Just 27% of Belgian households can afford to renovate their homes to meet the energy standards set for 2050, according to a report by De Tijd, citing advice from the Central Economic Council (CRB).
The CRB’s assessment found that 73% of households face financial obstacles due to limited savings, borrowing capacity, or lack of financial incentives for energy-efficient upgrades. The council’s analysis was based on previous studies, combined with data from the European Commission, Belgian statistics agency Statbel, and the National Bank of Belgium.
The advisory body, which includes representatives from employers, employees, and consumer organisations, stressed the urgency of increasing Belgium’s renovation rate “quickly and significantly.”
It described the energy-efficient renovation of homes as “one of the greatest social challenges of the coming decades,” and pointed to earlier findings showing that Flanders must triple its renovation rate to ensure all homes meet the energy-efficient EPC-label A by 2050.
The CRB called for a major awareness campaign about the stricter building regulations expected in the years ahead. It urged the government to prioritise working with households who already have the means to carry out these renovations.
