Share

Centre for Tax Policy and Administration

book

Taxation, Innovation and the Environment

Solving the world’s environmental problems could take a significant toll on economic growth if only today’s technologies are available. We know that  innovation – the creation and adoption of new cleaner technologies and know-how – provides a means to achieve local and global environmental goals at significantly lower costs. Innovation is also a major driver of economic growth.   OECD governments are increasingly using environmentally related taxes because they are typically one of the most effective policy tools available. Exploring the relationship between environmentally related taxation and innovation is critical to understanding the full impacts of this policy instrument as well as one potential facet of “green growth.” By putting a price on pollution, do environmentally related taxes spur innovation? What types of innovation result? Does the design of the tax play a critical role? What is the effect of this innovation?  In analysing these questions, this report draws on case studies that cover Japan, Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, Israel and others. It covers a wide set of environmental issues and technologies, as well as the economic and policy contexts. The research methods range from econometric analysis to interviews with business owners and executives. The report also explores the use of environmentally related taxes in OECD countries and outlines considerations for policymakers when implementing these taxes.  Green growth policies can stimulate economic growth while preventing environmental degradation, biodiversity loss and unsustainable natural resource use. The results from this publication will contribute to the Green Growth Strategy being developed by the OECD as a practical policy package for governments to harness the potential of greener growth.  

Published on October 13, 2010Also available in: Spanish, French, Chinese

SUMMARIESavailable in 3 languages

English Taxation, Innovation and the Environment (Summary in English)
French Taxation, Innovation and the Environment (Summary in French)
Chinese Taxation, Innovation and the Environment (Summary in Chinese)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Foreword
Abbreviations
Executive Summary
Introduction
Current Use of Environmentally Related Taxation
Effectiveness of Environmentally Related Taxation on Innovation
Tax Design Considerations and other Tax-based Instruments
A Guide to Environmentally Related Taxation for Policy Makers
Case Studies9 chapters available
Annex A. Sweden's Charge on NOx Emissions
Annex B. Water Pricing in Israel
Annex C. Cross-country Fuel Taxes and Vehicle Emission Standards
Annex D. Switzerland's Tax on Volatile Organic Compounds
Annex E. R&D and Environmental Investments Tax Credits in Spain
Annex F. Korea's Emission Trading System for NOx and SOx
Annex G. UK Firms' Innovation Responses to Public Incentives: An Interview-based Approach
Annex H. The UK's Climate Change Levy and Climate Change Agreements: An Econometric Approach
Annex I. Japan's Tax on SOx Emissions
Powered by OECD iLibrary