What is the impact of climate change in Luxembourg?

While extreme weather events are becoming more and more frequent in Luxembourg – such as recent and repeated floods – there are ways to cope with climate change, both by adapting infrastructure but also by preventing even more serious changes to come.

“Luxembourg will be increasingly exposed to torrential rains which could lead to flooding, as was the case recently,” declared the Luxembourg administration responsible for water management in a press release published on the occasion of its 20th anniversary in May.

“At the same time, heat waves leading to droughts will also be more frequent.”

Over the past few summers, the government has regularly sent out announcements to warn residents of high temperatures and the risk of heat exposure, as well as to encourage them to reduce their water consumption. The state has also stepped up efforts to improve its disaster warning systems.

Higher temperatures, more intense rains

Climate change may still seem like a distant threat to some, but it has long since arrived in Luxembourg.

“The trend is clear: it’s getting hotter every year, which has consequences, and with the rains we see differences over long periods,” said Bruno Alves, of the ministry’s natural resources directorate. of the Environment, Luxembourg Times.

The average temperature between the 1960s and 1990s was 8.9°C, but from 1991 to 2020 it rose to 9.7°C, Alves said. Heat peaks and droughts are also more common, and although average precipitation levels remain relatively equal from year to year, there are significant seasonal changes, Alves said.

In winter, for example, there is less snow but more rain. While snow slowly melts and eventually reaches groundwater, rain tends to run off into bodies of water like rivers, increasing the risk of flooding.

In spring, precipitation is too little to meet the needs of growing plants, and in summer, it is less but more intense, which can also lead to flooding.

In other words, “climate change is here” and we must “prepare for it,” Mr. Alves said.

Recent incidents linked to climate change

In recent years, Europe and Luxembourg have felt the reality of climate change with increasing intensity.

Earlier this month, the Spanish region of Valencia was hit by flash floods that ravaged its towns and roads, causing damage estimated at billions of euros and killing more than 200 people. Luxembourg residents who were victims of the floods shared their experiences with Luxembourg Times.

Central and eastern Europe also suffered deadly floods in September, and Greece battled wildfires for most of last summer.

In Luxembourg, the floods of July 2021 remain one of the biggest natural disasters in recent years. However, they are not unique.

Torrential rains caused heavy damage in May and June 2018 in Mullerthal and the Attert valley, and in May, June and July 2016 in Bettembourg, Mondorf-les-Bains and Ernz.

A Geoportal map showing areas at risk of flooding in Luxembourg.

“The biggest risk for Luxembourg is clearly flooding, but we will also have more extreme storms,” Mr Alves said. In August 2019, a tornado devastated Petange.

Landslides resulting from flooding could also become more frequent, although they are less likely to occur on Luxembourg’s relatively flat land, the expert said.

Adapt and mitigate

The Paris agreement adopted at COP21 in 2016 asked signatories to work to keep global warming to a maximum increase of 1.5°C, but even this rise in temperatures will have a clear impact.

Although 1.5°C doesn’t seem like much when talking about daily weather changes – whether it’s 20°C or 21.5°C on a spring day – on a global scale it has big consequences.

We should think of global temperatures as the temperature of the human body, Alves said. While 37°C is a healthy temperature, an increase of 1.5°C, or 38.5°C, results in a fever, and an increase of 3°C, or 40°C, can be fatal.

“If we stick to 1.5°C, the impact will be less and we will have less need to adapt. Higher temperatures mean a greater impact and an exponential increase in expenses,” said Alves.

“Although we must adapt, we must also continue our efforts to reduce our CO2 emissions,” he added.

Architecture, planning, data

With flooding being one of the Grand Duchy’s major concerns, citizens, municipalities and the government should focus their attention on providing solutions in this area, said Mr. Alves.

Citizens could redevelop their gardens, which would not only promote biodiversity, but also absorb more water and cool neighborhoods locally, while municipalities and the government could work on renaturalization projects.

These measures give rivers more space to expand during floods, such as the Pétrusse in Luxembourg city, which was lifted off its concrete channel over a vast stretch across the capital.

Adapting the architecture of housing in areas most exposed to flooding is also essential, as is the implementation of anti-flood infrastructure.

Additionally, collecting data and sharing it with municipalities so they can better adapt to future issues will be crucial. Crisis management strategies must be developed to deal with disasters, Alves said. This would help municipalities and the government to collaborate and respond more quickly in the event of an emergency.

As the current strategy and action plan for adaptation to climate change ended last year, the Ministry of the Environment will present a new, updated plan early next year. This plan will be accompanied by expert workshops on specific subjects, but also information sessions for citizens.

Small measures also contribute to successful adaptation and can have a big impact, reminded Mr. Alves.

“We have to be realistic and accept that something is coming, but we can do something to improve the situation,” said Mr. Alves, emphasizing that “we can get through this” and that “everyone can contribute.”

This article was originally published on the website Luxembourg Times.
Adaptation: Thomas Berthol