Taxing polluting industries: Is it the way to fund the fight against climate change?

Taxing polluting industries: Is it the way to fund the fight against climate change?
25
June 2025 — 5:00PM TO 6:00PM
Anonymous (not verified)
11 June 2025

Chatham House and Online

Exploring the opportunities and challenges of using solidarity levies to raise climate funds.

Sources of new, additional and concessional finance are needed to ensure developing countries can meet their development and climate goals. Many low-income countries are on the brink of debt crises, while many developed countries are cutting overseas development assistance. In this context, solidarity levies on under-taxed and highly-polluting sectors of the economy offer a promising avenue for raising new sources of concessional finance in a fair and equitable manner.

The Global Solidarity Levies Task Force, co-chaired by Barbados, France and Kenya with the support of 17 countries, aims to build coalitions of the willing committing to implement levies in a coordinated manner by COP30 and beyond. The Task Force is exploring various options, including levies on aviation, the fossil fuel sector, and financial transactions.

As part of London Climate Action Week, this panel discussion explores the opportunities and challenges, both technical and political, of solidarity levies. Key questions include:

  • Which types of solidarity levies—such as those on aviation, fossil fuels, or financial transactions—are most politically, economically, and technically feasible for governments to implement?
  • What are the potential implications of solidarity levies for consumers, businesses, and global competitiveness?
  • How can these levies be designed fairly, equitably and progressively to minimise negative impacts while maximising climate and development benefits?
  • What needs to be happen between now and COP30 to deliver a breakthrough on solidarity levies?

This event will be hosted in partnership with the Global Solidarity Levies Task Force.

By registering for this event, attendees agree to our Code of Conduct, ensuring a respectful, inclusive, and welcoming space for diverse perspectives and debate.

Source: Chathamhouse Events