Position paper - Green taxation

On 14 July 2021, the Commission presented the first series of adopted files under the 'Fit for 55' package. This includes a revision of the Energy Taxation Directive, where Commission encourages Member States - as part of their national recovery efforts - to design appropriate green taxes that can raise revenue and remove fossil-fuel subsidies while ensuring that those who pollute or waste bear the consequences of their actions (the ‘polluter pays’ principle). The primary purpose of environmental tax measures should be to address clearly defined, science-based environmental objectives rather than simply raising revenue. Hence, at AmCham EU we have outlined some key recommendations to ensure that these tax reforms are coherent, pro-growth and avoid inhibiting private sector investment and innovation.