EU will not meet climate targets without more ambitious plans – European Commission

The climate plans of EU countries are not sufficient to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 per cent by 2030, the European Commission (EC) has said.

Under current plans, the EU would only see a reduction of 51 per cent carbon emissions and the EC said there is “a clear need for extra efforts” to ramp these up to meet targets.

In an analysis, the EC found that draft plans would see roughly 39 per cent of renewables in the energy mix by 2030, compared with the 42.5 per cent target, and only 5.8 per cent energy efficiency improvements, compared with the target of 11.7 per cent.

The EC also highlighted the persistence of fossil fuel subsidies in all member states, especially transport, as another obstacle to the EU’s pathway towards climate neutrality.

“Subsidies which do not address energy poverty or the just transition need to be phased out as soon as possible and be directed instead to innovation and supporting vulnerable groups with the transition,” it said.

There were also concerns around energy security and the need to boost the competitiveness of clean energy across the continent. It called for more attention to be paid towards reskilling local workforces, as well as greater consideration about the social impacts that the green transition will have on citizens.

“Member states who have not yet submitted their draft updated NECPs (Austria, Bulgaria and Poland) need to do so without further delay. The drafts recently received from Belgium, Ireland and Latvia will be assessed by the Commission in early 2024,” it added.

The EU already plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2035 and has implemented new laws to decarbonise the maritime sector through green fuel requirements.

But scientists have warned that the continent will require 35 times more lithium and up to 26 times more rare earth metals to build the batteries and green technology needed to meet many of the climate goals currently set.

Kadri Simson, the EC’s commissioner for energy, said: “The national energy and climate plans are key tools to set a clear path towards a clean, resilient and digitalised energy system. 

“Our economies are waiting for clear investment signals and our citizens for strategies on how to keep energy prices at an affordable level for the long-term. Finalising ambitious plans before the summer is therefore one of the top priorities.”