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.

Commentary: The Public Goods Paradigm and the EU's Common Agricultural Policy

May 17, 2010 | Valentin Zahrnt

From the outside, the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) may look immutable. The only major effect of the reform passed by farm ministers in 2009, dubbed the ‘Health Check', was to dissipate more serious ambitions for change for the rest of the EU long-term budget (2007–2013).

Studies: VTPI says save money by raising public transport taxes

March 8, 2010

In February, the Victoria Transport Policy Institute (VTPI) published a report which argues that urban households in the United States could save money overall if taxes were raised to pay for better public transport.

Blog: China agrees to eliminate "famous brand" subsidies to end WTO dispute

February 8, 2010

The People's Republic of China has agreed to end dozens of controversial subsidies under its World Top Brand, Famous Export Brand and China Name Brand programs that the United States claimed were supporting Chinese exports of a variety of goods, ranging from electronic appliances to apparel and agricultural products.

Blog: Kenya to launch pilot food-security program, using cash transfers

December 5, 2009

The government of Kenya has launched the pilot phase of a subsidy program which aims to provide poor Kenyans with a monthly cash allowance to meet their basic food needs.

Commentary: The Tough Politics of Energy Subsidy

October 10, 2009 | David G. Victor

Governments spend staggering sums of money subsidizing energy—in particular fossil fuels, but increasingly also other forms of energy such as renewables. The latest global assessment, published last year by the International Energy Agency, puts the total energy subsidy at far more than US$300 billion annually.

News: Indonesia poised to increase energy subsidies

September 16, 2009

On 3 September 2009, the Jakarta Post newspaper announced the latest development in Indonesia’s long struggle with energy subsidization: spending will increase, again. Two decisions seem to have been made in close succession.

Studies: Biofuels subsidy studies in Canada and the U.S.; Subsidy transparency in Argentina; Farm subsidy poll in the U.S.

May 12, 2009

A new report by the Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) quantifies government support for biofuels in Canada, and analyzes whether this expenditure represents good value for Canadian taxpayers. Biofuels – At What Cost?

Stuck in reverse: recommendations on a long-term solution to a broken-down automobile industry

March 4, 2009 | Peter Wooders , Oshani Perera

The dramatic decline in the demand for cars has been a signature effect of the global economic crisis. Faced with a massive drop in sales - for example, 29 per cent in the case of Toyota and 49 per cent across the General Motors brands - the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and more recently, South Korea, Brazil, Japan and China have concluded that government bail-outs are both justifiable and necessary for the health of their auto sectors.

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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