Environment and climate change

Climate change directly and indirectly affects development goals, influencing agricultural yields, biodiversity, soil health, and water quality. It also impacts public health, worsens air pollution, and deepens social inequalities.

The Luxembourg Cooperation has established an "Environment and Climate Change" Strategy with guidance ‘in terms of environmental protection and the fight against climate change, in order to proactively contribute to the collective effort undertaken at international, European and national levels, and to guarantee the effectiveness and sustainability of the projects and programmes it implements’.

In this framework, LuxDev systematically integrates environmental and climate concerns into its interventions, directly supporting Sustainable Development Goal 13, taking urgent action to combat climate change and its effects on vulnerable populations and their environments.

While LuxDev develops dedicated climate and environment initiatives, its primary focus is embedding environmental and climate considerations across all projects and programmes. This cross-sector approach is systematically applied in areas such as natural resource management (agriculture, fisheries, and forestry), water and sanitation, healthcare, vocational training and employment, rural and local development, and any intervention aimed at vulnerable populations.

Concrete actions for sustainable development

LuxDev implements:

• activities for the adaptation of educational and vocational training programmes focused on renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, natural resource management, (eco-)tourism, and green job promotion;
• projects supporting forest governance, reforestation, and sustainable agricultural practices;
• initiatives for sustainable water management and sanitation;
• waste management and treatment programmes;
• actions to promote renewable energy solutions and measure energy efficiency in infrastructure projects.

The Agency also leads dedicated interventions in:

• energy transition, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and providing underserved communities with affordable, reliable energy;
• climate governance, strengthening institutional capacity to develop and implement inclusive climate policies;
• climate finance, funding adaptation measures and developing financial products to enhance climate resilience.

The key role of climate finance

Climate finance is crucial for mobilising resources for climate action and fostering a green economy. Green finance initiatives drive sustainable growth, support environmentally friendly practices, and ensure inclusivity. LuxDev actively integrates green finance into its projects, supports the development of tailored financial products, and supports partner countries in accessing climate finance.

LuxDev’s Green Climate Fund accreditation

As an accredited entity of the Green Climate Fund, LuxDev is strategically positioned to secure additional climate financing beyond traditional development cooperation funds. The Agency also collaborates with the Climate and Energy Fund of the Luxembourg Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, further strengthening its capacity to support impactful climate initiatives.

Through these efforts, LuxDev is committed to mobilising new financial resources for effective and inclusive climate action – contributing to a transition to a sustainable green economy and ensuring that no one is left behind.