France to impose carbon tax

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has announced plans for a new carbon tax aimed at combating global warming.



He says the tax will be introduced next year and will cover the use of oil, gas and coal.



The new tax will be set at 17 euros or 15 pounds per ton of emitted carbon dioxide.



It will apply to households as well as enterprises, but not to the heavy industries and power firms included in the EU\'s emissions trading scheme.



Mr. Sarkozy says revenues from the new tax would go back into taxpayers\' pockets through cuts in other taxes.