Environmental Tax Reform (ETR) - A Policy for Green Growth

* In-depth presentation of a policy that improves the environment at no or low economic cost * Explains the implications of an EU wide environmental tax reform (ETR) on energy/ carbon taxation * Highlights the positive impact of ETR on eco-innovation and how it will help to stimulate the development of new environmental industries * Uses German case studies to show how the reform can be implemented across Europe * Illustrates how tax reform can help Europe meets its targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions Many people have serious concerns about the environment and wonder whether solving environmental problems is compatible with continuing economic growth. This book provides an in-depth exploration of a proposed reform to the national tax system, whereby the burden of taxes is shifted from conventional taxes, such as those levied on labour and capital, to taxes on environmentally related activities, that involve resource use, particularly energy, or environmental pollution. There is some experience of such 'environmental tax reform' (ETR) in Europe, and the book briefly reviews this before considering how a more ambitious ETR in Europe could substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions and material flows through the economy, while stimulating innovation and investment in the key 'clean and green' sectors of the economy which seem likely to play an increasing part in the creation of prosperity in Europe and elsewhere in the future. Case studies of renewable energy, construction, fuel-efficient vehicles, and waste management in Germany show how these fast-growing sectors are making an increasing contribution to employment, output, and exports in the German economy, while improving the environment. The book explores the implications of introducing it on a much wider scale throughout the European Union. A unique modelling exercise, using two macroeconomic models, delivers varied and complementary insights into the economic and environmental results of a large-scale ETR in Europe, and its effects on and implications for the rest of the world. The modelling suggests that such a policy has a key role in the achievement of Europe's targets to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, and, if implemented with cooperative policy in other countries, could significantly reduce global emissions. The book is essential and hopeful reading for anyone who has wondered how, with today's intensifying environmental challenges, economic growth could become more environmentally sustainable. Readership: Academics and researchers interested in environmental policy and climate change. Policy makers, NGOs, think tanks, and businesses engaged in tax policy. Individuals who are concerned about the impact of the economy on the environment.

The Need and Rationale for Environmental Tax Reform 1: Paul Ekins: Introduction to the Issues and the Book 2: Stefan Giljum, Christian Lutz, Ariane Jungnitz, Martin Bruckner, Friedrich Hinterberger: European Resource Use and Resource Productivity in a Global Context 3: Paolo Agnolucci: Energy Consumption and CO² Emissions in the German and British Industrial Sectors 4: Paolo Agnolucci: Is Environmental Tax Reform an Appropriate Policy for Industrial Sectors with Different Energy Intensities? An Analysis of UK Sub-Sectors Experiences in Environmental Tax Reform 5: Stefan Speck, Philip Summerton, Daniel Lee, Kirsten Wiebe: Environmental Taxes and ETRs in Europe: The Current Situation and a Review of the Modelling Literature 6: Petr Sauer, Ondrej Vojácek, Jaroslav Klusák, Jarmila Zimmermannová: Introducing Environmental Tax Reform: the Case of the Czech Republic 7: Paolo Agnolucci: The Effect of the German and UK Environmental Tax Reforms on the Demand for Labour and Energy A European ETR for Growth and Sustainability 8: Terry Barker, Christian Lutz, Bernd Meyer, and Hector Pollitt: Models for Projecting an ETR 9: Terry Barker, Christian Lutz, Bernd Meyer, Hector Pollitt, and Stefan Speck: Modelling an ETR for Europe 10: Daniel Blobel, Holger Gerdes, Hector Pollitt, Jennifer Barton, Thomas Drosdowski, Christian Lutz, Marc Ingo Wolter and Paul Ekins: Implications of ETR in Europe for Household Distribution 11: Stefan Giljum, Christian Lutz, Christine Polzin: Global Economic and Environmental Impacts of an ETR in Europe 12: Martin Jänicke and Roland Zieschank: ETR and the Environment Industry Conclusions 13: Paul Ekins and Stefan Speck: ETR for Green Growth: Summary, Conclusions and Recommendations