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Seizing the opportunity: tackling fossil fuel subsidies under the UNFCCC

Author

Listed:
  • Harro van Asselt

    (University of Eastern Finland Law School
    Stockholm Environment Institute)

  • Kati Kulovesi

    (University of Eastern Finland Law School)

Abstract

Analyses from international and nongovernmental organizations have pointed to the negative environmental, economic and social implications of the sizable subsidies handed out by governments for the production and consumption of fossil fuels. Given their relevance for achieving climate policy objectives, it is perhaps surprising that the climate regime established by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) does not address fossil fuel subsidies. This article discusses the possible role of the UNFCCC in tackling fossil fuel subsidies. It suggests that the UNFCCC could enhance the transparency around fossil fuel subsidies and put in place incentives for countries to undertake subsidy reform. However, the possibilites under the UNFCCC will be limited by political barriers to subsidy reform at the national level and will need to be carried out in coordination with other international institutions active in the field.

Suggested Citation

  • Harro van Asselt & Kati Kulovesi, 2017. "Seizing the opportunity: tackling fossil fuel subsidies under the UNFCCC," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 357-370, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ieaple:v:17:y:2017:i:3:d:10.1007_s10784-017-9357-x
    DOI: 10.1007/s10784-017-9357-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. repec:cii:cepiie:2014-q4-140-50 is not listed on IDEAS
    2. Jakob Skovgaard, 2017. "Erratum to: The devil lies in the definition: competing approaches to fossil fuel subsidies at the IMF and the OECD," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 355-355, June.
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    14. Thijs Van de Graaf & Harro van Asselt, 2017. "Introduction to the special issue: energy subsidies at the intersection of climate, energy, and trade governance," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 313-326, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Margaret A. Young, 2017. "Energy transitions and trade law: lessons from the reform of fisheries subsidies," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 371-390, June.
    2. Thijs Van de Graaf & Harro van Asselt, 2017. "Introduction to the special issue: energy subsidies at the intersection of climate, energy, and trade governance," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 17(3), pages 313-326, June.
    3. Katharine Heyl & Felix Ekardt & Lennard Sund & Paula Roos, 2022. "Potentials and Limitations of Subsidies in Sustainability Governance: The Example of Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-26, November.
    4. Nicky R. M. Pouw & Hans-Peter Weikard & Richard B. Howarth, 2022. "Economic analysis of international environmental agreements: lessons learnt 2000–2020," International Environmental Agreements: Politics, Law and Economics, Springer, vol. 22(2), pages 279-294, June.
    5. Christopher M. Dent, 2021. "Trade, Climate and Energy: A New Study on Climate Action through Free Trade Agreements," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-30, July.

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