unimelb-nlp/MultiEup-v2 huggingface dataset:
Debate: Just Transition Fund
Date: MONDAY, 17 MAY 2021
Speaker: Nicolas Schmit
Language: EN

This journey started with a commitment taken by President von der Leyen in front of this Parliament in July 2019 and your vote today enables the journey to continue. It enables Europe to move forwards with our ambitious goal of becoming the world’s first carbon-neutral continent, and your vote today enables us to reach this goal while leaving no region, no worker, behind. Because in Europe, we do not compromise on our key goals – we will be carbon-neutral and we will leave no one behind. We will meet both goals together. And therefore I am very happy as a Commissioner – for Social Rights, by the way – to have the honour to be here this evening. Commissioner Ferreira, whom I represent today as she’s currently on mission, asked me to pay tribute to Manolis Kefalogiannis and Younous Omarje, as well as to the shadow rapporteurs who already expressed themselves. My warmest of thanks also on her behalf for your fruitful cooperation during the interinstitutional discussions. You helped us reach agreement in record time. You also raised the quality of the proposal: amendments from the Parliament raised our ambitions, for example through the green rewarding mechanism. The adoption of the regulation today paves the way for submission and approval of the territorial Just Transition plans. These plans are currently being prepared across Europe, with the help of EU technical support. The approval of the plans is critical for each territory to effectively access not only the Just Transition Fund, but also the other two pillars of the Just Transition Mechanism, namely the Just Transition scheme under InvestEU and the public sector loan facility. It is important that eligible territories optimise the support of these various instruments to address all development needs and challenges stemming from the climate transition. Today starts our common work in implementation, but today starts also our common work in making a success of the Just Transition Fund. Today starts our common work delivering on the ground, a green transition which leaves no region behind.  The Commission is fully committed to this. The Parliament is our key partner and ally in this work and has always been. We will keep you duly informed of progress.
Debate: Just Transition Fund
Date: MONDAY, 17 MAY 2021
Speaker: Vlad Gheorghe
Country: Spain
Language: EN

The JTF is primarily an instrument of solidarity. This means we need the finances to flow where they are most needed. Therefore, I invite the Commission to look very closely at the conditions on the ground. In some regions, transition efforts must be rewarded with quality roads, high-speed trains and affordable public transport. In other regions, with tourism and social infrastructure. In third regions, with district heating and better public services. In many regions of the EU depopulation and poverty represent a very high risk and we need the JTF to tackle it in a tailor-made way. I would like the Commission to take very seriously the involvement of municipalities and cities in the implementation of the JTF resources.
Debate: Just Transition Fund
Date: MONDAY, 17 MAY 2021
Speaker: Isabel Carvalhais
Country: Italy
Language: PT

A agricultura está na linha da frente dos setores afetados pelas alterações climáticas e é, portanto, um dos principais interessados numa transição justa e bem-sucedida para alcançar a neutralidade climática em 2050. A urgência da crise climática obriga-nos a uma ação global verdadeiramente ambiciosa, mas que, no imediato, também trará impactos sobre o tecido social, facto que não podemos ignorar. O Fundo para a Transição Justa será, assim, um instrumento crucial para que a transição no caminho da neutralidade climática ocorra de uma forma socialmente responsável. É, por isso, com muito agrado que registo o facto de este Parlamento ter conseguido reforçar a dimensão social deste fundo, garantindo aspetos como a criação de emprego, de infraestruturas sociais e o combate à pobreza energética como centrais na ação deste instrumento.
Debate: Just Transition Fund
Date: MONDAY, 17 MAY 2021
Speaker: Andrey Novakov
Political group: PPE
Country: France
Language: BG

Чух много различни мнения за Фонда за справедлив преход. Едното беше, че трябва да обърнем гръб на всичко, което сме правили до момента, и да преследваме цели само за опазване на околната среда. Другото крайно мнение беше, че не трябва да променяме нищо, не трябва да се интересуваме какво се случва с околната среда. Най-умереното мнение беше да използваме Зелената сделка и Фонда за справедлив преход така, че да запазим работните места на хората, заети в сектора на енергетиката.  Подкрепям това мнение, но бих искал да направя крачка по-напред, да кажа – нека използваме Фонда за справедлив преход, да повишим заплатите на заетите в сектора на енергетиката, на миньорите, на инженерите, на всички техници там. Само тогава ще бъде истински справедлив преход.  Отказвам да кажа на миньорите, че трябва да бъдат зелени, но бедни. Ако една стотинка от този фонд отиде за опазване на околната среда, три трябва да отидат при миньорите, при инженерите и при всички, заети в сектора на енергетиката – в мините и в тецовете.
Debate: Just Transition Fund
Date: MONDAY, 17 MAY 2021
Speaker: Pedro Marques
Political group: S-D
Country: Czechia
Language: EN

This is indeed a great day. With the Just Transition Fund, the European Union starts to put into concrete action those words that we have said, ‘leave no one behind’. From now on, this should only be the first day because, in all the implementation of the Green Deal, this should be the principle. We will not have a green transition if the transition is not just, if we leave anybody behind. That is our goal is and that’s what we have expressed with the Just Transition Fund. We want more funds, but we want more policies going in this direction. The European Parliament secured its priorities in the negotiation. We focused the Just Transition Fund on the social consequences of the transition, not just – although it’s important – the reskilling of workers but, far beyond that, investment in job creation at a local level in the most affected regions through economic diversification and SMEs, through the social infrastructures and services in the local communities, and by also tackling energy poverty, which is critical in many of our regions and in many of our countries. We also put climate conditionality into the fund. Half of this fund will only be available to those who commit to the climate targets and, yes, we put the Green Reward Mechanism in the instrument. We did well. This is the beginning of a great transition supported by European funds.
Debate: Just Transition Fund
Date: MONDAY, 17 MAY 2021
Speaker: Ondřej Knotek
Political group: Renew
Country: Greece
Language: EN

Myself, I would like to thank to the rapporteur, Mr Kefalogiannis, also to the Chair of the Committee on Regional Development (REGI) Mr Omarjee, the German Presidency team and, of course, to the European Commission, to the team of Elisa Ferreira. Together we have had three intensive and very fruitful trilogues, also very friendly ones, and together we have laid down a good basis for regulation, with which we will simply deliver the results, and will also enable us to address the specificities of the challenged regions. Myself, coming from Czech Republic where are three coal regions, I’m very pleased that the topic of the Just Transition Fund has become a topic, not only of the local political talks but also of the public talks. The citizens are aware of the existence of this fund and they see it as a specific help for them. A very good message. Also, I’m amazed by the quality of some projects that are being put forward to help the regions in the transition. My takeaway message is on the funding. The EUR 17.5 billion is a very good start. However, when I see the challenges of the regions, we will definitely need more in the future by 2027 and also in the time post—2027.
Debate: Just Transition Fund
Date: MONDAY, 17 MAY 2021
Speaker: Francesca Donato
Political group: ID
Country: France
Language: IT

A cosa è servito dunque, verrebbe da chiedersi, creare un nuovo fondo che aggiunge ulteriori oneri amministrativi per le regioni e i Paesi membri chiamati a redigere i piani per la transizione, che si aggiungeranno alla già fitta giungla di provvedimenti in cui le nostre piccole e medie imprese faticano a orientarsi? Guardando a chi ci guadagna, la risposta che traspare dalla tabella delle allocazioni per Paese è mortificante per molti di noi, visto che evidenzia come due Paesi, Germania e Polonia, riceveranno quasi un terzo dell'intero pacchetto di fondi disponibili. E se a questi si aggiungono Romania e Cechia, quattro paesi riceveranno più della metà dello stanziamento complessivo. Non sembra certo un giusto trattamento per gli altri 23. Ma, soprattutto, nonostante lo scopo dichiarato fosse quello di rifornire sostegno alla transizione energetica senza lasciare nessuno indietro, si è deciso di escludere dal Fondo le imprese in difficoltà, come l'Ilva di Taranto, la principale acciaieria d'Europa, che avrebbe potuto giovarsi dei finanziamenti europei per convertire la produzione secondo gli standard  Inoltre, è stata totalmente esclusa ogni possibilità di finanziamento agli investimenti sul gas naturale, benché inizialmente riconosciuti ammissibili quale strumento e infrastruttura ponte per abbattere le emissioni e rispettare le scadenze previste nel percorso di transizione. Insomma, chi è stato più diligente nel riconvertirsi verso fonti rinnovabili riceverà pochi spiccioli, mentre chi ha tenuto aperte le miniere di carbone fino a oggi prenderà miliardi di euro. Ci sono dunque molte ragioni per cui non siamo soddisfatti di come è stato definito questo fondo. Siamo però una forza di governo seria e responsabile e, per non negare alle nostre imprese un sostegno finanziario che può arrivare in piccola parte anche all'Italia, non ci opporremo.
Debate: Just Transition Fund
Date: MONDAY, 17 MAY 2021
Speaker: Niklas Nienaß
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: Bulgaria
Language: EN

Mr Schmit, dear colleagues, now in its final form the JTF will enable much-needed investments in a forward-looking economy and in social policies. Thanks to Green pressure in the Council and in Parliament, no money will be burned in gas investments. Instead, with the green rewarding mechanism we included an incentive to turbo-charge on climate protection. And the JTF is already having success before it has even been adopted: Poland has finally announced it would phase out gas by 2049 because it does not want to forego JTF payments. However, if we want to be in line with the Paris Agreement we need to include a 2030 target. The green proposal for this was sadly rejected. Well, at least the Federal Constitutional Court agrees with us here. Overall, we are all satisfied to finally come to an end with such a convincing regulation and yet all of us here are also very immeasurably disappointed. Why? Because despite the need for climate-friendly social policy, despite the effectiveness of this very regulation, and despite the explosive nature of climate protection policy, the Council did not provide the JTF with the adequate resources to enable this tool’s piercing potential. EUR 17.5 billion is too little money to 100 regions all over Europe. The Commission asked for 40 billion in the first proposal for Next Generation EU, but the Council cut this more than in half knowing that this budget is not sufficient. It is simply a shame. The JTF is an efficient and sharp tool. Due to the Council, though, it’s just too small. So we Greens get the impression that the current EU climate policy is like drilling through the thickest board with the smallest drill.
Debate: Just Transition Fund
Date: MONDAY, 17 MAY 2021
Speaker: Raffaele Fitto
Political group: ECR
Country: Belgium
Language: IT

Un accordo sul quale rimangono alcune nostre perplessità iniziali: le tempistiche e le modalità di attuazione, al fine di contribuire al raggiungimento dei  Non si è tenuto debitamente conto dei diversi punti di partenza dei diversi paesi, imponendo invece un concetto di taglia unica che, spesso, ha dimostrato di non funzionare. Avremmo optato per una visione più concreta e realistica, piuttosto che ideologica, su alcune tecnologie e risorse, come il gas naturale come importante compostabile ponte per raggiungere la neutralità climatica, in sostituzione delle fonti più inquinanti. Tuttavia, a partire dall'incremento delle risorse a disposizione per gli Stati membri, nonché il coinvolgimento anche delle piccole e medie imprese, la volontarietà dei trasferimenti dagli altri fondi della politica di coesione e la considerazione delle conseguenze economiche e sociali della transizione, rendono il testo finale dell'accordo migliore rispetto alla proposta iniziale. Importanti territori dell'Unione europea saranno oggetto di questi processi di transizione con ricadute su settori fondamentali dell'economia, quali ferro, acciaio e cemento. L'auspicio ora si rivolge ai piani che verranno presentati nei prossimi mesi e che vanno seguiti. Ricordo che l'Unione europea ha solo il 9 % delle emissioni globali, mentre Stati Uniti e Cina hanno, rispettivamente, il 15 e il 30 %. I nostri territori e le nostre imprese stanno già pagando il prezzo altissimo della pandemia, subiscono la concorrenza globale: evitiamo quindi di imporre vincoli stringenti; sosteniamo e aumentiamo la loro capacità economica e produttiva; proteggiamoli sui mercati internazionali e facciamo sì che la sfida della transizione ecologica ed ambientale sia una vera opportunità e non si tramuti in un fallimento delle politiche europee, con ulteriori costi su cittadini e imprese.
Debate: Just Transition Fund
Date: MONDAY, 17 MAY 2021
Speaker: Martina Michels
Political group: The Left
Country: Romania
Language: DE

Der JTF rückt aber auch die soziale Dimension des notwendigen Strukturwandels ins Licht: Herausforderungen in der Bildung, Ausbildung, bei Rentenfragen, Jobsuche, Energiearmut oder Infrastrukturproblemen. Eine klimaneutrale Produktions- und Lebensweise in Europa können wir nur zusammen mit den sozialen Bedingungen vor Ort schaffen, und zwar in und mit den Kommunen und Regionen. Dieser Fonds ist ein wichtiges Symbol dafür, dass wir den Ausstieg aus fossilen Energien perspektivisch – einschließlich Erdgas – als Teil des europäischen
Debate: Just Transition Fund
Date: MONDAY, 17 MAY 2021
Speaker: Tomislav Sokol
Political group: PPE
Country: Italy
Language: HR

Poštovana predsjedavajuća, povjereniče, kolegice i kolege, Fond za pravednu tranziciju predstavlja ključan instrument za potporu područjima koja tranzicija prema klimatskoj neutralnosti najviše pogađa te za izbjegavanje većih regionalnih razlika. Prijedlog za održivije i zelenije tehnologije predstavlja priliku za razvoj europskog gospodarstva, ali, i tu moramo biti iskreni, i veliki trošak koji utječe na konkurentnost naših poduzetnika na globalnom tržištu.  Moramo se solidarizirati s najugroženijim europskim regijama kako bi prelazak na čišće oblike energije protekao što jednostavnije, efikasnije i bezbolnije. Tu posebno mislim na one regije koje zbog raznih razloga tehnološki zaostaju te ne mogu bez pomoći slijediti promjene koje nam europski zeleni plan nameće.  Potrebno je naglasiti kada govorimo o pomoći poduzećima ne govorimo pomoći gubitašima, gospodarskim subjektima koji u svakom slučaju ne bi mogli profitabilno poslovati. Suprotno, radi se o tome da Europska unija svojom regulativom stvara dodatne troškove gospodarstvu, a onda te troškove mora u velikoj mjeri sama i snositi.  Pri tome je važno da stvaramo nova radna mjesta visoke dodane vrijednosti, potičemo inovacije, jačamo našu energetsku neovisnost te pružimo sigurnost za gospodarstvo i za one koji su najvažniji, a to su naši građani. Naravno, što se iznosa iznosa tiče tu moramo biti svjesni da se radi o kompromisu, da bi bilo bolje da je usvojen onaj originalni prijedlog, ali sada smo jednostavno u situaciji u kojoj jesmo i treba iz toga izvući maksimum.  Globalna energetska tranzicija je neizbježna, pri čemu europskom gospodarstvu moramo osigurati kvalitetniji i održiviji rast i konkurentnost, našim građanima čišću i dostupniju energiju, a budućim generacijama zdraviji okoliš i očuvan planet.
Debate: Just Transition Fund
Date: MONDAY, 17 MAY 2021
Speaker: Rovana Plumb
Political group: S-D
Country: Poland
Language: EN

Madam President, the Just Transition Fund is historic and the first key element of the European Green Deal to ensure a fair socioeconomic transition towards climate neutrality by 2050. We, the Socialists and Democrats, strengthened the social dimension throughout the negotiation process and ensured a just process in all relevant areas that we defend, including sustainable local mobility, sustainable tourism and energy poverty. We considered it essential to include social infrastructure, such as childcare facilities and those for elderly people, but also training centres for people looking for new skills and jobs.  We need to ensure that the Paris Agreement and the EU climate targets for 2030 and 2050 are achieved in a social and balanced way, so that no one and no region is left behind. Congratulations to Younous Omarjee, the rapporteurs and the shadow rapporteurs.
Debate: Just Transition Fund
Date: MONDAY, 17 MAY 2021
Speaker: Susana Solís Pérez
Political group: Renew
Country: Slovakia
Language: ES

Señora presidenta, señor comisario, en Asturias —mi región—, el cierre de las minas de carbón y las centrales térmicas ha obligado a muchos jóvenes a irse de zonas que se vacían por falta de oportunidades; la misma situación que viven muchas otras regiones en España y en Europa, comprometidas con alcanzar un futuro más verde y sostenible.  El reto que nos hemos puesto en Europa es enorme y debemos asegurarnos de que esta transición vaya acompañada de los medios necesarios para que ninguna región y ningún ciudadano se quede atrás.  Para eso, Europa nos ofrece el Fondo de Transición Justa, un fondo para atraer proyectos innovadores y para ayudar a las industrias y a las pymes a invertir en procesos más limpios, en energías renovables y en economía circular; y, sobre todo, debe ser un fondo dirigido a las personas, para crear nuevos empleos verdes y formar a los trabajadores afectados por esta transición, para que puedan adquirir las competencias que necesitan para los puestos de trabajo del futuro.  Ahora toca que estos fondos se usen y se usen bien. No cometamos los errores del pasado y hagamos de esta transición una oportunidad para nuestra sociedad.
Debate: Just Transition Fund
Date: MONDAY, 17 MAY 2021
Speaker: Mathilde Androuët
Political group: ID
Country: France
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, intégré au pacte vert pour l’Europe, le Fonds pour une transition juste vise à soutenir la neutralité climatique en évitant les catastrophes sociales liées à la transition énergétique dans les régions les plus émettrices de CO2, surtout celles qui exploitent le charbon. La France étant une des économies les plus décarbonées de l’Union européenne grâce au nucléaire, le nombre de projets éligibles au Fonds de transition juste sera probablement très limité en France. Ceci aggravera notre statut de contributeur net et contribuera encore à enfoncer la politique énergétique européenne dans ses incohérences et constituera potentiellement une injustice. En effet, comment allez-vous expliquer à des ouvriers de Haute-Silésie ou de Picardie que vous encouragez la désindustrialisation en fermant leurs usines polluantes, en lieu et place desquelles vous planterez des mâts d’éoliennes? Vous risquez de perdre la bataille économique et sociale en les privant de travail, et vous enlaidirez leur environnement, sans apporter de véritable solution durable, l’éolien étant certainement l’une des plus vastes arnaques énergétiques et écologiques. La réglementation européenne interdit le financement du nucléaire, qui aurait pourtant pu être l’un des atouts sur le chemin de la neutralité climatique. Les États se retrouvent largement délaissés face à l’objectif colossal d’une économie décarbonée, que le Fonds pour une transition juste parviendra difficilement à soutenir. De plus, quelle garantie avons-nous que l’usage de ce Fonds n’empiétera pas sur l’allocation des autres fonds comme le FEDER ou le FSE? La complémentarité entre les fonds de la politique de cohésion et le Fonds pour une transition juste pose question. Après le départ du Royaume-Uni, contributeur net, et après la crise de la COVID qui plombe tous les budgets européens, forcer l’orientation des économies européennes à la neutralité climatique, en imaginant de maigres palliatifs au chômage plutôt que de vraies solutions écologiques et économiques, ne semble pas durable.
Debate: Just Transition Fund
Date: MONDAY, 17 MAY 2021
Speaker: François Alfonsi
Political group: Verts/ALE
Country: France
Language: FR

Madame la Présidente, le Fonds de transition juste, sur lequel nous allons voter durant cette session, répond à une demande ancienne de notre groupe pour favoriser la transition énergétique et aller vers une société bas carbone, y compris dans des territoires jusqu’ici caractérisés par une forte dépendance aux énergies fossiles. Ce Fonds favorise une approche stratégique régionale pour l’Europe, en se concentrant sur les régions les plus en difficulté face aux objectifs de la lutte contre le réchauffement climatique. Le règlement final n’a pas oublié, parmi les territoires lourdement carbonés, la situation des îles de l’Union européenne, tant les régions ultrapériphériques que les autres îles plus proches du continent. C’est une problématique que nous avons régulièrement soulevée avec l’intergroupe SEARICA, et qui trouve une réelle prise en compte dans l’article 6 du règlement finalement issu des trilogues. Avec un montant presque triplé grâce à la contribution du plan de relance adopté à la suite de la crise sanitaire, le Fonds de transition juste permettra de contribuer aux objectifs de limitation des émissions de gaz à effet de serre par l’Europe, particulièrement dans les territoires où la transition énergétique est la plus difficile.
Debate: Just Transition Fund
Date: MONDAY, 17 MAY 2021
Speaker: Anna Zalewska
Political group: ECR
Country: Poland
Language: PL

Pani Przewodnicząca! Panie Komisarzu! W czerwcu na sesji głosujemy ostatecznie nad prawem klimatycznym, które mówi po pierwsze, że zapewnimy zeroemisyjność do 2050 r. na poziomie Unii Europejskiej. W prawie klimatycznym mówimy o solidarności, współodpowiedzialności i o tym, że każdy region będzie traktowany indywidualnie. Fundusz na rzecz Sprawiedliwej Transformacji jest pierwszym sprawdzianem tego, w jaki sposób będziemy wdrażać prawo klimatyczne. I niestety muszę Państwu powiedzieć, że Fundusz na rzecz Sprawiedliwej Transformacji wyklucza wiele regionów Polski. Komisja upiera się. Nie chce zaakceptować negocjacji i dyskusji między innymi nad dużym kompleksem dającym 80 tys. miejsc pracy w Turowie. Nie tylko nie chce zaakceptować planów i harmonogramów, ale również wspólnie z wieloma parlamentarzystami skutecznie upowszechnia nieprawdę na temat tego kompleksu. Fundusz na rzecz Sprawiedliwej Transformacji ma być tym, jak jest definiowany. Niech Turów będzie tego przykładem.