G20 Scorecard of Fossil Fuel Funding

Australia has increased its total government support for fossil fuels by 30% compared to the 2014–2016 average, primarily through tax exemptions and credits. Total support averaged USD 7.7 billion between 2017 and 2019, with the vast majority (USD 7.5 billion) directed toward fossil fuel use. The document highlights significant tax breaks for producers via the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT) and fuel tax credits, noting that nine of the ten largest producers paid no corporate income tax in 2017–18.

• Australia increased its total government support for fossil fuels by 30% relative to the 2014–2016 average, driven largely by tax exemptions and credits on fossil fuel use.
• Between 2017 and 2019, Australia's average annual government support for fossil fuels totaled USD 7.7 billion, consisting of USD 6.5 billion in tax expenditure, USD 1.2 billion in direct transfers, and USD 5 million in public finance.
• The majority of support is directed toward fossil fuel use (USD 7.5 billion), while support for fossil fuel power (USD 309 million), oil and gas exploration and production (USD 7 million), and coal exploration and production (USD 6 million) is significantly lower.
• Fossil fuel producers benefit from substantial tax breaks through the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (PRRT) and fuel tax credits; consequently, nine of the ten largest producers paid no corporate income tax in 2017–18, and some LNG projects are not expected to pay tax for decades.
• Additional unquantified support includes the 'underwriting new generation investment' (UNGI) program introduced in 2018, which provides government-issued guarantees for gas, hydro, and coal power, as well as diesel fuel subsidies for mining and gas exploration subsidies in the Northern Territory.
• As part of its COVID-19 response, the Australian government provided USD 469 million through the Aviation Industry Relief Package to waive and refund air service charges, domestic and regional aviation security charges, and the aviation fuel excise tax.

APA

Tucker, B. (2020). G20 Scorecard of Fossil Fuel Funding. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-11/g20-scorecard-australia.pdf

Chicago

Tucker, Bronwen. G20 Scorecard of Fossil Fuel Funding. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2020. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-11/g20-scorecard-australia.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Tucker |first1=Bronwen |title=G20 Scorecard of Fossil Fuel Funding |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=2020 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-11/g20-scorecard-australia.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{tucker2020g20, author = {Tucker, Bronwen}, title = {{G20 Scorecard of Fossil Fuel Funding}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2020}, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2020-11/g20-scorecard-australia.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }