Germany鈥檚 environment minister Schulze reiterates call for carbon price
Tagesspiegel
German environment minister Svenja Schulze has renewed her call for a price on CO2 emissions, arguing it would be one of the most efficient ways to reduce the transport and buildings sectors鈥� carbon footprint, Nora Marie Zaremba in the Tagesspiegel newspaper. At the Global Solutions Summit in Berlin, Schulze said a carbon price in Germany would bring the country in line with a growing number of states which consider similar pricing schemes to comply with emissions reduction targets, arguing that "international coordination on CO2 pricing can bring us economic, ecological and political advantages鈥� and can help avoid a scenario where emissions saved in one country subsequently occur in another. The minister said a carbon price would not be meant to generate additional income for the state as the earnings generated would ultimately be returned to the public.
A carbon price in Germany has been hailed by many research institutions as well as by the private sector as a much-needed addition to the country鈥檚 climate policy. However, opposition to the idea has been strong, not least because of fears over a public backlash if fuel and heating oil prices rise as a result. According to an expert panel advising the German government, a price on CO2 emissions would not only bring down emissions but also boost innovative technologies and business models that are key for the success of the energy transition.
