Subsidies
With over 10 years of experience, the IISD Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) is widely recognized as a world-class leader in the quantification, evaluation, and reform of subsidies.
Governments around the world spend at least a trillion dollars a year on subsidies to exploit the world's natural resources. But faced with increasing fiscal constraints, and concerned about making their economies cleaner, more inclusive, and stable, governments are under increasing pressure to change course.
GSI works closely with governments to help them move away from subsidies that hinder sustainability. The goal is to encourage individual governments to undertake unilateral reforms on subsidy policy where these would deliver clear economic, environmental, and social benefits. GSI also aims to generate a consensus in the World Trade Organization and in other forums on the need to take resolute, ongoing, and systematic action to reduce or eliminate subsidies that are trade-distorting and undermine sustainable development.
Related projects
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Global Subsidies Initiative
GSI programs and research place a spotlight on fossil fuel subsidies and the corrosive effect they have on economic development, governance and environmental quality.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2021-05/oil-pump-rig.jpg?h=70462508&itok=aVRI707P)
Fossil Fuel Subsidy Tracker
Explore the latest global fossil fuel subsidy estimates from all major sources in one interactive database.
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Fisheries Subsidies
IISD works to support the WTO negotiations to end harmful fisheries subsidies.
Articles
![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2020-07/canada%20pipes.jpg?h=5199961b&itok=IW0SfTgd)
Unpacking Canada's Fossil Fuel Subsidies
Canada committed to phasing out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies 10 years ago—but even after a decade there are still large subsidies to fossil fuel production.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2024-06/rs5611_istock-1400417824_2_scr.jpg?h=4ffac15b&itok=ppkv2Hd3)
The G7 Should Lead the Transition Away from Fossil Fuels. Here’s how
At the upcoming G7 Leaders' Summit, there is a critical opportunity to consolidate and strengthen their progress on the energy transition, including on fossil fuel phase-out.
![](/sites/default/files/styles/featured_box_landscape_mobile/public/2024-04/turin-italy-cityscape.jpg?h=160995c1&itok=eiZe0x9U)
What the G7 Ministerial Could Have Delivered on Fossil Fuel Subsidies Reform
The G7 climate, energy, and environment ministers’ meeting in Turin fell short when it came to breaking the 15 years of gridlock on fossil fuel subsidies. Here are three ways the G7 can use their next meetings to demonstrate measurable progress.
New Research
Revitalizing International Fossil Fuel Subsidy Phase-Out Commitments Through Roadmaps, Closing Loopholes, and Support
A new approach outlines how countries can strengthen fossil fuel subsidy reform commitments with time-bound roadmaps, closing loopholes, and support for lower-income countries.
Securing India's Copper Supply
This policy brief emphasizes the need for India to develop a comprehensive copper strategy.
The Indonesia Cooking Diaries Study
This study evaluates the feasibility and implications of switching from cooking with LPG to induction stoves in Indonesian households.
A Balancing Act
With Nigeria's growing population in need of wide-ranging solutions to the multidimensional poverty it faces, a new IISD report outlines how the LNG dash could ultimately leave the economy more vulnerable to external shocks and without a solid domestic foundation.
Experts
![Ivetta Gerasimchuk is Interim Co-Director, Energy & Director, Sustainable Energy in the IISD Energy program.](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-11/ivetta-gerasimchuk-2023.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=6tpvMDba)
Ivetta Gerasimchuk
Director, Energy Program, International Strategy
![Christopher-Beaton-2019.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/Christopher-Beaton-2019.jpg?h=a33fd4e3&itok=VVf9_xWL)
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Director, Energy Program, Public Financial Flows
![IISD-DSC07777 - Phil Gass for web.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/IISD-DSC07777%20-%20Phil%20Gass%20for%20web.jpg?h=74c6825a&itok=8fgYzlWN)
Philip Gass
Director, Energy Program, Just Transitions and Canada
![Alice-Tipping-2019.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/Alice-Tipping-2019.jpg?h=a33fd4e3&itok=Lw2NW54G)
Alice Tipping
Director, Trade and Sustainable Development
![IISD-DSC08267 - Richard Bridle for web.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/IISD-DSC08267%20-%20Richard%20Bridle%20for%20web.jpg?h=74c6825a&itok=f-oh28SE)
Richard Bridle
Senior Policy Advisor
![Anna2-2.jpg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/experts/Anna2-2.jpg?h=a7e6d17b&itok=ZewcbgSv)
Anna Geddes
Associate
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Tristan Irschlinger
Senior Policy Advisor, Fisheries Subsidies
![Photo of Tara Laan.](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-06/tara-laan-2024.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=lQ5qZcsC)
Tara Laan
Lead, Incentivizing Renewables
![Photo of Shruti Sharma](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2024-06/shruti-sharma-2024.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=CqScI2xO)
Shruti Sharma
Lead
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Anissa Suharsono
Associate
![Photo of Vibhuti Garg](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2022-04/vibhuti-garg-2022.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=XH5Wawql)
Vibhuti Garg
Associate and Senior Energy Specialist
![Ronald Steenblik, IISD Senior Fellow](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2021-08/ron-steenblik-2021.jpg?h=b597944e&itok=dRKDsSym)
Ronald Steenblik
Senior Fellow
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Tom Moerenhout
Associate
![Andrea Bassi](/sites/default/files/styles/profile_picture_mobile/public/2023-07/andrea-bassi.jpg?h=b49e4653&itok=6j8hrXw-)
Andrea Bassi
Senior Associate
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