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Brussels 2021 GDS-Index Report
Brussels, Belgium
Contact: Kathleen Davisters
Download PDF summary 2021
2021 Performance Overview
DMO
Supplier
Social
Environmental
Performance Highlights
Summary
Environmental
Supplier
Social
As Europe’s leading terminal for international high-speed trains, Brussels is becoming a greener place to meet. On arrival, efficient underground, bus, tram, and bicycle rental network takes over to transport you anywhere in Brussels. The city was voted No.1 sustainable city in Europe in terms of environmental policy in the European Green City Index. Various recognitions of an environmental management system is open to Brussels companies. It is one of the greenest cities in Europe with 28 m² of green space per inhabitant and is one of the most active cities in the area of passive construction with more than 265.000m² of exemplary buildings. In addition, the Brussels-Capital Region focuses strongly on the circular economy (PREC programme), good food and the fight against waste (Good Food Brussels). Brussels is leader in waste management and No.1 in Europe in recycling of packaging waste. As of 2018, the most polluting vehicles will be progressively banned from the Brussels-Capital Region as part of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) strategy.
Brussels is steadily becoming a more eco-friendly destination, and it shows. Cleantech events now taking place in Brussels include the Annual Carbon Capture and Storage Summit, Renewable Energy Law Conference and Sustainable Energy Week. 25 % of all Brussels hotel rooms hold an official eco-certification and are easily accessible with public transport. Brussels CVB works actively to inspire the city’s meetings industry to go green. Brussels plans to become an even greener place to meet, aiming to be the "Green city of Europe" by 2024 through a coordinated plan to make the city a truly sustainable destination.
Brussels is a world city. With three official languages and 183 nationalities speaking more than 100 different languages, Brussels is a diverse, cosmopolitan city and a magnetic centre for economic migration. With 62% foreign-born residents, Brussels ranks second only to Dubai in the World Migration Report. According to the 2016 ranking of consultants Mercer, Brussels is the 21st most pleasant city in the world in terms of quality of living out of 450, well ahead of Paris or London and 14th in Europe. The Mercer survey rated Brussels as one of the most pleasant places to live on the European continent and also one of its most inexpensive cities Brussels is the capital city of a country that appears consistently towards the top of international rankings such as: least corrupt countries, least gender inequality, etc.
Summary
Does visit.brussels  have a Sustainability Strategy?
Does Brussels have a sustainable destination certificate?
Does visit.brussels  report on its sustainability performance?
Environmental
As Europe’s leading terminal for international high-speed trains, Brussels is becoming a greener place to meet. On arrival, efficient underground, bus, tram, and bicycle rental network takes over to transport you anywhere in Brussels. The city was voted No.1 sustainable city in Europe in terms of environmental policy in the European Green City Index. Various recognitions of an environmental management system is open to Brussels companies. It is one of the greenest cities in Europe with 28 m² of green space per inhabitant and is one of the most active cities in the area of passive construction with more than 265.000m² of exemplary buildings. In addition, the Brussels-Capital Region focuses strongly on the circular economy (PREC programme), good food and the fight against waste (Good Food Brussels). Brussels is leader in waste management and No.1 in Europe in recycling of packaging waste. As of 2018, the most polluting vehicles will be progressively banned from the Brussels-Capital Region as part of the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) strategy.
OF ELECTRICITY FROM RENEWABLES
OF WASTE RECYCLED
230 ha
HECTARES OF GREEN AREA PER 100 000 POPULATION
Supplier
Brussels is steadily becoming a more eco-friendly destination, and it shows. Cleantech events now taking place in Brussels include the Annual Carbon Capture and Storage Summit, Renewable Energy Law Conference and Sustainable Energy Week. 25 % of all Brussels hotel rooms hold an official eco-certification and are easily accessible with public transport. Brussels CVB works actively to inspire the city’s meetings industry to go green. Brussels plans to become an even greener place to meet, aiming to be the "Green city of Europe" by 2024 through a coordinated plan to make the city a truly sustainable destination.
OF SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFIED HOTELS
OF SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFIED VENUES
OF SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFIED PCOS/DMCS
Social
Brussels is a world city. With three official languages and 183 nationalities speaking more than 100 different languages, Brussels is a diverse, cosmopolitan city and a magnetic centre for economic migration. With 62% foreign-born residents, Brussels ranks second only to Dubai in the World Migration Report. According to the 2016 ranking of consultants Mercer, Brussels is the 21st most pleasant city in the world in terms of quality of living out of 450, well ahead of Paris or London and 14th in Europe. The Mercer survey rated Brussels as one of the most pleasant places to live on the European continent and also one of its most inexpensive cities Brussels is the capital city of a country that appears consistently towards the top of international rankings such as: least corrupt countries, least gender inequality, etc.
82
SDG IMPLEMENTATION SCORE
89
SCORE ON SOCIAL PROGRESS INDEX
76
SCORE ON CORRUPTION PERCEPTION INDEX
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About the Global Destination Sustainability Movement

The Global Destination Sustainability Movement (GDSM) brings together the sustainability pioneers of the business and leisure tourism world, working with destinations to co-create their tourism and events strategies, benchmark and improve their sustainability performance and transform value chains in order to catalyse regeneration.

Our purpose is to engage, inspire and enable the business events and tourism industry to become more sustainable and regenerative.

 

Our Methodology

The GDS-Index uses 69 indicators that evaluate destinations sustainability performance across four key areas. If you are interested, you can read our benchmarking methodology in detail here.

City Environmental
Performance

Climate, Energy and Emissions

Resources

Air Quality

Water

Transportation

Green Areas

Water

City Social
Performance

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Social Progress

Corruption

Personal Safety

Access to Information

Health and Wellness

Inclusiveness

Supplier
Performance

Hotels

Airport

Agencies (PCOs & DMCs)

Restaurants

Venues

Academia

Destination
Management
Performance

Destination Strategy

Policy and Certification

Governance

Capacity Building

Measurement and Reports

Marketing and Comms

Client Support

Accessibility

Generating Impact

Ownership

The GDS­M is not owned by any one organisation. It is operated as a multi-­stakeholder partnership founded and endorsed by IMEX, MCI, the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and European Cities Marketing. Gubi Consulting and Guy Bigwood is responsible for the management of the Secretariat.

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