Earth Equity News

France Pushes For Carbon Tax by July. Climatico, February 20, 2010. "The French government is working towards implementation of a direct carbon tax by July 2010. France's Constitutional Council struck down the first version of the carbon tax bill last December 29. On January 21 the government proposed a number of amendments to the original legislation, which is aimed at encouraging French consumers to be more energy efficient and conscious of their energy decisions. The first version of the bill was meant to take effect on January 1; halting its inception has been greatly embarrassing to Prime Minister, Nicolas Sarkozy. The legislation was deemed unconstitutional due to a large number of sectoral exceptions. The new version of the bill will maintain the originally proposed 17 EUR per ton of carbon dioxide with compensation for households. There has been a reduction in the number of exemptions. Though, certain 'sensitive and energy-intensive sectors' will still receive special exemptions. Farming and fisheries will pay just one-quarter of the normal rate; road transport and shipping, will only pay 65%."