Dear members and partners,
We have one year left to define Brussels’ low-carbon objectives. This deadline marks a major turning point for the construction sector: it pushes us to intensify renovations and promote the use of reclaimed and bio-based materials. As a cluster, we observe growing interest in reuse. This trend is reflected in the many initiatives supported by the Region. The cluster actively contributes to this dynamic, notably through collaborative brochures and upcoming publications aimed at helping architects integrate more circularity into their projects.
- Recovery & Reuse in Construction Projects: Setting and Achieving Goals (FR&NL)
- Working Group: Reuse Inventory (FR&NL)
- Working Group: Extra Cost of Circular Renovation — Myth or Reality? (FR&NL)
Bio-based materials — hemp, straw, clay, plant fibers, and wood — are booming. Wood, in particular, stands out as an essential ally thanks to its carbon sink properties and natural regulation. According to the study State of Timber Construction in Belgium 2021–2024, the carbon footprint of a timber building far exceeds that of traditional constructions. The Belgian sector is taking a major step forward with the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) for structural wood, showing very favorable results compared to other materials and imported wood. Another key advantage: timber construction lends itself perfectly to prefabrication and modularity, reducing costs, spreading expenses, and optimizing site efficiency — a concrete response to the labor shortage.
To learn more, explore our actions and articles as part of #printempsdubois 2025.
Housing Renovation: Urgency and Barriers to Overcome
The sustainable transition faces a worrying situation: energy renovation of housing is hindered, not by lack of will, but by financial impossibility for many owners. The success of RENOLUTION grants shows strong momentum for renovation. However, due to regional budget constraints, these aids are temporarily on hold. Quick solutions are needed to maintain the momentum of recent years and achieve the Region’s energy renovation targets.
| Suspension of RENOLUTION Grants – What Are the Impacts? Since January 1, 2025, RENOLUTION grants have been suspended due to the absence of a regional government and available budget. This situation has major consequences: The success of RENOLUTION grants demonstrates the willingness to act. However, victims of their own success and tight budgets, these aids are currently suspended. This temporary suspension has severe impacts on the sector: reduced activity, risk of closures for some companies, and uncertainty for thousands of projects. It is urgent to restore an incentive framework to maintain momentum and meet set objectives. – 10% of companies in the sector risk closure if the suspension continues. – 50% of SMEs expect a drop of more than 50% in turnover in 2025 without a quick reinstatement of aid. – €112 million in expected losses for the sector in 2025. – 38% of companies had already suffered a 50% revenue drop during the temporary freeze in 2024. – 250,000 buildings still need renovation by 2033 to meet energy targets. |
Despite these challenges, Brussels is often cited as an example in sustainable and circular construction thanks to:
- an innovative and resilient sector,
- our ability to find typical “Belgian-style” compromises,
- a culture of collaboration, often embodied by Bouwteams.
Our members increasingly emphasize the need to integrate multidisciplinary teams from the start of projects: architects, engineers, project owners, craftsmen, and experts in materials, acoustics, fire safety, water, biodiversity… Beyond circularity alone, these Bouwteams drive technical, ecological, and overall site management aspects. Anticipating these issues at the design stage is essential, as correcting them at the end of a project is neither economically nor ecologically viable.
The Role of the Cluster
For many years, the ecobuild.brussels cluster has played a key role from project inception, promoting the integration of innovations often inspired by revisited traditional practices. We will continue to support you in facing new challenges: far from being insurmountable obstacles, these challenges make us collectively stronger and more resilient and should be seen as real opportunities.
Our support aims to facilitate networking, guide you to the right expertise, and promote integrated design to ensure performance and sustainability. The return of Brussels Bouwteams already illustrates this concrete added value. Want to take the next step? Contact us and discover how our support service can strengthen your projects today.
Heading Toward 2026 and Beyond
The real challenge in the coming years will be to demonstrate that:
Energy-efficient, sustainable, and circular renovation is possible — and profitable — when collaboration is well thought out and optimized.
Thanks to all of you — members, partners, experts — we are moving in the right direction. To keep convincing, we will need to:
- Measure and document impacts: carbon savings, waste reduction, ROI, comfort improvement…
- Showcase successful initiatives with concrete, evidence-based cases.
- Continue advocacy with public authorities, to ensure ongoing support adapted to real needs and capable of keeping pace with renovations.
The coming year will be full of opportunities. By combining technical rigor with true project cohesion, showcasing our successes, and continuing our commitment to concrete measures that encourage sustainable and circular renovation, we can make Brussels a tangible model of responsible construction.
More than ever, let’s cultivate a collaborative spirit by sharing our successes, ideas, and questions. Send us your projects, your articles, or join us at our networking events to grow this collective dynamic.
Without you, the cluster does not exist! Together, let’s make 2026 the year when vision becomes reality. Thank you for your trust and involvement.
Emmanuel MALFEYT
Coordinator, ecobuild.brussels cluster
