Remarks by Commissioner Hoekstra on the National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) during the Environment Council

Remarks by Hoekstra on NECPs during ENVI Council

Thank you very much Teresa, and indeed a very good moment to take stock and talk a bit about the way forward.

Let me start by thanking the member states for the tremendous work and effort that has gone into the draft NECP's.

A lot has been done, a lot of ground has been covered, and that brings us at 51% of where we should be, and not at the 55%.

So on the one hand, we have covered a lot of terrain, on the other hand, it is also fair to say that there is a bit more that we need to do for a range of countries in terms of updating, adjusting and further enhancing our NECPs.

As many of you have also acknowledged to me in our one-on-one conversations, that is very much doable, and very much achievable.

The Commission, and of course myself, we stand very much ready to continue the dialogue and see how we make sure that in the next six months, we articulate what is needed.

And we articulate what is needed in terms of renewable energy, energy-intensive industries, energy efficiency, transport, and farming.

If we get this right, and I'm sure we will get this right, it helps on a couple dimensions.

It helps to show that after COP, we are also delivering on what we promised to do back home, even though in many ways we are of course far ahead of the curve in terms of our own transition.

Secondly, if we manage to embark at this, I'm sure it will also give a boost to industry, to technology, and to the economy. I think that is very important as well.

Third, what is important is that if we pull this off, we bring this together, we will not only take a strong additional step in terms of advancing our climate goals, we also give the predictability that so many citizens and so many companies actually ask us to deliver on. And that is very important.

All in all, a lot of work has been done. A bit of work is also still on the table, and I'm very much looking forward to working with all of you in closing the outstanding issues and remaining gaps.

Thank you.