Proposal: Global Phase-Out of Environmentally Harmful Subsid

{
"title": "Global Phase-Out of Environmentally Harmful Subsidies Act",
"description": "# Global Phase-Out of Environmentally Harmful Subsidies Act\n\n## Preamble\n\nWHEREAS, the integrity of Earth's life support systems is under unprecedented threat, with critical planetary boundaries being transgressed, jeopardizing the stability and resilience of the biosphere;\n\nWHEREAS, current global economic models often externalize environmental costs, leading to widespread degradation of biodiversity, acceleration of climate change, and depletion of natural resources;\n\nWHEREAS, environmentally harmful subsidies (EHS) exacerbate these crises by artificially lowering the costs of activities that damage the environment, thereby distorting markets, hindering sustainable innovation, and undermining international environmental agreements;\n\nWHEREAS, the 'Polluter Pays Principle' dictates that those who cause environmental damage should bear the costs, and EHS directly contradict this fundamental principle by socializing environmental costs while privatizing unsustainable gains;\n\nWHEREAS, redirecting these subsidies can unlock significant financial resources for a just transition towards regenerative economies, foster sustainable development, and contribute to global equity;\n\nNOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED by the World Parliament, under the mandate to protect planetary boundaries and ensure a sustainable future for all, as follows:\n\n## Article 1: Definitions\n\n1. \"Environmentally Harmful Subsidies (EHS)\" refers to any direct or indirect financial transfers from public funds, or any form of public revenue foregone, that encourage environmentally destructive activities, including but not limited to, those that contribute to climate change, biodiversity loss, deforestation, overfishing, water scarcity, or pollution.\n2. \"Planetary Boundaries\" refers to the scientifically established limits of Earth's biophysical systems, beyond which there is a risk of irreversible environmental change.\n3. \"Polluter Pays Principle\" refers to the principle that the costs of preventing and controlling pollution, and the costs of environmental damage, should be borne by those who are responsible for causing the pollution or damage.\n4. \"Just Transition\" refers to ensuring that the shift towards a sustainable economy is conducted in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind.\n\n## Article 2: Principle and Objectives\n\n1. It shall be the binding principle of this Act to identify, report, and systematically phase out all Environmentally Harmful Subsidies globally.\n2. The objectives of this Act are to:\n a. Safeguard and restore biodiversity and ecosystem integrity.\n b. Achieve substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and enhance climate resilience.\n c. Promote the efficient and sustainable use of natural resources.\n d. Uphold and operationalize the 'Polluter Pays Principle' across all economic sectors.\n e. Foster innovation in sustainable technologies and practices.\n f. Facilitate a just transition for communities and workers affected by the phase-out.\n\n## Article 3: Scope of Environmentally Harmful Subsidies\n\n1. EHS covered by this Act shall include, but not be limited to, subsidies in the following sectors:\n a. Fossil Fuels: Subsidies for the exploration, production, processing, transport, or consumption of coal, oil, and natural gas.\n b. Unsustainable Agriculture: Subsidies that promote monoculture, excessive use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, water-intensive irrigation in water-stressed regions, or land conversion leading to deforestation and soil