This study investigates the effect of environmental tax (ET) on ecological footprint (EF) in EU5 countries (Germany, Spain, France, Great Britain, and Italy) using quantile-based methods from 1995/Q1 to 2021/Q4. The study finds that energy-related ET has a declining effect on EF at lower and middle quantiles in Germany and lower quantiles in Italy, but not in other countries. Transport-related ET is not effective in curbing EF in any country. Total ET has a decreasing effect only in Germany. The study also validates the robustness of these findings using alternative methods. The results show that the effect of ET on EF varies across countries, quantiles, and ET types. Germany can continue relying on energy-related ET to reduce EF, while other EU5 countries and transport-related ET have a long way to go in curbing EF. The study contributes to the literature by using EF as a more comprehensive indicator of environmental pollution and applying novel nonlinear quantile-based approaches. It also highlights the importance of considering country-specific differences and the varying effects of ET across different quantiles. The findings suggest that EU5 countries should adjust their ET policies based on the varying effectiveness of ET across different sectors and quantiles. The study also recommends further research on the impact of ET on EF in other countries and the use of higher frequency data and new econometric approaches.This study investigates the effect of environmental tax (ET) on ecological footprint (EF) in EU5 countries (Germany, Spain, France, Great Britain, and Italy) using quantile-based methods from 1995/Q1 to 2021/Q4. The study finds that energy-related ET has a declining effect on EF at lower and middle quantiles in Germany and lower quantiles in Italy, but not in other countries. Transport-related ET is not effective in curbing EF in any country. Total ET has a decreasing effect only in Germany. The study also validates the robustness of these findings using alternative methods. The results show that the effect of ET on EF varies across countries, quantiles, and ET types. Germany can continue relying on energy-related ET to reduce EF, while other EU5 countries and transport-related ET have a long way to go in curbing EF. The study contributes to the literature by using EF as a more comprehensive indicator of environmental pollution and applying novel nonlinear quantile-based approaches. It also highlights the importance of considering country-specific differences and the varying effects of ET across different quantiles. The findings suggest that EU5 countries should adjust their ET policies based on the varying effectiveness of ET across different sectors and quantiles. The study also recommends further research on the impact of ET on EF in other countries and the use of higher frequency data and new econometric approaches.