energiaveroja

Energiaveroja are a category of taxes levied on energy products and electricity by governments. They are used to raise public revenue and to influence energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions by making energy use more costly. The exact design varies by country, including which energy carriers are taxed and at what rates. Common forms include taxes on transport fuels such as petrol and diesel, heating fuels such as heating oil and natural gas, solid fuels such as coal or peat, and electricity. Some systems also incorporate carbon components or emissions-based charges.

In the European Union, energy taxation is guided by directives that set minimum levels for certain energy products, while member states determine their own rates within those rules. The EU's framework, notably Directive 2003/96/EC, restructures taxation of energy products to reflect environmental and energy objectives.

The aims of energiaveroja include internalizing the environmental costs of energy use, promoting energy efficiency and a shift to lower-emission sources, and funding public services. Policies often include exemptions or reduced rates for households, energy-intensive industries, or heating in cold climates, as well as rebates for energy-poor households.

Critics argue that energy taxes can be regressive and administratively complex, while supporters view them as an essential tool for climate policy and energy transition. Because rates and coverage differ by country, energiaveroja systems vary across the Nordic region and the wider European Union.