Catholic Celebration - Habeck states that crises have caused the climate debate to take a backseat.
In Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck's opinion, the discussion regarding climate policy in the midst of the Corona pandemic and global conflicts has taken a backseat. The peak period of debate in 2019 has faded dramatically due to other pressing issues. Yet, Habeck indicated that the subject is far from being forgotten and is now re-emerging as a more prominent topic of conversation. As he pointed out, "With high energy prices decreasing and inflation rates dropping, there's now more space for discussions about the systemic issues of our time, such as global warming."
A key concern during the discussion was the socially just transition from fossil fuels to electric vehicles. Habeck proposed the concept of "Social Leasing" to make electric cars more accessible. "Electric cars for lease would benefit from significant subsidies, making them cheaper than leased fossil cars," he said.
The Minister of Economics also questioned the fairness of the plans for distributing climate money. He wondered, "Should every individual receive the same amount? Is there a social ceiling? Do millionaires or billionaires require an extra 200 euros per year?"
The climate funds, as part of the Traffic Light Coalition's plans, aim to alleviate the increased burden on citizens due to higher CO2 costs at fuel stations and heating with fossil fuels. However, the promise of a per capita payment from 2025 is the subject of much debate, with uncertainty surrounding whether and when this will be implemented.
"One can also question if everyone should receive the exact same amount. There might be a limit to social fairness. Should billionaires receive 200 euros more per year?" Habeck commented.
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In Thuringia, the Catholic Day celebration took place amidst ongoing discussions about climate policy and its re-emergence as a prominent topic. Habeck, being a part of the German government, expressed concerns about the climate debate taking a backseat due to the Coronavirus and global conflicts. The Catholic Day celebration in Erfurt served as a reminder of the importance of addressing climate issues, including the transition towards electric vehicles and the fair distribution of climate funds. The Minister of Economics, Robert Habeck, proposed the concept of "Social Leasing" to make electric cars more accessible and questioned the fairness of distributing climate money.
