Border Adjustments
Border adjustments, also known as border tax adjustments or border carbon adjustments, are taxes on imports and rebates on exports that account for variance in carbon pricing policies across different countries. RFF scholars are studying the design of border adjustments, their implementation costs, and their impacts on public policy questions, including their impact on possible leakage of economic activities away from countries with ambitious net-zero policies.
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Report — Dec 6, 2023
Comparing the European Union Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, the Clean Competition Act, and the Foreign Pollution Fee Act
This report compares goals and designs of three border adjustment mechanisms: the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, the Clean Competition Act, and the Foreign Pollution Fee Act.
Press Release — Dec 6, 2023
New Report Compares Recent International Climate and Trade Policies
With the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) putting a spotlight on international climate policy, a new RFF report compares three climate and trade policies and analyzes each one’s unique goals, structures, and international repercussions.
Common Resources — Nov 30, 2023
Examining the Compatibility of Carbon Markets with Carbon Dioxide Removal
The combination of carbon markets and carbon dioxide removal technologies that are financed by governments could exacerbate economic inequality. Proactive policymaking can help mitigate this risk.
Press Release — Nov 6, 2023
RFF Scholars Analyze New Bill That Introduces a Fee on High-Carbon Imports
A new RFF analysis provides a detailed, early look at the new policy proposal that could inform US industrial policy in the decades to come.
Report — Dec 6, 2023
Comparing the European Union Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, the Clean Competition Act, and the Foreign Pollution Fee Act
This report compares goals and designs of three border adjustment mechanisms: the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, the Clean Competition Act, and the Foreign Pollution Fee Act.
Issue Brief — Nov 6, 2023
Foreign Pollution Fee Act: Design Elements, Options, and Policy Decisions
This issue brief breaks down the policy elements of the Foreign Pollution Fee Act, a border adjustment mechanism proposed in the US Senate in November 2023.
Report — Oct 10, 2023
Carbon Border Adjustments: Design Elements, Options, and Policy Decisions
This report identifies key design elements in carbon border adjustment mechanisms (CBAMs) and considers options available to policymakers, especially in the United States and European Union.
Working Paper — Sep 27, 2022
The Greenhouse Gas Index for Products in 39 Industrial Sectors
The Greenhouse Gas Index for Products in 39 Industrial Sectors
RFF Live — Sep 22, 2022
The Global Climate Policy Partnership: Decarbonizing Global Manufacturing
At the launch event of the Global Climate Policy Partnership, experts from around the world delve into a crucial component of the climate challenge—the manufacturing sector.
RFF Live — Jun 8, 2022
Decarbonization Policy and International Competitiveness
An event—featuring Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and a panel of experts—breaking down new proposals for border carbon adjustments and the future of decarbonization and trade
RFF Live — Nov 9, 2021
Carbon Border Measures: Policies to Combat Leakage and Encourage Climate Ambition
A panel discussion will explore recent border measure proposals in the European Union and United States
RFF Live — Nov 3, 2021
Carbon Border Measures: What Happens with Ambitious Climate Policies?
Examining whether net-zero policies cause emissions leakage—and how effectively border measures can mitigate it
Common Resources — Nov 30, 2023
Examining the Compatibility of Carbon Markets with Carbon Dioxide Removal
The combination of carbon markets and carbon dioxide removal technologies that are financed by governments could exacerbate economic inequality. Proactive policymaking can help mitigate this risk.
Common Resources — Dec 20, 2021
RFF’s Top Stories of the Past Year
Catch up on coverage of the most important issues in economics, energy, and the environment as 2021 comes to a close. Here’s a selection of notable blog posts, magazine articles, and podcast episodes from the past year at Resources for the Future.
Common Resources — Oct 21, 2021
Accounting for Emissions in Global Trade with a Greenhouse Gas Index
RFF’s Brian Flannery explains how a greenhouse gas index can account for the emissions of internationally traded goods, and he discusses its potential applications in the design of border adjustments.
Common Resources — Oct 19, 2021
Designing Border Carbon Adjustments When Carbon Is Not Explicitly Priced
Implementing border carbon adjustments can be a challenge when the countries involved don’t have a carbon price. Recent RFF research considers how to design border carbon adjustments around local variations in carbon pricing policy.
Press Release — Dec 6, 2023
New Report Compares Recent International Climate and Trade Policies
With the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) putting a spotlight on international climate policy, a new RFF report compares three climate and trade policies and analyzes each one’s unique goals, structures, and international repercussions.
Press Release — Nov 6, 2023
RFF Scholars Analyze New Bill That Introduces a Fee on High-Carbon Imports
A new RFF analysis provides a detailed, early look at the new policy proposal that could inform US industrial policy in the decades to come.
Press Release — Oct 10, 2023
Reimagining the Connection between International Trade and Climate Policy: What Are the Options?
Following the launch of the European Union’s landmark carbon tariff, a new RFF report dives into the pros, cons, and considerations for similar policies.
Media Highlight — Jun 16, 2022
E&E News: "Carbon Tariffs Are Coming. Here's How the US Is Preparing"
Senior Fellow Ray Kopp shares his insights about the differences and similarities between the United States and European Union's plans for a border carbon adjustment.