Global carbon tax urgently needed to manage the climate crisis
ISS modelling shows that carbon taxing can have major benefits if all nations contribute based on their income status.
As the world faces a climate crisis driven by carbon emissions, the need for accountability, especially from major polluters, is paramount. Carbon pricing mechanisms that include carbon tax have been successfully used for decades by several European countries, and offer a promising solution.
Carbon taxing is a direct and transparent way to discourage pollution by imposing a fee on each tonne of emitted carbon. It reduces harmful emissions and provides revenue for renewable energy projects and mitigating climate change impacts.
Yet, despite the backing of global financial institutions and African leaders, few countries globally – including the major polluters – have adopted a carbon tax. The cost of not doing so will be high for developed and developing countries alike.
In 2023, the world recorded its highest atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) levels yet, at 424 parts per million (ppm). The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sixth Assessment Report states that atmospheric concentrations in 2050 should be around 330 to 400 ppm to keep the 1.5°C ambition alive. However, current estimations are that the world will see atmospheric levels of 515 ppm by 2050, well on track to a 3°C warmer world by the end of the century.
According to the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, to have a 50% chance of keeping global warming within 1.5°C, the world’s remaining carbon budget as of 2023 was 250 gigatonnes of CO2. With the world’s current emission at 36.1 billion tonnes annually, this budget will be depleted before 2030.
Africa produces less than 5% of global fossil fuel emissions but suffers disproportionately from climate change impacts. This disparity must be recognised, and international responses must be guided by the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities advocated by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Africa needs room to pursue its development goals. Modelling done by the Institute for Security Studies’ (ISS) African Futures and Innovation (AFI) team estimates that Africa will produce up to 13% of global carbon emissions from fossil fuels in 2050, and 22% by 2063.
By comparison, the world’s top 10 emitters – China, the United States (US), India, Russia, Japan, Indonesia, Iran, Germany, Saudi Arabia, and South Korea – are responsible for 69% of global fossil fuel emissions and generate 60% of the world’s GDP.
Africa must be supported by those responsible for the crisis. Implementing a tax on carbon dioxide emissions when burning fossil fuels in major emitting countries could incentivise reductions, promote sustainable practices and generate revenue for adaptation and mitigation projects.
Institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund have backed a global carbon tax framework. Last year the African Union also signed the Nairobi climate declaration that underscored the need for multilateral finance reforms. It proposed establishing a global carbon taxation regime to provide dedicated finance for climate-positive investments.
Yet despite international support, only 38 carbon tax initiatives have been implemented globally, covering a meagre 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Of the world’s top 10 emitters, only Japan has adopted a carbon tax. Significant emitters like the US, Russia, India, Iran, and Saudi Arabia remain cautious. While subnational emission trading systems exist in some US states, China has adopted the world’s most extensive systems.
Concerns abound that this fragmented approach could lead to carbon leakages, as industries have been known to relocate their production to regions with less stringent environmental regulations.
Chart 1: CO2 emissions per country, 2023-2063SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 13: Climate Action
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
The article discusses the need for a global carbon tax to address the climate crisis and reduce carbon emissions. This aligns with SDG 13, which focuses on taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Additionally, the article mentions the revenue generated from the carbon tax being used for renewable energy projects and climate change mitigation, connecting to SDG 7 on affordable and clean energy. The concept of carbon pricing and reducing pollution also relates to SDG 12 on responsible consumption and production. The article highlights the disproportionate impact of climate change on Africa, emphasizing the need for reduced inequalities (SDG 10) and support from responsible countries. Finally, the implementation of a global carbon tax framework can contribute to economic growth (SDG 8) through investments in climate action and sustainable development.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning.
- Target 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle.
- Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- Target 8.4: Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavor to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation.
The article emphasizes the need to integrate climate change measures into national policies and planning to address the climate crisis (Target 13.2). It also highlights the importance of increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (Target 7.2) to reduce carbon emissions. The article mentions the revenue generated from the carbon tax being used for renewable energy projects, which contributes to this target. Additionally, the article discusses the need for responsible consumption and production (Target 12.4) through carbon pricing mechanisms and reducing pollution. The focus on reducing inequalities (Target 10.2) is evident in the article’s emphasis on supporting Africa and implementing a global carbon tax framework that considers differentiated responsibilities based on income status. Finally, the article mentions the potential for economic growth (Target 8.4) through investments in climate action and sustainable development.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated their first or second national communications.
- Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.
- Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste.
- Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities.
- Indicator 8.4.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, progress towards Target 13.2 can be measured using Indicator 13.2.1, which tracks the number of countries that have communicated their first or second national communications on climate change. Indicator 7.2.1 can be used to measure progress towards Target 7.2 by monitoring the renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption. Indicator 12.4.1 can assess progress towards Target 12.4 by tracking the number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste. Indicator 10.2.1 can measure progress towards Target 10.2 by monitoring the proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, considering factors such as age, sex, and disability. Finally, Indicator 8.4.1 can assess progress towards Target 8.4 by measuring the material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 13: Climate Action | Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning. | Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated their first or second national communications. |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption. |
| SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production | Target 12.4: By 2020, achieve environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle. | Indicator 12.4.1: Number of parties to international multilateral environmental agreements on hazardous waste. |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities. |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.4: Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavor to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation. | Indicator 8
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