In view of the enormously increased energy and fuel prices, the federal government is putting together a new emergency package. Turquoise Green’s negotiations are said to be in the final straight. According to reports, the intention – as already announced by the “Krone” – is that the CO2 tax will not come into effect on July 1, but only in October. The climate bonus, on the other hand, which is financed from this tax and is intended, so to speak, to compensate for it, would be increased significantly from 100 to 250 euros – and that for everyone.
Originally it was intended that the CO2 pricing (which makes fuel about nine cents per liter more expensive) would come into effect on July 1 and that the climate bonus would be paid from October. The bonus is a compensation measure for the additional costs as a result of CO2 pricing. It consists of a base amount and a multi-level regional adjustment.
For the year 2022, the basic amount has so far been set at 100 euros. Depending on where you live, there should be between 100 and 200 euros per person, with only the Viennese getting the lowest amount. Other large cities such as Graz, Innsbruck and Linz are in the second phase, where all adults should receive 133 euros annually this year. The third stage was previously 167 euros and was intended for many surrounding municipalities, 200 euros would have been mainly (but not only) in the country.
“One-time increase”
According to media reports, the climate bonus will now be increased once to 250 euros. Apparently everyone gets this amount no matter where they live. In return, the demand from the ÖVP and the economy is given to defer the carbon price. A complete scrap was a no-go for the Greens. It was basically a compromise that the tax would not be introduced until the second half of the year, but that the bonus would be paid out in full. This compensatory measure against inflation is now being extended.
Incidentally, according to a report by ‘Heute’, a decision should also be made to end gas heating in order to escape dependence on Russia. From 2023, no new gas heaters will be installed in new buildings. Austria must completely phase out gas heating by 2040.
Ministry: “Neither confirm nor deny”
When asked, the Ministry of Climate Change said: “There are several talks going on at the government level at the moment. These talks have not yet been completed. We will not prejudge these negotiations and cannot confirm or deny the results at this time.”
Greenpeace: “Emergency landing climate policy”
The environmental group Greenpeace described the postponement of the carbon price as a “climate policy crash landing by the turquoise-green federal government”. There are countless smarter and much more efficient ways to provide help quickly, says Greenpeace climate and transport expert Klara Maria Schenk. She cited temporary transfers for low-income households, a temporary cut in rates at the bottom and middle of the tax bracket and an increase in the negative tax.
VCÖ: “Graduate bonus would be better”
The transport club criticized the fact that wealthy households would benefit most from a shift in carbon pricing. The higher the income, the more diesel and petrol is refueled. The climate bonus, which is fueled by the revenues from CO2 pricing, in turn benefits lower-income households more. An extra climate bonus classified by income would therefore be more accurate than a shifting CO2 price. The social and environmental accuracy of the commuter allowance must now be increased.
Kickl: “Remove taxes”
FPÖ chairman Herbert Kickl called for a reduction or – in the event that fuel prices continue to rise – the abolition of the tax on mineral oil and a temporary halving or complete elimination of VAT on basic foodstuffs.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
