Greenhouse gas emissions in Flanders fall to lowest level this century
Greenhouse gas emissions in the Flemish region fell to their lowest point of this century in 2023, according to figures from Statistics Flanders. Emissions were notably lower than in 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic began, figures from the Flemish Environment Agency show.
In 2023, Flanders emitted 65.4 megatonnes of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gases, the lowest amount this century. CO2 accounted for 87 per cent of total emissions. This represents a decrease of 3.5 megatonnes of CO2 equivalent compared to 2022. Compared to 2005, emissions in 2023 were 29 per cent lower.
Following a gradual decrease between 2005 and 2014, further declines in emissions did not occur until a sharp drop in 2020. This was due to a decline in economic activity caused by the pandemic, as well as the effect of a very mild winter.
Emissions declined further in 2023, due to a continued decrease in European emissions trading combined with mild winter months.
The EU requires greenhouse gas emissions covered by the Emissions Trading System (ETS) to be 62 per cent lower than in 2005 by 2030. This target is not measured on a per-member-state basis, but rather on EU emissions as a whole. In Flanders, 40 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions are covered by the ETS.
Emissions not covered by the ETS must be reduced according to a linear decreasing path with annual reduction targets. These emissions mainly come from transport, households, trade and services, agriculture and waste, as well as some parts of the industry and energy sectors.
In Flanders, these emissions decreased by 19 per cent between 2005 and 2023. Although the region is aiming for a 40 per cent reduction by 2030, a recent report by the Flemish Energy and Climate Agency found that the Flemish government's coalition agreement will only achieve a 33.2 per cent reduction.
#FlandersNewsService | © PHOTO INA FASSBENDER / AFP
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