EASAC Feedback on the Review of the EU Governance Regulation on the Energy Union and Climate Action

Europe’s national academies of science work through EASAC to produce independent, science-based advice on policies to maximise the security, sustainability and affordability of Europe’s energy supplies. The EASAC Energy Steering Panel welcomes the European Commission’s initiative to review the Governance Regulation on the Energy Union and Climate Action and submits the following evidence, drawing on its published scientific advisory reports.

1. Support for the governance framework

EASAC has consistently affirmed that governance in the energy sector is crucial during the current period of deep structural change. EASAC reaffirms the essential importance of a holistic legislative framework, such as the Governance Regulation, that creates a supportive backdrop for investment in climate change mitigation and adaptation, and requires Member States (MS) to address energy security, sustainability, and affordability in their NECPs, including geopolitical considerations. Here, coordination across energy, environmental, industrial and security policy domains is also vital, as energy policy is strongly intertwined with industrial developments and it impacts environmental and security considerations.

2. Strengthening NECP quality and common reporting structure

The large number of identified barriers to energy system integration confirms that further action by MS is needed through stronger national energy and climate plans. A key structural weakness identified by EASAC is that MS reporting on energy security in NECPs lacks a common structure, making EU-level progress assessment difficult. EASAC recommends that MS report on their progress towards agreed energy security targets using specific criteria to make their implementation of energy security policies more visible. These could include, for example, the criteria and benchmarks contained in the Net Zero Industries Act (EU manufacturing capacity of strategic net-zero technologies), and in the Critical Raw Materials Act (extraction capacity, processing capacity and recycling capacity of SRMs), as well as on the diversity of fuel and technology suppliers, and storage capacities for sustainable fuels.

3. Addressing slow policy implementation

EASAC notes with concern that the Commission's own NECP assessments demonstrate that policy implementation is slow and challenging in many MS. The Commission has also reported that most updated plans lack detailed plans for the bioenergy sector. The revised Regulation must strengthen enforcement mechanisms and accountability to address this persistent gap.

4. Energy poverty: common definitions and comparative analysis

The Governance Regulation and NECPs already require MS to report on energy poverty, but a wide diversity of approaches persists, and more needs to be done. EASAC recommends that the revised Regulation require MS to use a common definition and criteria when reporting on energy poverty in NECPs, consistent with other EU policy instruments. The EU institutions should publish a comparative analysis of energy poverty reports across NECPs, including details of support schemes, budgets, and numbers of vulnerable households addressed, so that overall progress in reducing energy poverty can be properly monitored.

Conclusion

The Governance Regulation and NECPs remain indispensable tools for Europe's energy transition. EASAC urges the Commission to use this revision to enforce common reporting standards, strengthen accountability, and address energy poverty systematically. EASAC stands ready to provide further scientific input to support this process.

Sources

• EASAC Commentary: “Energy System Integration” [forthcoming April 2026].

• EASAC Report: Security of Sustainable Energy Supplies (2025).

• EASAC Report: The Future of Gas (2023).