Commission calls on Austria to improve its National Energy and Climate Plan to ensure collective achievement of the EU's 2030 targets

The Commission has published its assessment of the draft National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) of Austria, which contains recommendations to assist the country in raising its ambitions in line with EU targets for 2030.

The Austrian draft updated NECPs presents a share of renewable energy that sufficiently contributes to the EU-wide target, but more clarity is needed on the policies and measures that will be implemented to meet the greenhouse gas emission reduction, and further ambitious measures are necessary to meet the energy efficiency targets.

Today's assessment follows the individual assessments and recommendations on draft updated NECPs previously published for all the other 26 member states.

The NECPs are key instruments to reach our 2030 energy and climate goals and implementing recently agreed legislation to achieve the European Green Deal. A Commission Communication assessing the aggregated impact of all of the draft NECPs submitted at that time was published in December. It had found that the cumulative impact of the draft NECPs is not yet sufficient to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030, as is legally required by so-called ‘Fit for 55' legislation.

So far, the Commission has received 14 final updated NECPs out of 27. The Commission reiterates its call on member states to submit as soon as possible the missing final updated Plans, taking into account its recommendations to enhance efforts on greenhouse gas emissions reductions and better prepare for an increased uptake of renewables and improvement of energy efficiency measures. Additional measures are also encouraged to empower consumers, improve energy security and stimulate the competitiveness of European industry.

You can find more information on the assessment of the Austrian draft updated NECP and the overall NECP process here.

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