Commission Assessment: Belgium's National Energy and Climate Plan shows increased ambition, but requires more effort and implementation

The Commission has published its assessment of Belgium's final updated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP). Outlining the Belgian plan for achieving its 2030 energy and climate targets, the final updated plan provides revised projections that mark some improvements compared to the draft updated plan. Belgium has raised its ambition relative to the previous version, but additional efforts are needed to implement the plan and close remaining gaps, notably on renewable energy and energy efficiency. The Commission assessment of the NECP includes guidance to facilitate implementation.

This publication complements the EU-wide assessment (COM/2025/274) published on 28 May 2025, which described significant progress made by EU countries towards closing in on the EU's 2030 climate and energy targets.

The final NECP shows that Belgium will meet its obligations for 2030 under the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR), relying on available flexibilities to cover around 4 percentage points towards its target of 47% emissions reductions. The Commission encourages Belgium to implement the policies included in the plan, particularly those in the transport sector.

In the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector, Belgium generates net removals, absorbing roughly 0.4% of its total greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, and is expected to overachieve its LULUCF target if the plan is properly implemented.

Belgium provided an overview of its fossil fuel subsidies, but the plan does not provide a detailed timeline to phase them out and related measures at all levels of government. The Commission encourages Belgium to set out a clear roadmap to end these subsidies.

Belgium has taken proactive steps in developing strategies to enhance renewable energy technologies. However, its national contribution to the EU's 2030 renewable energy target lacks ambition. Additionally, the plan does not include estimated trajectories for the deployment of renewable energy technologies and the supply of forest biomass.

On energy efficiency, the ambition level regarding primary energy consumption is significantly below the EU target. Belgium should better quantify projected energy savings and strengthen its legislative framework to improve the integration of electricity, heating, and cooling networks into the energy system.

Belgium is strengthening its energy security through diversifying gas supplies, maintaining stable consumption levels, and exploring alternatives like nuclear and hydrogen. The country is working towards improving the resilience of its electricity system, with initiatives like the extension of nuclear reactors and the exploration of small modular reactors (SMRs). Moving forward, the Commission advises Belgium to further increase support for research and innovation in clean energy technologies to boost competitiveness and meet its future energy needs.

Next steps

Thanks to the updated NECPs, the EU has a clearer view of the national policies and investment plans for 2030. Moving into their implementation phase it will be of the essence to effectively leverage public funds to de-risk projects, spur private investment, and ensure coordinated action across regions and at the European level.

The Commission will continue supporting EU countries in addressing remaining gaps, securing financing, and refining their climate and energy measures. It will also evaluate whether additional action is required to ensure the collective targets - especially renewable energy and energy efficiency - are fully met.

Background

On 28 May 2025, the Commission published an EU-wide assessment and a Staff Working Document (SWD/2025/140) with the individual assessment of 23 national plans already submitted, taking account of informal indications from those missing. A Staff Working Document assessing the final updated national energy and climate plans of Estonia and Slovakia complemented this work on 22 September (SWD (2025) 282 final).

The submission of final updated NECPs is a legal requirement for all EU countries under the Governance Regulation. Poland remains the only EU country that has yet to submit its final updated plan to the Commission and is therefore urged to do so without further delay. Once received, the Commission will proceed with its assessment. An infringement procedure is currently under way.

Established under the Regulation on the Governance of the Energy Union and Climate Action, the update of NECPs is a key process through which EU countries outline how they intend to meet the EU's 2030 climate and energy targets and the objectives of the Energy Union.

Related links

• Assessment of the final updated national energy and climate plan of Belgium
• National energy and climate plans (NECPs)
• EU-Wide assessment, May 2025
• Commission Staff Working document, May 2025
• Commission Staff Working document of Estonia and Slovakia, September 2025.
• Commission Recommendation, Assessment (SWD) and Factsheet of the draft updated NECP of Belgium, February 2024

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