Publications
Explore our evidence-based research and policy recommendations!
The EU CBAM gives a boost to Algeria’s iron exports
Sandbag’s brief assesses how the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) may affect Algeria’s iron and steel exports. It finds that although Algeria’s overall exposure to CBAM is limited, rising EU carbon costs are likely to increase EU market prices, with implications for the revenues and competitiveness of Algerian exports.
CBAM and Fertiliser Inflation in 2026: The facts behind the numbers
Estimates suggesting that the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) could increase fertiliser prices by up to 30% have brought a central question into focus: how
significant is the inflationary impact likely to be?
The CBAM dividend for Namibia and Ghana
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.
Steel labelling: Beyond the sliding scale
As EU policymakers debate how to certify low-carbon steel, Sandbag’s new briefing analyses the “sliding scale” method — and outlines why it may hinder rather than help decarbonisation. A new model is proposed based on product-specific benchmarks, multi-tier ratings, and circularity incentives.
Chemicals in the CBAM: Time to step up
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.
Scrap Steel at Sea: How ship recycling can help decarbonise European steel production
As Europe seeks to decarbonise its steel industry, a new Sandbag report highlights an overlooked solution: high-quality scrap steel from retired ships. With up to 15 million tonnes of certified scrap available annually, ship recycling could meet 20% of EU steel scrap demand — if policy gaps are addressed.
ICC reform and expansion risks diverting ETS revenues from real climate action
Sandbag and 14 other organisations urge the European Commission to reform, not expand, the ETS Indirect Cost Compensation scheme — warning that current proposals risk diverting climate funding into untargeted fossil subsidies.
Sandbag’s feedback to the call for evidence on the Circular Economy Act
Sandbag welcomes the Circular Economy Act (CEA) as an important step to accelerate the transition to a circular economy in the EU. Progress in this area has been slow and this act is sorely needed to address systemic issues holding back circularity, including the current fragmented approaches across Member States.
The EU CBAM: a two-way street between the EU and Africa
The Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism CBAM is often misunderstood as a trade policy whereas it is actually a climate policy. Its only objective, as stated in Article 1 of the CBAM Regulation, is to replace the current system of free allocation of emission allowances to EU-based manufacturers under the EU carbon market.
Electrification or electrical decarbonisation? We need both!
We agree with the European Commission’s general diagnosis that increasing the share of electricity in overall energy consumption is necessary to achieve deep decarbonisation. However, it is not sufficient. If overall energy use increases, or if electricity generation does not decarbonise rapidly, then electrification may fail its decarbonisation role.
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