Brussels

Belgium

Missiestad Pilotstad
Nationaal missie-ecosysteem Belgium
Bevolking 1.2 million
Stadsgebied 161 km²
Stad actief sinds June 2022

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the administrative heart of the European Union, bringing together a dense urban fabric, an international population and a highly connected metropolitan economy. The city has a temperate maritime climate and is increasingly facing climate-related challenges such as heatwaves, flooding from intense rainfall and air pollution linked to traffic and urban density.

As a major capital city with complex governance structures and strong commuter flows, Brussels faces significant challenges in reducing emissions while maintaining accessibility, economic activity and social inclusion. Mobility, buildings and energy use are central priorities, alongside the need to adapt public spaces and infrastructure to a changing climate.

The Brussels-Capital Region is investing heavily in sustainable mobility, energy renovation and urban greening. Expanding public transport, cycling infrastructure and low-emission zones are helping reduce car dependency, while building renovation programmes aim to improve energy efficiency across both public and private housing. Nature-based solutions and water management measures are also becoming increasingly important in strengthening urban resilience.

Brussels’ climate approach reflects its role as both a global political centre and a highly lived-in city. Through collaboration between regional institutions, municipalities, businesses and residents, the city is working towards climate neutrality while seeking to improve quality of life, reduce inequalities and create a more resilient urban environment.

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Belangrijkste leerpunten

EMPOWER - Brussels pilot activity

EMPOWER addresses a critical gap in Brussels' energy transition: while energy sharing and energy communities offer significant potential for decarbonisation and citizen engagement, municipalities face substantial barriers to participation — administrative complexity, public procurement rules, unclear business models, and challenges in making rooftops available. The project brings together three Brussels municipalities (City of Brussels, Schaerbeek, Ixelles) with cooperative Brupower and expert organisation Energie Commune to identify barriers, develop solutions through pilot cases, and create a replicable toolkit enabling other Brussels municipalities to establish energy communities.

Renovation of public and private buildings, Brussels

Launched in 2021, Renolution is a comprehensive approach to decarbonising the region’s buildings while improving living standards and promoting a circular economy in renovations. The strategy includes a combination of regulatory measures, financial incentives, and broad-based stakeholder engagement. It also merges previously separate city initiatives for sharing the same goal.

Cities Best Practice Session #3 - Energetic Renovation

This session focuses on Energy efficient retrofitting of buildings, exploring transformative potential and innovative approaches from mission cities. Learn how it reduces environmental impact, improves comfort, lowers costs, and fosters resilience. Join us to gain insights for your sustainable initiatives.

Cities Mission Conference (DAY 2) - Cities as Frontrunners of the Climate Transition

Day 2 of the Mission in Progress: Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Conference 2023: - Cities as Frontrunners of the Climate Transition with Barbara Trachte, State Secretary for the Economic Transition and Scientific Research, Brussels Capital Government and Kim Jørgensen, Director General and Permanent Representative Office of the EIB to the EU Institutions, European Investment Bank
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Proefprojecten

Brussels Pilot Activity: EMPOWER - NetZeroCities
Background The EMPOWER pilot, involving three Brussels municipalities (City of Brussels, Ixelles, and Schaerbeek), addresses barriers to implementing energy sharing projects and achieving local energy independence. Despite the publication of the electricity ordinance for the Brussels Capital Region in
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Externe projecten

Betrokkenheid van de stad bij gerelateerde Europese initiatieven