Are taxes as instruments the right way to go to achieve an environmental goal?
Background
From July 1, there will be a new tax on chemicals in some electronic products (TVs, mobiles, tablets, white goods, etc.). The purpose of the tax is to reduce the occurrence, spread and exposure of hazardous flame retardants in people's home environment. Technically, it is the electronics that are taxed, but it is the chemicals in the products that the tax is supposed to target. However, consumers who buy goods directly from other countries are not affected by the chemical tax. The chemical tax is due from any business that manufactures the goods in Sweden, or brings it into Sweden from elsewhere in the EU, or from outside the EU via import.
Many have been positive, but there has also been hard criticism. During the seminar, the new chemical tax will be used as an example to highlight basic issues regarding taxes as a means of achieving an environmental goal. The seminar begins with brief introductions to the subject and is followed by a conversation to discuss the pros and cons of the new chemical tax.
Participants
Moderator: Pernilla Rendahl, the FRAM centre at the University of Gothenburg
Åsa Romson, Member of Parliament, Chairman of the EU Committee (MP)
Mikael Karlsson, President, The European Environmental Bureau
Susann Lundström, Partner KPMG
Organizer
FRAM - Centre for Future Chemical Risk Analysis and Management (FRAM) at the University of Gothenburg
Contact
Dr. Åsa Arrhenius, the FRAM Center
Coordinator
E-mail: asa.arrhenius@gu.se
Format
One-hour seminar with a brief introductory to the subject by the moderator and FRAM researcher: Pernilla Rendahl. This is followed by a panel discussion with guests.
Time and place
Tuesday, July 4 at. 12.00-13.00 (Västsvenska arenan, Almedalen)