The European Commission has published the first official price of a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) certificate, setting the level at €75.36 for the first quarter of 2026.
The pricing methodology ensures that the price of a CBAM certificate corresponds to the average price of allowances under the EU Emissions Trading System. This approach is intended to ensure consistency between the carbon costs faced by EU producers and the costs of imports entering the EU market.
In 2026, prices for CBAM certificates will be calculated and published quarterly, with one price set for each calendar quarter. Each quarterly price will be determined during the first week after the end of the relevant quarter based on the weighted average clearing price of the EU ETS auction. The certificate price for the second quarter is expected to be published on July 6.
Starting in 2027, CBAM pricing will move to a weekly system, which will increase responsiveness to market changes and increase transparency. This change is expected to improve the consistency between CBAM costs and real-time carbon market dynamics.
Centralized platform for purchasing certificates
In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2023/956, CBAM certificates will be purchased through a centralized common platform. This transition will contribute to the creation of a fully operational and standardized system for managing carbon cost compliance for imports into the EU.
