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Taxing Energy Use 2019
Using Taxes for Climate Action
Well-designed systems of energy taxation encourage citizens and investors to favour
clean over polluting energy sources. In particular, fuel excise and carbon taxes are
simple and cost-effective tools to curb dangerous climate change. Energy and carbon
taxes also contribute to limiting health damage from local pollution. Taxing Energy
Use (TEU) 2019 presents a snapshot of where countries stand in deploying energy and
carbon taxes, tracks progress made, and makes actionable recommendations on how governments
could do better. The report contains new and original data on energy and carbon taxes
in OECD and G20 countries, and in international aviation and maritime transport.
Global energy consumption rose strongly in 2018, and so did energy-related CO2 emissions, which reached a new all-time high. This is disconcerting, as meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement will require deep cuts in emissions.
Taxing Energy Use 2019 presents a snapshot of where countries stand in deploying energy and carbon taxes, tracks progress made, and makes actionable recommendations on how governments could do better. Tax rates and tax coverage are detailed by country, sector, energy source and tax type.
The use of a common methodology ensures full comparability of tax rates and structures across countries. Summary indicators facilitate cross-country comparisons. The Taxing Energy Use 2019 brochure highlights key facts and figures that are featured in the publication, due to be released mid-October 2019.
On 15 October, Jonas Teusch from the OECD Centre for Tax Policy and Administration discussed the key findings from the OECD publication, Taxing Energy Use 2019, which presents new and original data on energy and carbon taxes in OECD and G20 countries, and in international aviation and maritime transport.
Global energy consumption rose strongly in 2018 along with energy-related CO2 emissions, reaching a new all-time high. This is disconcerting, as meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement will require deep cuts in emissions. Taxing polluting sources of energy is an effective way to curb emissions that harm the planet and human health. Where do countries stand in deploying energy and carbon taxes to reach environmental and climate goals? How can governments step up efforts?
Taxing Energy Use provides unique information on energy and carbon taxes in OECD and G20 countries. Tax rates and tax base coverage are detailed by country, sector, energy source and tax type. The use of a common methodology ensures full comparability of tax rates and structures across countries. Summary indicators facilitate cross-country comparisons. Well-designed energy tax systems encourage citizens and investors to favour clean over polluting energy sources. Reforming energy tax systems is a key component in the fight against climate change and delivers co-benefits in the form of reduced health damages from local air pollution. The series enables policy makers and the general public to keep track of progress made and identify opportunities for improving energy and carbon price signals.