Earth's dying, what else is new?

A steadily growing ecological footprint and dangerously close overshoot days. These are the realities which confront us today and scare most of us. It is well-known that they should have been taken long ago if we want to ensure our future. As change often begins at the local level, Luxembourg's manageable size and resources could allow it to take a pioneering role in sustainable environmental policy. However, current political motions such as the 'Simplification Administrative' of the construction sector leave serious doubts as to the integrity of Luxembourgish nature protection laws. But what social climate in Luxembourg's votership does this motion reflect, and what can be done about it?

What is the coalition up to?

The 'Simplification Administrative' is a project officially brought back to life in January 2025 by the reigning CSV – DP coalition. While this simplification of administrative processes is supposed to apply to a number of areas, its main goal is the acceleration of the construction sector and urban development. The idea of this legislative project was first introduced on November 22nd, 2023 by Prime Minister Luc Frieden (CSV) during his inaugural speech in the Chamber of Deputies. During the time of his mandate, this project is meant to aim at putting a damper on Luxembourg's real estate crisis and providing more housing, cheaper and faster. A fleshed-out plan of the 'Simplification Administrative', approved by a Government Council, was put forth by Claude Meisch (Minister of Education and Housing), Serge Wilmes (Minister of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity), and Léon Gloden (Minister for Home Affairs) on January 10th of this year. It consists of a number of phases, the first of which consists of the adaptation of PAG (General Development Plans) and PAP (Special Development Plans). This means the paperwork splitting territories into zones according to which land use and -development is regulated shall be simplified and streamlined. 

All the while, legislative procedures deemed "excessive, too long, and too complicated" will be cut, so Luc Frieden in his inaugural speech in 2023. He added that some of the existing procedures also go beyond what EU law and therefore beyond what they ought to. This indicates a political shift toward minimal legal compliance, with fewer national additions.

In the same vein, the second phase of the plan decrees that "silence vaut accord". In simple terms, should the processing of applications for construction permits surpass a newly set timeline, those applications will automatically be granted without having been properly treated.