In October 2011, the Centre d’Analyse Stratégique released a study Les aides publiques dommageables à la biodiversité – ‘Public incentives that harm biodiversity’ – that reviews general thinking on the relationship between biodiversity and subsidies, and applies them to France.

The paper introduces the issue of biodiversity subsidies by describing the main definitions of subsidies, methods for identifying and measuring them and the limits of trying to quantify the impacts too precisely. The paper then identifies the five main causes of biodiversity loss in France and the main subsidies which incentivize this deterioration. It concludes with ten recommendations, including the need for better transparency, reporting and assessments; and increasing the use of policy tools that can provide incentives for maintaining biodiversity, such as public procurement, taxes and fees.

In addition, the paper makes a number of recommendations specific to key aspects of French policy that affect biodiversity, including land development and urban sprawl, transportation, water, agriculture, industry and regional authorities. Internationally, it recommends a commitment from the G-20 on biodiversity that mirrors the group’s existing commitment to phase out and rationalize fossil-fuel subsidies.

Coming at a period of increased interest in the impact of studies on biodiversity – in 2010, parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) agreed to implement a strategic plan for biodiversity, including a target to eliminate, phase out or reform harmful subsidies by 2020 – the report provides a useful and timely analysis of the issue.

The full study is available on the website of the Centre d’Analyse Stratégique. An English translation of the executive summary is also available.