National Energy and Climate Plans: how to deliver zero emission transport

NECPs are 10-years planning tools (2021 to 2030) with which member states define how they are going to contribute to the achievement of the European Union’s climate and energy objectives and which policies and measures they will put in place to reach those objectives.

Following the ramp-up of the EU’s climate ambition (EU Climate Law, Fit for 55), EU countries are called to refresh their National Energy and Climate Plans with a first draft to be submitted to the European Commission by the end of June 2023.

Transport & Environment has put together the essential actions that member states should plan in their new NECPs to align with the EU’s new climate ambitions and deliver a zero emission transport sector.

Transport is the largest source of GHG emissions in the EU and its member states and must decarbonise faster

Between 2013 and 2019 emissions of transport have increased steadily. Among domestic transport modes, domestic navigation and railways are the only two that have cut their emissions since 1990. Projections show that without additional and timely action, emissions from the transport sector will continue growing until 2025 and still be 9% above 1990 levels in 2030. If member states don’t start prioritising aviation and maritime sectors in their national policies, the largest emission increase up to 2030 will come from these two sectors. 

Download the position paper to find out out how member states can deliver a zero emissions transport system in the NECPs.