There may not have been any mention of environmental sustainability in Trevor Manual's Budget Speech, but Treasury has stated that, "Climate change requires both global and domestic policy responses. Internationally government is playing an important role in the post-2012 Kyoto negotiations process. At the domestic level, environmental challenges are likely to be aggravated by economic growth if natural resources are not adequately managed. While everyone feels the effects of environmental degradation, the impact of such deterioration on poor communities ... is often severe." Tax incentives in South Africa will affect the following:
- Energy efficiency (cleaner production): e.g. charging a levy on incandescent light bulbs
- Reduce plastic pollution: e.g. charging a higher levy on plastic bags
- Reduce air pollution: e.g. primary certified emissions reductions (CERs) tax exempt
- Reduce CO2 emissions: e.g. higher tax on 4x4 vehicles, higher international air passenger departure tax
Read a full account by Project 90x2030 at: http://www.90x2030.org.za/view.asp?ItemID=8&tname=tblComponent5&oname=News&pg=front