Taxe Carbone: Quels Impacts pour les Entreprises et Comment S'y Préparer?

What is the carbon tax ❓

 

The carbon tax is an environmental tax designed to reduce GHG emissions by applying a cost to each tonne of carbon dioxide (CO₂e) emitted. The aim is simple: to integrate the environmental cost of carbon into economic decisions.

In other words, this tax aims to make polluters pay for the damage they cause to the climate, while encouraging economic players to reduce their consumption of fossil fuels such as oil, coal or gas.

 

In France, the carbon tax was introduced in 2014 as a component of the Taxe Intérieure de Consommation sur les Produits Énergétiques (TICPE). It applies to fossil energy products such as natural gas or fuel oil.

The principle is gradually being adopted in other countries, notably in Europe, where similar initiatives are aimed at harmonizing carbon pricing. On an international scale, the carbon tax is part of a global drive to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

How is the carbon tax calculated? 📊

 

The calculation of the carbon tax is based on the following principle: each tonne of CO₂e emitted is subject to a specific charge, known as the "carbon price". This amount varies from country to country, depending on local climate policies. In France, in 2024, the price per tonne of CO₂e is set at around 45 eurosbut it could rise in the coming years to meet decarbonization targets.

Here's how the tax is applied:

• On fuels 🚗: The carbon tax is integrated into the costs ofgasoline, diesel and natural gas, directly impacting costs for consumers and structures.
• On the fossil fuels used by organizations 🏭: Energy-intensive sectors, such as industry, transport and construction, see their production costs rise in line with their level of emissions.

At the same time, certain sectors benefit from exemptions or emission ceilings to limit the immediate economic impact. This is particularly the case for industries exposed to international competition, such as steel and cement, to avoid penalizing their competitiveness on the world market.

In Europe, the European Commission has set up a trading system called the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS), which operates on a different but complementary principle. It allocates emission rights to organizations, which can trade them via a trading platform. Organizations that exceed their allowances must buy additional permits, while those that emit less can sell their surpluses.

In addition to the EU ETS, the European Commission has introduced the Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanism (BCAM) to boost the competitiveness of industries in Europe while reducing the risk of "carbon leakage", which corresponds to the displacement of emissions to non-European countries following the implementation of climate policies.

This mechanism adjusts the cost of imported goods according to their carbon footprint, thus ensuring that goods from third countries bear a cost similar to that of European producers. Revenues generated by the sale of certificates linked to these adjustments will support green transition projects within the Union.

CO₂e-intensive sectors such as steel and cement are particularly concerned. Ultimately, this mechanism could generate billions of euros in annual transactions, contributing to financing for climate investments.

This mechanism will gradually complement current free quotas, providing a more balanced approach to encouraging decarbonization while preserving the competitiveness of local industries.

Environmental and economic objectives 🎯

 

The adoption of the carbon tax has several objectives:

• Reduce GHG emissions 🌍 : By raising the cost of carbon fuels, the tax encourages structures and consumers to turn to more sustainable solutions, such as renewable energies (wind, solar, biomass). This reduces dependence on polluting fuels and limits the negative impact on the climate. This is a central objective of climate policies, as indicated by European Commission reports and analyses of decarbonization strategies.

 

• Accelerating the transition to sustainable resources 🔋: By making non-renewable resources more expensive, the tax encourages investment in low-carbon technologies, such as resource-efficient heating mechanisms or electric vehicles.

 

• Stimulating innovation 💡: The economic pressure exerted by the tax is driving structures to innovate in order to reduce their carbon footprint and thus cut costs. This can include improving industrial processes, modernizing infrastructures or adopting digital solutions to optimize energy consumption.

 

• • Financing the ecological transition 💶: Revenues generated by the carbon tax are often reinvested in ecological transition projects. In France, for example, some of these funds are used to support households and structures in their efforts to reduce emissions, notably via financial aid steered byADEME.

In short, the carbon tax is an essential tool for aligning economic behavior with climate issues. By gradually modifying usage and production habits, it contributes to building a more resilient and sustainable economy, in line with international environmental requirements.

Economic consequences for companies 💼

  The carbon tax has a direct impact on organizations by increasing their operating costs, particularly in sectors heavily dependent on carbon fuels, such as industry, transport and construction. Rising costs of fossil fuel consumption Businesses using energy sources such as natural gas, fuel oil, or coal are seeing their costs rise as a result of the carbon component built into fuel prices.. For example :

• Natural gas used for heating or industrial processes is subject to a carbon component of around 14 euros/MWh, directly impacting production costs.
• Fuels, such as diesel, have seen an increase of 12 to 14 centimes per liter, affecting the transport and logistics sector.

Adapting taxation to incorporate the carbon tax Organizations need to adapt their tax strategy to incorporate this new burden. Some solutions include : ⚡ Energy optimization Invest in more efficient technologies, such as installing solar panels or replacing oil-fired boilers with heat pumps.   🌱 Carbon offsetting : Buy emission rights on the European market to offset their greenhouse gas emissions, especially for industries subject to the Kyoto Protocol. Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS).   🏦 Tax deductions Certain structures can benefit from tax credits for adopting low-carbon technologies or reducing their emissions.   Case study: Adaptation of large companies in France Companies like ArcelorMittalor TotalEnergies have already changed their strategy:

• ArcelorMittala major player in the steel industry, is investing in hydrogen-based production processes to reduce its dependence on coal.
• TotalEnergies develops infrastructures for renewable energy and diversifies into green electricity to reduce its exposure to carbon tax.

Effects on consumers 🛍️

  Visit consumers are also affected by the carbon tax, mainly throughhigher energy and fuel costs. The increase in the carbon component in energy prices translates into :

• • Higher heating bills for households using gas or fuel oil.
   
  • Higher pump prices forpetrol and diesel, with a direct impact on the cost of commuting and transport.

Impact on purchasing power Rising energy prices are reducing the purchasing power of households, particularly those of modest means or living in rural areas, where alternatives to polluting resources are limited. In response, compensatory measures are being implemented by the French government, such as the energy chequeto help the most vulnerable households pay their energy bills. Raising awareness and adopting sustainable behaviors The carbon tax also encourages consumers to adopt more sustainable behaviours, such as : ⚡️ Reduce energy use by better insulating their homes or adopting more energy-efficient appliances. 🚲 Choose less polluting modes of transport such as public transport, bicycles and electric vehicles, which benefit from financial aid for purchase.

International comparison: France, Europe, Canada 🌎

 

🇫🇷 France: carbon amount frozen

In France, the carbon tax has remained frozen at 44.60 euros/tCO₂e since 2018, well belowADEME's recommendations, which call for a gradual increase to reach 100 euros/tCO₂e by 2030 

🇪🇺 Europe: the carbon market (SEQE-EU)

Visit SEQE-EU currently sets the carbon price at around 85 euros/tCO₂e, almost double the French tax. This mechanism allows organizations to sell or buy emission allowances according to their needs, providing an incentive to reduce emissions to avoid additional costs. 

🇨🇦 Canada: an ambitious carbon tax

Canada applies a progressive carbon tax, reaching the amount of 170 CAD/tCO₂e by 2030, one of the highest in the world. This is accompanied by a direct financial return to households, in the form of tax credits or refunds, to offset rising energy costs. 

Role of the European Commission and border adjustments (CBAM)

The commission is working on the Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which will impose a carbon tax on imports of CO₂e-intensive products, such as steel, cement, and aluminum.

This mechanism aims to prevent "carbon leakage" by ensuring that imported products are subject to pricing equivalent to that in force in the EU. This protects structures while encouraging third countries to adopt similar climate policies.