The Flemish Government approves additional climate measures: do more for less CO2

On Thursday, the Flemish Government approved an important package of additional climate measures. In total, 40 additional measures were decided upon, on top of the Flemish Energy and Climate Plan of two years ago, which already provided for 350 ambitious measures. The Flemish ministers have agreed that Flanders will emit 40% less CO2 by the year 2030 compared to 2005. And not unimportantly: we do not do this by conjuring up castles in the air, but with sensible measures.

“No one expects a standing ovation for our decisions; they are ultimately hard nuts to crack, but we are now doing what we have to do. Politicians must not shy away from difficult decisions. It’s better to take difficult decisions than to make empty promises. That is our ambition, and we are achieving it today,” coordinating minister Zuhal Demir says.

Government sets a good example

This Flemish policy is in stark contrast to the federal Vivaldi policy that will increase CO2 emissions by closing nuclear power plants and opening gas-powered plants. For example, Flanders has opted to stop as many subsidies as possible that go towards fossil fuels in order to lower the electricity bill and to support the energy transition. The government will also continue to set a good example, for example, by making De Lijn’s fleet greener and investing heavily in cycling infrastructure and renovating its own buildings. Furthermore, extra climate measures are being taken in those sectors where Flanders has the greatest impact: transport, buildings, agriculture and the sectors which do not fall under the European Emission Trading System (ETS).