http://www.euractiv.com/en/climate-environment/britain-set-veto-eu-carbon-tax-plans-news-504022
It would require member states to tax fuel (for transport and heating) at a minimum of 20 euros / tonne (about 0.015 euros / litre of petrol).
It's a step in the right direction but international aviation and shipping are excluded.
Also this is the stick method, what about the carrot ?
The idea of carbon quotas or being rewarded for using less fuel would be more effective (apparently in Germany individuals who reduce their gas-consumption below a certain level can sell this amount on a carbon-trading market - based on Kyoto principles). See further explanation on : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_carbon_trading
There is a carbon-credit-card experiment currently going on in Norfolk Island (Australia) :
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/energy-smart/islanders-lead-world-on-personal-carbon-test-scheme-20101026-172ea.html
http://www.abeldanger.net/2010/10/oxford-university-experiment-personal.html
What do you think, should individuals pay a carbon tax / have a carbon-quota ?
Yes. Everyone must share in this effort, and we need Government to put it on the scale that will make change.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Henry.
ReplyDeleteIs such a tax on the cards in USA ?