Edgar Morgenroth: Fossil fuel bans could deflect us from effective non-coercive policies

Adjusting taxes so that prices reflect the wider costs of using fossil fuels would lead to more efficient decision-making

Having to resort to a ban is a sign of having failed to convince people of the need to change behaviours. Stock picture: Niall Carson/PA

Increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from transport have led to calls for immediate bans on SUVs, cars in cities, and private jets in Ireland. Similar calls are emerging in other countries.

In Germany, a government proposal to ban new oil and gas heating systems from 2024 was leaked to the public, which, following a public outcry was substantially, amended.