More than 90 participants from government, academia, healthcare institutions, municipalities, civil society and international organisations gathered on 7 July 2026 at Neimënster Abbey for the symposium “Climate Change and Health: Challenges and Opportunities for Luxembourg”, organised by the Luxembourg Climate Policy Observatory (Observatoire de la politique climatique – OPC). The event explored how climate change is already affecting health in Luxembourg and highlighted how climate action and adaptation measures deliver co-benefits for society while enhancing the resilience and sustainability of the healthcare system.

The full-day symposium brought together leading international experts and Luxembourg stakeholders to examine the latest scientific evidence on climate-related health risks, including heatwaves, air pollution, extreme weather events, mental health impacts and health inequalities. Discussions also highlighted the substantial health co-benefits of climate mitigation measures, including active mobility, healthier diets and improved air quality

Participants heard keynote insights from Professor Andrew Haines of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, one of the world’s leading experts on climate change and public health, alongside contributions from internationally recognised specialists including Professor Virginia Murray, Professor Kévin Jean, Professor Catherine Bouland, and Dr Dora Ürge.

Throughout the day, speakers emphasised that climate change is no longer solely an environmental issue but a public health challenge requiring coordinated action across sectors. The symposium also examined how Luxembourg’s health system can become both more resilient to climate impacts and more sustainable through decarbonisation efforts.

The afternoon workshops focused on four priority themes: climate-resilient healthcare systems, public health adaptation and social inequalities, community health and risk communication, and healthy lifestyles for a climate-friendly and resilient Luxembourg. Participants collaboratively identified practical actions and priorities to guide future policy development and implementation.

Ministerial Perspectives

Serge Wilmes, Minister of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, welcomed the growing recognition of the links between climate policy and public health: “Protecting the climate means protecting people. Every tonne of greenhouse gas emissions avoided, every climate-resilient neighbourhood developed and every adaptation measure implemented contributes to safeguarding the health and well-being of our communities. The OPC symposium highlighted the importance of placing people at the heart of our policies and strengthening collaboration across sectors to build a healthier, more resilient future for all.”

Martine Deprez, Minister of Health and Social Security, stressed the importance of preparing healthcare systems for emerging climate-related challenges: “The health impacts of climate change are already visible across Europe, from heat-related illnesses to the consequences of extreme weather events. Luxembourg continues to strengthen prevention, preparedness and resilience while ensuring that our health system contributes to climate solutions. Health and climate objectives should advance hand in hand.”

Stakeholder Perspectives

Françoise Kemp, President of the Health and Social Security Commission and Member of Parliament, who participated in the panel discussion on the relevance of climate-health challenges for Luxembourg, emphasised the importance of evidence-based policymaking and cross-sector collaboration. “Climate change is increasingly shaping the health challenges our society faces. Today’s discussions demonstrated that protecting public health requires coordinated action across environmental, health, social and local policy domains. As policymakers, we have a responsibility to ensure that scientific evidence is translated into practical measures that protect people, reduce vulnerabilities and improve quality of life for all residents.”

Jeannot Behm, Ecology and Energy Advisor, City of Esch-sur-Alzette, who joined the closing panel on Luxembourg’s climate-health priorities for 2030, highlighted the key role of municipalities in delivering solutions on the ground. “Cities and municipalities are at the frontline of both climate impacts and climate solutions. Whether through urban greening, sustainable mobility, heat adaptation measures or stronger risk communication, local authorities can deliver actions that improve residents’ health while strengthening climate resilience. The transition to climate-neutral communities is also an opportunity to make our towns healthier, more attractive and more inclusive.”

Voices from the Scientific Community

Professor Virginia Murray, speaking on extreme events and mental health, noted: “The health impacts of floods, storms and other climate-related hazards extend well beyond the immediate emergency. Building resilience means investing not only in infrastructure and preparedness, but also in long-term support for mental health and community recovery.”

Professor Kévin Jean, addressing heatwaves and public health, said: “Heat is becoming one of the most significant climate-related health risks in Europe. Effective heat-health warning systems, targeted protection for vulnerable populations and climate-smart urban planning can save lives and reduce health burdens.”

Professor Catherine Bouland, focusing on air quality and respiratory health, added: “Reducing air pollution delivers immediate and measurable health benefits. Policies that decrease emissions while addressing climate change also help prevent respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.”

Dr. Dora Ürge, emphasised the synergies between a healthy lifestyle and climate action: “As the healthcare sector is among the most significant greenhouse gas–emitting sectors in OECD countries, greater emphasis should be placed on preventive health and healthy lifestyles—particularly healthy diets and active transport—as these can reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and subsequent healthcare utilization, thereby lowering healthcare-related emissions while improving population health and quality of life.“

Voices from the OPC

Professor Diana Ürge-Vorsatz, OPC Member and IPCC Vice Chair, noted: “According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, urban trees store 7 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. Planting more trees, ideally shading bus stops, sidewalks and sun-exposed windows can cool streets and homes by several degrees and can prevent heat-related deaths. Increased tree density in neighbourhoods has also been shown to be associated with higher life expectancy by as much as 4.5 years even for residents in their 90s.”

Professor Jean-Pascal van Ypersele, OPC Member and former IPCC Vice Chair, emphasized: “As the IPCC has been warning for more than 35 years, both adaptation to the existing climate change and its extreme events (such as heatwaves) and mitigation through carbon emissions reductions are needed. We should not think of adaptation, resilience, and mitigation as competing priorities. The most effective policies often achieve all three simultaneously. Nature-based solutions are excellent examples. Trees, parks, wetlands and permeable soils cool our cities. They reduce heat stress, improve air quality, enhance biodiversity, reduce flood risks, and improve mental well-being. This is particularly the case in cities such as Luxembourg, where the urban heat island effect amplifies extreme temperatures, nature is one of our best allies.”

A Shared Agenda for Action

The symposium concluded with a high-level discussion on Luxembourg’s climate-health priorities for the coming years. Participants stressed the importance of integrating health considerations into climate policies, strengthening surveillance and research including on gender-based violence, supporting vulnerable groups, promoting healthy and sustainable lifestyles, and accelerating efforts to build a low-carbon and climate-resilient health sector.

The outputs from the workshop sessions will contribute to ongoing dialogue on climate and health policy and help inform future initiatives by public authorities, healthcare organisations, researchers and civil society partners.

About the Luxembourg Climate Policy Observatory (OPC)

The Luxembourg Climate Policy Observatory (Observatoire de la politique climatique – OPC) is an independent scientific body that supports evidence-based climate policymaking in Luxembourg. Through research, analysis and stakeholder engagement, the OPC contributes to informed public debate and the development of effective climate solutions.

Supporting Material

• Access here the conference website.
• Learn more about the OPC

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