New EU measure reshapes global decarbonisation landscape

MUCH of 2025 has seen reportage around perceptions of European weakness and decline. However, the EU will be seeking to move further and faster in 2026 to try to regain its economic and political footing.

One of the measures that will be rolled out next week (Jan 1) is the full application of the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

The new EU measure has been much criticised from at least two different perspectives. Firstly, opponents of CBAM, including some Asian governments like China and India, have slammed the scheme as a unilateral trade measure and/or green protectionism. However, the policy has also been criticised by other stakeholders, including non-governmental organisations, for not going far or fast enough.