New scheme combines the environment and job creation

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Luxembourg's OGB-L trade union confederation and the Ecological Movement submitted a project in spring 1998 to refurbish older housing, thereby reducing CO2 emissions and at the same time creating jobs.

The Luxembourg Confederation of Independent Trade Unions (OGB-L) and the Ecological Movement (Mouvement écologique) have been developing joint action since June 1997, seeking to introduce a new concept linking environmental issues and job creation. This has taken the form of refurbishing old buildings in such a way as to minimise heat loss, thus reducing CO2 emissions. Following positive talks with the Minister of Housing, the Minister for the Environment and Energy, the Craftworkers' Federation (Fédération des artisans) and the Order of Architects and Consulting Engineers (Ordre des architectes et ingénieurs-conseils), a project was presented to the public in spring 1998.

Under the scheme, the Government will take a decision in principle to support a programme aimed at giving advice on, and promoting, the restoration of old residential buildings. The Government will also monitor the programme overall, provide for a budget of at least LUF 300 million and determine the details of subsidies that will be available.

A major round-table conference of all the interests involved will have the task of implementing the project, the ultimate aim of which will be a major reduction in CO2 emissions and a boost to certain activities in the craft sector, thereby leading to the creation of new jobs.

Following a public awareness campaign and appropriate craft training, the pilot project will operate under the remit of Luxembourg's National Action Plan for employment, drawn up in April 1998 in response to the EU Employment Guidelines (LU9805157F).