The European Commission has initiated proceedings against 13 European Union member states, including Poland, for failing to submit current climate plans (NECP). The requested countries have two months to respond, otherwise they risk having the case referred to the EU Court of Justice.
Apart from Poland, the list also includes: Belgium, Bulgaria, The czech republic, Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Cyprus, Malta, AustriaPortugal, Slovenia and Slovakia.
In line with the EU Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action Regulation Member States had until June 30, 2024 to submit updated climate plans. So far, 14 governments have done so. Despite pressure from the Commission, the remaining 13 countries have still not submitted their documents. Therefore, the EC decided that they had not fulfilled their obligations and called on them to urgently remedy the omission and present their plans.
Poland faces a trial before the CJEU
Countries now have two months to respond. If it is not satisfactory, the committee may decide to issue a reasoned opinion setting a deadline within which the country must comply with EU law. If a Member State does not comply with the opinion, The EC may bring the case to the Court of Justice of the EU.
The provisions on the governance of the Energy Union oblige EU countries to submit current national climate plans to the Commission. They set out the specific actions a country intends to take to achieve the EU's climate goals. These goals are to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy from renewable sources and increase energy efficiency.
Thanks to the plans European Commission can assess where Member States are in achieving the EU's climate and energy goals by 2030.
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