Industrial pollution cost Belgium over 7 billion euros in one year
An analysis of data from the European Environment Agency (EEA) reveals that pollution is not only harmful but also expensive. A significant portion of these costs can be traced back to 30 facilities, mostly located in the Flemish region.
Pollution affects not only the planet and public health but also taxpayers' pockets. The European Union estimates that industrial pollution cost Belgium over 7,212 million euros in 2021. Across the region, larger installations in terms of size and production output produce greater volumes of pollution, which are directly correlated with economic costs. In Belgium, 30 facilities are responsible for over 80% of the costs linked to air pollution.
The greatest polluter is Electrabel, a subsidiary of the French multinational Engie. Its four installations—two in Ghent and two in Wallonia—account for 844 million euros of costs. The energy company produces over 60% of Belgium's electricity and owns legacy installations, including nuclear plants.
Despite consistently producing over 5 tonnes of gas emissions over the years, it is one of the few companies to have decreased its emissions over the last decade.
In Flanders, industrial pollution is highest, mirroring the region's economic development. The primary metal production facility, located in Antwerp and owned by Spain's ArcelorMittal, is among the country's top polluters.
In 2021, ArcelorMittal invested 1.1 billion euros in its facility. This investment is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 3.9 million tons annually starting in 2030, according to the company. However, ArcelorMittal's emission levels have not seen significant changes over the past decade.
Despite traditional energy companies' claims of focusing on renewable energy, pollution from the energy sector has remained largely unchanged over the past decade and continues to be the primary source of pollution across various sectors.
Air pollution causes over 360,000 premature deaths yearly in Europe, says the EEA. These calculations consider the harm of pollution to humans and their environment, including illnesses, premature deaths, the burden on the healthcare system, and the effects on ecosystems. Gas emissions data is based on information provided by each industrial facility and the findings in this piece are published in cooperation with CORRECTIV.Europe, a network of local investigative journalists.