James,
maybe I wasn't terribly clear, or you didn't carefully read my posting.
What is hardly used is a general tax on carbon, ie one that is the same
for coal fired electricity and vehicle fuel.
Quoting what you said:
"Personally, I would start with a revenue-neutral carbon tax, which
seems like a complete no-brainer which would steer the market in the
right direction without the need for excessive red tape and regulation.
If I were king for a day, I'd do that within the UK even without
international co-operation, as I am sure that the long-term benefits
(eg energy efficiency/independence, development of world-leader status
in new technology) would be substantial."
Taxing petrol yields energy independence, taxing coal does not
(generally speaking).
It is well known what a revenue-neutral carbon tax that is the same for
all sectors would do at $100 per tonne of carbon (hmm steer the market
in the right direction without the need for excessive red tape and
regulation), it would kill coal and do little about transportation
demand.
The problem is that many politicians don't think that would be the
"right direction".
If you didn't mean a general carbon tax applicable across all sectors,
but instead just meant high taxes on transportation fuels, I am happy
with that, it is a no brainer, maybe with some argument about the ideal
level, but even in the US there are substantial taxes on gasoline and
diesel compared to the tax load on coal (or compared to the value of
the underlying product).
Countries usually make exceptions for coal, because they don't like the
alternatives (nuclear or nat gas imports, or very high priced
renewables).
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