- guardian.co.uk, Wednesday March 15 2000 17.03 GMT
The detailed design of the system is due to be confirmed in the Budget when the chancellor is also expected to introduce a range of other environmentally-friendly measures.
One of the major proposals under consideration is a reform of the vehicle excise duty system to encourage people to buy cleaner cars.
At the moment, people with small cars with engines of 1100cc or less pay an annual road tax bill of £100, a £55 discount on the going rate for everyone else.
Under the new system, there are expected to be four bands. While the lower limit for the smallest cars is expected to remain at around £100, there is speculation that Mr Brown may increase amount to be paid by the owners of the biggest polluters to around £180.
Also in the pipeline are plans to increase the landfill tax, designed to discourage firms burying waste under ground, and the government has floated the idea of a pesticides tax.
Not surprisingly, the latter has encountered considerable opposition from the agrochemical industry but won support from environmental groups.
Mr Brown will have to weigh up the competing interests and decide how to proceed. Signs are that he might opt for a voluntary agreement with the industry to reduce harmful use of pesticides in a move which may anger environmental groups.
