Green is critical of the Flemish government, which places the responsibility for creating more forest entirely with local authorities. In the previous term of office, local authorities only achieved a third of their forest objectives, and the same scenario is looming again. Flemish faction leader Mieke Schauvliege (Green): “What the Flemish government is actually doing is abdicating its responsibility and leaving local authorities to their fate. Local authorities can certainly play a role in creating more forest, but they cannot do this all by themselves.”
The figures speak volumes. Between 2020 and 2024, local authorities had the ambition to plant 750 hectares of new forest, but in practice only 267 hectares were realised. Of the 300 Flemish municipalities, only 128 created new forests, often limited in size. Barely 35 municipalities managed to plant more than 2.5 hectares. The new call for subsidies provides 44 million euros for the period 2025-2029, a doubling compared to the previous legislature. Nevertheless, Schauvliege remains critical: “Local authorities are struggling with staff shortages and often do not have the knowledge and expertise to take the lead on afforestation projects themselves. If the Flemish government focuses all its arrows on them, there is a risk that far too little forest will be planted at the end of the day.” The forest counter currently stands at 2,251 hectares, far below the target of 4,000 hectares of the previous government. The ultimate target of 10,000 hectares by 2030 is gradually becoming a pipe dream. Groen also complains that the Agency for Nature and Forests (ANB) is purchasing too little forest land. In April, the counter for 2025 was barely 6 hectares of purchased afforestation land, compared to more than 250 hectares in 2023. Schauvliege: “Flanders is gradually becoming a concrete desert, far too many trees are still being cut down and too few trees are being planted. Flemish people have the right to more forest, to play in, to walk in and to cool down on hot days. Who doesn’t like to go for a walk in a forest nearby?”
According to Schauvliege, providing subsidy money is a good first step, but the Flemish government must take control. Schauvliege: “There is an urgent need for a real forest expansion strategy in which all partners of the Forest Alliance – forest groups, nature associations, the Flemish government and local authorities – are actively and structurally involved. The Flemish government must stop shirking responsibility.”
