The government unveiled its climate and energy plan in December, describing the plan as "ambitious and innovative". Another key component of the plan was an emphasis on social justice, but MPs remain none the wiser on what exactly these social measures are. MPs in the parliamentary commission met on Tuesday morning, but did not feel their questions on the ins and outs of the plan had been answered.
Minister for Energy Claude Turmes and Minister for the Environment Carole Dieschbourg were called to attend the session to provide explanations on the national climate and energy plan. The clarifying session came after a consultative debate in December and after the government council approved the plan before the Chamber of Deputies broke up for the holidays.
After the session, the head of the CSV in parliament Martine Hansen commented that a number of questions remain unanswered. While the document supplied by the ministers has became padded out, nothing has changed in terms of its content.
Hansen elaborated: "As said before, the goals are certainly ambitious, but it remains unclear to me just how the government plans to achieve these goals. Secondly, we [the parliamentary commission] made a number of suggestions and proposals concerning measures in December, and the ministers have not accepted even one of those. So much for respecting the Chamber of Deputies. It begs the question why we even had a debate.
"Thirdly, we all tend to say the entire plan must be accompanied by social justice. The plan should not create any more social difficulties, but I don't actually see how the measures listed will prevent that. Whenever we discuss compensation measures, the discussion only ever surrounds the socially-weak layer of society.
"It appears that families that already receive a cost of living allowance will be compensated. But others, who also do not earn a lot, will have to front additional costs. That is unacceptable."
As for the costs of the national plan, which should last until 2030, Turmes begrudgingly supplied some details. He told MPs the plan would create more jobs and economic power, estimating that the GDP will increase by €900 million over a ten-year period.
The plan's objectives include raising shares of renewable energy to 25%, from the current 11%.
Lagging behind: Luxembourg near bottom in Europe in renewable energy for heating and coolingAdditionally, CO2 emissions for Luxembourg should be reduced by 55% by 2030, and the Grand Duchy should become climate neutral by 2050. Turmes described the climate pan as a road map for Luxembourg, and on that basis, measures first introduced in the climate plan could become law in the future.
As of Wednesday, the 200-page plan will be accessible to the public. The ministers also added they would be happy to add other ideas to the plan, including those proposed by the CSV.
During the consultation phase, the government will meet with actors from different sectors, such as Fedil, the voice of Luxembourg's industry. The open consultation period is due to conclude by the end of March.
In April, the government will send the non-binding climate and energy plan to Brussels.
