EU climate deal abstention has hurt Belgium's credibility, Climate minister says
Federal Climate minister Jean-Luc Crucke expressed disappointment on Wednesday after Belgium abstained from voting on the EU's new 2040 climate target. He called the move "a political setback" that weakens Belgium’s global influence and credibility.
After lengthy negotiations, European environment ministers agreed early on Wednesday on a 90 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, compared to 1990 levels. Belgium abstained due to internal divisions between its federal and regional governments.
"By refusing to be ambitious, Belgium is depriving itself of influence," said Crucke of Les Engagés in a statement, describing the outcome as "a regrettable result". He warned that Belgium had effectively aligned itself with "the least ambitious countries", such as Poland, Hungary and Slovakia.
Flemish Climate minister Melissa Depraetere of Vooruit echoed Crucke's disappointment in Flemish parliament on Wednesday. According to Depraetere, the proposal on the table met the three conditions set by the Flemish government: protecting purchasing power, capping energy prices and maintaining industrial competitiveness. Nevertheless, a deal could never be reached.
Both ministers said a certain faction within the government had blocked the deal from being reached, referring to prime minister Bart De Wever's N-VA. According to N-VA MP Andries Gryffroy, the decision not to back the plan was "collegially decided" within the Flemish government.
"There are insufficient supporting measures to protect European industry and safeguard citizens' purchasing power," Gryffroy said on Wednesday.
Depraetere disputes that interpretation, and stressed that Flanders will still have to implement the 90 per cent reduction target regardless of its position in the negotiations.
"That now causes us to stand on the sidelines. We have excluded ourselves," Depraetere said. "We are missing out on billions of euros for our industry that are now heading towards Romania. Incomprehensible."
Belgium was one of just six EU member states that did not back the law's revision on Wednesday morning. Bulgaria also abstained, while Czechia, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland voted against the deal.
#FlandersNewsService | Climate minister Jean-Luc Crucke © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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