Op1 viewers not reassured after explanation Baarsma about CO2 budget

Economist Barbara Baarsma received the necessary criticism yesterday after she spoke about a personal CO2 budget. Last night she explained her plan for the CO2 wallet again at On 1. But she doesn’t seem to have convinced a large part of the viewers with that.

Baarsma, who is also a member of Rabobank, caused quite a stir yesterday afternoon with her plans for the CO2 budget. The idea is that people should be allowed to produce a maximum of emissions. Are you going over that? Then you buy your budget from someone else.

Criticism of CO2 budget, Barbara Baarsma explains it again at Op1

Yesterday there was already criticism that this plan would contribute to a greater difference between ‘rich’ and ‘poor’. Where the richer citizens continue to do what they want and give up the smaller wallet. Some concerned Dutch people also mentioned that this idea even sounded like a conspiracy theory.

Baarsma sees it all slightly differently. According to her, you buy emission rights from others and people with a ‘small wallet’ can earn something in this way from greening. She highlights the climate problem and points out that the current government plans and climate policy will not make a difference. That is why, according to her, there should be a price tag for greenhouse gas emissions.

According to her, the ultimate solution would be the introduction of a carbon tax, whereby the biggest polluters pay the most. But the government is not going to do that. That’s why she ‘thought experiment’ of the CO2 budget.

CO2 wallet to solve climate problem

On 1presenter Tijs van den Brink sees no point in Baarsma’s plan. On the contrary, he finds it disturbing. “Someone will then determine how much damage I can inflict on the climate per year.” After which Baarsma emphasizes that it concerns emission rights. Van den Brink tries to make it concrete. “I then have a hundred points, flying costs fifteen points and then I can shower a few more times and eat meat.”

According to Baarsma, that’s what it comes down to. The economist explains that it is not the ideal solution to the climate problem, because it “also has a lot of disadvantages”. But she says there is currently no alternative.

Viewers not convinced of Barbara Baarsma’s plea

Dinner guests suggest other ways. For example, sounds like the option to lower the tax on train tickets, instead of opting for such a ‘complex plan’. The controlling role of the government is also called into question. Hospital director Pier Eringa cites the allowance affair and mentions the complexity of such a system. Which is also what presenter Van den Brink is concerned about. He does not like a government, or blockchain technology, to keep an eye on what the citizen is doing. “That is the end of your personal freedom.” Many viewers also do not seem convinced of Baarsma’s plea and there are still criticisms and concerns about her plan. Of which, according to them, the ‘ordinary citizen’ is mainly the victim.

Do you want to watch the broadcast of Op1? You can find last night’s episode via NPO.

Economist Barbara Baarsma under heavy fire for plan personal CO2 budget: ‘Very derogatory’