We Ask Your Government! how much its fossil-fuel subsidies cost
The International Budget Partnership (IBP) commenced a project in 2010 that aimed to find out how well governments respond to legitimate requests from civil society for information on specific areas of public expenditure.
The Ask Your Government! (AYG) How Much it is Spending on Development Commitments initiative posed six budget-related questions to 80 governments. The Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) of the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) developed one of those questions: "What was the total amount actually incurred during the past three fiscal years on subsidies for oil, gas and coal production and consumption?"The results illustrate the opacity of fossil-fuel subsidy policies and the lack of information about how governments are spending public money. This brief analyzes the findings of the survey and provides insightful anecdotes from the surveyors that demonstrate the challenges of accessing information on subsidy expenditure; and concludes with recommendations for how policy-makers can improve the availability and quality of information about subsidies.
Participating experts
You might also be interested in
Bonn Climate Talks: What to watch for the fossil fuel transition
As governments return to Bonn for the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies meetings (SB64), the transition away from fossil fuels will be a key test of whether growing political momentum can translate into practical progress.
Bonn Climate Talks 2026: What to expect after Santa Marta
With UN climate talks starting in Bonn soon, the shift to implementation is being felt, especially in the transition away from fossil fuels.
Designed to Fail
This report explores how low-density, car-oriented development increases infrastructure costs and drives greenhouse gas emissions.
India’s State Energy Firms can Boost Energy Security by Progressively Shifting Over INR 2 Trillion Per Year From Fossil Fuels to Clean Energy
New research finds India’s nine state-owned energy companies could progressively redirect a significant share of their over INR 2 trillion annual capital expenditure toward clean and reliable energy, strengthening energy security while accelerating the low-carbon transition.