Ireland was among 22 EU member states rebuked by a Commission spokesperson for failing to submit long-term climate and energy plans by the June 30 deadline.
Legally obliged to submit the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) – which outline EU countries’ plans and performance in a range of climate-related areas – the European Commission is hesitant to take legal action against those states that breached the terms of the regulation.
Rather, Brussels intends first to raise the issue “as a matter of urgency” at informal meetings with environment and energy ministers.
Only five plans were received from member states, according to the Commission, from: Italy, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden, nations that cover 20% of the bloc’s emissions.
“The Commission strongly urges all other member states to submit their Plans as soon as possible,” the spokesperson added.
NECPs were introduced in 2019, with 2024 marking the halfway point of the 10-year period they were created to cover. All member states are required to send in their self-assessment, while setting goals to be reached by 2030.
The climate plans are considered essential for Brussels’ gauging of whether or not the EU is on track to meet its climate targets.
A number of nations are considered unlikely to submit plans, with France engaged in an ongoing dispute with the Commission for its refusal to comply with various climate obligations.
Similarly, Austria’s government is reportedly unlikely to agree on a plan with elections scheduled for the autumn and ongoing division resulting from the climate minister’s decision to approve the EU’s Nature Restoration Law.