Joint paper: The success of the European Green Deal depends on its national ownership

Robust national climate governance can foster the enabling conditions for national leadership in delivering the EU’s objectives on climate neutrality and the rule of law. Failing to address the national ownership gap in the ongoing “Fit for 55” negotiations exposes the EU’s climate mandate and carbon pricing mechanism to a backlash on climate actions. It could also energise opponents and destabilise political leadership when it needs to ramp up the most.

The ‘Fit for 55’ Package revises the sectoral contributions of EU countries to reducing emissions and proposes the expansion of EU carbon pricing and market. However, it neglects a critical question. Are existing EU rules governing national climate targets and arrangements for policy management still fit for purpose?