AGP Executive Report

Belgium drought hit: Belgium is facing its worst drought since the 1970s, with dry conditions threatening drinking water supply and adding pressure on agriculture and daily life. Waterway crisis: Record-low water levels on the Rhine and Danube are still disrupting river cruises, with the Rhine at extreme lows and forecasts offering little relief into mid-October. Climate warning: A powerful El Niño is strengthening and could reach exceptional intensity, raising risks for rainfall, temperatures and extreme weather into 2027. EU sustainability rules: The EU’s updated anti-greenwashing law is now in focus, while new sustainability-labelling requirements push standards toward independent governance. Food supply & water stress: Belgium’s potato sector is seeking solutions as heat and drought squeeze yields and water use, while the wider fresh-produce shipping sector warns that volatility and unreliable logistics can break the chain from farm to shelf. Circular economy in practice: A UK recycling milestone highlights how plastic pallets collected for recycling in Belgium can cut CO2e versus landfill, with targets now on track ahead of schedule. Belgian business abroad: Antwerp and Belgium-linked firms are exploring deeper cooperation with Kazakhstan on circular economy, logistics and industrial projects.

Belgium Drought Watch: Belgium is heading for its worst drought since the 1970s, with around 80% of the country facing a rainfall deficit and no meaningful rain expected until mid-October at the earliest—raising risks for drinking-water production. Clean Transport Push: A Transport & Environment analysis says diesel price spikes tied to the Iran conflict are making electric trucks cheaper than diesel in six EU markets, including Belgium—potentially recouping the higher upfront cost in about two years. Greenwashing Rules Update: The EU’s updated anti-greenwashing law (EmpCo) tightens what companies can claim, banning vague “green/eco-friendly” marketing and requiring detailed, independently verified plans for future environmental promises. Port & Shipping Transition: Cyprus’ shipping competitiveness push lands in Brussels as EU transport leaders tackle ports, fleet renewal and decarbonisation. Belgium in the Spotlight: Belgium’s WHO Europe director Hans Kluge is among candidates for the next WHO chief as the agency faces major funding and political pressure. Water & PFAS Risk: Data centres’ cooling water crunch is driving shifts to PFAS-based alternatives, with critics warning of a new pollution trade-off.

EU Energy Crisis & Transport Shift: A Brussels-based analysis says diesel prices surged after Iran-linked oil shocks, making electric trucks cheaper to run than diesel in six major EU markets—including Belgium—where operators can recoup the upfront cost in about two years, despite slower adoption from high purchase prices and patchy charging. EU Industrial Decarbonisation: The European Commission set final rules for a €1bn industrial heat auction (Innovation Fund), backing electrification, direct renewables and, for the first time, nuclear tech, with fixed-premium support for up to five years. Flemish Budget Pressure: Belgium’s Flemish Government is negotiating €1.6–€1.9bn in budget savings, with coalition partners divided on how to split the cuts. Climate Extremes & Aid Cuts: Nepal’s deadly floods are a stark warning of what happens when climate adaptation and disaster-preparedness programmes lose funding and monitoring capacity. Weather Watch: The Met Office and NOAA warn El Niño is strengthening toward a very strong event, raising risks of heat, drought and flooding. Belgium Environment Problem: Belgium’s nitrous oxide ban hasn’t stopped widespread street littering; discarded canisters are linked to waste-management costs and even damaging explosions at processing sites. Local Cleanup: Brussels’ first World Cleanup Week mobilised 1,302 volunteers to remove over a tonne of litter across multiple neighbourhoods.

Volcanic Disruption in Belgium’s Air Travel: Mount Etna ash has stranded around 140 Brussels Airlines passengers in Catania, after the airport suspended flights and a Brussels-bound service was cancelled; reroutes via Palermo and a return expected Sunday or Monday are now in place. Urban Cleanliness Push: Brussels’ first World Cleanup Week pulled in 1,302 volunteers who removed 1,142 kg of litter across multiple districts, with schools and associations joining city cleaning teams. Climate & Water Tech Talk: An ANSO-COMSATS conference on AI-enabled solutions for sustainable water governance wrapped up, focusing on water scarcity and flood risks and how climate resilience can be built into policy. Energy Transition in Transport: Volvo’s new heavy-duty electric truck range won International Truck of the Year 2027 at IAA, with production starting in Sweden and planned in Ghent, Belgium. Wildlife & Farming Health Watch: Shamonda virus has been detected in cattle in Jersey, with concerns about spread across north-west Europe, including Belgium. Data Centers & Resources: A report warns Europe’s push for “digital sovereignty” could raise electricity and water demand for cooling data centers, especially as summers get hotter.

EU Climate Litigation: Greta Thunberg and youth group Aurora are suing Sweden again, arguing the country isn’t doing enough to protect children from worsening climate impacts. Marine & Plastic: Greek social enterprise Enaleia made its New York debut at Climate Week NYC, pushing sustainable fishing and cutting marine plastic pollution. Aquaculture Adaptation: A Shetland meeting of the Occam project discussed “science-based solutions” to reduce environmental impacts in aquaculture, with partners including Belgium and other European countries. Biodiversity & Health: A new midge-borne Shamonda virus has been detected in cattle in Jersey, with cases reported across Europe including Belgium, raising concerns about further spread. Energy & Industry: The EU set terms for a €1bn industrial heat auction to cut emissions from process heat, using EU ETS revenues and linking subsidies to CO2 reductions. Water & Data Centers: A debate grows in Europe over “digital sovereignty” versus rising electricity and water use for data centers. Belgium in the Spotlight: Brussels hotels warn higher VAT, taxes and costs are squeezing the hospitality sector despite only mixed summer occupancy. Ocean Monitoring: Canada and the EU helped launch OceanEye, securing €211m+ pledges to expand global ocean observation.

Digital Rights for Youth: Spain’s Congress resumes debate on an Organic Law to protect minors in digital environments, aiming to block access to social networks for under-16s unless parents consent, with extra duties for big platforms to limit harmful content and addictive design. EU Enforcement on Repair: The European Commission starts infringement steps over the right to repair, including Belgium, for not fully transposing rules that make repairs easier and expand coverage to indoor heating appliances. Industrial Decarbonisation: The EU sets terms for a €1bn auction to cut industrial process heat emissions, using a fixed premium tied to CO2 reductions, with electrification, renewables and even nuclear tech in the mix. Ocean Monitoring Boost: Canada and the EU back the OceanEye International Alliance with at least €211m pledged, strengthening global ocean observation for climate and maritime safety. Belgium-linked Health Research: Belgian, French and US researchers use genomic work to track how a major chikungunya outbreak spread from Réunion, showing how viruses evolve and move. Biodiversity & Waste: IBA will coordinate a new EU LIFE project (LIFEDESTINY) to tackle PFAS “forever chemicals” with more sustainable remediation methods.

EU Industrial Decarbonisation: The European Commission set the final terms for a €1 billion Europe-wide auction to cut fossil-fuel use in industrial process heat, with a fixed premium tied to CO2 cuts and support for electrification, renewables and even nuclear tech. PFAS Cleanup Push: IBA will coordinate LIFEDESTINY, a new EU LIFE project aiming to permanently degrade “forever chemicals” across contaminated soils, water and waste streams. Right to Repair Crackdown: The Commission has launched infringement proceedings against 18 countries, including Belgium, over incomplete transposition of the right-to-repair rules, now also covering indoor heating appliances. Energy Cost Pressure: With diesel prices soaring across Europe, governments are using subsidies and tax changes to blunt the fuel shock. Belgian Green Power in Practice: A Wallonia quarry is running a 3.3-hectare agrivoltaic setup—3,240 solar panels above sheep grazing—to generate clean electricity while preserving farmland. PFAS & Fisheries Data Tech: LIFEDESTINY targets PFAS remediation, while an EU fisheries project is using digital tools to better track catches and reduce quota disputes.

Heat & health: Europe saw a sharp summer spike in deaths, with EuroMOMO estimating 36,000+ more deaths than expected as heatwaves hit June–August, including major pressure on emergency services in Paris. Energy & climate policy: Eurostat data shows renewables made 54.1% of EU electricity in Q2 2026, but growth is barely moving—fueling questions about whether the renewable boom is slowing. Fuel price relief: With wars pushing petrol and diesel to record highs, OECD reports EU governments are using subsidies, tax cuts and policy changes to cushion households and firms. Belgium & oceans: Belgium is stepping up its push for Brussels to host the UN ocean biodiversity secretariat under the BBNJ deal, campaigning during UNGA. Food & weather impacts: Russia extended its ban on many Western agricultural imports to end-2028, while heat and drought are also forecast to cut crop yields across parts of Europe, including potatoes. Tech & minerals: KoBold Metals is using AI-guided exploration in DR Congo to secure critical minerals for batteries, aiming to reduce China’s dominance. Offshore wind caution: New reporting highlights that offshore wind can help marine life but impacts on birds, bats and ecosystems remain uncertain without long-term data.

EU Carbon Market Reform: EU member states back changes to the Emissions Trading System to keep more CO2 allowances in reserve, suspending cancellation until end-2030 and raising the invalidation threshold from 2031—aimed at buffering sharp carbon price spikes. Energy Grid Fight: Capitals push back on Brussels’ plan to increase control over how the EU power grid is paid for and managed, as electrification and data centres drive up network costs. Hydrogen for Transport: H2AccelerateTRUCKS launches an end-user group meeting to speed deployment of fuel cell electric trucks, targeting 125 vehicles across at least six countries by 2030. Brussels Ring Works: De Werkvennootschap names R0Q preferred bidder for the R0 North Zaventem DBFM project, including motorway renewal plus cycle and pedestrian links, with water retention, noise barriers and green structures. Climate Reality Check: A Belgian-linked climate op-ed points to 2026 heat, drought and wildfire impacts as proof that global warming is already harming health and ecosystems. Belgium Tech & Security: Orange Belgium renews Viaccess-Orca TV security tech through 2030, extending secure delivery across consumer and business deployments. Drought Watch: Brussels keeps a yellow drought alert as dry conditions persist. Food & Weather Impacts: Reports say Europe’s potato cultivation is shrinking after heatwaves and drought, with knock-on effects for harvest volumes and prices.

Drought Watch in Brussels: Brussels keeps its yellow drought alert after a 23 September review of drinking-water supplies, with authorities urging residents, businesses and public bodies to use mains water responsibly while rainfall hasn’t restored normal conditions. Circular Economy in Action (Aluminium): Aluminium Duffel reopened its Greenmelt recycling furnace in Duffel, enabling processing of post-consumer contaminated aluminium scrap for higher-quality reuse, as the company marks its 80th anniversary. Recycled Timber Crackdown: Dutch authorities seized 375 tons of illegally sourced tropical hardwood, with Belgian customs involved in intercepting shipments at the Port of Antwerp—aimed at stopping deforestation and habitat damage. Sustainable Healthcare Recycling: The DiCE project reports pilots in Belgium, Spain and Slovenia where over 60% of participants would return unwanted healthcare devices when convenient collection systems exist, pushing for circular design and reverse logistics. Climate Risk Alert (El Niño): The WMO warns El Niño is strengthening and could drive more extreme heat, flooding and drought, urging health systems to treat extreme heat as a predictable public-health risk. Tech for Chips (imec/TSMC): IC-Link by imec expands collaboration with TSMC via a managed-cloud service to simplify access to advanced-node chip design capabilities. Food Tech Investment (Barry Callebaut): Barry Callebaut confirms a UK focus at Colworth’s Gastronomica food-tech incubator to support innovation and sustainable solutions.

Energy Cost Relief in Europe: France extends fuel subsidies (€450m) and Germany cuts petrol/diesel taxes (€0.17/l) while talks aim at a fuel-price cap by Jan 2027—moves critics say don’t solve long-term energy security. Climate Disaster Preparedness Under Pressure: New reporting warns that climate disasters are rising while funding cuts are weakening monitoring and early-warning work, including in the Himalayas. Ocean Monitoring Boost: Canada and the EU launched the OceanEye International Alliance for the Global Ocean Observing System, securing about $339m in pledges to strengthen weather, climate and coastal protection. Belgium Wind Logistics: deugro expands Antwerp wind logistics with a specialist hub for blades, nacelles and tower sections, adding capacity near European wind projects. Hydrogen Infrastructure: Construction starts on Saarland’s first hydrogen pipeline, part of the cross-border MosaHYc network linking Germany and France. EU Carbon Market Tweaks: EU states back a larger reserve of spare carbon permits to prevent carbon-price spikes amid higher energy costs. Food & Weather Stress: COCERAL forecasts lower EU grain harvests after hot, dry conditions; drought and heat also threaten potatoes and raise prices. Electric Trucks Roll Out: Volvo begins series production of heavy-duty electric trucks, including models claiming up to 700 km range and fast charging aligned with EU rest periods.

Green Hydrogen in Antwerp: Power to Hydrogen (P2H2) has started commercial green hydrogen production at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, with a 500 kW system expected to make up to 70 tonnes of hydrogen a year for mobility and industrial customers. EU Data Center Rules: The European Commission proposes energy and water labels for data centers above 500 kW, pushing operators to share consumption data and improve flexibility as AI drives electricity demand. Cycling to school: More Belgian kids are joining the “bike bus” trend, where parents and children cycle together to school in a group ride that grows along the route. Farm Tech Trust Boost: An EU-funded OpenAgri initiative with Belgian researchers aims to help farmers compare digital tools using real-world results, not sales pitches. Port Wind Logistics: Deugro is expanding Antwerp’s wind energy logistics with a new port hub for turbine component handling. Biodiversity & climate pressure: Reports warn that climate disaster monitoring is being weakened by funding cuts, leaving more communities exposed to floods and glacier-related risks in the Himalayas. Belgium in global film: Belgian production support shows up in the animated short “Danse Macabre,” with local studios credited in the international team behind the apocalyptic piece. Corporate move: Butterfly Equity agreed to buy Sabert, a food packaging maker with production in Belgium, as part of a wider consolidation in packaging supply chains.

EU Data Center Rules: The European Commission proposes an energy-and-water rating scheme for data centers above 500 kW, with electronic labels and requirements around waste-heat reuse and grid-flexible electricity use. Port of Antwerp-Bruges Green Hydrogen: Power to Hydrogen (P2H2) starts commercial green hydrogen production at the port with a 500 kW anion exchange membrane system, targeting up to 70 tons/year for local mobility and industrial customers. Wind Logistics in Antwerp: deugro commissions a new Antwerp hub to store and handle wind turbine generator components, boosting capacity for rotor blades, nacelles and towers with specialized breakbulk equipment. Mpox Testing in Belgium-linked Research: A University of Geneva and Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp study finds many PCR “positive” mpox results may reflect contamination, raising concerns for outbreak surveillance accuracy. Climate Litigation: Greta Thunberg and Aurora sue Sweden over alleged failures to protect citizens from climate impacts, including demands to cut emissions and address excluded emissions sources. Belgian Agriculture & Weather Pressure: Eurobarometer highlights strong public support for the CAP and warns that extreme weather is already hitting food security.

Brussels Car-Free Sunday: Brussels restricted most motorised traffic across all 19 municipalities for European Mobility Week, with STIB-MIVB running free metro, tram and bus services and a 30 km/h cap where vehicles were allowed. EU Sanctions Deadlock: EU member states are pushing to renew sanctions tied to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, with disputes over possible delistings and a drive to keep the bloc united. Data Centers Under Scrutiny: The European Commission is moving to tighten transparency on energy and water use for large data centers, including how much they rely on renewables and how they use waste heat. Belgium & EU Security Cooperation: Operation ATLAS NEXUS—led by Belgian Federal Police with EU support—targeted environmental crime alongside drugs, trafficking and document fraud, seizing 156.9 tonnes and arresting 490+ people. Climate Risk for Kids: New research warns children across Europe will face far more extreme “fire weather” than their grandparents if fossil-fuel use continues. Biodiversity Watch: Scientists report a new wild cat species in Bolivia, highlighting how much biodiversity is still undiscovered. Wildlife & Health: A report links exotic pet trade to zoonotic risks like psittacosis, including past cases involving Belgium.

Planetary Boundaries: A new “planetary health” check warns that 7 of 9 Earth-system limits are already breached, raising the risk of large, persistent, potentially irreversible change. Wildfire & Heat: Research from VUB says children born in Europe today could face nearly twice as much extreme “fire weather” exposure as their grandparents, with the Mediterranean hit hardest. Public Transport Costs (Brussels angle): Greenpeace reports Bratislava’s annual pass jumped 32% since 2023, highlighting how fare policy can shape climate-friendly mobility uptake. Belgium & Europe Mobility: The EU transport commissioner floated emergency action if the fuel crisis worsens, while Belgium’s minister pushed faster electrification and social leasing for poorer households. Wind Logistics in Antwerp: Deugro commissioned a new Antwerp port setup for wind turbine components, aiming to move oversized parts via road, rail and inland waterways. Biodiversity Discovery: Scientists identified a new wild cat species in Bolivia, underscoring how much biodiversity is still unknown. Wildlife & Health: Belgium-linked cases show exotic pet trade can spread zoonotic diseases like psittacosis. Cyber & Environment Links: Belgian table tennis federations investigate a cyberattack after claims of stolen member data.

Green Hydrogen in Antwerp: Power to Hydrogen (P2H2) has started commercial green hydrogen production at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges with a 500 kW anion exchange membrane system, aiming for up to 70 tonnes per year for local mobility and industrial customers, using flexible operation tied to renewable power prices. Autonomous Logistics at the Port: Zelostech demonstrated its autonomous RoboVan at Port of Antwerp-Bruges on the K102 route, with a longer-term year of trials and a RoboVan Experience Center to move from testing toward real deployment. Brussels Cycling Boost: The King Baudouin Foundation awarded over €1 million to six “exemplary and sustainable” cycling projects across Brussels, including new cycle routes, bridges and tunnels. Recycling Reality Check (Flanders): Flanders found that 1 kg in 7 of PMD collected in 2025 was wrongly sorted (13.5%), with batteries and non-empty packaging among common mistakes. Heat and Fire Weather Warning: A new study says children born in Europe in 2025 could face nearly twice as much extreme fire weather as their grandparents if climate action doesn’t speed up. Postal Emissions Cut: International postal operators cut combined CO₂ emissions by 41% since 2008, driven by electrified fleets and renewable electricity.