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The paper argues that fossil-fuel subsidies in Emerging and Developing Asia, totaling US$104 billion in 2011, represent a significant opportunity to finance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It contends that these subsidies are regressive, primarily benefiting wealthier populations while undermining investments in renewable energy and public health. Using case studies from the Philippines and Indonesia, the document demonstrates how transitioning from universal subsidies to targeted social welfare programs and fuel taxation can improve fiscal health and social equity. The author recommends that the SDGs explicitly include a goal to phase out inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies by 2030 to encourage national reforms.

The IISD Mining and Sustainable Development Initiative seeks to shift the focus of mining investments from narrow fiscal benefits for governments to a broader 'win-win-win' model involving companies, governments, and communities. The initiative focuses on maximizing both fiscal and non-fiscal economic benefits—such as employment and local procurement—while treating the environment as a non-compromisable asset. To achieve this, IISD is developing an integrated toolkit and methodology for assessing project value, providing legal training on contract negotiations, and offering capacity-building services to developing countries.

The report analyzes Estonia's transport energy consumption from 2000–2012, noting a 33% increase driven primarily by road transport, which accounts for approximately 90% of the sector's energy use. It evaluates 24 measures across four categories: vehicle fuel efficiency, sustainable modes of transport, land-use planning, and fiscal measures. Key findings suggest that the highest energy-saving potential lies in shifting to more efficient conventional vehicles (A-B energy classes) and implementing smart fiscal tools like kilometer-based road charges and a Tallinn congestion charge. The report concludes that while electric vehicles have marginal impact in the short term, systemic changes in urban planning and public transport are essential for long-term demand management.

This briefing describes how fiscal policy instruments—such as taxes, subsidies, and market mechanisms—can incentivize sustainable actions and discourage unsustainable practices. It highlights Germany's revenue-neutral motor vehicle tax based on CO2 emissions and discusses the applicability of similar province-specific fiscal mechanisms within the Canadian context, specifically for Manitoba.

The report finds that energy subsidies in Bangladesh increased sharply between FY2010 and FY2012, driven by rising import costs and increased reliance on liquid fuel for electricity generation. It identifies that poor agricultural households are particularly vulnerable to kerosene and electricity price changes, while the transport and power sectors are the most energy-intensive production areas. The authors argue that current universal subsidies are inefficient and recommend targeted support, improved tariff structures, and a transparent phase-out strategy to free up resources for essential services and renewable energy.

The author contends that current EU crisis management is a 'patchwork' where binding austerity rules are imposed on Member States while the responsibility for economic growth and unemployment remains national. To resolve this, the document proposes a federal structure characterized by a substantially increased EU budget, the mutualisation of debts through 'Eurobonds', and the implementation of EU-wide taxes following tax harmonisation. Central to this transition is the empowerment of the European Parliament with sole legislative initiative and budgetary sovereignty to ensure democratic legitimacy.

The research paper investigates whether the South African Customs Union (SACU) is ready to transition from a Common Monetary Area (CMA) to a full monetary union. Using Southern African Development Community (SADC) convergence criteria, the authors find that while there is strong convergence in inflation, national debt, and reserve holdings, significant volatility and lack of discipline in fiscal deficits—particularly in Lesotho and Swaziland—remain a primary hurdle. The study suggests that a monetary union would be beneficial and that the South African Reserve Bank (SARB) could continue to lead monetary policy, provided fiscal coordination is improved.

The Luxembourg Greens oppose the Fiscal Treaty, asserting that its debt brake mandates austerity and deepens social inequalities by ignoring the revenue side of public budgets. The document argues that austerity has failed to trigger economic recovery and instead proposes a Green New Deal focused on green infrastructure and environmental industrial transition. It suggests that a genuine European solution requires a minimum tax base to stop tax competition and the use of Eurobonds or a common sinking fund to manage national debt burdens.

Friends of the Earth argues that significant cuts to non-defense discretionary spending and social safety nets would undermine the United States' ability to protect vulnerable populations and mobilize against catastrophic climate change. The organization calls for a shift away from austerity and budget deficit rhetoric, suggesting instead that the government increase revenue by requiring the wealthiest Americans and corporations to pay their fair share.

The document examines Malawi's use of predominantly fiscal investment incentives, such as tax breaks and industrial rebates, to attract investment. It highlights a tension between the government's need for tax revenue to manage public debt and the private sector's demand for incentives. The author argues that these incentives result in significant revenue loss and may not be the primary driver of investment decisions, suggesting a shift toward improving the overall domestic business environment.

In 2010-11, the Government of India spent over US$ 9 billion on fuel subsidies for diesel, kerosene, LPG, and gasoline, while national oil companies faced over US$ 8 billion in under-recoveries. The government aims to reduce total subsidy expenditure to 2% of GDP in 2012-13 and 1.75% in subsequent years, though reforms are complicated by potential economic disruptions in transport, industry, and agriculture, and the impact on poor citizens. To address this, the Global Subsidies Initiative and partners have evaluated the phase-out of diesel, LPG, and PDS kerosene subsidies and the use of cash-transfer schemes.

The author contends that Spain's economic crisis stems from a real estate bubble and high private debt rather than irresponsible public spending. They argue that austerity policies are counterproductive, increasing unemployment and public debt. The text proposes a European bank bailout fund funded by banks (similar to the US FDIC) and the use of Eurobonds to protect against interest rate spikes, while suggesting green taxes and estate taxes as alternatives to social cuts.

The document argues that India's fuel subsidies are fiscally unsustainable and create market distortions. It proposes a phased roadmap to eliminate diesel under-recoveries, phase out LPG subsidies through capping and price increases, and replace PDS kerosene subsidies with targeted cash transfers. To manage the resulting inflationary pressures and political opposition, the brief suggests specific compensation measures for transport sectors and the implementation of a biometric-based cash transfer system for low-income households.

The authors contend that Germany's economic stability is tied to the Euro and that current rescue measures are insufficient. They propose a two-step approach: immediate ECB intervention and bank supervision, followed by the creation of a democratic financial, economic, and social union featuring common fiscal policies, Eurobonds, and a democratically legitimized EU Commission.

The document examines the Asia and the Pacific region as a critical driver of global environmental outcomes, highlighting its role as the fastest-growing region with rapidly rising greenhouse gas emissions. It argues that while some progress has been made in mitigation and adaptation, urgent action is needed to achieve low-carbon, climate-resilient societies. The text identifies key pressures from unsustainable economic growth, population increase, and urbanization, and recommends integrated water management, the '3Rs' approach to waste, and governance improvements to ensure sustainable development.

The document highlights a 200% increase in inflation-adjusted global average economic disaster losses over the last 25 years, noting that 2011 was the costliest year on record with US$380 billion in losses. It argues that these losses, driven by increased exposure of assets and people to hazards, threaten macroeconomic outlooks in low and middle-income countries. To mitigate this, the author advocates for embedding disaster risk measures into national budgets, land-use planning, and infrastructure investments based on national risk atlases and disaster risk assessments.

The document argues that Spain's adherence to EU-mandated austerity—termed the 'Euro Dogma'—has deepened its recession by contracting aggregate demand and undermining public services. It criticizes the Popular Party's labour reforms for reducing worker protections and wages without addressing the root causes of the crisis, such as the property bubble and lack of technological investment. The author highlights significant cuts to R&D, education, and health, while noting that military spending and grants to the Catholic Church remained relatively protected. The text suggests that Spain could instead leverage its human capital and renewable energy potential, and increase revenues by tackling tax evasion and taxing the wealthy, to achieve a sustainable recovery.

The document highlights that global economic disaster losses rose by 200% over 25 years, with losses from weather-related disasters doubling every 12 years. It argues that ex-post relief is unsustainable and advocates for ex-ante risk reduction through comprehensive risk assessments, fiscal planning, and sector-level mainstreaming. Key tools discussed include the CAPRA GIS platform and the CATSIM model for evaluating fiscal vulnerability. The guide emphasizes that while risk financing (insurance and reserve funds) is useful, it must be paired with land-use planning and building codes to effectively reduce exposure.

The document argues for a coordinated EU response to the financial crisis, combining fiscal discipline and structural reform with financial regulation and a strategic shift toward green growth. It advocates for defending the euro, implementing a financial transaction tax, increasing corporate tax transparency, and expanding the mandate of the European Central Bank to prevent state bankruptcies. Finally, it asserts that the EU should leverage innovation in energy efficiency and renewable energies to drive economic growth and address climate change.

The author contends that the eurozone crisis is not a failure of the euro itself, but a result of inadequate institutional underpinning and systemic problems that cannot be solved by national-level austerity. The text argues that the German government's focus on individual national fiscal discipline is a false diagnosis. To prevent a return to monetary nationalism or a permanent crisis, the author proposes a move toward political union among the 17 EMU member countries, involving collective guarantees for government bonds combined with strict collective control over national budgets. This process should be legitimized through a constitutional convention and public referenda to avoid a top-down 'centralised executive power'. Beyond the immediate crisis, the author suggests that unification is necessary to regulate global financial markets and maintain Europe's political and economic influence in a shifting global landscape.