Belgium

Belgium ranks as 37th in this year’s CCPI, down two spots and an overall low performer. The country receives a medium rating in GHG Emissions and a low in Renewable Energy, Energy Use, and Climate Policy.

Belgium intends to combine three regional climate plans (from Flanders, Wallonia, and the Brussels-Capital Region), aiming for a 42% emissions reduction by 2030. The CCPI country experts indicate this target is not consistent with the 47% reduction required under EU obligations, or the Paris Agreement’s objectives. The experts highlight insufficient long-term climate strategies, low ambition, and significant implementation gaps as key weaknesses in Belgium’s climate policy framework.

More ambition needed for renewables targets and NECP needs updating

Belgium’s energy sector is diverse, consisting mostly of nuclear power, renewable energy sources, and energy imports. The experts view the existing incentives to support renewable energy favourably, but they call for clearer and more ambitious targets, especially for renewables in the heating and cooling sectors.

In international climate policy, Belgium has shown engagement by joining the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People and pledging substantial financial contributions to international climate funds, such as US$ 390.2 million to the Green Climate Fund. Despite this activity, the experts point to regressive actions, such as Belgium’s failure to support the new European Climate Law concerning the Social Climate Fund, carbon taxation on fossil fuels, and the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

Overall, the experts emphasise the need for an updated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) aligned with EU-wide climate ambition, stronger intergovernmental coordination, and development of a comprehensive climate adaptation and resilience plan, alongside a clear timeline for phasing out fossil fuels.

Key Outcomes

CCPI experts

The following national experts agreed to be mentioned as contributors for this year’s CCPI:

• Nadia Cornejo (Greenpeace Belgium / Climate coalition Belgium)