One year ago – Natural Gas Shutoff

January 12, 2010

The Carbon Tax in Ireland

January 5, 2010

After many years of talk and conjecture, the Irish Government have introduced a carbon tax on transport (Diesel and Petrol) and thermal (heating) fuels. This year the rate set is €15 per tonne. This is about the middle of the rates that I had heard suggested.

Electricity isn’t included because all electricity generators are already included in a scheme called the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).

“But I don’t burn CO2… so why would I care?” you say! Sorry but when you use a fuel such as coal, gas or petrol, it emits CO2. Different fuels emit different amounts, with Coal being very bad and Natural Gas being not as bad.

The Carbon Tax was added to transport fuels the day after the budget (December 10th)

The tax will come into effect on oil and gas in May

It has yet to be decided when it will take effect on solid fuels (coal and turf). I expect this is because it will be the hardest to implement.

So how much is this €15/tonne in reality? Well here is a rough idea –

Fuel commonly sold in quantities of Which would cost € Tax will lead to an increase of So that increase in % terms
Petrol Litre 1.19 4.2cent 3.5%
Auto-Diesel Litre 1.10 4.9cent 4.4%
Kerosene 1,000 Litres 516 € 43.14 8.4%
Market Gas Oil 1,000 Litres 539 € 46.87 8.7%
LPG 1,000 Litres 720 € 27.97 3.9%
Fuel Oil 1,000 Litres 600 € 52.15 8.7%
Natural Gas M3 (13,750kWh) 800 € 47.86 6.0%
Peat Briquettes Bale 3.85 39cent 10.1%
Coal Bag (40kg) 16.20 € 1.79 11.1%

As a greenie… I’m in favour of this. In theory the money (330million they say) should be spent on projects to reduce emissions and save us from “the Climate Change”. So that should mean more grants for light bulbs, planting trees and buying boats! I’ll keep you posted on it!