· web viewwhereas climate change occurs globally, but has a greater impact on the countries and...

European Parliament2019-2024

Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety

2020/2134(INI)

14.10.2020

AMENDMENTS1 - 160Draft opinionSimona Baldassarre(PE655.977v01-00)

The effects of climate change on human rights and the role of environmental defenders on this matter(2020/2134(INI))

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Amendment 1Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupPetros Kokkalison behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionCitation 1 (new)

Draft opinion Amendment

- having regard to the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union,

Or. en

Amendment 2Rovana PlumbDraft opinionRecital A


A. whereas all persons, local communities or populations have the right to the full enjoyment of their human rights, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

A. whereas all persons, local communities and populations have the right to be guided by the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other relevant instruments, such as: the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development;

Or. en

Amendment 3Milan Brglez, Marie Toussaint, Petros KokkalisDraft opinionRecital A


A. whereas all persons, local A. whereas all human beings are

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communities or populations have the right to the full enjoyment of their human rights, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights;

entitled to the full enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms without discrimination, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union;

Or. en

Amendment 4Antoni Comín i OliveresDraft opinionRecital A



A. whereas all persons, local communities or populations have the right to the full enjoyment of their human rights, as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, especially considering the rights to life, food security, safe drinking water and sanitation, health, housing, self-determination, work and development, as outlined in the UN Human Rights Council resolution 41/21, and calling for global recognition of the right to a healthy environment;

Or. en

Amendment 5Traian BăsescuDraft opinionRecital A



A. whereas all persons, local communities or populations have the right to the full enjoyment of their human rights, as enshrined in the International Bill of Human Rights;

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Amendment 6Milan Brglez, Marie Toussaint, Petros Kokkalis

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Draft opinionRecital A a (new)


Aa. whereas the international community, at the first UN conference on environment in 1972, endorsed the interdependent and reciprocal aspect between the human and the environment, whereby a healthy environment is integral to fully enjoying a wide range of human rights; whereas climate and environmental emergency, declared by the European Parliament in November last year, presents an additional challenge in this regard;

Or. en

Amendment 7Sirpa PietikäinenDraft opinionRecital A a (new)


Aa. whereas every human being has a right to good status of the environment, healthy habitats and a liveable planet; whereas climate justice means that we have to adapt our CO2 emissions and climate policies so that we can secure these rights to all existing and future generations;

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Amendment 8Sirpa PietikäinenDraft opinionRecital A b (new)


Ab. whereas climate change occurs globally, but has a greater impact on the countries and communities least responsible for global warming; whereas

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the impacts are greater on populations which are the most reliant on natural resources for their livelihoods and/or which have the least capacity to respond to natural hazards, such as droughts, landslides, floods and hurricanes; whereas those with less financial resources to adapt will be the ones which will be hit the hardest and will suffer the most from the impacts of climate change;

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Amendment 9Milan Brglez, Marie Toussaint, Petros KokkalisDraft opinionRecital A b (new)


Ab. whereas the preamble of the Paris Agreement makes it clear that all States should, when taking action to address climate change, respect, promote and consider their respective obligations on human rights;

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Amendment 10Milan Brglez, Marie Toussaint, Petros KokkalisDraft opinionRecital A c (new)


Ac. whereas growing awareness and concerns about impacts of climate change and environmental degradation among global general population provide momentum for environmental activism in general and proactive involvement of environmental defenders in particular;

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Amendment 11Milan Brglez, Marie Toussaint, Petros Kokkalis

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Draft opinionRecital A d (new)


Ad. whereas the increasing global demand for access to natural resources often results in unsustainable corporate or state exploitation of the natural and human environment putting ordinary people at the frontline protecting land, food, cultural heritage, communities and people against impacts of climate change, extraction and expansion of fossil fuels, deforestation, illegal logging, and land grabbing;

Or. en

Amendment 12Milan Brglez, Marie Toussaint, Petros KokkalisDraft opinionRecital A e (new)


Ae. whereas an increasing occurrence of killings of environmental defenders around the world has been reported, whereby the number of defenders that have been murdered has quadrupled in the last ten years1a with a rising death rate on average to more than four activists killed every week in 20191b; whereas the predominant share (90 %) of killings have been reported in Central and South America, and Southeast Asia; whereas among those regions some of most biodiverse places in the world are located;

__________________1a EBB Report on “The harassment of environmental defenders in the EU – a case study of 16 December 2019.1b https://www.globalwitness.org/documents/19938/Defending_Tomorrow_EN_high_res_-_July_2020.pdf

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Or. en

Amendment 13Milan Brglez, Marie Toussaint, Petros KokkalisDraft opinionRecital A f (new)


Af. whereas, according to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders2a, environmental defenders are subject to many other threats and violations, such as violent attacks and threats to their families, enforced disappearances, illegal surveillance, travel bans, blackmail, sexual harassment, judicial harassment and use of force to dispel peaceful protests;

__________________2a https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/file/1625/download?token=BaRRh5uE

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Amendment 14Milan Brglez, Marie Toussaint, Petros KokkalisDraft opinionRecital A g (new)


Ag. whereas the vulnerability of environmental defenders is further aggravated by the lack of efficient rule of law mechanisms leading to impunity of the offenders;

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Amendment 15Milan Brglez, Marie Toussaint, Petros KokkalisDraft opinionRecital A h (new)

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Ah. whereas according to European Environmental Bureau case study3a, harassment of environmental defenders is present also in the EU, whereby in 2018 there were 13 reported incidents, and according to the report there are Member States that have non-existent legislation surrounding harassment of environmental defenders and many Member States considered themselves to be ignorant with regards to the sanctioning of harassments;

__________________3a https://eeb.org/library/the-harassment-of-environmental-defenders-in-the-european-union-a-case-study-report/

Or. enAmendment 16Petros Kokkalis, Milan Brglez, Marie ToussaintDraft opinionRecital B


B. whereas the causal link between climate change and violations of the human rights of any population must be scientifically verified;

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Amendment 17Sirpa PietikäinenDraft opinionRecital B



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Or. en

Amendment 18Milan Brglez, Marie Toussaint, Petros KokkalisDraft opinionRecital B



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Amendment 19Antoni Comín i OliveresDraft opinionRecital B



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Amendment 20Alessandra MorettiDraft opinionRecital B



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Amendment 21Karin Karlsbro, María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, Fredrick FederleyDraft opinionRecital B

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B. whereas the Paris Agreement, in its preamble, acknowledges that climate change is a common concern of humankind and that Parties of the Agreement should, when taking action to address climate change, respect, promote and consider their respective obligations on human rights;

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Amendment 22Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionRecital B



B. whereas the causal link between climate change and violations of the human rights of any population is scientifically verified;

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Amendment 23Antoni Comín i OliveresDraft opinionRecital B a (new)


Ba. whereas, for all these reasons, the EU, its Member States and other developed and emerging countries have a moral obligation to tackle climate change as well as to protect human rights, but also a legal obligation, according to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, the Paris Agreement,

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among other international treaties;

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Amendment 24Petros Kokkalis, Milan Brglez, Marie ToussaintDraft opinionRecital B a (new)


Ba. whereas human rights are closely linked to climate change because of the devastating effects not only on the environment but also on prosperity; whereas climate change affects the rights to life, health, water, housing, food and means of living;

Or. en

Amendment 25Sirpa PietikäinenDraft opinionRecital B a (new)


Ba. whereas the impacts of climate change are experienced differently by women and men; whereas women are under-represented in environment and climate change decision-making institutions; whereas there are gender differences in the effects of climate change as well as in adaptation and mitigation strategies; whereas women are more vulnerable and face higher risks and burdens for various reasons, ranging from unequal access to resources, education, job opportunities and land rights, to social and cultural norms and roles and their diverse intersectional experiences;

Or. en

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Amendment 26Alessandra MorettiDraft opinionRecital B a (new)


Ba. whereas the negative consequences of climate change undermine development prospects of countries and deepen already existing gender disparities that result from numerous socio-economic, institutional, cultural and political determinants;

Or. en

Amendment 27Aurelia Beigneux, Simona Baldassarre, Annika Bruna, Joëlle Mélin, Catherine GrisetDraft opinionRecital B a (new)


Ba. whereas globalisation leads to a significant increase in the production of consumer goods and ultimately destroys the natural areas in which indigenous peoples live;

Or. fr

Amendment 28Karin Karlsbro, María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, Fredrick FederleyDraft opinionRecital B a (new)


Ba. whereas the Aarhus Convention obliges states to protect those who exercise their environmental rights from any harassment, penalisation or persecution;

Or. en

Amendment 29Sirpa Pietikäinen

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Draft opinionRecital B b (new)


Bb. whereas citizens of industrialised countries can emit over hundred times more CO2 emissions compared to the citizens of the least developed countries; whereas this requires carbon budgeting to secure a just division of the remaining carbon budget;

Or. en

Amendment 30Alessandra MorettiDraft opinionRecital B b (new)


Bb. whereas climate change could lead to conflicts and could threat our global security, especially in regions where States are fragile and not ruled democratically; whereas environmental change can also drive conflicts over land or resources, which in turn can lead to the displacement of people; whereas the situation for internally displaced people due to environmental reasons and climate refugees is worst for more vulnerable people like women and girls, who are exposed to violations of their basic rights being often victims of human trafficking and sex exploitation;

Or. en

Amendment 31Aurelia Beigneux, Simona Baldassarre, Annika Bruna, Joëlle Mélin, Catherine GrisetDraft opinionRecital B b (new)


Bb. whereas the EU remains one of the regions of the world that generates the

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most imported deforestation, accounting for almost 39 % of the global footprint, resulting in the destruction of ecosystems which are home to local populations thousands of kilometres away;

Or. fr

Amendment 32Karin Karlsbro, María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, Fredrick FederleyDraft opinionRecital B b (new)


Bb. whereas the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted in March 2019 the Resolution A/HRC/40/L.22/Rev.1 “Recognizing the contribution of environmental human rights defenders to the enjoyment of human rights, environmental protection and sustainable development";

Or. en

Amendment 33Petros Kokkalis, Milan Brglez, Marie ToussaintDraft opinionRecital B b (new)


Bb. whereas the United Nations Human Rights Council Resolution 40/22 has recognized the contribution of environmental human rights defenders to the enjoyment of human rights, environmental protection and sustainable development;

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Amendment 34Sirpa PietikäinenDraft opinionRecital B c (new)

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Bc. whereas the irresponsible climate policies by some governments could be interpreted to be an ecocide and a crime against humanity;

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Amendment 35Petros Kokkalis, Milan Brglez, Marie ToussaintDraft opinionRecital B c (new)


Bc. whereas the European Court of Human Rights has clearly established that various types of environmental degradation can result in violations of substantive human rights, such as the right to life, to private and family life, the prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment, and the peaceful enjoyment of the home;

Or. en

Amendment 36Alessandra MorettiDraft opinionRecital B c (new)


Bc. whereas no emergency should ever be used to erode democratic institutions or to undermine fundamental rights; whereas all measures will always be adopted through a democratic process;

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Amendment 37Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D Group

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Petros Kokkalison behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupDraft opinionParagraph 1


1. Considers it necessary to intervene to help local populations whenever it is proven that climate change is causing damage to the enjoyment of their fundamental rights;

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Amendment 38Sirpa PietikäinenDraft opinionParagraph 1



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Amendment 39Milan Brglez, Marie Toussaint, Petros KokkalisDraft opinionParagraph 1



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Amendment 40Traian BăsescuDraft opinionParagraph 1

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1. Considers it necessary to intervene and protect human rights, as well as prevent and remedy violations of human rights of local populations whenever it is proven that climate change is causing damage to the enjoyment of their fundamental rights; recognises that climate change can have an impact on the enjoyment of human rights and in particular, the right to life, right to health, right to food and right to water, as well as property rights; underlines the importance of a rights-based approach to climate change in policy design at all levels;

Or. en

Amendment 41Karin Karlsbro, María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, Fredrick FederleyDraft opinionParagraph 1



1. Considers that climate change threatens the enjoyment of a range of human rights, including those to life, water and sanitation, food, health, housing, self-determination, culture and development;

Or. en

Amendment 42Hermann Tertsch, Margarita de la Pisa CarriónDraft opinionParagraph 1



1. Considers it necessary to support local populations whenever it is proven that climate change is causing damage to the enjoyment of their fundamental rights; points out that EU measures in this area

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must respect the sovereignty of democratic states and focus their action on regions where the population is subject to undemocratic regimes;

Or. es

Amendment 43Margarita de la Pisa CarriónDraft opinionParagraph 1



1. Considers it necessary to support local populations whenever it is proven that climate change is causing damage to the enjoyment of their fundamental rights; points out that EU measures in this area must respect the sovereignty of democratic states and focus their action on regions where the population is subject to undemocratic regimes;

Or. es

Amendment 44Aurelia Beigneux, Simona Baldassarre, Annika Bruna, Joëlle Mélin, Catherine GrisetDraft opinionParagraph 1



1. Considers it necessary to intervene, without interfering in any way, to help local populations whenever it is proven that climate change is causing damage to the enjoyment of their fundamental rights;

Or. fr

Amendment 45Antoni Comín i OliveresDraft opinionParagraph 1


1. Considers it necessary to intervene 1. Considers it necessary to intervene

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to help local populations whenever it is proven that climate change is causing damage to the enjoyment of their fundamental rights;

to help local and more vulnerable populations whenever it is proven that the effects of climate change are causing damage to the enjoyment of their fundamental rights;

Or. en

Amendment 46Alessandra MorettiDraft opinionParagraph 1 a (new)


1a. Underlines that there is strong evidence that the impact on health of climate-sensitive conditions, such as malnutrition, and the incidence of infectious diseases varies according to gender; notes with concern the high female mortality rate in disaster situations; urges the integration of the gender perspective in sustainable development policies and programmes to ensure that the rights of women and girls - including sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and necessary healthcare services -, the promotion of gender equality and climate justice are mainstreamed through its strategy programmes;

Or. en

Amendment 47Andreas GlückDraft opinionParagraph 1 a (new)


1a. Stresses that warming is taking places globally and that internationally coordinated responses are expedient; notes that the EU ETS as the world's largest carbon market is currently the biggest source of demand for international carbon credits, making it

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the main driver of clean energy investment in developing countries and economies in transition; calls on the Commission to swiftly implement Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, a clear and robust framework for linking carbon markets, which keeps the EU ETS open for international transfers beyond phase 3;

Or. en

Amendment 48Milan Brglez, Petros KokkalisDraft opinionParagraph 1 a (new)


1a. Considers that engagement of the EU is necessary to help local populations in the enjoyment of their human rights and fundamental freedoms in general and of their right to adequate standard of living in particular whenever those rights are hindered by consequences of climate change and man-made environmental degradation;

Or. en

Amendment 49Petros Kokkalis, Milan Brglez, Marie ToussaintDraft opinionParagraph 1 a (new)


1a. Recognises that the adverse effects of climate change will increase exponentially, depending on the level of climate change that will ultimately occur; deems therefore that international human rights measures are needed to combat climate change;

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Amendment 50Sirpa PietikäinenDraft opinionParagraph 1 a (new)


1a. Calls on the Commission to introduce and apply carbon budgeting tool in its policies;

Or. en

Amendment 51Petros Kokkalis, Milan Brglez, Marie ToussaintDraft opinionParagraph 1 b (new)


1b. Insists on a joined-up approach to the implementation of the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, in internal and external policies and with the utmost regard for the human rights;

Or. en

Amendment 52Petros Kokkalis, Milan Brglez, Marie ToussaintDraft opinionParagraph 1 c (new)


1c. Stresses that climate change has dramatic consequences for the human rights in developing countries; recalls that according to the report of the UN Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights of 25 June 2019 on climate change and poverty, climate change threatens developing countries and renders them more vulnerable and exposed to climate change and less equipped to withstand its increasingly devastating impacts, including food and water crises, physical destruction caused

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by natural disasters, displacement and growing tensions over scarce resources;

Or. en

Amendment 53Petros KokkalisDraft opinionParagraph 1 d (new)


1d. Believes that environmental degradation is one of the most pressing and serious threats to the ability of present and future generations to enjoy the right to life and protecting the human right to life; considers it necessary to incorporate the climate right into the Human Rights Charter; calls on all relevant bodies to include it in their discussions;

Or. en



2. Considers that climate change should not be tackled without scientific evidence and / or with actions that may harm the development interests of local communities; recognises the non-respect of their human rights, even when they are left alone in front of the excessive power of private speculative interests, which can lead to phenomena such as ‘land grabbing’;

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Or. es

Amendment 55Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA Group

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Petros Kokkalison behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionParagraph 2



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Amendment 57Petros Kokkalis, Milan Brglez, Marie ToussaintDraft opinionParagraph 2

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2. Considers that climate change should not be tackled without scientific evidence and / or with actions that may harm the development interests of local communities; recognises the non-respect of their human rights, even when they are

2. Highlights the overwhelming scientific evidence indicating the need for rapid action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally in order to avoid disastrous impacts of climate change;

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left alone in front of the excessive power of private speculative interests, which can lead to phenomena such as ‘land grabbing’;

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Amendment 60Alessandra MorettiDraft opinionParagraph 2



2. Considers that climate change should not be tackled without scientific evidence; recognises the non-respect of their human rights, even when they are left alone in front of the excessive power of private speculative interests, which can lead to phenomena such as ‘land grabbing’;

Or. enAmendment 61Antoni Comín i OliveresDraft opinionParagraph 2



2. Considers that climate change should not be tackled without scientific evidence and / or with actions that may harm the development interests of local communities; recognises the non-respect of their human rights and land rights , especially when they are left alone in front of the interests and excessive power of private speculative interests, which can lead to phenomena such as ‘land grabbing’;

Or. en

Amendment 62Traian Băsescu

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Draft opinionParagraph 2



2. Considers that climate change should not be tackled without scientific evidence and / or with actions that may harm the development interests of local communities; recognises the infringement of their human rights, even when they are left alone in front of the excessive power of private speculative interests, which can lead to phenomena such as ‘land grabbing’;

Or. en



2a. Recalls that so far the State Parties to the Paris Agreement have not provided a strong wording in order to mainstream a rights-based approach in the implementation of commitments made under the Paris Agreement; urges therefore the State Parties at COP26 to fully integrate human rights and the social and environmental principles reaffirmed in the preamble of the Paris Agreement, including the rights of indigenous peoples, public participation, gender equality, safeguarding food security and ending hunger, a just transition, and ecosystem integrity as part of the so-called Paris Agreement Rulebook;

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Amendment 64Andreas GlückDraft opinionParagraph 2 a (new)

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2a. Highlights the indispensability of human development opportunities for all; stresses the risks of human rights violations in international commodity supply chains for both conventional as well as green-tech and renewable energy, such as child labour in cobalt mines catering to the global lithium-ion battery chain; calls on the Commission to take human rights implications into account when assessing Union energy and transport technology pathways;

Or. en

Amendment 65Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionParagraph 2 a (new)


2a. Expresses concern about the violations of the human rights of local communities stemming from the phenomenon of ‘land grabbing’ fuelled, inter alia, by the excessive power of private speculative interests, including related to EU-based companies, and by the inaction of State authorities and international actors;

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Amendment 66Hermann Tertsch, Margarita de la Pisa CarriónDraft opinionParagraph 2 a (new)


2a. Recognises that the instrumentalisation of the problems of

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local and indigenous communities for political and ideological purposes must be avoided and advocates enhanced cooperation at international level to identify and protect the most vulnerable populations.

Or. es

Amendment 67Margarita de la Pisa CarriónDraft opinionParagraph 2 a (new)


2a. Recognises that the instrumentalisation of the problems of local and indigenous communities for political and ideological purposes must be avoided and advocates enhanced cooperation at international level to identify and protect the most vulnerable populations.

Or. es



2a. Stresses the importance of the concept of “climate justice” when taking action to address climate change;

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Amendment 69Milan BrglezDraft opinionParagraph 2 b (new)


2b. Stresses that the increasing global competition for access to natural

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resources often results in unsustainable corporate or state exploitation of the natural and human environment; calls on the Commission, the Member States and corporations in this regard to abide by and promote the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, and the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Business Conduct in order to prevent, reduce and remedy harm to the environment and biodiversity, taking into account obligations and commitments to ensure enjoyment of a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment; expresses its concern that certain international investment agreements, such as the Energy Charter Treaty, can enforce the interest of multinational corporations at the expense of legally binding environmental standards in State Parties to the treaties concerned; calls on the Commission to propose a due diligence and corporate accountability legislation at EU level, noting that several countries have already such legislation in place;

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Amendment 70Margarita de la Pisa CarriónDraft opinionParagraph 2 b (new)


2b. Considers it necessary to ensure the protection within the EU of the population most affected economically and with regard to its way of life by the vast legislative activity carried out under the Green Deal on the pretext of combating climate change and protecting the environment; points out that the economic crisis together with the new climate policies may aggravate the situation of the most disadvantaged people in the European Union;

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Or. es

Amendment 71Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupPetros Kokkalison behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionParagraph 2 b (new)


2b. Calls for greater international support for indigenous land rights, which would contribute to limiting global warming; urges all Member States to ratify without delay the ILO Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169);

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Amendment 72Sirpa PietikäinenDraft opinionParagraph 2 b (new)


2b. Believes that EU should recognise climate refugee status and provide asylum to climate refugees and human and environment rights defenders;

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Amendment 73Milan Brglez, Petros KokkalisDraft opinionParagraph 2 c (new)


2c. Acknowledges that civil society organizations are essential actors in the field of advocacy, awareness raising, and education pertained to impacts of climate

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change and environmental degradation; recognizes furthermore their role as agents of the EU climate external action; calls on the Member States and governments around the world to provide for a safe and enabling environment for activities of civil society organizations in general, and NGOs and environmental defenders in particular, inter alia, by ensuring them the exercise of their human rights as enshrined in international law, such as freedom of opinion, expression, peaceful assembly and association, online and offline, as well as to put in place and enforce legislation that ensures prompt and independent investigations of violations, the prosecution of alleged perpetrators and the provision of effective judicial remedies;

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Amendment 74Sirpa PietikäinenDraft opinionParagraph 2 c (new)


2c. Calls for the Commission to support the development of local networks in cooperation with local or global NGOs, in order to help those in immediate danger, and to receive information about the situation on the ground;

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Amendment 75Milan BrglezDraft opinionParagraph 2 d (new)


2d. Calls on the Commission to draft eligibility criteria for EU grants that would enable access to funds also to

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small-sized environmental NGOs for which is otherwise compulsory to enter in partnership with larger NGOs in order to be eligible for funding;

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3. Stresses that abuse of the terms ‘urgency’ or ‘emergency’ with reference to climate change can trivialise both its importance and the evaluation of its effects on less protected populations;

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Amendment 78Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupPetros Kokkalison behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionParagraph 3

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Amendment 80Alessandra MorettiDraft opinionParagraph 3



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3. Stresses that abuse of the terms deleted

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‘urgency’ or ‘emergency’ with reference to climate change can trivialise both its importance and the evaluation of its effects on less protected populations;

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3. Stresses that generalised use of the terms ‘urgency’ or ‘emergency’ with reference to climate change can overshadow the importance of its effects and hinder the evaluation of its effects on less protected populations; while considering that extreme climatic and environmental impacts and widespread adverse effects on human rights can be reached even if Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are achieved;

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Amendment 83Rovana PlumbDraft opinionParagraph 3



3. Stresses that abuse of the terms ‘urgency’ or ‘emergency’ with reference to climate change can support both its importance and the evaluation of its effects on less protected populations;

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Amendment 84Petros Kokkalis, Milan BrglezDraft opinionParagraph 3 a (new)

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3a. Insists on ensuring that initiatives for strengthening the regulatory and policy framework for business and human rights at EU level take full account of the human rights obligations of Members States and companies related to environmental protection;

Or. enAmendment 85Margarita de la Pisa CarriónDraft opinionParagraph 4


4. Deems that the excessive pursuit of climate neutrality by developed countries can damage the growth and rights of developing countries;

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Or. es

Amendment 86Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupPetros Kokkalison behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionParagraph 4



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Amendment 87Alessandra Moretti

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4. Deems that the excessive pursuit of climate neutrality by developed

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countries can damage the growth and rights of developing countries;

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4. Deems that the impunity with which states and businesses have acted in the past have too often damaged the growth possibilities and the human rights of developing countries; stresses the need for the EU to share the costs of climate neutrality, especially under the effects of the COVID19 pandemic that is leading to an economic recession;

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4. Recalls the EU target to achieve climate neutrality at the latest by 2050 and underlines the need for EU leadership to bring other countries to raise their climate

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ambition; calls for an active EU climate diplomacy that incorporates a rights-based approach;

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Amendment 94Rovana PlumbDraft opinionParagraph 4



4. Deems that the goal of climate neutrality committed by all countries can contribute to their sustainable growth and rights;

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4. Deems that the excessive pursuit of climate neutrality by developed countries can damage the growth and rights of developing countries; recognises that fossil fuels remain the cheapest, most reliable and secure energy resource available in many developing countries that need a strategic long-term plan to transition towards alternative forms of energy whilst maintaining the functionality of their socio-economic systems;

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4a. Welcomes the Commission’s intent, expressed in the European Green Deal Communication and similarly in EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 Communication, to consider revising the Aarhus Regulation in order to improve access to administrative and judicial review at EU level for citizens and NGOs who have concerns about the legality of decisions with effects on the environment, to take action to improve their access to justice before national courts in all Member States, and to promote action by the EU, its Member States and the international community to step up efforts against environmental crime; calls on the Commission and the Member States in this regard to facilitate active participation in environmental decision-making including of civil society organizations, women, children, youth, indigenous peoples, rural and local communities, peasants and others who in social, cultural, and economic terms depend directly on the local ecosystems, including their biodiversity; urges the Member States to condemn any kind of stigmatization related to the work of environmental NGOs and persons active in climate and environmental advocacy;

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Amendment 97Karin Karlsbro, María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, Fredrick FederleyDraft opinionParagraph 4 a (new)


4a. Recalls that the UN Environment Global report on Environmental law found that despite a 38-fold increase in environmental laws put in place since 1972, failure to fully implement and enforce these laws is one of the greatest

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challenges to mitigating climate change, reducing pollution and preventing widespread species and habitat loss; underlines that a strengthening of the environmental rule of law both in the EU and in the rest of the world must be a priority;

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Amendment 98Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupPetros Kokkalison behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionParagraph 4 a (new)


4a. Recalls the principle of 'common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities' which grants the Union and the Member States with a particular responsibility as well as capacity to act; stresses that the Union's capability is in itself a legal reason to act and support Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States;

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4a. Stresses that it is important to integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation deeper into national sustainable development strategies, linking disaster risk reduction, disaster risk management and climate change adaptation strategies, and to consider including human rights dimensions into

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existing tools;

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4a. Is opposed to climate change and environmental protection being used by the European Union and its activists as an excuse for illegitimate interference in the internal policy of sovereign states;

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4a. Is opposed to climate change and environmental protection being used by the European Union and its activists as an excuse for illegitimate interference in the internal policy of sovereign states;

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Amendment 102Aurelia Beigneux, Simona Baldassarre, Annika Bruna, Joëlle Mélin, Catherine Griset, Vincenzo SofoDraft opinionParagraph 4 a (new)


4a. Recalls that sustainable development efforts in EU countries should not consist of a mere relocation of industrial pollution to third countries;

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Amendment 103Milan Brglez, Petros KokkalisDraft opinionParagraph 4 b (new)


4b. Urges the Member States not to scale down their national levels of environment protection standards as an economic recovery response to the current COVID-19 or other future crises; reiterates in this regard that sustainability as a fundamental condition for enjoyment of all human rights without any discrimination should be the essential approach in policy-making in order to ensure the public interest is safeguarded as well as social, environmental, and economic well-being of affected local communities;

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Amendment 104Karin Karlsbro, María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, Fredrick FederleyDraft opinionParagraph 4 b (new)


4b. Highlights that democracy, which protects human rights and fundamental freedoms, is the only form of government compatible with sustainable development and effective environmental and climate protection; points out that corruption and lack of transparency risk undermine environmental protection and climate action; highlights the need for good and structured cooperation with local authorities, the private sector and civil society;

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Amendment 105Petros Kokkalis, Milan Brglez, Marie Toussaint

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Draft opinionParagraph 4 b (new)


4b. Calls for a legal, universal definition of climate refugees, ensuring that there are safe and legal ways to the EU and that their right to asylum is respected in every Member State; calls for a legal and universal definition of internally displaced people due to climatic reasons, ensuring that our foreign policies are oriented towards protecting their rights;

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Amendment 106Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionParagraph 4 b (new)


4b. Sees the principle of climate neutrality agreed in the Paris Agreement as an excellent opportunity for a qualitative development of both industrialised countries and countries in the global south in the sense of an approximation of global living conditions;

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Amendment 107Aurelia Beigneux, Simona Baldassarre, Annika Bruna, Joëlle Mélin, Catherine Griset, Vincenzo SofoDraft opinionParagraph 4 b (new)


4b. Considers that, for Europe, free trade agreements, which encourage the

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import of goods produced under uncertain humanitarian conditions, must come second to the promotion of localism, which is known to have a positive impact on the environment;

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Amendment 108Petros Kokkalis, Milan BrglezDraft opinionParagraph 4 b (new)


4b. Stresses that the EU must be ready for climate induced displacement; and recognise the need for adequate measures to be taken to protect the human rights of populations under threat by the effects of climate change;

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Amendment 109Aurelia Beigneux, Simona Baldassarre, Annika Bruna, Joëlle Mélin, Catherine Griset, Vincenzo SofoDraft opinionParagraph 4 c (new)


4c. Recalls also that sustainable development cannot consist of the promotion of a Europe driven solely by the tertiary sector; recalls the importance of resource extraction and processing, which cannot be left solely to third countries for environmental reasons, as this constitutes the exporting of industrial pollution to countries that are less concerned about humanitarian conditions;

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Amendment 110Karin Karlsbro, María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, Fredrick Federley

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Draft opinionParagraph 4 c (new)


4c. Underlines environmental decision making must be based on, and fully allow for, civic engagement based on the three pillars of access to information, public participation, and access to justice; calls in this regard for the adoption of international instruments to strengthen these fundamental principles;

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Amendment 111Petros Kokkalis, Milan BrglezDraft opinionParagraph 4 c (new)


4c. Emphasizes that the EU should promote the involvement of multiple stakeholders, particularly the social organisations, local authorities and the private sector in order to address the challenge of environmentally induced migration in a comprehensive and sustainable way protecting human rights;

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Amendment 112Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupPetros Kokkalison behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionParagraph 4 c (new)


4c. Recalls that humanity as a whole and the European Union have over crossed 4 out of 9 of the planetary

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boundaries which grants the Union and the Member States with a particular responsibility to reduce its ecological impact so as to return to the respect of those boundaries;

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Amendment 113Petros Kokkalis, Milan BrglezDraft opinionParagraph 4 d (new)


4d. Stresses that the Member States should implement the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and European – based business enterprises to carry out human rights due diligence, including with regard to the right to a safe, clean, and healthy environment, by conducting meaningful and inclusive consultations with potentially affected groups and other relevant stakeholders;

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Amendment 114Aurelia Beigneux, Simona Baldassarre, Annika Bruna, Joëlle Mélin, Catherine GrisetDraft opinionParagraph 4 d (new)


4d. Stresses that the ideology of free trade results in a race to the bottom and that this leads to the desertification of territories; recalls that these are facing the exodus of local populations and the loss of ecological added value;

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Petros Kokkalison behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionParagraph 4 d (new)


4d. Believes also that, in this context and in order to fulfil its commitments under the Paris Agreement, the Union should raise its objective of reducing its domestic economy-wide GHG emissions to at least -65%by 2030 compared to 1990;

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Amendment 116Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupPetros Kokkalison behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionParagraph 4 e (new)


4e. Recalls the "Do No Harm" principle under the European Green Deal, and urges the Commission to rapidly ensure the full consistency of existing and future trade and investment agreements and other global regulations with the international environmental and climate goals, in particular the Paris Agreement and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and include binding provisions to end land grabbing and deforestation;

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Amendment 117Petros Kokkalis, Milan Brglez

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Draft opinionParagraph 4 e (new)


4e. Calls on the Commission to integrate climate security in its design and implementation, respecting rights of indigenous people, the right to development, the right to water and the right to clean air and clean environment;

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Amendment 118Petros Kokkalis, Milan BrglezDraft opinionParagraph 4 f (new)


4f. Calls the Commission to include mandatory, legally enforceable environmental standards in future international trade agreements that will halt deforestation and will ensure respect to human rights;

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5. Believes that any threats or violence against the main actors involved in the defence of the environment must be countered in compliance with the rule of law and through diplomatic means;

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5. Believes that any threats or violence against the main actors involved in the defence of the environment must be countered in compliance with the rule of law and through diplomatic means.

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Amendment 123Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupPetros Kokkalison behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D Group

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5. Notes with concern that violence against environmental defenders is increasing dramatically and that 2019 saw an estimated 212 deaths of environmental defenders due to violence or murders, according to a report by Global Witness; underlines that indigenous people and women are particularly at risk; deplores the fact that offenders are only rarely traced or convicted; calls on the Commission in its external actions, including in trade and investment agreements, to always include provisions and discussions on the protection of human rights;

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5. Believes that any threats or violence against the main actors involved in the defence of the environment must be countered in compliance with the rule of

5. Notes with concern that environmental defenders face increasing banning, harassment, a closing political space and violence; believes that any

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law and through diplomatic means. threats or violence against the main actors involved in the defence of the environment must be countered in compliance with the rule of law and through an increased use of environmental diplomacy;

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5. Believes that any threats or violence against the main actors involved in the defence of the environment must be countered in compliance with the rule of law and through diplomatic means;

5. Believes that any threats or violence against individuals and populations involved in the defence of the environment and the fight against climate change must be countered by all means, within the framework of international law and in compliance with the rule of law and through diplomatic means;

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Amendment 127Milan Brglez, Marie Toussaint, Petros KokkalisDraft opinionParagraph 5 a (new)


5a. Expresses its deep concern at the increasing menacing circumstances the environmental defenders, including women and indigenous groups, around the world are confronted with; it further strongly condemns killings of environmental defenders as the most cruel act of fundamental human rights violations as well as many other threats and violations the environmental defenders are subject to;

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Amendment 128Rovana PlumbDraft opinionParagraph 5 a (new)


5a. Stresses that human rights defenders, including environmental human rights defenders, must be guaranteed a safe environment enabling them to undertake their work free from hindrance and insecurity, in recognition of their important role in supporting Member States to fulfil their obligations under the Paris Agreement and to realize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including the pledge that no one will be left behind and to reach the furthest behind first;

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Amendment 129Sirpa PietikäinenDraft opinionParagraph 5 a (new)


5a. Stresses the EU role in helping human and environment rights defenders, and the role of EU representations in third countries;

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Amendment 130Petros Kokkalis, Milan BrglezDraft opinionParagraph 5 a (new)


5a. Calls for countries in Europe and the Global South to guarantee the protection of environmental defenders by adopting laws and holistic protection measures, and by ensuring investigation

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into and accountability for attacks and threats against them;

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Amendment 131Manuela RipaDraft opinionParagraph 5 a (new)


5a. Asks the President of the European Parliament to create a Prize of the European Parliament specifically designed to reward environmental defenders and climate change activists, distinct from other European human rights awards; all those who, in the EU and all over the world, stand up in support of environmental rights play a special role in the management of natural resources and, as such, they deserve public recognition and a high degree of encouragement;

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5a. Points out that the European Union cannot impose its environmental protection model on third countries with fully democratic regimes where civil society enjoys vested rights; considers that cooperation on an equal footing with states that respect the rule of law is the most effective way of safeguarding the interests of the most vulnerable populations.

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5a. Points out that the European Union cannot impose its environmental protection model on third countries with fully democratic regimes where civil society enjoys vested rights; considers that cooperation on an equal footing with states that respect the rule of law is the most effective way of safeguarding the interests of the most vulnerable populations.

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Amendment 134Karin Karlsbro, María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, Fredrick FederleyDraft opinionParagraph 5 a (new)


5a. Notes that, according to the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders in his 2016 special report as well as other sources, the situation for environmental rights defenders is particularly dramatic in Latin America and Asia, but that attacks and threats happen everywhere in the world;

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Amendment 135Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupPetros Kokkalison behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionParagraph 5 a (new)

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5a. Welcomes the landmark decision of the UN Human Rights Committee in the case of Teitiota v. New Zealand recognising that that people fleeing climate-related and natural disasters have a valid claim for international protection under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

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Amendment 136Alessandra MorettiDraft opinionParagraph 5 a (new)


5a. Calls on the EU and its Member States to ensure gender-just National Climate Plans (NDCs) by integrating more strongly gender equality into the revised NDCs, and the meaningful involvement of women’s groups in their design and implementation;

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Amendment 137Rovana PlumbDraft opinionParagraph 5 b (new)


5b. Urges the Member States to take all measures necessary to ensure the rights, protection and safety of all persons, including environmental human rights defenders, who exercise, inter alia, the rights to freedom of opinion, expression, peaceful assembly and association, online and offline, which are essential for the promotion and protection of human rights and the protection and

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conservation of the environment;

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Amendment 138Petros Kokkalis, Milan BrglezDraft opinionParagraph 5 b (new)


5b. Believes integrating the human right to a healthy environment in key environmental agreements and processes, is critical to a holistic response to COVID-19 that includes a reconceptualization of the relationship between people and nature that will reduce risks and prevent future harms from environmental degradation;

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Amendment 139Petros Kokkalis, Milan Brglez, Marie ToussaintDraft opinionParagraph 5 b (new)


5b. Believes that women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate change, reflecting the fact that they are more likely to be marginalized and disadvantaged in many countries; stresses the importance of gender empowerment and the role of women as safeguards of the environment in the Global South and is particularly concerned by the sexual and gender-based violence against women human rights defenders;

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Amendment 140Alessandra MorettiDraft opinionParagraph 5 b (new)

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5b. Calls on the Commission to ensure that the partnerships with third countries are founded on principles of climate, environmental action achieving Agenda 2030 and of gender equality, and achieve a human rights based approach which puts communities and women at the heart of environmental and development efforts, assuring activists’ civil rights;

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Amendment 141Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionParagraph 5 b (new)


5b. Urges the Commission and the Member States to take stock of the ruling of the UN Human Rights Committee in the Teitiota v. New Zealand case and take all the necessary measures to ensure full protection of environmentally displaced persons under EU law and to provide appropriate asylum for climate refugees;

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Amendment 142Karin Karlsbro, María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, Fredrick FederleyDraft opinionParagraph 5 b (new)


5b. Highlights the role of environment defenders in the protection of the Amazon rain forest and strongly condemns the increasing violence against Amazon forest protectors and indigenous

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communities;

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Amendment 143Rovana PlumbDraft opinionParagraph 5 c (new)


5c. Recognises that democracy and the rule of law are essential components for the protection of human rights defenders, including environmental human rights defenders, and urges Member States to take measures to strengthen democratic institutions, safeguard civic space, uphold the rule of law and combat impunity;

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Amendment 144Karin Karlsbro, María Soraya Rodríguez Ramos, Fredrick FederleyDraft opinionParagraph 5 c (new)


5c. Is alarmed that harassment and attacks on environmental defenders are increasing also in Europe; deplores the murders in 2019 of two forest rangers combating illegal logging in Romania and other attacks on forest workers in Romania in recent years; calls on the Commission and the Member States to act resolutely to combat this rise and to give make sure that criminal investigations regarding crimes connected to environmental defenders are conducted in a legally secure manner;

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Amendment 145Petros Kokkalis, Milan Brglez

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Draft opinionParagraph 5 c (new)


5c. Emphasises the interdependence of the climate, economy, society and human rights; underlines, in particular, the direct effects that climate change has on indigenous communities;

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Amendment 146Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionParagraph 5 c (new)


5c. Expresses deep concern about the increasingly deteriorating situation of environmental defenders and whistle-blowers across the world;

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Amendment 147Rovana PlumbDraft opinionParagraph 5 d (new)


5d. Calls on the Commission and Member States to facilitate public awareness of and participation in environmental decision-making, implementation, monitoring and follow-up of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris Agreement and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, including of civil society, women, children, youth, indigenous peoples, rural and local communities, peasants and others who depend directly on biodiversity

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and the services provided by ecosystems, by protecting all human rights, including the rights to freedom of expression and to healthy environment, both online and offline;

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Amendment 148Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionParagraph 5 d (new)


5d. Is alarmed by the fact that in 2019 more than four environmental defenders were killed every week, with the total amount of the deaths reaching the record high of all times at 212 people while 40% of murdered defenders were indigenous peoples, and that many more were silenced by the threat of attack, intimidation and sexual violence; denounces the widespread impunity for such crimes;

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Amendment 149Petros Kokkalis, Milan Brglez, Marie ToussaintDraft opinionParagraph 5 d (new)


5d. Is alarmed by the fact that in 2019 more than four environmental defenders were killed every week, with the total amount of the deaths reaching the record high of all times at 212 people while 40% of murdered defenders were indigenous peoples and many more were silenced by the threat of attack, intimidation and sexual violence;

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Amendment 150Petros Kokkalis, Milan Brglez, Marie ToussaintDraft opinionParagraph 5 e (new)


5e. Expresses its concern that indigenous people children, persons belonging to minorities and rural and marginalized communities, are subjected to extensive and systematic discrimination and persecution worldwide, with arbitrary arrests, forced displacements, land-grabbing acts and violations of indigenous rights by large corporations especially from agribusiness and oil, gas and mining corporations;

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Amendment 151Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupPetros Kokkalison behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionParagraph 5 e (new)


5e. Reminds that environmental journalists and lawyers are also under threat; underlines that ten environmental journalists were killed in the last 5 years while 53 violations of the rights of the press were registered, is alarmed by the situation of Steven Donziger, lawyer of the Lago Agrio plaintiffs from Ecuador;

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Petros Kokkalison behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionParagraph 5 f (new)


5f. Reminds that everyone should have access to the enjoyment of human rights, environmental protection and sustainable development, and that no one shall be penalized, persecuted or harassed in any way for their involvement in activities to protect the environment; calls on the Commission to set up a rapid response and comprehensive strategy at Union level to support environmental defenders across the world;

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Amendment 153Petros Kokkalis, Milan Brglez, Marie ToussaintDraft opinionParagraph 5 f (new)


5f. Is alarmed by the massive human -induced destruction of the Amazon rainforest;

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Amendment 154Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupDraft opinionParagraph 5 g (new)


5g. Calls on the Commission to establish a comprehensive strategy in support of environmental defenders across the world which would rely on:

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(i) the monitoring of situations of harassment, attacks, threats and assassinations of environmental defenders and journalists, in particular through the introduction of regular monitoring, reporting and assessment mechanism by the Working Party on Human Rights (COHOM), dedicated to the situation of environmental defenders; this monitoring should be transparent while respecting the need for anonymity of certain environmental defenders;

(ii) prioritizing the support to environmental defenders within the EU's existing tools for support to human rights defenders, notably in relation to its financial assistance (EIDHR and successor programme, ProtectDefenders.EU) and policy orientations; financial and political support to environmental rights defenders should be increased and any reprisal or attack against them should be systematically condemned by the EU through public statements; particular attention should be paid to training environmental defenders and to accompany citizens' request for access to environmental information and access to justice in third countries;

(iii) the adoption of an annex to the EU Guidelines on Human Rights Defenders which would be dedicated to the specific challenges and needs of environmental defenders and EU policy in this regard;

(iv) the adoption of a priority list of countries of concern where the EU and Member States would step up its action in support of environmental rights defenders and engage with local authorities in introducing or improving protection mechanisms and specific legislation that defines environmental defenders, recognises their work and guarantees their protection; this priority list would be prepared by the EEAS, in close

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consultation with stakeholders and with the Parliament, and updated on an annual basis; the High Representative would provide an annual, public report on the action carried out in the countries concerned, as well as on the protection of environmental defenders worldwide;

(v) the suspension or modification of trade agreements or preferential trade arrangements when human rights, notably those of environmental defenders, are systematically violated;

(vi) the application of mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence for all EU companies and financial institutions which should include meaningful and informed consultations with local communities, environmental defenders and all affected stakeholders in relation to their business activities; calls to regularly monitor the effectiveness of the access to justice mechanisms deployed to ensure such vigilance; calls to take initiatives to both improve the fight against environmental crime on its territory and in the world;

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Amendment 155Petros KokkalisDraft opinionParagraph 5 g (new)


5g. Calls the Government of Brazil to renew the 2006 Amazon “soy moratorium” and effectively address any other challenges that might lead to the collapse of the entire Amazon ecosystem such as abandon mega-dams, illegal logging operations and put under control other commodities driving deforestation such as cattle - ranching;

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Amendment 156Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupPetros Kokkalison behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupDraft opinionParagraph 5 h (new)


5h. Calls on the European Parliament to celebrate the UN-established World Environment Day on 5th June, as an annually recurring day of remembrance for murdered and harassed environmental defenders;

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Amendment 157Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupDraft opinionParagraph 5 i (new)


5i. Urges the United Nations to assume a larger role in protecting global ecosystems and environmental defenders, in particular where climate change has a severe impact on indigenous communities; calls therefore for the creation of a UN-Green Helmets force to prevent serious environmental damage, respond to severe environmental crises and protect the human rights of most affected social groups, especially those segments of local populations already marginalised or in vulnerable situation due to pre-existing inequalities and discrimination;

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Amendment 158Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupPetros Kokkalis

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on behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupDraft opinionParagraph 5 j (new)


5j. Calls on the Member States to recognise ecocides as criminal acts and to grant universal jurisdiction for these acts to their national jurisdictions;

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Amendment 159Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupPetros Kokkalison behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupDraft opinionParagraph 5 k (new)


5k. Calls on the Commission to establish a programme to build the capacity of national jurisdictions of Member States in these fields; calls on the Commission and the Member States to support amending the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court to recognise ecocides as criminal acts into its scope of action;

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Amendment 160Marie Toussainton behalf of the Greens/EFA GroupPetros Kokkalison behalf of the GUE/NGL GroupMilan Brglezon behalf of the S&D GroupDraft opinionParagraph 5 l (new)


5l. Calls on the Union and the Member States to support, at the next UN

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General Assembly, the global recognition of the right to a healthy environment;

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