Struggling for a Voice: The Mixed Reality of Public Participation in National Energy and Climate Plans
Posted on March, 27 2025
The EU will not reach climate neutrality by chance - it will require thorough planning. National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) are a central strategic tool in this regard, laying out key reforms at national level for achieving climate and energy targets, mobilising crucial investments and reducing our dependence on imported fossil fuels.
In 2023 and 2024, EU Member States were tasked to update their NECPs and outline their reforms to achieve their climate and energy objectives by 2030. Planning the fundamental reforms that will directly affect the ways of life of millions of European citizens cannot take place in an ivory tower. Given the scale and pace of climate action that is required, citizens and stakeholders must be consulted and participate meaningfully in the elaboration of NECPs – or else the plans will not be successful and widely supported.
According to the Governance Regulation and in line with the requirements of the Aarhus Convention, Member States have the obligation to organise early and effective public consultations prior to the submission of draft and final NECPs. These instruments lay out precise legal obligations for public participation during the updating of the NECPs.
In practice, the reality has been quite different. Member States have the obligation to report on their public consultation process in their final revised NECP.
In this briefing, CAN Europe and WWF offer an analysis based on the views of other actors on the organisation of public consultations in the NECPs revision process:
According to the Governance Regulation and in line with the requirements of the Aarhus Convention, Member States have the obligation to organise early and effective public consultations prior to the submission of draft and final NECPs. These instruments lay out precise legal obligations for public participation during the updating of the NECPs.
In practice, the reality has been quite different. Member States have the obligation to report on their public consultation process in their final revised NECP.
In this briefing, CAN Europe and WWF offer an analysis based on the views of other actors on the organisation of public consultations in the NECPs revision process:
