In view of the corona crisis, restaurateurs fear for their sales again in the cold months. They are therefore demanding that the environmentally harmful patio heaters be allowed again outside. So more guests could be served. The BUND is against the "climate mess".
German restaurateurs are demanding nationwide approval of the partly banned patio heaters in order to be able to serve more guests in their outdoor areas in autumn and winter.
"The municipalities that currently have a ban on patio heaters should suspend it this autumn and winter," said the chief executive of the German Hotel and Restaurant Association (Dehoga), Ingrid Hartges, the "Tagesspiegel". "Hosts who have no other option should be able to use gas mushrooms and electric heaters this winter," said Hartges. One argument in favor of this is that landlords can then place their guests outside in autumn and winter and allow distance rules to be adhered to better.
High carbon dioxide emissions
In many places, the so-called patio heaters are prohibited for environmental reasons. The emitters emit high levels of climate-damaging carbon dioxide. The tourism policy spokesman for the FDP parliamentary group in the Bundestag, Marcel Kling, said: "Mushroom heaters are problematic in terms of environmental policy, but we should allow them to be used responsibly in this exceptional year 2020."
The Greens also consider an exception in the coming winter to be justifiable: "For reasons of climate and environmental policy, we reject the use of patio heaters outside in times when you can sit inside the restaurant or cafe in the normal way," said Bundestag parliamentary group leader Anton Hofreiter. "This winter everything is different and therefore in this special exceptional situation and with a view to health protection I would be in favor of temporarily suspending bans."
However, it remains to be checked which heating technology is the most suitable, said Hofreiter. "Of course, it would be preferable if other options, such as canopies, tents and blankets, were primarily used."
BUND: patio heaters are "climate mess"
The environmental organization BUND strongly rejects the return of the patio heaters. Heating mushrooms are a "climate mess", said BUND energy expert Irmela Colaço. Basically, more climate-friendly standards with reference to the Corona crisis should not be reduced, demanded Colaço: "We must not play off the Corona crisis against the climate crisis."
A single patio heater could produce as much carbon dioxide in one season as a small car in a year. Guests in restaurants and pubs who want to sit outside should put a blanket on themselves.
