Border Carbon Adjustments: Trinidad and Tobago country report

The report assesses how border carbon adjustment (BCA) schemes, such as the EU's CBAM, may negatively affect Trinidad and Tobago by increasing production costs and reducing export competitiveness due to the country's lower GHG reduction goals and limited access to finance. While BCAs could incentivize a transition from fossil fuels, stakeholders emphasize that this requires substantial investment and international assistance. The report recommends a phased implementation approach and special treatment for developing countries to balance climate action with equity, adhering to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.

• Trinidad and Tobago faces greater vulnerability to BCAs than other nations due to lower greenhouse gas reduction goals, regulations, capabilities, technology, and financial access, which may lead to higher production costs and reduced competitiveness for specific export sectors.
• Stakeholders identified three primary challenges regarding the implementation of BCAs: short-term negative impacts on exports, economic activity, and employment; high compliance costs coupled with limited investment for production transformation; and the failure to account for the unique situation of developing countries.
• BCAs could serve as a catalyst for Trinidad and Tobago to shift from fossil fuels to cleaner energy, provided there is significant domestic policy support and international financial and technological assistance.
• To ensure climate action is balanced with equity, the report suggests a phased implementation of BCAs, coordinated government and industry action, and the application of the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities through international collaboration and special treatment for developing countries.

APA

Jagessar,, P. M. (2024). Border Carbon Adjustments: Trinidad and Tobago country report. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/border-carbon-adjustments-trinidad-and-tobago

Chicago

Jagessar,, Preeya Mohan,Jaymieon. Border Carbon Adjustments: Trinidad and Tobago country report. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2024. https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/border-carbon-adjustments-trinidad-and-tobago.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Jagessar, |first1=Preeya Mohan,Jaymieon |title=Border Carbon Adjustments: Trinidad and Tobago country report |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=19 July 2024 |url=https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/border-carbon-adjustments-trinidad-and-tobago |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{jagessar2024border, author = {Jagessar,, Preeya Mohan,Jaymieon}, title = {{Border Carbon Adjustments: Trinidad and Tobago country report}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2024}, month = jul, url = {https://www.iisd.org/publications/report/border-carbon-adjustments-trinidad-and-tobago}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }