Skip to main content
Article
Measuring the Macroeconomic Impact of Carbon Taxes
American Economic Review Papers and Proceedings (2020)
  • Gilbert E. Metcalf, Tufts University
  • James H Stock, Harvard University
Abstract
Policy makers often express concern about the impact of carbon taxes on employment or GDP. Using a new data set on carbon tax rates, we estimate the macroeconomic impacts of these taxes on GDP and employment growth rates for various specifications and samples.  Our point estimates suggest a zero to modest positive impact on GDP and total employment growth rates.  More importantly, we find no robust evidence of a negative effect of the tax on employment or GDP growth.  For the European experience, at least, we find no support for the view that carbon taxes are job or growth killers.
Keywords
  • carbon tax,
  • growth,
  • macroeconomics
Publication Date
May, 2020
Citation Information
Gilbert E. Metcalf and James H Stock. "Measuring the Macroeconomic Impact of Carbon Taxes" American Economic Review Papers and Proceedings (2020)
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/gilbert_metcalf/121/