Environmental analysis: Micro-tax could save the environment

Environmental laboratory

Environmental analysis: Micro-tax could save the environment

17 May, 2010

Published over 16 years ago. See the latest and most current information on Environmental laboratory.

A micro-tax on petrol could fund improvements in energy efficiency, environmental experts have said.

In the Hartwell Paper, released last week, a group of 14 academics argued that radical change is required to reduce the amount of carbon used.

Successful improvements in energy efficiency and decarbonisation can be achieved by introducing a low carbon tax, according to the authors of the paper including Gwyn Prins, professor at the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE).

She said: "It is simply a small unnoticed tax which doesn't change behaviour but when it's on everything collects quite a bit of money."

The paper states that this tax will enable the expansion of energy access, energy security and reduce the cost of energy, which will help achieve decarbonisation goals.

A few days after the paper's release, new transport secretary Philip Hammond confirmed the coalition government's introduction of a 'fuel price stabiliser', which will involve a rise in fuel duties if the price of petrol and diesel falls.

Posted by Claire Manning

Latest News

IET 36.3 May

Explore our Digital Edition

Discover the latest news and research

Digital edition

Explore Our Other Sites

Labmate Online
GLP-1 obesity drugs linked to clinically relevant blood pressure reductions
Explore more Arrow
Pollution Solutions Online
DNV introduces new framework for measuring onboard carbon capture performance
Explore more Arrow
Petro Online
ABB enables thermal mass flow measurement in safety-critical applications with SIL 2 certification
Explore more Arrow
Chromatography Today
Affordable liquid chromatography solvent delivery pump
Explore more Arrow