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The Trade Effects of Phasing Out Fossil-Fuel Consumption Subsidies

Author

Listed:
  • Jean-Marc Burniaux

    (OECD)

  • Jean Château

    (OECD)

  • Jehan Sauvage

    (OECD)

Abstract

Quoting a joint analysis undertaken by the OECD and the IEA, G-20 leaders committed in September 2009 to “rationalize and phase out over the medium term inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies that encourage wasteful consumption.” This report draws on previous OECD work to assess the impact on international trade of phasing out fossil-fuel consumption subsidies provided mainly by developing and emerging economies. The analysis employed the OECD’s ENV-Linkages General-Equilibrium model and used the IEA’s estimates of consumer subsidies, which measure the gap existing between the domestic prices of fossil fuels and an international reference benchmark. It shows that a co-ordinated multilateral removal of fossil-fuel consumption subsidies over the 2013-2020 period would increase global trade volumes by a very small amount (0.1%) by 2020. While seemingly negligible, this increase hides the large disparities that are observed across countries (or regions) and products. Under the central scenario, which assumes a multilateral subsidy removal over the 2013-2020 period, trade in natural gas would be most affected, with a 6% decrease by 2020. A reduction in the volume of both imports and exports from oil-exporting countries would be partly compensated by an expansion of trade flows (both imports and exports) involving OECD countries. This reallocation of trade flows would be most prevalent in products of energy-intensive industries. Looking beyond 2020, the contribution of oil-exporting countries to total world trade volumes would continue to be lower in 2050 than under the reference scenario.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean-Marc Burniaux & Jean Château & Jehan Sauvage, 2011. "The Trade Effects of Phasing Out Fossil-Fuel Consumption Subsidies," OECD Trade and Environment Working Papers 2011/5, OECD Publishing.
  • Handle: RePEc:oec:traaaa:2011/5-en
    DOI: 10.1787/5kg6lql8wk7b-en
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhao, Xu & Dahl, Carol A. & Luo, Dongkun, 2019. "How OECD countries subsidize oil and natural gas producers and modeling the consequences: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 111-126.
    2. Chateau, Jean & Magné, Bertrand, 2013. "Economic impacts of energy efficiency investments : simulation of the 2012 IEA “Efficient World Scenario” in the OECD ENV-Linkages model," Conference papers 332301, Purdue University, Center for Global Trade Analysis, Global Trade Analysis Project.
    3. Schwanitz, Valeria Jana & Piontek, Franziska & Bertram, Christoph & Luderer, Gunnar, 2014. "Long-term climate policy implications of phasing out fossil fuel subsidies," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 67(C), pages 882-894.
    4. Bertrand Magné & Jean Chateau & Rob Dellink, 2014. "Global implications of joint fossil fuel subsidy reform and nuclear phase-out: an economic analysis," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 123(3), pages 677-690, April.
    5. Michael Jakob & Jérôme Hilaire, 2015. "Using importers’ windfall savings from oil subsidy reform to enhance international cooperation on climate policies," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 131(4), pages 465-472, August.
    6. Li, Yingzhu & Shi, Xunpeng & Su, Bin, 2017. "Economic, social and environmental impacts of fuel subsidies: A revisit of Malaysia," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 110(C), pages 51-61.
    7. Muñoz, Juan C. & Sauma, Enzo & Muñoz, Francisco D. & Moreno, Rodrigo, 2023. "Analysis of generation investments under price controls in cross-border trade of electricity," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    8. Xu Zhao & Carol A. Dahl & Dongkun Luo, 2015. "How OECD countries subsidize oil and natural gas producers and modeling the consequences: A review with recommendations," Working Papers 2015-03, Colorado School of Mines, Division of Economics and Business.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    climate change; fossil-fuel subsidies; general equilibrium models; greenhouse gas emissions; trade and environment;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F17 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Forecasting and Simulation
    • F18 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade and Environment
    • H23 - Public Economics - - Taxation, Subsidies, and Revenue - - - Externalities; Redistributive Effects; Environmental Taxes and Subsidies
    • O41 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity - - - One, Two, and Multisector Growth Models
    • Q43 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Energy - - - Energy and the Macroeconomy
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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