Subsidies
With over 10 years of experience, the IISD Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) is widely recognized as a world-class leader in the quantification, evaluation, and reform of 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 works to support the WTO 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.
How Indonesia's Incoming President Can Advance the Transition to Clean Energy
With Prabowo Subianto inaugurated as Indonesia’s President, speculation abounds about the new administration’s commitment to the clean energy transition and climate targets, given Prabowo’s positioning as the “continuity candidate.” The question is, what, exactly, will be continued?
The G7 Should Lead the Transition Away from Fossil Fuels. Here’s how
At the upcoming G7 Leaders' Summit, there is a critical opportunity to consolidate and strengthen their progress on the energy transition, including on fossil fuel phase-out.
New Research
Unlocking Clean Power for All
This report uses tipping point theory to advise where public funding can be strategically directed to catalyze renewable energy deployment in developing and emerging economies.
Public Financial Support for Renewable Power Generation and Integration in the G20 Countries
G20 governments provided at least USD 168 billion in public financial support for renewable power in 2023, less than one third of G20 fossil fuel subsidies that year.
Assessment of Fossil Fuel Subsidies in Canada
This report evaluates a potential fossil fuel subsidy provided to the Canadian oil industry through the Government of Canada's expansion and continued operation of the Trans Mountain Pipeline (TMP) using the government's new fossil fuel subsidies assessment framework as the basis for analysis.
Revitalizing International Fossil Fuel Subsidy Phase-Out Commitments Through Roadmaps, Closing Loopholes, and Support
A new approach outlines how countries can strengthen fossil fuel subsidy reform commitments with time-bound roadmaps, closing loopholes, and support for lower-income countries.
Experts
Ivetta Gerasimchuk
Director, Energy Program, International Strategy
Christopher Beaton
Director, Energy Program, Public Financial Flows
Philip Gass
Director, Energy Program, Just Transitions and Canada
Alice Tipping
Director, Trade and Sustainable Development
Richard Bridle
Senior Policy Advisor
Anna Geddes
Associate
Tristan Irschlinger
Senior Policy Advisor, Fisheries Subsidies
Tara Laan
Lead, Incentivizing Renewables
Shruti Sharma
Lead, Affordable Energy
Anissa Suharsono
Associate
Vibhuti Garg
Associate and Senior Energy Specialist
Tom Moerenhout
Associate
Andrea Bassi
Senior Associate
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