Urgent call for central and eastern European countries to raise their NECP climate ambitions

The update of the NECPs comes at a key moment, with the EU recently agreeing to an ambitious package of new rules and targets for the energy, building, and transport sectors. The final submission is a crucial milestone for incorporating these standards nationally and setting the course for the implementation of the European Green Deal.  

However, CEE countries are showing varying levels of progress in updating their NECPs. Despite positive strides in some sectors, the region is failing to set itself on a clear path towards decarbonisation. This is reflected in unclear scenarios (due to missing information or data that’s hard to compare with previous plans), attempts to delay coal phase-out dates, over-reliance on fossil gas, and targets falling far below what new EU legislation requires. This will prevent national authorities and stakeholders from planning the needed transformation of the energy system.  

Most Member States are expected to submit their plans late, as they rush to finalise their plans and hold last-minute consultations with stakeholders. This gives them some leeway to better align their plans with the EU’s climate targets. It’s imperative that all Member States raise their ambitions by setting clear phase-out dates for coal and gas and investing in sustainable energy solutions. 

Johanna Kuld, International Public Finance Campaigner at CEE Bankwatch Network, says: ‘Our latest report (1) provides further evidence that central and eastern European Member States plan to invest heavily in fossil gas infrastructure, despite the urgent need for climate action. These investments – often involving public money – threaten to derail the energy transition in the region and jeopardise the EU’s 2030 greenhouse gas emission targets.’ 

Christophe Jost, Senior EU Policy Officer at CEE Bankwatch Network, says: ‘Today, greater energy security and competitiveness in the region means higher energy efficiency and renewable energy targets. It’s time to stop wasting money on fossil fuels, which will end up as stranded assets, and instead create a clear plan to unlock public investments for a fair and just transition. This includes making better use of EU funds of which the region is a major beneficiary.’  

Contact: 

Johanna Kuld 

International Public Finance Campaigner 

CEE Bankwatch Network 

johanna.kuld@bankwatch.org 

Christophe Jost 

Senior EU Policy Officer 

CEE Bankwatch Network 

christophe.jost@bankwatch.org  

Note to editors 

1. CEE Bankwatch Network, Hooked on gas: Report on the status of national energy and climate plans in central and eastern Europe, June 2024. The report highlights the need for gas phase-out pathways and identifies shortcomings in the current draft NECPs of eight central and eastern European Member States – Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, and Poland.