Brussels, 28/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - The Commission has published a study on the impact of energy taxation in the enlarged EU. The study aims to analyse the way implementation of European energy taxation policies affect Member States and the contribution of energy taxation policies to environmental objectives.
According to the study, Member States would benefit from common energy and carbon taxation policies, as they would reach higher levels of employment and social protection if they used the proceeds of this taxation to reduce social security contributions from employers. A common EU tax on carbon would, according to the study, be the most economical way to attain the objectives of the European climate policy. Nonetheless, the authors of the study say, it would have a somewhat negative impact on the competitiveness of certain high energy consuming sectors. The study is available on the website of the Directorate General for Taxation and Customs Union.