UNIA, The Interfederal Centre for Equal Opportunities, in Belgium guaranteeing an equal green transition

Illustration by Maqué Studio

Policies that counter climate change must include an equality dimension to avoid exacerbating existing inequalities. Equality Bodies ensure that the green transition is fully inclusive and that the road to a greener future does not leave anyone behind.

Belgian cities, among them the Brussels Capital Region implemented the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) initiative to champion public transport and eco-friendly vehicles. However, this climate-friendly measure has negatively affected the lives of people with disabilities, who face the dual challenge of limited mobility options and financial constraints.
Unia, the Belgian Interfederal Centre for Equal Opportunities, voiced concerns to the Brussels Environment Minister about the disproportionate burden faced by individuals with disabilities in Brussels’ Low Emission Zone (LEZ).
As a result, owners of vehicles (or persons living at the same address) who receive increased compensation for health care and who have an EU parking card for people with disabilities are granted access to LEZs. Moreover, the Environment Minister committed to extending access to LEZs to all EU disability parking card holders, making the Low Emission Zone a more inclusive eco-friendly initiative.

Are you interested in knowing more about the impact of climate change on equality and how Equinet and Equality Bodies guarantee an equal green transition?

• Equinet commissioned a study on the EU Green Deal that explored its impact on equality, stressing Equality Bodies’ significance in mitigating climate change’s unequal burdens on vulnerable groups. Conducted in 2022-23 by Siel Hoornaert, Katrien van der Heyden, and Babs Verhoeve, this study focuses on energy, circular economy, environment, land use and road transport and emphasises climate change’s disproportionate effects on vulnerable groups. The paper offers insights from member surveys and recommends strategies for effective climate and inequality interventions.
• Following the research mentioned above, Equinet hosted a roundtable discussion unveiling the outcomes of the commissioned study on the EU Green Deal’s impact on equality. The event highlighted the role of Equality Bodies by shedding light on less apparent equality aspects in vital policy realms like energy and circular economy. With this, the roundtable redefined climate action through an equality lens, emphasising the role of these bodies in advocating for equitable climate policies and safeguarding marginalised groups.