TRANSIENCE contributes to webinar on the EU CBAM
On 10 June 2026, TRANSIENCE partners actively participated in the webinar "From Trade Frictions to Green Cooperation: Unpacking the EU CBAM's Implications for China," jointly organised by the ENTICE and EU-CHINA BRIDGE Horizon Europe projects.
Moderated by our colleague George Xexakis (HOLISTIC), the event brought together more than 60 participants from academia, policymaking, industry, and civil society to explore the implications of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for China and the broader trade–climate nexus.
Researchers and experts from Europe and China shared diverse perspectives on the economic, industrial, environmental, and policy dimensions of the CBAM. Representing TRANSIENCE, our colleague Zoi Vrontisi (E3-Modelling) presented an assessment of the structural and economic impacts of the current CBAM and its potential future expansion. Her presentation highlighted how broader sectoral coverage and more stringent carbon accounting requirements could reshape production patterns and trade flows across major economies.
Building on the presentations, our colleague Lukas Hermwille (Wuppertal Institute) reflected on key insights from the discussion and connected them to TRANSIENCE research on the transition of energy-intensive industries. He emphasised that the CBAM should be understood as a "3D game", with complex and often unexpected feedback effects extending beyond participating countries and into sectors not currently covered by the mechanism. For example, while the discussion suggested that the CBAM's economic impact on China remains relatively limited at present, participants noted that this could change significantly if the mechanism is expanded to include sectors such as the chemical industry.
The webinar provided a valuable platform for exchanging perspectives on one of the most important policy instruments shaping the intersection of international trade, industrial competitiveness, and climate action, while further strengthening dialogue between European and Chinese experts.