Germany presents patchy climate plan draft to European Commission - report

The German government has presented an incomplete National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) draft to the European Commission at the last minute and quietly published it online, reports Jakob Schlandt in the energy news service Tagesspiegel Background. The 140-page document does not do justice to its importance by stating it is only “provisional,” and listing five problem areas where the strategy for emissions reduction remains unclear, such as efficiency and power grid extensions, writes Schlandt. All EU member states were required to present a first draft by the end of 2018, and have to send in their final version by 31 December 2019. The report also says that final targets can only be specified once the conclusions of the coal exit commission and the task force on transport are available. Schlandt says the report remains vague in many sections, in contrast to the European Commission’s call for substantial proposals that can be evaluated.