Comment by hamilyon2

GP said it very clearly: tax the fuel. Taxing carbon atoms as they come from the ground is very different tax.

It is way harder because of reasons you mentioned. It also disincentives, e.g. composite materials with carbon in them. The materials of today and tomorrow, which would make us all richer and planet healthier, because of how much stronger carbon-nanotube reinforced concrete is.

It will disincentive fertiliser production, which can be net carbon-neutral or better.

It will disincentive carbon capture at power plants, since the tax was already paid. Graphite production.

This is my point: every policy is necessary complex. There is no "simple" and "just ..." when making policy