An economic approach to environmental protection : Learning from the carbon/energy taxation experiences of the Netherlands and applying it to the Philippines | |
| Author | Kishore, Sunanda |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.AC-99-16 |
| Subject(s) | Environmental protection--Philippines Energy tax--Philippines Climatic changes--Philippines |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. AC-99-16 |
| Abstract | Sound environmental and natural resource policies are a prerequisite for the protection and preservation of the environment. An environmental problem that has continued to occupy the center-stage of global environmental problem on account of rising C02 emissions is that of climate change or global warming and it continues to draw considerable attention on account of its adverse and catastrophic social and environmental implications. The UNFCCC was the first international initiative that evoked an urgency to undertake firm action to decrease the C02 emissions. One of the countries that was characterized by the strongest climate policy portfolio and was seen as a dedicated party to contribute to the stalling of emissions was the Netherlands. It undertook a number of strong policy initiatives like improving energy efficiency, use of cleaner fuels, speed limit for vehicles etc and its main policy character was to involve all sectors and sections of society to enable meeting its target objective. One of the policy efforts was the implementation of the Regulatory Energy Tax on natural gas and electricity in 1996 to enable and involve the multitude to small-scale users to increase their energy efficiency and lower their emissions level. It was based on a simple mechanism wherein the tax. was collected on the energy and carbon content and the revenue generated was recycled back to the people with sufficient exemptions so as to ensure tax neutrality and that the net impact of the tax on the people was minimal and in certain instances zero. This combination of regulatory mechanisms and economic instruments have proved quite successful in various developed countries. Although the developing countries under the UNFCCC are not committed to stalling their emission levels, however, with the rising emissions in these countries, the graveness regarding the climate change problem and their quest for sustainable development has made them aware of that certain policy initiatives are needed on their behalf as well. The Philippines is one such developing country that realizes the gravity of the situation and has taken a number of policy initiatives like the ALGAS project, AIJ mechanisms, shift to cleaner fuels etc. It is also currently trying to review a set of economic instruments to stall its C02 emissions. The use of a similar tax in the developing countries may seem as a feasible economic instrument for stalling C02 emissions and improve energy efficiency. However, a number of obstacles like that of equity, competitiveness, macroeconomic effects, the level at which the tax must be set, tax base, tax neutrality options, feasible and most appropriate recycling options etc will be faced be a developing country. This study illuminates on the various obstacles that may be faced by the developing country and tries to assess the feasibility of implementing the carbon/energy taxation in the developing countries like the Philippines. |
| Year | 1999 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology.|tThesis ;|vno. AC-99-16 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development |
| Department | Department of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources (Former title: Department of Food Agriculture, and BioResources (DFAB)) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Agricultural, Conservation and Rural Development (AC) |
| Chairperson(s) | Remigio, A. A.; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shivakoti, G. P.;Thanwa, J.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Partial (Internal Donor) AITAA; |
| Degree | Thesis (M.Sc.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 1999 |