The European Commission on Wednesday opened an infringement procedure against Croatia for failing to submit a report on the progress the country has made towards meeting its energy efficiency targets. The report was due to be sent by until end of April 2019.

“The European Commission decided today to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Croatia for failing to comply with their obligation to report on progress towards meeting its national energy efficiency targets,” the European Commission said in a press release.

Croatia has not yet submitted its 2019 annual progress report as required by the EU's Energy Efficiency Directive. Without the report, the European Commission cannot track the progress of member countries in reaching the EU's 2020 energy efficiency targets, a key goal in combating climate change.

Once a month the European Commission reports on infringement procedures against any EU country that fails to implement EU directives. In extreme cases, the Commission may refer the issue to the EU's Court of Justice, which can potentially impose penalties for the country in question.

The EU as a bloc has set three energy goals for 2020, which include curring greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent, increasing the share of renewables in total energy usage by 20 percent, and cutting the overall energy use by 20 percent – all of these compared to their 1990 levels.

Former European Commissioner for energy, Maros Sefcovic, said in January 2018 that Croatia had already met its 2020 targets, but warned that more should be done to progress towards targets set for 2030. He added that Croatia has the potential to triple its wind and solar energy production.

In the longer term, more ambitious goals have been set for 2030, which include further cuts in emissions by 40 percent compared to 1990, increase in share of renewables by 27 percent, and cutting energy usage by 27 percent.

Once a month the European Commission reports on infringement procedures against any EU country that fails to implement EU directives. In extreme cases, the Commission may refer the issue to the EU's Court of Justice, which can potentially impose penalties for the country in question.