Subsidies to Energy Industries

摘要: Whether by intent or accident, government subsidies affect the relative prices of various energy technologies, pattern use and investment, energy-related emissions. Energy resources vary widely in terms their capital intensity, reliance on centralized networks, environmental impacts, security profiles. Although policies greatest import to a particular option may differ, most stages fuel cycle aggregate impact is significant. Even with incomplete data, fiscal are estimated exceed $800 billion per year globally. Including mid-point estimates health externalities brings totals $2 trillion, although variance externality very wide. Most support fossil producers consumers, nuclear also major beneficiary renewables have been rising sharply recent years. Integrating discrete subsidy assessments across time geography has proven difficult due variation research scope methodologies; improved standardization would greatly improve transparency leverage opportunities for reform. Done properly, reforms substantial benefit.