Waldhaff;
Credit: MECDD
The Chamber of Deputies (Luxembourg's parliament) recently approved a new forest law, which establishes a legal framework to regulate the various uses of the Grand Duchy's forests.
On Thursday 13 July 2023, Luxembourg's Minister of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development, Joëlle Welfring, and the Nature and Forest Agency presented the key elements of this new law at a press conference.
"Our goal is to bring the interests of man and nature into harmony. Because protecting our forests means protecting our future in Luxembourg. And that is exactly why we need this law," stated Minister Welfring.
Luxembourg currently has 92,150 hectares of forest, which represents 35% of the territory's surface, according to data from the national forest inventory. Since the beginning of the 20th century, this area has remained relatively stable and is distributed as follows: 52% private forests, 34% municipal forests, 13% state forests and 1% publicly-owned forests.
However, according to Luxembourg's Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Sustainable Development and the Nature and Forest Agency, the currently stable situation is threatened by future challenges, including climate change, which require the implementation of appropriate measures.
The new law, passed by MPs on Wednesday 12 July 2023, aims to achieve an essential balance between the different economic, social and recreational needs of Luxembourg's forests. The law now establishes a legal framework to regulate these various uses.
The new forest law thus aims to:
- put in place a robust and coherent general legal framework for forests, in order to ensure their sustainable management so that they can fulfil their ecological, economic and social functions in a balanced manner;
- protect forests as a natural and landscape environment;
- conserve and enhance biological diversity in forest ecosystems;
- maintain the national extent of forests and their distribution among ecological regions;
- maintain the health and vitality of forests so that they can contribute to the carbon cycle and the protection of water and soil, as well as continue to provide all other ecosystem services;
- maintain and promote forestry and the forest economy.
The law applies to all forests (public and private), while providing for increased close-to-nature management in public forests. According to the authorities, this is a considerable administrative simplification, given that the law will repeal many of the disparate laws dealing with forests, dating from the 17th to 21st centuries.
More specifically, the law introduces the following:
- more rights for citizens, but also more responsibilities: the right to walk on paths and trails in forests will finally be enshrined in law, but the public also has the responsibility to not damage the forest;
- new benefits (less responsibility) for forest owners. In addition, the term "forest" is clarified so that the provisions are legally binding, also making it possible to clearly define eligibility for aid for forest owners;
- better protection of the forest ecosystem and its services: the new law lays down a framework so that future generations can also benefit from this natural heritage. A regular forest inventory is planned;
- forests as a partner for climate protection: the law defines the measures necessary to make the forest more resilient and more efficient in terms of climate;
- guarantee of sustainable forestry management: the law establishes a precise framework and provides flexibility for sustainable and innovative management of these resources.
A new advisory body will ensure a participatory exchange on the topic of forest and wood in the future.
For the first time in Luxembourg, the law grants walkers a right of access to forest paths and redefines the rules of liability. In addition, beyond their traditional economic purpose, forests are given new ecological and social purposes through this law, noted the authorities.
