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The European Union (EU) has defended its carbon pricing plan at COP30 in Belem, Brazil, urging countries to adopt it as quickly and widely as possible despite opposition from several nations concerned about its economic impact.
Wopke Hoekstra, the EU Commissioner for Climate, described the scheme—widely referred to as a “carbon tax” on imports—as a crucial tool in global climate action.
“Pricing carbon is something that we need to pursue with as many as possible, as quickly as possible,” he told the conference.
The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which has been tested since 2023 and is scheduled to become fully operational in 2026, targets imports of carbon-intensive goods, including steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, electricity, and hydrogen.
The system is intended to create a level playing field for European industries already facing strict emissions regulations.
Some countries, including China and India, have pushed for a COP30 decision opposing unilateral trade measures, directly challenging the EU’s approach.
