It is not uncommon for self-image and the image of others to drift apart. This was also recently the case with the assessment of the eco-social tax reform. While the government spoke of a “real reform” and “ecological turnaround”, experts, stakeholders and environmentalists were not quite as euphoric.

The CO₂-Price of 30 euros per ton is too low to expect a steering effect, said the economic research institute WIFO. And environmentally harmful subsidies and exemptions such as the diesel privilege have not been abolished, criticize WWF and Global2000. At least the Chamber of Commerce and Industry are satisfied.

Problem child traffic

The fact is that Austria has a climate protection problem called traffic. It is the main contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and these have been rising for years. Only in the pandemic year 2020 was there a falling decline. Here the lever in the form of a CO₂-Price also makes a lot of sense, say environmental organizations. Also with regard to the climate goals, which will be a topic again at the climate summit in Glasgow in November. Global warming is to be limited to 1.5 degrees by 2100. Europe wants to become climate neutral by 2050, Austria by 2040.

But the estimated 30 euros per tonne of CO die in the eco-social tax reform₂ only account for an inflation rate of around ten cents for diesel and heating oil. According to economists, it would have taken at least twice as much for an actual change in behavior. The government justified itself by stating that dying was only a first step and that they “didn’t want to use a mallet”.