Belgium has reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants, municipal waste generation, energy and material consumption and water abstractions. Yet urbanisation, landscape fragmentation, intensive agricultural practices and road traffic continue to put pressures on the environment. This chapter provides an overview of the main environmental trends in Belgium over the past decade. It describes the country's progress and challenges on its path towards decoupling environmental pressures from economic growth and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. It reviews the main economic and social developments, takes stock of changes in the energy, carbon and material intensity of the economy, and measures progress towards sustainable management of natural resources.

Belgium is a small country with a heavily regionalised system of environmental governance. The federal and regional governments use a wide range of good practices in environmental regulation, compliance assurance and promotion of green business practices. However, challenges remain in using enforcement tools to deter non-compliance. This chapter analyses the institutional and regulatory framework for environmental management. It subsequently examines the setting and enforcement of environmental requirements, including environmental liability. Finally, it reviews mechanisms of public participation in decision making, as well as access to environmental information, education and justice.

This chapter reviews Belgium’s efforts to mainstream environmental considerations into economic policy and to promote sustainable development and green growth. It analyses progress in using economic and tax policies to pursue environmental objectives, as well as steps taken to reform environmentally harmful subsidies. The chapter reviews efforts to scale up investment in environment-related and low-carbon infrastructure. It also examines the country’s eco-innovation performance and opportunities for green industry.