On the Carbon Border: The Western Balkans and the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

Sammanfattning: In May 2023, the EU adopted a crucial part of their updated climate policy, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). This thesis poses questions about how this novel legislation affects the EUs South-Eastern neighbours, the Western Balkans (WB). The relevance for applied climate change strategies lies in the policy-oriented approach to a new type of international climate policy. Previous research points to high exposure to the effects of CBAM in the region but does not touch upon the underlying exposure factors. Additionally, there is no material on the expected effects and the needs following CBAM in the area. This thesis has aimed to initially map these factors and expected effects on the WBs. The thesis had an exploratory research design, aiming to provide a foundation for further research. Methods were a document analysis and semi-structured expert interviews with CSOs, government officials and a company. The study concluded that exposure factors mentioned in previous research, including carbon intensity and export structure were important. However, the interviewees highlighted the importance of the relation to system factors and, in some cases, external factors. As for effects, many point to economic impacts and effects on public opinion on the EU in the area, but the effects are much dependent on the actions of national governments. Additionally, many believe the EU approach in the area needs to change, pointing to a potential for putting more pressure on the governments. Some view CBAM as an instrument for that, while others are sceptical of the mechanism's effect.