Starting in 2026, Hawaii plans to impose a climate tax on tourist visits.
Hawaii Sets to Implement Tourist Carbon Fee in 2026, Aiming to Boost Environmental Resilience
Starting from 2026, Hawaii will introduce a carbon fee for tourists as part of an extensive initiative to address climate change and environmental challenges. The governor of Hawaii, Josh Green, indicated in a statement on the X platform on Wednesday that the state needs to take immediate action to bolster its resilience against impending disasters.
The new levy, known as the "Green Fee," will be a 0.75% surcharge on the existing transient accommodations tax. Estimations reveal that this fee will generate approximately $100 million annually, roughly equivalent to €88 million, to fund projects aimed at preserving the state's ecosystems and combating climate change. These projects may include protecting coral reefs, mitigating beach erosion, and eradicating invasive vegetation to minimize the risk of wildfires.
The green fee makes Hawaii the first U.S. state to levy such a charge in response to climate impacts. This move has sparked some concern among hoteliers in the island chain, but the overall sentiment within the government and tourism industry appears supportive. Governor Green's statement suggested that visitors might regard the fee as an essential investment in preserving the natural beauty that attracts tourists to Hawaii.
In addition to the green fee, Hawaii has expressed interest in other environmental initiatives, including a carbon footprint fee, although further information on this aspect remains undisclosed. As the Hawaii tourism industry proactively seeks ways to promote sustainable practices, the implementation of the green fee represents a significant milestone in this effort.
Sources:- ntv.de- dpa
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[2] Civil Beat. (2022, April 20). What’s Next for Hawaii’s Carbon Footprint Fee? Retrieved from https://www.civilbeat.org/2022/04/whats-next-for-hawaiis-carbon-footprint-fee/
[3] The Garden Island. (2022, April 19). Fee for visitors coming to Hawaii to help combat climate change. Retrieved from https://www.thegardenisland.com/story/news/2022/04/19/fee-visitors-coming-hawaii-help-combat-climate-change/7181853001/
[4] West Hawaii Today. (2021, October 21). Environmental group lauds DOT for combating invasive species. Retrieved from https://west hawaiitoday.com/2021/10/21/environmental-group-lauds-dot-for-combating-invasive-species/
- The new "Green Fee" in Hawaii, which is a part of their community policy, falls under the umbrella of environmental science as it aims to fund projects that preserve ecosystems and combat climate-change, such as protecting coral reefs and eradicating invasive vegetation.
- The implementation of the "Green Fee" by Hawaii in response to climate impacts has sparked interest in additional environmental initiatives, including a carbon footprint fee, reflecting the state's proactive stance in environmental issues, particularly within the industry.
- In an attempt to boost the state's environmental resilience, the "Green Fee" primarily funded by the tourism industry, will generate funds equivalent to approximately €88 million annually, which will be channeled into projects that support environmental resilience, exemplifying a fusion of finance and environmental-science in addressing the impacts of climate-change.
