Ecolo Demands Climate Action After Heatwave Kills 1,222

Ecolo co-president and federal MP Gilles Vanden Burre has launched a sharp critique of Climate Minister Jean-Luc Crucke, demanding significantly more ambitious climate action in the wake of a devastating heatwave that caused an estimated 1,222 excess deaths in Belgium between June 18 and 29. In an interview published in La Libre Belgique, Vanden Burre argued that the current measures are insufficient to meet Belgium’s climate commitments and called for a political mobilization comparable to the COVID-19 crisis.

A Deadly Heatwave

Between Thursday, June 18 and Monday, June 29, Belgium experienced a 39% excess mortality rate, representing 1,222 additional deaths, according to preliminary data from the Risk Management Group (RMG) communicated on July 2. VRT NWS reported that this marks the highest peak in daily deaths since the first wave of coronavirus in 2020. Of those who died, 530 were aged 85 and over, while a significant excess mortality of 180 deaths was also observed among those under 65.

Such a mortality toll during a heatwave is unprecedented in Belgium, the RMG noted. The heatwave was exceptional, with seven tropical days where temperatures exceeded 30°C and abnormally warm nights. The warning phase of the national heat plan was reactivated on July 4 as temperatures rose again.

Vanden Burre: “The Situation Is of Unprecedented Gravity”

Speaking to La Libre Belgique, Vanden Burre did not mince words. “The situation is of unprecedented gravity. Scientists had announced it and tell us that these heatwaves will repeat and worsen. This has been documented for several decades,” he said.

The Ecolo co-president called for a general mobilization across political lines. “Beyond majority-opposition games, the sense of urgency should lead to general mobilization,” he argued. “Political mobilization should be similar to that which accompanied the Covid crisis. Unfortunately, this is not the case.”

Vanden Burre pointed to immediate actions that could be taken, including establishing cool zones with air conditioning in all municipalities—in cultural centers, cinemas, and other public buildings. Ecolo had previously released 24 proposals as part of a “Plan Fraîcheur” and called for a Codeco (Concertation Committee) meeting bringing together federal and federated entity decision-makers.

Crucke’s Inter-Federal Initiative

Minister Crucke, who oversees Climate, Mobility, and Environmental Transition, had already sent a letter to various competent ministers on June 23 requesting greater coordination to adapt the country to climate change. As reported by La Libre Belgique, his 12 priorities include modernizing heatwave alerts to account for nighttime temperatures, strengthening the BE-Alert emergency notification system, creating a national network of cool zones in public buildings, deploying drinking water points, and mobilizing the army during extreme weather events.

“I am not questioning anyone’s competencies. I simply say: leverage your competencies in a way that allows sharing and collaboration with others,” Crucke stated. He acknowledged the process would take time but insisted on the urgency of action. “Otherwise in a year, I fear we’ll have the same dialogue and ultimately the same observations.”

However, Crucke has faced resistance. On July 2, he denounced the absence of the “Walloon conservative right” at a technical meeting, referring to the cabinet of Walloon Minister-President Adrien Dolimont (MR).

Political Pressure Mounts

The heatwave response has become a major political flashpoint. PS president Paul Magnette also criticized the government sharply, accusing authorities of abandoning citizens to their fate. As reported, Magnette stated on X that “zero measures have been taken by the federal government” and described the authorities as being in a state of “lethargy.”

“Citizens have literally been abandoned to their fate,” Magnette said, noting that further heatwaves are forecast. “We are talking about human lives.”

Analysis: A System Under Strain

Belgium operates under a complex federal system where climate competencies are divided between the federal government and three regions (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels-Capital). This fragmentation has historically made coordinated climate action difficult. The current government, led by Prime Minister Bart De Wever (N-VA), includes Les Engagés, MR, Vooruit, and CD&V.

The 1,222 deaths have exposed critical gaps in preparedness: insufficient cooling infrastructure in public spaces, vulnerability of elderly populations in poorly insulated housing and care homes, and persistent disagreements between federal and regional authorities over competencies.

What to Watch For

As the heat warning phase has been reactivated, political pressure on the government will only intensify. Key questions remain: Will Crucke’s inter-federal plan gain traction with all regional governments? What specific new measures will the government announce in response to the 1,222 deaths? And will Ecolo’s “Plan Fraîcheur” proposals be adopted?

The heatwave mortality figures are likely to become a defining political reference point in Belgium, much like COVID-19 mortality statistics. Whether this crisis will accelerate efforts toward a binding inter-federal climate adaptation plan—or further expose the structural challenges of Belgium’s governance model—remains to be seen.