The period covered by the 1997 Kyoto protocol ends in 2012, and the new policy aims to carry on the work. Schauvliege is guardedly optimistic about Flanders’ contribution to the global effort. “The most recent figures from 2009 show we are meeting our targets,” she said, “though we can expect less positive results for the years after that, largely as a result of the economic difficulties that followed.”

According to the figures, more than 90% of the 120 measures set out in the climate action plan for 2005 to 2012 are on course. “Extra effort will be needed post-Kyoto, from 2013, to achieve results that are affordable and sustainable,” the minister said.

The new policy will concentrate on those sectors of the economy not covered by the European Union’s Emission Trading Scheme (ETS): buildings and construction, transport, agriculture and forestry and some parts of industry and energy production.

“From 2012, we will be faced with tougher reduction requirements,” Schauvliege explained. “In the non-ETS sectors, Belgium has to reduce its emissions by 15% from the levels of 2005. That target has to be shared between the federal government and the regions, and the success or otherwise of achieving it will, as during the current Kyoto period, have financial consequences.”

A team effort

The new policy covers mitigation of climate change – ways to prevent it happening to the extent possible. Last May, Schauvliege presented the government’s plans for adaptation – the measures needed to deal with the effects that are already showing. Some of those, such as measures to cope with flooding in parts of Flanders, are already being put into place.

Mitigation efforts, according to Bob Nieuwjaers, head of the government’s department for air, nuisance, risk assessment, environment and health, will require the participation of the whole Flemish government, not only the environment ministry. Policy on agriculture, for example, involves not only agriculture minister Kris Peeters but also the ministers for innovation (Ingrid Lieten), energy (Freya Van den Bossche) and the environment (Schauvliege). For policy on buildings, every minister in the government will have a share of responsibility, from economy (Kris Peeters again) to health (Jo Vandeurzen).

“In the end, we have to dare to look further than 2020 and take a long-term view in the Flanders climate plan,” Schauvliege said. “In order to avoid runaway climate change, worldwide emissions have to be cut by 50% by 2050, in comparison with 1990 figures. The EU Commission in its Roadmap 2050 has set out a path to reduction with 10 annual milestones: minus 40% by 2030, minus 60% by 2040, until by 2050 European emissions are reduced by 80%. Our mitigation plan for 2013 to 2020 will help us move in the right direction towards a low-emission economy.”

The next step will be the start of a series of round-table conferences for each of the sectors affected by the plan, starting in December in Ghent with a conference on the energy performance of buildings, chaired by Van den Bossche. Conferences on agriculture, transport and non-ETS industry will follow into the spring.

Whatever the outcome in Durban, Schauvliege said, “Flanders will keep on working towards a binding multilateral climate agreement. However, we do not intend to wait for a global accord before taking action ourselves.

www.lne.be/themas/klimaatverandering