In addition, an adequate carbon price remains a key political tool on the road to climate neutrality, with a clear steering effect. Of course it is important to keep an eye on the social balance. But for this, policymakers have other, more appropriate instruments. Policymakers in Europe are rushing to find alternatives to Russian gas, too.
In Germany, for instance, coal plants are being reactivated amid debates about extending the life span of the remaining nuclear power plants. But neither coal nor nuclear power are the silver bullet for energy security. Due to low water levels, we have seen instances where coal could not be shipped and nuclear reactors could not be cooled down. There is no simple solution.