2 June 2021
The Belgian Climate and energy context
Belgium is committed to a very ambitious climate and energy policy. It aims to be net-zero Greenhouse Gas emissions by 2050 with an intermediate target of -55% by 2030. The federal government is specifying how it ambitions to reach these objectives through its Long Term Strategy.
The Pathway Explorer
The Pathways Explorer is a simulation tool used by the federal administration to develop its Long Term Strategy. It is developed by Climact and covers all the emissions and energy sectors. It assesses the impact of more than 100 levers on Emissions, Energy, Resources, Infrastructures and Costs. The administration used it to develop different scenarios and quantify their long term implications until 2050.
It is technically possible and economically feasible to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050
The analysis shows that it is technically possible and economically feasible to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. This requires an arsenal of policies and measures in all sectors that affect us all.
By clarifying the implications of policies and measures in different sectors, the model confirms the importance of disruptive and coordinated action.
Main conclusions of the current scenario analysis
- The priority remains energy efficiency, for all sectors. Energy efficiency could halve energy demand in Belgium by 2050.
- All sectors must change their trajectory, on the one hand by significantly modifying their production and consumption patterns, and on the other hand by using low-emission technologies.
- The sectors for which it will be more complicated to achieve carbon neutrality are agriculture and certain industrial sectors. For these sectors, residual emissions will have to be offset by natural carbon absorption or by carbon capture and storage.
- In addition to the need for energy sobriety, the analyses show the need to eliminate fossil fuels, the rise of zero-carbon electrification and the potential role of green hydrogen, especially for transport, buildings and some industrial sectors.
- Achieving these ambitious goals requires individual and collective action by businesses and citizens.
- Based on the CLIMACT scenarios, a readable framework of policies and measures can be developed to raise awareness and mobilise stakeholders.
- It needs to be implemented in a subtle way, integrating issues such as household deprivation and business competitiveness, providing clarity and visibility to investors and enabling everyone to invest properly to reduce emissions. It must also correct counter-productive mechanisms.
How you can use the tool
You can use the Pathways Explorer to:
- Design your own net zero pathway, or the one of your organisation
- Explore the implications and trade-offs of each of your choices on the race to a net zero Belgium (just move the levers).
- Assess Net Zero pathways designed by the Belgian administration
- Share your pathways (you can copy the URL to share it via social media, you can also contact us to add your pathway in the webtool for everyone)
Refer to these documents for more information on:
The 2050 scenario analysis of the federal administration
The 2050 overall work of the federal administration