Spain, IEA back Dutch call to phase out fossil fuel subsidies

(Reuters, 2 Oct 2023) Spain's energy minister and the head of the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Monday backed the Netherlands' call for an international coalition to phase out fossil subsidies.

Such subsidies "are a major incentive to increase fossil fuel use," IEA chief Fatih Birol told a news conference after an international summit of energy ministers and climate leaders in Madrid, adding that "eliminating them is an absolute must".

Spanish Energy Minister Teresa Ribera also expressed support for the Dutch efforts.

"We should be serious and consider how we can reduce these subsidies so as to ensure that in case there is any subsidy, it is for social reasons," she said.

Dutch Climate Minister Rob Jetten said on Monday he would work in coming weeks to set up an international coalition to phase out subsidies and tax breaks tied to the use of fossil fuels blamed for global warming.

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Reuters, 2 Oct 2023: Spain, IEA back Dutch call to phase out fossil fuel subsidies