Energy dependence (i33)
- 30/11/2023
- objective
- assessment
In 2021, Belgiumʹs energy dependence, the ratio between net energy imports and energy consumption, amounted to 71%. To achieve the sustainable development goal by 2030, this figure must decrease. Between 2000 and 2021, the trend is undetermined (assessment of November 2023).
Energy dependence - Belgium and international comparison
percentage of energy consumption
| 1990 | 1995 | 2000 | 2005 | 2010 | 2015 | 2016 | 2020 | 2021 | 2021//1990 | 2021//2016 | 2021//2000 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium | 75.1 | 80.8 | 78.2 | 79.9 | 78.6 | 84.1 | 75.9 | 78.0 | 70.8 | -0.2 | -1.4 | -0.5 |
| EU27 | -- | -- | 56.3 | 57.8 | 55.8 | 56.1 | 56.2 | 57.5 | 55.5 | -- | -0.2 | -0.1 |
| //: Average Growth Rates | ||||||||||||
Eurostat (2023), Energy dependence [sdg_07_50], https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat (consulted on27/09/2023).
Definition: energy dependence is calculated as the ratio between net energy imports (imports less exports) and energy consumption in Belgium. This consumption is the sum of the gross domestic energy consumption (mainly made up of the energy production in Belgium and imports, less exports) and marine bunkers (fuel provided to ships for international journeys). Data are obtained from Eurostat.
Goal: the energy dependence of Belgium must decrease.
The Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs adopted by the UN in 2015 include goal 7: “Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”.
The Federal Long-Term Strategic Vision for Sustainable Development includes objective 20: “The security of energy supply shall be ensured” (Belgian Official Gazette, 08/10/2013).
International comparison: comparing the energy dependence of Belgium and that of the European Union (EU27) shows that the latter is much less dependent on imports: 55.5.% in 2021. When Member States are divided into three groups, Belgium is part of the least performing group in 2021. In that year, Estonia ranked first with 1.4% and Malta last with 97.1%.
UN indicator: the selected indicator does not correspond to any monitoring indicator for the SDGs but is related to goal 7. Energy dependence is a major challenge for countries having few energy resources, like Belgium. Reducing energy dependence allows, among other things, to ensure a reliable energy supply.
Sources
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General
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SDGs, Sustainable Development Goals: United Nations (2015), Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 25 September 2015, document A/RES/70/1.
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Indicators: United Nations (2017), Work of the Statistical Commission pertaining to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 6 July 2017, document A/RES/71/313.
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UN Sustainable Development: https://sdgs.un.org/ (consulted on 18/01/2023).
- UN Sustainable Development Goal indicators website: https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/ (consulted on 18/01/2023).
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Specific
Federal Planning Bureau
At www.indicators.be the Federal Planning Bureau presents sustainable development indicators.
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