Ending Fossil Fuel Subsidies Would Offer Realistic Path to Lower Emissions, IEA Says

摘要

A carbon price is a good idea on paper for promoting innovation of low-carbon energy technologies, but eliminating hundreds of billions of dollars in fossil fuel subsidies worldwide is a much more realistic way to lower energy-related emissions, International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol said Dec. 8 at the Paris climate summit. Some $500 billion in fossil fuel subsidies worldwide "translates into a $110 per ton incentive to emit carbon," said Birol. The economist spoke at a press conference with U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz; French Minister of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy Segolene Royal; and Ajay Mathur, director-general of India's bureau of energy efficiency, ahead of announcements by 20 countries and business representatives of commitments and partnerships to increase research and development for low-carbon technologies.