Climate policy in Belgium: context, structures and success stories

Transcription

1 Climate policy in Belgium: context, structures and success stories Etienne Hannon Federal Public Service for Health, Food Chain Safety and the Environment DG Environment - Climate Change Section EU Study Policy tour, Brussels, 28 May 2009

2 2 Outline of the presentation International context the Kyoto Protocol EU legislation National circumstances Structure of the state and institutional arrangements GHG profile and drivers Overview of climate policy and good practices Institutional arrangements and coordinating bodies Planning and advisory bodies Success stories

3 3 International context (1): the Kyoto Protocol Belgium is Party to: the Climate Change Convention (ratification: 16 January 1996) the Kyoto Protocol (ratification: 31 May 2002) included in Annex I and II of the Convention (specific commitments as regards financial and technological assistance to developing countries) emission reduction commitment (Annex B of the KP): 92% of base year emissions joint fulfilment of reduction commitments with the EU and its member states (Art. 4 of the KP)

4 4 EU burden-sharing decision: GHG emission targets of EU-15 Member States for Overall EU-15 target = -8%

5 5 International context (2): EU legislation Council Decision of 25 April 2002: ratification of the KP burden sharing among member states (Belgium: 92,5%) Key EU climate policies (< 2012): Emission Trading System (Directive 2003/87/EC) largest multi-country, multi-sector GHG Emission Trading System worldwide applies to more than 10,000 installations in the power and industrial sectors covers some 2000 million tonnes of CO 2 yearly linking Directive (2004/101/EC): JI/CDM credits can be used by operators to fulfil their obligations) Extension to include aviation activities (Directive 2008/101/EC)

6 6 Key EU policies Energy: RES-Electricity directive: 21% share for renewable sources in EU electricity consumption by 2010 Energy Efficiency Action Plan: aims to reduce energy intensity by 1% per year (below BAU trends) and also: eco-design requirements for energy-using products, energy performance of buildings, Transport: agreement by car producers to limit average CO2 emissions from new cars to 140g/km by 2008/2009, extended by Regulation on CO2 from cars (120 g/km by 2012) mandatory labelling on car s fuel economy and CO2 emissions Biofuels: indicative target of 5.75% share for biofuels by 2010 F gases from mobile airco EU climate and energy package (adopted in December 2008)

7 7 The EU climate and energy package Overall objective quickly and sharply reduce GHG emissions (cf. EU 2 degree target) diversify and secure energy sources (less dependence on imports) Targets for 2020 cutting GHG emissions by at least 20% of 1990 levels (30% if other developed countries commit to comparable cuts) increasing use of renewables to 20% of total energy production cutting energy consumption by 20% of projected 2020 levels Elements of the package Extension of EU ETS (Directive 2009/29/EC) Decision on the effort of MS to reduce their GHG emissions (covers non-ets sectors) Directive on the geological storage of carbon dioxide (2009/31/EC) Directive on the promotion of the use of RES

8 8 National circumstances (1): Structure of the state and institutional arrangements 5 state reforms since 1970 Belgium is a federal state, composed of communities and regions (Art.1 of the Belgian Constitution) The Communities: correspond with the population groups, in relation to language and culture The Regions: inspired by economic interests and autonomy (comparable, to a certain extent, with the USA states or the German 'Länder )

9 9 National circumstances (1): Structure of the state and institutional arrangements Share of competences (in areas linked to climate / energy policies): Environment Federal state Coordination of international policy Product policy (standards) + waste transit, marine environment, radioactive waste Regions Environment policy (air, water, soil, forest) Waste management + hazardous installations, nature conservation, hunting Energy Large infrastructures & planning (gas & electricity) Prices & taxes Nuclear, off-shore wind Transport & local distribution (gas & electricity) Rational use of energy Energy efficiency, renewables Transport International airport and rail Cars and fuels taxes Technical standards for cars Highways, inland shipping, ports, regional airports Public transports

10 10 National circumstances (2): GHG profile and drivers National GHG emissions (2007): million tonnes CO 2 eq. 110 Trend : Share of emissions (2007): Index (base year emission =100) Base year 1991 Kyoto target Industry (processes) 10,4% Buildings 20,3% Agriculture 7,3% Waste 0,8% Transport 19,8% others 0,7% Energy production 20,5% Industries and Construction (energy) 20,1% NB: Energy = 80.8 % of total emissions Source : National GHG inventory 2009

11 11 National circumstances (2): GHG profile and drivers Total Others Waste Trends since 1990 (kilotonnes CO2 eq.) Agriculture Commercial Residential Transport Industry (processes ) Industry (combustion) Energy Industries Source : National GHG inventory 2009

12 12 Overview of climate policy and good practices (1): Institutional arrangements and coordinating bodies Legal instruments Cooperation agreement (14 November 2002): establishing a National Climate Plan (+ evaluation and adaptation) data exchange and preparation of mandatory reports Agreement on the national burden sharing (8 March 2004) differentiation of regional reduction (or limitation) commitments Federal state commited to: Complement mitigation efforts by the regions (4.8 million tonnes / year) Purchase of carbon credits (JI/CDM projects: 2.5 million tonnes / year) Coordinating bodies National Climate Commission (execution of Coop.agr. Of 14 November 2002) CCIEP- WG Greenhouse effect (establishment of BE positions in EU and international contexts)

13 13 Overview of climate policy and good practices (2): Planning and advisory bodies Federal Planning Bureau core business: studies, projections, assessments on economic, social and environmental policy issues and on their integration within the context of SD important role in demonstrating benefits of climate and energy policy for environment, economy and employment (cf. impact study of the EU climateenergy package on BE economy) Advisory bodies FCSD (Fed. council for sustainable development): advises the Belgian federal authorities about the federal policy on SD membership: environmental and development NGOs, consumers and trade unions, industry federations, academic, CCE (Central Council for Economy): advises the Government on issues related to national economy, social and economical policy (relations worker-employer, production and exchange, etc.)

14 14 Overview of climate policy and good practices (3): «Success stories» off-shore wind federal authority competent for off-shore territory active policy for supporting off-shore wind electricity production (domanial concession, obligation of purchase by electricity distributors etc.) capacity: ~845 MW installed by 2012 ( final objective: 2000 MW) emissions reduction: ~2.3 million tonnes CO 2 over (*) fiscal incentives for RUE and RES target: energy saving equipments (efficient boilers, double glazing; insulation, energy audits, ) emissions reduction: ~7.4 million tonnes CO 2 over (*) (*) provisional estimates

15 15 Overview of climate policy and good practices (3): «Success stories» improvement and promotion of public transport Binding commitments for railway company through pluri-annual contracts (+25% travellers over ) emissions reduction: ~1.0 million tonnes CO 2 over (*) promotion of biofuels tax exemption production subject to regulation, including SD criteria emissions reduction: ~4.6 million tonnes CO 2 over (*) (*) provisional estimates

16 16 Thank you!