Netherlands leads Belgium in phasing out natural gas
Summary and headline written by AI from the source article. How we work
Simon Van Hove, an energy law researcher at Tilburg University in the Netherlands, observed that the Netherlands is further along in reducing reliance on natural gas than Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium. Belgium committed to becoming climate neutral by 2050, which requires phasing out fossil fuels like natural gas, but the transition has been slow to develop in Flanders.
Van Hove explained that a large-scale shift away from gas requires approximately ten years to allow households time to renovate or install new heating systems. In the Netherlands, municipalities are taking the lead in determining how to disconnect neighborhoods from the gas network, choosing between collective heating systems or individual heat pumps. These municipal decisions are binding for residents, and some neighborhoods are already disconnected as part of pilot projects.
The Dutch government has also made more progress in providing alternatives to gas, such as district heating and heat pumps, recognizing that collective solutions work better with the country’s existing building stock. Van Hove criticised the slow pace of the Flemish government, noting they offered subsidies for gas boilers until two years ago.
He stated that clear communication with citizens is essential for a large-scale energy transition, and that adequate financial support is needed to offset the cost of renovations and alternative heating systems. While he welcomed Flanders’ recent first steps, Van Hove believes more legal tools are needed to guide citizens through the change.
