The bickering in the Turquoise Green coalition over the Austrian climate plan now has consequences: because the plan was sent to Brussels too late, the European Commission has opened an infringement procedure – Austria is threatened with a hefty fine.
The draft National Energy and Climate Plan (NEKP), submitted in October by Minister of Climate Protection Leonore Gewessler (Greens), was withdrawn by Minister of Europe Karoline Edtstadler (ÖVP). The deadline was therefore not met.
“We are threatened with a severe punishment”
“Now our country is actually threatened with a severe punishment,” said a statement from the Ministry of Climate Protection. But this can still be prevented. “If the European ministry withdraws its unilateral objection, the procedure can be stopped again.” However, it will take some time before a fine can actually be imposed. The process consists of several phases that last months.
As a first step, Austria must now respond to the Commission’s allegations. After the deadline has expired, the Commission will issue a reasoned opinion setting a second deadline. An infringement procedure is opened when a Member State fails to comply with EU law. As a last resort, the Commission can refer the case to the European Court of Justice (ECJ).
Edtstadler refers to conversations
European Minister Edtstadler had withdrawn the plan because it was not in line with the position of the Austrian government. She said in Brussels last week that she assumed substantive discussions would take place soon, “so that a national plan can be drawn up with everyone that we can send to Brussels.”
The Ministry of Climate contradicted this statement. The draft NEKP was “developed with the involvement of the relevant ministries” and was later “unilaterally withdrawn by the European ministry,” according to a statement from Gewessler’s department. “But the central question remains: how can we make further progress on climate protection to close the existing gap with the EU target.”
The final plan must be submitted in June 2024
The committee published its assessments of 21 national energy and climate plans on Monday. All Member States must submit their final, updated plans by 30 June 2024, taking into account the Commission’s recommendations and individual assessments. The NECPs outline how member states want to achieve their 2030 energy and climate goals.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
