Brussels urges EU countries to submit climate plans ‘as soon as possible’

Only four EU countries have submitted their long-term climate and energy plans on time, and the European Commission intends to remind them at informal ministerial meetings.

On 30 June, EU countries were legally obliged to submit their national energy and climate plans until 2030 (NECPs). These are key documents to assess whether the EU is on track for its climate targets.

Despite the deadline, “we have received just four plans,” said a European Commission spokesperson on Monday (1 July). The countries who delivered on time were the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, and Denmark, covering 8% of the bloc’s emissions. 

“The Commission strongly urges all other member states to submit their Plans as soon as possible,” the spokesperson added.

Sending the plans to Brussels is a “legal obligation” of EU countries, the official said.

However, the European Commission is hesitant to sue them immediately for this breach of the EU’s climate governance regulation. 

“As a first step”, the Commission plans to raise the issue “as a matter of urgency” with ministers at informal meetings of environment and energy ministers “taking place this month,” they added. 

A full overview of the climate plans is considered key for the Commission to understand whether the EU is on track for its climate targets and to give businesses greater investment clarity.

Whether France submits a plan confirming the requirements from Brussels is yet to be seen. Paris is in an ongoing scuffle with Brussels over the role afforded to nuclear power.

Austria’s government is unlikely to be able to agree on a plan, too as elections are scheduled in the autumn and the government is at odds following a rogue vote on the EU’s nature restoration law.

[Edited by Donagh Cagney/Alice Taylor]

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