The lead economist at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) warned the federal government about the potential consequences of the new heating law, proposing the implementation of an investment levy on the installation of new oil and gas boilers. He stressed that such measures are necessary to protect consumers from poor financial decisions, given that current price fluctuations are unlikely to be the last energy crisis.
According to the economist, preventative measures are needed to discourage the continued installation of new fossil fuel heating systems. A viable tool for this, he argued, would be a dedicated investment fee placed on these specific types of installations. While understanding the financial difficulties faced by homeowners who cannot afford the necessary deep renovations required for a heat pump conversion, this levy would help curb reliance on gas boilers.
To further encourage the transition, the economist suggested reducing electricity taxes to boost the uptake of heat pumps. He also advocated for maintaining and expanding existing subsidy programs, which should combine support for the conversion process with compensatory measures, such as a climate dividend, to offset ongoing financial burdens. He noted that the federal government’s current lack of focus on these issues suggests that climate transition remains a low priority.
Addressing the broader policy picture, he cautioned that focusing solely on immediate crises risks losing sight of long-term global challenges. The economist fundamentally stated that climate action should not be viewed merely as a luxury but rather as a vital long-term public service and a guarantor of prosperity. He emphasized that ignoring climate protection leads to the destruction of future wealth, transforming climate policy from a perceived economic disadvantage into a strategic advantage. Furthermore, he criticized the tendency to sideline climate strategy, arguing that climate goals must not be used as a convenient scapegoat for structural failures in industrial policy.
