The draft strategy for adapting to the effects of climate change: a holistic and participatory approach
At a press conference on 7 February 2025, the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Serge Wilmes, presented the draft strategy for adapting to the effects of climate change. The aim of this project is to prepare the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg for the inevitable effects of climate change, to increase its resilience and to reduce its vulnerability to the consequences of these changes. As part of this approach, the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, in collaboration with the ministries* concerned, is proposing 131 concrete measures in 16 policy areas.
The objective
The negative impacts of climate change on society, health and ecosystems have intensified, and its effects are being felt more frequently and intensely in Luxembourg. Extreme weather events have recently occurred in the form of prolonged periods of drought, heatwave days and torrential rain causing heavy flooding.
The future climate projections for Luxembourg carried out by LIST and the European Climate Risk Assessment published by the European Commission confirm that these extreme climatic events represent the main future vulnerabilities for the country. The strategy for adapting to the effects of climate change highlights the areas in which additional measures are required to deal with this phenomenon and proposes concrete actions to counter its negative consequences and increase resilience.
A holistic, cross-disciplinary approach
Flash floods, heat waves, rainfall variability, droughts and extreme temperature variations will have a direct or indirect impact on all policy areas and society as a whole.
A total of 16 areas for policy action have been identified and their vulnerability described in the adaptation strategy, covering the following fields: crisis management, health, water, society, urban areas, spatial planning, housing and construction, transport, the economy, energy, soil protection, forestry and woodland, agriculture, biodiversity, regional and international cooperation, and communication and awareness-raising.
«To develop the strategy and action plan for adaptation to the effects of climate change in Luxembourg, a holistic approach is essential. This is a whole-of-government strategy for the whole of society. Everyone can contribute to its implementation. This project, which aims to protect human beings, is a complementary link in the national climate policy, alongside the PNEC and the future social climate plan, while helping to implement environmental policies such as the PNPN and water management plans.»,said Minister Serge Wilmes.
Strengthening operational flood response capabilities, collecting real-time data from hospital emergency departments to detect heat-related pathologies, renaturating watercourses to improve the flood risk situation, greening public spaces to limit the impact of heatwaves on people's well-being, promoting a «Businesses against Climate Change» approach, converting unsuitable forests and monitoring the evolution of invasive exotic species are just some of the concrete measures set out in the draft strategy.
Public consultation
The measures proposed in consultation with the relevant ministries will now be put out to public and stakeholder consultation. A series of workshops on various themes is also being organised with public and private stakeholders. In addition, five workshops/information meetings open to all will be held across the country this spring.
Feedback from participatory work
To conclude the consultation process, a feedback meeting will be organised. At this conference, the Ministry will explain which proposals have been retained and incorporated into the final document before it is submitted to the Government Council for adoption.
You can download the full document here: Draft strategy and action plan for adapting to the effects of climate change in Luxembourg (2025 - 2035)
