MPs call for a carbon tax on imports The Commons Environmental Audit Committee says imported goods should be taxed according to their carbon footprint in order to protect industry and cut emissions. The MPs say carbon border taxes could help "drive low-carbon change across our economy". The committee said 43% of the UK's carbon emissions arise from imports. Chairman Philip Dunne said: "For too long, the emissions from our consumption have effectively been 'offshored' - leaving the problem as out of sight and out of mind.” With the EU planning the world's first carbon border taxes on a number of products, political figures including former Trade Secretary Liam Fox have backed the UK taking a similar route.