LightNews — News, ranked by scholars

Dina Pomeranz

@dinapomeranz.bsky.social

Rather than taking carbon emissions, many countries are, on the contrary, still subsidizing them. #BadIncentives #WastefulSpending

Our World in Data @ourworldindata.org · Jan 27

How much subsidies do fossil fuels receive?

Estimates range from less than $1 trillion to $7 trillion globally.

Where do these numbers come from? Which countries give the highest subsidies to fossil fuels?

World map showing fossil-fuel subsidies per capita for 2021.

Subsidies are pre-tax and for both the production and consumption of fossil fuels. Production subsidies reduce the cost of
producing coal, oil or gas. Consumption subsidies cut fuel prices for the final consumer, for example by fixing the price at the
gas pump so that it is cheaper than the market rate. The data is expressed in US dollars, adjusted for inflation.

Values range from less than $1 per person in countries like Iceland and Singapore to several thousand dollars per person in countries like Qatar and Kuwait.

January 27, 2025 at 11:55 PM

RichardJR

@electricbluesfan.bsky.social

18/31 POLITICAL CALCULUS VS. FINANCIAL REALITY

Unlike corporations, governments mix economic and political incentives.

Political goals—industry support, regional base, "nation-building" vision—easily eclipse sober financial analysis.
#PoliticalCalc #BadIncentives

July 21, 2025 at 9:18 PM