Environmental policy in the countries of the world in the conditions of development of ecologically conscious society

Abstract

The article considers the current trends of environmental tax reform in the world. The main types of fiscal policy instruments in the countries of the European Union, the USA, Great Britain and others are analyzed. Indicators of changes in greenhouse gas emissions as a result of environmental tax policy in the world are presented. There is currently a clear trend in the world to change environmental taxation, in particular raising environmental tax rates and introducing new types of environmental taxation. Given the European vector of foreign economic policy, Ukraine should develop mechanisms and tools for environmental taxation, taking into account EU requirements and norms. It is important that the increase in environmental tax rates and the introduction of new types of taxes, fees or quotas is integrated with the use of economic instruments to protect and stimulate the development of domestic enterprises, so that increasing tax payments do not reduce their competitiveness or quality of goods and services. The adopted European Green Investment Plan (EGDIP), or the Sustainable Europe Investment Plan (SEIP) is analyzed in the article as the investment basis for The Green Deal. Under a new law agreed between the member states and the EU Parliament, the European Union is committed to reducing carbon emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. For Ukraine, as a neighboring EU country that has signed an Association Agreement with the EU, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is important. This is one of the key initiatives to achieve the goals of the European Green Deal. Its main purpose is to prevent carbon leakage by creating a level playing field for EU producers in imports of electricity, cement, aluminium, fertilizer as well as iron and steel products, as specified in the annex. The CBAM will be implemented in 2026, following a transition period of three years characterized by data collection only. The priority directions of development of ecological policy for Ukraine in the conditions of European integration are defined. It is also advisable to clearly define the directions and purposes of using revenues from environmental taxes and fees in local and state budgets.