Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/190019 
Authors: 
Year of Publication: 
2017
Series/Report no.: 
WIDER Working Paper No. 2017/174
Publisher: 
The United Nations University World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), Helsinki
Abstract: 
Energy subsidy reform is critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and tackling climate change. This paper sets out the evidence on the scale of subsidies and their impact. It then reviews the actions of donors in encouraging and supporting energy subsidy reforms. I find that, outside of analytical work in support of international diplomatic efforts, the donor community has devoted remarkably few resources to supporting developing countries to remove energy subsidies. This is despite the fact that energy subsidies exceed all bilateral aid in 59 per cent of recipient countries. The reason for this low level of effort is the political sensitivity of such reforms. The paper then draws on the recent literature on 'thinking and working politically' to provide recommendations about how donors might more effectively encourage politically sensitive energy subsidy reform.
Subjects: 
energy subsidies
fossil fuel subsidies
aid
political economy
JEL: 
H22
H23
Q48
Persistent Identifier of the first edition: 
ISBN: 
978-92-9256-400-1
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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