Belgium

Summary:

The Constitutional Court of Belgium has suspended a Brussels decision that postponed the implementation of stricter regulations for the low-emission zone (LEZ) from early 2025 to early 2027. The court found that this delay would unreasonably compromise the protection of health rights. The LEZ aims to improve air quality by prohibiting certain combustion engine vehicles from operating within the zone, which covers most of the Brussels region. A new phase was supposed to begin on January 1, 2025, banning diesel vehicles with Euro 5 engines and gasoline cars with Euro 2 engines.

In October 2024, the Brussels Parliament approved an ordinance to delay these regulations, which faced opposition from green parties. Following this, various associations and individuals, including a child with chronic asthma, petitioned the Constitutional Court for suspension. The court ruled that the delay could cause irreparable harm and significantly undermine health protections without reasonable justification, violating the constitutional obligation to maintain existing health standards.

With the ordinance temporarily suspended, the court must decide on its annulment within three months. Brussels Mobility Minister Elke Van den Brandt expressed satisfaction with the ruling, viewing it as a victory for public health, while Environment and Health Minister Alain Maron announced plans to convene a task force to address the decision. The future of the vehicle bans remains uncertain.