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Border adjustments under unilateral carbon pricing: the case of Australian carbon tax

Author

Listed:
  • Mahinda Siriwardana

    (University of New England)

  • Sam Meng

    (University of New England)

  • Judith McNeill

    (University of New England)

Abstract

In the absence of a global agreement to reduce emissions, Australia adopted a carbon tax unilaterally to curb its own emissions. During the debate prior to passing the carbon tax legislation in 2011, there were concerns about the challenge that Australia’s emissions-intensive and trade-exposed (EITE) industries may face in terms of decreasing international competitiveness due to the unilateral nature of the tax and hence the potential for carbon leakage. In order to address these concerns, this paper explores possible border adjustment measures (BAMs) to complement the domestic carbon regulation in Australia using the multi-sector computable general equilibrium approach. We consider four border adjustments: border adjustments on imports based on domestic emissions; border adjustments on exports via a rebate for exports; a domestic production rebate; and full border adjustment on both exports and imports. We compare the numerical simulation results of these scenarios with a no border adjustments scenario from the standpoint of welfare, international competitiveness and carbon leakage. The key finding is that BAMs have a very small impact on the overall economy and on EITE sectors. In other words, the different BAMs have minimal impact on the outcomes of carbon pricing policy. This finding is consistent with studies for EU, USA, Canada and other countries. Hence, we conclude that the border adjustments are ineffective instruments to safeguard EITE industries in Australia.

Suggested Citation

  • Mahinda Siriwardana & Sam Meng & Judith McNeill, 2017. "Border adjustments under unilateral carbon pricing: the case of Australian carbon tax," Journal of Economic Structures, Springer;Pan-Pacific Association of Input-Output Studies (PAPAIOS), vol. 6(1), pages 1-21, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:spr:jecstr:v:6:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1186_s40008-017-0091-x
    DOI: 10.1186/s40008-017-0091-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Banerjee, Suvajit, 2020. "Border vis-à-vis Domestic Carbon Adjustment: Implications of Alternative System Boundary for India to Reduce Carbon Emissions," Conference papers 333129, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    CGE modeling; Emissions; Carbon tax; Carbon leakage; International competitiveness; Border adjustments; Australia;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • F18 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Environment

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