Luxemburg

Basic information

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Mechanisms of Vertical Integration

National — sub-national linkages

For the preparation of the 1999 National Plan on SD, the sub-national level was only marginally involved as one stakeholder group in the general consultation process.

For the development of the new National Plan, the sub-national level is not directly involved but indirectly through two bodies and a series of round table discussions: The new draft National Plan will be discussed during the consultation phase in the Parliament and the High Council for SD. In the Parliament, several mayors of municipalities are MPs. In the High Council for SD, one member is a representative of the Association of Municipalities. Moreover, three round tables with several stakeholder groups are organised, including representatives of the Association of Municipalities.

In terms of implementation, two issues are important in the coordination between the national and sub-nation level: On the one hand, cooperation in sectoral policies is an ongoing process as the municipalities have certain responsibilities in several sectors (e.g. water, nature protection). On the other hand, every year the municipalities are invited to report to the national level their activities in LA 21: They fill-out a self-evaluation form of innovative projects. The evaluation criteria were developed by taking into account the objectives of the 1999 National Plan, thus creating a link between the NSDS and LA 21 activites. The national level then selects certain projects for a 50-80 % funding from the budget of the Ministry of Environment. Thus, the national level in interested in small, innovative projects.

EU linkages

The renewed EU Strategy for Sustainable Development (EU SDS) that was adopted in June 2006 foresees that Member States bi-annually report about how they address the priorities of the EU SDS. Luxembourg has published its first national report on implementing the EU SDS (in French) in July 2007.

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Mechanisms of Horizontal Integration

The Inter-departmental Commission of Sustainable Development (ICSD) fulfils the role of fostering horizontal integration as laid out in the NSDS. It is composed of representatives of each ministry and can, on an ad-hoc basis, ask for advice from external experts.

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Evaluation and Review

Every two years, a national report on the implementation of the NSDS is published by the ICSD. The report, based on the list of indicators, describes the current situation in terms of SD, and draws relevant conclusions from successes and failures in the implementation of the NSDS.

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Indicators and Monitoring

A set of 59 indicators linked to the three pillars of sustainable development was outlined in the 1999 NSDS. In 2002, a set of 27 indicators was presented in the indicator report ‘Indicateurs de Développement Durable pour le Luxembourg’, specifying 9 indicators for each of the three pillars, respectively. An updated report, ‘Indicateurs mis à jour en 2006’, was published in 2006.

The full list(s) of indicators as identified by a study commissioned by Eurostat can be downloaded here:

• ‘Indicateurs mis à jour en 2006’ (2006)

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Participation

On the basis of a law in relation to the coordination of the national SD policy, a High Council for Sustainable Development, acting as a reflection, discussion and consultancy body for matters regarding SD was established. The regulation of 14 July 2005 defines the composition, organization and functioning of the High Council for Sustainable Development. The missions of the Councils are:

• Acting as discussion forum on SD issues;
• Proposing research and studies on any topic related to SD;
• Establishing relationships with similar committees in the EU Member States;
• Promoting the largest possible participation of public and private organizations and the participation of citizens;
• Expressing views on any measures relating to SD national policy taken or planned by the government, especially on the national plan for SD and on the execution of Luxembourg’s international commitments.

The Council carries out the above-mentioned missions on its own initiative or following a request of the Government. The Council consists of 15 members who were chosen according to their knowledge, competence and commitment with regard to SD. They act as individuals on their own behalf and not as representatives of an organization or association. The members of the Council have various backgrounds, i.e. academia, NGOs, trade unions, chambers of commerce, and business associations.

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Sub-national activities

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This Country Profile has been last updated on: Friday, 05 December 2008

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