From January 1, there is a threat of stricter rules for low-emission zones (LEZ) in Antwerp and Ghent, even though the new coalition agreement stipulated that there would be no such tightening of the rules.

Both the governing parties, N-VA and Vooruit, are urging Flemish Minister for the Environment Jo Brouns (CD&V) to provide clarity as soon as possible.

According to Minister Brouns’ office, there is no cause for concern because the minister is “currently putting the finishing touches on” the necessary texts, which will soon be on the government’s table.

Lingering of the Minister

The new Flemish coalition agreement, which dates from September, states that the legal framework surrounding LEZ will not be tightened beyond the conditions that were in force on September 1, 2023.

However, because the legislation has not yet been amended, the tightening of the rules is likely to come into effect automatically on January 1, meaning that Euro 5 diesel cars manufactured before September 2015, and Euro 2 gasoline cars manufactured before 2001 will no longer be allowed to enter the LEZs in Antwerp and Ghent.

Both N-VA and Vooruit are annoyed by the lingering of the minister responsible and want clarity as soon as possible. “Minister Brouns must take action now so that people do not spend unnecessary money on a new car,” says Vooruit MP Stephanie Vanden Eede. N-VA MP Andy Pieters suggested earlier that parliament should take charge of the dossier.

Adjustment is coming

Minister Brouns’ office has indicated that the minister is “putting the finishing touches to the texts in accordance with the coalition agreement and the climate plan of late July.” “The texts will soon be brought to the government level,” according to a response to the Belga press agency.

By postponing the tightening of the LEZ rules, Flanders is following the example of the Brussels-Capital Region. Initially, the intention was to further tighten the LEZ rules at the beginning of this year and to also ban diesel cars with the Euro 5 emission standard and petrol cars with the Euro 2 standard.

However, in October last year, the Brussels Parliament decided, much to the annoyance of the green parties, to postpone this tightening by two years.

Several citizens’ associations have also taken the matter to the Constitutional Court to have the postponement declared null and void. In both Brussels and Antwerp, nitrogen dioxide (NO2) pollution has decreased by at least 30% in the LEZ over five years.

There are currently no LEZs in Wallonia.