Aluminium and Cement are the UAE's primary CBAM-covered exports to the EU.
The UAE, through Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), is a major primary aluminium producer and exporter. EGA has made significant investments in emissions reduction and operates some of the most efficient smelting technology globally. Cement and clinker exports from UAE producers serve southern European and Mediterranean markets. Steel re-rolling and downstream fabricated products are also exported to EU markets.
Source: IR (EU) 2026/1740 Annex I, which replaced the Annex I of IR (EU) 2025/2621 from 1 January 2026 · Default = the published total-emissions value · Net cost adds the Annex I mark-up once — 10% in 2026 and 30% from 2028 for cement, iron and steel, aluminium and hydrogen, 1% for fertilisers · Used when verified actual data is not provided
| Product | Sector | Default tCO₂e/t | Net cost 2026 €/t | Net cost 2030 €/t |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Grey Portland cement CN 25232900 | Cement | 0.9000 | €72.66 | €45.36 |
Anhydrous ammonia CN 28141000 | Fertilisers | 3.1300 | €232.03 | €122.56 |
Urea (solid) CN 31021019 | Fertilisers | 2.7200 | €201.64 | €106.51 |
Ammonium nitrate CN 31023090 | Fertilisers | 2.7500 | €203.86 | €107.68 |
Steel semi-finished (BF-BOF) CN 72071114 | Iron & Steel | 3.9959 | €322.62 | €201.39 |
Unwrought aluminium CN 7601 | Aluminium | 1.8700 | €150.98 | €94.25 |
Hydrogen CN 28041000 | Hydrogen | 10.8200 | €873.58 | €545.33 |
Net cost = default tCO₂e/t × €75.28 (Q2 2026, official price of CBAM certificates) × CBAM phase-in factor (2.5% in 2026, 48.5% in 2030). Actual liability depends on verified embedded emissions and SEFA benchmark deduction. Values shown are for illustrative default scenario only.
Carbon pricing in UAE: The UAE does not operate a domestic carbon pricing mechanism applicable to CBAM-covered goods.
No carbon price is paid in the UAE on CBAM-covered production, so there is nothing to deduct. The cost is set by embedded emissions above the benchmark. For aluminium, indirect electricity emissions are outside CBAM scope under Annex II of Reg. (EU) 2023/956 — only direct process and fuel-combustion emissions count.
Our reading of UAE's own published measures as at September 2026, not an EU-published value — third-country carbon policy changes without warning. Confirm the current position with advisers in the country of production before pricing anything on it.
UAE aluminium default is 1.87 tCO₂e/t (primary route). EGA's actual embedded emissions may be lower than this default — verified actual data could reduce certificate liability significantly. UAE cement carries a competitive default of 0.86 tCO₂e/t for grey clinker — one of the lowest in the region.
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Book a demoDefault values sourced from IR (EU) 2026/1740 Annex I (European Commission). Net costs are illustrative — actual liability depends on verified embedded emissions, SEFA benchmark deduction, and the applicable CBAM phase-in factor. Not legal or compliance advice.
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