Definition: the net greenhouse gas emissions measure the total net emissions on the Belgian territory. Emissions from international aviation and sea transport are excluded. The considered greenhouse gases are those from the Kyoto protocol (UNFCCC, 1997): carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and fluorinated gases (HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3) that are not included in the Montreal Protocol (UNEP, 1987). Emissions are net emissions: the emissions and absorption of the LULUCF (Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry) sector, such as the CO2 absorption by trees, are taken into account. The indicator is expressed in millions of tons of CO2 equivalent (Mt CO2-eq.). The data come from the national inventories on greenhouse gas emissions.
To compare the EU27 Member States, total net emissions (including emissions from the international aviation sector) per capita are used. These are published by Eurostat for the monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals.
The following breakdowns are available for this indicator: region and sector.
Goal: greenhouse gas emissions must decrease by 55% between 1990 and 2030.
The Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs adopted by the UN in 2015 include goal 13: “Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts".
According to the agreement of September 2025 (Federal Government, 2025) the federal government is committed to adapting “its actions to pursue the goals of climate neutrality by 2050 and a 55% reduction in European greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels". This position is consistent with the European objective of a "domestic reduction of net greenhouse gas emissions (emissions after deduction of removals) by at least 55% compared to 1990 levels by 2030" (Official Journal of the European Union, Regulation (UE) 2021/1119)
The federal long-term strategic vision for sustainable development contains objective 31: “Belgian greenhouse gas emissions should decrease by at least 80 to 95 % by 2050 compared to the 1990 level” (Belgian Official Gazette, 08/10/2013).
UN indicator: the selected indicator corresponds to indicator 13.2.2 -Total greenhouse gas emissions per year.
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