Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble has spoken out in favor of a faster rise in the price of CO2 in order to make progress in the fight against climate change.
Berlin - Wolfgang Schäuble has spoken out in favor of a faster rise in the price of CO2 in order to make progress in the fight against climate change.
“I have always considered higher CO2 pricing to be the right one.
It also has to go faster, ”he told the“ Neue Osnabrücker Zeitung ”.
"And when driving becomes more expensive, we shouldn't be frightened, although social hardship must of course be compensated for." Driving the market to avoid CO2 through higher costs for greenhouse gas emissions is "exactly the right way," said the President of the Bundestag.
In Germany there has been a CO2 price for transport and heating since the beginning of the year.
Currently, 25 euros are due per ton of climate-damaging carbon dioxide (CO2), and the price is to rise gradually to 55 euros by 2025.
By making diesel, petrol, heating oil and gas more expensive, citizens and industry should be encouraged to switch to more environmentally friendly alternatives.
Costs for climate measures
Schäuble called for honesty in the election campaign with regard to the costs of climate measures. “We should make it clear to people - whether campaigning or not - that the necessary steps will demand something from everyone. Giving the impression that the upcoming structural changes do not affect the individual is not the truth, ”said the President of the Bundestag. “But people can certainly endure the truth, even in an election campaign. So honesty doesn't hurt. "
In the dispute between CSU boss Markus Söder and Union chancellor candidate Armin Laschet over the timing of the coal phase-out, Schäuble supports the CDU chairman.
“I see no point in questioning the year for the coal-off in a political outbid competition,” said Schäuble.
Söder had called for the coal phase-out to be made possible as early as 2030.
Schäuble referred to the consensus on phasing out coal and "tough changes" that would be expected in lignite mining areas on the Lower Rhine and especially in Lusatia.
Germany will gradually phase out coal by 2038 at the latest, that was decided by the Bundestag and Bundesrat.
At the same time, around 40 billion euros are to be poured into the closure of coal-fired power plants and structural aid for the coal regions.
dpa
