The government has brought together municipalities, the Water Management Administration, and other key stakeholders on a dialogue platform to accelerate the restoration of rivers and streams in Luxembourg. According to Minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Serge Wilmes, current restoration projects take too long – often between seven and ten years – prompting calls for a much quicker process in the future. The minister stressed the need to complete restoration of Luxembourg's main and secondary rivers within just a few years, rather than the current timelines.
The urgency of the matter is underscored by a European Commission target, which had set 1 January of next year as the deadline for ensuring that all rivers and streams are in good ecological condition. However, Wilmes acknowledged that this goal will not be met, mainly because Luxembourg is densely populated and highly industrialised, putting significant pressure on watercourses.
Despite considerable efforts in recent years, progress has fallen short of expectations. Following the first River Restoration Table, authorities have now developed 51 new measures to address persistent challenges and move the process forward at a faster pace.
Among the priorities is the active involvement of citizens, as emphasised by Nora Elvinger, Director of Natural Resources, Water, and Forests at the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity. She explained that people need to become aware of the benefits of river restoration for themselves, and that financial incentives will be offered to encourage participation. Another key goal is to mobilise land quickly so that restoration projects can proceed without delay.
One of the major bottlenecks remains the acquisition of land for restoration. Minister Wilmes noted that municipalities or the state do not necessarily have to purchase land from private owners. Instead, solutions such as long-term lease contracts, known as "bail emphytéotique", could be pursued, granting use of the land for extended periods. Alternatively, land redistribution (remembrement) could facilitate a more efficient allocation of parcels for restoration.
Elvinger added that river restoration should not only benefit society as a whole, but also those landowners who make their properties available for these projects. The ministry is considering new financial incentives, including a "climate bonus" for landowners and remuneration for those managing the land.
The Ministry of Home Affairs is also involved, particularly in projects aimed at boosting resilience against flooding. Minister for Home Affairs Léon Gloden announced that a new national building regulation is in the works, aiming to make municipalities more climate-friendly. For example, large parking spaces will have to be surfaced with permeable materials instead of asphalt, and new buildings will be required to install underground cisterns to collect rainwater. The regulation will also promote more greenery in public spaces and around homes.
In addition to regulatory changes, the government is establishing a national stockpile of emergency equipment such as water pumps for disaster scenarios. Municipalities will also be eligible for a "resilience bonus" when they construct facilities, such as sports halls, that can serve as emergency shelters where a percentage of the population can seek shelter, food and assistance.
The 51 measures unveiled at the second River Restoration Table are now set to be implemented as quickly as possible. Minister Wilmes hopes that the action plan will be finalised together with the Water Governance Strategy and submitted to the Government Council this autumn for approval.
