This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/europe/8248392.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| France set to impose carbon tax | France set to impose carbon tax |
| (21 minutes later) | |
| French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced plans for a new carbon tax aimed at combating global warming. | French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced plans for a new carbon tax aimed at combating global warming. |
| The tax will be introduced next year and will cover the use of oil, gas and coal, he said. | The tax will be introduced next year and will cover the use of oil, gas and coal, he said. |
| The new tax will be set at 17 euros (£15) per ton of emitted carbon dioxide (CO2). It will be phased in gradually. | The new tax will be set at 17 euros (£15) per ton of emitted carbon dioxide (CO2). It will be phased in gradually. |
| It will apply to households as well as enterprises, but not to the heavy industries and power firms included in the EU's emissions trading scheme. | It will apply to households as well as enterprises, but not to the heavy industries and power firms included in the EU's emissions trading scheme. |
| Mr Sarkozy said revenues from the new tax would be ploughed back into taxpayers' pockets through cuts in other taxes and "green cheques". | Mr Sarkozy said revenues from the new tax would be ploughed back into taxpayers' pockets through cuts in other taxes and "green cheques". |
| The carbon tax plans have already encountered stiff opposition across the political spectrum. | The carbon tax plans have already encountered stiff opposition across the political spectrum. |
| France's Le Monde newspaper says the tax will cover 70% of the country's carbon emissions and bring in about 4.3bn euros (£3.8bn) of revenue annually. | France's Le Monde newspaper says the tax will cover 70% of the country's carbon emissions and bring in about 4.3bn euros (£3.8bn) of revenue annually. |
| Mr Sarkozy insists the new tax is all about persuading the French to change their habits and cut energy consumption, the BBC's Emma Jane Kirby reports from Paris. | |
| Critics say it is just a ploy to boost ailing state finances. | |
| Two-thirds of French voters say they are opposed to the new levy, fearing they will struggle to pay higher bills. |