France Announces Creation Of Domestic Coal Tax, Push For Carbon Tax - AFP

[hatrack]

The French government came out fighting against industrial pollution Monday, saying it would establish a domestic coal tax and push with European partners for a carbon tax on industrial goods from countries that ignore the Kyoto Protocol. Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said the coal tax and a 10-percent increase in taxation of industrial and air transport pollution would take effect on January 1.

France would present European partners with proposals early next year for a "carbon tax" on imports of industrial goods from countries that "refused to commit themselves in favor of the Kyoto Protocol after 2012", he added. Villepin outlined the measures following a French ministerial meeting on sustainable development.

The Kyoto protocol requires industrialised countries to reduce emissions of six greenhouse gases by 5.2 percent by 2008-2012 compared with their 1990 levels. UN-sponsored talks are underway now in Nairobi to reshape the agreement for the period after 2012 and include rapidly developing economies not bound by the original text.

In remarks on the French coal and industrial pollution taxes, Villepin said: "We have decided to reinforce the principle of 'polluter-payer'. "We are creating a tax on coal and are raising taxes on industrial pollution and wastes by 10 percent."

EDIT

http://www.terradaily.com/2006/061113130420.mp59oags.html

[YankeyMCC]

1. I like the thinking here

start charging the nations that are burning up/using up global ecological capital (like the ozone layer, temperature distribution, fisheries) when they refuse to follow along with agreed international actions to solve the problems.

[baltlib]

2. my problem is...

if this kicks in the electric hungary US will have to convert to either

natural gas ( more then now ) which will drive up home heating costs or lead to more drilling

nuclear, with its problems

solar which is a long way from being affordable when it comes to end user cost

wind, which 90 % of the US does not have enough of

[Nihil]

3. Damn good idea ... wish Blair was listening ... (n/t)