COP29: CBAM almost causes agenda dispute

China wanted to discuss climate action instruments such as the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in the COP29 negotiations, but Europe sees the conflict as being better dealt with elsewhere.

Even before COP29 kicked off, discussions raged as to whether climate action measures affecting trade should be on the agenda of this year’s Climate Change Conference. At the center of the dispute: the European Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism CBAM.

The EU has prevailed: Climate action measures that impact trade will not be on the agenda at this year’s UN Climate Change Conference in Baku (COP29). China came to COP29 with the demand to discuss so-called „unilateral trade measures“ in the negotiations. The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is a particular thorn in Beijing’s side. Brazil, South Africa and India supported the motion.

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