Fossil Fuel Subsidies & Health

On a global scale, the removal of consumer fossil fuel subsidies combined with effective taxation would have positive health impacts. Impacts and timing of subsidies allocated to coal are also important in terms of encouraging overuse with knock-on health effects. Broader externalities from fossil fuels have wide ramifications for human health.

Press Release: South Africa’s Energy Subsidies Tripled Since 2017, Hitting ZAR 172 Billion in 2020—New Report

January 31, 2022

Energy subsidies in South Africa more than tripled between FY2017 and FY2020 to ZAR 172 billion (USD 10.4 billion), with the highest subsidies allocated to fossil fuels, according to a new report.

Reports: South Africa's Energy Fiscal Policies: An inventory of subsidies, taxes, and policies impacting the energy transition

January 31, 2022

A review of the system of energy subsidies and taxes in South Africa to assess their alignment with the energy transition.

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News: Experts on Health, Gender, and Communities Echo the Need for People-Centred Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform

October 5, 2021 | Anne Andersen

In September 2021, health, gender, and just transition experts discussed fossil fuel subsidy reform at an IISD webinar supported by the IEA and the Government of Denmark.

Reports: Health Co-Benefits from NDC Implementation in China

January 31, 2020

This report summarizes the policy efforts that the country is undertaking to meet its NDC targets and the related expected health co-benefits, based on recent scientific literature. It compares public budget allocations to health, climate change-related measures and subsidies to fossil fuels.

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Press Release: Health benefits far outweigh the costs of meeting China’s climate change goals, experts say

January 30, 2020

Geneva, January 30 - Researchers from the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), together with experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), launched a report highlighting the substantial health gains expected from China’s national climate policies during a Special Event on Health & Climate Change in Geneva.

Blog: Governments should fight air pollution from fossil fuels like they fight tobacco use

October 9, 2019 | Lourdes Sanchez , Nina Renshaw

Imagine driving into a gas station to fill up your car’s gas tank and seeing this stark notice affixed to the pump: “Warning: Burning fossil fuels kills.”

Reports: Burning Problems, Inspiring Solutions: Sharing lessons on action against tobacco and fossil fuels

This report seeks to drive action on air pollution and climate change through the regulation of fossil fuels, considering society's experience with tobacco control.

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Commentary: Support for Clean Cooking in India

November 22, 2018

India is currently one of the most polluted countries in the world, with air pollution contributing to hundreds of thousands of deaths per year—much caused by burning biomass fuel, such as wood and dung. The health impacts, and the burden of collecting and preparing traditional fuels, falls disproportionately on women and children.

Special Event on Health & Climate Change

Thursday, January 30, 2020 - 17:00

Thursday, January 30, 2020 - 15:00

Special Event on Health & Climate Change co-organized by the IISD Global Subsidies Initiative and the World Health Organization

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