Abolish environmentally harmful subsidies – that sounds good. According to the Federal Environment Agency, more than 65 billion euros can be fetched here. Money, which the potential traffic light government urgently needs, does not want to raise taxes and soon no longer run into debt. But the implementation will not be that easy. Those who enjoy financial privileges are reluctant to give them back. And many have simply adapted: For example, they choose a job far from home because diesel is cheap and the commuter allowance is high.
Nevertheless, the new federal government has to deal with it now, and not just them. The global climate cannot wait, global warming is gaining momentum at an alarming rate. When the International Monetary Fund puts global fossil fuel subsidies at $ 5.9 trillion, then something is hugely wrong. If it stays that way, commitments to climate protection are just empty words.
Change can only succeed if climate-friendly behavior is cheaper and generates more profit than climate-damaging behavior. This is how the market economy works. So far it has often been the other way around. The old government made up for some grievances by also covering the new technologies with subsidies. So the state still supports diesel, and now also electric cars. That’s absurd. If the SPD, the Greens and the FDP agree, they must give up the policy of least resistance and point the way. Only then do homeowners renovate their buildings, travelers prefer to take trains rather than airplanes, and customers prefer vegetables to meat. This will trigger protests in parts of society, who likes to abandon dear habits? There is also a threat of turbulence in the economy, and some business models are about to end. But Germany and Europe still have reserves to cushion cases of social hardship. Politicians should tell everyone else: change your mind. Or it will be expensive.