Subsidies
Governments around the world spend at least a trillion dollars a year on subsidies to exploit the world's natural resources. But faced with increasing fiscal constraints, and concerned about making their economies cleaner, more inclusive, and stable, governments are under increasing pressure to change course.
GSI works closely with governments to help them move away from subsidies that hinder sustainability. The goal is to encourage individual governments to undertake unilateral reforms on subsidy policy where these would deliver clear economic, environmental, and social benefits. GSI also aims to generate a consensus in the World Trade Organization and in other forums on the need to take resolute, ongoing, and systematic action to reduce or eliminate subsidies that are trade-distorting and undermine sustainable development.
Related projects

Fossil Fuel Subsidy Tracker
Explore the latest global fossil fuel subsidy estimates from all major sources in one interactive database.

Fisheries Subsidies
IISD is focused on supporting the World Trade Organization negotiations to end harmful fisheries subsidies.

Unpacking Canada's Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Canada committed to phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies 10 years ago—but even after a decade there are still large subsidies to fossil fuel production.
Blog

Funding for Fossil Fuels Could Derail Canada's New Plan to Reduce Emissions
The Canadian federal government aims to use their recent climate plan and budget as the basis to tackle climate change over coming years. However, subsidies to the fossil fuel industry and new production projects threaten to undermine progress.

Climate Finance for South Africa May Kick-start a New Fossil Industry — Gas
At COP 26, a group of developed countries announced plans to provide climate finance to help South Africa move away from coal — but a crucial question is how to ensure these funds do not help another fossil fuel industry take off.

All Hands on Deck: Mobilizing our climate community for COP 26 and beyond
The Glasgow talks can send an important signal of whether the Paris Agreement can serve as an effective catalyst for countries to keep a 1.5° Celsius pathway within reach.
New Research
Mapping India's Energy Policy 2022
Looking at how the Government of India has supported different types of energy from FY 2014 to FY 2021, this report aims to improve transparency, create accountability, and encourage a responsible shift in support away from fossil fuels and toward clean energy.
A Draft World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies: What's on the table?
World Trade Organization (WTO) members hope to conclude a deal to curb harmful fisheries subsidies in June. This update provides an overview of the draft agreement and highlights how it attempts to find balance among various priorities and considerations.
In Search of a Triple Win
This brief assesses the likely poverty and inequality impacts of energy policies captured in the Energy Policy Tracker.
Indonesia's Energy Policy Briefing | February 2022
This edition of Indonesia's Energy Policy Briefing summarizes latest energy policy developments in Indonesia.
Experts

Peter Wooders
Senior Director, Energy

Ivetta Gerasimchuk
Director, Sustainable Energy

Christopher Beaton
Lead, Sustainable Energy Consumption

Philip Gass
Lead, Transitions

Alice Tipping
Lead, Sustainable Trade and Fisheries Subsidies

Richard Bridle
Senior Policy Advisor

Vanessa Corkal
Policy Advisor, Canada Energy Transitions

Anna Geddes
Associate

Tristan Irschlinger
Policy Advisor, Fisheries Subsidies

Tara Laan
Senior Associate

Lourdes Sanchez
Senior Policy Advisor and Lead, Indonesia

Joachim Roth
Policy Analyst

Shruti Sharma
Senior Policy Advisor

Anissa Suharsono
Associate

Balasubramanian Viswanathan
Policy Advisor

Vibhuti Garg
Associate and Senior Energy Specialist

Ronald Steenblik
Senior Fellow

Tom Moerenhout
Associate

Andrea Bassi
Senior Associate
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