August brought important developments for both the implementation and future direction of European climate policy. Across Central and Eastern Europe, governments continued working on Social Climate Plans, EU funding and energy policy, but progress remained uneven. At the same time, concerns over energy affordability, economic competitiveness and energy security continued to shape national debates. At […]
Developments across Central and Eastern Europe in July showed how energy security, extreme weather, and concerns over energy prices are increasingly influencing discussions around climate policy. While some countries moved forward with Social Climate Plan (SCP) preparations and access to EU funding, political resistance to ETS2 remained strong in parts of the region. At the […]
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 […]
Political developments across Central and Eastern Europe continue to shape the implementation of climate and energy policies, particularly regarding ETS2, Social Climate Plans (SCPs), national recovery funding, and preparations for the next EU budget cycle. Several countries in the region have recently experienced political transitions. In Hungary, a new government took office in May, prioritising […]
Recent political developments across Central and Eastern Europe are increasingly shaping the future of climate and energy policy, particularly around ETS2, Social Climate Plans (SCPs), and public funding priorities. In Hungary, the opposition TISZA party led by Péter Magyar won the parliamentary elections with a constitutional majority, ending Viktor Orbán’s 16-year period in power. The […]
March developments across partner countries were strongly influenced by elections, rising energy prices, and ongoing debates around ETS2, with governments and civil society responding in different ways. In Hungary, the pre-election period ahead of 12 April has intensified political focus on fuel price caps, energy security, and affordability. Civil society has remained active through policy […]
Across Latvia, Bulgaria, Poland, Slovenia, and Romania, progress on key EU climate and social policy instruments—particularly ETS2, Social Climate Plans (SCPs), and NECPs—remains uneven and closely tied to national political and funding dynamics. In Latvia, preparations continue, but a notable policy shift is underway as Green Public Procurement moves from mandatory to voluntary criteria. Civil […]
As the 2026 begins, NGOs across the region emphasized inclusive public participation, transparent monitoring, and coalition-building to maintain momentum for climate and social policies amid election-driven uncertainties and fiscal challenges. In Hungary, the government intensified its election campaign by legally challenging the EU’s decision to phase out Russian oil and gas imports. Meanwhile, the Clean […]
As 2025 ends, preparations for the Social Climate Fund (SCF) and the Emissions Trading System 2 (ETS2) continue to shape climate policy discussions across the region. Several countries are revising their Social Climate Plans in response to feedback from the European Commission, though specifics of these adjustments often remain undisclosed, keeping civil society organizations vigilant […]
November was a quiet month for official decisions, with many governments focused on budget problems and upcoming political deadlines. In some countries, rising deficits created uncertainty about how already-approved climate measures will be carried out. New laws and policy signals appeared in places, but they did not change the overall direction on ETS2 or the […]