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

Global Subsidies Initiative
GSI programs and research place a spotlight on fossil fuel subsidies and the corrosive effect they have on economic development, governance and environmental quality.

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.
Articles

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.

Source to Sea: Integrating the water agenda in 2023
2023 could prove to be a definitive year for facilitating an integrative perspective on water issues, from fresh water to the marine environment.

The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies: What it means and why it matters
After more than two decades of negotiations, members of the World Trade Organization concluded an Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies in June 2022. What does it entail, and why does this treaty matter?
New Research
The WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies: A Reader's Guide
This guide provides a clear overview of the World Trade Organization Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, explaining succinctly the rules and provisions that the treaty establishes.
Mapping India's Energy Policy 2022 (Update)
This study gathers and analyzes data on Indian government support for fossil fuels and clean energy for fiscal years 2014–2022.
Self-Assessment Tool for the Implementation of the WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement
As World Trade Organization Members prepare for the entry into force of the new Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, this new tool aims to support their implementation efforts.
Background Note on Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform
As fossil fuel subsidies are expected to swell following rapidly rising energy prices, IISD offers a background note on the rationale and international initiatives for reforming fossil fuel subsidies.
Experts

Ivetta Gerasimchuk
Director, Sustainable Energy

Christopher Beaton
Lead, Sustainable Energy Consumption

Philip Gass
Lead, Transitions

Alice Tipping
Director, Trade and Sustainable Development

Richard Bridle
Senior Policy Advisor

Vanessa Corkal
Senior Policy Advisor, Canada Energy Transitions

Anna Geddes
Associate

Tristan Irschlinger
Policy Advisor, Fisheries Subsidies

Tara Laan
Senior Associate

Shruti Sharma
Senior Policy Advisor

Anissa Suharsono
Associate

Vibhuti Garg
Associate and Senior Energy Specialist

Ronald Steenblik
Senior Fellow

Tom Moerenhout
Associate

Andrea Bassi
Senior Associate
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