Now comes the hard work in the field of climate policy

The euphoria following the spectacular climate, the choice is in remission now but it takes hard work and competence in the CO2-policy. The practical problems of Implementation to halve, by 2030, the emissions of greenhouse gases and to end by 2050, are immense. Technically, these goals are possible. But this program is also associated with illusions and false promises.

The environmental Commission of the national Council wants to use the momentum from the elections and the CO2-law in December to the Parliament. To the Council of States has, like in the old composition of the good rulings. It is wise from the left-Green, to lead this Council of States variation at the end and send the revised act is not with an unrealistic increase in the referendum case.

Nevertheless, the revised CO2 act will not reach the, what is now promised. I think, for example, of the intended building programme. More than a quarter of all CO2 emissions in Switzerland come from the 1.7 million buildings. In order to achieve the climate objectives by 2050 should be reviewed annually 3 to 4 percent of all the buildings renovated for energy. Today, it is only 1 percent. The old Oil - fired heating systems will be replaced when more than half of the cases simply by new Oil or gas heaters. This is not a climate policy.

This program does not work

You mean, to the building renovations with a tax on Fuel to accelerate. But the total yield of this levy only one-third (to a maximum of 450 million Swiss francs per year) for the building programme for the promotion of energy renovations are made available. Two-thirds are to be collected without a purpose and to the population paid for – for example, on the reduction of health insurance premiums.

From many years of experience in the tenant's policy, I do not deduce that this program works. Because 63 percent of all apartments are rented, as is the proportion of the business is to rent. The higher heating oil levy increases the cost of just the ancillary costs for the tenants. But the capital-intensive energy-saving renovation by the owner, you does not promote. In the case of rental properties, it needs a financial incentive with the rehabilitation of the contributions to the owners. These subsidies must, of course, landlord and tenant law served also to our tenants.

The fuel tax on heating oil would have to be used for investment contributions. Otherwise, it remains almost ineffective. 1 Swiss franc levy, bound for energy-efficiency renovations in buildings purpose, is at least three times more effective than in the case of a mere reimbursement to the population.

heating renovations would have to be recognized

Very effective that mechanism in CO2 would, however, become law, which provides for 2023 for existing buildings a commitment to upgrading Heating systems with a CO2 reduction path (a maximum of 20 kilos of fuel oil per square metre and year, later, lower). Such an obligation is, however, still controversial.

With the CO2-law provided for fuel concept alone is redistributed in the building area of nearly 1 billion Swiss francs per year, refund, without the CO2 emissions are reduced considerably. This incorrect construction is the professionals and some of the parliamentarians in the left-green camp is quite aware of.

All popular
calculation models overestimate the effect of energy taxes.

All references to the previous compulsion to compromise with the FDP in order to achieve a majority. The liberals promise a refund of the fuel levy with reference to the Dogma of the "state rate neutrality". They are calling for so-called market economic solutions. What relates to the rental properties, is the only market believers ideology with false promises. The increase in the market prices does not lead to the goal, if it is not connected with the active promotion of low-emission technologies (Solar, heat pumps, insulation). Climate policy is not free.

All of the common calculation models of the universities, and energy planners overestimate systematically the effect (price elasticity) of energy taxes. This means that the price will not cause increases in those reductions in Consumption which are promised to us with the models of profession oral. This is true not only for the fuel charges, but also in fuel and fuel surcharges. This would have to be recognized, to affect the behavior, such that the population would reject. These supplements must the purpose be for technical efficiency improvements, renewable energy, compensations, or for reforestation projects be used in individual cases, perhaps also for the social compensation.

climate policy also means thinking globally

If the commercial judge in a pragmatic and less ideological, it can gain by the increased levy in favour of the house technology, energy renovation of buildings, heat pumps and solar systems, much value added. However, this technological change must also be connected with a more intensive training program. It is the practice-oriented energy consultant today. Industrial engineers, tradesmen and team leaders are the key figures in the energy transition.

The struggle for the world's climate, however, is not with us, but in the forests of the Amazon, in Alaska and Canada, Siberia, the Congo, and Ethiopia quantitatively decided. These forests it is necessary to give a price, the existentially decisive climate performance, we need to compensate. Climate policy is, admittedly, act locally – but think globally, and global offset.

Created: 04.11.2019, 21:38 PM