BRICS Environment Ministers oppose European Union’s Carbon Border Tax

BRICS environment ministers voiced their opposition to the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) during a recent meeting in New Delhi, calling it a unilateral, punitive and protectionist measure that goes against international law. The ministers emphasized that developed nations must urgently increase climate finance, particularly for adaptation efforts.

CBAM, introduced on October 1, 2023, is an import tax on carbon-intensive goods such as steel, iron, fertilizers, aluminum, and cement, intended to reduce the carbon footprint of these products. However, the move has been viewed as a trade barrier by developing countries. The CBAM, which went into full effect on January 1, 2026, requires importers to purchase and surrender certificates corresponding to the carbon emissions embedded in their goods.

During the meeting, the BRICS nations expressed concern that CBAM and similar measures could undermine the efforts of countries, especially developing ones, to adapt to and build resilience against the adverse impacts of climate change. The bloc of nine developing economies also urged wealthy nations to fulfill the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) set at the COP 30 in Belem, Brazil, to increase adaptation finance for developing countries by 2035.

The joint statement adhered to the principle of "common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities" (CBDR-RC), stating that all cooperation commitments are voluntary and tailored to each country's unique circumstances. This meeting marked the conclusion of a year-long technical process by the BRICS Environment Working Group and its Contact Group on Climate Change and Sustainable Development, with India officially transferring the hosting responsibilities for the next 13th edition to China, which will preside over the meeting in 2027.