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Enigin - French Carbon Tax Law To Be Enforced By July 2010

The French high court recently rejected President Sarkozy's law on carbon tax, a few days before it was meant to come into force, claiming it contained too many exemptions which unjustly placed the burden on a minority of consumers.

This came as an embarrassment for the French leader, who had fiercely defended his carbon tax law, describing it as a “revolutionary” contribution to fighting climate change.

Mr. Sarkozy's law was amended by the government, maintaining a tax of €17/tonne, with compensation for households.

However, it still contains exemptions for some "sensitive and energy-intensive sectors"- farmers and fishermen will pay 25% of the normal rate, and road transport and shipping will pay 65%.

The French government says it will hold consultations in February, with businesses and environmentalists, on how to implement the tax, and also that it will push for the new bill to be approved by parliament in time to become law on July 1st.

Should the government be able to apply the new measure, it would make France the biggest economy to apply a direct carbon tax.

The carbon tax law has been subject to much debate and opposition, namely from the leading business association, Medef, who are calling to postpone the law until 2011.

Medef are requesting that the law be implemented only if it is equally introduced across the EU, so as to avoid putting the French industry at a competitive disadvantage.

Public support is also weak, with polls showing just over 50% of voters against it. Environmental groups have also slated the bill, saying it will do little to transform the country into a low carbon economy.

As a more secure way of guaranteeing a reduction in carbon emissions, some specialists promote energy efficiency as the most effective solution.

The public and industry sectors are responsible for 33% of total global emissions, which make them large contributors to pollution. By encouraging the implementation of energy efficiency technology, through companies like Enigin PLC, governments can reduce their country's carbon emissions, in a cost-effective way.

Enigin are operational worldwide and can cater for all the most vital energy sourcing needs, such as lighting, air conditioning and refrigeration for example.

Businesses all over the world can count on Enigin to provide them with the best products in the energy efficiency industry, as well as fantastic customer service for which they are reknowned and solicited worldwide.

A law to make carbon output taxable is a possible solution, provided the conditions are fair, but enabling businesses to become energy efficient via companies like Enigin is an even more beneficial way to go about reducing emissions and fighting climate change, while giving business owners the opportunity to save money on energy bills.

Skepticism is still present regarding Nicolas Sarkozy's carbon tax law, which will be subject to accord from the Parliament.

Thursday 21st January 2010