Abstract

Jonny will lead this exploratory session on the role of tax in building equitable and sustainable societies, and the broader implications of tax (and tax dodging) for the environment in general, and for conservation in particular. After a general introduction, specific environmental examples will be turned to before opening the discussion to issues such as: could some of the estimated $160 billion dodged in tax every year be used to pay protected area staff or enhance the capacity of customs departments searching for smuggled ivory? Could some of it be used to scale-up successful but localised conservation and development interventions, such as livestock insurance schemes in the Himalayas? And more generally, if this money was spent on health and education and infrastructure, would it enhance or harm the environment? What is the role of corruption in this?

Some background material for the general discussion: http://www.christianaid.org.uk/images/TaxHavenBriefing.pdf http://www.christianaid.org.uk/images/tax-and-sustainability-2011.pdf