After confirming the legality of implementing a tax policy that takes into account the environmental impact of products and services, Abralatas is once again bringing together experts to analyze the feasibility of green taxation in Brazil. This will be the focus of the 2015 Abralatas Debate Cycle, scheduled for October 6th at the FGV Berrini Auditorium in São Paulo, SP.
Among the 2015 speakers will be jurist Ives Gandra Martins, one of the most renowned tax lawyers in the country, economist Ricardo Abramovay, and environmentalist Fábio Feldmann, experts who have studied the relationship between the economy and the environment for years. The panel discussions will be moderated by journalist William Waack. "This time, we will discuss the topic from the perspective of enabling green taxation in Brazil, allowing the application of constitutional principles," explains Renault Castro, CEO of Abralatas.
In a lecture at the 2014 Abralatas Debate Cycle, former Chief Justice of the Supreme Federal Court, Carlos Ayres Brito, identified green taxation as one of the principles of the Federal Constitution's Economic and Financial Order. Article 170 of the Constitution states that environmental protection must be observed, "including through differentiated treatment based on the environmental impact of products and services and their development and delivery processes."
In Ayres Britto's view, environmental incentives do not depend on the goodwill or generosity of governments, as they are a state obligation. "It is the government's responsibility to protect the environment and combat pollution in any of its forms," the minister stated.
In addition to Ayres Britto, last year's debate included economist Eduardo Giannetti, Bernard Appy, director of public policy and taxation at LCA Consultores, Marina Grossi, executive president of the Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development (CEBDS), and Anders Linde, secretary general of Metal Packaging Europe, who demonstrated how the topic is addressed in other countries.
"We had a high-level debate, treating green taxation with the seriousness it deserves. The idea is to take a step forward, finding viable paths for the country to advance in formulating a public policy that encourages the consumption of goods and services with a lower environmental impact," said Renault Castro. Since last year's event, Abralatas has received support and contributions on the topic from various economic sectors.
"We recognize the need to make the low-carbon economy more competitive, signaling to future generations with an appropriate tax policy that encourages responsible production and consumption. The benefits are obvious, but few are able to see the socio-environmental impact their decisions will have in the long term," concluded the CEO of Abralatas.
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