This report outlines targeted entry points to be considered for mitigating adverse impacts associated with the rise of Border Carbon Adjustments (BCAs), with a particular focus on managing their effects in South Africa. The proposed interventions aim to safeguard and enhance South Africa’s access to export markets while supporting the country’s transition toward a low-carbon, competitive economy.
Interventions are grouped into four pathways, anchored by a foundational “no-regret” assumption: institutional arrangements must be established, and awareness of climate-trade dynamics must be significantly elevated across government, industry, labour, and civil society. Given the complexity of these interventions, a comprehensive and coordinated approach is essential to engage and align all stakeholders.
The Authors would like to acknowledge the Manufacturing Circle CBAM working group, the NEDLAC trade and industry chamber, PCC’s Climate Finance and Innovation (CF&I) working group, the National Treasury, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, the Department of Trade Industry and Competition (the dtic), the TIPS internal team and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) for their comments and engagements on drafting this research.
This publication was commissioned by the PCC and has been made possible with the financial support of the African Climate Foundation. The contents of this publication and any events are the sole responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the funders.
Download here: Border Carbon Adjustments Research: Strategic Pathways to Mitigate Adverse Impacts
Recommended citation: Maimele, S., Ismail, F., Patel, M., Hector, M. (2025). Border Carbon Adjustments Research: Strategic Pathways to Mitigate Adverse Impacts. Presidential Climate Commission, South Africa.