Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

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| 12.1.2022 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 15/257 |

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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,

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

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| — | 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), |

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| — | having regard to Rule 82 of its Rules of Procedure, |

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

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|  | 1. | Approves the Commission proposal as amended; |

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|  | 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; |

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|  | 3. | Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament; |

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|  | 4. | Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to substantially amend the Commission proposal; |

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|  | 5. | Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and the Commission. |

Amendment 1

Proposal for a decision

Recital 1

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
| |  |  | | --- | --- | | (1) | On 5 October 2016, the Union ratified the Paris Agreement[(28)](#ntr28-C_2022015EN.01025701-E0001). 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)](#ntr28-C_2022015EN.01025701-E0002)  , 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)](#ntr28a-C_2022015EN.01025701-E0003). | |

Amendment 2

Proposal for a decision

Recital 6

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| 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)

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| 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

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| 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)

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| 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

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| 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

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| 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

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| 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)

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| 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

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| 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

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| 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

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| 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

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| 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

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| 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

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| 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

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| 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)

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| 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

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| 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

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| 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

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| 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

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| 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

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| 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

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| 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

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| 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

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| 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)

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| Text proposed by the Commission | Amendment |
|  | |  |  | | --- | --- | | (ba) | improving workforce management with predictive models for workforce demand and reallocation. | |

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