Belgium's climate framework law sets out the key institutional arrangements and climate action planning processes for Belgium at a federal level.
This law implements the EU Governance Regulation, requiring the government to adopt a federal climate and energy plan by 30 September 2027 and every five years thereafter. It also requires the government to establish a national long-term climate and energy strategy, and to prepare progress reports every two years. By 1 March every year, federal departments, ministers and secretaries of state responsible for preparing the energy and climate plans must submit roadmaps. An annual summary report taking stock of progress of implementation of federal climate policies and measures must also be submitted to Parliament before 30 September. A federal energy and climate taskforce is also established under Article 7 of this law.
In accordance to the European Climate Law, this law requires the government to adopt a federal adaptation plan at least every five years.
In preparation for each revision of the national energy and climate plan, a dialogue (in accordance with the EU Governance Regulation) must be set up by the climate Minister, for inputs from civil society, businesses, academic, advisory councils and other stakeholders.
Article 8 establishes an independent committee of scientific experts, to monitor and evaluate federal climate policy. The Committee is responsible for providing an annual opinion on the effectiveness of implementation, and the impact of, federal climate policies and measures.
Article 10 sets out arrangements for ensuring the federal share of revenues from the auctioning of allowances is spent in a transparent manner on federal climate policy. The Climate Change Service will analyse annual progress reports provided by each federal public department, and submit a proposal for expenditure allocations to the Minister for Climate and the Committee. The Ministers must then submit a proposal for approval to the Council of Ministers.
