public comment
6 April 2006
The National Treasury has undertaken research and stakeholder consultation
in the area of Environmental Fiscal Reform over the past few years. In October
2002, the Department commissioned a study on environmental taxes. Subsequently,
the department developed a Draft Policy Paper entitled âA Framework for
Considering Market-Based Instruments to Support Environmental Fiscal Reform in
South Africaâ.
The policy paper seeks to outline the role that market-based instruments,
specifically environmentally related taxes and charges, could play in
supporting sustainable development in South Africa, and to provide a framework
for considering their possible application. As the South African economy grows
and imposes increased demands on its environmental assets base, it is vital
that it does so in a sustainable manner and that issues such as poverty,
inequality and international competitiveness are effectively addressed.
The paper focuses and elaborates on the options for environmental fiscal
reform and the policies and measures that could be used to achieve both
environmental and revenue-raising objectives.
The National Treasury hosted a workshop in November 2003 where an initial
discussion document was presented to receive feedback on a proposed
Environmental Fiscal Reform framework. A wide range of representatives
including the various government departments, the private sector,
non-governmental organisations and academia attended the workshop. Most of the
comments received from the different stakeholders were incorporated into the
development of the above-mentioned draft policy paper.
The document is available for public comments on http://www.treasury.gov.za and comments can be
sent to sharlin.hemraj@treasury.gov.za by
Monday, 31 July 2006.
Issued by: National Treasury
6 April 2006
