Luxembourg

Luxembourg Environment

Luxembourg, a small yet impactful European nation, boasts a continental climate marked by mild winters and cool summers. This unique climate contributes to its rich natural landscape, where 34.5% of the land is covered by forests as of 2023. Agriculture also plays a significant role in land use, with 51.7% of the country's terrain dedicated to agricultural activities, including 23.8% arable land. As urbanization progresses, 92.1% of Luxembourg's population resides in urban areas, growing at an annual rate of 1.43% between 2020 and 2025. The country is actively involved in international environmental efforts, being a party to numerous agreements like the Climate Change-Paris Agreement and the Kyoto Protocol, reflecting its commitment to sustainable development and environmental protection. Additionally, Luxembourg generates 490,300 tons of municipal solid waste annually, with 42% being recycled as of 2022, showcasing its efforts in waste management and recycling.

Climate

continental climate characterized by mild winters and cool summers

Geoparks

global geoparks and regional networks

Mëllerdall (2023)

total global geoparks and regional networks

1

Land use

other

13.9% (2023 est.)

forest

34.5% (2023 est.)

agricultural land

51.7% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 23.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.6% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 27.1% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

92.1% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

1.43% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

490,300 tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

42% (2022 est.)

Environmental issues

pollution of air and water in metropolitan regions; soil contamination in agricultural lands

Total water withdrawal

municipal

43.53 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

industrial

1.83 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

agricultural

490,000 cubic meters (2022 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

total emissions

8.715 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas

1.144 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke

75,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

7.496 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

9.2 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Total renewable water resources

3.5 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

International environmental agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

Environmental Modification