Abstract
Noticeable success in reducing CO2 emissions can only be reached if the government provides the necessary framework and if a strategy of climate protection is developed with - and not against - the economy.
A policy of deliberate energy price increase, geared towards the producers with possibilities of compensation, mixed with a system of direct government incentives and limited legal measures as well as self-obligation, can best achieve reductions in emissions of 25-30%.
Even if this target is reached in Germany - as CO2 emissions would only temporarily fall by 1% - the global greenhouse problem would not be changed drastically.
A strategy for keeping in check the anthropogenic greenhouse effect has to be designed globally. At the very least, action in the whole EC is required. The suggestion of the EC-commission to introduce an EC CO2/energy tax is to be applauded.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.