Member States had until 30 June to send to the European Commission their new draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs). NECPs are the framework for Member States to outline their climate and energy goals, policies, and measures from 2021 to 2030.
By October 23rd, only 16 out of 27 Member States have done so (Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden) and, disappointingly, several of these submissions closely resembled their 2019 NECPs without meaningful updates.
About the Report. CAN Europe and its members assessed the available ones, with input from more than 30 national organizations used to compile this report on the NECP process in 25 Member States. This report presents an initial assessment by NGOs of the NECP update process and, where possible, the submitted draft NECP updates (the 15 submitted as of 30 September). It is not intended to be a comprehensive analysis of all aspects of the plans but provides a first overview of some of the main issues that will need to be addressed in the European Commission’s recommendations in December 2023. The report is divided into two parts: an overview that includes general recommendations and provides a bird’s-eye assessment of the main issues analyzed, and country factsheets highlighting key issues to improve each plan. The aim is to ensure that these NECP updates significantly enhance climate action and the energy transition at the national level.”
Next steps. The European Commission has until the end of this year, December, to come up with its own assessment and recommendations to the Member States to bring these plans in line with the EU’s climate and energy legislation. Countries are held to submit their final National Energy and Climate plans by June 2024, plans that cover the period 2020-2030.