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Reforming the Tax System to Promote Environmental Objectives: An Application to Mauritius

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  • Ian W.H. Parry
Abstract
Fiscal instruments are potentially among the most effective, and cost-effective, options for addressing externalities related to poor air quality, urban road congestion, and greenhouse gases. This paper takes a case study, focused on Mauritius (a pioneer in the use of green taxes) to illustrate how existing taxes, especially on fuels and vehicles, could be reformed to better address these externalities. We discuss, in particular, an explicit carbon tax; a variety of options for reforming vehicle taxes to meet environmental, equity, and revenue objectives; and a progressive transition to usage-based vehicle taxes to address congestion

Suggested Citation

  • Ian W.H. Parry, 2011. "Reforming the Tax System to Promote Environmental Objectives: An Application to Mauritius," IMF Working Papers 2011/124, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2011/124
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    2. Katsiaryna Svirydzenka & Martin Petri, 2017. "Mauritius: The Drivers of Growth – Can the Past Be Extended?," Journal of Banking and Financial Economics, University of Warsaw, Faculty of Management, vol. 2(8), pages 54-83, October.
    3. David Hensher & Corinne Mulley, 2014. "Complementing distance based charges with discounted registration fees in the reform of road user charges: the impact for motorists and government revenue," Transportation, Springer, vol. 41(4), pages 697-715, July.
    4. Joe Ravetz, 2013. "New Futures for Older Ports: Synergistic Development in a Global Urban System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 5(12), pages 1-19, November.
    5. Mr. Luc Eyraud & Ms. Changchang Zhang & Mr. Abdoul A Wane & Mr. Benedict J. Clements, 2011. "Who's Going Green and Why? Trends and Determinants of Green Investment," IMF Working Papers 2011/296, International Monetary Fund.
    6. Kola Benson Ajeigbe & Fortune Ganda & Rawlings Obenembot Enowkenwa, 2024. "Impact of sustainable tax revenue and expenditure on the achievement of sustainable development goals in some selected African countries," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(10), pages 26287-26311, October.
    7. Mahlia, T.M.I. & Tohno, S. & Tezuka, T., 2013. "International experience on incentive program in support of fuel economy standards and labelling for motor vehicle: A comprehensive review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 25(C), pages 18-33.
    8. Goshu Desalegn & Anita Tangl, 2022. "Banning Vs Taxing, Reviewing the Potential Opportunities and Challenges of Plastic Products," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-16, June.
    9. Eyraud, Luc & Clements, Benedict & Wane, Abdoul, 2013. "Green investment: Trends and determinants," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 60(C), pages 852-865.
    10. World Bank, 2017. "Shaping Sustainable Consumption and Production Agenda in Turkey," World Bank Publications - Reports 28580, The World Bank Group.
    11. Yahya F. Anouti & Carol A. Dahl, 2014. "Rationalizing Transport Fuels Pricing Policies and Effects on Global Fuel Consumption, Emissions, Government Revenues and Welfare," Working Papers 2014-01, Colorado School of Mines, Division of Economics and Business.
    12. Parry, Ian W.H., 2012. "Reforming the tax system to promote environmental objectives: An application to Mauritius," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 77(C), pages 103-112.
    13. Jaime de Melo, 2023. "Environmentally-friendly trade policies to shape Mauritius’ future," Working Papers hal-04001711, HAL.
    14. He, Pinglin & Zhang, Shuhao & Wang, Lei & Ning, Jing, 2023. "Will environmental taxes help to mitigate climate change? A comparative study based on OECD countries," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 78(C), pages 1440-1464.
    15. Franklin Obeng-Odoom, 2017. "Urban Governance in Africa Today: Reframing, Experiences, and Lessons," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 48(1), pages 4-21, March.
    16. Yasser A. Al-Rawi & Mohammed Harith Imlus & Yusri Yusup & Sofri Bin Yahya, 2021. "Factors affecting vehicle exhaust emissions, driver motivations as a mediator," Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, Springer;Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - SEEPS, vol. 23(2), pages 361-407, April.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    WP; vehicle tax; ownership tax; price rise; tax system; reform option; tax rate; green taxes; global warming; congestion; vehicle taxes; tax saving; proportional tax; E. vehicle ownership tax; green tax; tax design; vehicle use; vehicle price rise; vehicle exemption; percentage tax; Public expenditure review; Greenhouse gas emissions; Fuel tax; Excises; Global;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth
    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • R48 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Transportation Economics - - - Government Pricing and Policy

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