Flemish government abolishes climate adaptation plan
On Tuesday, during a parliamentary committee session, Environment minister Jo Brouns (CD&V) confirmed that the Flemish government had decided to abolish its Climate Adaptation Plan. Brouns said that no new plan would be introduced, instead arguing that climate adaptation measures should be integrated into existing initiatives, such as the Blue Deal.
The original Flemish Climate Adaptation Plan, adopted in 2022, aimed to prepare the region for the impacts of climate change by 2050. The Green party, Groen, had already criticised the government for progressively reducing its budget.
Brouns has now stated that the "new climate adaptation plan will take a different form" and will be "aligned with broader Flemish policy initiatives". He dismissed the idea of creating additional plans just for the sake of it, saying there was a need to avoid duplication and fragmented communication.
Blue Deal as cornerstone
The Environment minister emphasised that the Blue Deal, a framework of pilot projects designed to make Flanders more resilient to heavier rainfall and longer periods of drought, will remain the cornerstone of future adaptation policy.
Despite its reputation for wet weather, Flanders has one of the lowest levels of available freshwater per capita in Europe, even less than in southern Spain. As little rainwater seeps into the soil, much is lost through sewers and waterways, resulting in alternating shortages and floods. Five years after the launch of the Blue Deal, Flanders remains highly vulnerable to drought.
We’re back to square one
"It is your responsibility to shape the adaptation strategy," responded Groen leader Mieke Schauvliege. "All you say is, 'We have the Blue Deal'. I hear no commitment. There is no plan and no follow-up. It's just a repeat of what was done before. We’re back to square one.”
Even opposition MP Leo Pieters (Vlaams Belang) supported the call for a new adaptation plan, adding: “The old plan had its flaws, but we still believe adaptation is essential.”
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS
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