Offices

Toronto
Calgary
Vancouver

Date

July 15, 2021

Time of event

Morning

Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanisms and Climate Action

In order to meet their respective carbon reduction targets, both Canada and the EU are undergoing domestic processes that may involve the adoption of border carbon adjustment mechanisms (BCAs), which prescribe the imposition of duties on imports depending on how carbon-intensive these products are. The prospect of these BCAs, which have long been raised by policymakers as a way to address concerns over “carbon leakage,” has also sparked years of debate over whether such a mechanism will be compatible with WTO rules on non-discrimination.

Currently, Canada’s 2020 Fall Economic Statement states that a BCA will be the subject of both domestic discussions as well as international debate with other countries and country groups. The EU is exploring the prospect of introducing a border carbon adjustment mechanism under its Green New Deal.

Submissions from both Canada and the EU to the structured discussions at the WTO refer to BCAs as a possible sub-topic under the overarching topic of “trade-related aspects of climate change mitigation and adaptation". However, this view is not universal, with some members suggesting that these issues are best suited for the UN climate talks or another forum.

On July 15^th, the Canada Europe Roundtable for Business, the Canada EU Trade and Investment Association and McCarthy Tétrault LLP are pleased to present a high-level policy roundtable for government officials, private sector representatives and civil society stakeholders on carbon border adjustments.

For questions about this event, please contact [email protected].

 

Date:

Wednesday, July 15, 2021

Time:

15:00 – 16:50 (CET)
09:00 – 10:50 (EDT)