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Towards more environmental taxes ?

Author

Listed:
  • K. Van Cauter

    (National Bank of Belgium, Research Department)

  • L. Van Meensel

    (National Bank of Belgium, Research Department)

Abstract

The article provides an overview of the use and relevance of environmental taxes in Belgium as well as in Europe. It first of all looks into the implications of opting for environmental taxation compared to more conventional environmental policy instruments. According to the analysis, no increase in proceeds from environmental taxes over the last decade can be found either in Belgium or the EU taken as a whole. The declining trend in the importance of environmental taxes is mainly a result of the decreasing energy intensity of the economy. However, use is being made of a gradually expanding range of environmental taxes on different products. In the article, attention is also paid to the Kyoto Protocol and the emissions trading scheme in the EU. 112 Looking ahead to the future, more work on green taxation should be recommended in order to meet environmental objectives, partly because of budgetary austerity and the “polluter-pays” principle and certainly in view of the greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments that have been entered into.

Suggested Citation

  • K. Van Cauter & L. Van Meensel, 2009. "Towards more environmental taxes ?," Economic Review, National Bank of Belgium, issue iii, pages 75-92, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbb:ecrart:y:2009:m:september:i:iii:p:75-92
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    File URL: https://www.nbb.be/en/articles/towards-more-environmental-taxes-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Stern,Nicholas, 2007. "The Economics of Climate Change," Cambridge Books, Cambridge University Press, number 9780521700801.
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    Cited by:

    1. B. Eugène & P. Bisciari & M. Nautet & P. Stinglhamber & L. Van Meensel, 2013. "Trends in tax systems in the EU," Economic Review, National Bank of Belgium, issue iii, pages 27-45, December.
    2. Juergen Attard & Larissa Vella, "undated". "The role of fiscal policy in climate change mitigation and adaptation in Malta," CBM Policy Papers PP/03/2022, Central Bank of Malta.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    environmental taxes; Kyoto Protocol; environmental policy; Belgium;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H39 - Public Economics - - Fiscal Policies and Behavior of Economic Agents - - - Other
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy

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