EU spokeswoman Emer Traynor said a “carbon tax” was a “priority” issue for Algirdas Semeta, the new EU taxation commissioner for taxation.
She said draft legislation would be presented “in the coming months.” She would not elaborate.
Until now, the EU head office has resisted pushing for a carbon tax because the issue has divided the 27 EU governments. Such a tax would require their unanimous approval.
EU officials believe the time is right to debate the issue, noting that Sweden, Finland and Denmark have had carbon taxes for years, Ireland announced one in December and President Nicolas Sarkozy wants one in France.
A carbon tax would be levied on the use of car fuel, coal, and natural gas and relate to the carbon dioxide emissions and content.
Some countries - notably Germany, Slovenia, the Netherlands and Britain - have environmental taxes unrelated to the carbon dioxide content. Britain, which will hold general elections in the next three months, opposes a carbon tax.
