Untangling the Subsidies Knot: A Panel Discussion of Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform
By some estimates, Canadian governments spend as much as $2.6 billion annually on fossil fuel subsidies. Reforming these subsidies may have merit on both environmental and economic grounds. Yet the process of determining the extent and impact of subsidies, and how to change them, is both analytically and politically tricky. There is no straightforward path for parsing public and private interests.
With limited government resources, could alternative uses of public dollars lead to a greater public good?
On October 2, 2013, IISD and Sustainable Prosperity hosted a lively discussion of the why and how of fossil fuel subsidy reform. IISD experts Peter Wooders and Dave Sawyer presented on "Moving Ahead on Reform" and "Fossil Fuel Subsidies in the Canadian Oil and Gas Sector."
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Powerpoint presentations:
Energy Subsidies — Moving ahead on reform, Peter Wooders, Senior Economist, IISD & Programme Leader, Global Subsidies Initiative
A Carbon Price is Good, But a Zero Carbon Price is a Better Start: Fossil-Fuel Subsidies in the Canadian Oil and Gas Sector, David Sawyer
You might also be interested in
MEPs vote to leave treaty used by investors to sue over climate policies
European lawmakers have voted to escape a treaty that lets investors sue governments in private courts for pursuing policies that stop the planet from heating.
CSDDD: EU's Due Diligence Law Vote Should Drive Supply Chain Sustainability Efforts
The European Parliament has voted to adopt the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, aiming to address the environmental and social impacts of the supply chains of Europe's large corporations.
IISD: EU’s Historic Energy Charter Treaty Vote Will Boost Energy Transition
The European Parliament has voted for the European Union to withdraw from the climate-threatening Energy Charter Treaty.
Why Blaine Higgs's 'big picture' emissions plan faces long odds
Canadian premier's vision of selling LNG to Europe to close coal plants faces local and global obstacles.