AGP Executive Report

Belgium Climate Memory: A new monument to victims of the global climate crisis is under construction in Belgium, launched by “Climate Justice for Rosa” after the Vesdre Valley floods in Wallonia; organisers say the recent heatwave drove over 1,700 deaths in Belgium and want the memorial to grow with climate data over time. Circular Economy: A Swiss-backed venture, Recycling Powerhouse, aims to industrialize textile-to-textile recycling, with Belgian sorting tech partner Valvan and plans for certified recycled yarns—starting with a franchise blueprint in early 2027. Aviation & Emissions Policy: The Belgian federal government softened its planned aviation tax increase, raising it to €7 per departing passenger instead of €10 after airline and airport pressure, warning about competitiveness and connectivity impacts. Energy Costs: A new ranking highlights that European households pay the highest energy bills, with Sweden topping the list—useful context for Belgium’s energy affordability debate. Heat & Public Health: Coverage continues to link Europe’s extreme heat to thousands of excess deaths, reinforcing the urgency of heat preparedness. Tech Infrastructure Backlash: US data-center protests are spreading over electricity use and water needs, with residents pushing for environmental and planning reviews before new AI facilities get approved.

Wildlife & Biodiversity: A female “Virgin Viper” at Pakawi Park in Belgium’s Antwerp province has reportedly delivered 12 healthy babies after years without a male, a rare case of parthenogenesis—zookeepers quickly separated the newborns to prevent cannibalism. Climate & Health: New figures on Europe’s early heat wave point to a sharp rise in deaths, with “excess mortality” estimates now well above 10,000 at the peak, as researchers warn many heat-related deaths may never be officially linked to temperature. Animal Welfare: Lufthansa Cargo flew rescued tiger Mir from Brussels to South Africa, via Frankfurt, after the big cat was abandoned in Ukraine; he’s now headed to the Isindile Big Cat & Predator Sanctuary. Belgium Science & Environment: Belgian oceanographer Alberto Borges reports methane-oxidising microbes in rivers can reduce emissions, but not enough to offset expected increases from global warming and nitrate pollution. EU-India Clean Tech: India and the EU’s Trade and Technology Council meeting in Brussels highlighted cooperation on trade, technology, clean energy and resilient supply chains. Belgium Tech/Health: An EU-funded project led by Belgian researchers is testing a new approach for diabetic foot ulcers aimed at tackling runaway inflammation to improve healing.

Heat Death Toll in Europe: New mortality data links late-June heat to over 10,000 excess deaths across several countries, with older people hit hardest—another warning that heatwaves are becoming a public health emergency, not “just weather.” EU Carbon Rules Under Pressure: The European Commission proposes easing the Emissions Trading System for industry, extending free allowances and allowing more flexibility—an attempt to balance climate goals with competitiveness. Wildfire Risk in Iberia: Spain’s Aragón region battles a fast-moving blaze that has already burned over 12,000 hectares, with evacuations and high spread risk still in place. Methane in Rivers—Not a Fix: Belgian research finds methane-eating bacteria in rivers reduce emissions, but not enough to offset rising methane from warming and pollution. Circular Battery Supply Chain (Belgium-India): Belgium’s Silox and N.A.N. GreenMet plan India’s first advanced battery recycling plant by 2027, using hydrometallurgy to cut import dependence. Recycled Plastics in Belgium: Amcor’s stretch film gets RecyClass traceability certification, supporting customers preparing for the UK Plastic Packaging Tax shift to post-consumer recycled content. Animal Welfare Case: A man in Scotland was sentenced after dogs were found living in filth and without water, receiving a 10-year ban on keeping animals.

Heat & Health: An AFP analysis says at least 12,000 excess deaths were recorded across nine European countries during June’s heatwave, including Belgium, with the toll possibly rising as more data comes in. Belgium Weather Watch: Spa-Francorchamps has issued an official weather warning for the Belgian Grand Prix, with heat and possible showers complicating plans. EU Climate Action: The European Commission backs Bertrand Piccard’s hydrogen-powered round-the-world flight project, Climate Impulse, as a zero-emission aviation push. EU Development Cooperation: The EU says Malawi’s experience will shape its next 2028–2036 development funding strategy, with Brussels learning from how projects work on the ground. Biodiversity & Wildlife: Two European grey wolves have arrived at the New Forest Wildlife Park after a cross-border journey, with breeding hoped for. Science & Atmosphere: Western University researchers join an EU Horizon Europe project using a global meteor camera network to study how aircraft contrails affect climate. Belgium Energy Finance: The EIB Group approved €17.4bn in new financing, including electricity networks in Belgium.

Climate & Health: Western Europe’s heatwaves keep proving deadly, with the Netherlands reporting 911 excess deaths during June 22–July 5 as temperatures neared 40°C, and Belgium among countries also seeing thousands of suspected heat-related deaths. Energy Transition Finance: The EIB Group approved €17.4bn for energy autonomy, including €3.7bn to cut fossil dependence and support projects like new electricity networks in Belgium and Spain, plus wind and solar across Europe. Waste & Circularity: Cyprus logged the EU’s fourth-highest municipal waste per person in 2024 (664kg), with only 14.2% recycled—an EU-wide reminder of how far recycling still has to go. Belgium in the Spotlight (Mobility/Industry): Amcor’s Bontite stretch film in Belgium earned RecyClass recycled-plastics traceability certification to help customers prepare for the UK Plastics Packaging Tax shift toward post-consumer recycled content. Extreme Weather Impacts Travel: Low river levels linked to extreme heat are forcing cancellations and itinerary changes for some Rhine and Danube cruises. Belgian Defence Procurement: Belgium ordered Polaris MRZR D4 tactical vehicles for special operations, aiming to replace older Groundhog fleets.

Climate & Industry: Belgian precast firm C-concrete and Ecocem report a trial of low-carbon ACT cement at a plant near Antwerp, cutting concrete carbon footprints by 67.5% in full-scale fire-resistant and insulated wall elements without changing existing production steps. Energy Storage: Belgium’s Giga Storage has reached financial close on a €450M battery project, with construction due to start in September in Limburg and commissioning targeted for 2028—part of a wider EU push to close a major grid storage gap. Air Pollution Controls: Elessent Clean Technologies commissioned a second BELCO® SOx scrubber at TotalEnergies’ Antwerp refinery, aiming to sharply reduce sulphur oxide emissions and improve compliance. Mobility & Environment Policy: Belgium’s regions plan a digital motorway vignette, but the federal mobility minister warns it could hurt cross-border traffic and raises concerns about fairness and discrimination. Biodiversity: New Forest Wildlife Park in Hampshire welcomed two European grey wolves—bonded in Belgium—marking the first return since 2024 and supporting European breeding efforts. Heat & Health: The Netherlands recorded 900+ excess deaths during late-June/early-July heatwave conditions, with health authorities saying heat likely played a role. International Cooperation: India and Belgium launched a Strategic Dialogue in Brussels, covering clean energy, semiconductors, supply chains and maritime cooperation.

Heatwave toll in the Netherlands: The RIVM reports 911 excess deaths in late June/early July, with heat “highly likely” behind the surge, especially for people 80+ and in the south/east. Wildfires in Spain: New figures confirm more British victims, with reports also pointing to deaths including Belgians, as recovery continues after deadly blazes near Almeria. Recycling push for flexible packaging: HolyGrail 2030 moves to industrial trials for sorting flexible food-contact polypropylene using digital watermarks, aiming for end-to-end recycled flex PP demonstrations in 2026. Belgium rail upgrade: Belgium and the Netherlands commit to upgrading the Ghent–Terneuzen freight railway, a move that could cut emissions by shifting more cargo to rail. Digital euro progress: The ECB selects 36 payment providers for a digital euro pilot, shaping how future payments could work across Europe.

Wildfires & Heatwave Toll: France’s Fontainebleau forest blaze south of Paris forced evacuations of 1,000 people as waterbombing aircraft scooped from the Seine; the heatwave is also driving record-breaking conditions across Western Europe, with scientists linking extreme heat to climate change and reporting over 10,000 excess deaths in recent heatwaves. EU Energy Policy: The EU may delay penalties tied to its methane emissions rules for energy imports, aiming to give markets time to adjust after pushback from gas-producing countries. Russian LNG Despite Ban Plans: The EU imported a record 9.89 million tons of Russian LNG from Yamal in H1 2026, with Belgium among the biggest buyers, even as a 2027 ban approaches. Digital Euro Pilot: The ECB selected 36 payment service providers to test digital euro functions ahead of a 2027 pilot. Maritime Liability Update: The IMO confirmed the HNS Convention will enter into force on 29 Nov 2027, a long-awaited shift for hazardous cargo liability. Belgium Industry Move: E.ON and Imerys inaugurated a 29MW energy recovery plant in Willebroek, turning industrial off-gas into electricity and cutting flaring.

Wildfire & Heatwave Crisis: France’s Fontainebleau forest fire near Paris has burned nearly 2,000 hectares and forced the evacuation of about 1,000 people, with water-bombing planes scooping from the Seine for the first time in the Paris region; authorities report no deaths or injuries, while Spain continues identifying victims from last week’s Almeria blaze, including several Belgians. Climate Impact on Life & Ecosystems: Scientists link Europe’s extreme heat to climate change and warn it’s driving more intense fire risk, while new research highlights how heat can impair animals’ learning and survival. Belgium-Linked Environment Angle: A Ghent University study finds cat allogrooming may be less friendly than it looks, and underscores how heat and stress can ripple through animal behavior. Green Tech & Circularity: HolyGrail 2030 moves into industrial trials for recycling flexible food-contact plastic using digital watermarks, aiming to turn sorted material back into new flexible packaging. Space for Climate Monitoring: Ireland’s ÉireComposites built precision components for ESA’s Altius ozone-monitoring satellite, supporting long-term climate and weather services.

Heat Death Toll: Europe logged over 10,000 excess deaths during the late-June heatwave, with more than 9,000 among people aged 65+; officials say the spike is unusually high and linked to extreme temperatures. Wildfire Tragedy (Spain): In Almería, Spain identified more victims from the Los Gallardos blaze, including five Britons and three Belgians among 13 dead so far, while DNA-based identification continues and missing people remain uncertain. Belgium Angle (EU & Climate): Belgium is named among the biggest buyers of Russia’s Yamal LNG in H1 2026, with sanctions talks still stuck on transit rules for Russian LNG. Nature Governance: Scotland’s marine science body gave the ocean a seat at its board, reflecting a growing push for rights of nature in environmental decision-making. Work & Heat Inequality: A study warns extreme heat is already hitting UK productivity and household incomes, hitting outdoor and lower-paid workers hardest.

Heat Death Toll: Europe recorded 10,000+ excess deaths during late-June heatwaves, with most losses among people aged 65+—a stark sign that extreme heat is now a major public health threat. Wildfire Tragedy in Spain: Spain’s deadliest recent wildfire in Almería has killed at least 13 people, with victims including a Belgian man and other foreigners; authorities are still identifying the missing via DNA as firefighters continue operations. France Wildfire Near Paris: A “very virulent” blaze of exceptional scale in Fontainebleau forest has led to evacuations of around 900 homes and disrupted transport, while France activates its extreme heat response plan. Energy Dependence Exposed: Despite EU phase-out plans, record Russian LNG shipments still reached EU ports in H1 2026—Belgium among the biggest buyers—highlighting how fossil fuel dependence lingers. Belgium in the NATO Mobility Mix: Belgium ordered $10.6m of Polaris MRZR D4 tactical vehicles to boost special operations mobility under the NATO procurement framework. Belgium Climate-Linked Film Spotlight: KVIFF Central Stage at KVIFF Promises highlights Central European stories shaped by war, inequality and inherited trauma, including a Belgium-linked Ukraine war drama.

Heat & Health Crisis: Europe recorded over 10,000 excess deaths during late-June heatwaves, with more than 9,000 among people aged 65+; scientists say the spike was driven by extreme heat made far more likely by human-caused climate change. Wildfires in Western Europe: A “very virulent” wildfire of “exceptional scale” raged in France’s Fontainebleau forest, forcing evacuations and disrupting roads and rail as the region sweltered; in Spain’s Almería, firefighters struggled to contain a deadly blaze that has killed at least 12, with many victims believed to be foreign residents. Belgium in the spotlight: Belgium saw exceptionally high heatwave-related excess mortality, its highest since 2000, underscoring how the same weather extremes are hitting the country hard. Energy & climate politics: As an EU Russian LNG import ban nears, the bloc boosted Yamal LNG purchases—cargoes landing in ports including Belgium—raising questions about how Europe balances sanctions with emissions and energy security. Public safety in extreme weather: Germany also reported nearly 100 drowning deaths in June, linked to record heat, showing how summer disasters go beyond heatstroke.

Heat & Health: Germany reported nearly 100 drowning deaths in June, with authorities linking the spike to extreme heat and warning that climate-driven heatwaves are raising risks across Europe. Wildfire Tragedy in Spain: A deadly Almeria wildfire has killed at least 12 people; investigators are still identifying victims and missing persons, while British survivors and families are pushing back against claims that victims ignored evacuation advice. Heatwave Impacts in Europe: The Tour de France shortened stage nine after an “exceptionally intense heatwave,” underscoring how record temperatures are forcing changes to outdoor life and travel. Climate Adaptation Debate: An opinion piece argues Europe must shift from only cutting emissions to also adapting to a hotter reality—using extreme heat as a shared, urgent agenda. Belgium Angle: Brussels schools are reported to be poorly prepared for heatwaves, with only a minority having adequate ventilation. Trade & Sustainability: India’s Piyush Goyal will visit Spain, Belgium and Finland to boost trade and investment, including clean energy and sustainability-focused technology.

Heatwave Impacts Tour de France: Belgian sprinter Tim Merlier won Stage 8 in sweltering conditions, but organisers shortened Stage 9 by 30km after a red heat alert in Corrèze, with Meteo France citing an “exceptionally intense heatwave” and the race aiming to keep competition compatible with safety conditions. Wildfire Crisis in Spain: Firefighters in Almería battled one of Spain’s deadliest wildfires, with at least 12 dead and many residents forced to flee; authorities say strong winds and fast-moving flames turned roads into traps, while crews shifted from defending communities to more direct attack. Belgium Heat Burden: Belgium recorded 1,747 excess deaths during June’s heatwave, underlining how extreme temperatures are already hitting public health. Energy Grid Flexibility: A new report highlights how smart meters can help manage Europe’s growing wind and solar supply, reducing waste and supporting renewables as battery storage needs to scale up. Local Climate Readiness: Brussels schools are reported to be poorly equipped for heatwaves, with only 1 in 4 having ventilation.

Heat & Wildfires in Europe: Spain’s Almería wildfire has killed at least 12 people and left 23 missing, with flames racing after strong winds and trapping victims in vehicles or as they fled on foot; emergency crews have shifted from defending towns to a more direct attack as conditions improve. Heatwave Impacts on Transport & Tourism: The Tour de France shortened Sunday’s stage in Corrèze by 30km after a red alert for an “exceptionally intense heatwave,” while Paris tourist sites like the Eiffel Tower and major museums cut opening hours due to extreme temperatures. Belgium in the Climate Spotlight: Belgium’s role in the EU response to heat and pollution is echoed by reports on heat-related harm and by a new Belgium–India port cooperation deal focused on green and digital upgrades. Green Ports & Shipping: Port of Antwerp-Bruges signed a MoU with India’s V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority and an Antwerp training partner to build capacity and push green port initiatives and digital transformation. Belgium & the World Cup (local angle): Belgium’s World Cup run ended after Spain beat them 2-1, with a late goalkeeper error deciding the match; meanwhile, England–Norway is set for Miami amid weather warnings.

Heat & Health: Germany’s Robert Koch Institute estimates about 5,120 heatwave-related deaths this year, with most fatalities among people 75+ and a spike in late June as Western Europe sweltered. Climate Resilience in Belgium: A Brussels lawmaker says only 1 in 4 Dutch-language schools has ventilation; many buildings lack insulation or double glazing, and some nurseries/schools had to close during heat. Wildfire Tragedy (Spain): A fast-moving blaze in southern Spain’s Andalusia killed 12 people (including foreigners) and left 23 missing as extreme heat fuelled conditions; authorities are investigating how it started. Space for Ozone Monitoring: Ireland’s ÉireComposites built carbon-fiber stray light baffles for ESA’s ALTIUS satellite, aimed at tracking ozone and other trace gases. Policy & Trade: Brussels launched an anti-dumping probe into Chinese Peking duck, drawing criticism from China’s chamber as a symbolic trade escalation.