Brussels parliament approves delay to stricter low-emissions rules

The Brussels parliament has approved a proposed ordinance by MR, PS, Les Engagés and Open VLD parties that delays the tightening of the low-emission zone (LEZ) on 1 January 2025 by two years.

The ordinance disrupted the formation of Brussels’ new government and sparked sharp criticism and even a political falling out between Dutch- and French-speaking parties, with Elke Van den Brandt (Groen) describing it as akin to planting “a bomb” under the negotiations.

“Even when a parliament takes its responsibility in a period of prudence, which we welcome in itself, it’s appropriate to consult with the different groups on what is possible and desirable. None of that happened,” said Groen party leader Stijn Bex.

Bex reiterated that Groen favoured a compromise of the postponement of levying fines, as happened in 2022, saying “this passes the legal test and is a signal for those who cannot afford a new car”.

The stricter rules would ban cars that meet the Euro 5 standard for diesel and Euro 2 standard for petrol from the low-emission zone in the Brussels region, affecting an estimated 35,284 cars and 8,512 light commercial vehicles registered in the Brussels region, along with 634,899 passenger cars and 154,934 light commercial vehicles for the whole of Belgium.

Environmental, cycling and social organisations gathered to protest against the postponement near the Brussels parliament, noting among their concerns that the delay means the Brussels region will not achieve its target of a 13.5% reduction in NO2.

Benjamin Dalle (CD&V) said it was regrettable that the proposers did not try to create a large support base, across party lines.

The Liberals, PS, Les Engagés, Team Fouad Ahidar and Vlaams Belang voted in favour of the ordinance while Groen and DéFI voted against, with Vooruit, N-VA and CD&V abstaining.

N-VA party leader Mathias Vanden Borre said that while his party supported the postponement, it abstained because of the attitude of the proposers.