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Subsidies against Nature: A multidimensional framework for biodiversity-aligned national budgets

Author

Listed:
  • Morgane Gonon

    (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech - ENPC - École nationale des ponts et chaussées - Université Paris-Saclay - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Améline Vallet

    (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech - ENPC - École nationale des ponts et chaussées - Université Paris-Saclay - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, ESE - Ecologie Systématique et Evolution - AgroParisTech - Université Paris-Saclay - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Vincent Deschamps

    (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech - ENPC - École nationale des ponts et chaussées - Université Paris-Saclay - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

  • Amélie Le Mieux

    (OFB - Office français de la biodiversité)

  • Aurélien Oosterlinck

    (OFB - Office français de la biodiversité)

  • Hélène Soubelet

    (FRB - Fondation pour la recherche sur la Biodiversité)

  • Louise Dupuis

    (FRB - Fondation pour la recherche sur la Biodiversité)

  • Harold Levrel

    (CIRED - Centre International de Recherche sur l'Environnement et le Développement - Cirad - Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - AgroParisTech - ENPC - École nationale des ponts et chaussées - Université Paris-Saclay - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)

Abstract

Governments provide more than USD 800 billion annually in environmentally harmful subsidies at the global level despite international commitments. This paper introduces a novel and replicable framework for identifying biodiversity-harmful subsidies within national budgets. Our multidimensional approach is based on the five drivers of biodiversity loss: land use change, resource exploitation, climate change, pollution, and invasive species. Our framework evaluates subsidies across seven economic sectorstransport, housing, industry, agriculture, livestock, power generation, and digital deployment-based on their expected biodiversity impact (harmful, positive, mixed, neutral, or unclassifiable). We apply this framework to the French national budget and find that, in 2022, €27.14 billion were allocated to subsidize harmful activities. Pollution is the most financially supported driver of biodiversity loss. Our analysis also reveals significant trade-offs, with 25% of climate-positive subsidies exacerbating land use pressures. The study calls for a sector-specific approach to subsidy reform. By codeveloping this framework with biodiversity experts and public authorities, we provide a decision-support tool to align public investments with pathways towards sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Morgane Gonon & Améline Vallet & Vincent Deschamps & Amélie Le Mieux & Aurélien Oosterlinck & Hélène Soubelet & Louise Dupuis & Harold Levrel, 2025. "Subsidies against Nature: A multidimensional framework for biodiversity-aligned national budgets," Post-Print hal-05074919, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05074919
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2025.108661
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://agroparistech.hal.science/hal-05074919v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hadji-Lazaro, Paul & Salin, Mathilde & Svartzman, Romain & Espagne, Etienne & Gauthey, Julien & Berger, Joshua & Calas, Julien & Godin, Antoine & Vallier, Antoine, 2024. "Biodiversity loss and financial stability as a new frontier for central banks: An exploration for France," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 223(C).
    2. Bhattacharya, Tania & Bhattacharya, Anindya, 2019. "Financing biodiversity action plan using state appropriation account analysis: A case study of an Indian state," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 39(C).
    3. Schmid, Erwin & Sinabell, Franz & Hofreither, Markus F., 2007. "Phasing out of environmentally harmful subsidies: Consequences of the 2003 CAP reform," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 60(3), pages 596-604, January.
    4. Spangenberg, Joachim H., 2007. "Biodiversity pressure and the driving forces behind," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 146-158, February.
    5. Edward B. Barbier, 2022. "The Policy Implications of the Dasgupta Review: Land Use Change and Biodiversity," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 83(4), pages 911-935, December.
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