Economic instruments for environmental regulation in Africa : an analysis of the efficacy of fuel taxation for pollution control in South Africa

Date

2009

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Centre for Environmental Economics and Policy in Africa (CEEPA), University of Pretoria, Pretoria, ZA

Abstract

Road transport is one of the most serious polluters in South Africa. The study investigates whether fuel pricing policy could be effective in lowering fuel consumption, hence lowering levels of pollution. It discusses the evolution of fuel taxation in South Africa with analysis of its distributional impact. As well, it examines gasoline demand models, assessing fuel demand elasticities. The efficiency of a carbon tax is indicated by emissions reduction. An additional environmental tax on the price of gasoline would take into account the damage to the environment. Currently gasoline taxes account for the cost of road construction and maintenance.

Description

Keywords

AUTOMOBILES, AIR POLLUTION, PETROL, GASOLINE, TAXES, ENERGY DEMAND, ECONOMIC MODELS, SOUTH AFRICA, TAX REFORM, CARBON TAX, ENVIRONMENTAL ECONOMICS, EMISSION CONTROL, SOUTH OF SAHARA, FOSSIL FUELS

Citation

DOI