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The Vertical and Horizontal Distributive Effects of Energy Taxes: A Case Study of a French Policy

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  • Thomas Douenne

Abstract

This paper proposes a micro-simulation assessment of the distributional impacts of the French carbon tax. It shows that the policy is regressive, but could be made progressive by redistributing the revenue through flat-recycling. However, it would still generate large horizontal distributive effects and harm a significant share of low-income households. The determinants of the tax incidence are characterized precisely, and alternative targeted transfers are simulated on this basis. The paper shows that given the importance of unobserved heterogeneity in the determinants of energy consumption, horizontal distributive effects are much more difficult to tackle than vertical ones.

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  • Thomas Douenne, 2020. "The Vertical and Horizontal Distributive Effects of Energy Taxes: A Case Study of a French Policy," The Energy Journal, , vol. 41(3), pages 231-254, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:enejou:v:41:y:2020:i:3:p:231-254
    DOI: 10.5547/01956574.41.3.tdou
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Molly Espey, 1996. "Explaining the Variation in Elasticity Estimates of Gasoline Demand in the United States: A Meta-Analysis," The Energy Journal, International Association for Energy Economics, vol. 0(Number 3), pages 49-60.
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