VEKA: ‘Flemish coalition agreement insufficient to achieve climate goals by 2030’

According to the latest evaluation report from the Flemish Energy and Climate Agency (Vlaams Energie- en KlimaatAgentschap, VEKA), the climate measures of the Flemish coalition agreement are insufficient to achieve the Flemish emission reduction target by 2030.

With the new measures, Flanders is heading for a 33.2 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2005. It has imposed a 40 percent reduction on itself, while the EU expects a 47% reduction.

Higher emission levels

According to calculations, total emissions in Flanders in 2030 would amount to 33.6 Mton CO2 equivalent. That is 3.4 Mton higher than the 30.2 Mton that Flanders has imposed on itself and 17.6 Mton higher than the 47 percent reduction the European Union imposes on our country.

However, VEKA points out that not all measures from the Flemish coalition agreement have yet been included, such as partially reversing the complete switch to electric commercial vehicles.

‘Wake-up call’

If Flanders – and Belgium – do not meet the reduction target of -47 percent imposed by the European Union by 2030, ESR rights must be purchased from other countries. Because only a few countries will achieve their targets, the cost will probably be high, VEKA concludes.

Environmental organization Bond Beter Leefmilieu calls on the Flemish government to use this ‘wake-up call’ to “finally implement effective climate policy in all sectors, to rid us of fossil fuels at breakneck speed.”

‘Embarrassing’

The Green political party, in turn, states that the current government is “simply not pursuing a climate policy”. “This government cannot even achieve its own low ambition of a 40 percent reduction in CO2 emissions. Let alone achieve the 47 percent target that Europe expects from us. That is downright embarrassing and completely irresponsible. This government is playing with the future of this and subsequent generations.”