Member States’ NECP pledges get closer to 2030 climate targets
The European Commission has published its final EU-wide assessment of the updated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) (as due for final submission by 30 June 2024), finding that Member States have significantly increased their ambition measured against the draft plans submitted in 2023. Based on the updated plans, in terms of their pledges for action, Member States are collectively nearing the 2030 targets set under the European Climate Law. If and when these pledges are fully implemented, the existing and planned national measures, alongside EU policies, should reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 54% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, just shy of the 55% target. The assessment shows notable progress (in terms of ambition) across sectors, particularly in renewable energy and energy efficiency, while highlighting remaining ambition gaps in sectors such as transport, buildings, and land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF).