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Lors de l'accord de Paris en 2015, la communaute internationale a reconnu la necessite d'atteindre rapidement la neutralite carbone, afin de limiter le rechauffement climatique a 2 °C. Les economistes traduisent generalement un tel niveau d'ambition climatique en un tarif sur les emissions de gaz a effet de serre (GES) qui permettrait de l'atteindre grâce aux incitations engendrees. Mais les travaux des economistes montrent aussi qu'une simple taxe carbone ne peut suffire pour une decarbonation socialement acceptable, c'est-a-dire qui soit socialement juste et soutenue par les citoyens.

International audience; This paper proposes a micro-simulation assessment of the distributional impacts of the French carbon tax. It shows that the policy is regressive, but could be made progressive by redistributing the revenue through flat-recycling. However, it would still generate large horizontal distributive effects and harm a significant share of low-income households. The determinants of the tax incidence are characterized precisely, and alternative targeted transfers are simulated on this basis. The paper shows that given the importance of unobserved heterogeneity in the determinants of energy consumption, horizontal distributive effects are much more difficult to tackle than vertical ones.

International audience; This paper aims to assess the prospects for French climate policies after the Yellow Vests crisis halted the planned increase in the carbon tax. From a large representative survey, we elicit knowledge, perceptions and values over climate change, we examine opinions relative to carbon taxation, and we assess support for other climate policies. Specific attention is given to the link between perceptions of climate change and attitudes towards policies. The paper also studies in detail the determinants of attitudes in terms of political and socio-demographic variables. Among many results, we find limited knowledge but high concern for climate change. We also document a large rejection of the carbon tax but majority support for stricter norms and green investments, and reveal the rationales behind these preferences. Our study entails policy recommendations, such as an information campaign on climate change. Indeed, we find that climate awareness increases support for climate policies but no evidence for the formation of opinions through partisan cues as in the US, suggesting that better access to science could foster support for climate policies.