A new green tax system presented to parliament yesterday by trade unions and the environmental lobby recommends shifting €10bn of mainly labour-related taxes to higher taxes on activities that affect the environment. Around €5bn of the ‘greenification’ of the tax system will mean extra levies for the transport sector, including €1bn in surcharges for Schiphol airport.

The report also calls for higher energy tax which would generate €3bn and a new ‘open spaces’ tax of €45 per square meter for land that is built on.
‘Green taxes are good for the environment, innovation and employment,’ said Mirjam de Rijk, director of environmental lobby group Natuur en Milieu.