Whatweneedis a justtransitiontothelowcarboneconomy.
SomeFrencheconomiststhinktheyknowhow.
Whatwehadinmindwasjusttoshowthatit's possibletodesign a systemthatmakesalmosteverybodyintheforestshalfofthepopulation a czwelloff, betteroffwiththetaxthatwithoutthatwasthepoint.
Thisishowitwouldwork.
When a driverfillsuphercarwithpetrolordiesel, thepriceshepaysismadeupoftwoparts.
Whilepeopleincitieshavetheoptionofpublictransportif a carbontaxdrivesuppricesatthepump, peopleinruralareasoftenhavenoalternativetotakingthecarandoftendon't havethemeanstochangetheircallfor a morefuelefficient.
Let's lookathowthiswouldworkfor a typicallowincomefamilyinFrance.
Mariolivesin a ruralareawithherhusbandandtwoChildren.
They'renotsowelloff.
Theirincomeisonlyinthe 2nd 10thoffallhouseholds, theyuseoilheatingandhave a dieselcar.
IntheschemeproposedbytheFrencheconomists, millionsfamilywouldbepaying 72 euros a monthMAWRincarbontaxesthan a typicalfamilyin a midsizedtown, whichhaselectricheatingandnocall.
Thatwouldbe a bighittotheirlivingstandardsifitwasthewholepolicy.
ButbecauseManuandherhusbandhavelowincomes, theywouldalsoreceive a carboncheckworth 125 euros a monthPuttogether, thispolicywouldleavethefamilywith 630 eurosMaureveryyeartospenttheprovince.