How can it be that governments still treat climate protection as a secondary concern? A few attempts at an explanation by Lukas Kapeller.

Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker (ÖVP) called for a "collective national effort" in last week's ORF Summer Interview, saying it was now necessary. The subject was pension adjustments, which Stocker would like to see at plus two per cent. On the new social welfare scheme, too, the Chancellor wants to orient himself "more towards the lower end". Germany's head of government Friedrich Merz (CDU) put it even more starkly recently, with regard to the social welfare system in his country: "We simply can no longer afford this system as it currently exists, given what we produce in the Federal Republic of Germany."

When it comes to budgets, public spending, and debt, conservative politicians in particular like to argue in terms of today's responsibility towards future generations. When it comes to the climate, however, those same leaders not only put their foot on the brake, but often put it into reverse. In Austria, for example, electric cars are now also subject to an engine-related insurance tax — despite having no combustion engine. And Germany plans to build large numbers of new gas-fired power plants.

Complex, but important

Sure, climate protection is a complicated topic for politics…

Read the full article at: derStandard.de