The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and its implications for a global Just Transition: The case of South Africa

As part of the “European Green Deal”, the European Commission committed to introducing a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in late 2019. It tabled the legislative proposal in summer 2021. The measure is controversial, and many questions remain. What is the right timeframe for its implementation? How to use the generated revenues? What about climate justice considerations?

To take a closer look at the planned policy, the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung’s European Union and Cape Town offices, together with the Institute for Advanced Sustainability Studies (IASS), organized on 2 June 2022 an online stakeholder roundtable. The aim was to discuss perceptions, opportunities and concerns about CBAM for a more collaborative policy design. This can help the policy meet environmental objectives without having adverse effects on vulnerable population groups in third countries, while boosting just energy transitions worldwide.