oC above pre-industrial levels

 (28a).









Amendment 2


Proposal for a decision


Recital 6








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(6)


It is necessary therefore to align the RFCS Research Programme objectives with international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, 
as well as
 with the scientific, technological and political objectives of the Union on climate neutrality by 2050.












(6)


It is necessary therefore to align the RFCS Research Programme objectives with international agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, with the 
best available
 scientific 
evidence
, 
in particular the findings reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as well as the
 technological and political objectives of the Union on climate neutrality by 2050.









Amendment 3


Proposal for a decision


Recital 6 a (new)








Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(6a)






The Research Programme should pay particular attention to research on raw materials deriving from coal wastes given their high potential for developing highly advanced products in strategic value chains, such as battery anodes or carbon fibres, and in the chemistry industry.











Amendment 4


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 1

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 2 — subparagraph 2







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





The Research Programme shall provide support for collaborative research in the coal and steel sectors. The Research Programme shall also provide support for clean steel breakthrough technologies leading to near zero-carbon steel making projects 
and
 research projects for managing the just transition of formerly operating coal mines or coal mines in the process of closure and related infrastructure in line with the Just Transition Mechanism and in compliance with Article 4(2) of Council Decision 2003/76/EC. The Research Programme shall be consistent with the political, scientific, and technological objectives of the Union, and shall complement the activities carried out in the Member States and within the existing 
EU
 research programmes, in particular the framework programme for research
, technological development and demonstration activities
 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Research Framework Programme’).


The Research Programme shall provide support 
to all relevant stakeholders, including to small and medium-sized enterprises,
 for collaborative research in the coal and steel sectors. The Research Programme shall also provide support for clean steel breakthrough technologies leading to near zero-carbon steel making projects 
as well as
 research projects
, including large industrial research projects,
 for managing the just transition of formerly operating coal mines or coal mines in the process of closure and related infrastructure in line with the Just Transition Mechanism and in compliance with Article 4(2) of Council Decision 2003/76/EC. The Research Programme shall be consistent with the political, 
social, economic, climate, environmental,
 scientific, and technological objectives of the Union, and shall complement the activities carried out in the Member States and within the existing 
Union
 research programmes, in particular 
Horizon Europe -
 the 
Framework Programme for Research and Innovation
 (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Research Framework Programme’). 
The Research Programme shall in particular be consistent with the Paris Agreement.







Amendment 5


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 1

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 2 — subparagraph 2 a (new)







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 




The Research Programme shall support research activities, including demonstration projects, bringing technologies closer to the market aimed at the objectives defined for coal in Section 3 and for steel in Section 4.







Amendment 6


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 2

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 4 — paragraph 1







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






1.   Research projects shall support the transition towards a climate-neutral Union economy by 2050, with the objective to support the phasing out of fossil fuels, to develop alternative activities on former mine sites and avoid or restore environmental damage of coal mines in the process of closure, formerly operating coal mines and their surroundings. Projects shall in particular focus on:




1.   Research projects shall 
contribute to the achievement of the Union 2030 climate targets and
 support 
industry in the process of
 the transition towards a climate-neutral Union economy by 2050, with the objective to support the phasing out of fossil fuels, to develop alternative activities on former mine 
or coal power plant
 sites and avoid or restore environmental damage of coal mines in the process of closure, formerly operating coal mines and their surroundings. 
Without prejudice to Article 191 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
 projects shall in particular focus on:






Amendment 7


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 2

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 4 — paragraph 1 — point a







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(a)


development and testing of carbon dioxide capture, use and storage technologies;












(a)


development and testing of carbon dioxide capture, use and storage technologies 
related to coal use, including carbon recycling in fuels and materials, with a view to promoting the circular economy
;









Amendment 8


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 2

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 4 — paragraph 1 — point b







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(b)




use of geothermal
 energy 
on
 former coal sites;












(b)




development of clean
 energy 
in
 former coal sites, 
paying particular attention to energy efficiency and security of supply, including the exploitation of geothermal resources, energy storage, e-fuels, and hydrogen from renewable sources
;









Amendment 9


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 2

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 4 — paragraph 1 — point b a (new)







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(ba)






conversion of coal heating and cooling infrastructure, such as district heating and cooling networks and industrial processes, to renewable heating and cooling alternatives such as geothermal energy;











Amendment 10


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 2

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 4 — paragraph 1 — point c







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(c)


non-energetic uses and the production of raw materials from mining wastes and residues from formerly operating coal mines or 
those in the closure
 process, duly assessing that their climate, environmental and health impact is minimised and lower than alternative solutions;












(c)


non-energetic uses and 
on
 the production of raw materials from mining wastes and residues 
derived
 from formerly operating coal mines or 
from mines in
 process 
of closure
, duly assessing that their climate, environmental and health impact is minimised and lower than alternative solutions 
in line with the circular economy approach
;









Amendment 11


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 2

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 4 — paragraph 1 — point e







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(e)


promoting the development of efficient re-skilling and up-skilling programmes for labour affected 
by a coal phase out
. This includes research on training and re-skilling of labour force employed or previously employed in the coal sector.












(e)




assessing the impact on employment in local communities and regions affected by the phasing out of coal and
 promoting the development of 
a regional concept for economic development, job creation and
 efficient re-skilling and up-skilling programmes for labour affected 
in those regions
. This includes research on training and re-skilling of labour force employed or previously employed in the coal sector 
in support of coal regions in transition
.









Amendment 12


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 3

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 5 — paragraph 2







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





Research projects shall focus on diseases related to mining activities with the aim of improving the health of people living in coal regions in transition. Research projects shall also ensure protective measures during the closure of mines and in formerly operating mines.


Research projects shall focus on diseases related to mining activities
, with a special emphasis on air pollution induced diseases,
 with the aim of improving the health of people living in coal regions in transition. Research projects shall also ensure protective measures during the closure of mines and in formerly operating mines.





Amendment 13


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 4

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 6 — title







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





Minimising the environmental impacts of 
coal mines
 in transition




Preventing and
 minimising the environmental impacts of 
the coal sector
 in transition





Amendment 14


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 4

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 6 — paragraph 2 — introductory part







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment






2.   Preference shall be given to projects that envisage one or more of the following:




2.   Preference shall be given to projects 
based on innovative technologies or the innovative connection of technologies
 that envisage one or more of the following:






Amendment 15


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 4

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 6 — paragraph 2 — point c







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(c)


managing and re-using mining waste, fly ash and desulphurisation products from coal mines in the process of closure and formerly operating coal mines, accompanied, where relevant, by other forms of waste;












(c)


managing and re-using mining waste, fly ash and desulphurisation products from coal mines 
and coal power plants
 in the process of closure and formerly operating coal mines 
and coal power plants
, accompanied, where relevant, by other forms of waste;









Amendment 16


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 4

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 6 — paragraph 2 — point f







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(f)


restoring the environment of former installations or installations that are in the process of closure 
that used coal
, and their surroundings, notably water, land, soils and biodiversity;












(f)


restoring the environment of former 
coal-related
 installations or 
coal-related
 installations that are in the process of closure, and their surroundings, notably water, land, soils and biodiversity;









Amendment 17


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 4

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 6 — paragraph 2 — point g a (new)







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(ga)






developing a regional concept for diversification of economic activities for local development and the creation of green and quality jobs with an adapted transformation of the employment structure and skills adjustment.











Amendment 18


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 6

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 8 — paragraph 1 — introductory part







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





Research and technological development (RTD) shall aim to develop, demonstrate and improve near zero-carbon steel production processes with a view to raising product quality and increasing productivity. Substantially reducing emissions, energy consumption, the carbon footprint and other environmental impacts as well as conserving resources, shall form an integral part of the activities sought. Research projects shall address one or more of the following areas:


Research and technological development (RTD) shall aim to develop, demonstrate and improve near zero-carbon steel production processes with a view to raising product quality and increasing productivity
, in close synergy with companies operating in the sector
. Substantially reducing emissions, energy consumption, the carbon footprint and other environmental impacts
, through objectively verifiable tools, parameters and data,
 as well as conserving resources, shall form an integral part of the activities sought. Research projects shall address one or more of the following areas:





Amendment 19


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 6

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 8 — paragraph 1 — point g







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(g)


innovative technologies and solutions for the iron- and steel making processes 
promoting cross-sector
 activities, demonstration projects integrating zero-carbon energy production or contributing to a clean hydrogen economy.












(g)


innovative technologies and solutions for the iron- and steel making processes 
facilitating cross-sectoral
 activities, 
synergies, industrial clustering and symbiosis, to enable increased circularity,
 demonstration projects integrating zero-carbon energy production or contributing to a clean hydrogen economy.









Amendment 20


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 7

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 9 — paragraph 1 — point b







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(b)


improvement of steel properties such as mechanical and physical properties, suitability for further processing, suitability for various applications and various working conditions;












(b)


improvement of steel properties such as mechanical and physical properties, suitability for further processing, suitability for various applications and various working conditions
, with special attention to recycled steel
;









Amendment 21


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 7

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 9 — paragraph 1 — point c







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(c)


prolonging service life, in particular by improving the resistance of steels, steel structures to heat and corrosion, mechanical and thermal fatigue and/or other deteriorating effects;












(c)


prolonging service life
, enabling design for circularity, including modularity, and material efficiency
, in particular by improving the resistance of steels, steel structures to heat and corrosion, mechanical and thermal fatigue and/or other deteriorating effects;









Amendment 22


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 7

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 9 — paragraph 1 — point g







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(g)


high-performance steels for applications like mobility, including sustainability, eco-design methods, retrofitting, lightweight design and/or safety 
solutions
.












(g)


high-performance steels for applications like mobility, including sustainability, eco-design methods, retrofitting, lightweight design and/or safety 
solution, such as high-strength steels
.









Amendment 23


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 8

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 10 — paragraph 1 — point a







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(a)


techniques for recycling obsolete steel and by-product from various sources and improvement of the quality of steel scrap;












(a)


techniques for recycling 
and upcycling of
 obsolete steel and by-product from various sources and improvement of the quality of steel scrap
, with special attention to avoiding downgrading of steel quality due to contamination with other metals, such as copper
;









Amendment 24


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 8

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 10 — paragraph 1 — point b







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(b)


treatment of waste and recovery of valuable secondary raw materials, including slags, inside and outside the steel plant;












(b)


treatment of waste and recovery of valuable secondary raw materials, including slags, inside and outside the steel plant
, as well as re-use of secondary raw materials, residues and by-products from other industries, such as biomass, for steel making and alloying
;









Amendment 25


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 8

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 10 — paragraph 1 — point d







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment











(d)


design of steel grades and assembled structures to facilitate the easy recovery 
of steel for
 recycling 
or re-use
;












(d)


design of steel grades and assembled structures to facilitate 
improved scrap handling and disassembly at end of life, to enable
 the easy recovery
, re-use and
 recycling 
of steel and other materials
;









Amendment 26


Proposal for a decision


Article 1 — point 9

Decision 2008/376/EC
Article 10a — point b a (new)







Text proposed by the Commission




Amendment





 










(ba)






improving workforce management with predictive models for workforce demand and reallocation.












(28)  
Multilateral Treaty, Chapter XXVII Environment, 7.d Paris Agreement. Entered into force on 4 November 2016
.

(28)  

OJ L 282, 19.10.2016, p. 4

.

(28a)  
Article 2(1)(a) of the Paris Agreement.