A chunk of the proceeds of the government’s CO2 tax are being handed over to big, environmentally-friendly businesses.
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Around SFr180 million ($212 million) will be distributed among firms in June, with each receiving SFr64.40 per SFr100,000 spent on salaries.
The companies must use renewable energy or fossil fuels efficiently. The biggest firms will profit most, says the government.
The tax has been collected since 2008 from fossil fuels such as heating oil and natural gas and aims to promote efficient use of fossil fuels and use of alternative energy sources.
Part of the proceeds are also shared among households with a SFr48.60 deduction from annual charges paid to health insurers.
Another third will be used for projects for improving energy efficiency in public buildings.
Companies that are major consumers of energy can be exempt from paying the tax if they commit to reducing their CO2 emissions, but will not receive proceeds from the CO2 tax.
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