Jean-Luc Crucke, serving as Belgium’s minister of climate and mobility in Bart De Wever’s government since February 2025, has issued a stark warning regarding the necessity of urgent climate action. Representing the centrist French-speaking party Les Engagés, Crucke discussed the future of European climate policy during an interview in Brussels on 30 June.
Crucke emphasized that while the system requires simplification, this should not be mistaken for deregulation. He asserted that climate objectives must remain unchanged, but the process of achieving them must account for the interests of the business community. According to the minister, reducing the burden on those responsible for implementing these changes serves the interest of both the economy and the climate.
Addressing the broader European context, Crucke described climate change as an international problem that requires a level playing field across the continent. He acknowledged that European regulations are often complex, but insisted that such complexity cannot serve as an excuse for failing to make progress. He pointed to the Belgian National Energy and Climate Plan as a viable framework for success, provided that the guidelines set by Europe are followed carefully.
The minister highlighted the need for improved internal cohesion, specifically calling for greater coordination and collaboration within the Belgian state. He argued that working toward a unified goal rather than against one another within the national microcosm would be a cost-effective and necessary step to ensure the success of the transition to net zero.
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