Programmes

The National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) outline the EU member states’ 2021-2030 strategy to meet the 2030 energy and climate targets. The Regulation on the governance of the energy union and climate action (EU) 2018/1999, adopted in 2018, requires member states to regularly submit NECPs and update them. It also sets the EU Commission review process of the plans.

Member states outline how they will address energy efficiency, renewables, greenhouse gas emissions reductions, interconnections, and research and innovation in their NECP. A common template is used to facilitate transborder collaboration and efficiency gains.

So far, the 2030 climate and energy targets aim for at least 55% of greenhouse gas emissions reductions, 32% of renewable energy within the total energy production mix and 32.5% improvement in energy efficiency. The Fit-for-55 package called for more ambitious targets, some of which are still under review, including a 42.5% share of renewable energy within the Renewable Energy Directive.

The current versions of the NECPs, submitted at the end of 2019, massively overlook the role of carbon dioxide removal (CDR) in their ability to achieve their targets. None of the 27 plans include targets for CDR, nor do they take into consideration novel carbon removal methods. Even conventional CDR methods such as afforestation or soil carbon sequestration are not properly addressed in the majority of NECPs.

This is concerning. To reach the scale of removals needed to reach net zero emissions by 2050, CDR capacities must be scaled up now. Member states should seize the opportunity to include CDR in their NECPs. In parallel, the inclusion of CDR in the 2040 targets would set the course until 2050.