How Do We Move towards a Greener and Socially Equitable Future? Identifying the Trade-Offs of Accepted CO₂ Pricing Revenues in Germany

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a review of the article entitled: "Let's talk about tax! Identifying the trade-offs of accepted CO2 pricing revenues in Germany" I also congratulate the authors (Wiktoria Wilkowska, Mona Frank, Johanna Kluge and Martina Ziefle) for their scientific and meticulous approach to a burning topic of increasing interest: public perception of the CO₂ pricing. This research study covers a very topical and intriguing topic at the same time, which is presented in a logical and persuasive structure. In my opinion, the authors have made a good effort in trying to demystify this topic, which is incendiary in the current economic and social climate. The research idea is very welcome; such studies having the power to facilitate the creation of a basis for the launch of new, much more effective and well-grounded approaches.

The only suggestion I will make relates to part "6.2. Limitations and Future Research" (line 732 to line 740). It is desired, as a research direction, to differentiate the external perspective, being nominated as the target group for the study "other European countries". I think that such an approach is still very limiting which risks becoming irrelevant. Unfortunately, the world is not built as a multitude of balloons where the air quality of each area depends solely on the efforts made by one country or a narrow group of countries (other European countries); the world is one balloon into which everyone pours carbon emissions. The effort must be everyone's. At the moment, although European reduction efforts are ongoing and evident, cumulative (worldwide) emissions are increasing rather than decreasing. In these conditions, due to the growing trade imbalance of the EU-27 countries in relation to China, the "waterbed effect" is quickly turning into a "moving the poles" effect. This effect is similar to "problem externalization" in that it involves the transfer of a difficulty or problem to other parties or domains, so that it is no longer directly addressed or dealt with by those responsible.

In conclusion, after reviewing this paper, I believe that the research is useful and suitable for publication. I also believe that the research effort has been beneficial, and I urge the authors to continue this effort by fleshing it out in future research.

After reviewing this scientific paper, I believe it can be published in its current form. Congratulations again to the authors for their research effort.

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

We would like to thank you very much for your kind endorsement and feedback, which we greatly appreciate. In particular, we are pleased that you share our interest in this important topic and find our methodological approach suitable for investigating it.

We wholeheartedly agree that a socio-environmental transformation is of global importance. CO₂ pricing is an essential part of this transformation. It is true that limiting ourselves to European countries can only be a start; only a holistic, global view and cooperation can help us to meet the challenge of an effective sustainable transition. We have taken up this idea and added it to the end of the Abstract and to the relevant section of the discussion and hope that we have done justice to your important impetus. In addition, we have also expanded the argumentation in the discussion of the results, in line with comments from other reviewers, so that this section may now be more convincing.. 

Finally, we would like to thank you for recommending our work for publication.

Kind regards,

Wiktoria Wilkowska (on behalf of the author group)

Reviewer 2 Report

I have attached the file.

Comments for author File: Comments.pdf

Author Response

Thank you for reviewing our manuscript and your valuable feedback. Please find our responses in the attachment.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

I read the manuscript “Let’s Talk about Tax! Identifying the Trade-Offs of Accepted CO2 Pricing Revenues in Germany”. My suggestions are given below.

-       The methods and models used should be explained in the abstract.

-       References in the Introduction section can be increased.

-       Some figures' quality must be improved. e.g figure 5 should be included in the manuscript with better quality.

-       I suggested that the results be compared with other research.

Minor editing of English language required

Author Response

Dear Reviewer,

Thank you very much for reviewing our manuscript and your valuable suggestions. Please, find our responses in the attached document.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf