Commission calls on member states to improve their National Energy and Climate Plans to ensure collective achievement of the EU´s 2030 targets

The Commission has published its assessment of EU member states' draft National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and issued recommendations to assist Member States in raising their ambitions in line with EU targets for 2030. The draft updated NECPs bring us closer to meeting the EU's 2030 targets and to implementing recently agreed legislation. However, there is a clear need for extra efforts, also in light of the COP28 outcome and the global call to accelerate action this decade.

In today's assessment, the Commission calls on member states to enhance their efforts on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions and set out clearer plans on how they intend to adapt to climate change. It also invites them to better prepare for an increased uptake of renewables and enhance energy efficiency measures. Additional measures are also needed to empower consumers, improve energy security, and support European companies in strengthening their competitiveness. Greater efforts will be necessary to ensure access to available sources of funding and stimulate the crucial investments required for the competitiveness of European industry. All member states must submit their final updated NECPs by 30 June 2024, taking into account the Commission's recommendations and individual assessments.

The Communication on the EU-wide assessment of the draft NECPs is accompanied by 21 country-specific recommendations and individual assessments on the alignment with the energy and climate goals, the climate neutrality objective, and adaptation goals, for each of the Member States that submitted draft NECPs in time. At this stage, the 6 remaining Member States receive assessments and recommendations only on their adaptation policies and consistency with the Union's climate-neutrality objective, which are published (here and here). In addition, another Staff Working Document assesses progress on climate adaptation in all 27 member states.

A full press release and Q&A are available online.

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