Monthly National Update: June
Developments across Central and Eastern Europe in June highlighted the growing contrast between countries making gradual progress on ETS2 implementation and Social Climate Plans (SCPs), and those where political priorities or institutional uncertainty continue to slow preparations. At the same time, governments increasingly turned their attention to wider energy security and public funding issues, while civil society organisations intensified advocacy efforts ahead of important discussions on the future EU budget and climate policy.
Several countries continued advancing the legislative and administrative work needed to implement ETS2 and access European funding. In Hungary, additional legislative amendments required for unlocking Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) funding were approved, while policymakers also focused on responding to the impacts of the extreme summer heatwave and reviewing national energy storage programmes. In Bulgaria, work continued on the legislative framework for ETS2 transposition, alongside preparations of the third version of the Social Climate Plan following extensive exchanges with the European Commission. Progress was also made on the revised National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), which completed its environmental impact assessment hearing and is expected to receive government approval shortly. Romania likewise continued preparations of its Social Climate Plan, aiming for submission to the European Commission later this year, while also beginning preparations for the next EU programming period through newly established regional working groups.
Elsewhere, progress remained slower. In Poland, the government formally approved the revised National Energy and Climate Plan, but no visible progress was made on either ETS2 implementation or the Social Climate Plan. Meanwhile, the end of the fuel tax reduction scheme on 1 July resulted in fuel price increases broadly comparable to those expected under ETS2, providing a real-world example of how fossil fuel price fluctuations can affect consumers independently of EU climate policies. In Slovenia, the newly formed government continued to signal that climate policy is no longer among its priorities. Institutional changes have reduced the political visibility of climate issues, while the country is still awaiting feedback from the European Commission on its Social Climate Plan. At the same time, the government increased regulated profit margins for fossil fuel distributors while maintaining excise duties at their minimum level. In Latvia, work continued on the country’s long-term building renovation plan, which is expected to be finalised by the end of the year and is seen as an important opportunity to strengthen support for energy-efficient housing.
Against this backdrop, project partners continued their advocacy and stakeholder engagement activities across the region. In Hungary, the Assessment of the Performance Regulation was disseminated to Members of the European Parliament, while discussions with policymakers increasingly focused on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), national budget priorities, and preparations for the National Restoration and Resilience Plan. Bulgarian partners maintained close exchanges with national NGOs during the preparation of the Social Climate Plan, while also contributing to the third thematic report and preparations for the project’s final conference in Brussels. In Latvia, Green Liberty engaged with policymakers on the national renovation plan, submitting recommendations that call for a dedicated EU financing programme to accelerate building renovation and improve access to energy efficiency investments.
Civil society organisations also continued raising public awareness of the social dimension of climate policies. In Romania, partners participated in media activities explaining ETS2 and the Social Climate Plan while engaging in regional planning processes linked to the Just Transition initiative. In Slovenia, communication activities centred on the third thematic report, complemented by advocacy materials on fuel taxation, regulated profit margins, and policy responses to energy price volatility. In Poland, environmental organisations continued urging the government to accelerate preparation of the Social Climate Plan and proposed financing it through a windfall tax on fossil fuel companies, although these calls have so far received no official response. To mark one year since the deadline for submitting national Social Climate Plans, partners also organised a public awareness campaign highlighting the lack of progress.
At the European level, advocacy increasingly focused on strengthening public support for ETS2 while ensuring that its social dimension remains central. Together with Carbon Market Watch and other partner organisations, the European Environmental Bureau launched a new petition, Leave Fossil Fuels Behind, Not People, calling for fair implementation of ETS2 alongside adequate social protection. This was accompanied by a coordinated social media campaign marking the first anniversary of the deadline for submitting national Social Climate Plans. Across the partnership, preparations also intensified for the upcoming Brussels conference and the fourth thematic report, while organisations began positioning themselves for discussions on the next Multiannual Financial Framework and the future revision of the EU Emissions Trading System.
Overall, June demonstrated that while technical preparations for ETS2 and Social Climate Plans continue to advance in several countries, political commitment remains uneven across the region. As governments increasingly balance climate objectives with concerns over energy affordability, public finances, and competitiveness, civil society organisations continue working to ensure that the transition remains socially fair, well financed, and supported by transparent and effective public policies.
Photo: Patrick Perkins/Unsplash
