The Luxembourg Government has unveiled 51 measures to accelerate the ecological restoration of rivers

The Luxembourg Government, in collaboration with local authorities and the Water Management Administration, has developed 51 new measures to accelerate the restoration of rivers and streams. According to Serge Wilmes, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, current projects take between seven and ten years to complete, which calls for a radical review of their implementation timelines. 

This issue is becoming particularly pressing in light of the European Commission’s requirements, which have set 1 January of next year as the deadline for bringing all watercourses up to the required environmental standard. Nevertheless, Serge Wilmes acknowledged that Luxembourg will not be able to meet this deadline due to its high population density and level of industrialisation, which place significant pressure on its water bodies.

To overcome administrative barriers, particularly in relation to the acquisition of land, the government is proposing alternative legal mechanisms. The state or local authorities are not obliged to purchase land from private owners; instead, the plan is to use long-term lease agreements or land redistribution schemes. 

Nora Elvinger, Director of the Department of Natural Resources, Water Resources and Forestry at the Ministry of the Environment, emphasised the importance of involving civil society. The authorities are considering introducing new financial incentives, including a so-called ‘climate bonus’ for landowners and direct payments for managing land set aside for environmental projects.

In addition to environmental considerations, the programme addresses urban planning and flood protection. The Minister for the Interior, Léon Gloden, has announced the development of new national building regulations. According to the document, the construction of large car parks will require the use of permeable materials instead of traditional tarmac, and new buildings will have to be fitted with underground tanks to collect rainwater. 

In addition, a reserve of emergency equipment, including water pumps, is being established at national level to deal with natural disasters. Local authorities constructing dual-purpose facilities, such as sports halls that can serve as shelters, will be eligible for a ‘resilience bonus’. It is expected that the final action plan will be submitted to the Government Council for approval this autumn.