Who gives a rat's ass what others are doing or not doing, getting or not getting, paying or not paying? Having a spine isn't about whining, it's about doing what is necessary in the face of opposition, even when it goes against personal self-interest.
It's necessary to decarbonise. Among those honest economists not under the thumb of or on the payroll of whiny babies, a carbon tax is one useful lever. Therefore, the ethical thing to do is implement and accept a carbon tax.
If our political and business leaders were ethical and had spines instead whatever whiny organ they use as a substitute, we'd be a lot better off.