A recent report urges European nations to address the significant disparity between their climate goals and the action plans in place.
Analysis by the environmental nonprofit Clean Air Task Force (CATF) indicates that the 2019 National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) submitted by EU member states are outdated and inconsistent with long-term strategies.
As of two months post the June EU deadline for draft plans, only half of the member states have provided updated proposals.
Alejandra Muñoz Castañer from CATF, the report’s lead author, emphasized the urgency of planning for a power system aimed for 2050, citing that a 30-year window is relatively short.
She stressed the missed opportunities in the past, urging governments to prioritize their climate planning.
The CATF report recommends that EU nations diversify their support for clean technologies, provide clear investment directives, and strategize for cross-border infrastructure such as electricity and hydrogen systems.
Additionally, the report suggests concentrating on practical issues like workforce training and simplifying permit procedures for green energy initiatives.
The European Commission spokesperson mentioned their collaborative efforts with member states to ensure timely plan submissions, with a comprehensive assessment expected by year’s end.
The EU has pledged a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 55% from 1990 levels by 2030 and aims for net-zero emissions by 2050. However, a June report from the European Court of Auditors questioned the sufficiency of actions planned for the 2030 targets.
The commission highlighted the importance of NECPs in securing the significant investments required for climate neutrality and energy security. The most recent plans were formulated just before the Covid-19 outbreak and the EU’s eco-focused recovery measures.
Since then, events like Russia’s Ukraine invasion, which impacted gas prices and European energy security, and the US’s major climate legislation, which fueled global clean technology initiatives, shifted the landscape.
