Flanders invests 1bn euros to make climate transition more feasible and affordable

The Flemish government will over the coming years invest one billion euros to support people in the climate transition. This money will amongst others be used for interest-free renovation loans, renovations of social housing and extra premiums for heat pumps. The government thus wants to help people with renovations and to reduce their emissions, while also protecting their purchasing power.

A few weeks ago, the Flemish government reached an agreement on the Flemish Energy and Climate Plan. This plan aims to help reduce emissions in Flanders by 40 per cent by 2030.

Normally, European member states also had to submit their Social Climate Plans to the European Commission by the end of June, but Belgium was not ready in time. In that plan, member states must provide measures to compensate vulnerable groups for the increase in energy prices for buildings and transport that will result from the introduction of the EU’s ETS2 emissions trading system. Each member state must draw up a plan to justify the distribution of resources from the Social Climate Fund.

Tackling energy poverty

Flanders now has its Social Climate Plan ready. It had already been agreed that people on modest incomes would receive extra support through the MijnVerbouwpremie (My Renovation Premium). There will also be interest-free renovation loans for those on the lowest incomes.

According to minister of housing, climate and energy Melissa Depraetere, there is still a “major catch-up” needed in making social housing energy efficient. “That is why we are going to provide extra support to people, with premiums and additional guidance,” she said. “And we are going to help those on modest incomes to pre-finance the renovation. With interest-free renovation loans, we are making renovation truly affordable for everyone.”

Flanders also wants to “support local authorities in tackling energy poverty among vulnerable households” and “strengthen public transport in regions with poor transport links”. The intention is also to provide additional premiums for heat pumps for so-called emergency buyers. These are families who, partly out of necessity, have purchased a substandard home without the financial means to invest in bringing it up to a good standard, resulting in high energy bills.

^{#FlandersNewsService | An energy diagnostic in a house © PHOTO Jean-Francois Fort / Hans Lucas / HANSLUCASCOLLECTION}

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