As part of the Green Deal, the European Commission has announced the introduction of a border carbon adjustment (BCA) mechanism on imported goods. The benefits of the approach – a more equal distribution of GHG emission abatement costs across jurisdictions and equal exposure of industries to climate policies – are widely recognized.
However, policy-makers and analysts dread adverse effects on trade with third countries, BCAs having the potential of triggering trade disputes or even escalating existing trade conflicts. Further, it is unclear to which extent BCAs should and could be used to nudge third countries into adopting more stringent GHG emission standards for their exported products to the EU. In addition, large doubts persist on the feasibility of border carbon adjustments.
The Institute of European Democrats is organising an online debate with the aim to discuss the CBAM proposal and its ramifications in a seminar titled "Green no deal? The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism: how to make it work".
Through this seminar, the IED invites to reflect on balance between those parameters to identify a workable BCA concept in the realities of international and global trade relations.
You need to register here to be able to stream the webinar. we have made the webinar available in both English and French and you will be able to choose your preferred language. It will be split in two sessions that will treat the following topics:
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9.30-9.35 |
Welcome address Mikel Burzako Executive Director of the Institute of European Democrats IED |
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9.35-9.40 |
Introduction Marie-Pierre Vedrenne, Vice Chair of the committee on International trade, European Parliament |
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9.40-10.35 |
Session 1: CBAM and the EU’s trade relations amidst the climate crisis • Can the CBAM withstand legal scrutiny under WTO law? • What impact of CBAM on existing trade agreements with Third Countries? • Can the EU build “climate coalitions”? Speakers Ignacio Garcia Bercero, Director at DG Trade with responsibility for multilateral affairs, strategy and economic analysis, EU Commission Ambassador Soon Gu YOON, Representative from the South-Korean Mission to the EU Karin Karlsbro, INTA Rapporteur on CBA, Member of the European Parliament Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, Senior Fellow, German Marshall Fund of the United States Moderation: Johannes Leininger |
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10.35-10.40 |
Break |
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10.40-11.25 |
Session 2: Implementing CBAM: how can Border Carbon Adjustments be realized without disruption of international trade? • Which goods and sectors should be most exposed? • How to account for carbon content in complex supply chains? • How to nudge manufacturers/producers to switch to cleaner fuels/production methods? Speakers Dr. Christian Forwick, Director General, Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWi) Representative of the German Presidency Walburga Hemetsberger, Chief Executive Officer, SolarPower Europe Georg Zachmann, Senior Fellow, Bruegel Moderation: Johannes Leininger |
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11.25-11.30 |
Wrap-up and conclusion |
