Canada’s export bank, Export Development Canada (EDC), already provides on average nearly fourteen billion dollars in support to oil and gas companies each year. As a result, Canada ranks second highest among G20 countries in public finance for fossil fuels. Now the federal government is using EDC to channel even more support to the oil and gas sector, which has been intensely lobbying the government for a bailout package of up to $30 billion.
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Past Time for Action: Subsidies and Public Finance for Fossil Fuels in the Netherlands
Amidst a climate crisis and global pandemic, it’s essential that countries develop public finance packages that phase out fossil fuel production and invest in a just, green transition toward renewable energy that benefits communities and industry workers. While the Netherlands has committed to redirect financial flows from fossil fuels to climate action, this report reveals that the Dutch Government continues to provide billions — at least €8.3 billion per year — in taxpayer backed support for the production and use of fossil fuels.
Report: The Netherlands fails to meet 2020 deadline for ending fossil fuel subsidies
Amidst a climate crisis and global pandemic, a new analysis from Friends of the Earth Netherlands and Oil Change International reveals that the Dutch government continues to provide billions — at least €8.3 billion per year — in taxpayer backed support for the production and use of fossil fuels. By ending fossil fuel subsidies, the Netherlands could free up resources to invest in a just and green recovery from COVID-19, whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 7.7% by 2025.
New briefing: Facing COVID-19, Governments Must Prioritize Building Resilient Societies over Fossil Fuel Bailouts
A new briefing from Oil Change International argues for a managed decline of the oil and gas sector as an essential part of recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
In the Face of COVID-19, Governments Have a Choice: Resilient Societies or Fossil Fuel Bailouts?
The COVID-19 crisis poses a threat to people’s health, their jobs and their lives, and like all crises, exacerbates already existing inequalities. Trillions in public finance will be needed to get through the current pandemic. This briefing outlines why continuing to rely on fossil fuels, in particular oil and gas, is not compatible with long-term recovery. It does not make sense to use the COVID-19 stimulus packages to try to revive a sunsetting industry which will not deliver on economic recovery, only to shut it down a few years later to meet climate goals.
Discussion Paper: The Case for Public Ownership of the Fossil Fuel Industry
The U.S. government should acquire ownership and control over fossil fuel companies to safeguard workers, avoid taxpayer-funded bailouts, restore communities, save taxpayer dollars, and ensure an eventual managed phase-out of coal, oil, and gas production.
Response: Export Development Canada changes in the Emergency Response Act could amount to a giant oil bailout
The new measures allow for an unlimited amount of public finance to flow to Canada’s oil and gas sector at the sole discretion of the Minister of Finance.
Response to Canada’s possible oil and gas bailout
We’re in the middle of an unprecedented global health emergency and economic crash, we can’t afford for the federal government to bail out a sector in terminal decline. Workers and communities are struggling right now – there are still massive gaps in Canada’s COVID-19 response packages that are putting millions at risk of losing their homes, jobs, and health. It is criminal for Trudeau to be pursuing a massive handout to Big Oil instead of ensuring these basic needs are met.