The global trend towards decarbonization of the economy, the introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism in the EU and the possible consequences for Russia

Abstract

Research background: In the process of implementing the Paris Agreement (2015), Europe is a leader in the formation of new legislative initiatives in order to develop a set of effective measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. The European Commission approved the European Green Deal (2015) - a strategy for achieving the EU parameters of climate neutrality through the transition to a clean circular economy. Its main goal is to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 by 50 - 55% from 1990 levels and achieve full carbon neutrality of the EU by 2050. As part of this strategy, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is being developed. The introduction of CBAM means a revolutionary transformation in the system of international economic relations. Purpose of the article is to identify and assess possible risks for producers and consumers, primarily of energy products after the introduction of CBAM, as well as the impact of these risks on Russian exports to Europe. Methods: The authors carried out a comparative analysis of scenarios for the implementation of CBAM in the sectorial and product segments of trade between Russia and the EU. Findings: The article contains comparative assessments of the beginning redistribution of international markets in the sectoral and product coverage of emissions, as well as an analysis of the unfolding contradictions in the verification of methods for determining the carbon footprint in the production chains of the real sector of the economy.

Keywords

• decarbonization
• carbon border adjustment mechanism
• climate neutrality