Background information

More than half of Brussels' greenhouse gas emissions come from the energy consumption of buildings. Most buildings in the region where built before the 1960s and are among the most energy-intensive in Europe. A third of all buildings is not insulated at all. The current renovation rate is considered to be insufficient.

Renolution is the Brussels Capital Region's strategy aimed at implementing revolutionary changes in the renovation of Brussels buildings. Its aim is to renovate better, faster and more buildings within the region. This is to reduce the average energy consumption of homes to 1/3 of its current rate as well as achieve energy neutrality in the tertiary sector by 2050.

Content of measure

An important principle of Renolution is the centralisation of premiums. The Renolution premiums combine the premiums for energy, for renovation of the residential environment and for facade beautification in one. When renovations are performed, inhabitants of the region are able to submit one joint application for all the premiums to which they are entitled. A total of 45 Renolution premiums are available for both renovation and energy-saving works. In addition to premiums, other financial support measures are available as well, such as loans at reduced interest rates.

Another measure is the obligation for buildings to have a valid EPB certificate (ENG: Energy Performance and Indoor Climate). This to facilitate owners to increase the energy efficiency of buildings in an efficient way.

A third focal point of the Renolution strategy is priority for vulnerable people and renovation as a way to combat energy poverty. Renolution is currently developing plans to provide additional support to people on low incomes.

In concrete numbers, the goal of Renolution that by 2050 at the latest, the average EPB level of Brussels homes should be C+, i.e. with an average consumption of 100 kWh/m²/year. The region has currently allocated approximately €360 million to finance the measure.

Use of measure

At the end of 2023, approximately €62 million was distributed in energy premiums.

The programme has seen high uptake since 2022, depleting the 2024 budget by August due to strong demand for energy-efficiency and renovation support​. This has led the Brussels government to suspend the system temporarily.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Applies to all businesses	Applies to all citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
Local / regional government	Regional funds

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	No involvement as case not in social partner domain	No involvement as case not in social partner domain
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• No involvement
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

No clear involvement of the social partners in the measure as it is generally not their competence. EO's like Unizo have promoted the measure on their site, as it is also open to businesses to improve their energy efficiency.

Views and reactions

No public statements made, aside from promotion and information provision on the website of EO Unizo.

Sources

• 01 April 2023: Leefmilieu Brussels (leefmilieu.brussels)
• 26 September 2023: Brussels Hoofdstedelijk Gewest (be.brussels)
• 25 July 2024: Bruzz.be (www.bruzz.be)