The application of distributive justice to energy taxation utilising sovereign wealth funds

Raphael J. Heffron (Lead / Corresponding author)

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    21 Citations (Scopus)
    310 Downloads (Pure)

    Abstract

    The energy sector is characterized by inequality and this is part due to the lack of distributive justice applied to energy resource tax revenue. This paper advances one solution to this problem which is for such countries to establish a Sovereign Wealth Fund. There is limited literature on ensuring that distributive justice is a key policy goal of energy taxation and this research aims to contribute to that literature as well as the emerging literature on Sovereign Wealth Funds. Too often as identified in the research, energy taxation policy is developed in isolation and a more holistic perspective is needed which incorporates the entire tax system. A focus on distributive justice as an over-arching energy taxation policy goal is particularly important as a retention of the current status quo will continue to see countries lose the majority of the benefits of their own energy resources to foreign markets and consumers. A Sovereign Wealth Fund, at its core a legal construct with a financial purpose can not only contribute to increased distributive justice but can also ensure increased accountability, transparency and governance in their energy sector.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)649-654
    Number of pages6
    JournalEnergy Policy
    Volume122
    Early online date25 Aug 2018
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Nov 2018

    Keywords

    • Democratic Republic of Congo
    • Distributive Justice
    • Energy Taxation: Sovereign Wealth Funds
    • Norway

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • General Energy
    • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

    Fingerprint

    Dive into the research topics of 'The application of distributive justice to energy taxation utilising sovereign wealth funds'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

    Cite this