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Belgium Faces Criticism for Abstaining from EU Climate Vote
(MENAFN) Belgium’s Climate Minister, Jean-Luc Crucke, expressed disappointment on Wednesday over the nation’s choice to abstain from a pivotal EU vote concerning the bloc’s 2040 climate target.
He stated that the decision weakened Belgium’s credibility and diminished its sway in shaping climate policy.
EU environment ministers reached an agreement on Wednesday to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared with 1990 levels.
Belgium chose to abstain, citing disputes between federal and regional authorities.
In a written release, Crucke labeled the abstention a "political setback" and cautioned that Belgium had aligned itself with "the least ambitious countries," including Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia, according to a news agency.
"By refusing to be ambitious, Belgium is depriving itself of influence," he remarked, describing the situation as "regrettable."
Flemish Climate Minister Melissa Depraetere also condemned the decision during a speech to the Flemish parliament.
She noted that the EU proposal satisfied the three conditions established by the Flemish government, but internal disagreements obstructed a unified Belgian stance.
Both ministers highlighted the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, as the faction that prevented Belgium from supporting the agreement.
Nevertheless, N-VA representative Andries Gryffroy stated that the abstention was "collegially decided" within the Flemish government.
He stated that the decision weakened Belgium’s credibility and diminished its sway in shaping climate policy.
EU environment ministers reached an agreement on Wednesday to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared with 1990 levels.
Belgium chose to abstain, citing disputes between federal and regional authorities.
In a written release, Crucke labeled the abstention a "political setback" and cautioned that Belgium had aligned itself with "the least ambitious countries," including Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia, according to a news agency.
"By refusing to be ambitious, Belgium is depriving itself of influence," he remarked, describing the situation as "regrettable."
Flemish Climate Minister Melissa Depraetere also condemned the decision during a speech to the Flemish parliament.
She noted that the EU proposal satisfied the three conditions established by the Flemish government, but internal disagreements obstructed a unified Belgian stance.
Both ministers highlighted the New Flemish Alliance (N-VA), led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever, as the faction that prevented Belgium from supporting the agreement.
Nevertheless, N-VA representative Andries Gryffroy stated that the abstention was "collegially decided" within the Flemish government.
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