Greenhouse gas emissions

In 2023, the Flemish Region emitted 65.4 megatonnes (Mtonnes) of CO₂ equivalents (open definition) of greenhouse gases (open definition) , of which 57.2 Mtonnes is CO₂ (87% of total emissions). This corresponds to a decrease of 3.5 Mtonnes of CO₂ equivalents compared to 2022.

Compared to 2005, emissions were 29% lower in 2023. After a gradual decrease between 2005 and 2014 from 91 Mtonnes to 76 Mtonnes of CO₂ equivalents, a further decline in greenhouse gas emissions did not occur until the one-off sharp drop in 2020. The decrease in 2020 was a result of a sharp decline in transport flows and also in some economic activities influenced by the Covid-19 pandemic, complemented by the effect of a very mild winter on the heating requirements of buildings. In 2021, emissions increased again. The pandemic was still present in that year, but to a lesser extent. In addition, 2021 also had a colder winter than 2020. The year 2022 was marked by mild winter months and, combined with the energy crisis, this caused a sharp drop in emissions in 2022 compared to 2021. The year 2023 saw a further fall in emissions mainly due to a further fall in ETS emissions combined with mild winter months.

CO₂ (carbon dioxide) decreased by 28%, N₂O (laughing gas) by 49% and CH₄ (methane) by 14% between 2005 and 2023. Emissions of F-gases (fluorinated greenhouse gases) were 37% below 2005 levels by 2023, mainly due to reduction efforts in the chemical industry.

Total emissions can be divided into those regulated by the European Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) (open definition) and those not regulated by this scheme ( ESR emissions (open definition) ).

The ETS emissions mainly concern greenhouse gas emissions in the industry and energy sectors. 40% of the Flemish greenhouse gas emissions are covered by the ETS system. In the European Union, ETS greenhouse gas emissions must be 62% lower by 2030 compared to 2005. This ETS objective only applies to the entire European ETS emissions and is not further divided at member state level.

The European Member States have to reduce their ESR emissions according to a linear decreasing path with annual reduction targets. These are mainly emissions from transport, households, trade and services, agriculture and some parts of the industry and energy sectors. 60% of Flemish greenhouse gas emissions are ESR emissions.

Flemish ESR emissions decreased by 19% in the period 2005-2023. In 2022 and 2023, ESR emissions fell to the lowest level since 2005 due to the energy crisis combined with the mild winter months.