COP 29: Belgium climbs climate index but remains in middle tier

Belgium has risen four places to 35th in the 2025 Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI), an annual ranking of nearly 70 countries’ climate efforts. Despite the improvement, Belgium remains in the middle tier, with a “low” overall score.

The CCPI evaluates countries based on greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate policy. Belgium scores medium on emissions but performs poorly in renewable energy and climate policy, with a very low rating for energy use.

Although Belgium raised its non-Emissions Trading System (ETS) reduction target to 42.6%, this remains below the EU’s 47% obligation, the index states. Renewable energy, in turn, accounts for 25% of Belgium’s energy mix, but regulatory and administrative barriers have slowed further development. 

Overall, experts call for a stronger National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) with ambitious renewable energy goals, urban resilience strategies, and a national adaptation plan to address flooding and water management.

Globally, the CCPI’s top three positions remain empty as no country’s performance fully aligns with Paris Agreement goals. Denmark ranks highest at fourth, followed by the Netherlands and the UK. The list concludes with Saudi Arabia and Iran, while China and the US - two of the world’s largest emitters - rank 55th and 57th, respectively.

​^{Offshore wind farms in the Belgian North Sea © BELGA PHOTO JAMES ARTHUR GEKIERE}