Portugal did not comply with recommendations from the European Commission on fossil fuels

Portugal did not comply with the European Commission’s recommendations to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies by 2030, a report concluded on Wednesday.

According to the Community Executive’s evaluation to the National Energy and Climate Plans (PNEC), Portugal « did not respond » to three recommendations of the institution, one of which on fossil fuels.

« The plan recognizes the need to eliminate subsidies to fossil fuels by 2030, in accordance with international commitments, but does not have specific measures or a clear schedule for this, » says the institution, adding that, as regards the financing of energy and climate transition, the Portugal plan « does not present data on investment needs, although describing the main sources of financing generically. »

The European Commission also states that Portugal « does not explain how the measures will mobilize private investments nor includes a division between public and private investment and, in general, information is insufficient to evaluate the possible financing deficit or how it would be collected. »

In this sense, “the commission encourages Portugal to ensure a full and complete implementation of the updated PNEC”.