Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/105123 
Year of Publication: 
2014
Series/Report no.: 
CESifo Working Paper No. 5076
Publisher: 
Center for Economic Studies and ifo Institute (CESifo), Munich
Abstract: 
We show that imposition of a state-level environmental tax in a federation crowds out preexisting federal taxes. We explain how this vertical fiscal externality can lead unilateral state-level environmental policy to generate a welfare gain in the implementing state, at the expense of other states. Using a computable general equilibrium model of the Canadian federation, we show that vertical fiscal externalities can be the major determinant of the welfare change following environmental policy implementation by a state government. Our numerical simulations indicate that - as a consequence of vertical fiscal externalities - state governments can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over 20 percent without any net cost to themselves.
Subjects: 
fiscal externality
climate policy
federalism
computable general equilibrium
JEL: 
C68
H70
Q40
Document Type: 
Working Paper
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