Converting Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform into Opportunities for Climate Action
Side event in the margins of the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2019, co-sponsored by Costa Rica, New Zealand, Switzerland, Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform, IISD/Global Subsidies Initiative and UNEP.
Side event in the margins of the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2019, co-sponsored by Costa Rica, New Zealand, Switzerland, Friends of Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform, IISD/Global Subsidies Initiative and UNEP.
About
Fossil-fuel subsidy reform is the missing piece of the climate change jigsaw and governments must deliver global actions to decrease emissions as we head towards the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
It is important to note that in Copenhagen (2009/COP15) industrialized countries have committed to a goal of mobilizing jointly USD 100 billion dollars a year by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries, and this from a variety of sources.
This effort is laudable but it pales in comparison to the continued subsidizing of fossil fuels. These subsidies have, over the last years, amounted to between USD 400 and 800 billion dollars annually.
Fossil-fuel subsidies do not only go counter the global efforts to fight climate change – their removal contributes therefore to reaching SDG13 (Climate Action). Fossil fuel subsidies contradict indeed the spirit of a number of SDGs, including SDG3 (Health) and SDG7 (Energy).
In addition, removing inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies fosters the creation of an enabling environment with regard to – among other important aspects – a supportive framework for low-carbon investment.
Moreover, removing inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies has the potential to mobilize considerable domestic sources, away from subsidies for fossil fuels and towards funding SDGs.
In summary, removing inefficient fossil fuel subsidies contributes considerably to achieve the goals of the Agenda 2030.
The side event will:
- Provide incentives in how to implement fossil fuel subsidy reform with a link to reach the SDGs, i.e. SDG13 and beyond.
- Demonstrate the wide-ranging positive impact of fossil fuel subsidy reform for climate action.
- Clearly establish the negative impact of fossil fuel subsidies, which go counter a wide variety of SDGs.
Programme
Opening remarks
- Mr. Jacques Ducrest, Delegate of the Swiss Federal Council for Sustainable Development, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.
Introductory remarks
- Ms. Vanessa Corkal, Policy Analyst Energy and Fossil Fuel Subsidies, Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI): “Converting FFSR into Opportunities for Climate Action”.
Panel Discussion - “Sharing challenges and opportunities of FFSR in the frame of the Agenda 2030”
- Mr. Prof. Peter Messerli, Co-Chair UN Global Sustainable Development Report, Professor of Sustainable Development at the University of Bern
- Mr. Satya Tripathi, Assistant Secretary General, Head of UNEP’s New York Office
- H.E. Mr. Rodrigo A. Carazo, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations
- Ms. Michelle Gyles-McDonnough, Director of the Sustainable Development Unit (SDU) in the Executive Office of the Secretary-General (EOSG)
- H.E. Mr. Craig Hawke, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the United Nations
Closing remarks
- Ms. Vanessa Corkal, Policy Analyst Energy and Fossil Fuel Subsidies, Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI): “Converting FFSR into Opportunities for Climate Action”.
Event information
Wednesday 10th of July 2019 | 13:15-14:30 | Conference Room A, UN Headquarters | 405 East 42nd Street, New York, NY, 10017, USA
Upcoming events
2024 Investment Policy Forum
The 16th edition of the International Institute for Sustainable Development's (IISD) Investment Policy Forum will be held in Manila, the Philippines, in October 2024.
Working With Countries to Measure Wealth and Move Beyond GDP
IISD and experts share new "beyond GDP" reports from Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Trinidad and Tobago, building the case for measures of wealth to help guide government policy making.
WTO agriculture negotiations on domestic support: making new rules work for LDCs and other vulnerable economies
This webinar will bring research insights for WTO delegates, advancing domestic support negotiations pre-MC14 and aiding vulnerable economies.
Workshop for Parliamentarians on the Implementation of the ASEAN Guidelines on Promoting Responsible Investment in Food, Agriculture and Forestry Sectors
This workshop aims to engage parliamentarians, enhance their capacity, and share expertise to complement the ASEAN RAI.