The Blue Deal, a Flemish initiative to combat drought and water scarcity as well as flooding, has now been enshrined in law and will ensure investments to ensure climate resilience will continue after this legislature.
Almost four years ago Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir (N-VA) received the green light from the region's government to launch the Blue Deal. Climate experts have since hailed the initiative and its set of structural interventions for ensuring the region is prepared for long periods of droughts.
On Wednesday night, a vote in the Flemish Parliament, where ministers approved the so-called "Blue Deal decree" without a dissenting vote, ensures the continuity in tackling drought and water scarcity, but also the region's resilience in the case of severe flooding.
"With this, we are arming future generations," Demir said. "The Blue Deal is our strong response to dealing with extreme weather situations in Flanders and is desperately needed in the fight against the consequences of climate change, such as drought and floods. To let this bleed to death after one legislature would be a historic mistake."
Resilient wetland
Demir noted that the Blue Deal, which helped draw attention to the problem, has seen the Flemish Government resolutely choose to change course and face the water challenge in the region head-on.
"Never before has so much been invested in our wetlands and our water supply to combat drought. We are making Flanders a resilient wetland with room for water to protect them from floods," Demir noted.
Many of the projects aim to ensure water can seep back into the ground, turning its soil "into a sponge again".
This enshrining of the Blue Deal, linked to the Flemish Government's five-year policy cycle, guarantees that every future Flemish Government will have to draw up a Blue Deal with concrete objectives for maximum water retention and sustainable use, but also for reducing the risks of water scarcity and flooding, as well as investments, within a year of taking office.
However, this fight transcends just one legislature, and by giving the decree the green light, the Flemish Government is ensuring it canbe a long-term policy. "But this is a marathon, not a sprint. If we really want to achieve the system change, as all the experts are calling for, we have to persevere."
