An analysis of carbon tax and other environmental levies: a South African and international perspective
- Authors: Vuzane, Rolihlahla
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Carbon taxes , Carbon taxes -- South Africa , Environmental impact charges , Environmental impact charges -- South Africa , Taxation -- Environmental aspects , Taxation -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167676 , vital:41502
- Description: As a “Non-Annex 1” country, there was no obligation for South Africa to reduce its carbon emissions. South Africa undertook, of its own volition, to take measures to reduce 34% of the carbon monoxide emissions by 2020 and 42% by 2025 respectively. In response, South Africa promulgated the Carbon Tax Act, No. 15 of 2019. This study seeks to answer the question: After analysing the range of environmental taxes levied in the Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) and in South Africa, are there lessons that can be learnt for South Africa? In answering this question, the carbon tax structure in South Africa and in selected Scandinavian countries is analysed, together with existing environmental taxes and the related policies, using a literature study. What is evident from the Scandinavian countries studied, is that environmental taxes have distributional effects and are effective in reducing carbon emissions. The major result of the study was that the real weakness of the newly introduced Carbon Tax Act is that in both in the first and second phase of its implementation, the carbon tax rate is too low to send an appropriate signal to the market and would not have the desired outcome. In addition, there are currently no guidelines that inform the revenue recycling technique to ensure transparency of revenue usage, improved energy management, or how the Carbon Tax Act will promote environmental quality. A major concern is that carbon tax revenue will not be ring-fenced. Given that South Africa is a developing country and depends mainly on non-renewable energy, it is inevitable that most of its sectors will be subject to the carbon tax. A plausible approach is the one that promotes the idea of taxing those more heavily that contribute most to environmental degradation and are highly energy concentrated, to promote parity between the harm to the environment and the taxes levied to redress the harm.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
- Authors: Vuzane, Rolihlahla
- Date: 2020
- Subjects: Carbon taxes , Carbon taxes -- South Africa , Environmental impact charges , Environmental impact charges -- South Africa , Taxation -- Environmental aspects , Taxation -- Environmental aspects -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MCom
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/167676 , vital:41502
- Description: As a “Non-Annex 1” country, there was no obligation for South Africa to reduce its carbon emissions. South Africa undertook, of its own volition, to take measures to reduce 34% of the carbon monoxide emissions by 2020 and 42% by 2025 respectively. In response, South Africa promulgated the Carbon Tax Act, No. 15 of 2019. This study seeks to answer the question: After analysing the range of environmental taxes levied in the Scandinavian countries (Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) and in South Africa, are there lessons that can be learnt for South Africa? In answering this question, the carbon tax structure in South Africa and in selected Scandinavian countries is analysed, together with existing environmental taxes and the related policies, using a literature study. What is evident from the Scandinavian countries studied, is that environmental taxes have distributional effects and are effective in reducing carbon emissions. The major result of the study was that the real weakness of the newly introduced Carbon Tax Act is that in both in the first and second phase of its implementation, the carbon tax rate is too low to send an appropriate signal to the market and would not have the desired outcome. In addition, there are currently no guidelines that inform the revenue recycling technique to ensure transparency of revenue usage, improved energy management, or how the Carbon Tax Act will promote environmental quality. A major concern is that carbon tax revenue will not be ring-fenced. Given that South Africa is a developing country and depends mainly on non-renewable energy, it is inevitable that most of its sectors will be subject to the carbon tax. A plausible approach is the one that promotes the idea of taxing those more heavily that contribute most to environmental degradation and are highly energy concentrated, to promote parity between the harm to the environment and the taxes levied to redress the harm.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2020
An analysis of the role of tax legislation in promoting sustainability in the mining industry: a South African, Australian and United Kingdom perspective
- Authors: Murahwi, Tadiwanashe Don
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Mineral industries Taxation Law and legislation South Africa , Mineral industries Taxation Law and legislation Australia , Mineral industries Taxation Law and legislation United Kingdom , Mineral industries Sustainable methods , Abandoned mined lands reclamation , Environmental impact charges
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479506 , vital:78319
- Description: The mining industry contributes significantly to South Africa’s economy, but is fraught with controversies due to its negative environmental, economic, and social impacts. Although tax measures are established to offset these negative externalities, the role of tax provisions in promoting sustainability within South Africa’s mining sector remains underexplored. The goal of this study is to analyse the tax provisions aimed at promoting sustainability in the mining industry in South Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom, in order to identify tax provisions applying in Australia and the United Kingdom that could be introduced into South African tax legislation to strengthen the sustainability of the mining industry. In addressing the goal of the research, the thesis outlines the socio-economic and environmental impacts of mining in South Africa, discusses the sustainability discourse surrounding the industry, and analyses and compares tax provisions promoting sustainability in South Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom. An interpretative qualitative research methodology was applied in the study. The research highlighted the significant environmental degradation caused by mining, including air and water pollution, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, while also noting the socio-economic consequences, particularly for local communities and vulnerable groups. South African tax legislation, such as the Income Tax Act, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act, and the Carbon Tax Act, aim to promote mine rehabilitation, fair taxation, contribution to the fiscus, and a reduction in emissions. What is evident from the analysis of tax provisions in Australia and the United Kingdom is that tax measures go beyond mine rehabilitation, and address issues such as tax transparency, energy consumption, and community investments, promoting sustainability by balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship. The study concludes that current tax interventions primarily address environmental degradation while neglecting the social impacts of mining. Optimizing tax policies to enhance sustainability requires a comprehensive, balanced approach that addresses environmental, economic, and social aspects, including adopting practices from Australia and the United Kingdom to promote tax transparency, community investment, and environmental protection. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Accounting, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
- Authors: Murahwi, Tadiwanashe Don
- Date: 2025-04-04
- Subjects: Mineral industries Taxation Law and legislation South Africa , Mineral industries Taxation Law and legislation Australia , Mineral industries Taxation Law and legislation United Kingdom , Mineral industries Sustainable methods , Abandoned mined lands reclamation , Environmental impact charges
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/479506 , vital:78319
- Description: The mining industry contributes significantly to South Africa’s economy, but is fraught with controversies due to its negative environmental, economic, and social impacts. Although tax measures are established to offset these negative externalities, the role of tax provisions in promoting sustainability within South Africa’s mining sector remains underexplored. The goal of this study is to analyse the tax provisions aimed at promoting sustainability in the mining industry in South Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom, in order to identify tax provisions applying in Australia and the United Kingdom that could be introduced into South African tax legislation to strengthen the sustainability of the mining industry. In addressing the goal of the research, the thesis outlines the socio-economic and environmental impacts of mining in South Africa, discusses the sustainability discourse surrounding the industry, and analyses and compares tax provisions promoting sustainability in South Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom. An interpretative qualitative research methodology was applied in the study. The research highlighted the significant environmental degradation caused by mining, including air and water pollution, biodiversity loss, and land degradation, while also noting the socio-economic consequences, particularly for local communities and vulnerable groups. South African tax legislation, such as the Income Tax Act, Mineral and Petroleum Resources Royalty Act, and the Carbon Tax Act, aim to promote mine rehabilitation, fair taxation, contribution to the fiscus, and a reduction in emissions. What is evident from the analysis of tax provisions in Australia and the United Kingdom is that tax measures go beyond mine rehabilitation, and address issues such as tax transparency, energy consumption, and community investments, promoting sustainability by balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship. The study concludes that current tax interventions primarily address environmental degradation while neglecting the social impacts of mining. Optimizing tax policies to enhance sustainability requires a comprehensive, balanced approach that addresses environmental, economic, and social aspects, including adopting practices from Australia and the United Kingdom to promote tax transparency, community investment, and environmental protection. , Thesis (MCom) -- Faculty of Commerce, Accounting, 2025
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2025-04-04
- «
- ‹
- 1
- ›
- »