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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
Agricultural and rural development policies in Belgium are the responsibilities of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Small and Medium Sized Business (MMCA), the Ministry of the Walloon Region, and the Ministry of the Flemish Region. The MMCA is represented on the National Council for Sustainable Development. The reformed Common Agricultural Policy provides the basis for agricultural production methods compatible with environmental protection.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
The pursuit of sustainable agriculture is the basis for agricultural policy in Belgium. Particular attention is given to integrating the linkage between environment and agriculture into economic and political objectives. To this end, a number of activities have been implemented, including regulation (for example, the approval of phyto-pharmaceuticals), agronomic research, training, and financial assistance.
In 1994, the European Commission approved an agro-environmental programme which contains Federal and Regional measures. The Federal measures consist of assistance for organic farming and demonstration projects on reduced use of fertilizer and pesticide in agriculture. Regulations have been adopted to enforce the evolution towards integrated pest management in apple and pear production. In the Flemish Region, new regulations in 1995 encourage investments in agricultural production with sound environmental practices. In 1996, the new regulation on fertilizer use was implemented. Currently, Flanders is preparing a code of good agricultural practice which considers sustainability as a key element of a sound and responsible agriculture. The Walloon Government is developing an Environmental Plan for Sustainable Development, which includes sustainable agriculture.
Agriculture policy review, planning and integration programmes in the light of multifunctional aspects of agriculture
Flanders has worked out various legal instruments, action plans and education and vulgarisation instruments in order to integrate environmental concerns in agricultural production :
- manure decree
- decree on environmental permit
- decree on nature conservation and the natural environment (+ decision of the Flemish government concerning vegetation change, nature rehabilitation management, demarcation of the Flemish Ecological Network and the Integral Interweaving an Supporting Network)
- code of good agricultural practice (nutrients and pesticides)
- land consolidation (new style)
- integrated rural development projects (Decree 21/12/88)
The Flemish parliament has agreed on a structural land use plan with strict surface-related figures for the various economical sectors. Regional allocation plans(1/10.000) translate this structural planning into detailed land use plans. The use of agricultural land for other purposes is strongly controlled and geared to sustainable agricultural land use. Possible other use than for agriculture needs a long and participatory procedure.
The Walloon Code of Regional planning, Town planning and Cultural Heritage (CWATUP) had specified the procedures of assignment of the land. Thus the very new Master Plan for Regional Land Development establishes the main trends for the regional territory. Next, there are the land use plans (plans de secteur). They provide for a division in 14 area types. One of them is the agricultural area and " is intended for agriculture in the general sense of the term (...) ". Other areas (non-urbanisable, forest, parks) also pursue objectives of nature conservation and biodiversity protection.
Integrated pest management and control in agriculture
Federal legislation regulates the use and licensing of authorised pesticides and imposes an obligatory test program for pesticide sprayers. On the regional level, actions are undertaken to reduce pesticide impact on the environment (pesticide use reduction, code of good practice, and integrated pest control actions).
Rural energy transition to enhance productivity
The Code of Good Agricultural Practices (nutrients) put the emphasis on a good carbon content of the soil, the use of organic waste in agriculture....
Improving farm production and farming systems through diversification of farm and non-farm employment and infrastructure development
Codes of good agricultural practices (nutrients and pesticides) have been elaborated and promoted. Also legislation contributes to integrated farm management (environmental permit, manure legislation, water protection areas and vulnerable zones...).
In Wallonia, a significant number of actions are enumerated in the Plan for the Environment and Sustainable Development as well as in the Contract between Society and Agriculture. The Code of agricultural practices also takes a significant number of measures for better land management. Thus, there are several agro-environmental measures that focus on these objectives. The creation of Agriculture Environment Wallonia (Agrenwal) will also allow to taking these requirements better into account.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Agriculture policy review, planning and integration programmes in the light of multifunctional aspects of agriculture
In 1999, the CAP has been reformed on the basis of Agenda 2000, as mentioned already under 1. This reform incorporates a number of positive elements for the environment. It reinforces existing environmental measures and also creates new ones. The reform is an important step towards the closer integration of environmental aspects and sustainable development into agriculture. The starting point for the environmental strategy in the agricultural sector is to maintain and promote the model of European agriculture: European agriculture must, as an economic sector, be versatile, sustainable, competitive and spread throughout the territory of Europe, including regions with specific problems. It must contribute to maintaining the countryside, conserving nature, and improving the vitality of rural life, and it must respond to consumer concerns and demands regarding food quality and safety, environmental protection and the safeguarding of animal welfare.
At the federal level, a federal plan on sustainable development is in preparation. This plan will also take into account the need for a more sustainable agriculture.
In the Flemish region, the regional strategy on agricultural and rural development has been reviewed in 1999 with emphasis on maintaining independent family farms, further development of organic farming, greater respect for the natural environment and pollution control.
In the Walloon region, the Plan for the Environment and Sustainable Development was carried out in March 1995, as a result of a dialogue with many actors and was submitted to the opinion of the Walloons. It comprises of course a chapter on agriculture. This document was evaluated in 1999. A new version will be worked out by the year 2000.
The Contract between Society and Agriculture defined in July 1998, through its horizontal dimension, translates a strategy of sustainable development for agriculture. The first objective is to support a type of agriculture that is adapted to family farms, viable and resource-friendly. About foreign trade, there is an intention to develop synergies between the Walloon Export Agency and the Regional Office for the Promotion of Agriculture and Horticulture. With regard to subsidies, particular attention is given to sustainable development.
Agriculture policy review, planning and integration programmes in the light of multifunctional aspects of agriculture
A sectoral note on agriculture and food security is in preparation. Agriculture and food security constitutes one of the five sectors on which the Belgian international co-operation will be concentrating its efforts. The Belgian international co-operation contributes to food security and to the income of families in the South, with due respect to the environment. A coherent policy in this sector must take the multifunctionality of agriculture into account. This means striving for the following objectives:
- an economic goal: the Belgian international co-operation aims at improving the range of agricultural products and their added value;
- a social goal: the Belgian international co-operation strives for a better division of the means of production; a more equal distribution of income and a strengthening of rural agricultural organisations;
- an ecological goal: the aim is the sustainable use of natural resources. Belgium supports programmes that are aimed at achieving the above objectives and are targeted at the poor and the most vulnerable groups within the partner countries
The land- and water management plans, land use planning and the land consolidation projects have a broad range of multifunctional aims and objectives, covering protection and development actions of nature and forests, promotion of rural tourism, development of landscapes, inprovement of environmental conditions of land and water, conservation of the cultural heritage, of monuments and sites¼¼
In Wallonia, the elaboration of the Master Plan for Regional Land Development (SDER) obviously took environmental concerns into account, in particular for area allocation. In addition, the introduction of environment permits makes it possible to include this dimension in any installation project.
The federal agricultural policy consists mainly in the execution of the European common agriculture policy (CAP). The basic objectives of the CAP are oriented towards the economic and social aspects. The reform of the CAP in 1992 integrated environmental aspects into the CAP and already included specific measures to encourage less intensive production. This reform was accompanied by agro-environmental and afforestation measures, which both have a specific environmental focus. The Agenda 2000 CAP reform deepens and extends the 1992 reform through further shifts from price support to direct payments. It also develops a coherent rural policy to accompany this process. The CAP reform aims at ensuring that European agriculture is multifunctional and sustainable throughout Europe. It provides many means to achieve environmental objectives in agriculture. The main part of the Agenda 2000 measures will be implemented during the year 2000.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
Ensuring peoples' participation and promoting human resource development for sustainable agriculture
At the federal level, there are regular consultations with the main farmers’ organisations.
The Flemish policy decision-makers are obliged to request the opinion of different advisory councils such the MINA-raad (council for environment and nature), the SERV (socio-economic council ), the Agricultural Council.
In the context of social dialogue in Belgium, Wallonia also has strong agricultural trade unions (UPA, AAB), allowing a presence of the actors of the sector in many institutions (the Council Economic and Social of the Walloon Area (CESRW), Walloon Council of Agriculture, Agro-food industry and Food (CSWAAA), etc...) and thus a permanent dialogue with the regional authorities. The Green Front is another association that expresses the will of the actors to talk with one voice.
The elaboration of the Contract between Society and Agriculture was preceded by a broad discussion; the PEDD was submitted to the opinion of the citizens and groups concerned; these are thus other ways of associating these actors as much as possible in the decision-making process.
As for the local communities, they are generally involved through the Local Committees of Rural Development (CLDR), the Communal Committee of Regional planning (CCAT), and the development of the Communal Plan of Environment and Nature Development (PCEDN), as well as other local initiatives.
Programmes and Projects
Improving farm production and farming system through diversification of farm and non-farm, employment and infrastructure development
In order to promote crop diversification at the farm level, the governement has created regional agro-environmental programs.
Agriculture policy review, planning and integration programmes in the light of multinational aspects of agriculture
At the federal level, several pilot projects are subsidised since 1995. These pilot projects promote production methods with lower inputs (pesticides and nutrients), organic farming and detection and warning systems in various crops. A mandatory control of sprayers has been imposed. In 1995 a support scheme for organic farming has been set up. Organic farming and integrated production methods for pit fruits are legally protected. The need to integrate environmental concerns in agricultural policy has been stressed in various policy notes on agriculture in the nineties.
Status
Agriculture represents 1,17 % of the gross national product in 1997 in Belgium. Concerning external trade, the relative importance of the agriculture products in 1997 is about 5,29 % of the export and 5,9 % of the import. In 1998 1,98 % of the active population was working in agriculture. The number of farms is decreasing. (from 1992 to 1998: - 19 %). The useful agricultural surface is 1.391.000 ha (45,6 % of the total surface).
At the federal level, the major means to change the sector are regulation (e.g. use of pesticides, production methods), agricultural research (e.g. environment-friendly and sustainable production methods), advice and financial funding (e.g. organic farming).
There are big differences in agriculture between the two main regions of Flanders and Wallonia (in the Brussels region, agriculture is rather marginal). Flanders has an intensive agricultural and horticultural production with top production levels. Flemish agriculture is highly intensified, due to the lack of sufficient agricultural land because of the dense population. Dairy production, meat cattle production and intensive livestock production (pig’s and poultry) are widely spread over the total surface. On about 20% of the surface, intensive arable farming is the characteristic farming practice. The whole production is put to market distribution.
The main sustainability problem of this type of agriculture is the use of too many nutrients (both from animal waste and chemical fertilisers). Regional legislation (Mestdecreet= decree on the protection of the environment against pollution by fertilisation / VLAREM: Flemish rules concerning the environmental permission), action plans (MINA-plan 2 = environment and nature plan, a five-year Environmental Management Plan, for agriculture focused on reduction of use of pesticides and nutrients and of acidification; Vlaamse landbouwconferentie) and a code of good agricultural practice are tackling this problem. From the end of 1999 on, the Flemish region will also provide financial assistance to farmers (based on EU Regulation 2078/92) to encourage them to adopt various nature, biodiversity and habitat protection measures, and environmental measures (reduction of pesticides and nutrients).
Milk, beef, cereals, sugar beet and potato are the main products of the Walloon agriculture. Two significant documents translate the concern for a sustainable development of the Walloon agriculture: the Environment Plan for Sustainable Development (PEDD - 1995) supplemented by a first evaluation in 1999, and the contract between society and agriculture (1998). These stated intentions are reflected in a very significant number of actions, in various fields such as production quality improvement, biological products, input reduction, a better land planning, better effluent management...
Agro-environmental assistance is one of the first means of implementation. It allows support for methods of agricultural production that are compatible with environmental protection (input reduction, protection of biodiversity...). The Fund of Agricultural Investment (FIA) also finances invesment related to the protection of the environment. Other funding sources exist at the European level, in particular via the objectives 1 and 5b.
Many of the recommendations for promoting sustainable agriculture in Agenda 21 have been or are being implemented. These include measures which take into account of demographic trends, studies on land taxation structures, linkage between international trade and agricultural production, strengthening farmers' rights, developing databases, and developing policy to rehabilitate degraded lands. These measures are being achieved by legislative and regulatory reforms, pilot projects, training, and the development of National plans. The three Communities are responsible for the post-school education of regional farmers. This education integrates sustainable agriculture.
The local food and water distribution systems are very well organised, in the cities as well as in the countryside. There is only need for inspection of the overall quality. Food security is not a problem in Belgium. However, new policies are stressing food quality (quality labels etc.), especially for public health purposes.
The environment permit and the single permit are, in the future, other significant instruments of a policy for a sustainable agriculture.
In Flanders, the following measures were taken to promote a more sustainable agriculture:
- the introduction of integrated pest control and the plan for pesticide use reduction¼;
- the introduction of the new Decree on Nature on nature conservation in 1998;
- the introduction of the agro-environmental measures (environmental and nature-friendly agricultural production methods;
- the introduction of the Code for good agricultural practices and the reduction of nutrient use by the new manure decree¼
The problem of land degradation or loss is not a crucial one. Erosion is not widespread. Although, by means of the code for good agricultural practices and in some land consolidation projects, erosion control measures are undertaken. A so-called regeneration of agricultural soils is not necessary.
Industrially contaminated soils are cleaned if necessary for environmental protection.
Integrated pest management and control in agriculture
Farmers generally accept integrated pest control. Half of the farmers are connected to the pest detection and warning system and use integrated pest control techniques. Vulgarisation and training is mainly carried out by private organisations and pesticide producers. However, the government has not used the global integrated pest management facility created to facilitate the development of IPM programmes.
Water for sustainable food production and sustainable rural development
Water availability in agriculture is not really a problem in Belgium. The authorities set up small irrigation schemes for agriculture. Farmers easily practice irrigation themselves on farm scale; subsidies for irrigation are no longer granted. There is no salinisation problem.
The manure legislation, the mandatory license for water winning, the taxes on drinking water use and the environmental permit are instruments to prevent negative effects of agriculture on water quality.
Rural energy transition to enhance productivity
In Belgium everybody is connected to electricity, and largely to gas. The rural agro-industries are all and have always been connected to energy supply.
Only a few test projects on biomass energy have been set up. Energy supply in rural communities is not a problem in Belgium. Alternative energy production is promoted: solar and wind energy.
Improving farm production and farming systems through diversification of farm and non-farm employment and infrastructure development
As the Belgium agriculture is already very intensive, it needs rather extensification for economic, social and environmental reasons. In the framework of the Agenda 2000 CAP reform, rural development is becoming an important pillar of the CAP. Programs are in preparation. The development of non-agricultural employment in rural zones is very significant for the future of our rural areas and the preservation of family farms.
The Walloon region actively supports rural development financially, but also through the Walloon Office of Rural Development, as well as the Rural Foundation of Wallonia. The projects carried out within this framework obtain a higher subsidy. A significant effort is made for rural tourism (agro-tourism, Ravel network, REQUASUD...). The support of rural small and medium size factories is also subject to particular attention by the Directorate General for the Management of the Economy (agro-food, forest, tourism...).
Challenges
Sustainable plant nutrition to increase food production
Belgium has no problem with poor soil productivity. The problem lies rather in the overuse of nutrients. The manure legislation has reduced significantly the use of chemical fertilisers and has ensured a better utilisation of animal waste as a fertiliser (quantity, application time, application technique, regional exchange with farms without animal production).
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
Ensuring people’s participation and promoting human resource development for sustainable agriculture
The federal and regional governments have taken several initiatives such as: codes of good agricultural practices (nutrients and pesticides), agricultural pilot projects at the field level, after-school educational programs by authorities and private organisations.... The Walloon Contract between Society and Agriculture also provides for raising awareness among the actors as well as the population. The PEDD was submitted to public review and thus enjoyed a broad dissemination.
Information
No information is available
Research and Technologies
Evaluation of the effects of ultraviolet radiation on plants and animals caused by the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer
No research has been undertaken on the effects of ultraviolet radiation on plants and animal life as well as on agricultural activities. Research on the effects of troposheric ozone on vegetation is carried out at the Federal Agrochemical Research Institute.
Conservation and sustainable utilisation of plant and animal genetic resources for food and sustainable agriculture
Conservation, characterisation, evaluation and utilisation of plant genetic resources is an important research topic in the federal agricultural research centres.
The National Botanic Garden of Belgium (NBGB) maintains, since a long time, a vast collection of living plants. Some 18,000 taxa, representing 36,000 introductions, are cultivated in greenhouses or in the open-air. The greenhouses hold 10,000 plants of tropical and subtropical regions. The gene bank of wild Phaseolineae is recognised as a base collection by the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI). As to its holdings of living plants, the NBGB belongs to the top 7 botanic gardens of the world. The herbarium, in the top 25 on a worldwide basis, holds 2.5 million specimens, with very important collections from Central and Tropical Africa. These collections cover phanerogamic and cryptogamic plants as well as fungi. The NBGB participates actively in seed exchange schemes. For quite a few years, scientific programmes have been developed about e.g. in vitro culturing, seed banking of native wild plants as well as educational programmes.
Besides the NBGB, a panoply of larger and smaller botanic gardens and parks, some related to the main universities, others to the private sector, is established in Belgium. The research stations of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in Gent and Gembloux have major collections of grass species, fodder plants, vegetables, chicory, fruit trees and conifers.
A special reference has also to be made to the so-called International Network for the Improvement of Banana and Plantain (INIBAP) Transit Centre, hosted by the Catholic University of Leuven; and to the poplar variety collections (some 140 genotypes of Populus nigra, some 1,000 genotypes of Populus deltoids, and more than 2,000 genotypes of Populus trichocarpa) held by the Flemish Institute for Forestry and Game Management and the Walloon Forestry Research station.
Financing
In 1993, Agricultural development cost the Belgian Agency for Development Cooperation (BADC) 7.25% of its budget, down from 10.5% in 1992. The international projects being implemented with Belgian NGOs have a budget of Bfr 1 billion (US$ 30 million). The BADC provided Bfr 1.1 billion (US$ 34 million) for rural development in nine African countries.
Cooperation
The BADC has implemented agricultural projects in 11 African countries, three Asian countries, and three Latin American countries. Belgian universities also contribute to international projects. The Belgium Government participates in a number of international organizations with sustainable agricultural objectives, such as the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the International Rice Research Institute. The Belgian Survival Fund is responsible for a cooperative programme with Belgian NGOs to implement international projects. The objectives of these projects are food security and sustainable development awareness-building of local communities in rural areas.
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of Belgium to the Fifth and Eighth Sessions of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last Update: October 1999
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
Since 1993, Belgium is a Federal state. A number of political responsibilities were passed during the last years from the National Government to the Regions and Communities. There are now several levels of power : the Federal Government, the Flemish Community and the Flemmish Region, the Walloon Region, the Brussels Capital Region, the French-speaking Community and the German-speaking Community.
The environmental policy
is not simply a competence of the ministry of environment. Implementation is equally
important amongst sectors such as transport, energy, agriculture and finance.
Regarding protection of
the atmosphere, the Federal State is responsable for setting norms for products in order
to prevent pollution, for protection against ionising radiation, for taxes on e.g.
transport and fuels, for conclusion of various international conventions, for follow-up
and coordination of international initiatives on the environment.
Due to the different
steps in the federalisation of the Belgian State, the 3 regions (Flanders, Wallonia and
the Brussels Capital Region) became competent for 90 % of the environmental matters.
General policy planning, setting of air quality standards, emission inventories and
monitoring are regional competences.
In Flanders the VMM (the Flemish Environmental Agency) is responsible for air quality monitoring networks, modelling, research and emission inventories. AMINAL (the central Flemish Environmental Administration) concentrates on planning and legislation, permitting and enforcement. IRCEL takes care of the automatic network, the scientific basis for data collection, validation and transmission. In this interregional cell scientists of the 3 regions are working on a common automatic on-line monitoring network.
There
is an agreement between the Federal government and the Regions ensuring cooperation at an
international political level for all matters relating to the environment. The federal and
regional ministries (with responsibilities for the environment) meet regularly at the
Inter-ministerial Conference for the Environment (ICE).
The Ministry of Foreign
Affairs has a Topical Coordination Division (TCD) for coordinating consensus
on environmental matters among Federal, Regional, and Community authorities. It also
coordinates the drafting of the Belgian report on sustainable development to the CSD.
The
Coordination Committee for International Environmental Policy (CCIEP) was established in
1995 as a forum for negotiation between the various Federal and Regional Government
Departments involved in environmental policy.
It systematically reviews the relationship and overlaps between international agreements,
and is charged with coordination and consultation activities to ensure vertical and
horizontal integration regarding environmental policy. It also decides on Belgium’s
international environmental policy. It has a number of working groups, e.g. on climate
change, depletion of the ozone layer, protection of the atmosphere, emission inventories,
transport & environment and energy & environment.
In
several domains, e.g. transport-environment and eco-fiscality, inter-cabinet working
groups were founded to produce a sound policy.
Federal Government
At the end of 1996, the Federal Government decided to propose to the Federal Parliament a new law improving the planning and management of sustainable development at the Federal level. This law brings institutional changes and introduces new procedures to facilitate the integrated consideration of social, economic, and environmental issues. Its main innovation is the quadrennial organization for the planning of Federal policies and measures for sustainable development under the leadership of a Federal Interdepartmental Commission on Sustainable Development. The Commission provides guidance to the Federal Planning Bureau which is in charge of the secretariat of the Commission. The Planning Bureau will publish every two years a Federal report on sustainable development, monitor the state of development every other year (including business as usual and their impacts compared to alternative scenarios), and plan a Federal sustainable development strategy. And provide support to the Interdepartmental Commission on Sustainable Development in drafting a Federal Plan for Sustainable Development (FPSD). The first FPSD, covering the 2000-2004 time period, was adopted by the Federal Government on 20.07.2000.
Wallonia
Region
The Wallonia regional government takes coordinated decisions. The ministries responsible for other policies (transport, energy, agriculture) are associated with the decisions taken by the government in the area of atmosphere. For example, the different stages of plan for management of the atmosphere of the Walloon region is being developed in agreement by the entire government. Concerning climatic change, a permanent structure of coordination was put in place with representatives from the Cabinet ministers and administrations of environment, transport, energy, economic affairs, international relations and agriculture, respectively of the Walloon region.
Flemish
Region:
Decisions in the government are taken by the government as a whole. The ministers responsible for other policy domains than environment, e.g. transport, agriculture, energy, codecide in this way about matters concerning atmosphere. In some cases there are bilateral contacts between different departments, e.g. between environment and agriculture about the ammonia reduction plan
The subsidiary principle
is applied.
Environmental permits, which is a major policy instrument in air pollution abatement, is delegated to lower levels of public authority. The municipalities are competent to grant licenses for the exploitation of second class industries (smaller installations), the provinces are competent for first class industries (bigger installations). The provinces treat appeals on second class installations, the regional ministers on first class installations.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
In Belgium, the Vienna Convention (1985) was signed in 1985 and ratified in 1988. The Montreal Protocol (1987) was signed in 1987 and ratified in December 1988. The London Amendment (1990) was signed in 1990 and ratified in October 1993. The Copenhagen Amendment (1992) was signed in 1992. The latest report to the Montreal Protocol Secretariat was prepared in 1996. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was signed in 1992 and ratified in January 1996. The latest report to the UNFCCC Secretariat was submitted in 1997. The Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution (1979) was signed in 1979 and ratified in July 1982. The Cooperative Programme for Monitoring and Evaluation of the Long-range Transmission of Air Pollutants in Europe Protocol (EMEP) (1984) was signed in 1984 and ratified in July 1987. The Helsinki Protocol on Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) (1985) was signed in 1985 and ratified in April 1989. The Sofia Protocol on Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) (1988) was signed in 1988. The Geneva Protocol on Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) (1991) was signed in 1991. The Oslo Protocol on Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) (1994) was signed in 1994.
The Federal and the Regional Governments actively support the development of more progressive European Union (EU) legislation for control measures on ozone depleting substances (ODS) and are actively involved in EU working groups concerning, for example, illegal importation of chlorofluorcarbons (CFCs). In coordination with the Regional authorities, a system for monitoring and data gathering on imports, exports, and use of ozone depleting substances is being put in place to improve the waste management of used ODS (recovery, recycling, and destruction) as well as the control of illegal importation of CFCs. A transition strategy is being developed for CFCs containing free metered dose inhalers (MDIs). Moreover, a number of studies have been undertaken on ozone depletion.
Belgium follows EU
Directives on air quality.
Concerning climate
change, no specific legislation is currently in place at the federal level.
The Federal Plan for
Sustainable Development (FPSD) provides a mandate for developing a new National Climate
Change Plan by mid 2001. Additionally, the
FPSD mandates the development of a number of other policy plans in areas closely related
to climate change policy. These other plans
concern acidification and ozone, mobility and the reform of energy and transport taxation. Obviously, these plans will strongly interact with
climate change policy.
A number of policies
aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions are already set forth in the FPSD itself. They are described below.
Energy sector
- Making clean energies
more attractive through pricing policies;
- Setting standards for
renewable energy production equipment (wind turbines, solar panels, bio-fuels etc.);
- Demand side management
through pricing policies, i.a. by actively supporting the adoption at the EU level of the
proposed energy products tax, continuing subsidy schemes aimed at energy conservation
investments, eliminating reduced VAT tariffs for coal, reducing the difference between
excises on gas oil used for domestic heating and used as motor fuel respectively;
- On the supply side, the
introduction of a system of green power certificates, and the continued granting of
subsidies for electricity from renewable energy sources;
- Technological
development: increasing public funding for developing technologies in the field of
renewable energy production and energy efficiency (i.a. through shifting public funds away
from research related to nuclear power production), development of technical standards for
energy efficient appliances
- Increased inspection and
enforcement of energy efficiency standards for appliances, introduction of labels, ban
(through legislation or negotiated agreements) on publicity for electric heating;
- Communication type
instruments such as the mandatory publishing of energy consumption of products on their
labels and in catalogues and more transparent energy bills.
Transport and mobility
Demand side measures:
- Passenger transport:
switch to more environmentally friendly modes of transport through reforms of the system
of fiscal deductions, through correlating the level of automobile taxes to their
environmental impact and shifting total automobile taxes from fixed fees to duties related
to their fuel consumption, through maintaining a reduced VAT-level for bicycle repairs,
through the introduction of transport plans in companies and institutions with over 50
employees, through the promotion of car sharing, through
the depenalization of parking tickets (thus providing municipalities with a financial
incentive for adopting and implementing strict policies concerning car parking), reducing
fares for public transport, promoting a shift from air to rail transport through
supporting the introduction of an international kerosene tax and through an increase in
landing taxes on the EU level.
Freight transport: modal shift from air and road transport to rail and inland navigation, through actively supporting financial measures to be taken at the EU level, in addition to reducing the maximum allowed uninterrupted driving time for road transport, prohibiting road freight transport during the weekend and during rush hour, better enforcing regulations, incorporating freight logistics in company transport plans.
Supply side measures:
- Passenger transport:
Limiting the accessibility of the city centers for passenger cars (except when car sharing
and car pooling), to the advantage of public transport, bicycles and pedestrians;
increased public transport coverage of and frequency in rural areas, increased passenger
comfort, better connectivity between modes of transport; privileged access to the city
centers for public transport, bicycles and cars with multiple passengers;
- Freight transport:
standardizing the use of freight containers and encouraging computerized logistics
management to avoid ‘empty runs’.
Technological
Development: promoting research into fuel efficient vehicles (e.g. hybrid and electric, but also including bicycles and
public transport ), research into alternative fuels (e.g. biogas, fuel cells)
Further measures include: encouraging the use of LPG, through the removal of discriminatory regulations such as the existing restrictions on underground parking and through fiscal measures and, the strengthening of airplane energy efficiency and emission standards.
Agriculture
A ban on the production
and import of fertilizers based on urea will be introduced.
- The Second Scientific
Support Plan for a Sustainable Development Policy (SPSDII, see also question 13) is aimed
i.a. at providing scientific input for the development of policy scenarios for reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.
- A ‘knowledge
centre’ (cf. ETSU (UK), NOVEM (NL), ADEME (FR)) will be set up, to provide scientific support of climate change
and energy policies.
Brussels Region
- Regulation on air quality
- Transposition of
international legislation into regional regulations
- Air transparency
- Environmental permits.
Flemish Region
The main principle of the
Flemish environmental legislation “Vlarem II” is to achieve a high level of
environmental protection by limitation and/or prevention of air pollution. The best
techniques available must be applied not only to keep the mass flow of pollutant as low as
possible, but also to restrict concentrations of polluting substances as much as possible.
The general emission
limit values always apply unless other stipulations apply for certain establishment
categories according to “Vlarem II” (sectorial emission limiting values for
specific equipment).
Air quality standards are
expressed as limit value or target value (mainly EU standards).
Emission standards are
always expressed in a concentration form. In many cases, a limiting condition applies for
a concentration only from a certain mass treshold value on (emission load). In other
words, no emission concentration limit applies below this (treshold value for the) mass.
This standardization method was derived from TA-Luft.
Details are given in annex 1.
Wallonia
Region
Norms
and regulations: refer to the application of directives and regulations of the European
Union, of the Convention on the long distance atmospheric pollution de la Convention of
UNECE and of the Protocols, of the Vienna Convention on the protection of the Ozone Layer
and of the Montreal Protocol.
Federal
Government
Fiscal and financial regulatory and incentive measures to promote the protection of the atmosphere include:
- Lower
taxes on fuels with a low sulphur content
- Abolition of extra tax on LPG vehicles, together with a subsidies scheme to promote the shift to an LPG installation.
I. Excise duties on mineral oils
| Products | Units |
Excise duty in EUR |
| Petrol | 1,000 l |
|
| - leaded | 551.81100 | |
| - unleaded | 493.55601 | |
| Kerosene | 1,000 l |
|
| - used as motor fuel | 551.81100 | |
| - for industrial and commercial applications | 18.59202 | |
| - for heating purposes | 0 | |
| Gas oil | 1,000 l |
|
| - used as motor fuel | 290.03543 | |
| - for industrial and commercial applications | 18.59202 | |
| - domestic heating oil | 5.20577 (1) | |
| Heavy fuel oil | 1,000 kg |
|
| - with not more than 1% sulphur | 6.19734 | |
| - with more than 1% sulphur | 18.59202 | |
| Liquid petroleum gas and methane | 1,000 kg |
|
| - used as motor fuel | 0 | |
| - for industrial and commercial applications | 37.18403 | |
| - for heating purposes | 0 |
(1) inspection fee
The main exemptions are :
a. Mineral oils which are used for other
purposes than as engine fuel or as heating fuel;
b. Mineral oils to be used as fuel for
aircraft, including private pleasure aircraft (for the latter, the exemption is restricted
to the period ending on December 31st, 2000);
c. Mineral oils to be used
as fuel for navigation in Community water, including fishing (for private craft : only
for gas oil and only till December 31st, 2000).
d. Mineral oils injected in
blast furnaces in addition to coke used as the main fuel, with a view to chemical
reduction.
The levy on energy is an
indirect tax levied on the release for consumption or the use in this country of motor
fuels, fossil fuels for heating and electric energy, irrespective of their origin.
Products subject to the
levy and rates to be applied :
The philosophy of this
levy is the preservation of a neutral treatment between the various energy sectors, at
least with respect to fuels. The rate of the
levy is calculated according to the principle of equal taxation per energy unit in
proportion to the calorific value in relation to the taxation level for heating oil.
The products subject to the levy and the rates to be applied are as follows :
| Products | Units |
Levy in EUR |
| 1. Motor fuels | ||
| Leaded and unleaded petrol | 1,000 l |
13.63415 |
| Kerosene used as motor fuel | 1,000 l |
13.63415 |
| 2. Fuels for heating purposes | ||
| Kerosene used for heating purposes | 1,000 l |
12.89047 |
| Domestic heating oil | 1,000 l |
8.42838 |
| Butane | 1,000 kg |
17.10466 |
| Propane | 1,000 kg |
17.35255 |
| Natural gas (all tariffs save ND3) | 1 gigajoule |
0.33888 |
| 3. Electricity | ||
| Low voltage tariff | 1 MWh |
1.36342 |
Exemptions :
The following are
exempted from the levy on energy :
- the
products for which the exemption of excise duty is granted;
- the specific social
tariffs applied in the sector for the distribution of natural gas and electricity.
- regulation
on economic expansion
Flemish
Region:
- regulation on economic expansion;
- For measures for environmental protection and energy saving, companies can apply for ecology support. A subsidy signpost is available on the website of the Administration of Economy and informs about the different possibilities and conditions. The subsidies differ whether a small (support up to 20%) or a big company is applying and differ according to the character of the measures (e.g. 12% for process integrated measures, 10% for energy saving measures and 8% for end of the pipe techniques).
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
Federal Government
In the past policy plans
have been adopted for the reduction of CO2 emissions (1994) and for the
prevention of tropospheric ozone pollution (1996, regularly updated).
Belgium considers the use
of the Kyoto Mechanisms (International Emissions Trading, Joint Implementation and the
Clean Development Mechanism) to be supplemental to domestic action, meaning in general
terms that less than 50% of the reduction commitment may be realized through the use of
these mechanisms.
To what extent Belgium
intends to fulfill its Kyoto commitments through the use of the Mechanisms is still
subject to further examination and depends i.a. on the projected marginal cost of domestic
measures, the outcome of the international negotiations concerning their implementation
and the projected cost of ‘emission permits’ under this system.
From the year 2000
onwards, the overall strategy for protecting the atmosphere is embedded in the general
strategy on sustainable development, as set forth in the Federal Plan for Sustainable
Development 2000-2004 (FPSD), which was approved by the Federal Government on 20.07.2000
and formally adopted through Royal Decree on 19.09.2000.
The FPSD contains a
separate chapter on the protection of the atmosphere, also including energy and transport
policy.
The following separate
policy plans are mandated by the FPSD to be developed:
- National
Climate Change Plan (by mid 2001)
- Federal
Plan for the Mitigation of Acidification and Ozone 2000-2004 (by 2000)
-
Action plan for the
reform of energy and transport taxation (no deadline set)
-
National Mobility
Plan (first draft for national consultation to be ready by mid 2001)
A number of policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions are already set forth in the FPSD itself. They are descrived below:
ENERGY SECTOR
- Making clean energies
more attractive through pricing policies;
- Setting standards for
renewable energy production equipment (wind turbines, solar panels, bio-fuels etc.);
- Demand side management
through pricing policies, i.a. by actively supporting the adoption at the EU level of the
proposed energy products tax, continuing subsidy schemes aimed at energy conservation
investments, eliminating reduced VAT tariffs for coal, reducing the difference between
excises on gas oil used for domestic heating and used as motor fuel respectively;
- On the supply side, the
introduction of a system of green power certificates, and the continued granting of
subsidies for electricity from renewable energy sources;
- Technological
development: increasing public funding for developing technologies in the field of
renewable energy production and energy efficiency (i.a. through shifting public funds away
from research related to nuclear power production), development of technical standards for
energy efficient appliances
- Increased inspection and
enforcement of energy efficiency standards for appliances, introduction of labels, ban
(through legislation or negotiated agreements) on publicity for electric heating;
- Communication type instruments such as the mandatory publishing of energy consumption of products on their labels and in catalogues and more transparent energy bills.
TRANSPORT AND MOBILITY
Demand side measures:
- Passenger transport:
switch to more environmentally friendly modes of transport through reforms of the system
of fiscal deductions, through correlating the level of automobile taxes to their
environmental impact and shifting total automobile taxes from fixed fees to duties related
to their fuel consumption, through maintaining a reduced VAT-level for bicycle repairs,
through the introduction of transport plans in companies and institutions with over 50
employees, through the promotion of car sharing, through
the depenalization of parking tickets (thus providing municipalities with a financial
incentive for adopting and implementing strict policies concerning car parking), reducing
fares for public transport, promoting a shift from air to rail transport through
supporting the introduction of an international kerosene tax and through an increase in
landing taxes on the EU level.
- Freight transport: modal shift from air and road transport to rail and inland navigation, through actively supporting financial measures to be taken at the EU level, in addition to reducing the maximum allowed uninterrupted driving time for road transport, prohibiting road freight transport during the weekend and during rush hour, better enforcing regulations, incorporating freight logistics in company transport plans.
SUPPLY SIDE MEASURES:
- Passenger transport:
Limiting the accessibility of the city centers for passenger cars (except when car sharing
and car pooling), to the advantage of public transport, bicycles and pedestrians;
increased public transport coverage of and frequency in rural areas, increased passenger
comfort, better connectivity between modes of transport; privileged access to the city
centers for public transport, bicycles and cars with multiple passengers;
- Freight transport:
standardizing the use of freight containers and encouraging computerized logistics
management to avoid ‘empty runs’.
Further measures include: encouraging the use of LPG, through the removal of discriminatory regulations such as the existing restrictions on underground parking and through fiscal measures and, the strengthening of airplane energy efficiency and emission standards.
AGRICULTURE
A ban on the production
and import of fertilizers based on urea will be introduced.
SCIENCE POLICY
- The Second Scientific
Support Plan for a Sustainable Development Policy (SPSDII, see also question 13) is aimed
i.a. at providing scientific input for the development of policy scenarios for reducing
greenhouse gas emissions.
- A ‘knowledge centre’ (cf. ETSU (UK), NOVEM (NL), ADEME (FR)) will be set up, to provide scientific support of climate change and energy policies.
TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT
-
Promoting research into fuel efficient vehicles (e.g. hybrid and electric, but also including bicycles and
public transport ), research into alternative fuels (e.g. biogas, fuel cells)
Brussels Air Plan,
Regional Development Plan, Plan IRIS constitute an overall strategy for protecting the
atmosphere.
Flemish
Region
The general principles of
the Flemish environmental policy and the air pollution control policy have been fixed in
the Flemish Environmental plan 1997-2001 (MINA-plan 2), which has been approved by the
Flemish Government (08.07.1997). In this plan, environmental problems are tackled by means
of a thematic approach. Relating to air pollution, six environmental themes are
considered: depletion of the ozone layer, climate change, photochemical pollution,
acidification, scattering of dangerous substances and odour nuisance. For each of these
themes short term and long term objectives have been set and a strategy is developed to
reach these objectives. The specific thematic strategies have been worked out into a
number of specific actions. These actions are e.g. emission reduction programmes for
specific pollutants, research programmes to improve scientific knowledge, monitoring
networks, emission inventories, etc.
The department of the ministry dealing with environmental matters, is also competent in spatial planning, transport and waterways. Everything concerning environmental management and nature conservation has been united in AMINAL (Environment, Nature, Land and Water Management Administration). Within AMINAL, the section ‘Policy support and preparation’ deals with the climate issue. For topics like reforestation there is a collaboration with the section ‘forests and vegetations’. There are three more public agencies, each concentrating on one specific environmental problem. The Flemish Land Agency (VLM) plays an important role in the protection of the environment against eutrophication. The Flemish Environmental Agency (VMM) sets up and operates the monitoring networks for the surface water quality and the air quality, as well as the investment programmes for the purification of sewage water. The Flemish Public Waste Agency (OVAM) tries to prevent or manage waste.
Wallonia
Region
The
Wallonia region is currently formulating a Air management plan, integrating all the pollutants and all the sectors concerned, and taking into account of climatic changes. Related policy is being developed.--CLIMATE CHANGE AND THE
MINA-PLAN 2 (1997-2001)
The Mina-plan 2 consists
of multiple themes, including the theme ‘climate change, caused by the greenhouse
effect’. This theme elaborates on the existing international, European and Belgian
policy, on the targets set out by the government and the actions necessary to reach these
targets. Climate change is tackled by three important actions, action 6:
‘actualisation and the implementation of the Flemish CO2/REU-policy plan’,
action 7 ‘preparing and implementing an action plan for the reduction of methane
emissions’ and action 8 ‘preparing and implementing a plan for controlling
nitrous oxide, HFCs and PFCs. These are all three ongoing actions. Actions concerning
CO2-reduction in the transport are also ongoing. Another initiative to be mentioned is
initiative 9: ‘drafting a policy vision for the fixation of carbon in sinks and
materials’. The foundation has been laid for this action in early 1999.These actions
are clearly defined in the environmental annual programmes.
Terrestrial and marine
resource development for greenhouse gas sinks;
Federal
Government
On
the federal level no specific policies are in place aimed at developing greenhouse gas
sinks. The potential for the use of sinks in
reducing net greenhouse gas emissions is very limited due to Belgium’s small size and
high population density. Forestry policies
are of regional competency, thus further limiting the scope for action on the federal
level.
Nevertheless,
some federal agricultural policies may as a side effect have an impact on carbon storage
in sinks: in
1995, a ministerial decree based on an EC directive (2080/92) provided for subsidies to
farmers for conversion of agricultural land to forest in order to compensate for loss of
revenue.
Belgium considers that the use of sinks should, at least in the first commitment period under the Kyoto Protocol (2008-2012), be limited to activities of the ‘afforestation, reforestation and deforestation’ type, as provided for under article 3.3 of the Kyoto Protocol and consequently has no policies in place or under preparation for carbon storage in soils and/or through agricultural practices.
Terrestrial and marine resource development for ghg sinks.
SUBSTANCES THAT DEPLETE
THE OZONE LAYER
Wallonia
Region:
Application of the Montreal Protocol and EU regulations.
Belgium
is operating on a european regional basis under the leadership of the commission through
which a common position with the MS must be met. Up to recently we followed the Regulation
3093/94 repealed as from 1 October 2000 and replaced by Regulation 2037/2000.
In
accordance to the Montreal Protocol Regional Strategies have been submitted to UNEP ( free
CFC- MDI- Halons), CFC strategy is under progress and due for the 31 July 2001. A
management committee group is operating to coordinate the implementation with the regional
authorities.
Flemish
region:
The strategy of the
Flemish region on the emission reduction of ozone depleting substances is fully covered by
the implementation of five specific actions of the Flemish Environmental Policy Plan
1997-2001 (for further information on this plan see also question 6).
The goal of these actions
is twofold:
- prevention of the use of
ozone-depleting substances by promoting the use of environmentally sound alternatives or alternative technologies
- emission
reduction of ozone depleting substances in those applications where the use of these
substances is not yet prohibited
TRANSBOUNDARY AIR POLLUTION
Federal Government
The
"Federal Plan against acidification and tropospheric ozone 2000-2003” is an
action plan containing a series of federal
measures necessary to limit transboundary air pollution between 2000 and 2003. By sector,
the plan indicates which actions are to be implemented.
International
Agreements :
The
United Nations protocols of Geneva (1991), Oslo (1994) and Gothenburg (1999) that have
been signed by Belgium must still be ratified.
TRANSPORT:
The
European Directives regarding emissions of vehicles must be transposed. A sharpened
technical emissions control for vehicles will be implemented.
An
"Sustainable Mobility Plan" is underway as well as a campaign to encourage the
population to reduce the use of cars and trucks.
ENERGY:
Efforts
will be taken to reduce the sulphur content of gasoil and heavy fuel oil in order to
reduce sulphur dioxide emissions.
Rational use of energy will be encouraged via campaigns and structural measures.
AGRICULTURE:
In
order to reduce the emissions of ammonia, a ban will be declared on fertilizers containing
urea.
ENVIRONMENT:
the following measures are prepared:
- Introduction
of standards for heating installations concerning the consumption of energy and maximum
emissions of nitrogen oxides;
- Promotion
of the use of paints and varnishes containing little or no volatile organic compounds;
- A
policy concerning products containing volatile solvents: glues, inks, paint strippers,
maintenance products, ...
The
federal government must itself set an example by:
- Using
vehicles working with environment-friendly fuels (LPG, electricity, hybrid vehicles)
- Settings
for the maximum emissions of nitrogen oxides and the minimum energy efficiency, on the
purchase and repair of
- Heating
installations in administrative buildings;
- The
criteria to be put in place to ensure minimum energy consumption during the construction
and renovation of administrative buildings;
- The
exclusive use in administrative buildings of paints and
- Varnishes
that meet the criteria of the European Eco label.
- Use
of cleaning and office products with low levels of volatile organic compounds.
Flemish
Region
Air
policy objectives derive from various international commitments. Most important are the
Protocols under the Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution and several EU
directives. The Protocol to abate acidification, eutrophication and ground-level ozone
(signed by Belgium in february 2000) and the EU Directive National Emission Ceilings
(political agreement) contain emission ceilings for the pollutants NOx, SO2, VOC and NH3
to reach in 2010.
Wallonia
Region
Application
of the LRTAP Convention LRTAP and European directives on major sources of pollution.
Setting general and sectoral conditions allowing exploration of classified installations, on the basis of norms set by the general regulation on protection of the environment.
An overall strategy will be developed by the Plan on the atmosphere.
Federal Government
Belgium’s goals
concerning the emissions of greenhouse gas emissions derive directly from the Quantified
Emission Reduction or Limitation Commitments as laid down in the Kyoto Protocol to the UN
Climate Change Convention and as subsequently reallocated amongst the EU Member States
following the so-called burden sharing agreement of June 1998.
The Belgian overall
objective concerning greenhouse gas emissions thus amounts to a reduction of emissions of
a basket of CO2, CH4, N2O, HFCs, PFCs and SF6
with 7,5 %, averaged over the five year ‘first commitment period’ from 2008 to
2012 as compared to emissions in the base year, which is 1990 for CO2, CH4
and N2O and 1995 for the fluorinated gases.
Other policy goals that
either derive from or are closely related to the targets concerning he reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions, include:
- A reduction of energy
consumption with 7,5 % from1990 to 2010 (subject to revision in view of the evolution of
technology, the economic situation and greenhouse gases emissions);
- A share of more than 2 %
for renewable energy sources in the domestic use of primary energy by 2010 (subject to
agreement by the Regions);
- An indicative target of reducing transport sector CO2 emissions with 5% from 1990 to 2010.
Wallonia
Region
-
7,5 % of the emissions of 6 greenhouse gas will be in effect for 2010
Flemish Region
- Stimulation of the use
of alternatives as much as possible
- Reduction of the emissions to the atmosphere as much as possible.
GOALS
CONCERNING MITIGATING OZONE DEPLETION:
European regulations set the closing down date of the production or utilization of substances targeted by the Montreal Protocol.
LONG-TERM GOALS:
- To stop the emissions
of ozone depleting substances to the atmosphere
GOALS
CONCERNING MITIGATING TRANSBOUNDARY AIR POLLUTION:
Goals (emission ceilings)
that must be reached by Belgium according to the Gothenburg Protocol (1999) :
181
kton nitrogen oxides
144
kton volatile organic compounds
106
kton sulphur dioxide
74 kton ammonia.
In the common position for a proposal for a EU Directive on national emission ceilings, Belgium agreed to reduce further its national emissions by 2010 as follows :
| SO2 | NOx | COV | NH3 | |
| Flemish Region | 65.8 kt (-73.4 %) | 58.3 kt (- 41.1 %) | 70.9 kt (-50.0%) | 45 kt (-42.4%) |
| Walloon Region | 29 kt (-71.8%) | 46 kt (- 38.4 %) | 28 kt (- 43.3%) | 28.7 kt (-1.2 %) |
| Brussels Capital Region | 1.4 kt (-75%) | 3 kt (- 35.4 %) | 4 kt (- 34.8 %) | |
| Transport (Belgium) | 2 kt (-87.9%) | 68 kt (- 57.8 %) | 35.6 kt (-71.9%) | / |
| Total emission ceilings | 98.2 kt (-73.4%) | 175.3 kt (-48.1%) | 138.5 kt (-58.1%) | 73.7 kt(-31%) |
These commitments are a
binding minimum.
More ambitious levels are
taken in the Flemish Environmental Policy Plan as indicative targets.
Belgium also follows EU Directives on air quality and pollutants emission control from mobile and fixed sources.
Wallonia Region
Dioxins, furannes, HAP, métaux lourds : stabilisation ou réduction des émissions par rapport à 1990.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
The main means through
which stakeholders participate in decision-making processes on the federal level is the
Federal Council for Sustainable Development (FCSD)
The FCSD is an advisory
body that advises the Belgian federal authorities about the federal policy on sustainable
development. The Council gives particular attention to the implementation of international
commitments of Belgium, such as Agenda 21, the Framework Convention on Climate Change and
the Convention on Biological Diversity.
The FCSD was set up in
1997, in succession to the National Council for Sustainable Development, which functioned
as from 1993. The FCSD was established by the law of May 5, 1997, regulating the
co-ordination of the federal policy on sustainable development. The FCSD advises the
federal authorities about that policy, at the request of federal government or parliament,
as well as on its own initiative.
In addition to its
advisory duties the FCSD acts as a forum to encourage the sustainable development debate,
for instance by means of organizing symposia. Experts in the area, representatives of
government and civil society, and a wider public have the opportunity to explain their
point of view and to dialogue. The Council makes use of the results when formulating
advices.
The Council was also
given the task of sensitizing organizations and citizens on the subject of sustainable
development.
The members of the FCSD
represent various social organizations: environmental organizations, development
organizations, consumers' unions, trade unions, employers' federations, energy producers
and the world of science. Federal and regional government representatives and delegates of
environmental and socio-economic advisory bodies only have an advisory vote in the
meetings.
Eight working groups prepare the FCSD advices and forum activities. The groups are: Biological diversity and forests, Energy and climate, Federal plan, Genetically modified organisms, International relations, Product standards, Scientific research and sustainable development and Socio-economic dimensions of sustainable development.
Brussels
Region
Consultation of all
social groups during the procedure for rendering environmental permits.
Advisory
council on environmental issues representing all social groups.
Flemish
Region
Environmental NGOs,
business and professional organizations, and trade unions participate in policy making on
sustainable development, through a number of advisory bodies, such as the Environment and
Nature Council (MINA-Raad).
Wallonia Region
In Wallonia region, the NGOs concerned with the protection of environment and industrial sectors are systematically consulted.
The relevant entities are associated with all the studies on the issue of atmosphere. They are equally consulted for the formulation of plan related to atmosphere and are members of the permanent structure for consultations concerning climatic change.Programmes and Projects
The so-called National
Program for the Reduction of CO2 Emissions (NPRE), adopted by the Federal and
Regional Governments in 1994, guided climate change policy up to 2000. This program was aimed at reducing CO2
emissions over the 1990-2000 period with 5 %.
The approach in preparing the programme was to compile climate-relevant measures at federal and regional levels in a single programme. The NPRE dealt with CO2 emissions only and had two pillars: energy efficiency and natural gas. The effect expected from the NPRE was estimated at 13,735 Gg CO2 saved in 2000, split almost equally between the complementary and the existing measures. The expected impact of the NPRE on CO2 emissions relied quite heavily on the adoption of the carbon/energy tax that was proposed within the context of the European Union in 1992. This tax was never adopted though, which, together with the non-implementation of a number of policies and measures in the NPRE, has significantly limited the effect of the NPRE on CO2 emissions in Belgium.
The NPRE basically
contained 14 sets of measures, each dealing with one of the following target
groups/sectors:
- Sets 1-4 : residential/tertiary sector
- Sets 5-10 : transport
- Sets 11-14: the use of
energy in industry and the production of energy.
The measures contained in
these sets are described below. They include both measures that are explicitly mentioned
in the NPRE and a number of closely related measures taken in the context of energy,
transport, fiscal and environmental policies since 1990.
The measures have either already been taken (“measures implemented”) or there has been a commitment to implement them (“measures committed to”) or the measures are scheduled (“measures considered”).
(see also Table 1).
Table 1 : categories of
implementation levels
Progress |
Abbreviation |
Not
relevant |
- |
Measure
implemented |
IM |
Measure
implemented partially |
IMp[1] |
Measure
committed to |
MC |
Measure
considered |
MS |
[1] IMp+ and IMP- are also used especially in order to differentiate the level of implementation between different regions
Table 2 : Summary of the overall
progress of the different series of measures (federal and regional levels)
Theme / measure |
Progress |
|||
FED |
FLA |
WAL |
BRU |
|
1. Improving thermal insulation of new buildings in the housing and service sectors |
||||
1.1. Imposing a K55 insulation coefficient for new buildings |
- |
IM |
IM |
IMp |
1.2. Education programme for architects |
IM |
IM |
MS |
|
1.3. Efficient control of the implementation of this standard |
IMp |
IMp |
IMp |
MS |
1.4. Insulation standards for the service sector |
- |
IMp |
IM |
IMp |
2. Increased use of natural gas - Improving the performance of heating and hot water systems |
||||
2.1. Grants to promote the transition to natural gas |
IMp |
- |
- |
- |
2.2. Regulations governing the minimum energy performance of water-heaters |
IM |
- |
- |
- |
2.3. Consumption labels for boilers |
IMp- |
IMp+ |
IMp- |
IMp- |
2.4. Other measures: performance of boilers |
MC |
MC |
MC |
MC |
3. Promoting the use of energy-efficient household appliances and lighting |
||||
3.1. Compulsory energy labelling for household appliances |
IMp |
IMp |
IMp |
IMp |
3.2. Industry-wide agreements with the producers and distributors of electricity on subsidies for low-consumption light bulbs (see also Topic 13) |
IMp |
IMp |
IMp |
IMp |
4. Discouraging direct electric heating |
||||
4.1. Discouraging direct electric heating as the principal heating system through existing regional information channels |
IMp |
IMp |
MC |
IMp |
4.2. Industry-wide agreement with producers and distributors of electricity on a advertising ban for this type of heating (see also Topic 13) |
MC |
IM |
MC |
MC |
5. Transportation plans for workers |
||||
5.1. Studying the legal basis for imposing company transport plans |
MC |
IMp |
MC |
MC |
5.2. Making transport strategies compulsory for the administrations of the various governments |
MC |
IMp |
MC |
MC |
6. Restricting access to city centers for private cars and transport vehicles |
||||
6.1. Stricter enforcing of unlawful parking. Returning part of the proceeds of unlawful parking tickets to the communes. |
MS |
MS |
MS |
MS |
6.2. Gearing municipal land-use planning policies to fewer parking spaces in urban centers and to the provision of park-and-ride facilities |
- |
IMp |
MC |
MC |
7. Other measures for promoting public transport in cities |
||||
7.1. Promoting public transport in cities |
MC |
IMp |
MC |
MC |
7.2. Research into the use by public transport of more environment-friendly fuels |
IMp |
IMp |
Imp |
IMp |
8. Reducing goods transport by road |
||||
8.1. Promoting intermodal transport |
IMp |
MC |
MC |
- |
8.2. Harmonizing fiscal road transport measures within Europe |
IMp |
- |
- |
- |
9. Complete review of the road-vehicles tax system |
MS |
- |
- |
- |
10. Speed limit variations + stricter enforcement |
IMp |
|||
11. Measures in industry: audits and energy accounting |
||||
11.1. General measures: tax deductions |
IM |
IM |
IM |
IM |
11.2. Industry-wide agreements |
MC |
MC |
MC |
MC |
11.3. Energy accounting |
- |
IMp |
MC |
IM |
11.4. Energy audit prior to efficient use of energy |
- |
IMp |
MC |
MC |
12. Favouring renewables in the context of the regulations, the policy on subsidies and the conclusion of industry-wide agreements |
IMp |
MC to IMp |
MC |
MC to IMp |
13. Equipment plan in the electricity sector |
- |
- |
- |
- |
14. Promoting combined heat and power (CHP) |
||||
14.1. Creating the conditions necessary for promoting combined heat and power |
IMp |
MC |
MC |
MC |
14.2. Establishing an independent body for promoting combined heat and power |
MC |
IM |
IM |
IM |
FED/NAT: federal/national level; FLA: Flemish Region; WAL: Walloon Region; BRU: Brussels Capital Region
Wallonia
Region
Side
agreements to the principal sectors of sources of CO2 (production of
paper, chemical, iron and steel) are being formulated:
-
Development of cogeneration ;
- Studies on agricultural pollutants for determing the most effective reduction mesures
-
Setting flares in discharges of wastes to eliminate CH4, particularly
from 1997.
-
Launching a centre of biomethanization
Flemish
Region :
CO2
POLICY
The
CO2-problem is a complex issue, because the use of fossil fuels lies at the heart of the
economic structure. Policy makers are divided over different administrations, such as
environment, economy, transport, etc. Co-ordination of the different initiatives is
required and this takes place in the Flemish CO2/REU-working group. This group
consists of experts in the different fields related to climate change and representatives
of the different administrations, institutions, research groups. In this group the
existing CO2/REU-policy plan of 1994 is under review and an actualisation of this plan
with new measures and policies is in preparation. The scientific input comes from VITO
(Flemish Institute for Technological Research). The purpose of this actualisation is to
adapt the plan to the current situation and to increase the scope of the measures taken.
Additional to the description and possible realisation of the measures, a quantitative
assessment of the emission reduction effect of each measure is done, an estimation of the
financial impact is done and a timeframe is elaborated. Another study in this framework
deals with the drafting of an inventory of the reduction potential for each sector in
order to prepare the CO2-policy plan for 2010. This study is focusing on the additional
measures necessary to reach the Kyoto targets in the first commitment period.
POLICY
REGARDING NON-CO2 GREENHOUSE GASES
METHANE
AND NITROUS OXIDE
The
definition of action 7 of the ‘Environmental Policy Plan’ (MINA2) is the
‘preparation and implementation of an action plan for the reduction of methane
emissions’. In the annual environmental programme of 1999 some requirements are
formulated. The plan must contain an evaluation of the impact of the ammonia-policy on the
methane emissions in the agricultural sector, the identification of additional measures in
the agricultural sector, a plan for waste gas recovery from landfills, the reduction of
methane leakages in the gas distribution and finally the impact of the effects of
anaerobic waste water treatment must be evaluated.
For
this purpose, a steering comity was founded with representatives of the different
administrations (agriculture, energy, environment,…) and institutions (VMM) to direct
the scientific study which is done by two research groups (VITO and University of
Brussels). This study started in November 1998 and will take 24 months to be completed.
The aim of the study is to make a more detailed inventory of the methane and the nitrous
gas emissions and to present policy relevant measures to reduce the emissions of these
greenhouse gases. Other priorities are the evaluation of the possibilities for
valorisation of landfill gas. At the end of 2000 an inventory of measures should be ready,
according to the planning in the annual environmental programme, and mid-2001 a draft
report must be presented. However, it is the goal of the administration to present
priority actions as soon as possible to include these measures in the second national plan
for the mitigation of the greenhouse gases.
The
results of this research project will be immediately useful for policy objectives by
active steering of the administration and early involvement of the target groups. These
early negotiations between the administration and the target groups concerning data,
methodology and basic assumptions must concretise in a swift approval of the final
reduction programmes.
Apart
from this study and actions, measures are already taken in the waste sector that
indirectly limit the methane emissions. A process is ongoing in Flanders to continuously
decrease the amount of municipal waste and to phase out the organic fraction that is
deposited in landfills. In the Implementation Plan for Household Waste 1997-2001 of the
Flemish government several measures are already in operation which indirectly decrease the
methane emissions. Instruments such as incentives and taxes are used to reach the targets
formulated in the Implementation Plans The Flemish Public Waste Agency (OVAM) is
responsible for the implementation of the different sectoral plans.
In
the municipal waste treatment sector the separate collection of GFK (garden, fruit, and
kitchen waste) is organised since 1994. Most of this quantity is composted. This year, in
1999, a new Implementation Plan for Organic waste will be presented to the government for
approval. This plan includes the separate collection of organic waste from the municipal
sector, but also from the industry. Since mid-1998 the deposit of organic waste in
landfills is not allowed in Flanders. In VLAREM, the Flemish environmental legislation,
the flaring of landfill gas is obligatory, and the valorisation of landfill gas is
recommended.
A
more detailed inventory of the emissions of nitrous oxide, together with additional policy
measures and predicting correct prognoses for the emissions are the three points of
attention in action 8 of the ‘Environmental Policy Plan’ (MINA2). These points
are investigated together with the methane emissions in the same study mentioned above.
Priorities for policy measures are the reduction of the emissions in the nitric acid
industry, anaerobic storage of manure and N-fertilisers.
THE
HALOGENATED GREENHOUSE GASES (HFCs, PFCs and SF6)
HFCs
and PFCs are used in the same applications as the ozone depleting substances, thus
measures for the elimination or reduction of ozone depleting substances emissions also aim
at reducing the emissions of HFCs and PFCs. An information system for environmentally
sound alternatives for the use of ozone depleting substances is constructed. Non-GWP
alternatives are promoted. A methodology for the emission-inventory of ozone depleting
substances, HFCs, PFCs and SF6 is developed and an emission-inventory for the years 1995,
’96 en ’97 is available, by the end of the year an inventory for the years 1998
en 1999 wil also be available. Also, additional legislation is developed for the use of
ODS, HFCs and PFCs in the refrigerator and air-conditioning sector. If technologically and
economically feasible, the use of non-ODP and non-GWP alternatives will be promoted. Work
is in progress to implement a certification programme for service and maintenance
technicians in the refrigerator sector. An inspection campaign is ongoing to check the
mode of exploitation of refrigerators and air-conditioning systems.
LAND-USE PRACTICES
Federal Government
Within the federal level
of power, no specific land-use practices have been introduced with the specific aim of
protecting the atmosphere.
In the seventies
a global land use-plan was set up which resulted in the publication of ground-destination
maps. In these plans several types of land occupation were defined (for instance
agriculture, urbanisation, industry, water protection,...). Forestry was also recognised
as a form of land occupation, but the definition of a "forest zone" was rather
narrow sensed ( wood production) and forests were put into different destination zones
(forest zone, nature zone, nature reserve zone, park zone, buffer zone) all with different
specific regulations concerning the possibilities for human activities e.g. building,
changing vegetation, altering relief,….
Now the
land-use planning system in Flanders is recently revised by the Structure Plan Flanders
(1997) which a/o aims at the protection of the country side and the open space. In the
country side several “structures” are recognised which are combined with
different functions (agriculture, nature, forestry). In some areas these different
functions are interrelated and can coexist with each other. In other areas one function
can dominate the others. In this new approach different functional landscape structures
will be defined. A forest structure will be part of a structure with nature conservation
areas and will together with the agricultural structure form the backbone of the defined
“open space” in Flanders. An expansion of the forest area is planned with
10.000ha ecological sound afforestation area and 10.000ha of agricultural land which can
be afforested. This means that the Flemish government decided to enlarge the forest area
with maximum 20.000ha.
These policy
measures are compatible with the "Long
Term Forestry Plan" (enlargement of the forest area is one of the main policy
objectives) and can contribute to the regional and national strategy to conserve and
increase greenhouse gas sinks. Forest policy itself could not define the exact
quantitative policy objectives because this is to be seen in relation to other sectors
(housing, infrastructure, agriculture, nature conservation…). The quantitative
objectives were set after broad consultation (official advisory boards, local communities,
public in general…). Now it is up to the Forestry Action Plan to develop suitable
instruments to make sure that these new forests will appear.
Lesson
learned : introducing new ideas in land-use practices and policies is a very complex issue
and must be looked at in an multidisciplinary way. Protecting the atmosphere is only one
of the many considerations that must be made.
MEASURES TO PREVENT FURTHER DEPLETION OF OZONE LAYER
Federal
Government
Strict
quotas are established for controlled substances which can be used only for critical and
essential uses. Every year users must introduce a general quote and obtain a license from
the EU- commission prior to any shipment of controlled substances. Since 10 October 2000
all exporters of controlled substances need an authorisation prior to any export.An annual
system is required from producer, importer and exporters of controlled substances.
Phaseout strategies are being implemented for other controlled substances.
Flemish Region:
The Flemish policy on
ozone depleting substances is fully covered by the implementation of five specific actions
of the Flemish Environmental Policy Plan 1997-2001. These five actions are:
1. an active stimulation
policy for the substitution of ozone depleting substances
2. an accreditation program
for technicians working on refrigeration installations
3. new legislation on the
use of ozone depleting substances
4. an inspection campaign on
the use of ozone depleting substances
5. the introduction of a duty
of acceptation for domestic refrigerators
According
to initiative 9 of the ‘Environmental Policy Plan’ (MINA2) a policy vision must
be developed for the fixation of carbon in sinks and materials. At this very moment a
scientific project is investigating the Flemish policy options concerning forest
management. Particularly, the role of forests as a carbon sink is investigated and also
the role of forests used as a CO2-neutral energy source for the substitution of fossil
fuels. Five policy relevant production systems will be under investigation, namely the
role of multifunctional forest management in Flanders, the possibilities of short-rotation
energy forests and agricultural use of woody vegetation types. The possibility will be
investigated of setting up tropical forest plantations or conservation and reforestation
projects in the tropics. These last two options give an international dimension to the
Flemish climate policy and will become more and more important in the framework of Joint
Implementation and Clean Development mechanism.
Currently, a Flemish forestry policy plan (FFPP) is finalised, consisting of a coherent set of initiatives. This Flemish forestry policy plan is one of the binding actions of the ‘Environmental Policy Plan’ (MINA2). The overall aim of this plan is forest conservation (quantitative as well as qualitative), afforestation and multifunctional forest management. The carbon emission reduction policy was one of the relevant inputs for the drafting of this Flemish forestry policy plan, next to biodiversity, social aspects, economical considerations, … In this way the Flemish forestry policy plan can be considered as the Flemish Forest Programme or Plan as defined in the report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Forests (IPF), adopted at the Special Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations or the Rio+5 World Summit.
The
concept of multifunctional and sustainable forest management, includes also the economical
function of the forest. The sustainable harvesting of wood, increases the role of forests
as net carbon sinks. The Flemish government has adopted a quantitative afforestation
policy target, which is included in the forestry policy plan and in turn contributes to
the CO2-sequestration. This aim consists in the realisation of 10.000 ha of forests in the
agricultural structure and the sustainable afforestation of an other 10.000 ha. Finally,
as part of the forest policy plan a strategy will be defined for the financing of
international forest projects.
The Flemish
Forest Programme does not include measures to promote the forest-based industries or the
timber trade. This is the competence of the Department of Economy, which has general
supporting instruments for all kinds of industry or enterprises but no specific programme
towards forest based industries.
In that regard the Flemish policy is not well developed vertically or downstream (beginning with the forest and including every activity that results from it till e.g. the distribution of wooden furnish) but is well developed in a horizontal way
-
Follow
European regulations on the protection of Ozone Layer
-
Creating
waste collection networks or equipments that contain ozone depleting substances;
- Training of technicians to ensure the mainetnance of equipments that contain ozone depleting substances.
Status
When implementing current
legislation and the Gothenburg protocol the area of ecosystems with acid deposition above
their critical loads for acidification will mount up to 110000 hectares in 2010.
Population ozone exposure indices will mount to 29 million persons.ppm.hours. Vegetation exposure indices will be 130000 km².excess ppm.hours.
CHANGES IN GREENHOUSE GAS
EMISSIONS AND CONCENTRATIONS
The data contained in the
tables below come from the emissions inventories Belgium is required to submit annually to
the European Commission under the EU Monitoring Decision (1999/296/EC) and to the
UN FCCC Secretariat under articles 4 and 12 of the Climate Change Convention.
The most recent
inventory, submitted in April 2000, contained emissions data up to 1998, but did not
comprise a full time series for all gases.
Furthermore, a new
methodology for compiling the inventory was used, making comparison between 1990 emissions
reported earlier and the most recent data problematical.
For those reasons the emissions for CO2, CH4 and N2O
in the table below were taken from the inventory submitted in 1999 and thus only contain
data up to 1997.
It should be noted that the time series are continuously being updated and improved. For the 2001 UN FCCC submission the whole time series 1990-1999 will be updated for all gases reported, using the new methodology.
| Emissions [Gg CO2 eq] | Base year (1990) |
1997 |
| CO2 | 113997 | 126288 |
| CH4 | 12853 | 12406 |
| N2O | 9613 | 11219 |
Source: Emissions inventory reported under UN FCCC and 1999/296/EC, submitted in 1999 (http://www.environment.fgov.be/Root/tasks/atmosphere/klim/pub/natcom/inv/1999_en.pdf)
| Actual emissions [Gg CO2 eq] | Base year (1995) |
1997 |
| HFCs | 332,153 | 526,72 |
| PFCs | 0 | 0 |
| SF6 | 0,009 | 0,01 |
Source: Emissions inventory reported under UN FCCC and 1999/296/EC, submitted in 2000 (http://www.environment.fgov.be/Root/tasks/atmosphere/klim/pub/natcom/inv/crf2000.zip)
CO2 :
Stabilized between 1990 and 1997
CH4 :
Increase of 6 % between 1990 and 1997
N2O :
Increase of 7,5 % between 1990 and 1997.
- -
Forests play a significant role in
moderating the net flux of some GHGs between land and atmosphere. Forests act as
reservoirs by storing carbon in biomass and soils. They act as carbon sinks when their
area or productivity is increased, resulting in greater uptake of atmospheric CO2.
Conversely, they act as a source of GHGs when burning and decay of biomass or disturbances
to soil result in emissions of CO2 and other GHGs. Appropriate forest management decisions can result
in cost-effective net reductions in GHG emissions, either by diminishing the contribution
of forests to global net emissions, or by enhancing their importance as carbon sinks. By
providing renewable materials and fuels – thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels
– and still maintaining their role as carbon reservoirs, forests can make a long-term
contribution to mitigating climate change.
The magnitude of benefits available through the activities of the forestry sector will depend upon the amount of land available, improvements in forest productivity, and technical developments that allow more efficient harvesting and use of forest products.
Various forestry practices play a significant role in helping to slow down the accumulation of CO2 in the atmosphere:
·
Conservation
management: maintaining existing stocks of carbon in forests through forest protection,
conservation and sustainable harvesting; and activities to reduce the rate of
deforestation and forest degradation, and prevent associated CO2 emissions.
·
Storage
management: increasing net uptake of CO2 from the atmosphere through carbon
storage in forests and forest products, by enlarging the forest area, increasing the
forest carbon stored per unit area through silvicultural measures (e.g. longer rotations,
greater tree stocking densities, reduced impact logging), and extending the time over
which the harvested wood remains in use.
·
Substitution
management: substituting fossil fuels with biomass energy from sustainably managed
forests, and using wood products instead of energy-intensive alternatives (such as steel
and concrete). The use of sustainably harvested biofuels produces a CO2 benefit
when the emissions from biomass combustion are offset by biomass growth, and emissions
from fossil fuel combustion are avoided.
According to
the recent FAO/ECE Temperate and Boreal Forest Resource Assessment 2000 (Main Report;
ECE/TIM/SP/17) following dates characterise the Belgian Forests :
-
Total area of
forest and other wooded land : 672.000 ha
-
Total area of
forests = 646.000 ha
-
Total area of other
wooded land = 26.000 ha
-
Per cent of land
area :
-
Forest and other
wooded land = 22.2%
-
Forest = 21.3%
-
Other wooded land =
0.9%
- Woody biomass in forest and other wooded land = 58.3 m.t C/ha or 580.36 Tg C (Tg = 1012 g);
- Between 1986 and 1995 the annual increase percentage in the carbon store of the woody biomass and other wooded land was 0.57% of the present carbon store or 0.22 Tg C/year.
Total actual emissions in Belgium (tonnes) 1995 1996 1997 CFC's 823 711 589 Halones 4 4 4 HCFC's 1673 1741 1904 CCl4 31 31 31 1,1,1 Trichloro-ethane 0 0 0 Methylbromide 252 218 211 (source: Econotec/Ecolas, ‘Opstellen van een globale methodologie voor het verzamelen van ozonafbrekende stoffen, HFK’s, PFK’s en SF6, 1999)
CFC :
reduction
Metal
bromide : not used in Wallon region
Challenges
GREENHOUSE
GAS EMISSIONS
Federal
Government
Belgian climate policy is
formulated through an extensive consultative process, with involvement of all the key
agents through the mechanism of inter-ministerial conferences and working groups. In
particular, the inter-ministerial conferences on the environment, economy and energy,
serve as forums to discuss different aspects of climate policy and to reach consensus.
The Inter-Ministerial
Conference on the Environment has a working group called Greenhouse Effect Coordination
Group. At the beginning of 1997, a decision was taken to streamline the work of the group,
stressing the role of regions by giving them the political mandate to negotiate. The group has close ties to the Co-ordination
Committee on International Environmental Policy, which functions as a general
environmental policy consultation forum for federal and regional government officials.
Given the complex
distribution of competences, further strengthening of the institutional framework and
enhanced coordination and cooperation are needed, along with the allocation of more
resources.
Within the context of the
aforementioned Federal Plan for Sustainable Development, it has been decided that the
institutional strengthening of climate change policy will be backed by a separate legal
framework for the National Climate Change Plan. This
legal framework will take the form of a co-operation agreement between the Federal
Government and the Governments of the Regions and the Communities.
Additionally, an
organizational framework will be put in place, defining structures and procedures for the
preparation, coordination, implementation, monitoring and updating of climate change
policy and related policies.
OZONE
DEPLETION
In
a Federal State specific rules on ODS in a region and lack of harmonisation can delay
control and implementation for example by moving unauthorised substances and equipments
from a strict implementing region to an more relaxed one.
Problems
of discrepancy between economic growth and increase in emissions of green house gases. The
responsables for economy and for environment are not the same persons and it is often
difficult to come to an agreement.
- Coordination
of policies among different Belgium authorities concerned (regional and federal) :
coordination is effective but is excessively tedious, delays decision-making and dilute
responsibilities.
- All
economic, industrial and household activities are based on the consumption of fossil
fuel ; changing to the benefit of other sources of energy is complex;
- Belgium
posseses limited renewable sources of energy.
AREAS AFFECTED BY AIR POLLUTION
Brussels Region
Everybody in the urban
territory of Brussels is affected by air pollution and especially the most weak population
groups.
Urban and industrial zones are most affected by the pollution while the norms and quality of air set by EU are respected.
Sambre
and Meuse areas are most affected.
Concerning
"tropospheric" ozone, rural areas are most affected.
The most effected are urban and industrial zones. Urban zones for traffic related pollutants and industrial zones also for specific pollutants such as heavy metals, VOS,... In general the European limit-values are respected except for ozone.
PROBLEMS IN DEVELOPING
TERRESTRIAL AND MARINE RESOURCES FOR INCREASING GREEN HOUSE GAS SINKS
Wallonia Region
Wallonia
region has already covered the forest at the rate of 32 % and agricultural land at 43 %. Rain sources are streatched with some difficulty.
Majority
of the Wallon forest is exploited.
Flemish
Region
Flanders
is a densely populated, industrialized region. Great pressure is consequently put on the
scarecely available land.
Federal Government
Three brochures have been
edited explaining in a comprehensible way for the broad public the three following issues
: climate change, depletion of the ozone layer (in preparation) and tropospheric ozone.
During the summer
(june-july-august 2000) a campaign was held to promote public awareness of the mechanisms
underlying formation of tropospheric ozone and how to prevent this problem. The campaign
consisted of TV-programs, radio-spots and messages on electronic panels along roads.
Concerning climate change
the Federal Department of the Environment website (http://www.environment.fgov.be)
provides an introduction to the issue of climate change, its causes and consequences, a
description of Belgian and international policy and a ‘clearing house’ type
section containing a broad selection of relevant national and international official
documents and legislation.
By means of diverse publications the OSTC is trying to provide a broad public with information on the scientific knowledge with respect to the climate problem and the climate policy. (see also the OSTC website http://www.belspo.be)
Brussels Region
Several sensitizing
actions
Wallonia
Region
Publication of the Atmospheric Atlas in 1999 especially contain a chapter on climatic change.
- -
The OSTC contributed in
1998 to the action Global (Ex) change which is a "science by mail project" for
14 to 18 year old youngsters.
The Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences’ organised together with the OSTC and other federal scientific institutions, an exhibition on “living and surviving” in which ao the atmospheric processes and climate change problems (including their socio-economic aspects were tackled. The exhibition took place from October 1998 untill June 1999 and was basically aimed at a young public 15-18 years old).
The OSTC promote the
scientific and technological collaboration with Central and Eastern European countries and
developing countries, through the financing of joint research and demonstration projects
and by offering research grants. These actions are executed within the scope of bilateral
agreements between the BLEU and the country concerned or are part of valorisation actions
within the scope of the OSTC research programmes.
Information
In
1994, the Flemish, Wallonia and Brussels regions signed a co-operation agreement to survey
emissions of polluting gases and to monitor episodes of enhanced air pollution. The
Interregional Cell for the Environment
(IRCEL-CELINE) was created to implement this agreement. IRCEL has a mandate from the three
regions to, amongst other things, monitor ozone levels, report on the results of the
measurements, inform and alert the population (if necessary), publish forecasts for the
next three days and to prepare the reports concerning ozone in the atmosphere required
under directives of the European Union. There
is also a cooperation agreement between the Federal government and the regions concerning
the coordination and reporting of all data related to air pollution. IRCEL-CELINE is also
in this agreement interlocutor and is charged to decide wether to inform or alert the
public about air pollution levels.
Belgium
reports inventories of emissions and removals of greenhouse gas emissions, ozone
precursors and SOx to the European Commission under the so-called Monitoring
Mechanism (Decision 1999/296/EC) and to the UN FCCC Secretariat under articles 4 and 12 of
the Framework Convention on Climate Change. Data
for compiling these inventories are collected by the Regions and compiled by IRCEL-CELINE. The methodologies used conform with the guidelines
set by the Conference of the Parties of the Climate Change Convention (IPCC guidelines,
Common Reporting Format) and the guidelines adopted by the EU Committee under the
Monitoring Decision.
Brussels
Region
Inventory
of emissions
- Undertaking of inventories of emissions using CORINAIR method.
- Network of air quality measure on the basis of European directives in terms of air quality.
GLOBAL OBSERVING SYSTEMS
- DATA AVAILABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY
The OSTC acts as the
national Space Agency and co-ordinates the Belgian participation to International Space
Programs, in particular to ESA (European Space Agency) .
For the study of the
atmosphere and climate are GOME on ERS-2 and GOMOS, MIPAS
and SCHIAMACHY on ENVISAT important instruments. These instruments allow the
observation of trace gases and ozone concentrations.
Besides the ESA
framework, Belgium contributes since 1979, together with Sweden and France to the SPOT programme.
In 1995 the Council of
Ministers approved the construction and exploitation of the VEGETATION programme. It is a
joint initiative by the EC, Belgium, France, Italy and Sweden. The instrument was launched
on March 24, onboard the SPOT 4 satellite. Vegetation
products are used to monitor the world vegetation cover, deforestation and
desertification, to forecast agricultural production,to study effects of climate change
and in combination with ecosystem models to estimate carbon sequestration.
The major asset of the
program is the daily coverage of the entire globe together with the rapid delivery of top
quality satellite images.
With the support of the OSTC and the Flemish Community the CTIV (VEGETATION image processing centre) is hosted in the VITO in Mol. The centre processes and archives the data and operates the VEGETATION image catalogue .
The space department of
OSTC established a national research program: “vegetation scientific support
programme”, funding in particular feasibility studies in the area of forest and
savannah fires, land cover changes, wetland monitoring, the improvement of the vegetation
processing chain etc.
The OSTC contributes also
to EUMETSAT, ESA, CNES and co-funds ERS-Envisat, MSG (météosat second Generation, Meteop
(météorologie operational) and SPOT. Two federal scientific research institutes involved
with global observing are the Royal Meteorological Institute (RMI) and the Belgian
Institute for Space Aeronomy (BISA).
The TELSAT programme on
earth observation by satellite links the space community with the user community and
demonstrates the usefulness of satellite data. Global Change (land use change, impact of
climatic events: floods, evapo-transpiration, coastal dynamics,..) is one of the four
central themes.
Belgium recognises the
need for an integrated observing strategy (IGOS). But, it is a small country with limited
resources. This makes it difficult to play an active role in the different working
parties. It is planned to organize a feasibility study with respect to Belgian activities
and G3OS.
In CEOS, Belgium is an
observer.
Some examples of how the
OSTC optimizes access to and utilisation of data and provides a basis for international
data exchange:
THE EARTH
OBSERVATION PLATFORM
The Earth Observation
platform is part of the OSTC program “Information society” which was approved by
the Belgian Government late 1995.
The objectives of this
platform are:
- to provide scientists and
public administrations with permanent access to information on data, images, and products
issued from satellite earth observation, and concerning their use;
- to ensure the purchase,
archiving and distribution of data;
- to provide a help service
as well as training to the user community
In 1997, the Earth
Observation help Desk (EOD) was set up at the RMI by the OSTC to support the
user of earth observation data. The Earth Observation Help Desk is part of the Platform
Earth Observation.
Its objectives are:
- to provide information on
earth observation, a/o. through the TELSAT Guide, which was designed according to the
standards of the CEO program
- to assist researchers
active within the framework of the “Plan” ?? SPSD I
- to identify the needs of the users
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
INFORMATION SYSTEM (ISDD)
It’s a search engine
to identify, localise and in some cases consult data in view of supporting decision making
in the area of sustainable development, to promote inter-disciplinarity and to enhance
information accessibility. The system will
include a metadatabase, a database on
indicators for sustainable development and all information available at the OSTC
(including research results). The system is not operational yet.
EARTH OBSERVATION AND
GEO-INFORMATION SYSTEMS. From Demonstration to Operation.
This brochure is intended
to be a mechanism to foster technology transfer
IDOD: INTEGRATED AND
DYNAMIC OCEANOGRAPHIC DATA MANAGEMENT
IDOD is part of the
program Sustainable Management of the North Sea. It aims at establishing, managing,
promoting a marine geographical information system, ensuring a smooth and scientifically
sound flow of data between the data producers (scientists in the field and the lab,
modellers, public authorities etc) and the end users (policy makers, scientists, the
general public).
The data cover a wide
range of natural processes and human activities connected with the North Sea. An important
part of the project involves data gathering and supplying to and from the programme.
INFORMATION AVAILABILITY
Federal Government
Information en
Envrionmental policy is available at: Federal department of the environment : http://www.environment.fgov.be
Advices and evaluation
concerning sustainable development and environmental legislation : www.plan.be
The federal office for
scientific, technical and cultural affairs (OSTC) is preparing a framework for research on
sustainable development and atmospheric pollution. One program under this framework aims
to improve communication on the subject of implementing sustainable development among
scientists, decision makers and NGO’s : www.belspo.be
CLIMATE CHANGE
Belgian and European
policy documents and legislation concerning climate ch
ange and related policy areas, including the
abovementioned inventories and national communications are made available to the general
public through the internet site of the Federal Department of the Environment. (http://www.environment.fgov.be/Root/tasks/atmosphere/klim/pub/set_en.htm)
Emission inventories up to 1999 were available as reports containing both the mandatory IPCC-tables for reporting data and a narrative part containing a description of methodology and an analysis of the evolution of emissions. In 2000 reporting was limited to the UN FCCC Common Reporting Format tables.
The interregional Cell
for the Environment (IRCEL) supervises the monitoring of atmospheric emissions in the
three regions, manages a data bank for ambient air quality, and monitors pollution
episodes and tropospheric ozone : www.irceline.be
Some sites containing
information information on the protection of the atmosphere and issues concerning climate
changes include: www.irceline.be; www.vmm.be; www.emis.vito.be;
www.instnat.be.
Wallonia Region
Journalistic
information on the concentration of "tropospheric" ozone and on the air quality
of NO2, CO, SO2, PM10, is disseminated through Internet,
at the following address :
- -.
The interregional Cell
for the Environment (IRCEL) supervises monitoring of atmospheric emissions, manages a data
bank for ambient air quality, and serves as a focal point for the European Environment
Agency.
For example: CLIMATE
CHANGE:
Information on climate
change policies and greenhouse gas emissions is internationally exchanged through
2 formal mechanisms:
- National Communications
and emissions inventories under the UN FCCC, including an in-depth review process by the
United Nations;
- The EU Monitoring
Mechanism (Decision 1999/296/EC), including the annual reporting of progress to the
Council of Ministers and the European Parliament and continued consultations between
Member States and the Commission within the framework of the Monitoring Committee.
Research and Technologies
In
1995 the Council of Ministers approved the construction and exploitation of the VEGETATION
programme. It is a joint initiative by the EC, Belgium, France, Italy and Sweden. The
instrument was launched on March 24, onboard the SPOT 4 satellite. Vegetation products are used to monitor the world
vegetation cover, deforestation and desertification, to forecast agricultural production
,to study effects of climate change and in combination with ecosystem models to estimate
carbon sequestration.
The
major asset of the program is the daily coverage of the entire globe together with the
rapid delivery of top quality satellite images.
With
the support of the OSTC and the Flemish Community the CTIV (VEGETATION image
processing centre) is hosted in the VITO in Mol. The centre processes and archives the
data and operates the VEGETATION image catalogue (available at http://www.vgt.vito.be).
 |
The
space department of OSTC established a national research program: “vegetation
scientific support programme”, funding in particular feasibility studies in the area
of forest and savannah fires, land cover changes, wetland monitoring, the improvement of
the vegetation processing chain etc.
The
following projects contribute to evaluate the role of ecosystems as a potential carbon
sink:
CG/DD/04 Species
diversity: importance for the sustainability of ecosystems and impact of
CG/DD/05 Biogeochemical
cycles of Belgian forest ecosystems related to global change
CG/DD/06 Hydrological,
soil chemical and ecological effects of climate change in species
CG/DD/07 Parameterisation
and inventarisation of gaseous nitrogen compounds from
The projects ran from December 1996 until November 30th 2000.
In the framework of research, in assistance of a strategy oriented towards durable development, different research projects have been financed, including possible measures in the transport sector to reduce the air pollution.
The
Belgian Federal Office for Scientific, Cultural and Technical Affairs contributes the
study of transboundary airpolution research trough its researchprogrammes and activities:
the researchprogramme on Global Change and Sustainable Development, Sustainable management of
the Nortsea and Sustainable Mobility the
support to the European Space Agency (ESA) and through the activities of the Belgian
Institute for Space Aeronomie and the Royal Meteorological institute (RMI) , two research
institutes that since 1991 are under the authority of the federal minister for Science
Policy.
The OSTC are in charge of the Belgian contribution to the European Space Agency. With respect to the transboundary airpollution, GOME on ERS-2 and GOMOS, MIPAS, SCHIAMACHY on ENVISAT are the most important instruments.These instruyments allow the measering of tracegases, the ozone concentration and the chnages in the atmospheric composition. Belgium is also taking part in the DUP (Data User Programme) of ESA,looking for the operational cartography of trace gases.
The Federal Office for
Scientific, Technical and Cultural Affairs (OSTC) is in charge of the scientific aspects
of Sustainable Development at the federal level. Its administration, the OSTC has launched
and is managing the “Scientific Support Plan for a Sustainable Development Policy
“ (1996-2000) (hereafter “SPSD I). SPSD plan was originally based on the
recommendations of the VITO (Vlaamse Instelling voor technologisch Onderzoek) -FTU
(Fondation Travail Universitaire) study “Consequences of the concept
“sustainable development” for scientific research”, the advice of the
Federal Council for Sustainable Development (representing all actors of society: research,
industry, NGO’s, unions, etc….) and of the accompanying committees of the
previous relevant research programmes.
The SPSD I with a total budget of 75 mEURO was approved by the Council of Ministers on March
7th 1996 and consists of seven thematical programmes:
The most relevant
programme with respect to "the atmosphere" is "Global Change and
Sustainable Development" This research programme covers a period of 4 years, from
December 1st 1996 to November 30th 2000 with a total budget of
respectively about 16 mEURO.
Other programmes of the
SPSD I, such as Sustainable Mobility, Sustainable Management of the North Sea, Scientific
Research Programme on the Antarctic – Phase IV , TELSAT (Earth Observation by
Satellite) and Levers for a Sustainable Development also
contribute partially to the understanding of atmospheric processes, the climate system,
the evaluation of the impact of climate change or the policy support in the framework of
the climate convention.
The OSTC launched in July
2000 the Second Multi-annual Scientific Support Plan for a
Sustainable Development Policy (SPSD II).
To have a better-knit,
more integrated scientific approach that is centred more on environmental issues but is
also more flexible with regard to new research and policy development, it was decided to
give SPSD II a co-ordinating structure, called ‘Global Change, Ecosystems and
Biodiversity’, to arch over and in some cases to reorient the previous programmes on
Global Change, Sustainable development of the North-Sea and the Antarctic research
programme above-mentioned and bolster the biodiversity component of each programme.
The themes chosen for this part, that is, climate, atmosphere, ecosystems and biodiversity, reflect a series of R&D and sustainable development policy priorities as enshrined in:
- the
axes of the 5th and 6th (in preparation) EC Programmes of policy and action in relation to
the environment and sustainable development “Towards Sustainability”;
- the major
environmental chapters of Agenda 21, which cover atmospheric protection, fragile ecosystem
management, the maintenance of biological diversity, protection of the oceans, and
protection of the quality and quantity of the planet’s freshwater reserves;
- the
central themes chosen by the International Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD)
for 1998-2001, that is, the seas and oceans, planning and integrated land management, the
atmosphere, and freshwater management.
It also fulfils, by other
means, the political and research obligations that Belgium has taken up by ratifying
various international agreements, such as:
- Certain conventions involving iterative decision-making in which the aims are revised in line with scientific progress. This leads directly or indirectly to the obligation to conduct research on the various underlying systems or processes;
- Various
agreements that require the submission of regular reports on the policies that have been
adopted. The directives that are in force usually necessitate scientific foundations
and/or support (this applies, for example, to the contractual reporting requirements in
Article 35 of the Climate Convention, the North Sea Quality Status Report, and various
chapters in the next round of reporting to the Convention on Biological Diversity);
- Most of these agreements
have resulted in the creation of scientific and technical committees with advisory
functions. Belgian scientific representation in such fora reinforces Belgium’s
position in international decision-making processes l decisions and can provide the
country’s economic and political players with the information that they require to be
able to look ahead to new developments in the area concerned.
To sum up, the aims of
this part are:
- to consolidate scientific potential in the areas concerned and give the research groups concerned the possibility to become part of important international research programmes such as DIVERSITAS (international programme on biodiversity), IGBP (International Geosphere and Biosphere Programme) IHDP (International Human Dimension Programme of global change), WCRP (World Climate Research Programme), and the 5th (EC) RTD Framework Programme,
- to give the
countries’ authorities the necessary scientific support for drawing up and carrying
out (inter)national sustainable development policies, especially in the areas concerning
climate change, tropospheric and stratospheric ozone, biodiversity, and the North Sea and
Antarctic ecosystems. This will be done by
providing contextual knowledge, objective data, methods, instruments and models,
recommendations, and advice to support decision-making and management;
- to make efforts to pull
together, summarize, integrate and make use of scientific data in the areas under
consideration so as to make a common approach to environmental issues in a context of
sustainable development possible;
- generally speaking, to
encourage multidisciplinary research, especially research that combines the natural
sciences, economics, and social sciences, so as to come up with pertinent answers to the
challenges of sustainable development and foster dialogue and information exchange amongst
scientists, decision-makers, and the other players involved on all levels in the country
and within a European context.
The “Supporting actions” of the SPSD I and the SPSD II aim at a better management of scientific information, integration and assessment and the enhancement of the dialogue between scientists, scientists and policymakers and between scientists and the citizens.
TECHNOLOGY
Brussels Region
The Brussels Institute
for management of the environment has a laboratory to observe and record air quality.
Wallonia
Region
-
Sum
of annual inventories of emissions;
- Air quality measurement stations assess concentrations and deposits of pollutions.
Financing
PUBLIC SOURCES
Federal
Government
The
year 2000 and the previous years’ budget the Federal Department of the Environment
had to spend on activities concerning the protection of the atmosphere amounted to a total
annual sum of 8 million BEF. (In addition to overhead costs, housing, personnel costs,
which are covered elsewhere in the budget and are difficult to separate). Personnel costs covered 4 university level staff
members and 1 secretary.
The budget for
atmospheric processes research within the Global Change and Sustainable Development programme amounts to 135 MBEF for a 4 year period.
Flemish
Region
The budget
of the Flemish Region for the year 2000 allocated to activities for the protection of the
atmosphere is approximately 200 million BEF. This includes personnel, studies, investments
and functioning. A very rough indication, partly an estimation, on expenditures by the
target groups (industry, agriculture, transport) is about 30.000 BEF/ year. Further
studies should give more information on private sources.
PRIVATE SOURCES
Several prorgrammes, actions and projects from companies and sectors exist under different forms.
MEASURES
AIMED AT INCREASING THE VOLUME OF FUNDING FOR PROTECTION OF THE ATMOSPHERE
Wallonia Region
Economic
expansion has helped the Walloon region with 15 % invested towards pollution reduction.
Flemish
Region
The Flemish
regulation on economic expansion makes companies invest for the protection of the
atmosphere. To comply with the commitments taken in the Gothenborg Protocol and the draft
EU directive on national emission ceilings, new regulation will be worked out, which will
ask extra investments from industry.
_ _
The
following actions must be taken into consideration for fiscal reform:
- Review of taxes on transport
- Review
of taxes on energy, taking a better account of the influence of the use of various fuels
on air pollution;
- Reductions
in taxes on ecologically friendly goods.
The total budget for the
SPSD II amounts to about 2.240 million Belgian Francs (55 MEURO584 MBEF (15 MEURO is for the part on "Global change,
ecosystems and biodiversity"
Cooperation
The OSTC promote the scientific and technological collaboration with Central and Eastern European countries and developing countries, through the financing of joint research and demonstration projects and by offering research grants. These actions are executed within the scope of bilateral agreements between the BLEU and the country concerned or are part of valorisation actions within the scope of the OSTC research programmes.
Given that it has a small
and open economy and thus a relatively limited scope for strong domestic policies, Belgium
has always strongly advocated the development and implementation of so-called Common and
Co-ordinated Policies and Measures (CCPMs) within the European Union.
CCPMs Belgium has been pushing for in the EU context include carbon/energy taxation, minimum energy efficiency standards, fiscal measures in the transport sector and positively discriminating energy efficient products through indirect taxation such as the VAT (value added tax).
The transboundary
character and the complexity of the atmospheric
processes and the problem of climate change need an international co-operation with
respect to policy, research and observation, scientific
assessment and integration.
Some efforts of Belgium
in the international forum where mentioned already.
Besides that Belgium participates actively in EUROTRAC, IGBP(IGAC…), WCRP (CLIVAR), the IPCC workshops and the IPCC third assessment report (5 contributing authors) and the E.C. programme on "Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development".
The
transboundary character and the complexity of the atmospheric
processes and the problem of climate change need an international co-operation with
respect to policy, research and observation, scientific
assessment and integration.
Some
efforts of Belgium in the international forum where mentioned already.
Besides that Belgium participates actively in NDSC, EUROTRAC, IGBP(IGAC…), WCRP (CLIVAR, SPARC), the IPCC workshops and the IPCC third assessment report (5 contributing authors) and the E.C. programme on "Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development".
Belgium
is party to :
- UNECE
Convention on transboundary air pollution and its protocols.
- All
the Protocols in the framework of the UNECE
Convention on Long range transboundary air pollution are signed by Belgium. The Protocoles
NOx, SO2 et COV are in the final phase of
ratification.
- The
Protocols on heavy metals, POPs and Acidification, Eutrophication and ground level ozone
are in the first phase of ratification.
- OSPAR Convention on the protection of the sea against marine pollution.
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of Belgium to the ninth session of
the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last Update: November 2000.
ANNEX
1
Flemish Region
Emission standards and limit values
NOx
Source category |
National emission standards |
National emission standards |
|
Power plants and industrial Combustion Plants
1.Solid fuels
2.Liquid fuels
3.Gaseous fuels
|
350 mg/Nm3
|
Blast-furnace gas: 350 mg/Nm3 |
|
Source category |
National emission standards |
Statistical treatment |
|
Oil refineries
Non-combustion processes
Waste combustion |
Overall (bubble)
emission limit values From 01/01/94 until 31/12/97 : 900 mg/Nm3 From 01/01/98 : 450 mg/Nm3
450 mg/Nm3 500 mg/Nm3
400 mg/Nm3 |
Advancing 30-days average < emission limit value
statistical treatment (see tabel below*)
Hazardous waste 97% of all half hour averages < or = emission limit value Municipal waste |
VOC
General emission limit values in the Flemish legislation Vlarem 2. These limit values are applicable to all source categories except those with specific sectorial limit values and regulations.
Product |
Emission limit value |
| 44 organic products (phenol, formaldehyde, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethylene, chloromethane, acetaldehyde, trichloromethane, …) | 20 mg/Nm3 (mass flow = or > 100 g/h) |
| 37 organic products (toluene, tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, chlorobenzene, o-xylene, m-xylene, p-xylene, …) | 100 mg/Nm3 (mass flow = or > 2000 g/h) |
| 19 organic products (acetone, alkylalcohol, dimethyl ether, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, propyl acetate, …) | 150 mg/Nm3 (mass flow = or > 3000 g/h) |
Sectorial emission limit values in the Flemish legislation Vlarem 2:
Source category |
Emission standards |
Units & statistical treatment * |
|
| Use of solvents: | |||
|
90 | mg / Nm3 | |
|
90 | mg / Nm3 | |
|
60 120 |
g / m2 top
layer g / m2 basic layer + varnish |
|
|
500
|
mg / Nm3 ethanol
(max 25%) Other (> 5 kg / h) : mg / Nm3 (thermal incineration) mg / Nm3 (catalytic incineration) mg / Nm3 (solvent recuperation) |
|
|
100
150 |
mg / Nm3 sum
tri-, tetra-chloroethylene (> 2 kg / h) mg / Nm3 dichloromethane (> 3 kg / h ): |
|
|
100 150 |
mg / Nm3
tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene (>2 kg / h): mg / Nm3 hydrocarbons (> 3 kg / h): |
|
|
90 | mg / Nm3 | |
Organic chemical industry
|
5 |
mg / Nm3 1,2-dichloroethane |
New emission limit values, according to the European Directive 1999/13/EG will come into effect the latest on 1 April 2001 in the Flemish legislation.
SO2
Thermal input > 500 MW.
| Source Category | Measures Applied | Limit values |
| Refineries
Power plants |
- increased use of gas
|
From 01/01/99 on, the emission
limit values are lowered from 2000 mg/Nm3 to 1300 mg/Nm3, (which is
lower than the prescribed value of 1700 mg/Nm3) 1. For installations authorised before 01/07/87: Following limit values are applied from 01/01/95 : -recuperation fuels of Belgian origin : 2000 mg/Nm3 -other fuels : 1700 mg/Nm3 2. For installations authorised from 01/07/87 and before 01/01/96: 1. Solid fuels >300 MW : 250 mg/Nm3 2. Liquid fuels 300-600 : 250 mg/Nm3 >600 MW : 150 mg/Nm3 3. Gaseous fuels Blast-furnace gas, industry gas from the steel and
iron industry, natural gas, bio gas : |
Thermal input between 50 and 500 MWth
| Source Category | Measures Applied | Limit values |
| Refineries
Combustion plants |
use of low S heavy fuel
- increased use of gas - switchover from heavy fuel with high S content to heavy fuel with max. 1% S (conform EU directive 99/32/EG) |
From 01/01/99 on, the emission
limit values are lowered from 2000 mg/Nm3 to 1300 mg/Nm3. 1. For installations authorised before 01/07/87: Following limit values are applied from 01/01/95 : 2. For installations authorised from 01/07/87 and before 01/01/96: 1. Solid fuels 2. Liquid fuels 3. Gaseous fuels Blast-furnace gas, industry gas from the steel and
iron industry, natural gas, bio gas: |
Heavy Metals
| contaminant | treshold value for total load (g/h) | emission limit value (mg/Nm3) |
total suspended particles |
? 500 |
150 |
Cd |
? 1 |
0.2 |
As |
? 5 |
1 |
Sb |
? 25 |
5 |
The emission limit values also count for the sum of the comtaminants of the same group (as shown in table)
SECTORSPECIFIC LIMIT VALUES for METALS and TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICLES
Source category |
emission limit values |
combustion of fossil
fuels (> 50 MW)
Solid fuels
Solid fuels
|
Following standards
are valid from 01/01/95
50 mg/Nm3
50 mg/Nm3 |
Source category |
emission limit values |
| metallurgical
activities sinter plants and primary ferro
primary non-ferro
electric arc furnaces melting
foundries |
50 mg/Nm3
if total load >500g/h
10 mg/Nm3 20 mg/Nm3
|
Source category |
emission limit values |
| glass industry concerns a limit value for Pb !! |
5 mg/Nm3 if total load ³ 25g/h
|
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
Two emission limit values are foreseen for PAHs in case of exceeding a treshold value of 0.5 g/h
as total emission load :
Benz(a) pyrene : 0,1 mg/m³
Dibenzo(a,h) anthracene : 0,1mg/m³
There are no specific limit values for each individual source category.
These limit values count under standard conditions (273.15 K, 101.3 kPa and dry gas).
They have to be respected for all new installations and from the first of January 1999 for installations authorised before the first of January 1993 or for which an authorisation was demanded before the first of September 1991.
A monthly measurement is required.
dioxins/furans :
| source category | limit values | units & statistical treatment | |
| incineration of municipal, hazardous or medical waste, or of sewage sludge | Flanders : The limit value 0,1 ng TEQ / m3 under standard conditions
(273,15 K, 101,3 kPa and dry gas) and referred to 11 % O2 concentration in flue
gas applies from 1 january 1997 to all incinerators burning municipal waste (> 6 ton /
h), hazardous or medical waste. |
Flanders : following the EN standards of sampling and analysis measurements required yearly limit value has to be reached for all mean values measured during a sampling time of minimum 6 hours and maximum 8 hours continuous dioxin sampling and analysis at least every two weeks applies from 1 may 1999 for municipal waste incineration and for sewage sludge incineration. |
| sinter plants | The limit value 2,5 ng TEQ / m3
under standard conditions (273,15 K, 101,3 kPa and dry gas) and referred to 16 % O2
concentration in flue gas applies from 1 january 2002 to sinter plants authorised before 1
january 1993. (guide level : 0,4 ng TEQ / m3) The limit value 0,5 ng TEQ / m3 under standard conditions (273,15 K, 101,3 kPa and dry gas) and referred to 16 % O2 concentration in flue gas applies from 1 may 1999 to sinter plants authorised after 1 january 1993. (guide level : 0,1 ng TEQ / m3) |
following the EN
standards of sampling and analysis measurements required yearly limit value has to be reached for all mean values measured during a sampling time of minimum 6 hours and maximum 8 hours
|
| primary and secondary production of copper | The limit value 1 ng TEQ / m3
under standard conditions (273,15 K, 101,3 kPa and dry gas) and referred to 16 % O2
concentration in flue gas applies from 1 january 2003 to sinter plants authorised before 1
january 1993. (guide level : 0,4 ng TEQ / m3) The limit value 0,5 ng TEQ / m3 under standard conditions (273,15 K, 101,3 kPa and dry gas) and referred to 16 % O2 concentration in flue gas applies from 1 may 1999 to sinter plants authorised after 1 january 1993. (guide level : 0,1 ng TEQ / m3) |
following the EN
standards of sampling and analysis measurements required yearly limit value has to be reached for all mean values measured during a sampling time of minimum 6 hours and maximum 8 hours |
| production of steel | same as primary and secondary production of copper |
same as primary and secondary production of copper |
| smelting plants in the secondary aluminium industry | same as primary and secondary production of copper |
same as primary and secondary production of copper |
|
| combustion of fossil fuels in utility and industrial boilers with a thermal capacity above 50 MWth | limit values are set only
for the combustion of wood in installations with a capacity of > 1 ton / hour or > 5
MW. When the wood is : 1. dangerous treated wood : with preservation or
flame retardant 2. not dangerous treated wood : without preservation or
flame retardant but painted, varnished, lacked 3. untreated wood : natural wood or wood sticked together
with glue |
following the EN
standards of sampling and analysis measurements required yearly limit value has to be reached for all mean values measured during a sampling time of minimum 6 hours and maximum 8 hours |
| firing installations for wood with a thermal capacity below 50 MWth | same as combustion of fossil fuels in utility and industrial boilers with a thermal capacity above 50 MWth |
same as combustion of fossil fuels in utility and industrial boilers with a thermal capacity above 50 MWth |
| residential combustion | no limit values except when
burning untreated wood in an installation with a capacity of > 1 ton/h (in that case : see above) |
*Statistical treatment
| Measuring frequency | Compliance |
| Discontinous measurements, frequency < monthly | any measured value < or = emission limit value |
| Discontininous measurements,frequency > or = monthly |
ii) not more than about 5% exceedings of hour values in function of the number of samples**, and iii) any hour average < 2 times emission limit value |
| Continuous measurements |
c) any half hour average < 2 times emission limit value |
**The allowed number of samples not meeting the emission limiting values - as a function of the number of samples - is prescribed in art. 4.4.4 of Vlarem II.
Statistical treatment for combustion installations :
| Measuring frequency | Compliance |
| discontinuously | any measured value < or = emission limit value |
| continuously |
|
|
For the access to the Web Site of the Ozone
Secretariat, click here:
| Belgium | All Countries | Home|
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Regional Governments and the Federal Ministries of the Environment, Science Policy, Social Affairs, Public Health and Environment, Agriculture, and Development Cooperation are the principal agencies in charge of different aspects of the conservation of biological diversity and genetic resources. The follow-up on the action plans concerning the conservation of biological diversity at the national level is coordinated by the Biodiversity Convention Steering Committee under the authority of the Coordination Committee for International Environmental Policy.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
In Belgium, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was signed in 1992 and ratified on 22 November 1996. Belgium became a Contracting Party on 20 February 1997.
The first National report is to be submitted not later than January 1, 1998.
A number of Regional laws on the conservation of nature include provisions for the conservation of biological diversity and the Regional Governments have developed strategies and action plans dealing with conservation of biological diversity.
A number of measures have been undertaken for the in-situ conservation and restoration of ecosystems and their components, and ex-situ conservation of biological and genetic resources. At the Regional level, the in-situ conservation of ecosystems is mainly assured by the creation and management of nature reserves. These were and are being developed by the three Regional Government and also by private organizations. Each year, new areas are designated as nature reserves or existing ones are enlarged. A complementary nature conservation policy has also been developed for areas outside reserves in order to maintain or restore ecological corridors. In the Flemish Region efforts are being made to create a Green Main Structure, a coherent network that can be integrated in the development of an Pan-European Ecological Network. It will be built from core areas, rich in biodiversity; corridors or stepping stones; and areas where nature conservation, forestry, and agriculture are combined in a sustainable way. In the Walloon Region, an ecological network has also been set up as a partnership for managing the rural environment. The Brussels Capital Region has developed a bio-indicator information network based on birds, amphibians, reptiles, higher plants, and mosses.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
The participation and input of local authorities is considered to be essential to the success of efforts to conserve biological and genetic resources. A public awareness campaign is under way in rural areas for the conservation of landscapes, species, and varieties within species.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available
Programmes and Projects
No information is available
Status
The decline of animal diversity is due primarily to human activity, especially land use leading to natural habitat destruction. Pollution and the introduction of exotic plant species are also threats to the maintenance of animal diversity. Over-exploitation appears to play a minor role but the introduction of exotic animal species is a problem. Natural habitat destruction and pollution are the primary causes for the loss of plant diversity in Belgium. The introduction of exotic plant species is also considered a threat. The introduction of exotic animal species and over-exploitation are considered minor to the loss of plant diversity.
Scientific studies demonstrate that from 1950 onwards certain invertebrate groups have shown a significant and sometimes dramatic decline in populations and in numbers of species. The phenomenon is particularly well documented for vertebrates, diurnal butterflies, some families of beetles and wasps, dragonflies and damselflies, terrestrial snails, and spiders. A similar trend exists for plants, fungi, and lichens. On the other hand, there are many scientific papers dealing with recently introduced invertebrate species, some of which are invasive species, for example wasps and other insects, terrestrial slugs, crustaceans, etc.
A number of institutions play an important role in the ex-situ conservation of biological and genetic resources. Conservation is maintained in botanical and zoological gardens. For micro-organisms, four collections form the basis of an important network coordinated by the Federal Office for Scientific, Technical and Cultural Affairs. The Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, Brussels, has been designated as the CBD National Focal Point. This Focal Point has launched in October 1996 with a Belgian Clearinghouse mechanism on the INTERNET. The first part of the home-page covers services given by the National Focal Point (addresses and responsibilities, expertise, bibliography, collections). This is followed by the ratification process. In the future, the home-page will cover step by step the whole story of the Belgian implementation of the CBD. The second part presents a selection of useful hyperlinks.
Challenges
No information is available
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
National capacities for studying, assessing, and monitoring biological diversity need to be strengthened. Belgian research institutes and universities do carry out a large number of activities at Regional, National, and international levels. An inventory of Belgian professionals participating in studying, assessing, and monitoring biological diversity is available (1995). The possibility of biotechnology in assessing biological diversity is being considered.
Information
No information is available
Research and Technologies
Belgian universities and research institutes carry out many projects at the Regional and international level, the most distinctive of which are the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, the National Botanical Garden, the Royal Museum for Central Africa, the Institute of Nature Conservation, and the Scientific Centre of the Walloon Region. Long term scientific studies under National and international collaboration are carried out in the tropics (for example, Central Africa, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Galapagos, the Gulf of Mexico, the Caribbean), Lake Baïkal, the Antarctic, Atlantic archipelagos, the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and in Europe. Belgium participates actively in the CGIAR.
Financing
The Belgian Agency for Development Cooperation (BADC) contributed Bfr 85 million to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) in 1994; Bfr 235 million in 1995; and Bfr 390 million in 1996. The contribution for 1997 will be Bfr 390 million. BADC contributed US$ 6.7 million to the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and its international research centers in 1994.
Cooperation
No information is available
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of Belgium to the fifth session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last Update: April 1997.
Click here to link to
biosafety web sites in Belgium.
Click here for the International Centre
for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Biosafety WebPages
Click here to link to the Biosafety
Information Network and Advisory Service (BINAS), a service of the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), which monitors global developments in
regulatory issues in biotechnology.
Click here to go to the Web Site of UNEP's
International Register on Biosafety.
For access to the Web Site of the Convention on
Biological Diversity, click here:
For access to the Web Site of
the CITES Convention, click here:
For the Web Site of the CMS
Convention, click here:
For the Web Site of the Convention on the
Protection of the World's Cultural and Natural Heritage, click here:
For the country-by-country, Man in the Biosphere
On-Line Query System, click here:
| Belgium | All Countries | Home|
Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Belgian Agency for Development Cooperation (BADC) is in charge of elaborating bilateral development projects and of coordinating Belgian contributions to multilateral interventions. It does so through government-to-government agreements or agreements with international organizations. BADC has a long-standing record of action in the field of combating desertification and drought within both frameworks, especially in Africa.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
Although Belgium was not able to sign the International Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification Particularly in Africa before the deadline, the process of accession is well underway. Deposition of the instruments of accession is expected in the first semester of 1997, which will allow Belgium to participate in the First Conference of the Parties as a Party to the Convention.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
Target populations of development projects in the field of combating desertification and drought are mainly situated at the grass-root level, with increasing attention being paid to women. Local governments are the focus of capacity building through an objective oriented project cycle which includes all major groups in the decision making process, thus promoting the participatory approach at all levels. In addition to its direct bilateral projects, BADC also finances NGOs that are active in combating desertification and drought.
In its bilateral projects, BADC usually includes activities that relate to capacity development and technology transfer, either locally, through training programmes in Belgium, or both. As a result of the Convention, the Belgian scientific community has established a National group of desertification experts to be included in the future European network that will contribute to the Committee on Science and Technology (CST) of the Convention.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available
Status
No information is available
Challenges
No information is available
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available
Information
No information is available
Research and Technologies
No information is available
Financing
New projects financed by BADC from 1992 onward (that is, disregarding projects started before 1992 and completed after that year or still running) can be summarized as follows: direct bilateral US$ 11.22 million [excluding the South African Development Community (SADC), see below]; NGOs US$ 2.04 million; multilateral US$ 5.00 million [excluding the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), see below]; universities US$ 1.27 million (see below); and financial US$ 14.24 million . Thus, the total BADC funding for combating desertification and drought for the period 1992-1996, amounted to US$ 94.42 million, including all expenditures cited below.
Cooperation
For the period 1987-1996, Belgium has contributed a total amount of US$ 52 million to IFAD's Special Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa, under which many projects relate to desertification and drought. For the period 1993-1996, the SADC region has received US$ 8.65 million for water programmes, drought monitoring, forest inventory, and soil improvement. Belgian universities also participate in international projects, such as the conservation of pastoral resources and an integrated approach to combat desertification in Tunisia. These two projects have budgets of US$ 750,000 and US$ 515,000 respectively.
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of Belgium to the fifth session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last Update: April 1997.
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The
administrative structure of energy policies has been in transition since the Special Law
of Institutional Reform of 8 August 1988. Under this law Belgium became a federal state
with significant delegation of responsibilities to the three regional governments of
Flanders, Wallonia and Brussels-Capital. Some basic responsibilities remain with the federal
government), essentially those which because of their technical and economic character
need to be dealt with a the national level : the indicative program for the electricity
sector ; the nuclear fuel cycle and related R&D programs ; the large infrastructures
for storage, transport and production of energy ; tariffs. The Federal Adminstration
for Energy, which is part of the federal Ministry of Economic Affairs, is in charge
of implementing the federal energy policy.
The following responsibilities were fully transferred to the regions in 1989: distribution and transport of electricity through networks with a maximum voltage of 70 kV; public distribution of gas; use of methane and blast furnace gas; district heating equipment and networks ; valorisation of waste products reclaimed from coal tips; new and renewable energy sources of energy, excluding nuclear energy ; recovery of waste energy from industry or other uses; rational use of energy.
In Flanders, the
Ministry of the Flemish Community has a Department of Economy, Employment, Interior
Affairs and Agriculture that is divided into 4 administrations. The Administration of
Economy includes a Division of Natural Resources and Energy and is in charge of energy. In
the department of Environment and Infrastructure, the Adminstration of the Environment
deals with environmental matters. In addition, two institutes play an important role in
energy technology, research and development: VITO the Flemish Institute for technological
research and IWT, the Flemish Institute for the promotion of scientific and technology
research in industry.
In Wallonia, the
Directorate-General for Technology, Research and Energy deals with energy and research
issues, and the Directorate General for Natural Resources and Environment is responsible
for environmental matters. The ministry of equipment and transportation also contributes
to the development of RD&D policy concerning transportation issues.
In Brussels Capital,
the Brussels Institute for the Management of the Environment (IBGE/BIM) is competent for
energy matters following the decision of the government of the Region of Brussels-Capital
on the transfer of the "service énergie" to the institute IBGE/BIM and
confirmed by the ordinance of the council of he region of Brussels-Capital of 27 April
1995.
The
Special Law of Institutional Reform of 1988 provides various mechanisms for association
and co-operation, for instance through co-operation agreements.
With the co-operation
agreement dated 18 November 1991, the federal government and the three regional
governments created a formal body for discussion between the central government and the
regions on all energy matters transferred to the regions, the Energy Concertation
Group ENOVER/CONCERE. The Group became operational in 1992.
The main tasks of the
Cellule Concere/Enover are to:
- Gather information and
promote its exchange between the regions and the federal government and internationally
- Support all policy
measures, including those involving both federal and regional authorities, in a spirit of
internal cohesion, taking into account the wide scope of responsibilities involved
- Select and give
mandates to Belgian regional delegations to international meetings.
The
Cellule's tasks are designed to protect the autonomy of all parties, so its powers deal
essentially with advice and recommendations. Plenary sessions are held monthly. Several
working groups on thematic subjects have been created. The secretariat of the Concertation
Group is assured by the federal Administration for Energy. The Group has no independent
budget.
The municipalities have a
legal monopoly for the distribution of gas and electricity ; in fact, nearly all the
municipalities have transferred the distribution of energy to intermunicipal companies set
up by groups of municipalities (the "intercommunales")
Within the framework of the federal law, the Commission for the Regulation of the Electricity an Gas market (CREG) is created, an autonomous body which will be responsible for the regulation and control of the liberalized part of Belgian energy markets.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
The Federal
law concerning the Organisation of the Electricity Market was adopted on April 29,
1999. This framework law defines the basic elements for the transposition of the European
directive at federal level. It touches upon those aspects of the European directive, which
are of federal competence, being production and transport of electricity, electricity
pricing, long-term planning and competition issues (except CHP and RES)
The
federal framework law and the executive decisions taken at federal level have to be
completed with regional decrees, which deal with those aspects of the EU-directive, which
are of regional competence.
On July, 5, 2000
the Flemish parliament approved the decree regarding the liberalisation of the electricity
market in Flanders.
The first lecture
of the Wallonia draft decree regarding the liberalisation of the electricity market took
place by the Walloon government at the end of June 2000.
The Federal Law on the liberalisation of the Belgian Gas Market was approved on April 29, 1999, amending the Gas Act of 12 April 1965 concerning the transportation of gas and other substances by pipeline incorporated the European Gas Directive into Belgian federal legislation. A number of decrees outlining the practicalities for organizing the liberalized gas market are underway
On
May 5, 1997 the federal Government approved the "Law concerning the co-ordination
of the federal policy on sustainable development". The law creates two new
bodies : the federal council on sustainable development and the Inter-departemental
commission on sustainable development.
The Royal
Decree of 1971 provides the legal basis for holding mandatory stocks. The decree
obliges importing companies to keep stocks of three groups of products (gasoline, diesel,
and light fuel oil and residential fuel) corresponding to 25 % of their international
sales during the previous calendar year. The companies may, however, hold part of their
mandatory stocks in crude oil and intermediate products (feedstocks) as well as in the
neighbouring countries based on bilateral agreements.
To comply with EU-directive 92/42 on, minimum energy efficiency standards for hot water devices a royal decree was adopted on 18 March 1997. For refrigerators, freezers and combinations, energy labelling was implemented by ministerial decree of 10 November 1996. For washing machines, dryers and dishwashers energy labelling was approved early 1999.
Energy
Taxation : From 1 August 1993, a special tax on domestic
energy products, an "energy levy" (cotisation sur l'énergie) is being levied on
gasoline, light heating oil, natural gas, LPG and electricity. Coal, social tariffs for
electricity and gas and diesel fuel were exempted. This tax is calculated on the energy
component.
On
1 January 1996, additional excise taxes were placed on motor fuels. Gasoline is also
subject to the general VAT of 21 % that adds to its national cost.
In 1993, heavy fuel oil for industry and electricity generation was subject to an excise tax of BF 750/ton for heavy fuels containing 3 % sulphur to BF 250/ton for 1 % sulphur content. Electricity and natural gas for households are subject ot VAT at 21 % as from 1 January 1996. There are no taxes on coking coal or steam coal for industry and electricity generation. A reduced VAT rate of 12 % is placed on steam coal for households.
Energy efficiency in the residential sector : various financial incentives and initiatives have been introduced and are under development by the three regions for the promotion of energy efficiency in the residential sector: information campaigns, energy kiosks which give information and advice on energy efficiency measures, thermal insulation standards, energy certification of buildings, etc.
Energy
efficiency promotion toward non-commercial bodies :
In order to promote the rational use of energy, the three regions allocate subsidies to
municipalities and other local bodies, hospitals and schools.
Energy
efficiency in the industrial sector: Since 1982, a system of fiscal abatement
for investment by industrial, commercial and agricultural businesses has been operating;
it currently offers an abatement at the general rate of 4.5 % on taxable profits. An
additional 10 % abatement is given for investments aimed at improving energy use in
industrial processes and, in particular recuperating energy used in industry. Since 1990,
the regional governments monitor the viability of the investments. The system is being
adapted to take into account the trends in energy efficiency policy, particularly
environmental concerns.
General legislation enacted in 1959 and amended in 1970 created a structure for financial support to economic expansion. Not this support is the responsibility of the regions, and it has been diversified according to each region's needs. The level of subsidy varies according to the type of enterprise and other criteria such as the introduction of new energy efficient processes, promotion of RD&D, and the development of employment.
In Flanders, an additional subsidy of 15 % is given for the portion of an investment related to environmental and energy efficiency considerations.
In Wallonia, financial incentives for socio-economic development allocated to promote renewable energy sources and energy savings include a wide range of measures (subsidies, reimbursement of loans guaranteed, tax exemption, accelerated write-off) and vary according to different criteria.
In
Brussels-Capital, subsidies of up to 20% of the investment cost may be allocated
to enterprises for energy efficiency.
Furthermore, initiatives are taken in the field of information dissemination campaigns on ‘best practices’, energy audits, TPF, etc.
In 1998, the Government of Brussels-Capital
has approved and ordinance concerning the assessment and improvement of the air quality.
The ordinance contains the following measures in the field of transport and mobility :
-
Each private and public
body with more than 200 employees per site has to introduce transport planning ;
-
For events assembling
over 3000 participants an action plan to promote the use of public transport and of energy
efficiency and environmentally friendly means of transport ;
Regional public bodies and institutes with a car fleet of over 50 vehicles : within 5 years after the entry into force of the ordinance 20 % of these vehicles have to use environmentally friendly-technologies. Public transport companies under the authority of Brussels-capital and with at least 50 vehicles : within a period of 5 years 5 % environmentally friendly vehicles
Fiscal
incentives for renewable energy resources : On January 1995, the Electricity and Gas
Control Committee approved the exploitation support of 0,025 euro/kWh for the supply of
green renewable electricity to the grid (including electricity from bio-gas and organic
waste). On 1st July 1998, an additional "green frank" (0,025 euro/kWh) was given
for wind and hydro installations with an installed capacity of the same site of less than
10 MW. The support is guaranteed for a period of 10 years from the moment the purchaser
receives this support for the first time. The scheme will be assessed in 2003.
Secondly,
for small photovoltaïcs (<3Kw) the compensation between the purchasers and sales of
the client to the grid is exceptionally authorise over the lifetime of the installation.
With an electricity meter that has the possibility to turn more slowly or even in the
reverse sense, this means a buy-back tariff or 0,15 euro/kWh.
The
promotion of RES is the competence of the regional energy authorities. Policies ands
measures include the allocation of subsidies (e.g. for PV installations in Flanders, for
solar boilers in Brussels-Capital), financial support for demonstration projects,
information dissemination, etc.
In the context of the liberalisation of the electricity market, all three regions are preparing for a system of green certificates for electricity from RES to be introduced.
By means for the RUE fund of the electricity distribution fund (see above) premiums are also given for solar boilers.
Since January 1st, 2000
long awaited rules concerning thermal insulation of buildings are applicable in
Brussels-Capital. In order to inform architects and other actors in the construction
field, the Brussels Institute for the Environment organized a seminar in June 2000.
The label "Eco-dynamic
Enterprise" was introduced by the Region Brussels-Capital aiming at encouraging
Brussels' enterprises to improve their environmental performance on a voluntary basis. In
order to receive the label, the entrepeneur signs a charter with the engagement to respect
27 principles of ecological management. Several of these principles are closely linked to
RUE.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
The main elements of the federal sustainable energy strategy/goals are (based on the "the new federal energy policy declaration" (September 1999) :
The commitment to phase out
the nuclear energy, which represents 57,7 % of the country's electricity supply. Under
this outlined agreement, the seven PWR's will be decommissioned once they reach 40 years
of life. As the earliest was built in 1974
and the last in 1985, this means that the phase-out will run from 2014-2025.
The acceleration of the
liberalization of the energy market : particular focus will be on the revision of the
tariff structures to encourage rational energy consumption ; creation of a more accurate
distinction between generation, transmission and distribution
Active policy for
sustainable development : the government declaration expresses the political decision to
allocate more financial resources to the responsible institutions, to give high priority
to the measures of implementing international commitments and to promote actively a
European energy/carbon taxation regime at the European level ; to encourage alternative
energy resources and energy savings.
In June 2000 the Government approved the first "Federal Plan for Sustainable Development". The Plan defines a federal policy in the following areas : modified patterns for production and consumption ; actions in the field of poverty, agriculture, marine environment and biodiversity ; actions in the field of energy ; transportation ; ozone and climate change. A draft of the proposal was submitted to the general public and to organisations for comments in the spring of 2000. The chapter on sustainable energy states interalia that : reducing energy consumption by 7.5 % in 2010 compared to 1990 is a priority objective; in order to promote RES, a collaboration agreement should be concluded between the federal government and the regional governments ; if no agreements at EU-level are reached, Belgium will take unilaterally take steps to introduce an energy/CO2-tax.
The elaboration of the Federal Plan for Sustainable Development has delayed the development of a new national CO2- plan. Nevertheless, it will be ready by at the latest, mid 2001. Several studies which look at the Belgian potential to reduce GHG emissions have been finalised.
The main energy policy
goals and strategies of Flanders :
i) Achieve a substantial
contribution to the Belgian reduction of greenhouse gases (mainly CO2) of 7,5 % by
2008-2012, compared to the emissions in 1990 according to the Kyoto-conference in 1997.
ii) Promotion and stimulation of
rational use of energy (RUE)è reduction of energy
consumption in the residential sector during 1998-2004 ; increase of energy efficiency in
the industry during 1998-2004
iii) Increase of energy production from renewables and co-generation è a share of 3 % renewables in primary energy use by the end of 2004 (in particular 900 Gwh renewable electricity production) and 5 % by 2010 ; an additional 600 megawatt high-quality co-generation plants between 1999 and 2004.
iv) The final policy goal is achieving optimal energy service levels for the electricity and gas market with correct and acceptable price settings for all social groups.
The main energy
strategy/goals of Wallonia :
i)
Reduce
he specific energy consumption and thus, the emission of pollutants and greenhouse gases
ii)
Reduce the energy bill of
the economic agents, comprising the domestic consumers
-
Promotion and stimulation
of rational use of energy (information, training, energy audits, analytical accountancy)
-
Promotion of energy
efficiency products
-
Promotion of energy
efficient investments (subsidies for investment in industry and public building, in RES,
accompanying measures for CHP)
-
Launch of a program
'Programme mobilisateur" for RD&D in the field of CHP
-
Introduction through the Walloon decree about the electricity
market of a share of electricity distribution of 12 % of energy produced by equivalent
renewables
- Installation of 200.000 m2 of solar thermal panels for 2010.
Wallonia
The energy policy is
aiming to reduce the energy consumption and the bill of end-users and to increase the
energy efficiency of the industrial sector in order to enhance the competitiveness of our
industry.
New impulses are given :
-In order to reinforce the
Walloon policy to promote the rational use of energy, a cycle of "Rencontres Energie
CO2" is launched, i.e. three-monthly seminars towards market players and the general
public.
-For the industrial sector:
-
Finalizing the voluntary
agreements
-
Supporting energy
analytical accountancy
-
Promotion of the CHP
(also in RD&D)
Brussels-Capital
-
In
the framework of the liberalisation of the electricity market: introduction of green
certificates for electricity from RES
-
High emphasis on energy
efficiency by means of information and sensibilisation campaigns.
- Preparation of an ‘Energy/Air’ plan in the framework of the realisation of the national objective of the Kyoto protocol.
The Wallonia Regional
Plan on Environment for Sustainable Development of March 1995 identifies a wide range of
measures including promotion of public transport, traffic management, information and
motivation campaign for drivers, promotion of railways and inland waterways,….,
At its meeting of November
19th, 1999, the Flemish government took note of a revised CO2/REU-plan.
The Plan examines the
CO2-reduction potential of different technologies. For each technological measure the
report states the payback time for the user as well as the cost per ton CO2-reduced.
Policy options are suggested for the different technological measures.
Taking into account the
reduction potential of the different measures, achieving the Flemish targets for RES (i.e.
5% RES in the primary energy consumption of Flanders in 2010 – with a 0,5 %
contribution in 1996) and for CHP (i.e. the installation of 1200 MW additional capacity in
quality CHP in the period 1995-2005) are top of the rang measures.
Other promising options are
: 50 % replacement of older heating installations, the use of economic bulbs in the
residential and tertiary sectors, etc.
The competent departments are to give concrete form to the suggested policy measures. The Flemish minister for energy will co-ordinate the co-operation between the different departments. A progress report will be presented in October 2000. This progress report will contain detailed policy proposal as well as an outline of the budgetary consequences of each measure, a suggested timetable and an estimate of the total budgetary impact.
In accordance with the
Belgian National Program for reducing CO2-emissions,
the region adopted the same reduction target of 5 % for CO2-emissions between 1990 en
2000. The Walloon region did not succeed to reach his target.
The Walloon region is
elaborating the Air Framework "Plan de l'Air" which will settle emissions
reduction for all their air pollutants. The political status of the program agreement will
be ended in2002.
Brussels-Capital
Programme “domestic
heating” (2000-2004): maintenance and remplacement of old heating installations;
Programme “Energy in the tertiary sector (2000-2004); normative action concerning the energy efficient construction and refurbishment of buildings.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
The Belgian political
system has a long tradition of consultation procedures and
The electricity and Gas
Control, which is an autonomous public utility body seeks to ensure that the
"technical, economic and tariff aspects of the electricity and gas sectors, and their
further development are geared toward the general interest and are integrated within the
general energy policy. Composed of representatives of the gas and electricity industries,
trade unions, consumer groups and the national and regional authorities, it operates on
consensus. The recommendations of the EGCC to the producers and distributors of
electricity and gas are not binding, although they are always accepted on the basis of the
consensus between all its members to implement them.
The Federal Council for Sustainable Development
The FRDO is a platform for
exchange of opinions on Sustainable Development. It elaborates recommendations on all
measures concerning the federal Sustainable Development policy, makes research proposals
in this area and encourage public and private entities as well as the general public to
collaborate in order to achieve the objectives of sustainable development. An annual
report enlists its activities.
A large number of groups envisaged in Agenda21 can give their opinion on policy matters within the group ‘energy and climate’ of the FRDO.
The Council consists of the
following stakeholders :
- Environmental NGO's
- NGO's in the development aid
- Consumer organisations
- Employers organisations
- Energy producers
- Scientists
- All federal ministers or
secretaries of state (as observers)
- Each regional and each
community (as observers)
Programmes and Projects
In June 1991, the Council of Ministers adopted a target for CO2-emissions aimed at 5 % reduction between 1990 and 2000. This target refers to total anthropogenic CO2-emissions ; there is no specific target for the energy sector. To achieve the target, the regional governments in June 1994 and the Council of Ministers on 1 July 1994 approved the National CO2-program. This Program selected 14 categories of measures concerned essentially with energy conservation and quantified the expected emissions reductions.
With respect to the electricity generation, it is worth mentioning the Ampere Commission (group of academia which) is examining the future of the electricity production). Bearing in mind the progressive phasing out of the nuclear power plants after 40 years of operations, the possibilities to master the electricity demand and also the need to develop RES, this committee will develop recommendations and proposals on the future choices relating to the electricity generation. It has also focused its efforts on the demand side management at the specific request of the current government. Without precluding the conclusions of the report that the committee will publish by the end of the year, one recommendation already claimed is the need to support and implement the measures improving the energy efficiency.
In 1999, with respect to the potential offered by the CO2 sequestration and storage and given its expertise in the field of underground technology and mechanical engineering, Belgium entered into the IA "GHG R & D-program".
The
Federal Government has set up the preparation of an ad hoc federal ozone plan. This plan
aims at gathering the measures to be taken between 2000 and 2003 in the respective sectors
at the federal level. Since most of SO2-emissions arise from the combustion of fossil fuels, and that the transport accounts for
nearly the half of the emissions of VOC's (volatile organic compounds) as well as nitrogen
oxides, the following issues are considered :
-
reduction of the
emissions of vehicles (based in particular on the European Auto-Oil program) and
preparation of a sustainable mobility plan.
-
Reduction of the sulphur
content of the fossil fuels
-
Revision of the tax
system on transport an the possible introduction of incentives for the vehicles generating
less atmospheric pollutants
-
Revision of the energy
taxes (which currently follow the minimum levels defined in the European directive
92/82/CEE) in order to adapt them according to the impacts of the concerned fuels on the
environment
In Flanders, the Flemish Government has concluded voluntary agreements with half the city councils of the region to implement a wide range of measures to discourage private transport in city centres. These measures include the creation of large car parks outside city centres ("park and ride"), the creation of areas for car-pooling, the adoption of more flexible timetables for public transport.
In Flanders, two pilot projects for the compulsory introduction of transport planning in the Flemish administration have been implemented. The Federal Ministers for Transport, environment economic affairs and labour, in co-operation with the regions will adopt the legal basis for planning transport for staff in companies.
Status
The Belgian energy system does not face the problem of non-accessibility of energy to urban and rural households è the overall energy system guarantees a full accessibility to energy services.
In March 1996, the
different working groups that produced the National CO2-programme carried out a detailed
review to assess the results of the implementation of its 14 categories of measures. They
came to the conclusion that Belgium would not reach its target (since an increase by + is expected) primarily because the target assumed
the introduction of the carbon/energy tax proposed by the European union.
Following this review, an Interministerial Conference on the Environment, grouping the federal and regional environment ministers, confirmed the national target to reduce CO2-emissions and decided to elaborate a new program before the end of 1999. Several studies to investigate additional policies and measures have meanwhile been undertaken.
Under
the law of 1989, responsibilities for energy efficiency were fully transferred to the
regions. Policies relating to energy efficiency are harmonised through the regular
meetings of the Cellule Concere/Enover. The level of effort on energy efficiency vary
among the regions.
The new Flemish Minister
for Energy has issued an Energy Policy document for the period 2000-2004. In relation to
the rational use of energy two objectives are stated
:
-
Reduction of energy
consumption in the residential sector in 2004 compared to 1998
-
Increased energy
efficiency in the industrial and service sector in 2004 compared to 1998
-
Introduction of an energy
performance standard (cfr. Netherlands) for new buildings (dwellings and office buildings)
- Efficient control and awareness activities to enforce the existing legislation concerning insulation buildings.