National Energy and Climate Plan (2021-2030)

Last updated: 12 December 2023

Belgium’s National Energy and Climate Plan (2021-2030) is Belgium’s commitment to achieve the 2030 European Union energy goals. The National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) was mandated by the European Union to each of its member states. These plans cover a ten years period, from 2021 to 2030. They were established in order to reach the EU’s climate and energy targets for 2030, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 55% compared to 1990 and 60% of renewable electricity generation. EU countries must publish a progress report every 2 years. 

This plan details Belgium’s strategy to transition to a sustainable energy system, while addressing: 

1)    Energy efficiency

2)    Renewable energy 

3)    Greenhouse gas emissions reductions

4)    Interconnections

5)    Research and innovation

The plan includes the following measures:

-       Greenhouse gas emissions reduction of 35% by 2030 compared to 2005 for sectors not covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (transportation, buildings, agriculture, waste)

-       3% of its GDP to research and development

-       Efforts to strengthen the existing energy transmission interconnections with France and the Netherlands 

Regarding critical minerals: 

Belgium’s NECP acknowledges that the deployment of renewable energies will generate increasing demand for minerals. Furthermore, it outlines the importance of recycling and the use of resources extracted and purified according to strong environmental, social and governance standards. 

Want to know more about this policy ? Learn more (French)