“The Green” Future of Belgium – From the
Tree to the Swaying Climate Plan
In Belgium, particularly in its Flemish part, there is
a well‑known phrase that best reflects the life philosophy of this
people: “Here grows our future (hier groeit onze toekomst) with thought
for home, for health, for generations.” This slogan can be seen on the
wall of one of the largest technology centres in the “economic heart” of the
country – Limburg province and its capital Hasselt. It can be found along the
paths of countless eco‑parks with educational focus, and in informational
brochures – more trees, more thought for reducing the climate footprint, for a
healthier society.
Ideas for a green future, more trees and greenery
appear in countless daily campaigns. One, however, has become a tradition for
the Flemish town. Every year at the end of November, residents receive a free
sapling or shrub to plant, thus contributing to healthier “lungs” for the
province. Each household pre‑registers what it would like to receive –
raspberries, blackberries, or perhaps walnut, cherry, apple, and so on.
“We help nature, we help insects for a
better living space,” say the city council
philosophically, proudly boasting that in 2025 alone they attracted 4,500
people to the cause. And the number is many times greater, because they have
loyal partners for decades. Even without campaigns, they plant trees in deforested
areas and, together with environmental organizations, care for the good
condition of national parks such as nearby “Central Limburg.”
Climate change is a fact, and every year it gets
warmer – something must be done now. From numerous citizen surveys over the
past five years, the municipality has taken its own actions for a better
climate. Since 2009, nearly 70,000 new saplings have been planted. “The
figure shows commitment, long‑term policy, but also that more is needed. More
greenery, plants for cooling and absorbing water and CO₂. This is the way,” says
climate expert Joost Venken, recommending that future leaders make this a
leading policy, regardless of which party is in power.
Trees Alone Are Not Enough
For the Flemish government, tree‑planting policies are
a wonderful way to reduce the climate footprint, but they are not sufficient –
additional long‑term measures are needed at government level, with joint
efforts from the other two regions, Wallonia and Brussels. At the current pace,
EU criteria for a 40% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 cannot be
met. Expectations are that by 2030 reductions will reach around 34%, well below
requirements. In addition to policies for energy‑efficient housing and more
green spaces, stricter measures are needed in the transport sector and
agriculture. The latter accounts for nearly 10% of total emissions in Flanders.
The Mistakes
A report published a year ago noted that Flanders made
a mistake during the COVID pandemic by loosening measures, thereby delaying
long‑term climate goals. Hesitant decisions also do not help the climate – such
as the initial ban on sales of internal combustion cars, later reversed and
postponed to 2035. Actions that, incidentally, resemble those of the European
Commission itself in implementing the climate plan – hesitation, compromises,
lagging behind the 2015 Paris Agreement. According to the UN global commitment,
European member states must reduce emissions by 55% by 2030, and by 2050 be
fully climate‑neutral.
For Belgium, these targets are unattainable. For the
Flemish government, this means buying quotas from other European countries,
which will require hundreds of millions of euros. Flanders approaches with
pessimism and concern the final National Energy and Climate Plan adopted in
summer 2025, which sets a 47% CO₂ reduction by 2030 compared to 2005. The
document was sent to the European Commission after huge delay. It promises tax
incentives for businesses with fully ecological transport and the introduction of
a combined public transport ticket.
One Thing in Brussels – Another in
Practice
Although the national plan speaks of more incentives
if households use eco‑cars, the decisions of Bart De Wever’s government tell a
different story. In early October 2025, a ministerial decree was issued that,
to put it mildly, raises eyebrows given the climate goals pursued. As of
January 1, 2026, anyone who buys an ecological vehicle will have to pay an
annual road tax and the corresponding registration fee. The measure also
affects those who inherit a car and intend to drive it.
The tax will be calculated based on age and power, like
fuel cars, Flemish television clarified after seeking comment and confirmation
from Finance Minister Ben Weyts. Belgium had taken this step years ago to
stimulate the green transition of the car fleet. Since that transition is now
underway and the treasury is in dire need of revenue, the government decided
there was no longer a need for the bonus. Statistics show that in less than 10
years the number of fully electric cars increased almost 95 times – from 1,390
in 2015 to 132,979 in 2024. Last year, 16% of newly registered cars were
electric.
“Tax exemption for electric and hydrogen
cars was a success: the green transition has been in full swing in recent
years. But we must not relax: the exemption was such a huge success that tax
revenues fell sharply, and now financing our road infrastructure is at risk.
This is another reason why we must intervene. We want to continue investing in
road maintenance,” argued the minister.
For now, electric scooters and motorcycles remain
untaxed. However, since last year the finance ministry began sending letters to
buyers to retroactively return the bonus granted at purchase. I myself had the
“privilege” of receiving such a letter as the owner of an ecological scooter
and a consistent advocate for a cleaner environment.
Back to the Philosophical Slogan
“Here grows the green future” –
from the pure idea of Belgians for more trees, more ecology, a cleaner future
for children, through the concerns of local authorities, to the wavering at
government level – one step forward, two steps back. And finally, up to the
highest levels in Brussels, where the effort of the planted tree goes to waste,
sacrificed to the whims of one member state or another, one politician or
another.
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