Belgium climate change support remains strong, with nearly 80% of citizens saying climate change is a serious issue that requires urgent action. However, a new national survey shows that while general support is high, opinions differ when it comes to policies that directly affect daily life.
The findings come from Belgium’s latest quadrennial Climate Survey, conducted by the Federal Public Service for Health. The study included more than 1,600 participants and was carried out earlier this year.
The results show that most people in Belgium support continuing the country’s climate transition. Around 44% want the current pace of climate action to continue, while 39% believe efforts should be accelerated.
This reflects steady Belgium climate change support across different age groups and regions. At the same time, the survey shows that public opinion becomes more divided when specific policy costs are involved.
Calls to slow down or pause climate policies, sometimes suggested by political groups, are not widely supported. Most respondents believe that climate action should continue rather than be reduced or delayed.
Two-thirds of those surveyed said major lifestyle changes will be necessary to address climate change effectively. However, many also stressed that these changes must be fair and evenly shared across society.
About 60% of respondents said fairness is essential in how climate policies are applied. This means people want the burden of change to be distributed in a balanced way, rather than falling on specific groups.
The survey also shows strong Belgium climate change support for broader structural measures. Around two-thirds of respondents support introducing a carbon tax on imported goods. The goal is to protect European industries while encouraging cleaner global trade practices.
Nearly the same number of people support the European Union’s target of reaching 45% renewable energy by 2030. This suggests strong backing for long-term energy transition policies.
However, support drops when policies directly affect personal costs or habits. Only 30% of respondents support banning the sale of new fossil fuel-powered cars by 2035. In contrast, 44% are against this measure.
This marks a noticeable change compared to 2021, when support for the same policy was higher. The shift suggests growing concern about the personal financial impact of environmental regulations.
Another controversial measure is the EU’s new emissions trading system for households, known as ETS2. This system will increase the cost of fossil fuels used for heating and transport starting in 2028.
In the survey, only 29% of respondents supported the measure, while 42% opposed it. This shows clear resistance to policies that may raise household expenses.
Despite these concerns, overall Belgium climate change support remains high when it comes to the broader goal of reducing emissions and investing in renewable energy.
The survey is the sixth edition of Belgium’s national climate opinion study. It is conducted every four years by the federal health ministry’s Climate Change Department. Its purpose is to track public awareness, attitudes, and expectations regarding climate policy.
Officials say the results help guide future policy decisions by showing where public agreement is strongest and where resistance is growing.
The latest survey also reflects a growing divide between general climate awareness and acceptance of specific measures. While most people agree that action is necessary, fewer support policies that directly affect personal costs or daily routines.
Experts say this pattern is common in many countries. Public support for climate action is often high in principle, but weaker when policies involve higher prices or lifestyle changes.
The findings suggest that future climate policies in Belgium may need to balance ambition with fairness and public acceptance. Policymakers are likely to focus on designing measures that reduce environmental impact while keeping social concerns in mind.
As Belgium continues its climate transition, the challenge will be maintaining strong public support while implementing policies that require real economic and behavioral change.
