France to push coal, carbon taxes in support of Kyoto protocol.

(From AFX Europe (Focus))

PARIS (AFX) - The French government came out fighting against industrial pollution, saying it would establish a domestic coal tax and push with European partners for a carbon tax on industrial goods from countries that ignore the Kyoto Protocol.

Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin said the coal tax and a 10-pct increase in taxation of industrial and air transport pollution would take effect on January 1.

France would present European partners with proposals early next year for a "carbon tax" on imports of industrial goods from countries that "refused to commit themselves in favour of the Kyoto Protocol after 2012", he …