Carbon Taxation

Carbon Taxation

Earthlife Africa Johannesburg supports National Treasury’s efforts to install a carbon tax in South Africa. In principle, a carbon tax is one of the methods required for successful mitigation globally and for reduction of carbon emissions within the Republic. However, we do not support carbon trading and think that National Treasury would be wise to stay away from any emissions trading scheme.

In 2013, the South African government announced the introduction of a carbon tax. The price tag is planned to be R120 per ton of carbon dioxide-equivalent and it would be implemented from January 1, 2015. And while the proposed carbon tax should ensure that the true cost of carbon intensive industries are included in their costing, its implementation will offer exemptions for exactly these industries.