EU Member States are currently finalising their National Social Climate Plans (NSCP) to access the €86.7 billion Social Climate Fund by 1 January 2026 aimed at supporting vulnerable groups ahead of the introduction of the new Emissions Trading System for transport and heating (ETS2) in 2027.

Several EU entities lead by REScoop.eu have joined efforts to develop a briefing titled “Race to the top: Reform and investment proposals for the Social Climate Plans”, assessing the reforms and investments proposed so far by various Member States. It also highlights the best and worst practices of stakeholder inclusion, effective targeting of beneficiaries, and policy coherence and funding mobilisation, based on four guiding principles and a list of criteria endorsed by civil society groups to promote more inclusive and effective planning.

The Social Climate Plans of 19 Member States were analysed, showing that despite some positive strides, more ambition and transformational action is needed:
-Avoid false solutions like hybrid cars and hybrid heating systems
-Promote empowering measures, like energy communities
-Put in place a national monitoring committee to oversee the plan’s implementation

Pedro Palma analysed the Portuguese NSCP and highlights three main points:
-Important structural measures like building renovation, EE promotion, and community-based decentralised energy models are supported, but historic bottlenecks are not addressed
-Despite increased funding and expanded eligibility criteria, it still falls short of achieving a deep transformation and supporting the majority of vulnerable families
-A continuous engagement and participation of stakeholders must be guaranteed for a democratic and transparent NSCP that ensures a just energy transition