The Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir (Nationalist) says that she will appeal to the Court of Cassation against ruling by the Brussels Court of Appeal that orders the Flemish and Brussels Capital regions and the Belgian federal authorities to ensure that by 2030 greenhouse gas emissions are 55% lower than they were in 1990. Speaking on VRT Radio 1’s morning news and current affairs programme ‘De Ochtend’, Mr Demir said "A Francophone judge is imposing collective impoverishment measures on the Flemish Community".
Home News
Flemish Enivroment Minister to appeal to Court of Cassation against “Climate Case” ruling
Published:
After the so-called Climate Case ruling was announced on Thursday, Ms Demir said he would analyse it "with a view to go to the Court of Cassation". On Friday morning the Flemish Environment Minister confirmed that she will file an appeal. "It is a matter of principle. We live in a democracy, but the Court of Appeal goes further than obligations imposed on us by Europe."
Ms Demir added that "I will not allow a judge to make political decisions. Because what he has actually done is impose negative growth". Furthermore, the Flemish Enviroment Minister believes that the judge made an error by imposing a general reduction and not making a distinction between the sectors that fall within the European Emissions Trading System (ETS) and those outside it.
Wallonia
Ms Demir adds that it is very surprising that the Walloon Region was not condemned by the court. "Why is that? Because Wallonia closed two blast furnaces in Liège and Charleroi. As a result, CO2 emissions fell sharply, but that also had an impact on employment."
The Flemish Environment Minister is adamant that she does not intend to close companies or entire sector of the economy in order to achieve emission reduction goals. “We are not going to go down that path”.