NECP

The National Energy and Climate Plan

The NECP defines the policies and measures needed for each European Union Member State to achieve their energy and climate targets.

The NECP provides a framework for Member States to implement their emission reduction commitments for a ten-year period. These must be aligned with their ‘Nationally Determined Contributions’ (NDC’s) under the Paris Agreement.

The EU and its Member States jointly signed and ratified the Paris Agreement. This means that they have collective climate targets defined through a joint NDC. One of these targets is that by 2030 they will reduce their emissions by at least 55% (compared to 1990 levels). The guidelines to achieve this are detailed in the Fit for 55 package. Therefore, NECPs should include the Member State’s strategy to align with the EU’s collective target for 2030, as well as achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

NECPs hold particular significance for countries like Italy that lack climate policy governance.

Italy submitted a draft update of its NECP to the European Commission last July. However, this contained some elements that undermine the Plan’s efficacy and ambition, since it includes policies and measures which are only accompanied by brief descriptions. The Plan emphasises what should be done, but it does not outline how its targets will be achieved. This observation was highlighted by the European Commission in their evaluation of Italy’s Plan.

We have developed a scenario which covers the four macro-sectors of energy generation and use. These sectors are the power sector, building sector, manufacturing industry, and transport.

In our analyses we have outlined a plan for action that provides guidelines for an alternative approach and concrete proposals which will enhance the efficacy and ambition of the Plan.