The European Commission decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Cyprus, Malta, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Slovakia for failing to submit their final updated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) in line with the Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action. The final updated NECPs are crucial tools to ensure that Member States set out a concrete roadmap to achieve the agreed EU goals for greenhouse gas emissions reduction, renewable energy and energy efficiency, among others. They are also key for the European Commission to assess where Member States stand collectively in terms of ambition towards the EU 2030 climate and energy targets.
Under Article 14(2) of the Governance Regulation, all Member States had to submit their final updated NECPs by 30 June 2024. So far, the Commission has received 14 final Plans. Following extensive exchanges after the submission of draft Plans and adoption of Commission recommendations to the Member States, these 13 Member States have still not submitted their final updated NECPs. The Commission considers that they are in breach of their obligation under the Governance Regulation and is therefore sending letters of formal notice. The 13 member states now have two months to reply to the Commission. In the absence of a satisfactory response, the Commission may decide to issue a reasoned opinion.
>> Read the EC announcement at ec.europa.eu
