Policy Brief: With the deadline near, Local Governments still left out of national Social Climate Plans

As the deadline to submit national Social Climate Plans approaches, local and regional authorities remain largely excluded from planning processes—despite legal obligations for their involvement. A new policy brief by eight major networks urges Member States and the European Commission to course-correct before it’s too late.

Illustration : Local Alliance

The EU Social Climate Fund (SCF) is a key instrument to mitigate the social impacts of the new Emissions Trading System (ETS2), which will apply carbon pricing to buildings, road transport, and small industries. Between 2026 and 2032, the SCF will channel €86 billion into targeted measures like energy efficiency, sustainable transport, and income support. To access this funding, Member States must submit their national Social Climate Plans (nSCPs) by 30 June 2025.

Despite clear obligations in the SCF Regulation for public consultation and multilevel governance, local and regional governments are still being inadequately involved in shaping these plans. A recent follow-up survey conducted by eight major European local government networks—ACR+, CEMR, Climate Alliance, Energy Cities, Eurocities, FEDARENE, ICLEI Europe and POLIS—reveals that engagement is limited, delayed, or irregular across most EU countries.

This lack of meaningful involvement undermines the ability of national plans to address energy and transport poverty effectively. Without the input of local actors—who hold key knowledge, competencies, and links to communities—Member States risk implementing top-down measures that miss real local needs and priorities.

The briefing includes country-level insights from: Belgium, Czechia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain, and Sweden.

As energy and transport poverty increase across Europe—especially in rural and peri-urban areas—local engagement becomes crucial to ensure that support measures reach the most vulnerable. The policy brief calls for:

  • Stronger multilevel governance in both planning and implementation
  • Alignment with local strategies like SECAPs and SUMPs
  • Funding for local governments and investment in municipal capacity

It also warns that the upcoming EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) must learn from this process. As seen with the Recovery and Resilience Facility, failure to involve local authorities results in limited territorial ownership and poor place-based outcomes.

A just and effective transition demands inclusive, territorially responsive governance. The EU and its Member States must act urgently to bring local and regional governments to the table—not just for better outcomes, but to uphold democratic legitimacy and public trust in the green transition.

Read the Policy Briefing