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).
