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What is eco-tax?
Eco-tax is a fine that people or companies have to pay to the government for harming the environment. If people or companies are doing something to harm their surroundings, they have to pay for it.
What are the different types of eco-tax?
Eco-tax on cars. Anyone that buys a car which burns fossil fuels needs to pay eco-tax. People that buy more environmentally friendly cars, such as those that don’t use fossil fuels, pay much less eco-tax.
Eco-tax on pollution. Companies that cause a lot of air pollution and water pollution need to pay eco-tax.
Eco-tax on land and water use. If people use water or land for something other than what it is naturally meant to be used for, they must pay eco-tax.
Eco-tax on energy. People and companies that use non-renewable energy must pay eco-tax.
How does eco-tax help the environment?
Eco-tax encourages:
People to buy cars that are cleaner to use, so that they can pay less eco-tax.
People and companies to use renewable energy in their homes or places of work.
Companies to be more careful with the amount of pollution they cause.
People and companies to think carefully about how they use our water and land.
What can I do to help?
Ask your parents to:
Compare the difference in energy use and not just price, when buying things like dishwashers or washing machines.
Help you write a letter to a member of your local government, asking them to improve your recycling program so that your neighborhood produces less waste.
Remember...
People who make the environment dirty might pay the fine, but still cause it harm. We should all be motivated by wanting to care for our environment, rather than wanting to avoid taxes.