Carbon Leakage: Definition, Background and Case Studies

What dose Carbon Leakage mean?

Carbon leakage is the shift of emissions from countries with strict environmental policies to those with more lenient regulations. This shift can undermine global efforts to combat climate change and poses a complex challenge for policy-makers worldwide.

For example, while greenhouse gas emissions have been on the decline in Europe in recent years, they have been rapidly increasing in developing countries such as China and India. Plus, the increase in emissions in developing countries is largely due to domestic growth. But it’s also because companies in developed countries are setting up factories overseas to cut costs and avoid regulations, increasing emissions outside their home countries.

Key takeaways：

• Regulatory Divergence: Disparities in environmental regulations across countries can lead to carbon leakage, as businesses may move operations to avoid stringent policies.
• Cost Competitiveness: The increased costs associated with complying with environmental regulations can affect a company’s competitiveness, prompting them to relocate to countries with lower compliance costs.

Backgrounds of carbon leakage

Differential environmental legislation

Variations in environmental legislation across countries create disparities in the cost of doing business. Nations with stringent climate policies impose higher costs on businesses, both directly through taxes and indirectly through the need for cleaner technologies. In contrast, countries with lax environmental standards offer a financially attractive alternative for carbon-intensive production, encouraging companies to migrate their operations and thus spreading carbon leakage.

Globalization of the economy

The globalization of the economy has facilitated the mobility of capital and production. Companies can easily move their operations across borders to capitalize on lower production costs, including lower costs related to environmental regulations. This economic flexibility has inadvertently promoted carbon leakage, as companies seek to maintain competitiveness by relocating to regions with less stringent climate policies.

Limited global coordination on climate policy

The lack of a universally adopted and enforced global climate policy framework allows carbon leakage to proliferate. While some countries aggressively pursue carbon reduction strategies, others may not, creating an uneven playing field. This disparity highlights the necessity for global coordination and agreement on climate policies to prevent businesses from exploiting these gaps, which currently act as a driving force behind the spread of carbon leakage.

Case studies and examples of carbon leakage

The European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)

The European Union is pioneering efforts to combat carbon leakage through its proposed Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which aims to level the playing field between European producers and those from countries with less stringent environmental policies. By adjusting the price of imports based on their carbon content, the EU seeks to prevent the risk of industries relocating outside its borders, thereby maintaining its ambitious climate targets while fostering global climate action.

California’s Comprehensive Cap-and-Trade Program

California has implemented a comprehensive cap-and-trade program that includes specific measures to prevent carbon leakage. By providing free emission allowances to industries most at risk of relocating, California aims to balance economic growth with environmental sustainability. This approach has become a model for how sub-national jurisdictions can tackle carbon leakage while encouraging innovation and clean technology development.

China’s National Emissions Trading Scheme and Its Global Implications

China’s national emissions trading scheme represents a significant step forward in the global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. By creating a market for carbon credits, China is not only addressing its own emissions but also setting a precedent for developing countries. This scheme is particularly noteworthy for its potential to mitigate carbon leakage by integrating more industries over time and tightening emissions caps, demonstrating a commitment to both economic development and environmental protection.

International Renewable Energy Initiatives

Global renewable energy initiatives, such as the International Solar Alliance and wind energy projects in Northern Europe, exemplify how collaborative international efforts can offer solutions to carbon leakage. By promoting the adoption of renewable energy across borders, these initiatives reduce dependence on fossil fuels, decrease global carbon emissions, and diminish the incentives for industries to seek regions with lower environmental standards.

Global greenhouse gas emissions by Countries in 2023

Global GHG emissions have been dominated by a mix of developed and rapidly industrializing countries. According to the World Population Review, here’s a general overview based on the most recent data available up to 2023.

• China: As the world’s largest emitter of CO2, China’s emissions have continued to grow in recent years due to its heavy reliance on coal and rapid industrial growth. China accounts for approximately 28% of global CO2 emissions.
• United States: The United States is the second-largest emitter, contributing about 15% of global emissions. While emissions have fluctuated, there has been a general trend towards reduction, partly due to a shift from coal to natural gas and renewable energy sources.
• European Union (EU): The EU has been a leader in emissions reduction, with comprehensive policies aimed at decreasing GHG emissions. Collectively, the EU accounts for around 8% of global emissions, with significant efforts in place to reduce this further through the European Green Deal.
• India: India’s emissions have been rising steadily, making it the third-largest emitter globally, with over 7% of global emissions. This increase is driven by economic growth, energy demand, and reliance on coal.
• Russia: Russia is another major contributor, with around 5% of global emissions, largely due to its energy sector that is heavily reliant on fossil fuels.
• Japan: Japan contributes about 3% of global emissions. Following the Fukushima nuclear disaster in 2011, Japan increased its reliance on fossil fuels, although it is now making efforts to increase renewable energy use and decrease GHG emissions.

Carbon leakage is a complex challenge that requires a nuanced understanding and a coordinated global response. Through the examination of case studies and real-world examples, it becomes evident that addressing carbon leakage is not only about preventing the geographic shift of emissions but also about fostering an international approach to climate policy that balances environmental objectives with economic considerations. The strategies and examples discussed herein highlight the importance of innovation, collaboration, and equitable policy frameworks in the global effort to mitigate carbon leakage and achieve sustainable climate goals.