European environmental economic accounts: new modules
The European Parliament adopted by 449 votes to 102, with 41 abstentions, amendments to the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 691/2011 as regards introducing new environmental economic accounts modules.
The matter was referred back to the relevant committee for interinstitutional negotiations.
Purpose of the regulation
Members clarified that the general objective of the Regulation is to provide data that supports the monitoring and evaluation of the Union’s progress of meeting its environmental objectives laid down in Union law as well as its international commitments in this area.
Modules
By 3 years from the date of entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission should present a legislative proposal to develop the following modules:
- energy subsidies including fossil fuel subsidies;
- subsidies or support measures potentially harmful for the environment;
- water accounts (quantitative and qualitative);
- waste account;
- circular material use rate;
- climate mitigation;
- climate adaptation;
- protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems;
- pollution prevention and control;
- resource management expenditure accounts, including critical raw material;
- environmental footprint.
By 18 months from the date of entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission (Eurostat) should submit a report on the monetary valuation of ecosystem services. The report should include an assessment of methodological possibilities and the feasibility of monetary valuation, possible reporting values where those values are missing and possible alternative ways of measuring for Ecosystem services Accounts. The report may, where appropriate, be accompanied by a legislative proposal to amend this Regulation.
By one year from the date of entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission should publish a study analysing the reporting data currently included in this regulation for Climate change mitigation, as well as propose the creation of a dedicated climate adaptation module to ensure that all reporting values to deliver the objectives of the European Green Deal and European Climate Law, the Fit for 55 package and the Net Zero Industry Act are provided by Member States. The study should be accompanied by an indicative timeline for the future development of the modules.
Pilot studies
The Commission should draw up a programme for pilot studies to be carried out by Member States on a voluntary basis in order to develop reporting and improve data quality, establish long time series and develop methodology. The programme should include pilot studies to test the new environmental economic account modules. In drawing up the programme, particular attention should be given to modules producing data on energy subsidies, including fossil fuel subsidies, and ensure that no additional administrative or financial burdens are placed on the Member States.
Data collection
The Commission may, within 3 months after being informed, advise Member States against using a specific innovative approach if it considers that the quality of the data risks not to be sufficient or make recommendations of how to achieve the required quality of the data. It should facilitate the exchange of best practices on innovative approaches among all Member States.
Transmission to the Commission (Eurostat)
By 18 months from the date of entry into force of this Regulation, the Commission (Eurostat) and the European Environmental Agency (EEA) should develop and provide the European Environment Accounts Dashboard with a science-based and freely accessible state-of-play information on data covered by the modules, such as the GHG emission reduction path, taking into account the objectives set in the European Climate law, progress towards biodiversity restoration and the associated investments.
The Dashboard should be updated annually and cover new modules and data available.
In order to achieve the objectives laid down in Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 (EU Climate Act), Member States should submit data regarding climate change mitigation as from 1 January 2025.