The new regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action is a key element for controlling European and national energy and climate policies in the next decade. In the absence of nationally binding targets for renewable energies and energy efficiency, the regulation should contribute to the achievement of the targets set at European level. Member States have to establish an Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan, which contains the contributions to the European overall targets and information on the measures concerning national energy and climate policy. A ‘gap-filling-mechanism’ ensures that gaps are closed that may arise due to a lack of ambition in the preparation and implementation of the plans. The European Commission is authorized to make non-binding recommendations to Member States. The following paper describes the process and functioning of the new governance system. It outlines how the ‘gap-filling-mechanism’ works, including the possibility of infringement proceedings. Furthermore, it proposes to link the new governance system on national level with the planned German Federal Climate Protection Act.