Territorial emissions

In Flanders, processes such as waste disposal, food production and storage, goods transport, production of goods, and fuels together account for 50 to 65% of all greenhouse gas emissions.

77.7 Mton CO₂-eq

  • Europe wants to reduce non-ETS emissions by 30% compared to 2005.
  • Thanks to a significant decrease in CO2 emissions, we observe a downward trend in total greenhouse gas emissions.

What do we see?

Between 2005 and 2018, total greenhouse gas emissions gradually decreased, mainly due to the significant decrease in CO2 emissions. Based on this, it could be said that the transition to a low-carbon economy has started, but recent figures show that this trend is still very fragile. For example, we see total greenhouse gas emissions in Flanders stabilising between 2015 and 2018. Other factors, such as weather conditions, can also influence this. For example, we see that cold winters often lead to an increase in CO2 emissions because more heating is being used. In addition, researchers also expect the corona restrictions to impact the 2020 results.



What’s the aim?

Several policy objectives have been set for territorial greenhouse gas emissions. On a European level, these targets are set for the entire area (i.e. not per member state or region) and are regulated by the European Union Emissions Trading System (the EU ETS).

By 2020, Belgium and Flanders wanted to reduce emissions by 15% and 15.7% respectively compared to 2005. The exact target for the coming years has not yet been set, but will probably be in line with the European target of a 30% decrease compared to 2005.

What does this indicator measure?

This indicator measures the evolution of territorial emissions of greenhouse gas within Flanders. A distinction is made per gas, and between the emissions that are covered by the European Emissions Trading System (ETS) and those that are not (non-ETS).

Discover more topics

Production of household waste
477.2 kg/cap

Production of household waste

Household waste is all waste that is collected by the municipalities or intermunicipal authorities. It includes not only waste...
Production of residual household waste
143.5 kg/cap

Production of residual household waste

Residual household waste is household waste that is not collected selectively. It therefore refers to general household rubbish, bulky...
Production of primary industrial waste
16,374 kton

Production of primary industrial waste

Primary industrial waste is all waste that is generated by the original producer and therefore not during subsequent processing....
Production of primary industrial residual waste
948.3 kt

Production of primary industrial residual waste

Primary industrial residual waste is the part of primary industrial waste that is not selectively presented or collected. Primary...
Incinerated, co-incinerated and landfill waste of Flemish origin
4.44 million tonnes

Incinerated, co-incinerated and landfill waste of Flemish origin

Flanders aims to incinerate or send to landfill as little household and industrial waste as possible. Yet there are...
Littering and fly-tipping
29.5 kt of fly-tipping

Littering and fly-tipping

Littering is when people leave behind, consciously or unconsciously, smaller items of waste (e.g. tissues, bits of paper…) in...