The right to access energy and the implementation of carbon tax in the context of climate protection law

The climate crisis is increasingly exerting a significant influence on modern life, shaping daily habits and impacting the fulfillment of basic needs in various forms. As a result, climate protection law plays a central role in combating climate change, while the relationship between climate and fundamental rights has gained greater importance. One critical area where climate protection law and fundamental rights intersect dynamically is the right to access energy. This right is pivotal for individuals' social and economic development and has clear implications for societal welfare levels. However, the right to access energy faces a significant threat: the contribution of energy consumption to climate change. At this point, the carbon tax emerges as an effective financial instrument for climate protection, assigning the environmental costs of energy use to energy products. Carbon taxes, which are heavily applied in the energy sector and are expected to become even more widespread, pose a particular risk to vulnerable groups such as rural populations, impoverished communities, and fragile groups in developing countries due to the additional financial burden imposed on their access to energy. Therefore, a detailed examination of the effects of carbon taxes on the right to access energy has become a necessity. The aim of this study is to analyze the implementation of carbon taxes to ensure that they do not harm fundamental rights and to propose solutions that guarantee fair and sustainable access to energy for individuals. Within this framework, the study seeks to develop effective solutions to maintain the balance between climate protection law and fundamental rights. In doing so, the functionality of the carbon tax as a powerful tool in the fight against the climate crisis will be preserved, while fundamental rights will be safeguarded, thereby reinforcing the principle of social justice.