The Commission has adopted the Territorial Just Transition Plan (TJTP) for Belgium granting it a total of €182.6 million under the Just Transition Fund (JTF) to be invested in developing a low-carbon, circular and energy-efficient economy, ensuring overall the economic diversification and a fair climate transition in the country.
EU Cohesion Policy: Almost €183 million for a just climate transition in Belgium
- 21 December 2022
This EU funding will support Wallonia, one of the three Belgian regions, to transition away from fossil fuels and heavy industry.
Tournai, Mons, and Charleroi will receive JTF support to move towards clean energy production, namely by the replacement of fossil fuels by renewable hydrogen and biomethane. €40 million will be dedicated to renewable energy, and about €68 million to energy efficiency. Decarbonisation of the regional industry will also be supported, with grants to co-finance investments for their economic reconversion and the purchase of related high-performing technological materials. It will also contribute to the decontamination of former industrial sites, which will then be suitable for new economic settlements while also avoiding further soil consumption. Furthermore, the Fund will allocate around €14 million for research and innovation activities.
The TJTP identifies the territory that will receive JTF support following a dialogue between the Commission and local partners in the framework of the negotiations of the 2021-2027 Partnership Agreements. The Commission approved the Partnership Agreement with Belgium in December 2022. The TJTP also allow for financing under InvestEU (a just transition scheme) and the Public Sector Loan Facility for Just Transition (a new tool combining Commission grants with European Investment bank loans for transition regions).