European governments often appear to champion low-carbon policies yet, in 2017, EU countries collectively spent US$87 billion subsidising the cost of fossil fuels

We all know that fossil fuels are still heavily subsidised but it is still a surprise to see the extent of them. Radek Stefanski, Senior Lecturer in Economics at the University of St Andrews discusses the subsides in an article on The Conversation website. With the President-elect for the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen … Continue reading European governments often appear to champion low-carbon policies yet, in 2017, EU countries collectively spent US$87 billion subsidising the cost of fossil fuels →

New IISD report on how to pay for an energy revolution

Catherine Benson Wahlén writes on the SDG Knowledge Hub website of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) about a new report from IISD that calls for policymakers to promote clean energy as part of fossil fuel reforms. IISD Report Showcases How Countries Implement Clean Energy Swaps The International Institute for Sustainable Development’s (IISD) … Continue reading New IISD report on how to pay for an energy revolution →

Strong argument for removing subsidies for fossil fuels

With climate protests gaining momentum and with more and more pushing for a low carbon energy transition, there is definitely a need to re-think our entire approach to our energy systems. Instead of hoping market forces solve the climate crisis, the government needs to stop giving tax breaks to polluters, so argues Clive Lewis in … Continue reading Strong argument for removing subsidies for fossil fuels →

The energy transition needs to protect the vulnerable

Fossil fuel subsidies are a popular and pervasive tool for helping people across the world to have access to energy. This is an issue that needs to be addressed in our energy and climate policies. Benjamin Sovacool, Professor of Energy Policy at the University of Sussex and Jessica Jewell, Research Scholar at the International Institute … Continue reading The energy transition needs to protect the vulnerable →

New OECD report on inventory of support measures for fossil fuels reveals extent of subsidies

If the energy transition is to be effective, support for fossil fuels will need to decrease but Jocelyn Timperley writes on the energymix website that such is not the case so far. Fossil Fuel Subsidies Hit (At Least) $373 Billion in 2015, OECD Reports Countries burned through at least US$373 to $473 billion in … Continue reading New OECD report on inventory of support measures for fossil fuels reveals extent of subsidies →

How sustainable energy subsidies are evolving in Ireland

Recent analysis shows that there has been an important shift in subsidies towards sustainable energy in the past decade. Michael Viney explains in an article in the Irish Times. What is the experience in your country? Dramatic shift in environment subsidies towards renewable energy There has been a dramatic shift in environmental subsidies in … Continue reading How sustainable energy subsidies are evolving in Ireland →

Transferring fossil fuel subsidies to clean energy could yield major savings in dollars and GHG emissions

A new report from the Nordic Council of Ministers finds that redirecting fossil fuel subsidies toward the clean energy transition could help climate vulnerable countries reap major savings while slashing greenhouse gas emissions. This is according to a study by the International Institute of Sustainable Development (IISD) Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) and Gaia Consulting, “Making … Continue reading Transferring fossil fuel subsidies to clean energy could yield major savings in dollars and GHG emissions →

Will subsidies for fossil fuels ever end?

Once again we read about subsidies for fossil fuels. Ian Johnston writes in the Independent that files sent accidentally to Britain’s top satirical magazine, Private Eye, shows that the British government has been providing financial support for fossil fuel development overseas. It is encouraging that Britain is one of the most generous countries providing foreign … Continue reading Will subsidies for fossil fuels ever end? →

The worrying scale of America’s subsidies for fossil fuels

While there are growing concerns about how the Trump Administration is dismantling the country’s sustainable energy policies, Radek Stefansky, Lecturer in Economics at the University of St Andrews writes on The Conversation website about the increasingly worrying scale of subsidies for fossil fuels. America's 'hidden subsidies' for fossil fuels are worth $170 billion a … Continue reading The worrying scale of America’s subsidies for fossil fuels →

New report on benefits of ending fossil fuel subsidies

To ensure the low-carbon energy transition it is necessary to address the use of subsidies for fossil fuels. A new study by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Global Subsidies Initiative and the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) provides a comprehensive assessment of the adverse impact of such subsidies. Ending Fossil Fuel Production Subsidies … Continue reading New report on benefits of ending fossil fuel subsidies →