13 år sedan
Carbon tax generates interest in Spain
Ecotaxes and green tax shift policies are en vogue. At least in Spain, where the annual Global Conference on Environmental Taxation is held on the 20th-21st October. Ahead of the conference an extensive report on “Green Taxation in Europe” (Fiscalidad verde en Europa) has been released, including a contribution from Global Utmaning discussing the Swedish tax switching experience .
On the 16th of March 2011, Allan Larsson participated at The New Economic Forum i Madrid with a presentation of An International Climate Investment Community . His participation has led to an intensified dialogue between Sweden and Spain on the subject of green economy and ecotaxes.
Susanne Åkerfeldt and Henrik Hammar from the tax and customs department at the Swedish Minstry of Finance have contributed with a chapter called CO2 Taxation in Sweden – 20 Years of Experience and Looking Ahead to the book on green taxation presented by the former President of the European Parliament, Enrique Baron Crespo.
Carbon tax as part of a broader reform
Åkerfeldt’s and Hammar’s contribution describes how the Swedish carbon tax was introduced as part of a broader tax reform, with gradual tax shifting taking place from the year 1991 and onwards. During this process the risk for carbon leakages was handled through tax adjustments for certain industries.
“We’re very happy for the interest coming out of Spain on this issue” says Susanne Åkerfeldt. Previously carbon taxes have not been on the political agenda in Spain, so this is really a big step in the right direction.
