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CBAM: the carbon border adjustment mechanism

The CBAM (carbon border adjustment mechanism) requires European importers to declare, then pay for, the embedded emissions of certain imported products.

Objective and products concerned

The CBAM tackles carbon leakage by aligning the carbon cost of imports with that of the EU. It first targets intensive sectors: steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, electricity, hydrogen.

Timeline and obligations

After a reporting phase (since 2023), payment for CBAM certificates ramps up from 2026. Importers must declare the embedded emissions of their products.

How to prepare?

Identify the products concerned, collect emissions data from suppliers (ideally certified), and structure the reporting. A reliable product footprint makes CBAM declarations easier.

Frequently asked questions

Who is concerned by the CBAM?

Importers into the EU of products from the targeted sectors. Even outside the EU, suppliers are asked to provide emissions data.

How to get suppliers' emissions data?

By asking them for a product footprint, ideally certified (ISO 14067). UltraCarbon lets suppliers certify and share this data.

Measure your footprint with UltraCarbon

Free estimation, ISO 14067-compliant certificates, data hosted in France.

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Carbon assessment: definition, method and obligations →ISO 14067: the carbon footprint of products →Understanding Scopes 1, 2 and 3 →CSRD: the European sustainability reporting directive →Emission factor: definition and sources →Life-cycle assessment (LCA): principles and method →SBTi: science-based climate targets →BEGES: the regulatory GHG emissions assessment (France) →GHG Protocol: the global carbon accounting framework →Carbon neutrality: definition, limits and best practices →Environmental labelling: what is changing for products →Decarbonisation plan: from measurement to action →Carbon offsetting: how it works, quality and limits →Digital carbon footprint: measure and reduce →Industrial carbon assessment: challenges and method →Food industry carbon assessment: challenges and method →Textile and fashion carbon assessment: challenges and method →Construction carbon assessment: challenges and method →Transport and logistics carbon assessment: challenges and method →E-commerce carbon assessment: challenges and method →Tech, SaaS and startup carbon assessment: challenges and method →Hospitality and catering carbon assessment: challenges and method →Healthcare and hospital carbon assessment: challenges and method →Cosmetics carbon assessment: challenges and method →Wine and spirits carbon assessment: challenges and method →Banking and finance carbon assessment: challenges and method →Retail and distribution carbon assessment: challenges and method →Local authority carbon assessment: challenges and method →SME carbon assessment: where to start →Business travel: measuring and reducing the carbon footprint →Commuting: calculating and reducing the carbon footprint →Business energy: electricity, gas and carbon footprint →Tertiary buildings: carbon footprint and energy regulations →Waste management: carbon footprint and reduction →Responsible purchasing: reducing upstream Scope 3 →Event carbon assessment: method and reduction →Carbon accounting software: how to choose well →Cost of a carbon assessment: how much does it cost? →Doing your carbon assessment yourself or with a consultancy? →How to calculate Scope 3: a practical guide →How to collect data for a carbon assessment →How to reduce your company's carbon footprint →How to prepare for the CSRD: key steps →ISO 14064: the standard for quantifying greenhouse gases →The Bilan Carbone® method: origin and principles →FDES and EPD: product environmental declarations →PEF: the European Product Environmental Footprint →CDP: climate reporting for investors →EcoVadis: CSR assessment of suppliers →Double materiality: definition and method →EU green taxonomy: principles and criteria →Green Claims Directive: regulating environmental claims →Duty of due diligence (CSDDD): what to know →SNBC: France's national low-carbon strategy →The 15 Scope 3 categories explained →Scope 2: market-based or location-based? →Base Empreinte (ADEME): the emission factor database →Greenhouse gases: CO2, methane and CO2e →Carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e): definition and calculation →The Paris Agreement and the 1.5°C target →TCFD: climate risks and financial reporting →GRI and SASB: sustainability reporting standards →Eco-design: reducing impact from the design stage →Carbon budget: definition and purpose →Net Zero: definition and difference from carbon neutrality →Carbon credit: definition and how it works →The Low-Carbon Label: financing projects in France →Carbon market and EU ETS: the European allowance system →Carbon pricing: tax, market and internal price →Greenwashing: definition and how to avoid it →The IPCC: role and climate reports →Global warming: causes and consequences →The ACT method: assessing climate strategy alignment →Carbon footprint: definition and calculation →Key climate and emissions figures →Carbon assessment glossary: the essential terms →