Most Germans support higher CO2 price if revenue is paid back to consumers

Over half of Germans would support a higher CO2 price in transport and heating if the revenue was redistributed to consumers rather than kept by the state, a survey has found. Fifty-nine percent of respondents told the federation of German consumer agencies (vzbv) that they would support higher prices on heating fuels and petrol if the extra revenue came back to them, for example in the form of a climate cheque.

However, 71 percent said they would reject the pricing if the money only flowed back to state budgets, and 45 percent also expressed concerns that the higher costs could become a financial burden to them. “Political parties must clearly explain how they want to cushion the climate policy-related increase in the price of heating and fuels in consumer-friendly ways,” Klaus Müller, the federation's head, said in a press release. 

A separate report by vzbv earlier this month found that Germany’s CO2 price on fuels, which was introduced in January 2021, is unfairly burdening low income households. The CO2 price on oil and gas has been in effect since 1 January and is intended to make the use of fossil fuels in transport and buildings less attractive and thus contribute to climate protection. The current price of 25 euros per tonne of CO2 corresponds to a surcharge of 7 to 8 cents per liter of petrol or diesel.