Between 2022 and 2024, the Minett UNESCO Biosphere‘s current bioclimatic situation was analysed. The data collected can be used to provide cities with tools to help them better prepare for the expected impacts of climate change.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL

Scientists agree that human-induced climate change will affect our daily lives. In Luxembourg, the average temperature (for the period 1991-2020) is already 1.5 degrees higher than the average temperature for the reference period 1951-1980. Climatologists also agree that, as a result of the increase in air temperature, extreme weather phenomena (heavy rainfall, storms, heat waves) will become more frequent.

© Meteolux

© IPCC

Climate change is a major challenge, especially for urban areas, including the Minett UNESCO Biosphere. Often densely populated, these areas are vulnerable to climate change impacts such as air pollution, extreme weather events and heat waves. Cities are also major contributors to climate change, accounting for around 70% of global greenhouse gas emissions.

The ClimProSud project aims to assess the urban bioclimate in the Minett UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in order to improve our understanding of the impact of urbanisation on the local climate and the consequences for human health, the natural environment and urban infrastructure.

UNDERSTANDING LOCAL IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

The aim of the ClimProSud project is to provide information on the urban climate at a spatial and temporal scale that is relevant in terms of impact for the territory of the eleven municipalities in the Minett UNESCO Biosphere. Cities play an essential role in the fight against climate change and its consequences. The measures taken, particularly in terms of urban planning, can have a significant impact on global greenhouse gas emissions and on the resilience of urban communities.

The researchers working at LIST, in collaboration with their scientific partner Geo-Net from Hannover, will provide urban planning information with a spatial resolution of 5m for our region. Based on numerical regional climate projections, future climate conditions in the south of Luxembourg will be included in this study.

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The assessment of the urban bioclimate will cover a wide range of impacts on the urban areas and municipalities of Southern Luxembourg:

Improvement of urban planning and design :

The results of the project will be made available to urban planners. This will enable them to design more sustainable and resilient future development of urban areas. This will include green and blue urban infrastructure zones and the assessment of cold air production zones and cold air corridors for better urban ventilation. High minimum temperatures during the summer months are a major health risk and can lead to excess mortality in urban areas during heat waves.

Building resilience to climate change:

The ClimProSud project will identify the areas of municipalities that are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. These include flooding, extreme heat and air pollution. The study will enable the development of strategies to improve resilience and reduce risks.

Health benefits:

By identifying areas of high heat stress, this urban bioclimate analysis will provide a basis for implementing policies to improve public health. The inhabitants of the Minett UNESCO biosphere can be better protected from the negative effects of urban environmental conditions in the future through urban planning measures.

Economic benefits:

By adapting urban planning when developing new neighbourhoods or (re)designing existing parts of our towns and villages, economic benefits can be generated for our region. These benefits can include increased property values, improved air quality or reduced energy demand.

Overall, the ClimProSud project aims to enable communities in the Minett UNESCO Biosphere Region to better understand, assess, manage and anticipate the challenges of climate change. This knowledge can be used in the coming years and decades to develop our eleven municipalities in a more sustainable, resilient and healthy way.

Data collection for this analysis of our region’s bioclimate took place over a period of 18 months to provide the most accurate picture of the current situation, which will serve as the basis for the project’s climate projections.

The final results of the study will be published in autumn 2024.