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The EU wants to significantly increase its climate targets, and Austrian politicians are excited about this. However, you should also clearly state what that means to people.
In her State of the EU speech, Commission President Ursula von der Leyen did not save with high goals in mid-September. Despite the current economic crisis as a result of the corona pandemic, she claimed that the Union should increase its goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 40 percent by 2030 compared to 1990 to a reduction of 55 percent. With the local Greens and the Minister of the Environment responsible for the issue, Leonore Gewessler, opened doors with her. Gewessler was enthusiastic and stated that she wanted to work to make sure the plan becomes a reality as well.
Politicians are now free to set lofty goals for themselves and the people they represent. Especially with an increasingly urgent problem like climate change. And above all because of the climate problem, the Greens were so strengthened in the recent National Council election that they could only assume the role of junior partner in government. However, politicians should also clearly state what it means in concrete terms if Austria is committed to the higher goals.
The ÖAMTC now has this calculated in a study for domestic drivers. And the result is quite impressive: if Austria wants to achieve the goals, it not only needs a 100 percent share of electric cars for new vehicles by 2030, a doubling of the motor-related insurance tax, an increase in the standard tax. consumption and also in the price of roads for cars. No, in addition, the price of fuel will also rise to about four euros per liter of gasoline or diesel. Only then do people drive their cars so little that goals can be achieved. However, the bottom line is that each car owner would have to spend around 1,500 euros more per year.
If you want to get serious about the weather problem, you must pay this price. But it must also be transmitted transparently to citizens. Only then can they prepare for it at an early stage, for example, when buying the next car. Noble goals, for which you pat yourself on the back, but which were later lost for miles due to lack of concrete measures, we had enough in climate policy (keyword Kyoto).
