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Environmental tax reform towards Net Zero Carbon

The Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee has stated that the UK is on track to meet the 'challenging' target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Since 1990 emissions have reduced by 45% in the UK but the economy has grown by 80%. Thus, we believe that the Tax reform has great potential in meeting the target of net zero. 

We conducted several online semi-structured interviews with representatives with an interest in policymaking or engaged in leadership roles in sustainability and climate change from both SMEs and large companies in the UK. We considered their experiences and concerns regarding the current UK environmental tax system, as well as their insights of risks and concerns with attempting to improve the systems and we made recommendations for the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee.

Our research-based first recommendation will create a better understanding of how the tax system can contribute towards net zero with other environmental objectives. The second recommendation is about changes in the model of environmental tax that will support the economy towards a transition to net zero carbon.

The findings of the written evidence help guide the policymakers to make necessary reforms in the current environmental tax system to support the other initiative taken by the government to reach the net zero carbon target by the deadline. The research is mainly focused on the UK environmental tax system but also covers cross-border tax.


Meet the Principal Investigator(s) for the project

Dr Monomita Nandy
Dr Monomita Nandy - Monomita Nandy is a Professor in Accounting and Finance in Brunel Business School (BBS). Prof Nandy is the Vice Dean International of the College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences (CBASS). She has completed her two PhDs from the University of Calcutta, India, and the University of Rome Torvergata, Italy. Prior to joining Brunel University, she has held academic and research positions at Lally Business School, New York, Radboud University, Holland, Surrey University, UK and leading institutes in India. She is very popular among students and got Student -led best teacher awards. She is awarded for her innovative and technology-led teaching. She is interested in interdisciplinary research focused on digitalisation in achievement of sustainable development goals alongside her disciplinary research in emerging issues in Corporate Finance. Her research works are published in high impact international peer-reviewed journals like IJFE, JBE, TIJA, BSE and others. She is involved in editorial and review activities of international journals, and regularly she presents her research work at leading conferences in Business and Management. Her research evidence is valued by the UK parliament, Sustainability Board in India, St James Entrepreneur Club London, Small Business Charter in the UK, Chartered Institute of Taxation in England. Monomita conducts research of policy relevance and shares her research expertise by participating in the consultation initiated by the FRC, EU Commission, HMRC and her works draw attention from Media.  She is the co-chair of the South-East group of the British Accounting and Finance Association. Her research attracts external funding, her university student-industry collaboration is appreciated by the London Chamber of Commerce and her research collaboration with local business is highly appreciated by business and local authority and her research generates a considerable amount of social aid that support the sustainable growth of the economy with a long-term socio-economic impact. 

Related Research Group(s)

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Accounting and Auditing - Investigating current issues in accounting that include financial reporting, assurance, corporate governance, corporate social responsibility and business models in large and small business entities

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Entrepreneurship and Sustainability - Our focus is on how individuals, businesses and societies can tap into creative and entrepreneurial flair to develop innovative solutions, in order to not only create economic value, but also solve social and environmental problems.


Partnering with confidence

Organisations interested in our research can partner with us with confidence backed by an external and independent benchmark: The Knowledge Exchange Framework. Read more.


Project last modified 12/10/2023