War against Ukraine: Kemfert demands a shift in transportation away from oil

Against the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, energy expert Claudia Kemfert from the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) in Berlin has called for an even faster phase-out of fossil fuels in the transport sector.

"We need to move away from fossil energy as quickly as possible. This dramatic event must now be the final wake-up call for us to consistently save energy and also push forward with the transport transition," urged the head of the Energy, Transport, Environment department at DIW.

Otherwise, one would be a "pawn of geopolitical interests." A shift in direction is urgently necessary. However, the energy expert does not see other priorities arising from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. From her perspective, climate protection is peace-promoting and part of the solution, even though the immediate focus is on supply security. In her view, speed is now crucial. Energy supply must be secured and simultaneously redirected towards renewable energies.

"We have wasted 10 to 15 years with backward policy measures. Now we are paying the price for the delayed energy transition and must change course," Kemfert further demanded.

For the energy expert, there is no shortage of oil, but other sources would become more expensive. This would turn driving into a social issue. She once again proposed compensation through per capita CO2 pricing and rebates. On the other hand, Kemfert considers the recently significantly increased commuter allowance by the federal government to be socially unfair, as it favors high-income earners.

"We rather advocate the introduction of a mobility allowance, regardless of income and means of transport - or better yet, geared towards an ecological choice of means of transport," the DIW scientist further outlined.

For this to work, rail, public transport, cycling and walking paths, as well as e-mobility and charging infrastructure, would need to be promoted simultaneously. Kemfert also considers an e-car quota helpful to achieve "market penetration as quickly as possible." She criticized Germany for spending 70 billion euros on fossil energies.

"This also flows into the war chest of a Vladimir Putin. We should invest this money in future mobility," Kemfert demanded.

Funds could be primarily mobilized by cutting fossil subsidies. We are too dependent on Russian energy supplies, making us vulnerable to blackmail, and are paying for the "delayed energy transition." Kemfert, on the other hand, does not support extending the operating times of nuclear or coal plants.

"The best answer to a fossil energy war is an accelerated energy transition," Kemfert was convinced.