Emissions tax ‘may be counterproductive’

Like many others, the Dutch government wants to encourage companies to be greener. But is a tax on emissions the answer? Erik te Roller talks to Tjeerd Jongsma, director of the Institute for Sustainable Process Technology.

Last week, the Dutch government decided to impose a tax on the 300 companies in the Netherlands that emit the most carbon dioxide. The goal is to force these companies to speed up their emissions reductions.

The public has largely welcomed the measure. With the proceeds of the levy, the government could support the development of sustainable technology and take steps to combat climate change.