The Luxembourg government and the European Commission faced sharp criticism in a parliamentary debate Wednesday, with opponents accusing them of treating climate policy as a barrier to business and failing to provide clear leadership.

A debate on the upcoming COP30 climate conference, initiated by The Left (Déi Lénk), took place in the Chamber of Deputies on Wednesday, marked by sharp criticism of both European and national climate policy.

Left Party MP David Wagner launched a strong critique, accusing the European Commission of viewing climate policy as "nothing more than a drag on the capitalist engine of exploitation." His party argued that the Luxembourg government is following a similar path and failing to take its climate targets seriously, asserting that "even a small country can influence the political direction of the EU."

The Left's position found support from several NGOs, which staged a demonstration outside the Chamber organised by the platforms Votum Klima and the Initiative pour un devoir de Vigilance. Their central demand was for Luxembourg to increase its financial commitment.

David Hoffmann of the Third World Solidarity Action (ASTM), who will attend COP30 in Brazil, stated that Luxembourg must "put money on the table." He argued that such financial support is crucial to re-establish trust with Global South nations and ensure responsible climate funding.

Jean-Louis Zeien of the Initiative pour un devoir de Vigilance emphasised the need for corporate accountability, stressing that responsibility for the climate crisis "must not be dumped on the people" and that companies must be the primary actors to assume liability.

Prior to the debate, demonstrators sought to raise awareness among politicians, with several MPs stopping to talk. Among them was former Environment Minister and current Green Party MP Joëlle Welfring, who criticised the government for a lack of coherence.

Welfring stated that Prime Minister Luc Frieden has failed to clearly outline a forward path, lamenting a lack of "visionary statements." She argued that while the government pays lip service to climate action, it prioritises corporate prosperity in practice. Conversely, she contended that with proper planning, climate action presents an economic opportunity. Using the automotive industry as an example, she warned that slowing the transition to new technologies cedes leadership to other countries, as seen with the rise of Chinese electric vehicles.

In response to the criticism, MP Paul Galles of the Christian Social People's Party (CSV) countered that the government intends to adopt "an ambitious position" at the COP30 conference and has no plans to scale back its climate targets, unlike some other nations.

Galles acknowledged, however, that climate policy currently has "a tough standing" compared to the heightened focus on defence and economic policy. Despite this, he assured fellow MPs that he would personally continue to defend climate initiatives.

The CSV MP also addressed the legislature's own role, noting that the Chamber of Deputies will not send a delegation to COP30 in Brazil due to the "exorbitant cost," a decision he hopes will send "a very small message." He clarified that the Chamber nevertheless plans to engage with the conference through other means, such as holding parliamentary debates.

Meanwhile, Environment Minister Serge Wilmes reiterated the government's strategic approach before the MPs, emphasising that Luxembourg continues to bank on a joint EU strategy as the most effective way to tackle global climate issues.