The Economic Effects of Equalizing the Effective Carbon Rate of Sectors: An Input-Output Analysis

The 2 °C target of the Paris Agreement has stimulated the implementation of carbon reducing policies such as carbon taxes and emission trading schemes, which explicitly applies a price on carbon emitting fuels. However, OECD (2016) reports that the effective carbon rate must be at least 30 Euros per ton of CO2. The effective carbon rate includes the implicit carbon price, e.g. energy taxes, along with the explicit carbon price. Previous studies have focused on the effects of explicit carbon prices. In this chapter, we will focus on the effective carbon rate and estimate the effects of carbon policies that increase the effective carbon rate to the 30 Euro threshold. We find that the short-term effect of a carbon tax that raises the effective carbon rate for all industries above 30 Euros will not only effect energy intensive industries, but also downstream industries that already have high effective carbon rates. Furthermore, we find that the carbon tax implemented in 2012 increase the average effective carbon rate, but increases the difference between taxed emitters and non-taxed emitters. Thus, tax exemption for energy intensive industries sacrifices economic efficiency.

CO2-Bepreisung des Verkehrs

Der motorisierte Individualverkehr ist in den Blick der Klimapolitik geraten. Von allen klimarelevanten Sektoren sind im Verkehrssektor die wenigsten CO2-Einsparungen festzustellen. Mit dem neuen Brennstoffemissionshandelsgesetz ist eine CO2-Bepreisung des Verkehrs auf den Weg gebracht worden, aber es wird bezweifelt, ob der nationale Emissionshandel hinreichende Lenkungswirkungen entfaltet und finanzverfassungsrechtlich zulässig ist. Es ist verfehlt, den Emissionshandel als Alternative zu ordnungsrechtlichen Instrumenten zu begreifen. Außerdem mahnt der Beitrag im Hinblick auf die verfassungsrechtliche Bewertung zur Vorsicht. Sinn macht der CO2-Preis für den Verkehr, wenn nachgeschärft wird. Dazu gehört eine beherzte Reform der Energiesteuern, aber auch die Einführung einer streckenbezogenen Pkw-Maut sowie eine übergreifende Verkehrsplanung. Im Ergebnis ist zu begrüßen, dass die CO2-Emissionen des Verkehrs einen Preis erhalten, aber naiv anzunehmen, allein darüber würde die Verkehrswende gelingen. Individual motorized transport has become the focus of climate policy. Of all the climate-relevant sectors, the transport sector has seen the fewest reductions in CO2 emissions. The new Fuel Emissions Trading Act (“Brennstoffemissionshandelsgesetz”) initiates carbon pricing for the transport sector. Nonetheless, it remains doubtful whether national emissions trading has sufficient steering effects and if it complies with the constitutional finance law. It would be erroneous to understand emissions trading as an alternative to regulatory instruments. In addition, the article urges caution with regard to the constitutional assessment. Moreover, carbon pricing for the traffic sector only makes sense if it is increased. This includes a courageous reform of energy taxes, but also the introduction of a route-based car toll and comprehensive traffic planning. As a result, carbon pricing of the transport sector is appreciated, however it would be naïve to assume that it alone would lead to a sustainable transport policy (“Verkehrswende”).

Faktoren nachhaltigen Stromkonsums in Europa und seine Förderung durch politisch-rechtliche Instrumente

This work examines electricity consumption in European households. It is the first to systematically examine the effects of specific instruments designed to influence electricity consumption on the goals of sustainable development from the perspective of sustainable economics. This interdisciplinary work first examines the main drivers of household electricity consumption on the basis of empirical macro data. In its second part, the author develops an evaluation system for political and legal instruments based on a comprehensive Delphi survey, which also includes the effects of such instruments on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Using this assessment approach, the author analyses the strengths and weaknesses of the EU’s Ecodesign Directive, energy taxes and consumer advice. The results of the work can thus provide an important starting point for the further development of the instruments, while the evaluation system developed in the second part can be used to evaluate other instruments.