National energy and climate plans: catalysts for the energy transition or box-ticking exercises?

Report    |    30 June 2023

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The European Union has set ambitious targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase renewable energy and improve energy efficiency by 2030. The successful implementation of these targets largely depends on how they are executed at the national level. To ensure improved coordination and stronger commitment, Member States are required by the EU’s Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action to develop dedicated national energy and climate plans (NECPs) that outline how they will achieve these goals. These plans were submitted in 2018 and 2019 and must be updated by 2024, with a first draft due by 30 June 2023.

The following report shows how seven central and eastern European (CEE) countries are approaching the NECP revision and details how the context has changed since the initial NECPs were prepared in 2018 and 2019. In particular, the report highlights key steps taken to transform the energy system and evaluates the progress made in updating national energy plans. It also provides recommendations to make sure that this process results in national pathways that align with EU climate targets.