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Environmental Fiscal Reform and Fiscal Consolidation

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  • Alfredo M. Pereira
  • Rui M. Pereira

Abstract

This article explores the capacity for environmental fiscal reform to reduce carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions, stimulate economic performance, and promote fiscal sustainability. Simulation results suggest that reforms based on CO 2 taxation stimulate gross domestic product (GDP) when tax revenues are used to promote private or public investment and stimulate employment when used to finance reductions in personal income taxation or firms’ social security contributions. More generally, reforms allow for reductions in the costs of climate policy, a weaker realization of the second dividend. In addition, several reforms lead to reductions in public debt, the realization of a third dividend. When political constraints on reducing public spending are considered, however, this third dividend only materializes when revenues finance public investment or reductions in the firms’ social security contributions. Overall, our results suggest that low growth and high public debt need not be regarded as hindrances for environmental fiscal reform but can actually be seen as catalysts.

Suggested Citation

  • Alfredo M. Pereira & Rui M. Pereira, 2014. "Environmental Fiscal Reform and Fiscal Consolidation," Public Finance Review, , vol. 42(2), pages 222-253, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:pubfin:v:42:y:2014:i:2:p:222-253
    DOI: 10.1177/1091142113485803
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    Cited by:

    1. Hájek, Miroslav & Zimmermannová, Jarmila & Helman, Karel & Rozenský, Ladislav, 2019. "Analysis of carbon tax efficiency in energy industries of selected EU countries," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    2. Alfredo M. Pereira & Rui M. Pereira, 2017. "Reducing carbon emissions in Portugal: the relative roles of fossil fuel prices, energy efficiency, and carbon taxation," Journal of Environmental Planning and Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 60(10), pages 1825-1852, October.
    3. Maruf Rahman Maxim & Kerstin Zander, 2019. "Can a Green Tax Reform Entail Employment Double Dividend in European and non-European Countries? A Survey of the Empirical Evidence," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 9(3), pages 218-228.
    4. Pereira, Alfredo & Pereira, Rui, 2017. "On the Effect of an Increase in the VAT on Electricity in Portugal," MPRA Paper 77594, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Maruf Rahman Maxim, 2020. "Environmental fiscal reform and the possibility of triple dividend in European and non-European countries: evidence from a meta-regression analysis," Environmental Economics and Policy Studies, Springer;Society for Environmental Economics and Policy Studies - SEEPS, vol. 22(4), pages 633-656, October.
    6. Pereira, Alfredo & Pereira, Rui, 2016. "On the Optimal Use of Revenues from a CO2 Tax and the Importance of Labor Market Conditions," MPRA Paper 77630, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    7. Vít Pászto & Jarmila Zimmermannová & Jolana Skaličková & Judit Sági, 2020. "Spatial Patterns in Fiscal Impacts of Environmental Taxation in the EU," Economies, MDPI, vol. 8(4), pages 1-18, November.
    8. Rodríguez, Miguel & Robaina, Margarita & Teotónio, Carla, 2019. "Sectoral effects of a Green Tax Reform in Portugal," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 408-418.
    9. Alfredo Marvao Pereira & Rui Marvao Pereira, 2019. "Achieving the triple dividend in Portugal: a dynamic general-equilibrium evaluation of a carbon tax indexed to emissions trading," Journal of Economic Policy Reform, Taylor and Francis Journals, vol. 22(2), pages 148-163, April.
    10. Pereira, Alfredo M. & Pereira, Rui M. & Rodrigues, Pedro G., 2016. "A new carbon tax in Portugal: A missed opportunity to achieve the triple dividend?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 110-118.
    11. Pereira, Alfredo Marvão & Pereira, Rui Manuel, 2018. "A lower vat rate on electricity in Portugal: Towards a cleaner environment, better economic performance, and less inequality," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 1-13.
    12. Pereira, Alfredo & Pereira, Rui, 2017. "The Role of Electricity for the Decarbonization of the Portuguese Economy - DGEP Technical Report," MPRA Paper 84782, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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