WEBINAR: Safeguarding low income groups through green transition with fiscal reform

DATE: 8th April
TIME: 15:00-16:10 Central European time (Stockholm, Amsterdam)
SUBJECT: Fiscal reform to safeguard the most vulnerable during green transition
MAIN SPEAKER: Dr. Flavio Gazzani, University of Rome and TSSEF 2020 stipendium awardee.
MAIN CONTENTS: Dr. Gazzani will present his recent paper “Transition to social-ecological sustainability using the environmental fiscal reform”
Available from the International Journal of Social Economics
MODERATOR: Stephen Hinton, from the University of Gävle, Sweden
SPECIAL GUEST: Anders Höglund, Originator of the flexible fee and dividend mechanism
DETAILS: Event will be held via Zoom
REGISTRATION: is free. Please use the form below.

Dr. Flavio Gazzani

We have heard it said many times: “raising prices on things that hurt the environment hurts vulnerable people“. But does that have to be so? Dr Gazzanis’ recent paper, published in the International Journal of Social Economics concludes that flexible fee and dividend mechanisms of the kind proposed by the Swedish Sustainable Economy Foundation, where economic activities that end up polluting are subject to an environmental levy, could ensure that low-income groups can be supported throughout the transition to sustainability. Indeed, tax reform and clear communication in conjunction with the introduction of the mechanisms could support all income levels in making sustainable choices in terms of purchases, services and lifestyle.

Stephen Hinton

This webinar will dive deeply into how fee and dividend mechanisms remove the effects of price distortions from interventions to price out pollution and other externalities.

Stephen Hinton, Webinar moderator

The paper investigates three applications

The study looked at three applications of the flexible fee and dividend mechanism: a land ecological function fee, a flexible component of VAT that can be raised and lowered to stabilise demand, and a fee on introduction of risk substances into the economy.

With the existing body of economic literature on price signals as the starting point, and the three application areas in focus,  Dr. Gazzani has explored the efficacy of using fees to internalize negative externalities, i e hidden costs, thus correcting the market price signals and creating positive driving forces on the market. These fees are increased at regular intervals until the market conforms to the agreed standards. The money collected is distributed equally as dividends to all taxpayers. 

Dr. Gazzani found that whilst many studies have indicated reducing the relative prices of green products will boost their sales, (and thereby the environmental performance of society) the flexible fee and dividend mechanism has the potential to robustly drive a cost-efficient and socially responsible transition. Together with clear communication from governments, the dividends can ensure that low-income categories will be both favourable to the changes and favoured economically. The mechanism will create reliable price-signals removing the harmful effects of long-term price distortions from earlier, insufficient or non-existent, measures to price out pollution and other externalities.

Anders Höglund

Special guest Anders Höglund will participate in the panel following the presentation of Dr. Gazzanis paper.

“For nearly 30 years I have been trying to explain the flexible fee mechanism with sufficient and equal Dividends – unfortunately with a very limited response. Today, I see a new beginning and a research field with great potential to help us create a truly economical economy as a driving force towards a sustainable future”

Anders L Höglund, The Swedish Sustainable Economy Foundation

Special guest Anders Höglund will participate in the panel following the presentation of Dr. Gazzanis paper.


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