The idea of ​​the climate bonus is haunting the German debate.

According to this, the government revenue from the trade in CO2 certificates should flow back to every citizen as an annual one-off payment.

Switzerland is already doing this, Austria will soon follow with a flat rate based on place of residence.

The traffic light also vaguely promises “climate money”.

It raises high expectations.

The per capita bonus is praised twice over, as an efficient tool for socially balancing out climate protection costs and as a market-driven incentive for a low-carbon lifestyle.

It's true: the more the individual changes their behavior, the more they retain from the bonus.

But the social balance and the steering depend heavily on the amount of the premium.

However, the CO2 billions are also being discussed for other green subsidies.

There will be less money in the bonus pot than hoped.

The fair distribution is likely to be the subject of heated debate.

The maintenance bonus is a cautionary tale.

If the traffic light isn't careful, the costs will far outweigh the benefits, even with climate money.