The case of Wallonia: the uselessness of a sustainable development strategy?

In this chapter the focus is on the sustainable development policy of Wallonia, one of the three Belgian Regions (gewesten). Belgium is a young federal state with three Regions (Flanders, Wallonia, Brussels) and three Communities (Flemish, French, German-speaking). The Regions have competences in many important areas such as environment, spatial planning, agriculture, economic development, foreign trade, energy policy, transport and infrastructure (Hooghe et al. 2008: 185-186; Swenden et al. 2006: 865-868). The allocation of competences in Belgium is based on the principle of exclusivity. That means that each matter can only pertain to one level of government, i.e. that level has both legislating and implementing responsibilities in that matter (Reuchamps and Onclin 2009: 30). Furthermore, no hierarchy exists between federal and subnational legislation (Swenden 2006: 54), which makes that Wallonia and the other Belgian entities are to be considered as one of the most autonomous subnational governments worldwide. Since the competences of the federal level are extremely limited in some areas, the involvement of the subnational governments is indispensable for the implementation of international commitments on sustainable development.status: publishe