Increasing the momentum of fossil-fuel subsidy reform

Increasing the momentum of fossil-fuel subsidy reform
Author:
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2010
Genre:
ISBN:

Although systemic, prompt and deep action on fossil-fuel subsidies by the WTO is not seen as a priority among its membership, especially in the face of the slow progress of the Doha Round negotiations and the current financial crisis, trade-related responses to climate change are increasingly seen as part of the future WTO agenda. [...] The low rates of notifications, the lateness in submitting reports and the problems with the accuracy and completeness of reported data have been attributed to one main shortcoming of the 10 Increasing the Momentum of Fossil-Fuel Subsidy Reform: A Roadmap for international cooperation transparency framework under the SCM Agreement. [...] In addition to the negotiations on fish subsidies, there have been some proposals to extend the existing disciplines of the SCM Agreement, namely by the United States and the EC. [...] A significant obstacle to bringing a complaint before the Dispute Settlement Body, or even in requesting consultations, is the burden of proof that is placed on the complaining member to demonstrate the existence and nature of the subsidy (Articles 4.2 and 7.1). [...] The United States proposed to expand the categories of prohibited subsidies and the EC proposed to improve members' abilities to address the adverse impacts of subsidies.

Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform

Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform
Author: Vernon JC Rive
Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing
Total Pages: 320
Release: 2019
Genre:
ISBN: 1785360892

This much-needed book provides an empirically-grounded, and theoretically informed account of international law sources, mechanisms, initiatives and institutions which address and affect the practice of subsidising fossil fuel consumption and production. Drawing on recent scholarship on emerging international governance mechanisms, ‘informal’ international law-making and regime interaction, it offers suggestions, and critiques suggestions of others, for how the international law framework could be employed more effectively and appropriately to respond to environmentally and fiscally harmful fossil fuel subsidies.

Fit for Purpose?: Toward trade rules that support fossil fuel subsidy reform and the clean energy transition

Fit for Purpose?: Toward trade rules that support fossil fuel subsidy reform and the clean energy transition
Author: van Asselt, Harro
Publisher: Nordic Council of Ministers
Total Pages: 60
Release: 2020-11-18
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 9289368098

Available online: https://pub.norden.org/temanord2020-539/ Estimated at USD 478 billion in 2019, fossil fuel subsidies strain the public purse, contribute to climate change, slow the uptake of renewable energy, and lead to local air pollution and associated impacts on public health. Their reform could thus lead to a wide range of socioeconomic and environmental benefits. Despite its binding rules to regulate subsidies, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has so far failed to play any significant role in constraining government support to fossil fuels. Against this backdrop, this report explores whether WTO rules and practices are fit for purpose in addressing fossil fuels subsidies and supporting the clean energy transition, and how they could be reformed to more effectively contribute to these key objectives. It also offers practical recommendations for WTO members and other stakeholders interested in moving this agenda forward.

Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reforms

Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reforms
Author: Jun Rentschler
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 236
Release: 2018-04-27
Genre: Political Science
ISBN: 1351175815

Countries around the world are spending up to $500 billion per year on subsidising fossil fuel consumption. By some estimates, the G20 countries alone are spending around another $450 billion on subsidising fossil fuel production. In addition, the indirect social welfare costs of these subsidies have been shown to be substantial – for instance due to air pollution, road congestion, climate change, and economic inefficiency, to name a few. Considering these numbers, there is no doubt that fossil fuel subsidies cause severe economic distortions that compromise countries’ prospects of achieving equitable and sustainable development. This book provides a guide to the complex challenge of designing, assessing, and implementing effective fossil fuel subsidy reforms. It shows that subsidy reform requires a careful balancing of complex economic and political trade-offs, as well as measures to mitigate adverse effects on vulnerable households and to assist firms with implementing efficiency enhancing measures. Going beyond the purely fiscal perspective, this book emphasises that smart subsidy reforms can contribute to all three dimensions of sustainable development – environment, society, and economy. Over the course of eight chapters, this book considers a wide range of agents and stakeholders, markets, and policy measures in order to distil the key principles of designing effective fossil fuel subsidy reforms. This book will be of great relevance to scholars and policy makers with an interest in energy economics and policy, climate change policy, and sustainable development more broadly.

The Politics of Fossil Fuel Subsidies and Their Reform

The Politics of Fossil Fuel Subsidies and Their Reform
Author: Jakob Skovgaard
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 349
Release: 2018-08-23
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 1108416799

This comprehensive volume provides the first book-length account on the politics of fossil fuel subsidies. This title is also available as Open Access.