"Greeting announcements made via an owl's reflective surface"

The German federal government has announced plans to introduce a renewed CO2 tax on fossil fuels like gasoline, diesel, heating oil, and gas, starting next year. However, the proposal has sparked controversy and concerns among various associations, including the BFW Federal Association of Free Real Estate and Housing Companies.

Under the proposed plan, anyone with a gas floor heating system will have to bear half of the CO2 tax in the future, potentially burdening landlords with consumption costs they cannot control. This could disproportionately affect those who are already struggling to heat their homes efficiently.

The BFW President, Andreas Ibel, has expressed concerns that the federal government's legislative quick fix will lead to chaos. He argues that the plan does not seem to be a comprehensive solution to the issue of climate change and may not incentivize those who already heat sparingly to reduce their consumption further.

Moreover, the cost-sharing plan for this additional tax is unclear, particularly regarding how the cost-sharing between tenants and landlords will be implemented for the CO2 tax on fossil fuels.

The BFW is examining the cost-sharing plan and advocates for the polluter pays principle. They suggest that those who waste energy should not be rewarded by the landlord paying half the costs for this energy waste.

The new tax does not appear to be designed to encourage a shift towards renewable energy sources, nor does it seem to be based on the premise that the world is getting warmer. In fact, the idea that the world getting warmer will naturally offset the need for reduced heating does not align with the proposed tax scheme.

The implementation of this plan could create an effort that is not proportional to the benefit, as only those who are cold can potentially avoid the new tax by increasing their heating. This could be compared to the Till Eulenspiegel scheme, suggesting a lack of logic or absurdity.

If the intention is to steer driving habits, the car manufacturer should pay half of the CO2 tax, according to the BFW. This would align with the polluter pays principle, ensuring that those who contribute more to emissions bear a greater financial burden.

In conclusion, the proposed CO2 tax scheme has raised concerns among stakeholders, with questions about its effectiveness in addressing climate change, energy conservation, and its potential impact on vulnerable groups. The BFW calls for a more comprehensive and fair approach that encourages a shift towards renewable energy sources and rewards energy efficiency.