Longer heatwaves, recurring droughts, torrential rain and flooding: Luxembourg is now preparing its response to a climate that is already affecting everyday life. On 22 April, the Government Council adopted a national climate adaptation strategy for the period 2025–2035. The plan comprises 152 measures across 17 sectors, with a clear objective: to prepare the country for phenomena that are set to become more frequent and more intense.
The government had presented a draft climate strategy comprising 131 measures by 2025. Following a public consultation that lasted nearly two years, the final version of the plan includes 21 new measures and strengthens 28 existing initiatives, announced in February 2026.
The floods of July 2021, the droughts and heatwaves of recent years have accelerated discussions on climate adaptation in Luxembourg. The plan no longer focuses solely on reducing CO₂ emissions, but on the country’s adaptation to effects that are already visible across the country.
From local authorities to hospitals
The plan covers almost every aspect of daily life: local authorities, hospitals, schools, transport, water, agriculture and urban planning. In particular, the government is planning a “local resilience” pact, more greenery in towns and cities to reduce heat islands, enhanced monitoring of heat-related illnesses, and improved flood response capabilities.
Reducing our emissions remains essential, but it is not enough.
It also provides for decentralised reception centres for those affected by exceptional circumstances, collaboration with insurance companies to better assess the damage caused by climate-related disasters, and a platform for sharing information to monitor the measures taken.
“Reducing our emissions remains essential, but it is not enough,” says the minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, 
Up to 64 days of heatwaves per year
The strategy is based on climate projections for Luxembourg, as well as on the European State of the Climate Report 2025 published by the World Meteorological Organization and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. The scenarios examined predict a further rise in temperatures of between 1.1°C and 3.7°C by the end of the century.
“Adapting to climate change is now just as essential for protecting the population, infrastructure and the environment, in line with our policies on energy, nature and resilience,” said the minister. Heatwaves could become much more frequent in the coming decades. Between 1970 and 2000, the country experienced an average of 7.6 days of heatwaves per year. Climate projections suggest between 21.9 and 64.7 days per year between 2070 and 2099, depending on the global warming scenarios used.
Climate change is not inevitable; it is not a foregone conclusion.
The document also refers to an increase in tropical nights, longer droughts and more erratic summer rainfall. The authors of the strategy identify heatwaves, floods and droughts as the country’s main climate vulnerabilities.
A strengthened strategy following consultation
Following the public consultation held between 2024 and 2025, the government added a chapter on education and awareness-raising. The Ministry describes a process that brought together nearly 500 participants from over 160 organisations, government bodies and businesses.
“Climate change is not inevitable; it is not a matter of fate,” said Serge Wilmes during the presentation of the results of the public consultation in February.
The implementation of these measures will now require the involvement of several ministries, government departments and local authorities over the coming years. “The implementation of these measures, which will be carried out by all the relevant ministries, will be a crucial step in sustainably strengthening Luxembourg’s resilience to climate change,” the minister concluded.
