Klimaatzaak activists target Brussels Parliament opening

Climate activists from the organization Klimaatzaak launched their ‘All Rise’ campaign during the opening session of the Brussels Parliament. Dozens of supporters occupied the public gallery to demand that Belgian authorities implement a landmark 2023 ruling from the Brussels Court of Appeal.

The court judgment requires the Belgian federal government, the Flemish government, and the Brussels-Capital Region to implement measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. Klimaatzaak argues that the ruling is a legal obligation rather than a non-binding recommendation and claims that authorities have failed to take adequate action.

Sarah Tak, director of Klimaatzaak, stated that the campaign aims to increase political pressure on the Flemish, Brussels, and Federal parliaments. She emphasized that respecting judicial decisions is a fundamental principle of the democratic rule of law and called on parliamentarians to hold ministers accountable for the implementation of the climate mandate.