Liedekerke Wolters Waelbroeck Kirkpatrick is well known for undertaking complex environmental law projects in Belgium and advises on noise nuisance, waste management, contentious and non-contentious permitting matters, soil pollution, zoning and emissions issues, among other areas. François Tulkens and senior associate Charles Poncelet lead the advice to Brussels Capital Region on a number of ongoing, high-profile noise limitation cases. Tulkens co-heads the practice with Dominique Devos, who has expertise in brownfields, soil pollution and permit matters. Counsel Filip De Preter is also noted.

Led by Jan Bouckaert, Stibbe's team handles a broad range of environmental and planning matters for clients such as government agencies and companies operating in the energy and real estate sectors, among others. Recent highlights included France Maussion and counsel Olivier Di Giacomo advising the Brussels Environment Agency on the planned rehabilitation of the former Boitsfort racecourse in Brussels, including the town planning aspects of the project. Nuclear law, waste management, soil pollution and permitting matters are the group's other areas of expertise. At senior associate level, Guan Schaiko and Bastiaan Schelstraete are names to note. Counsel Pieter Vandenheede has left the firm.

The 'very responsive' Wouter Neven heads up the team at Lydian, which stands out for its 'thorough expertise' in contentious and non-contentious environmental matters. The group handles environment-related litigation before the Council of State and the Flemish Council for Permit Disputes. On the non-contentious side, the team has particular strengths in advising on the environmental aspects of real estate transactions, waste management and permits, among other areas. Senior associate Kyoto Van Herreweghe is 'intelligent, fast-thinking, a great strategist and easy-going'. In February 2020, senior associate Mehdy Abbas Khayli moved to the Paris office of Gide Loyrette Nouel A.A.R.P.I..

At NautaDutilh, senior counsel Patrick Peeters is leading the advice to Umicore on the end-of-waste criteria under the Waste Framework Directive and the Flemish implementing legislation. Soil pollution, brownfields and environmental permitting matters have also featured in the team's recent workload. Peeters shares leadership of the practice with public law expert Jens Mosselmans. Associate Bert D’hondt is a name to note.

DLA Piper's 'experienced' team, which has 'thorough knowledge of the legislation', covers the spectrum of environmental law matters. Led by Bob Martens, the group handles instructions from clients across all three Belgian regions, such as zoning matters, brownfields redevelopment, permitting issues, waste management and environmental and urban litigation. Martens is leading the advice to the European Commission on the auctioning of emission allowances under the EU's Emissions Trading System. Key names to note are senior lead lawyer Thomas Sterckx, who is experienced in handling town and zone planning matters. Counsel Alec Van Vaerenbergh is noted for his expertise in climate change matters. Counsel Lieven Annaert advises on contentious waste-related mandates. Urban planning law expert Birgit Creemers is another key figure. Annelies Verlinden left the firm to become Minister of the Interior in the Belgian government.

Eubelius' practice, which is jointly led by Barteld Schutyser and newly promoted partner Bart Martel, excels in handling environmental regulatory issues relating to domestic and international M&A. The team also acts for clients in environmental litigation connected with major infrastructure projects. Martel is leading the ongoing advice to Proximus on issues over the installation of telecoms infrastructure, including permitting disputes and environmental regulations. Associate Laura Janssens is also recommended.

At Janson, the public and administrative law practice fields practitioners with 'excellent legal knowledge' of environmental matters. Waste management, permits, soil pollution issues, environmental tax and environmental criminal law are among the team's areas of expertise. Dominique Lagasse is acting for Recupel (alongside other non-profit organisations) before the Constitutional Court in ongoing proceedings over the imposition of taxes in the Flemish and Walloon regions on waste management organisations. Jan Ghysels has particular expertise in expropriations and town and country planning law. Stijn Verbeke has established strength in handling environmental take-back obligations and environmental management agreements, particularly in relation to waste electronic and electrical equipment. Other key names include Geoffrey Ninane and counsel Jo Rams, who 'sets himself apart from his peers by his determination and drive to find legal solutions'.

Monard Law's 'accessible' team garners praise for its 'solution-oriented thinking'. It assists public authorities and private entities from a wide range of sectors with obtaining environmental, socio-economic, urban planning and building permits. In addition, other areas of expertise include waste management, expropriation cases, sustainable energy projects and soil pollution. Koen Geelen and Wouter Moonen lead the advice to WeAreOne.World, the organiser of the Tomorrowland dance festival, on soil pollution issues in connection with the development of the site where the client's headquarters are based. France Vlassembrouck and senior associate Sarah Jacobs are also key figures. Senior associate Bernard Vanheusden left the firm in September 2020.

PwC Legal, which is primarily active in domestic mandates, demonstrates strong capabilities advising on a broad range of environmental issues associated with the development of real estate projects. The 'very decisive' Els Empereur leads the 'client-oriented' team, which is experienced in acting for real estate developers. At senior managing associate level, names to note are Olivier Drooghmans and Ive Van Giel, with the latter being noted for his 'no-nonsense approach'.

Schoups' environment practice 'stands out with its dynamic, pragmatic and solution-oriented approach'. The team continues to advise longstanding client Carrefour on permit requirements connected with new retail opportunities in Belgium, and is representing the client before the Council of State and the Council for Permit Disputes in appeal proceedings concerning permit decisions. Kristof Hectors and Marco Schoups are the joint heads of the practice, while associates Céline Bimbenet and Rami Nasser are other names to note. In October 2020, Roel Meeus joined as counsel from Publius.