BRICS Environment Ministers in New Delhi oppose EU’s carbon border tax (CBAM) as ‘unilateral’
Key facts
- The 12th BRICS Environment Ministers' Meeting was held in New Delhi on 18 August 2026, under India's chairship.
- Its joint statement opposed 'unilateral, punitive, discriminatory and protectionist' climate measures, including the EU's CBAM.
- CBAM entered its definitive phase on 1 January 2026. It covers iron and steel, aluminium, cement, fertilisers, hydrogen and electricity.
- Iron and steel make up about 90% of India's CBAM-covered exports to the EU.
- The ministers also called for more adaptation finance from developed countries.
Why it matters
[Policy] CBAM taxes the carbon in imports. The EU says it stops 'carbon leakage'. Developing countries call it a trade barrier. India's steel exports face the biggest hit, just as the India-EU FTA starts.
Asked before: UPSC CSP 2025 asked a statement-based question on BRICS.
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