Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2139 of 4 June 2021 supplementing Regulation (EU) 2020/852 of the European Parliament and of the Council by establishing the technical screening criteria for determining the conditions under which an economic activity qualifies as contributing substantially to climate change mitigation or climate change adaptation and for determining whether that economic activity causes no significant harm to any of the other environmental objectives (Text with EEA relevance)
| --- | --- | | Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation | Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation | | 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E0567] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E0568], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E0569] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E0570] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E0571] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. | 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E0567] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E0568], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E0569] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E0570] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E0571] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. | | Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) | Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) | | (1) Climate change mitigation | GHG emissions [^E0572] from the organic chemicals production processes are lower than: (a) for HVC: [0,851 [^E0573]] tCO2e/t of HVC; (b) for aromatics: 0,0300 [^E0574] tCO2e/t of complex weighted throughput; (c) for vinyl chloride: [0,268 [^E0575] tCO2e/t of vinyl chloride; (d) for styrene: 0,564 [^E0576] tCO2e/t of styrene; (e) for ethylene oxide/ethylene glycols: 0,489 [^E0577] tCO2e/t of ethylene oxide/glycol; (f) for adipic acid: 0,76 [^E0578] tCO2e/t of adipic acid. Where the organic chemicals in scope are produced wholly or partially from renewable feedstock, the life-cycle GHG emissions of the manufactured chemical, manufactured wholly or partially from renewable feedstock, are lower than the life-cycle GHG emissions of the equivalent chemical manufactured from fossil fuel feedstock Agricultural biomass used for the manufacture of organic basic chemicals in its primary form complies with the criteria laid down in Article 29, paragraphs 2 to 5, of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Forest biomass used for the manufacture of organic basic chemicals complies with the criteria laid down in Article 29, paragraphs 6 and 7, of that Directive. | | (3) Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix B to this Annex. | | (4) Transition to a circular economy | N/A | | (5) Pollution prevention and control | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix C to this Annex. Emissions are within or lower than the emission levels associated with the best available techniques (BAT-AEL) ranges set out in relevant best available techniques (BAT) conclusions, including: (a) the best available techniques (BAT) conclusions for the production of large volumes organic chemicals [^E0579]; (b) the best available techniques (BAT) conclusions for common waste water and waste gas treatment/management systems in the chemical sector [^E0580]. No significant cross-media effects occur. | | (6) Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix D to this Annex. |
Future scenarios include Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change representative concentration pathways RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5.
Assessments Reports on Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, published periodically by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change produces, https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/.
[^E0569]: (3)
Such as Copernicus services managed by the European Commission.
Nature-based solutions are defined as ‘solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions’. Therefore, nature-based solutions benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services (version of 4.6.2021: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions_en/).
See Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Green Infrastructure (GI) — Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital (COM/2013/0249 final).
Calculated in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/331.
Reflecting the median value of the installations in 2016 and 2017 (t CO2 equivalents/t) of the data collected in the context of establishing the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/447, determined on the basis of verified information on the greenhouse gas efficiency of installations reported pursuant to Article 11 of Directive 2003/87/EC.
Reflecting the median value of the installations in 2016 and 2017 (t CO2 equivalents/t) of the data collected in the context of establishing the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/447, determined on the basis of verified information on the greenhouse gas efficiency of installations reported pursuant to Article 11 of Directive 2003/87/EC.
Reflecting the median value of the installations in 2016 and 2017 (t CO2 equivalents/t) of the data collected in the context of establishing the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/447, determined on the basis of verified information on the greenhouse gas efficiency of installations reported pursuant to Article 11 of Directive 2003/87/EC.
Reflecting the median value of the installations in 2016 and 2017 (t CO2 equivalents/t) of the data collected in the context of establishing the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/447, determined on the basis of verified information on the greenhouse gas efficiency of installations reported pursuant to Article 11 of Directive 2003/87/EC.
Reflecting the median value of the installations in 2016 and 2017 (t CO2 equivalents/t) of the data collected in the context of establishing the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/447, determined on the basis of verified information on the greenhouse gas efficiency of installations reported pursuant to Article 11 of Directive 2003/87/EC.
Reflecting the median value of the installations in 2016 and 2017 (t CO2 equivalents/t) of the data collected in the context of establishing the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/447, determined on the basis of verified information on the greenhouse gas efficiency of installations reported pursuant to Article 11 of Directive 2003/87/EC.
Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2017/2117 of 21 November 2017 establishing best available techniques (BAT) conclusions, under Directive 2010/75/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council, for the production of large volume organic chemicals (OJ L 323, 7.12.2017, p. 1).
[^E0580]: (14)
Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/902.
3.15. Manufacture of anhydrous ammonia
Description of the activity
Manufacture of anhydrous ammonia.
The economic activities in this category could be associated with NACE code C20.15 in accordance with the statistical classification of economic activities established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006.
Technical screening criteria
| Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation | Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation |
| 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E0581] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E0582], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E0583] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E0584] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E0585] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. | 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E0581] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E0582], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E0583] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E0584] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E0585] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. |
| Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) | Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) |
| (1) Climate change mitigation | The activity complies with one of the following criteria: (a) the manufacturing of anhydrous ammonia has greenhouse gas emissions [^E0586] lower than 1,948 [^E0587] tCO2e per tonne of anhydrous ammonia; (b) ammonia is recovered from waste water. |
| (3) Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix B to this Annex. |
| (4) Transition to a circular economy | N/A |
| (5) Pollution prevention and control | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix C to this Annex. Emissions are within or lower than the emission levels associated with the best available techniques (BAT-AEL) ranges set out in the latest relevant best available techniques (BAT) conclusions, including: (a) the Best Available Techniques Reference Document (BREF) for the manufacture of Large Volume Inorganic Chemicals - Ammonia, Acids and Fertilisers [^E0588]; (b) the best available techniques (BAT) conclusions for common waste water and waste gas treatment/management systems in the chemical sector [^E0589]. No significant cross-media effects occur. |
| (6) Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix D to this Annex. |
Future scenarios include Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change representative concentration pathways RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5.
Assessments Reports on Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, published periodically by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change produces, https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/.
Such as Copernicus services managed by the European Commission.
Nature-based solutions are defined as ‘solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions’. Therefore, nature-based solutions benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services (version of 4.6.2021: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions_en/).
See Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Green Infrastructure (GI) — Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital (COM/2013/0249 final).
Calculated in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/331.
Reflecting the median value of the installations in 2016 and 2017 (t CO2 equivalents/t) of the data collected in the context of establishing the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/447, determined on the basis of verified information on the greenhouse gas efficiency of installations reported pursuant to Article 11 of Directive 2003/87/EC.
Best Available Techniques (BAT) Reference Document for the manufacture of Large Volume Inorganic Chemicals - Ammonia, Acids and Fertilisers (version of 4.6.2021: https://eippcb.jrc.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2019-11/lvic_aaf.pdf).
[^E0589]: (9)
Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/902.
3.16. Manufacture of nitric acid
Description of the activity
Manufacture of nitric acid.
The economic activities in this category could be associated with NACE code C20.15 in accordance with the statistical classification of economic activities established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006.
Technical screening criteria
| Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation | Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation |
| 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E0590] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E0591], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E0592] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E0593] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E0594] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. | 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E0590] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E0591], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E0592] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E0593] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E0594] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. |
| Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) | Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) |
| (1) Climate change mitigation | GHG emissions [^E0595] from the manufacture of nitric acid are lower than 0,184 [^E0596] tCO2e per tonne of nitric acid. |
| (3) Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix B to this Annex. |
| (4) Transition to a circular economy | N/A |
| (5) Pollution prevention and control | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix C to this Annex. Emissions are within or lower than the emission levels associated with the best available techniques (BAT-AEL) ranges set out in the latest relevant best available techniques (BAT) conclusions, including: (a) the Best Available Techniques Reference Document (BREF) for the manufacture of Large Volume Inorganic Chemicals - Ammonia, Acids and Fertilisers [^E0597]; (b) the best available techniques (BAT) conclusions for common waste water and waste gas treatment/management systems in the chemical sector [^E0598]. No significant cross-media effects occur. |
| (6) Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix D to this Annex. |
Future scenarios include Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change representative concentration pathways RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5.
Assessments Reports on Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, published periodically by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change produces, https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/.
Such as Copernicus services managed by the European Commission.
Nature-based solutions are defined as ‘solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions’. Therefore, nature-based solutions benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services (version of 4.6.2021: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions_en/).
See Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Green Infrastructure (GI) — Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital (COM/2013/0249 final).
Calculated in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2019/331.
Reflecting the median value of the installations in 2016 and 2017 (t CO2 equivalents/t) of the data collected in the context of establishing the Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/447, determined on the basis of verified information on the greenhouse gas efficiency of installations reported pursuant to Article 11 of Directive 2003/87/EC.
Best Available Techniques (BAT) Reference Document for the manufacture of Large Volume Inorganic Chemicals - Ammonia, Acids and Fertilisers (version of 4.6.2021: https://eippcb.jrc.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2019-11/lvic_aaf.pdf).
Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/902.
3.17. Manufacture of plastics in primary form
Description of the activity
Manufacture resins, plastics materials and non-vulcanisable thermoplastic elastomers, the mixing and blending of resins on a custom basis, as well as the manufacture of non-customised synthetic resins.
The economic activities in this category could be associated with NACE code C20.16 in accordance with the statistical classification of economic activities established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006.
Technical screening criteria
| Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation | Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation |
| 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E0599] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E0600], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E0601] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E0602] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E0603] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. | 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E0599] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E0600], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E0601] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E0602] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E0603] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. |
| Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) | Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) |
| (1) Climate change mitigation | The plastic in primary form is one of the following: (a) fully manufactured by mechanical recycling of plastic waste; (b) where mechanical recycling is not possible, fully manufactured by chemical recycling of plastic waste where the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of the manufactured plastic, excluding any calculated credits from the production of fuels, are lower than the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of the equivalent primary plastic manufactured from fossil fuel feedstock. Life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions are calculated using Recommendation 2013/179/EU or, alternatively, using ISO 14067:2018 [^E0604] or ISO 14064-1:2018 [^E0605]. Quantified life-cycle GHG emissions are verified by an independent third party. (c) derived wholly or partially from renewable feedstock [^E0606] where the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of the manufactured plastic in primary form, manufactured wholly or partially from renewable feedstock, is lower than the life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of the equivalent plastics in primary form manufactured from fossil fuel feedstock. Life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions are calculated using Recommendation 2013/179/EU or, alternatively, using ISO 14067:2018 or ISO 14064-1:2018. Quantified life-cycle GHG emissions are verified by an independent third party. Agricultural biomass used for the manufacture of plastics in its primary form complies with the criteria laid down in Article 29, paragraphs 2 to 5, of Directive (EU) 2018/2001. Forest biomass used for the manufacture of plastics in its primary form complies with the criteria laid down in Article 29, paragraphs 6 and 7, of that Directive. |
| (3) Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix B to this Annex. |
| (4) Transition to a circular economy | N/A |
| (5) Pollution prevention and control | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix C to this Annex. Emissions are within or lower than the emission levels associated with the best available techniques (BAT-AEL) ranges set out in the relevant best available techniques (BAT) conclusions, including: (a) the Best Available Techniques Reference Document (BREF) for the Production of Polymers [^E0607]; (b) the best available techniques (BAT) conclusions for common waste water and waste gas treatment/management systems in the chemical sector [^E0608]. No significant cross-media effects occur. |
| (6) Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix D to this Annex. |
[^E0599]: (1)
Future scenarios include Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change representative concentration pathways RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5.
Assessments Reports on Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, published periodically by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change produces, https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/.
Such as Copernicus services managed by the European Commission.
Nature-based solutions are defined as ‘solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions’. Therefore, nature-based solutions benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services (version of 4.6.2021: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions_en/).
See Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Green Infrastructure (GI) — Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital (COM/2013/0249 final).
ISO standard 14067:2018, Greenhouse gases — Carbon footprint of products — Requirements and guidelines for quantification (https://www.iso.org/standard/71206.html).
ISO standard 14064-1:2018, Greenhouse gases — Part 1: Specification with guidance at the organization level for quantification and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions and removals (https://www.iso.org/standard/66453.html).
[^E0606]: (8)
Renewable feedstock refers to biomass, industrial bio-waste or municipal bio-waste.
[^E0607]: (9)
Best Available Techniques (BAT) Reference Document for the Production of Polymers (version of 4.6.2021: https://eippcb.jrc.ec.europa.eu/sites/default/files/2019-11/pol_bref_0807.pdf).
Implementing Decision (EU) 2016/902.
ENERGY
4.1. Electricity generation using solar photovoltaic technology
Description of the activity
Construction or operation of electricity generation facilities that produce electricity using solar photovoltaic (PV) technology.
Where an economic activity is an integral element of the ‘Installation, maintenance and repair of renewable energy technologies’ as referred to in Section 7.6 of this Annex, the technical screening criteria specified in Section 7.6 apply.
The economic activities in this category could be associated with several NACE codes, in particular D35.11 and F42.22 in accordance with the statistical classification of economic activities established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006.
Technical screening criteria
| Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation | Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation |
| 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E0609] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E0610], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E0611] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E0612] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E0613] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. | 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E0609] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E0610], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E0611] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E0612] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E0613] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. |
| Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) | Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) |
| (1) Climate change mitigation | N/A |
| (3) Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources | N/A |
| (4) Transition to a circular economy | The activity assesses availability of and, where feasible, uses equipment and components of high durability and recyclability and that are easy to dismantle and refurbish. |
| (5) Pollution prevention and control | N/A |
| (6) Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix D to this Annex. |
[^E0609]: (1)
Future scenarios include Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change representative concentration pathways RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5.
[^E0610]: (2)
Assessments Reports on Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, published periodically by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change produces, https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/.
Such as Copernicus services managed by the European Commission.
Nature-based solutions are defined as ‘solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions’. Therefore, nature-based solutions benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services (version of 4.6.2021: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions_en/).
See Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Green Infrastructure (GI) — Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital (COM/2013/0249 final).
4.2. Electricity generation using concentrated solar power (CSP) technology
Description of the activity
Construction or operation of electricity generation facilities that produce electricity using concentrated solar power (CSP) technology.
The economic activities in this category could be associated with several NACE codes, in particular D35.11 and F42.22 in accordance with the statistical classification of economic activities established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006.
Technical screening criteria
| Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation | Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation |
| 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E0614] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E0615], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E0616] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E0617] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E0618] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. | 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E0614] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E0615], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E0616] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E0617] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E0618] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. |
| Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) | Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) |
| (1) Climate change mitigation | N/A |
| (3) Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix B to this Annex. |
| (4) Transition to a circular economy | The activity assesses availability of and, where feasible, uses equipment and components of high durability and recyclability and that are easy to dismantle and refurbish. |
| (5) Pollution prevention and control | N/A |
| (6) Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix D to this Annex. |
Future scenarios include Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change representative concentration pathways RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5.
Assessments Reports on Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, published periodically by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change produces, https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/.
[^E0616]: (3)
Such as Copernicus services managed by the European Commission.
[^E0617]: (4)
Nature-based solutions are defined as ‘solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions’. Therefore, nature-based solutions benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services (version of 4.6.2021: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions_en/).
See Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Green Infrastructure (GI) — Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital (COM/2013/0249 final).
4.3. Electricity generation from wind power
Description of the activity
Construction or operation of electricity generation facilities that produce electricity from wind power.
Where an economic activity is an integral element of the ‘Installation, maintenance and repair of renewable energy technologies’ as referred to in Section 7.6 of this Annex, the technical screening criteria specified in Section 7.6 apply.
The economic activities in this category could be associated with several NACE codes, in particular D35.11 and F42.22 in accordance with the statistical classification of economic activities established by Regulation (EC) No 1893/2006.
Technical screening criteria
| Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation | Substantial contribution to climate change adaptation |
| 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E0619] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E0620], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E0621] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E0622] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E0623] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. | 1. The economic activity has implemented physical and non-physical solutions (‘adaptation solutions’) that substantially reduce the most important physical climate risks that are material to that activity. 2. The physical climate risks that are material to the activity have been identified from those listed in Appendix A to this Annex by performing a robust climate risk and vulnerability assessment with the following steps: (a) screening of the activity to identify which physical climate risks from the list in Appendix A to this Annex may affect the performance of the economic activity during its expected lifetime; (b) where the activity is assessed to be at risk from one or more of the physical climate risks listed in Appendix A to this Annex, a climate risk and vulnerability assessment to assess the materiality of the physical climate risks on the economic activity; (c) an assessment of adaptation solutions that can reduce the identified physical climate risk. The climate risk and vulnerability assessment is proportionate to the scale of the activity and its expected lifespan, such that: (a) for activities with an expected lifespan of less than 10 years, the assessment is performed, at least by using climate projections at the smallest appropriate scale; (b) for all other activities, the assessment is performed using the highest available resolution, state-of-the-art climate projections across the existing range of future scenarios [^E0619] consistent with the expected lifetime of the activity, including, at least, 10 to 30 year climate projections scenarios for major investments. 3. The climate projections and assessment of impacts are based on best practice and available guidance and take into account the state-of-the-art science for vulnerability and risk analysis and related methodologies in line with the most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reports [^E0620], scientific peer-reviewed publications and open source [^E0621] or paying models. 4. The adaptation solutions implemented: (a) do not adversely affect the adaptation efforts or the level of resilience to physical climate risks of other people, of nature, of cultural heritage, of assets and of other economic activities; (b) favour nature-based solutions [^E0622] or rely on blue or green infrastructure [^E0623] to the extent possible; (c) are consistent with local, sectoral, regional or national adaptation plans and strategies; (d) are monitored and measured against pre-defined indicators and remedial action is considered where those indicators are not met; (e) where the solution implemented is physical and consists in an activity for which technical screening criteria have been specified in this Annex, the solution complies with the do no significant harm technical screening criteria for that activity. |
| Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) | Do no significant harm (‘DNSH’) |
| (1) Climate change mitigation | N/A |
| (3) Sustainable use and protection of water and marine resources | In case of construction of offshore wind, the activity does not hamper the achievement of good environmental status, as set out in Directive 2008/56/EC, requiring that the appropriate measures are taken to prevent or mitigate impacts in relation to that Directive’s Descriptor 11 (Noise/Energy), laid down in Annex I to that Directive and as set out in Decision (EU)2017/848 in relation to the relevant criteria and methodological standards for that descriptor. |
| (4) Transition to a circular economy | The activity assesses availability of and, where feasible, uses equipment and components of high durability and recyclability and that are easy to dismantle and refurbish. |
| (5) Pollution prevention and control | N/A |
| (6) Protection and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems | The activity complies with the criteria set out in Appendix D to this Annex [^E0624]. In case of offshore wind, the activity does not hamper the achievement of good environmental status, as set out in Directive 2008/56/EC, requiring that the appropriate measures are taken to prevent or mitigate impacts in relation to that Directive’s Descriptors 1 (biodiversity) and 6 (seabed integrity), laid down in Annex I to that Directive, and as set out in Decision (EU) 2017/848 in relation to the relevant criteria and methodological standards for those descriptors. |
Future scenarios include Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change representative concentration pathways RCP2.6, RCP4.5, RCP6.0 and RCP8.5.
[^E0620]: (2)
Assessments Reports on Climate Change: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability, published periodically by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body for assessing the science related to climate change produces, https://www.ipcc.ch/reports/.
[^E0621]: (3)
Such as Copernicus services managed by the European Commission.
Nature-based solutions are defined as ‘solutions that are inspired and supported by nature, which are cost-effective, simultaneously provide environmental, social and economic benefits and help build resilience. Such solutions bring more, and more diverse, nature and natural features and processes into cities, landscapes and seascapes, through locally adapted, resource-efficient and systemic interventions’. Therefore, nature-based solutions benefit biodiversity and support the delivery of a range of ecosystem services (version of 4.6.2021: https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/environment/nature-based-solutions_en/).
See Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Green Infrastructure (GI) — Enhancing Europe’s Natural Capital (COM/2013/0249 final).
[^E0624]: (6)
Practical guidance for the implementation of this criterion is contained in the European Commission notice C(2020) 7730 final ‘Guidance document on wind energy developments and EU nature legislation’ (version of 4.6.2021: https://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/natura2000/management/docs/wind_farms_en.pdf).
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