The mechanism could lead to a decrease in the volume of Asian exports to the European Union
The EU's intention to impose tariffs on carbon-intensive imports could harm developing Asian countries, but is unlikely to lead to a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This is stated in a report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), according to Reuters.
The CBAM, according to the ADB, was designed to prevent "carbon leakage" from the EU when companies move production from countries with strict environmental regulations or high emissions costs to countries with more lenient policies. It should also create a level playing field for foreign suppliers and European manufacturers.
The ADB expects the CBAM to lead to a reduction in Asian exports to the European Union, especially from West Asia and Southwest Asia, with Indian steel likely to be hit hard. However, any small reduction in emissions will be quickly offset by further growth in carbon-intensive production in the Asian region. At the same time, mechanisms for sharing emission reduction technologies will be more effective.
“It’s a relatively limited policy at the moment. It only covers imports into the EU and six sectors,” noted Neil Foster-McGregor, senior economist at ADB.
The expert added that given the way production scales are increasing, even if CO2 pricing is introduced globally, emissions will continue to increase without fundamental changes in technology.
Foster-McGregor estimates that CBAM could generate around €14 billion in revenue by 2030, and these funds should be used to provide climate finance to developing countries to decarbonize production.
One of CBAM's objectives was to encourage third countries to adopt stricter climate policies. India has already discussed the possibility of introducing an export tax on products destined for the European market that fall under the mechanism. China is expanding its emissions trading system to cover export sectors such as steel. However, both countries criticize the European CBAM.
Furthermore, analysts at the Asian Development Bank believe that the cross-border carbon adjustment mechanism could increase the cost of raw materials such as steel and fertilizers for companies downstream of the EU and could even give them an incentive to transfer more capacity abroad, including to Asia.
European CBAM poses the biggest risks to Indian steel mills due to high sales in the region and rising emissions from the country's steel mills. Goldman Sachs Investment Bank made this assessment in its report. Furthermore, the EU's decision to introduce a tax on carbon-intensive imports under the mechanism from 2026 could seriously affect Chinese steel and aluminum producers.
