Energy & Climate: United in delivering the energy union and climate action – Setting the foundations for a successful clean energy transition:Key messages of Europe’s technology industries on closing the gaps in the draft national and energy climate plans

The Clean Energy for All European package has set in place a unique system of energy and climate governance ensuring that the Union and its Members have a common framework for jointly planning and fulfilling collectively the newly agreed 2030 energy and climate targets. This governance also represents a cornerstone on the road to a climate neutral economy in line with the Paris Agreement. Integrated National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) are a key tool of this framework. The first national drafts have been sent to the Commission for evaluation earlier this year. Orgalim widely agrees with the main conclusions of the Commission’s evaluation of the draft NECPs and calls on Member States to close existing gaps by the end of the year, as recommended by the Commission in June 2019. Orgalim would like to provide the following key messages and recommendations for finalising the NECPs in the light of the Commission’s findings: 

• 2030 is a critical milestone on the road towards EU climate neutrality by 2050 – progress over the next decade is vital. NECPs should ensure the massive deployment of existing and proven solutions as no regret options specifically in energy efficiency, renewables and smart distribution grids . 
• The consolidation of the ambition of these first drafts falls short both in terms of energy efficiency and renewables and leaves gaps as big as 6% for energy efficiency and 2% for renewables. 
• The final NECP due by end of this year should not only raise the ambitions but provide more clarity and predictability for businesses and financial sector to stimulate the necessary investments. The final NECPs should identify and quantify given investments needs and financing sources with concrete figures. 
• The Commission’s assessment highlights best practices, which can be a good source of benchmark, experience sharing, and potential collaboration. 
• Fostering the use of digital and smart solutions, as well as increasing the ability of citizens and EU businesses to take the driving seat of their energy future through prosumer and energy communities’ development, are important elements of the clean energy package, and should find their place in the NECPs. 
• A structured and continuous stakeholder consultation process at all levels, involving citizens, communities, cities, industry, NGOs and others, strengthens the credibility and fosters acceptance of the NECPs and their concrete implementation throughout the entire economy and society. 
• Climate and energy policies are an opportunity for industrial competitiveness, innovation and growth and should be seen as as such in the finalisation process of NECPs. NECPs should clearly integrate this dimension and foster investment signals and incentives as part of an integrated industrial strategy fit for the 21st century. 

2019 remains key in stepping up both ambition and content of the NECPs, which are crucial to successfully implementing the Clean Energy Package for all Europeans, to reach and even surpass the 2030 targets, and to prepare the road to a 2050 climate neutral Europe. 

Please download the position paper in full above.