How to make Member States set ambitious national contributions to EU targets on energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy?

ClientEarth argues that the most effective way to ensure EU 2030 energy and climate targets are met is through binding national targets enshrined in EU law. As an alternative, the organization suggests using non-binding reference values (benchmarks) linked to EU funding incentives to encourage high ambition. The document also recommends strengthening the role of the European Environmental Agency in assessing national plans and clarifying the Commission's enforcement powers when Member States fail to follow recommendations.

• Binding national targets for renewable energy and energy efficiency in EU legislation are the most reliable method to achieve 2030 targets and the only way to enable an effective EU enforcement system for non-compliance.
• To prevent late-stage failures in meeting 2030 goals, national binding targets should be supported by binding mid-term targets for 2023 and 2028, aligned with Paris Agreement milestones.
• If binding targets are not adopted, the EU should use non-binding reference values (benchmarks) to guide Member States and allow the Commission to assess the ambition of national contributions.
• High ambition in National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) should be incentivized by linking it to EU fund allocations, such as making ambition an ex-ante condition for regional policy or creating a special performance reserve.
• The European Environmental Agency's role should be expanded to include involvement in the drafting and assessment of NECPs, with its analysis criteria and results made public.
• The EU Governance Regulation needs clearer definitions of 'measures at EU level' to be taken when national efforts are insufficient, specifically including financial measures and not just new legislation.

APA

ClientEarth (2017). How to make Member States set ambitious national contributions to EU targets on energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy? https://www.clientearth.org/media/0lpokncg/how-to-make-member-states-set-ambitious-energy-efficiency-and-renewables-targets-ce-en.pdf

Chicago

ClientEarth. How to make Member States set ambitious national contributions to EU targets on energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy? 2017. https://www.clientearth.org/media/0lpokncg/how-to-make-member-states-set-ambitious-energy-efficiency-and-renewables-targets-ce-en.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=ClientEarth |title=How to make Member States set ambitious national contributions to EU targets on energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy? |date=29 May 2017 |url=https://www.clientearth.org/media/0lpokncg/how-to-make-member-states-set-ambitious-energy-efficiency-and-renewables-targets-ce-en.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{clientearth2017how, author = {{ClientEarth}}, title = {{How to make Member States set ambitious national contributions to EU targets on energy efficiency and renewable sources of energy?}}, publisher = {ClientEarth}, year = {2017}, month = may, url = {https://www.clientearth.org/media/0lpokncg/how-to-make-member-states-set-ambitious-energy-efficiency-and-renewables-targets-ce-en.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }