The World Resources Institute presents
Book Launch & Discussion on Energy Subsidy Reform: Lessons and Implications
Opening Remarks:
Carlo Cottarelli
Director, IMF’s Fiscal Affairs Department
Panel includes:
Nancy Birdsall
President, Center for Global Development
William Galet
Co-Director, Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, Brookings Institute
David Lipton
First Deputy Managing Director, International Monetary Fund
Andrew Steer
President, World Resources Institute Moderator
The World Resources Institute invites you to join the launch of the new book by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Energy Subsidy Reform: Lessons and Implications, followed by an interactive discussion with leading experts.
Energy subsidies are expensive, hurt the environment by promoting excessive consumption of energy, and do a bad job of helping the poor because they tend to benefit those that need it the least. Yet despite a strong economic case for their elimination, governments have found it difficult to do so. A new book by the IMF, however, finds that a well-designed strategy can reduce subsidies and win public support. The book also provides the most comprehensive estimates of energy subsidies compiled to date. These subsidies are estimated at US$ 2 trillion in 2011, including tax subsidies in advanced countries that arise from the under-pricing of energy. Please come join us for a presentation of the book by David Lipton, the IMF’s First Deputy Managing Director, followed by a panel discussion.
