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Environmental and wider economic implications of modifications to environmental tax reform
Author(s)
Date Issued
2002-03
Date Available
2009-01-30T16:36:34Z
Abstract
The most common definition of Environmental Tax Reform (ETR) is the use of the revenue from environmental taxes to reduce distortionary labour taxes. However, the PETRAS project has shown that there are a number of social and political impediments to implementing such reform. This paper
firstly outlines some of the environmental and economic implications of environmental taxes generally. It goes on to explore three broad approaches to ETR, based on the allocation of the tax revenues, and explores the environmental and economic implications of each approach and the likelihood of political and social acceptance. Particular attention is paid to ameliorating regressive impacts and impacts on competitiveness. It is concluded that some combination of hypothecating a proportion ofrevenues to environmental projects and diverting rest to reduce labour taxes is probably the best approach in light of the results of the project. The balance should depend upon local labour market and macroeconomic conditions, the extent to which environmental projects are already funded and the extent of government failure. Funding should only provided to environmental projects if it can be shown that, in themselves, they are economically efficient. In addition, it is most important that a proportion of the funds be used to ameliorate any regressive impacts. It is also important to bear in mind that hypothecation or recycling of revenue is not the same as a tax shift, which is a reform of the entire system, so some of these approaches may take away from the integrity of ETR. The paper concludes with some of the initiatives that are likely to be necessary to facilitate social and political acceptance of this approach to ETR.
Type of Material
Working Paper
Publisher
University College Dublin. School of Geography, Planning and Environmental Policy
Series
Environmental Studies Research Series
ESRS/02/01
Copyright (Published Version)
Copyright J.P. Clinch and L.A. Dunne (2002)
Subject – LCSH
Environmental impact charges--Europe
Environmental impact charges--Economic aspects
Environmental impact charges--Political aspects
Language
English
Status of Item
Not peer reviewed
This item is made available under a Creative Commons License
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