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Energy Subsidies - International

From the UNFCCC to the SDGs, and from the G20 to APEC, GSI is involved in international processes and fora to push for Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform and transparency.

Research

Collaborations

GSI works with CSO coalitions for action on reform alongside ODI and OCI. GSI supports the work of the Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform.

Commentary: Revealing the high cost of energy subsidies: an interview with Trevor Morgan

Trevor Morgan is the principal author of the UNEP report released last month on energy subsidies and climate change, titled “Reforming Energy Subsidies: Opportunities to Contribute to the Climate Change Agenda”. He recently re-joined the International Energy Agency (IEA), having previously founded the independent energy-consulting firm, Menecon Consulting. The GSI reached Mr. Morgan at his office in Paris.

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Studies: Rand Institute study favours fossil-fuel tax over renewable energy subsidies

A study released by the Rand Corporation, a nonprofit think-tank, argues that it would be better for the United States to meet a 25% renewable energy standard by adopting a tax on fossil-fuels rather than providing subsidies for renewable energies. The study, “Impacts on U.S. Energy Expenditures and Greenhouse-Gas Emissions of Increasing Renewable-Energy Use”, compared a tax on fossil fuels, subsidies for renewable energies, and a revenue-neutral tax-and-subsidy mechanism.

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Commentary: The Affordable Medicines Facility - Malaria: A Healthy Subsidy

On World Malaria Day (25 April), the United Nations Secretary General posited a vision of halting malaria deaths by ensuring that effective control measures be available to everyone by the end of 2010. The interventions are, broadly, prevention with long-lasting insecticidal bed nets; spraying interior walls of dwellings with insecticides; and treatment with effective drugs.

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Commentary: Subsidies to biofuels: A time to take stock

The appearance of GSI's recent survey of how OECD economies are pouring billions into subsidising biofuels provides a good time to take stock of the GSI project.   Ours is not an ideological crusade against subsidies. Subsidies are a perfectly legitimate policy tool. Spending public money to advance private ends can sometimes make sense. But those who claim that have to provide hard evidence.

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Commentary: Sowing the Seeds of Failure: A Critique of The 2007 US Farm Bill

United States farm subsidy programs are again proving to be a major obstacle to expanding international trade opportunities at Geneva meetings aimed at reviving the Doha round of trade negotiations. Opponents of farm subsidy reform may be applauding this impasse, but there is be no reason for glee from the public at large. U.S. farm subsidy programs are broken and need to be fixed.

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Commentary: An Introduction to Investment Incentives

With the progressive dismantling of formal trade barriers as a result of many rounds of global trade negotiations, subsidies have become increasingly important as a way for governments to regulate economic activity within their territories.

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