The Ministry of Economy of Ukraine is preparing an official appeal to the European Commission to start official negotiations on postponing the carbon-based import adjustment mechanism (CBAM) for Ukraine.
This was announced by Deputy Minister of Economy, Trade Representative of Ukraine Taras Kachka during the conference “Trade Wars: The Art of Defense,” the Odesa Journal reports.
According to the official, Ukraine plans to submit to the EU both a general request for an exception for the country and a separate one concerning electricity.
“The request is currently being prepared. We will be actively working in the coming months. We have been working with the European Commission on this issue for a long time, and we understand the process. Now we are moving to the active phase of work,” said Kachka.
As a reminder, the CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism) provides for additional fees for companies importing goods with a high carbon footprint into the EU. This mechanism covers producers of iron and steel, cement, aluminum, fertilizers, and electricity. The EU aims to level the playing field between European producers paying high carbon taxes and companies outside the EU.
Currently, CBAM is operating in a limited format, and the full implementation of the mechanism is expected to start on January 1, 2026. It will require importers to purchase CBAM carbon certificates, which will cover the difference in carbon emissions, to continue supplying goods to the EU.
Earlier, EcoPolitic cited expert Lyudmyla Tsyhanok's explanation of why it is vital for Ukraine to get a delay from CBAM. We also reported that, according to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, the EU may postpone the full CBAM for Ukraine until 2027.