Why are we still subsidising fossil fuels?
In 2009, the G20 pledged to phase out 'inefficient' fossil fuel subsidies. But now, government support for fossil fuel producers is at record levels
In 2009, the G20 countries pledged to phase out 'inefficient' fossil fuel subsidies, which have long been seen as an obstacle to fighting climate change. But today, subsidies for oil and gas producers are at record levels -- $64 billion in 2021. It’s not just to do with the war in Ukraine.
Despite its image as a leader on climate change, the UK is listed as one of the worst offenders for government support to oil and gas producers because of its generous tax relief.
We hear from the centre of the UK’s oil and gas industry in Aberdeen, Scotland, about the difficult balance between energy security, jobs and climate change.
Presenters Graihagh Jackson and Luke Jones are joined by:
Ipek Gensu, Senior Research Fellow at Overseas Development Institute
Lord Deben, Chairman of the UK’s independent Climate Change Committee and former Secretary of State for the Environment from 1993-97
Kevin Keane, 91Èȱ¬ Scotland’s Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs correspondent – at Aberdeen port
Fran Bell, Fiscal and Investor Relations Manager at Offshore Energy UK
Email us: theclimatequestion@bbc.com
Producer: Sophie Eastaugh
Researcher: Natasha Fernandes
Series Producer: Alex Lewis
Editor: China Collins
Sound Engineer: Tom Brignell
Production Co-ordinators: Helena Warwick Cross and Siobhan Reed
Archive: The Obama White House
Last on
Broadcasts
- Mon 30 Jan 2023 02:32GMT91Èȱ¬ World Service
- Mon 30 Jan 2023 09:32GMT91Èȱ¬ World Service
- Mon 30 Jan 2023 20:06GMT91Èȱ¬ World Service Online, Americas and the Caribbean, UK DAB/Freeview & Europe and the Middle East only
- Mon 30 Jan 2023 21:06GMT91Èȱ¬ World Service except Online, Americas and the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East & UK DAB/Freeview
- Sat 4 Feb 2023 11:32GMT91Èȱ¬ World Service except Australasia
Podcast
-
The Climate Question
Why we find it so hard to save our own planet, and how we might change that.