On the regulatory choice of refunding rules to reconcile the 'polluter pays principle' and Pigovian taxation: an application

Abstract

The 'polluter pays principle' (PPP) is one of the four principles that govern the European Union's environmental policy. Although PPP justifies Pigovian taxation as a legitimate policy means to internalise externalities, there is a potential contradiction between PPP and Pigovian taxation depending upon the definition of pollution control costs. We summarise this debate and focus on the lump-sum refunding of tax revenues in order to reconcile the PPP and Pigovian taxation. We propose equity as the guiding principle to select among various refunding schemes, and empirically examine a specific application.