Energy Taxes and Household Compliance with the Kyoto Protocol

Abstract

The implementation of tax reforms to reduce carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions has become increasingly popular. Nevertheless before prescribing these measures, they should be subject to a cost-benefit analysis. This paper evaluates the effects, in Spain, of a rise in the excise duties on energy to a level equal to the average of the EU-15. To this end, a complete demand model, comprising four energy products and fourteen nonenergy products, is estimated. The results indicate that such a reform, despite the fact that it would reduce CO₂ emissions by 11 million tons per year, would produce efficiency costs of 15.88¢ for each euro collected, causing households an average annual welfare loss of 228. Moreover, the progressivity and redistributive capacity of Spanish indirect taxation would be also reduced. As a result, the private welfare loss arising from the reform would be approximately four times greater than its estimated social benefits.