Unprecedented figures after three years of the Blue Deal: 9,500 Olympic swimming pools of treated wastewater, among other things

6,000 hectares of wetlands, 88 kilometres of watercourse redevelopment, 9,4 billion litres less loss through leakage, an additional 23,8 billion litres reused after treatment of wastewater, 113 hectares of infiltration, 560 weirs in agricultural areas, 4 to 8 billion litres of additional reused rainwater: after three years of the Blue Deal, the results are astonishing. “The road is still long, but the Blue Deal is making unprecedented progress, with structural effects throughout Flanders,” says Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir.

Almost three years ago, Flemish environment minister Zuhal Demir launched her Blue Deal in the fight to arm Flanders against extreme weather situations: both drought and flooding. The initial budget of EUR 75 million has since been raised to over EUR 500 million, and great strides are being made in numerous areas, which many experts also acknowledge.

Done with “figuring it out”

In addition to the good numbers, Flanders also appears to be better prepared for crisis management in the event of drought. “Done with ‘figuring it out’ when there is prolonged drought,” says Demir. An assessment framework determines which precautions can be taken depending on the situation and who gets priority for water use.

Robust legislative framework

The Blue Deal also provides a robust legislative framework, thus anchoring the objectives to protect our open space. For example, there is a decree for the protection of residential expansion areas, which protects open space from ill-considered encroachment. Zuhal Demir is also introducing planning compensation obligations for every town or municipality in Flanders. There must therefore be no net increase in definite designations. Finally, in the meantime, the shift in construction has also led to an increase in more open space.

Not for a single legislature

Finally, Demir ensured the structural anchoring of the Blue Deal in a Blue Deal decree, through which she wants to ensure continuity in the approach to drought and water scarcity. The decree requires each future Flemish government to draw up a Blue Deal with specific investments within a year of taking office. That way, the Blue Deal does not bleed to death after one legislature. That would be a historic mistake. Each subsequent Flemish Government will thus have to set not only objectives, but also the financing of specific measures.