At the same time as Prime Minister Alexander De Croo is in Dubai trumpeting the "Belgian solutions" to climate challenges – namely: offshore wind, recycling, and insulated construction – the picture of national unity told at the COP28 discussions looks rather more fractured on the home front.
Yesterday a citizen-led legal procedure resulted in the Belgian State, the Flemish Region, and the Brussels-Capital Region (basically all Belgian entities save Wallonia) all being condemned for not making sufficient efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The ruling by a Brussels court has been hailed by climate scientists as a "historic statement" that will send a message to future generations.
It also had the effect of opening up regional divisions that unfailingly come into play on this matter. As was seen with the nitrogen policy that stuck in the side of Flemish lawmakers, commitments to reduce polluting activities have a frustrating tendency to descent into finger-pointing as Flanders and Wallonia wrangle over what they're willing to concede.
Already this was the case when Belgium laboured to present a coherent climate plan to the EU: the national average reductions in greenhouse gas emissions were undermined by a lack of ambition on Flanders' part, leading to accusations that the Dutch-speaking region is holding Belgium back and will cost the country billions in fines.
Meanwhile, the Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir has expressed scepticism that such fines would really be imposed. In response to yesterday's court ruling, she branded it "collective impoverishment for the Flemish community" and vowed to fight the "de-growth" narrative that she argues is trying to tear out the region's industrial heart.
Although Demir's words are somewhat over-egging the "threat" posed to Flanders (as a representative of right-wing N-VA she has been known to frame her arguments in populist terms), Belgium is growing more aware of the need to align industry with ecology. Speaking on national radio before travelling to warmer shores yesterday, De Croo stressed the need to "stop pitching the economy against ecology. It is industry that will allow us to reach our climate objectives."
Perhaps with Flemish voters in the back of his mind (or to save the Belgian State further legal challenges), the PM has cautioned against stricter climate targets, insisting that the current ones are sufficient, if only we can stick to them. And with the world set on making the green transition pay, De Croo has pitched Belgium's message to the world: "As a country, we want a piece of the pie."
But is climate capitalism pie in the sky? Let @Orlando_tbt know.
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1. Federal, Flemish and Brussels Governments convicted for inadequate climate policy
The Belgian State, the Flemish Region, and the Brussels-Capital Region have all been condemned by the Brussels Court of Appeal on Thursday for not having made sufficient efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Read more.
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Friday marks the start of the final month of 2023, and while only some parts of Belgium are likely to be covered in snow today, the whole country will be affected by the usual series of law changes that take effect from 1 December. Read more.
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4. Hidden Belgium: The Green Walk around Brussels
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5. Freezing fog and sub-zero temperatures to start the weekend
Friday afternoon will see dry weather with glimpses of sun piercing the grey sky, according to the Royal Meteorological Institute's (RMI) midday report. Read more.
6. Inflation rises in Belgium for first time since March
Belgium's inflation rate rose for the first time in eight months in November, as increasing energy prices outweighed the impact of declining food costs on overall price pressures. Read more.
7. How Ghent became a font of Taylor Swift wisdom
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