EU energy tax Directive to be launched

A proposal to revise the 2003 EU Energy Tax Directive is expected to be launched by the European Commission as part of a package of measures on environmental taxation. A draft proposal drawn up by the Commission’s tax department has been sent to other departments for internal consultation. The Commission also plans to issue a policy paper on the role of taxes in energy and environmental policy. In an EU economic recovery plan endorsed by the European Council in December, the Commission said it would propose reduced VAT rates for green products and services to help improve the energy efficiency of buildings and boost sustainable consumption. The CEMBUREAU position on this point has been circulatedto the Membership.