India is a leader among large emerging economies for its innovative use of fossil fuel taxes, such as the coal cess and excise taxes, to raise revenues and foster a clean energy transition. This combination of fossil fuel taxes and support for renewable energy characterizes both the Nordic and Indian approaches to the energy transition.
 
Nordic countries are internationally recognized for delivering strong economic growth with robust social and environmental policies. Since 2000, the Nordic economies grew 28%, while their carbon dioxide emissions fell by 18%. One of the secrets of their success in balancing these priorities has been the innovative use of energy taxation to recover from an economic crisis, such as the world is facing today.

This webinar, co-organized by IISD, IEEFA, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, New Delhi, and the Embassy of Sweden, New Delhi is unique in bringing together diverse perspectives and specific examples of green fiscal reforms and recovery strategies to inform decision-making by governments and offers valuable insights for researchers and policy experts.

Preliminary Agenda and Speakers

Opening Remarks
Siddharth Goel (Associate and Senior Consultant, IISD)

Session 1: Green Taxation: Challenges and Opportunities

Nordic Experience with Environmental Fiscal Reform in Response to Economic Crises
Tara Laan (Senior Associate, IISD)

India’s Experience with Coal Cess, Excise and VAT
Balasubramanian Viswanathan (Associate, IISD)

Comments from Panelists on Green Fiscal Reforms:

Increasing Carbon Taxes Without Damaging Industry: Norway's strategies to strike a balance
Guri Storaas (Senior Advisor, Ministry of Climate and Environment, Norway)

Have Fuel Taxes and the Coal Cess Supported India's Transition Towards Clean Energy Sources? 
Karthik Ganesan (Research Fellow, Council on Energy, Environment and Water)

Can Reforms of India's Fuel Taxes Support Its Economic Recovery?
Kavita Rao (Professor, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy)

Discussion and Q&A

Session 2: Green Recovery in the Post-COVID world

How Green Spending Could Better Meet India’s Economic and Environmental Objectives
Vibhuti Garg (Senior Energy Specialist, Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis)

Comments from Panelists on Green Expenditure Patterns for Covid-19 Recovery Programs:

How Will Sweden's Green Stimulus Package Promote New Jobs While Reducing Emissions?
Mattias Frumerie (Head of Delegation to UNFCCC, Government of Sweden)

Should India Set Itself a Net-zero Emissions Goal and What Would a Just Transition Entail?
Ulka Kelkar (Director, Climate Program,  WRI India)

Discussion and Q&A

Closing

Practical Information

Wednesday, March 10 | 3:00 p.m. IST / 8:00 a.m. CEST

via Zoom

Recording

Watch the recording of the event on YouTube