NGOs from Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Malta urge the European Commission to start legal action against their governments as their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) breach EU law.
The NGOs’ complaints provide evidence that the three countries’ updated plans infringe EU law by failing to meet key climate and energy targets, lacking transparency on fossil fuel subsidies and their phase-out, and failing to ensure public participation in the preparation of the plans.
These countries now join France, Germany, Ireland, Italy and Sweden, which took similar action last November. With this latest wave of complaints, NGOs are now targeting eight countries for EU law infringements, highlighting that the systemic issues are part of a broader, cross-European problem.
“It is alarming to see non-compliance across so many countries, as this widespread breach can jeopardise the EU’s ability to meet its climate and energy goals, with severe repercussions for the most vulnerable communities,” said the director of CAN Europe, Chiara Martinelli.
To date, four countries, Belgium, Estonia, Poland, and Slovakia have yet to submit their final revised plans, nine months after the deadline. In mid-March, the European Commission issued a “reasoned opinion” against them, marking the second step in the process that could lead to their referral to the Court of Justice of the European Union. The first step was the Commission’s decision to open infringement proceedings on November 14 against the thirteen countries that missed the deadline at that time.
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“Tolerating breaches in climate plans undermines the rule of law and trust in the EU, eroding the Union’s role in driving a fair and just transition. As the guardian of the Treaties, we expect the Commission to act decisively to ensure that Europe secures a fair, sustainable, and climate-neutral present and future,” added Chiara Martinelli.
The EU-wide evaluation of the final climate plans by the Commission is expected for later this year. The next immediate milestone connected with this process is the submission of Social Climate Plans by all Member States by June 2025. In their updated NECPs, countries should have outlined how they will use Social Climate Fund resources to address the social aspects of the transition in energy and transport, as per the Commission’s guidance for updated NECPs.
Note to editors:
The legal procedure behind this case is explained in the media briefing.
A first batch of complaints was submitted in November 2024, targeting five countries. The European Commission acknowledged receipt. It has up to 12 months to assess the complaints and decide whether to start a formal infringement procedure.
The NGOs involved in this coalition coordinated by CAN Europe include:
- Friends of the Earth Bulgaria / Za Zemiata (Bulgaria)
- Friends of the Earth Malta (Malta)
- Terra Cypria (Cyprus)
Issues in public participation involvement in the NECPs process are outlined in this recent report by CAN Europe and WWF EPO. Issues in relation to compliance if the revised NECPs with climate and energy targets are outlined in this recent report by the European Climate Neutrality Observatory and this one by CAN Europe.
CONTACT:
Alessia Luzzati (communications assistant): alessia.luzzati(@)caneurope.org
Cristina Dascalu (communications): cristina.dascalu(@)caneurope.org
