Displaying items by tag: CBAM

CBAM is a key policy tool that forms part of the European Green Deal (EGD) to reduce net GHG emissions across Europe and abroad. Within this context, CBAM can be defined as a carbon border tax on embedded GHG emissions of carbon-intensive products imported into the EU. The main intent is to equalise the price of carbon between EU products and imports, by ensuring importers face similar conditions to EU manufacturers, and that the European climate objectives are not undermined by carbon leakage. In its current form, cement, aluminium, fertilisers, electric energy production, hydrogen, iron and steel, as well as some precursors (input materials, i.e. iron ore) and a limited number of downstream products are targeted. Other products are set to be added after the transitional period. These products remain highly exposed in terms of international climate change policies. In South Africa, a total of US$2.8 billion (about R52.4 billion) of South African exports (based on 2022 data) are at risk in the short term, with this number set to increase as the CBAM covers more and more products. The iron and steel (including iron ore) and aluminium industries are particularly at jeopardy, in the short term.

This paper provides an augmented analyses of the Policy Brief by Monaisa and Maimele  (2023), entitled The European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and implications for South African exports. It updates analysis post the adoption of CBAM on 10 May 2023, reflecting on the vulnerability of the South African economy.

 .

TIPS Senior Economist Gaylor Montmasson-Clair took part in the Presidential Climate Commission webinar - see articles

EU carbon border tariffs could knock $16bn off Africa’s yearly GDP

Engineering News - 15 February 2023 by Terence Creamer

Read online at Engineering News

EU's carbon penalties are coming, here's what SA needs to do

News24 - 15 February 2023 by Lameez Omarjee

Read online at News24

Where is the outcry over ‘deeply unjust’ EU carbon border tax?

Business Day - 17 February 2023 by Denene Erasmus

Read online at Business Day or Read PDF 

In 2019, the European Union (EU) introduced the Fit for 55 policy package. The policy package aims to reduce the EU’s net greenhouse gas emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. It includes the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), a carbon border tax on embedded GHGs of carbon-intensive products imported into the EU.

The first proposal of the CBAM was published in July 2021. Since July 2021, the CBAM has undergone significant changes. In May 2022, the European Parliamentary Committee on Environment, the implementing agent of the CBAM, published amendments to the CBAM. In June 2022, the European Parliament voted on and approved these amendments. In December 2022, members of the European Parliament reached a provisional and conditional agreement with the European Council on CBAM, with rules to apply from 1 October 2023 with a transition period. The agreement was endorsed by the ENVI in February 2023. It needs to be confirmed by ambassadors of the EU Member States and by the European Parliament and adopted by both institutions before its finalisation.

The TIPS policy brief, European Green Deal: The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and implications for South African and European Union trade by Lerato Monaisa (2021), provided an initial analysis of the impact of the CBAM on South African exports. This policy brief provides an updated analysis, reflecting on the implications of the new provisionally agreed CBAM proposal for South African exports.

Download a copy or read online