Green and gender-sensitive taxation:

Green and gender-sensitive taxation:
The tax system in EU member states has largely been focused on enhancing economic growth - often neither fair nor green - and blind to gender differences. In general, the tax burden has been shifting from corporate taxes to labour income, widening the inequality gap.³ Furthermore, only 6% of EU revenues originate from environmental taxes.⁴ Environmental taxes (and the tax system in general) are often proclaimed as gender-neutral while perpetuating systemic inequalities in unpaid care work, employment rates, pension, income, poverty and wealth. Studies have shown that economic instruments, such as higher energy prices and carbon taxes, present a higher burden for women, due to their higher poverty risk, especially among migrant communities or single mothers.⁵ To avoid backlash, pricing negative environmental externalities always needs to be embedded into a coherent social policy framework and a social compensation structure. More progressive (environmental) taxes that combat social injustices, gender inequalities, environmental destruction and crisis are needed.