Climate Protection at Any Cost? Why Kristina Schröder Has Doubts
- 18.06.2026
- Event Review
Dr. Kristina Schröder’s keynote was titled: Whatever the Cost? Why Climate Policy Needs Efficiency.
Climate protection, yes - but by what means? Former German Federal Minister Dr. Kristina Schröder spoke at the Management Forum at FH Kufstein Tirol about efficiency, emissions trading, and the limits of symbolic climate policy.
On June 10, 2026, the Management Forum at FH Kufstein Tirol focused on the relationship between climate protection, economic performance, and social freedom. By welcoming Dr. Kristina Schröder, FH Kufstein Tirol hosted a distinguished expert on social and economic policy issues. The sociologist, who holds a doctorate and previously served as a German Federal Minister, has spent many years examining the effects of political decisions on the economy, society, and individual freedom. In her keynote, she highlighted the importance of cost efficiency for successful climate policy and sparked an in-depth discussion with guests.
Climate Protection Requires Effective Instruments
In her keynote, Whatever the Cost? Why Climate Policy Needs Efficiency, Dr. Kristina Schröder argued that climate policy should be measured more strongly by its effectiveness and cost efficiency. She presented the European Emissions Trading System as an example of a market-based instrument that reduces emissions where this can be achieved at the lowest cost.
Using several examples, Schröder showed that the cost of avoiding one ton of CO₂ can vary significantly depending on the measure. While emissions trading creates a Europe-wide price framework, individual subsidy programs or regulatory interventions can in some cases cause substantially higher costs. In her view, climate policy should therefore be designed more consistently to achieve the greatest possible impact with the resources available.
The Management Forum provided a platform for an in-depth exchange: Prof. (FH) Dr. Anna-Pia Edelmann and Dr. Kristina Schröder discussed effective climate protection, economic competitiveness, and social freedom.
“Climate protection should not only be measured by the goal itself, but also by how efficiently that goal is achieved. If more emissions can be reduced with the same resources, this also strengthens public acceptance of climate protection measures,” emphasized Dr. Kristina Schröder.
Market-Based Approaches at the Center of the Discussion
Another key focus of the lecture was the role of energy policy and emissions trading. Dr. Kristina Schröder argued that market-based instruments can make an important contribution to achieving climate goals efficiently. At the same time, she advocated for thinking about climate policy more in European and global terms in order to reduce emissions where the greatest effects can be achieved.
Following the keynote, participants discussed the challenges of the energy transition, the importance of technological innovation, and the question of how climate protection, economic competitiveness, and individual freedom can be reconciled. The discussion made clear that viable long-term solutions must take both ecological and economic aspects into account.
With the Management Forum, FH Kufstein Tirol continues its tradition of examining current economic and social challenges from different perspectives. The event showed that the question of effective and economically sustainable climate protection remains one of Europe’s key issues for the future.
Links:
- Management Forum Kufstein | Event series