Gender and Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform: Current status of research
Little is known about the gender differentiated impacts of fossil fuel subsidy reforms. This review takes stock of existing knowledge, identifies knowledge gaps and sets out plans for future research in this area.
This report explores current knowledge on energy subsidy reforms and gender through a review of existing literature.
First, it sets out the global context of energy subsidies, energy access and gender empowerment. It then reviews literature on gender, energy access, fossil fuel subsidies and mitigation measures related to subsidy reform, such as cash transfers. Finally, it provides an overview of these issues across three focus countries: Bangladesh, India and Nigeria, as well as case studies on Peru, Mexico and Morocco.
The review concludes that subsidy reform is a significant opportunity for Sustainable Energy for All and that poorly performing subsidies do not benefit impoverished women. At the national level, however, the removal of subsidies related to lighting and cooking fuels can negatively affect women's lives. As a result, governments should develop more information about the gendered impacts of reforms and, in the meantime, adopt a "precautionary principle," ensuring that reform plans are designed to safeguard women's access to clean household energy sources. The paper also sets out an agenda for future research on this issue in Bangladesh, India and Nigeria.
This is the first publication in the Global Subsidies Initiative project "Gender and Energy Sector Reform," funded by the UK Department for International Development (DfID) and coordinated by the International Network on Energy and Sustainable Energy (ENERGIA). For more information, see www.iisd.org/gsi/fossil-fuel-subsidies/gender.
Participating experts
You might also be interested in
Rethinking Investment Treaties
The reports maps out how the treaty system can be redesigned from the bottom up to accelerate—rather than obstruct—genuine sustainable development and international cooperation.
New report: Oil and gas phase-out primer
World leaders agreed to transition away from fossil fuels at COP 28, in a new report IISD experts break down what next steps are needed to put this commitment into action.
Toolkit for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning for National Adaptation Plan Processes
This toolkit provides practical guidance for the development and continuous improvement of MEL systems for national adaptation plan processes to government teams and practitioners working on adaptation.
What the G7 Ministerial Could Have Delivered on Fossil Fuel Subsidies Reform
The G7 climate, energy, and environment ministers’ meeting in Turin fell short when it came to breaking the 15 years of gridlock on fossil fuel subsidies. Here are three ways the G7 can use their next meetings to demonstrate measurable progress.