Namibia tables carbon tax proposal for cars, light bulbs

Published 14:11 on April 1, 2015  /  Last updated at 14:11 on April 1, 2015  /  Africa, Carbon Taxes, EMEA

Namibia wants to introduce a series of carbon taxes by the end of the year on incandescent light bulbs, road vehicles and their tyres, as the government seeks to cut the country’s emissions while searching for additional sources of revenue.

Namibia wants to introduce a series of carbon taxes by the end of the year on incandescent light bulbs, road vehicles and their tyres, as the government seeks to cut the country’s emissions while searching for additional sources of revenue.

The taxes, which were first proposed three years ago, will be part of the country’s upcoming 2015/16 budget, local media reported on Wednesday.

According to reports, the levy on cars is to be based on a vehicle’s emissions and will be imposed on all imported into the country.

It could amount to around N$15,000 ($1,240) for a standard four-wheel drive car, N$10 ($0.83) for a pneumatic tyre and N$3 ($0.25) per light bulb.

If passed, Namibia will become the second African country to implement such measures after neighbour South Africa introduced emissions levies on incandescent light bulbs in 2009 and on motor vehicles in 2010.

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