On Friday 22 April 2016, Minister for the Environment Carole Dieschbourg represented Luxembourg at the signing ceremony of the Paris climate agreement which was signed by a record-breaking 170 countries on its first day at the UN's headquarters in New York.

Minister Dieschbourg also gave a speech in which she highlighted the historical momentum created by this agreement, Luxembourg's commitment and the important role of civil society.

"Never have so many Member States signed an international treaty on the first day of its opening to signatures," the Minister commented. "Luxembourg is proud to be a part of it. And, upon my return from New York, I will launch the necessary procedures to allow ratification in autumn 2016. In this context, a close association with civil society and non-State actors seems essential."

The Minister further emphasised the responsibility of the aviation and maritime transport sectors, stating: "Let me raise a concern: changes in emissions observed in the aviation and maritime transport sectors. This is - in my opinion - not in line with the objectives of the Paris agreement. I think it appropriate to carry the momentum of Paris in the fora of the ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organisation) and IMO (International Maritime Organisation)."

In her speech, Minister Dieschbourg spoke on Luxembourg's efforts to reorient its policies:

"In the transport sector, two thirds of public investment is now aimed at public transport and sustainable mobility," she explained. "A tax reform favouring the use of vehicles with zero or low-emissions and bicycles will be operational in 2017. In terms of energy, we will double electricity generation through wind turbines. In the are of housing, the future "climate bank" will boost the energy renovation of existing buildings whilst all buildings constructed from 2017 will automatically be the passive type."

She continued: "We also launched the Climate Pact, a voluntary partnership to strengthen the important role of local authorities in climate policy. To date, 101 of the 106 Luxembourgish municipalities acceded to and have engaged in it in the fight against climate change."

As president of the Environment Council, Carole Dieschbourg was responsible for the coordination of the European position at the COP21 held in Paris in December 2015.

 

Photo by MDDI (L-R): Dr. André Weidenhaupt, MDDI; Sylvie Lucas, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Luxembourg to the United Nations; Carole Dieschbourg, Minister of the Environment