Monthly National Update: October
In October, project countries experienced growing political uncertainty around ETS2, SCPs, and wider climate policymaking. In Hungary, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán publicly stated that the country “does not need EU money” and would instead rely on US financial support, while large amounts of public spending continued to push the budget into significant deficit ahead of the April 2026 elections. Clean Air Action Group focused on coordination with EU- and national-level partners, meeting with MEPs, civil society members of Monitoring Committees, and German and French ambassadors, while also preparing new publications and running a small Facebook campaign on affordable ways to reduce heating bills.
Latvia saw a broader populist wave affecting policymaking and civil society space, with attacks on basic rights and calls to cut NGO funding. Political instability is growing, with the governing coalition at risk of collapse before the spring 2026 elections. The Ministry of Climate and Energy celebrated Latvia’s role in postponing ETS2, while the long-discussed Transport Energy Law continued to face opposition in Parliament, which argues that decarbonisation targets are unrealistic. NGOs prepared for the Commission’s upcoming comments on the NSCP and organised strategic meetings to coordinate national responses.
In Bulgaria, no new political signals were given on ETS2, the SCP, or the NECP. Public discussion instead centred on ongoing work with institutions and the outcomes of a public event on democratising just transitions. Partners also exchanged insights on challenges with grant-based energy efficiency schemes and prepared inputs for the next thematic report.
Slovenia moved forward with key processes: the national SCP entered public consultation, and Umanotera held the first NGO workshop on November 5. Meetings with the ministry and the Commission focused on the Climate Fund programme and ETS2 implementation. NGOs concentrated on preparing contributions to the NSCP consultation and advocating for improvements to the planned voucher system, including assessing likely fuel price changes under different ETS2 carbon price levels.
Romania moved forward with preparations for ETS2 and the SCP as the National SCP was published on the Ministry of Investments and EU Projects website and the public consultation opened, with comments due by 1 December. NGO work focused on analysing the NSCP, engaging stakeholders, participating in regional radio and TV, and joining the Just Transition working group’s evaluation meeting. Partners also planned upcoming advocacy, including a meeting with the head of the Parliament’s Environmental Commission and participation in the Odorheiu Secuiesc conference, while continuing to prepare NSCP comments, contribute to the second thematic report, explore common advocacy opportunities, and develop new articles.
Across the region, October was defined by delayed political decisions, pressure on public budgets, and growing populist narratives. Civil society responded with coordination efforts, communication activities, and preparations for the next phase of SCP and ETS2 implementation work, aiming to protect social fairness and ensure meaningful public participation.
Photo: Randi Tarampi/Unsplash
