Luxembourg's Air: Pollution Control Efforts Successful?

Luxembourg has been taking steps to reduce air pollution, with varying levels of success. The country has endorsed initiatives to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SLCP) from heavy-duty vehicles, municipal solid waste, cooling and refrigeration, and household energy. In addition, Luxembourg has contributed to the Climate & Clean Air Coalition's (CCAC) Trust Fund and pledged to continue supporting its programs. The country has also set targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fine particle pollution (PM2.5) by 2030 and has made efforts to expand public transport and infrastructure for electric vehicles. However, despite these efforts, Luxembourg has consistently ranked low in terms of its air quality and effectiveness in fighting transport-related air pollution.

Luxembourg's transport sector

Road

Luxembourg has a well-developed road network, including six motorways that cover a total distance of 165 km (103 mi). These motorways link the capital with Trier in Germany, Thionville in France, and Arlon in Belgium, as well as with Esch-sur-Alzette and Ettelbruck in Luxembourg. The speed limit on these roads is typically 130 km/h (81 mph), and 110 km/h (68 mph) in rainy weather. Luxembourg's road network also includes trunk roads and secondary roads, for a total of 2,730 km (1,700 mi). The country has experienced issues with traffic jams during peak commuting hours, due to many workers from neighbouring countries driving into Luxembourg City for work.

Rail

Luxembourg's railways, operated by Chemins de Fer Luxembourgeois (CFL), form the backbone of the country's public transport network. The standard gauge track has a total length of 274 km (170 mi), with regular services connecting Luxembourg City to other towns in the country, as well as international routes to Trier, Koblenz, Brussels, Liège, Metz, and Nancy. The rail network also links into Belgium, Germany, and France, with some cross-border services run by CFL and others by SNCF, NMBS/SNCB, and DB. There is a frequent high-speed connection to Paris via the LGV Est line, and a proposed high-speed axis, EuroCap-Rail, is planned to connect Brussels, Luxembourg City, and Strasbourg.

Air

Luxembourg's only commercial airport, Luxembourg Airport, is located 6 km (3.7 mi) north of the city. The airport has a long runway, capable of accommodating the largest types of aircraft. Luxembourg's international airline, Luxair, and the cargo-only airline, Cargolux, operate out of this airport. In 2008, the airport was ranked as Europe's 5th largest and the world's 23rd by cargo tonnage. A new Schengen-only passenger terminal opened in 2017, and the airport has seen the addition of new terminal buildings and renovations to accommodate growing travel demand.

Luxembourg has implemented several measures to improve the sustainability of its transport sector. Since 2020, all public transport—including buses, trains, and trams—has been free of charge for residents and tourists, with the goal of increasing the use of public transport and reducing traffic. The country has also invested in infrastructure for electric vehicles and has set a target of achieving a 49% share of electromobility by 2030.

The Climate & Clean Air Coalition

The Climate and Clean Air Coalition to Reduce Short-Lived Climate Pollutants (CCAC) was established by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and six countries—Bangladesh, Canada, Ghana, Mexico, Sweden, and the United States—on February 16, 2012. The CCAC's goal is to speed up the reduction of short-lived climate pollutants to protect human health, agriculture, and the environment. Short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) have a strong warming effect on the climate and significant impacts on health, agriculture, and the environment. They include black carbon, methane, and tropospheric ozone, which are major contributors to the human enhancement of the global greenhouse effect after CO2.

The CCAC provides a forum for international rapid action on SLCPs, with over 160 governments and organizations working in more than 70 countries worldwide. The Coalition's objectives are to address SLCPs by raising awareness of their impacts and mitigation strategies, developing new national and regional actions, promoting best practices, and improving the scientific understanding of SLCPs.

Since becoming a partner of the CCAC in 2017, Luxembourg has endorsed the Coalition's initiatives to reduce SLCP emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, municipal solid waste, cooling and refrigeration, and household energy. Luxembourg has contributed financially to the CCAC and has supported its national policy and planning projects. During the CCAC Climate and Clean Air Ministerial in 2021, the Prime Minister of Luxembourg reaffirmed the country's commitment to climate action.

Luxembourg has taken several measures to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The country's Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan for 2021-2030 sets targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fine particle pollution (PM2.5) by 2030. To achieve these targets, Luxembourg has identified measures across sectors such as transport, household energy, agriculture, and waste. For example, Luxembourg has made public transport free and is promoting the use of electric vehicles. The country has also introduced a waste prevention strategy, aiming to reduce waste production and end the landfilling of municipal household waste by 2030.

In summary, the Climate and Clean Air Coalition is a global partnership committed to reducing short-lived climate pollutants, with Luxembourg being one of its partners. Luxembourg has taken significant steps to reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to the Coalition's goals.

The National Air Pollution Control Programme

Luxembourg's National Air Pollution Control Programme (NAPCP) is part of the country's commitment to reducing air pollution and its harmful effects on human health. The programme aims to reduce fine particle pollution (PM2.5) by 40% by 2030 (relative to 2005 levels).

To achieve this target, the Luxembourg government has identified measures across various sectors, including transport, household energy, agriculture, and waste management. The transport sector is a key focus, with plans to reduce traffic through the expansion of public transport and the promotion of electromobility. The government has also invested in infrastructure for electric vehicles and made all public transport free.

In addition to the transport sector, the NAPCP addresses household energy use, with initiatives to reduce emissions from cooling and refrigeration systems, as well as waste management practices. The government has introduced regulations for larger cooling installations and has promoted the use of lower-impact coolants. The "Null Offall Lëtzeburg" waste prevention strategy aims to reduce the amount of waste produced and end the landfilling of municipal solid waste by 2030.

To empower citizens to take action, the government launched the "Meng Loft" app in 2018, which provides real-time air pollution data and alerts about ozone pollution and the air quality index.

The NAPCP is part of Luxembourg's broader commitment to addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The country has endorsed the Climate & Clean Air Coalition's initiatives and joined the Global Methane Pledge to reduce methane emissions. The Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan for 2021-2030 outlines additional measures, including the promotion of environmentally friendly techniques for spreading manure and the further development of biogas as an energy source.

The Global Methane Pledge

Luxembourg has implemented several measures to reduce air pollution, including:

• Endorsing the Climate & Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)'s initiatives to reduce short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP) emissions from heavy-duty vehicles, municipal solid waste, cooling and refrigeration, and household energy.
• Publishing its first "Climate Law" in December 2020, which establishes the obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 and transposes the objective of climate neutrality by 2050.
• Developing the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) for 2021-2030, which includes measures such as the massive expansion of public transport and the increase in infrastructure for electric vehicles.
• Launching the "Meng Loft" App in 2018, which provides real-time information on air pollution levels.

Now, onto the Global Methane Pledge (GMP).

The GMP focuses on six key action areas:

• Energy Pathway: Reducing methane emissions from the fossil energy sector, which has the largest reduction potential across all sectors.
• Waste Pathway: Scaling up global action on reducing waste methane, such as through the Lowering Organic Waste Methane (LOW-Methane) initiative.
• Food and Agriculture Pathway: Investing in innovation, measurement, and farmer support to reduce emissions from the agricultural sector while advancing food security and farmer livelihoods.
• Methane Plans and Policies: Developing or updating national methane reduction action plans to outline specific actions, timelines, and resources needed.
• Data for Methane Action: Leveraging data and technology to track and reduce methane emissions, such as through the Methane Alert and Response System (MARS).
• Finance for Methane Abatement: Mobilizing grant funding and investments to support methane reduction projects, with a focus on low- and middle-income countries.

The GMP also recognizes the important role of the private sector, development banks, financial institutions, and philanthropy in supporting the implementation of the Pledge. By bringing together countries, international organizations, and various sectors, the GMP aims to catalyze global action and accelerate progress towards reducing methane emissions.

The Climate Law

In December 2020, Luxembourg published its first Climate Law, formalising its commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The law sets a target of reducing emissions in the Grand Duchy by 55% by 2030 and establishes a legal framework for the implementation of the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) for 2021-2030.

The transport sector is a key focus of the NECP, aiming to reduce traffic through the expansion of public transport and the promotion of electromobility. Luxembourg has invested in infrastructure for electric vehicles and made all public transport free. The Strategy for Sustainable Mobility (Modu 2.0) includes plans for new railway lines and stations, 600 km of cycle paths, and the expansion of bus networks.

Luxembourg's Climate Law also addresses waste management, with the introduction of the 'Null Offall Lëtzeburg' waste prevention strategy. This strategy aims to reduce waste production and end the landfilling of municipal household waste by 2030. The government has launched campaigns to raise awareness about food waste and requires industry actors to create food waste prevention plans.

The implementation of the Climate Law and the associated NECP demonstrate Luxembourg's commitment to addressing climate change and air pollution. The country has also contributed to international efforts through its participation in the Climate & Clean Air Coalition and the Global Methane Pledge.

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