Read the full opinion editorial originally published on the Social Europe
By Chiara Martinelli
This year, European Union member states were required under EU regulation to update their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECP). These documents should drive the transformation of how Europeans use energy, grow food, move around and manage waste. Yet significant gaps remain, in the process and in terms of targets and measures. Only six member states respected the June deadline for new draft NECP and five—Belgium, Bulgaria, Ireland, Latvia and Poland—have not even submitted their drafts to date.
By downplaying the importance of the NECP and submitting weak plans, EU countries are not only falling well short of the ambition required to address the pressing climate crisis. They are also missing out on the environmental, social and economic benefits of climate action.
