Luxembourg Introduces New Guidance for Marketing Timber from Public Forests

On Monday 20 July 2026, Luxembourg's Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity and the Syndicate of Luxembourg Cities and Municipalities (SYVICOL) reported on new guidance governing the marketing of timber from public forests, which was presented to SYVICOL on Monday 13 July 2026.

According to the Ministry and SYVICOL, the initiative forms part of European and national climate, biodiversity and energy transition objectives and implements commitments set out in Luxembourg's 2023-2028 coalition agreement. The guidance places sustainable practices, the promotion of local and regional markets, the circular economy and traceability at the centre of the government's strategy, with the aim of ensuring the responsible, local and sustainable use of timber from public forests while guaranteeing fair remuneration for public forest owners.

The Ministry noted that the selection of buyers of timber from public forests will now be based on four key principles: sustainability, supply to local and regional markets, respect for the cascading use of wood and fair remuneration. Preference will be given to operators committed to environmental certification and capable of guaranteeing timber traceability from the forest to the end user.

According to the guidance, timber processing should take place within a maximum distance of 450 km, while wood intended for energy production should be processed within 50 km, in order to reduce the carbon footprint. Timber should also be used according to its quality, prioritising the highest-value applications, while public forest owners should receive remuneration covering at least the costs of sustainable forest management.

According to the parties, Luxembourg's public forests account for around 50% of the country's total forest area. These include municipal forests, representing around two-thirds of the public forest area, as well as forests owned by the State and public institutions.

The marketing of timber from public forests is organised by the Nature and Forest Agency in accordance with the Forest Law of 23 August 2023 and its implementing Grand Ducal regulation. According to the Ministry, the new guidance complements this legal framework by providing practical direction for direct timber sales through both public tenders and negotiated contracts.

SYVICOL welcomed the initiative, paving the way for the guidance to be implemented jointly with municipalities. The parties also noted that the new approach is intended to help address current and future climate, economic and societal challenges by promoting sustainability, local and regional markets, the cascading use of wood and fair remuneration.