In the package of infractions for the month of November, the community executive indicates that it has initiated proceedings against Portugal, as well as Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Cyprus, Malta, Austria, Poland, Slovenia and Slovakia.

These countries were sent notification letters “for failing to submit their updated final national energy and climate plans in accordance with the Regulation on the Governance of the Energy and Climate Action Union”.

Countries had until June 30, 2024, to submit their national energy and climate plans.

According to Brussels, these plans “are crucial instruments to ensure that Member States define a concrete roadmap to achieve the EU’s agreed objectives in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy and energy efficiency, among others”.

“They are also fundamental for the European Commission to assess the collective situation of Member States in terms of ambition in relation to the EU's climate and energy objectives for 2030”, highlights the institution.

However, to date, the European Commission has only received 14 final plans, with those from these 13 countries missing.

For not having “fulfilled their obligation”, following this new action by Brussels, the 13 Member States in question now have two months to respond.