In light of the significant proportion of wealth held by the super-rich, the Green Party and the SPD are calling for the introduction of additional taxes on private jets and a windfall tax. According to Katharina Dröge, co-chair of the Green parliamentary group, and citing a study by Oxfam, “Extremely wealthy people have an above-average share of the climate crisis. Therefore, they must also be held more accountable.”
Dröge emphasized the findings regarding aviation, noting that, for instance, a private jet flight can be up to 80 times more damaging than a scheduled passenger flight. Given this, she argued that an extra levy on private jet flights is necessary. “Many people in Germany cannot understand why cuts are made regarding climate protection and families, while billionaires are spared,” Dröge stated. She further called for “fair taxation for extremely wealthy individuals with assets exceeding 500 million euros.” In addition to an offensive climate protection strategy from the federal government, she also called for a windfall tax on oil companies and the end of subsidies.
Jakob Blankenburg, the environment policy spokesperson for the SPD parliamentary group, echoed similar demands stemming from the Oxfam calculations: “Those who contribute significantly more to the climate crisis should also bear a fair share of its costs.” He advocated for increasing the air traffic tax on private jet flights, mirroring practices already established in France and Italy. Furthermore, the SPD politician demanded that “private jets in Europe be included in the emissions trading scheme without loopholes.”
Looking toward the CDU/CSU coalition partner, Blankenburg conceded that these steps would require further political campaigning. However, he stressed that the resulting revenue would be needed where the severe consequences are felt: “to protect against floods and drought here in Germany, and for people worldwide who contributed the least to the crisis.”
