The plan is Flanders’ response to an obligation imposed by the EU to cut greenhouse gases by 15% by 2020. The EU does not say how the Belgian state is to divide that responsibility between its regional governments, but Flanders has pre-empted the discussion by enforcing 15% on themselves, thereby imposing the same obligation on Brussels and Wallonia.

Among the measures contained in the plan are:

• Tougher energy standards for new home, office and school constructions, as well as premiums for renovation work, in an effort to cut greenhouse gas emissions

• Tackling energy consumption in schools, making social housing more energy efficient and employing energy consultants in a variety of areas

• New rules to limit leaks of fluorinated gas (which are particularly harmful to the ozone layer) by industrial cooling plants

• A pilot project with public transport authority De Lijn to run minibuses powered by biogas

The programme also stresses the contribution that can be made by members of the public. According to a recent study by the EU, choices for healthier and more balanced diets, smaller cars, tele-working and lowering the thermostat at home could account for a reduction of 600 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year by 2020 – one-quarter of all emissions.

An investment

“The measures included in the Flemish Climate Programme are investments in the Flemish green economy that will lead to more growth opportunities and more jobs,” Schauvliege said. “Our choices and our everyday behaviour are what determine to a large extent our greenhouse gas emissions. The solution begins with each of us.”

The programme of measures comes with a bill of €20 million in 2013-2014 alone, paid for by the Flemish Climate Fund, which is funded by the sale of emission licences to business. Another €16.5 million will be spent on buying up licences in order to close the gap created in 2008-2013 between the real situation and Kyoto targets.

The above aspects come under what the government calls its mitigation plan, aimed at cutting emissions. However, the programme also includes an adaptation plan, designed to tackle the actual effects of climate change. Those would, for example, include measures to deal with the rising sea level at the coast.

Meanwhile the opposition in the Flemish parliament criticised the plan. “This policy can no longer be taken seriously,” said Groen member Hermes Sanctorum, noting that the programme was not ambitious enough. “The Flemish government has completely failed.”

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