The revelation that Belgium has a staggering carbon footprint of 1400 kilogrammes per person annually, attributed to the heating of homes, has made headlines this week.
This figure, double the European average and a striking 50 times more than Sweden's, has raised questions about the reasons behind such a significant disparity.
Belgium, on a per capita basis, emits 1.4 tons of CO2 and other greenhouse gases each year for residential heating and cooling. As one might expect, warmer countries such as Spain have smaller carbon footprints. But the difference is quite astounding: Spain's annual emissions stand at 342kg per person, significantly less than Belgium's. Even in countries with similar climates, such as the Netherlands (1036kg) and Germany (1024kg), the emissions are notably lower.
The Nordic countries, further highlight Belgium's outlier status. Denmark reports 298.3kg per person, a mere quarter of Belgium's emissions. However, the most astonishing contrast comes from Sweden, where the figure plummets to an astonishing 25.9kg per person annually for home heating, a staggering 50 times less than Belgium.
So, what's behind this significant difference? One factor is the Belgian penchant for spacious, detached homes, often dating back to the 1970s or earlier. These structures often lack energy-efficient features and are less environmentally friendly than apartments. In Sweden, 47% of the population resides in flats; in Belgium, this is just 22.3%.
Moreover, Sweden has embraced district heating networks, redistributing excess heat from waste incineration or industries to neighbouring apartments. While this concept exists in Belgium, the scale is incomparable. Flanders, the northern region of Belgium, extracted 964 gigawatt-hours from district heating networks last year, while Sweden recorded a staggering 29,626 gigawatt-hours.
Power of heat pumps
Another crucial distinction lies in the heating methods employed. In Sweden, a significant portion of apartments uses heat pumps powered by electricity, while the reliance on gas or heating oil is less than 5%. In contrast, in Flanders, gas and heating oil still account for 70% of residential heating, with a quarter of new homes opting for gas, a fossil fuel with associated CO2 emissions.
Despite progress in Flanders, with nearly 8% of homes now holding the highest energy efficiency labels (A or A+), over half of the residences still fall into the lower categories (D, E, or F). The impact of this disparity is substantial, as residential and office heating in Belgium contributes to 20.2% of the country's total CO2 emissions, almost on par with the 21% attributed to transportation.
In conclusion, while electric cars and other transportation solutions are vital, addressing the carbon footprint in residential heating is equally crucial. Encouraging the adoption of heat pumps, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and promoting proper home insulation can collectively contribute to both environmental sustainability and economic savings for Belgians.
