CBAM - CRU Group

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

Since the early 1990s, the European Union (EU) has been committed to the reduction of greenhouse gases and has set out a range of emissions goals and policies designed to achieve this, beginning with the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in 2005. The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a policy tool introduced by the EU that puts a price on the carbon emissions embedded in certain imported goods and precursors.

Why is CBAM such a hot topic?

The high level of interest in CBAM is due to the following factors:

CBAM will significantly impact prices and market dynamics
CBAM may pose significant risk to EU producers
The solutions to these risks are not straightforward
CBAM will come into force in 2026, therefore the impacts of CBAM are imminent

CRU expertise can help you to navigate these changes

CRU’s vision is to develop data-led services that are integral to helping companies navigate the energy transition. The CBAM: Special Report consolidates a range of CRU insights from across the business in a single source. This analysis has been developed by our world-class team of experts across the steel, aluminium and fertilizer supply chains to help you understand the potential impacts CBAM will have on your business and the wider industry.

The CBAM Special Report overview provides an outline of what to expect from this Special Report.

If you are interested in purchasing this Special Report or looking for more bespoke analysis on the topic of CBAM, please get in touch via the form below and one of our team will respond to you within 24 hours.

View the CBAM Special Report overview

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UK CBAM: Navigating the Future of Carbon Trade

Carbon pricing is entering a new era as the world ramps up efforts to meet ambitious climate goals. At the forefront of this shift is the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) - a policy tool designed to prevent carbon leakage by placing a carbon cost on imports of goods that would otherwise avoid domestic emissions regulations.

EU launched its CBAM in 2023, marking a significant milestone in aligning trade with climate policy. Now, the UK is preparing to follow suit, with its own CBAM expected to go live in 2027. Our two-part Insight series – Insight 1 and Insight 2 - discusses how a UK CBAM might look like, and what considerations the UK government will have to take into account when designing it. The exact specification will affect traders, including those in the commodity markets.

This shift has far-reaching implications for commodity traders, manufacturers, and importers, especially those linked to sectors like steel, aluminium and fertilizers - all heavily embedded in cross-border trade.

At CRU, we provide forward-looking insights not only to help you see what’s coming in the next few years but also to answer the questions you have today, helping you make informed decisions with greater confidence.

Contact us to purchase this report.

CRU expertise can help you to navigate these changes

CRU’s vision is to develop data-led services that are integral to helping companies navigate the energy transition.

CRU’s CBAM Special Report - consolidates a range of CRU insights from across the business in a single source. This analysis has been developed by our world-class team of experts across the steel, aluminium and fertilizer supply chains to help you understand the potential impacts CBAM will have on your business and the wider industry. The CBAM Special Report overview provides an outline of what to expect from this Special Report.
Stay Ahead of Policy Shifts - Global carbon pricing is accelerating. The UK CBAM will reshape cross-border trade and compliance frameworks. Our experts are tracking every move – subscribe to CRU’s Sustainability and Emissions service for comprehensive data and insights for a greener future.

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Is commodity price volatility the new normal in 2025 - Webinar

Tariffs, CBAM and the forces shaping the year

At the mid-point of 2025, we take a look back at the dramatic developments in global policy we've seen, how that compares to our predictions at the start of the year, and what this means for commodities.

Trump Tariffs, CBAM, global policies and their impact on commodities will mean continued volatility in trade flows and prices, making the underlying state of supply and demand harder to gauge. In this difficult environment, join us as we help you filter out the noise and get to the signal of what is really going on and what it means for commodities.

Featured Webinar

CBAM Countdown: Understand the latest policy shifts and price impacts

The definitive stage of the EU’s CBAM is fast approaching, and the EU Commission has acted to address the concerns of industry with its recent proposed rule changes, however there are likely to be further developments ahead of 2026.

CBAM will have a direct impact on commodity prices. We will present CRU’s planned approach to price discovery in Europe, present how CBAM will be accounted for and how to adjust for a wide range of supplier emissions profiles.

This webinar will also present CRU's leading expertise on CBAM from both Analysis and Consulting and the relevant services CRU has to support clients navigating this complexity.

Register Here

Agenda:

Update on the current state of play of CBAM.
What impact CBAM will have on commodity price setting and discovery
The proposed changes from the recent EU Commission proposal in summary.
Showcase CRU expertise via advertisement of CRU+ report, scenario analysis from CRUC
Q&A to ask our analysts anything!

Questions that will be answered:

What specific changes in the latest EU CBAM proposal will directly affect industry? What is the impact?
How can CRU's services provide actionable insight for navigating CBAM?
How will the potential inclusion of downstream products and scrap in CBAM impact long-term planning and investment decisions?
How can scenario analysis help to better understand the impact?
What's the anticipated timeline for key CBAM clarifications, like LDC implementation, and how can I prepare for potential delays or changes?