While there are disparities in the level of ambition of the draft Integrated National Energy/Climate Plans (NECPs) 2021-2030 submitted by the 28 EU Member States to the Commission under the governance of the energy union and climate action Regulation, all these projects have the merit of being on the table and can be improved within the next six months, the European Commission stressed on Tuesday, 18 June.
In the package it adopted on the same day - a communication and recommendations for each of the 28 draft plans, which Member States will be required to respect - the Commission acknowledges that significant efforts have been made. However, it stresses that improvements are possible, in particular in terms of targeted and individualised policies to achieve the 2030 objectives of the Energy Union, which will enable the EU to collectively meet its commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement and to be on the path to long-term climate neutrality.
Welcoming a "significant step", the European Commissioner for Energy and Climate Action, Miguel Arias Cañete, took the opportunity to call on European leaders to support the objective of climate neutrality by 2050 for the European economy at the European Council on 20-21 June, saying that this would be "a signal to rise to the challenge".
Commission Vice-President for the Energy Union, Maros Sefcovic, stressed the importance of these national plans to ensure transparency and predictability of national policies and measures, thus enabling industry and the financial sector to stimulate the private investment required by the clean energy transition.
"Member States have produced impressive drafts in a relatively short time. With regard to the final plans, expected by the end of the year, our recommendations show where more effort is needed: for example, stronger ambition, more policy detail, better specified investment needs, or more work on social fairness. Clarity and predictability are a real competitive advantage for the European energy and climate policy", he said. The Commission is ready to assist Member States.
Energy efficiency and renewable energies are at a premium. As far as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions is concerned, the NECP projects will, as they stand, make it possible to achieve the EU's objective: a reduction of at least 40% by 2030 compared to 1990, but the non-ETS sector (transport, buildings, agriculture, waste) is the weak link. In this sector, the reduction will be 28% compared to 2005 instead of the required 30%.
But NECP projects are insufficient both in terms of renewable energy and contributions to energy efficiency. For renewable energies, the shortfall from the 32% target could reach 1.6 percentage points. "This is a gap that can be filled," said Commissioner Cañete.
For energy efficiency, the gap with the European target of 32.5% is more problematic. It might reach 6.2 percentage points (if we consider primary energy consumption) or 6 percentage points (if we consider final consumption). "Most Member States must redouble their efforts," said Commissioner Cañete.
But the Energy Union is not only about objectives, it is also about energy security; however, the plans do not contain enough clear and measurable objectives. They should include retail and network markets, he said.
And for interconnection (the European target is 15%), Member States should indicate their 2030 target.
Recommendations. With regard to contributions to energy efficiency and renewable energy, some Member States are invited to intensify their efforts and better exploit their national potential, while others will have to confirm their already ambitious targets.
The Commission also invites Member States to set measurable, achievable, realistic and time-bound objectives for the five dimensions of the Energy Union (energy efficiency; a fully integrated energy market; research, innovation and competitiveness; decarbonisation of the economy; energy security, solidarity and confidence).
Most Member States are also invited to further support the achievement of their objectives and contributions with more concrete additional policies and measures for all dimensions of the Energy Union.
However, Mr Cañete expressed confidence that by the end of December 2019, plans will be in place to consider an EU-wide reduction of 45% of emissions by 2030.
"It took the EU 27 years to reduce its emissions by 22%. If a 45% reduction is achieved in 2030, emissions will have been reduced by 23% in 13 years. We are ready, we have the technology, the finance and the political will", he said, assuring listeners that "the European Union takes the fight against climate change very seriously”. (Aminata Niang)