France is aiming to reduce its carbon emissions by imposing a new tax on businesses and households.

Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, has called for a “fiscal revolution” to take place within the country, including many environmental changes.

He is hoping to introduce the levy on oil, coal and gas use on commercial enterprises and communities by next year.

Mr Sarkozy insisted that Europe and the rest of the world need to follow France’s example by making new plans to reduce fuel consumption.

“Asia, the United States and major developing countries must make the same effort as Europe,” he said.

“There is no other choice. There is only one planet, a single world and we have a shared responsibility.”

The potential new levy was referred to as climate change contribution, before the word tax was used.

In 1990 Finland became the first country in Europe to introduce a carbon tax.