This research note shows that Namibia and Ghana are likely to benefit from the CBAM, as EU price increases linked to the EU ETS outweigh CBAM fees under current exports. It also sets out transparent transformation scenarios, based on announced industrial projects, to show how expanded and lower-emissions production could further increase export revenues over time.
Sandbag’s latest brief explains why the EU CBAM must be expanded to cover key chemical value chains. With chemicals and refinery products responsible for 30% of industry emissions, phased inclusion is critical to prevent carbon leakage and phase out free allowances.
Sandbag’s newly released CBAM Simulator allowed us to explore how the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) could impact African exporters — and how cleaner production and carbon pricing could turn a cost into a competitive edge.
Sandbag has submitted responses to the EU’s CBAM calls for evidence, addressing emissions reporting, adjustment for free allocation, and carbon prices paid abroad. We highlight risks such as loopholes and unequal treatment, and propose practical solutions to strengthen CBAM’s effectiveness and fairness.
Sandbag’s September 2025 research note explores the impact of the EU’s CBAM on US exports. It finds that even with expanded scope, the financial impact remains marginal — and US carbon pricing could turn net costs negative.
Sandbag’s latest report examines how the EU’s CBAM will impact third country exporters. While some may reduce costs through resource shuffling, real emissions may remain unchanged — calling for stronger alignment through carbon pricing.
Sandbag’s August 2025 brief calls for systemic default values to close CBAM loopholes—addressing scrap and cement circumvention, electricity imports, and indirect emissions.
Sandbag’s latest brief outlines why the CBAM must include indirect emissions — and how this would improve climate effectiveness, industrial fairness, and fiscal efficiency.
Sandbag’s new position paper urges the European Commission to expand the CBAM horizontally and vertically, addressing loopholes and supporting the phase-out of free allocation.
The current carbon emissions reporting in the CBAM fails to achieve its goal of replacing free allocations under the EU ETS and undermines its integrity. A systematic default value system would improve the CBAM and safeguard the EU ETS.