Open letter: The climate crisis is not taking a holiday

2024 will likely go down in history as the year of unbroken heat records. Global warming has accelerated, resulting in a shocking series of weather extremes: droughts, heat waves, floods, intense storms and wildfiresThe chaos, human suffering and billions in economic damage it caused are incalculable.

Our country was not spared. “The worst in history” — that is how residents of the Limburg municipality of Voeren described the floods that recently hit them. The water reached chest height. People had to flee their homes. Flashbacks of the 2021 floods quickly came to mind. Barely a month ago, we commemorated the first Belgian 'climate deaths' who then fell. 

The economic toll of 2024 was also heavy – just think of the failed harvests and rotten crops that our farmers had to swallow due to the unprecedented rainfall. Yet this is only a harbinger of what awaits us with further warming. The science is crystal clear. Every fraction of a degree of additional warming has devastating consequences for our ecosystems, public health and economies worldwide. It is estimated that the climate crisis could cost Belgium more than 9,5 billion euros annually due to extreme weather events. 

Climate must therefore be a top priority for political negotiatorsClear ambitions and concrete social climate measures are crucial to tackle the challenges. But leaked negotiating notes point to revising, reversing and questioning existing climate agreements. The same applies to restoring nature and biodiversity by reducing our use of space.

We are using the 'pause week' in the negotiations to remind the Flemish and federal formateurs of the exceptional and worrying situation we are in. To stop global warming, greenhouse gas emissions must be drastically reduced before 2030. Belgium must contribute to this. Not only by reducing our own emissions, but also by focusing on strong international and European cooperation. 

For countries that have contributed least to the climate crisis, extreme weather conditions have been a daily reality for many years. Typhoons, droughts and hurricanes are increasing and increasing inequality. The climate crisis does not stop at the Flemish coast. International solidarity and cooperation are crucial to tackle the climate crisis.

Belgium and Flanders have not taken this urgent appeal seriously to date. The current plans to reduce our emissions are not in line with the European agreements. Nor do they comply with the ruling in the Climate Case, which ruled that the Belgian climate policy violates the human rights of its citizens and imposes a greenhouse gas reduction of at least 55 percent by 2030. That is the absolute minimum that our country must do to prevent dangerous warming of more than 1,5°C. 

This negligence is ecologically, economically and socially irresponsible. The solutions and technologies for strong climate policy are available. Policies that connect climate and social justice can deliver lower energy costs, significant health gains from cleaner air, cleantech jobs, and the restoration of a vibrant and resilient natural environment. there is support moreover: for years, a majority of Belgians have been in favour of effective climate policy. This is shown by polls such as the Eurobarometer (2024). 82% of Belgians say they are directly affected by environmental problems, 91% believe that European legislation is necessary to limit the consequences of the climate crisis and protect the environment, and 82% believe that we should assist non-European countries in their climate policy.

There is therefore no reason not to put the climate transition and nature restoration at the top of the agenda. Today show political courage means a safer, more prosperous world for everyone tomorrow. We call on the Flemish and federal negotiators to show the determination and ambition needed to tackle this crisis. To guarantee a liveable and healthy society again, now and in the future of our children and grandchildren. To seize the opportunity now and generate a lasting positive impact for current and future generations. We will not get a better moment than the formation of a government.
 

Famous Belgians
Benjamin Van Bunderen Robberechts [Climate Justice for Rosa vzw]
Francesca Vanthielen [Climate Case VZW]
Nic Balthazar, Co-founder [Climate Case VZW]
Leo Van Broeck, former Flemish Master Builder and Professor Emeritus [KULeuven]
Alicja Gescinska, Writer and Philosopher
David Van Reybrouck, Writer
Frank Deboosere, Former weatherman

Midfield
Els Hertogen, General Manager 11.11.11
Willem Hubrechts, Architect 51N4E
Miranda Ulens, General Secretary ABVV
Filip Lemberechts, Flemish Regional Secretary ACLVB
Keziban Kurt, Advisor ACLVB
Stan Reusen, Federal Secretary (in his own name) Acod-TBM ABVV
Adélaïde Charlier, activist
Chloé Mikolajczak, activist
Laurie Pazienza, activist
Jeffrey Matthijs, Director Autodelen.net
Koen Van de Merckt, Coordinator Avansa
Veerle De Wandeler, Director Avansa Antwerp region
Alexander Claeys, Chairman Bioforum
Benjamin Clarysse, Policy Coordinator, Association for a Better Environment
Laure De Vroey, General Manager BOS+
Raf Pauly, Coordinator BRAL - Urban Movement for Brussels
Dear Herijgers, Director of Brotherly Sharing
Sylvie Meekers, Director Générale Canopea
Stéphanie Richard Care-Act-Terre.be
Patrick Besure Change le Monde
Jakob Cleymans, Co-founder of De Coöperant VZW
Inez Louwagie, Coordinator The Transformationists
Dirk Holemans, Coordinator Think Tank Oikos
Dries Verhaeghe, Director Dryad
Andy Vermaut, EU Climate Pact Ambassador
Inge Smolders, Director of the Cyclists' Union
Amre van den Maagdenberg, Fridays for Future
Steven Geirnaert, Coordinator Ghent Environmental Front
Sven Gilliams, Program Director GEOGLAM
Luc Goffinet, GRACQ Policy Officer
Philippe Sonnet, Grands parents pour le climat
Joeri Thijs, Spokesperson and political advisor Greenpeace Belgium
Toon Penen, Policy Coordinator of Grondrecht vzw
Hugo Van Dienderen, Co-chair Grandparents for the Climate
Jean-Pierre Jacobs, Climate Coordinator Guides nature des collines
Guy Heutz, Founder HESSELTEER bv
Simon Bil, Chairman of the JNM Environmental Working Group
Bart Dewaele, Director Join For Water
Zanna Vanrenterghem, Vice-Chair of the Climate Coalition
Dirk De Clippeleir, Co-Founder of Klimaatzaak VZW
Sarah Tak, Director of Climate Case VZW
Paul Denis, Tongeren Environment vzw
Raoul Flies, Coordinator LEF/FGE
Camille Vacher Les Amis de la terre Belgique
Justine Petit Les Amis de la terre Belgique
Dylan Elen, Director of the Limburg Environmental Umbrella Association
Els Van den broeck, General Manager Mobile 21
Dirk Criel, Chairman of Natuurpunt Flemish Ardennes plus vzw
Ann Monsaert, Director of Personnel and Legal Affairs Natuurpunt vzw
Matthias Vermael, Co-coordinator Sustainable Mobility Network
Heidi Degerickx, Coordinator of the Network against Poverty
Cléo Rosseneu, Staff Member NRV-Ecokerk
Céline Bertrand, Observatoire de l'anthropocène
David Hercot, Observatoire de l'anthropocène
Paul Blume, Observatoire de l'anthropocène
Filip Lesaffer, Chairman of the governing body of ODE-Vlaanderen vzw
Koen Peeters, Regional Director OKRA
Brenez Xavier, Director General of Independent Health Insurance Funds
Rosalie Heens, Coordinator Repair&Share
Luc Maertens, Coordinator Reset.Vlaanderen
Thibault Geerardyn, Director Rikolto
Larry Moffett, Representative Rise for Climate Belgium
Dirk Masquillier, Director of SAAMO
Paul Callewaert, General Secretary Solidaris
Leander Stalmans, Sweco
Quentin Lancrenon, Coordinator The Shifters Belgium
Tinebra Anna, All in One
Peter Meukens, Chairman TreinTramBus
Christèle Devos, Executive Director UNICEF Belgium
Stijn Overloop, Director Velt
Paul Van Boeckel, Environmental Coordinator Vinçotte
Simon Sterck, UN Youth Representative Flemish Youth Council
Jul Geeroms, Chairman of the Flemish Council for the Elderly
Isabelle Larmuseau, Founder of the Flemish Association for Environmental Law
Filip De Bodt, Coordinator of the non-profit organisation Climaxi
Lorenz Van Roosbroeck vzw Climaxi
Wim Devloo, QSE manager Willemen Infra
Anka Stenten, COO WWF Belgium
Ludo De Brabander, Spokesperson for Vrede vzw

Scientists
Rozemien De Troch, Climate Scientist Belgian Climate Centre
Valerie Trouet, Scientific Director Belgian Climate Centre
Martine De Mazière, Research Director Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy
Matthias Troch, Postdoctoral Researcher CU Boulder and Ghent University
Inge Jonckheere, Head Green Solutions Division ESA, European Space Agency
Yves Ronsse, Environmental Coordinator HOGENT
Kris Peeters, Lecturer at PXL University College
Emiel Willaert, Researcher ILVO
Nico Peiren, Senior Researcher ILVO
Renée De Baets, PhD ILVO
Sam De Campeneere, Scientific Director ILVO
Sarah Garré, Senior Researcher ILVO
Frank Tuyttens, Visiting Professor ILVO / UGent
Sofie Van Nerom, PhD ILVO/UGent
Geert De Knijf, INBO
Jeroen Van Wichelen, Senior Researcher, INBO
Kris Vandekerkhove, Senior Researcher, INBO
Sam Provoost, Ecologist, INBO
Michael Fettweis, PhD, KBIN
Inez Vanhoutte, ClimateLINK Manager - University of Antwerp
Pascal Mailier, PhD KMI-IRM-RMI
Hans Beeckman, Honorary Curator KMMA
Johan Eyckmans, Full Professor at KU Leuven
Jolan Acke, PhD KU Leuven - UGent
Jan Sermeus, Professor KU Leuven & Planetarium Brussels
Arne Vangansbeke, PhD KULeuven
Ben Nemery, Emeritus KU Leuven
Camille Van Eupen, Assistant Academic Staff KU Leuven
Charlotte Janssens, PhD KU Leuven
Chris Kesteloot, Professor Emeritus KU Leuven
Damas Birindwa, PhD KULeuven
Dominik Bongartz, Professor KU Leuven
Dorien Mollen, Practice Assistant KU Leuven
Elias Van Gool, PhD KU Leuven
Elvira Vassilieva, Researcher KU Leuven
Erik Mathijs, Professor KU Leuven
Fien Serras, PhD KU Leuven
Filip Volckaert, Professor Emeritus KU Leuven
Florian Sauerland, PhD KULeuven
Ángela González Álvarez, PhD KULeuven
Ines Cottignie, PhD KULeuven
Inne Vanderkelen, PhD KULeuven
Jamaer Sebastiaan, PhD KULeuven
Jan Degreve, Full Professor at KU Leuven
Jan Diels, Professor KU Leuven
Janne Teerlinck, PhD KU Leuven
Joëlle Mühlemann, Professor KU Leuven
Judith Vandewiere, PhD KU Leuven
Kaat Van Hoyweghen, Researcher KU Leuven
Karel Van Acker, Professor at KU Leuven
Kenzie De Smet, Research associate KU Leuven
Koen Van Den Abeele, Full Professor at KU Leuven
Korneel van Dooren, PhD KU Leuven
Lennart Aerts, PhD KU Leuven
Leonie Vanhove, PhD KU Leuven
Lisa-Marie Hemerijckx, PhD KU Leuven
Lise Piepers, PhD KU Leuven
Lore D'Anvers, PhD KULeuven
Louisa-Marie von Plüskow, PhD KULeuven
Luc Labey, Professor KU Leuven
Lysander Fockaert, PhD KULeuven
Maarten Blommaert, Professor KU Leuven
Mario Smet, Professor KU Leuven
Marit Hendrickx, PhD KU Leuven
Marta Galindo Díaz, PhD KULeuven
Maxime Fajgenblat, PhD KULeuven
Nathal Severijns, Professor KU Leuven
Pierre M. Vermeersch, Professor Emeritus KU Leuven
Pieter Ooghe, PhD KU Leuven
Quentin Bollaert, PhD KULeuven
Robby Stoks, Professor KU Leuven
Robert Speijer, Professor KU Leuven
Ruben Borgers, PhD KU Leuven
Sandra Rousseau, Professor KU Leuven
Sandy Claes, Professor KU Leuven
Saskia Malcorps, PhD KULeuven
Stef Lhermitte, Professor KU Leuven
Stefan De Raedemaeker, PhD KU Leuven
Thamiris Voltarelli Ferracini, PhD KULeuven
Therese Steenberghen, Senior Lecturer at KU Leuven
Thomas Elias Cocolios, Associate Professor KULeuven
Tom Van Gerven, Professor KU Leuven
Valérie Cappuyns, Professor KU Leuven
Willem Keppens, PhD KU Leuven
Wim Dewulf, Professor KU Leuven
Monika Doubrawa, curator of micropaleontology KULeuven / NHM Basel
Gregor Claus, PhD Province of East Flanders
Dirk Maes, Extraordinary Professor at Radboud University Nijmegen
Eddy Van Hemelrijck, lecturer Rethinking Economics Antwerp
Nicolas Clerbaux, group leader Remote Sensing from Space, Royal Meteorological Institute of Belgium
John Paulus, SSMG
Paul Vermeulen, Professor at TU Delft
Agustina Santullo Latorre, PhD researcher UAntwerp
Anastasia Papangelou, professor University of Antwerp
Arne Iserbyt, Researcher University of Antwerp
Jesper van Dijk, PhD University of Antwerp
Jet Rijnders, PhD University of Antwerp
Julia Santolin, PhD University of Antwerp
Matteo Campioli, Professor University of Antwerp
Patrick Meire, Professor Emeritus University of Antwerp
Sara Vicca, Researcher University of Antwerp
Sarah Janse, PhD University of Antwerp
Simon Reynaert, PhD University of Antwerp
Sophia Findeisen University of Antwerp
Tim De Kock, Professor University of Antwerp
Tim Soens, Full Professor at the University of Antwerp
Dries De Bièvre, PhD UC Louvain, Institute Earth & Climate
Alison Delhasse, Researcher UCLouvain
Annelies Sticker UCLouvain
Bianca Mezzina, Postdoctoral Researcher UCLouvain
Caroline Vincke, Professor UCLouvain
Charlier Valentin, PhD UCLouvain
Damien Debecker, Professor UCLouvain
Damien Delforge UCLouvain
Fichefet Thierry, Professor UCLouvain
Françoise Bartiaux, Professor UCLouvain
Geoffrey van Moeseke, Professor UCLouvain
Harmony Brulein UCLouvain
Juliette Bocken UCLouvain
Sabine Denis, Visiting Professor UCLouvain
Vanacker Veerle, Professor UCLouvain
Abdul Mouazen, Professor Ghent University
Amber Jacobs, PhD UGent
An Cliquet, Professor Ghent University
Brent Bleys, Professor Ghent University
Charlotte Scheerens, PhD Ghent University
Coralie André, PhD UGent
Dimitri Vandenberghe, PhD Ghent University
Frieke Van Coillie, Professor Ghent University
Hans Verbeeck, Professor Ghent University
Jacques Verniers, Honorary Professor at Ghent University
Jasper Feyen, PhD Ghent University
Kasper Coppieters Ghent University
Katrien Schaepdryver, PhD Ghent University
Kimberly Demeestere, PhD Ghent University
Kobe Vandelanotte, PhD UGent
Kris Verheyen, Professor Ghent University
Kwinten Van Weverberg, Professor Ghent University
Laurenz Schröer, Postdoctoral researcher at Ghent University
Leon Adriaensen, PhD Ghent University
Luc Lebbe, Professor Emeritus Ghent University
Marc De Batist, Professor Ghent University
Marijn Bauters, Professor Ghent University
Morgan Vervoort, PhD student Ghent University
Nick Krekelbergh, PhD researcher Ghent University
Pascal Boeckx, Professor Ghent University
Pieter Gurdebeke, PhD Ghent University
Pjotr ​​Meyvisch, PhD Ghent University
Roxanne Daelman, PhD Ghent University
Sabine Van Cauwenberghe Ghent University
Sara Motte, PhD UGent
Sara Top, PhD UGent
Marius Schmitt, PhD UGent
Steven Sleutel, Professor Ghent University
Todi Daelman, PhD UGent
Verbiest William, PhD UGent
Wout Dewettinck, PhD UGent
Bart Defloor, Researcher Ghent University
Peter Finke, Professor UGent & Climate Justice for Rosa vzw
Stef Craps, Professor UGent & Climate Justice for Rosa vzw
Dirk Inze, Professor Emeritus UGent and VIN
Dirk Lauwers, Professor Ghent University, University of Antwerp
Bart Vermang, Professor UHasselt, imec, EnergyVille
Aurore Fransolet, ULB
Catalina Dobre, ULB
François Fripiat, Assistant Professor ULB
Frank Pattyn, Professor ULB
Sabine Pohl, ULB
Sonia Vermeulen Steyaert, PhD ULB
Ann DeSmet, ULB - University of Antwerp
Josip Brajkovic, PhD ULiege
Alain Dassargues, University of Liège
Bernard Longdoz, Professor ULiège
Chrisotoph Kittel, researcher ULiège
Fagel Nathalie, Professor ULiège
Grégoire Léonard, Professor ULiège
Miriam Baudewyn, PhD ULiège
Sander Molendijk, PhD University of Liège
Sartor Kevin, Scientific Collaborator ULiège
Sébastien Doutreloup, First Assistant ULiège
Shady Attia, Professor ULiège
Xavier Fettweis, Professor ULiège
Charly Mobers, PhD UNamur
Kristof Van Tricht , VITO / KU Leuven
Jan Vaes, Guest Professor, VITO / UGent
Peter Landschützer, Research Director VLIZ
Régine Feltkamp, ​​Professor at the Free University of Brussels (VUB)
Cathy Macharis, Professor VUB
Elise Verstraeten, Researcher VUB
Ellen Bastiaensen, Technical Specialist VUB
Eva Van Belle, Professor VUB
Frank Canters, Professor VUB
Kobe Boussauw, Professor VUB
Koen Mommens, Professor VUB
Lara Speijer, PhD VUB
Lise Vermeersch, PhD VUB
Nora Van Cauwenbergh, Professor VUB
Piret Joachim, VUB
Tom Deliens, Professor VUB
Wim Thiery, Professor of Climate Science VUB
Sofia La Fuente, PhD VUB
Daan Hubert, Senior Researcher Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy
Sebastiaan Luysaert, PhD VU Amsterdam

Burgers
Hannes Buyle
Mischa Indeherberg
Stefaan Lombaert
Anke Meeus
Annelies Baert
Anouk Janssens
Bert De Winter
Boris Dehandschutter
Catherine Puype
Hilde Heyrman
Ingid Mostrey
Jean-Pierre Leenen
Karolien Brauns
Liesl Vanautgaerden
Luc Hens
Ludo Rijnders
Nancy Fockedey
Pim Demecheleer
René Meeuwis
Rudy Meeus
Tinne Vandeven
Valéry Witsel
Veerle Muylaert
Veronique Beckers
Giorgia Milli
Lisa Landuyt, Researcher
Mieke Van Peteghem
Johan De Boever, Retired Researcher
Jolien De Decker
Kathleen Brangers
Liesa Brosens
Carla De Cock
Dirk Dermaux