Towards carbon-free heating of buildings and improved air quality in Belgium – 2050 perspectives on heating technologies

Based on a review of the recent literature and stakeholder inputs, this report discusses 2050 perspectives on heating technologies towards carbon-free heating of buildings and improved air quality in Belgium.

The study intends to be accessible to a broad audience, highlighting different perspectives and policy measures on heating systems and the needed performance requirements to meet the dual objective of decarbonization and air quality improvements.

Key take-aways:

• An appropriate combination of energy efficiency measures and the deployment of low-carbon energy carriers and heating technologies is needed for an economic and practical approach to heat decarbonisation
• This requires a clear vision on the low-carbon energy mix together with a clear fossil fuel phase out strategy.
• A broad set of policies is needed.
  – Legislation is required to steer the market in the expected direction, innovation (and support to innovation) is needed to bring in the market the technical and economic improvements of technologies, products and services are needed for carbon-free solution to be the best choice for all stakeholders.
  – Instruments such as a global fiscal framework consistent with climate and environment targets and local or regional heat plans will be key.
• The deployment of efficient technologies requires significant efforts in terms of education, norms, business model innovation and availability of data to dramatically improve the visibility on the current stock of heating systems

The study was commissioned to CLIMACT and Deplasse by the FPS Health, Food chain safety and Environment

> Report