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After a record summer, Luxembourg must brace for more frequent heatwaves. That is what Environment Minister Serge Wilmes says in an RTL interview. In that context, he points to scientific forecasts according to which the number of heatwave days could rise from around seven today to up to 20 days a year by 2050. By 2100, it could even be as many as 60 days.
For Serge Wilmes, it is therefore clear: Luxembourg must better adapt to the consequences of climate change. At the same time, however, CO2 emissions must continue to fall. The government is focusing on faster implementation of climate measures.
152 measures for climate adaptation
The government has drawn up a climate adaptation strategy with 152 measures. One key focus is more greenery in cities and in public spaces. For larger construction projects, a minimum share of green areas is also to be mandated.
The renaturation of rivers and streams is also to progress more quickly. Ahead of the summer, 51 measures were set out for this. They are intended to help nature during heat and, at the same time, reduce the risk of flooding.
Better preparing schools and public buildings for heat
The hot summer has also shown that many buildings are not sufficiently designed for high temperatures. Schools, clinics and other public buildings are therefore to be gradually renovated to improve energy performance.
According to the environment minister, air conditioning can be a transitional solution in specific cases. In the long term, however, investment should above all go into the quality and renovation of buildings.
Pre-financing is intended to make investments in climate-friendly technologies easier. In parallel, the government wants to simplify the switch to climate-friendly technologies. The support for photovoltaic systems, heat pumps and energy-efficient renovations has been increased and extended until 2030.
As the next step, pre-financing is planned in these areas. This should mean that citizens no longer have to pay the full amount upfront. The subsidy would go directly to the company. The same is also to be introduced for electromobility.
Serge Wilmes: emissions fell by 3.5 percent
The environment minister also points to the development of CO₂ emissions. In 2025, these were down 3.5 percent compared with 2024.
For Serge Wilmes, this is a sign that the government’s climate policy is having an effect. However, the ambition remains to move forward more quickly. Climate action should be linked to procedures that are simple and easy for people to understand.
Subsidies: from 13 months to three months
Administrative processing times should also become faster. Just a year ago, it sometimes took 13 months for a subsidy for a photovoltaic system or a heat pump to be paid out.
Meanwhile, according to the environment minister, the processing time is around three months. The goal is to bring it down to one month. Together with pre-financing, this is intended to make investments in the energy transition more attractive.
Fossil energy support should be temporary
There was criticism of the government because fossil energies were also supported under the Tripartite agreement. Serge Wilmes defends this decision on the grounds of households’ purchasing power.
He says he accepted the support only on the condition that it remains limited in time and does not call the climate targets into question. According to calculations by Statec, the national climate targets can still be met despite the subsidisation of petrol, diesel and heating oil.
For the environment minister, the direction is therefore clear: Luxembourg must further reduce emissions while at the same time adapting more quickly to the consequences of climate change. The measures the government has set in motion should not only be effective, but also as easy as possible for citizens to implement.
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Source: https://www.rtl.lu/news/national/serge-wilmes-emweltminister-1481765459