Fridays For Future calls for an immediate stop to fossil subsidies!

Fridays For Future calls for an immediate stop to fossil subsidies!

The climate catastrophe is getting closer and the discussion about fossil subsidies is becoming increasingly urgent. In a recent campaign at the budget hearing in Austria, Fridays For Future demanded a clear commitment from the finance minister: an immediate stop to fossil fuel subsidies. Sofia Scherer, a spokeswoman for the movement, expressed outrage at the continued financing of climate-damaging projects and warned of the far-reaching consequences for future generations. According to forecasts, the 1.5 degree heating limit could be exceeded as early as 2028. This has resulted in the planned budget being described as negligent.

Laila Kriechbaum, also from Fridays For Future, emphasized that the budget is not enough to achieve the urgently needed climate goals. This could lead to billions in fines for the public sector. Emma Reynolds, another activist, criticized the fact that despite touted austerity measures in the climate crisis, money continues to be invested in fossil fuels and thus endangers the quality of life.

Claims and savings effects

The activists have formulated concrete demands in order to realize the urgently needed savings in the budget. This includes the cancellation of the oil pipeline privilege and the reduction of 70 million euros for the construction of a gas pipeline. According to the KONTEXT Institute, over 1 billion euros could be saved annually if three transport subsidies were reformed in a socially just manner. These savings could have significant positive effects on government finances and the environment.

Further demands include the greening of diesel privileges and an adjustment of the truck toll to CO₂, air and noise pollution, which could generate additional state revenue of up to 320 million euros. The budget decision is due on June 18th, which increases the time pressure for implementing these measures.

Climate-friendly transformation in Germany

A related issue can also be seen in Germany, where over 16 billion euros flow annually into climate-damaging subsidies for industry, while only 2.8 billion euros flow into climate-friendly conversion. A study commissioned by Greenpeace shows that dismantling these subsidies could free up at least 10 billion euros by the end of 2025. The focus is particularly on subsidies for fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.

As part of the G7 and the coalition agreement, the federal government has committed to reducing climate-damaging subsidies by 2025. Yet the industrial sector has made little progress in reducing greenhouse gases over the past decade. The main beneficiaries of these climate-damaging subsidies are often large corporations that benefit from relief from electricity taxes and other subsidies.

The coming months are crucial for setting the course for climate policy, both in Austria and Germany. The activists' urgent demands to abolish fossil fuel subsidies are at the center of the political discussion.

It remains to be seen whether governments will respond to this pressure and introduce necessary reforms to halt global warming and ensure financial relief for the coming years. In view of the impending climate crisis, action is required now.

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Fridays For Future calls for...
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