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21 March 2025 / Paul Henty
Issue: 8109 / Categories: Features , ESG
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Climate protection in a climate of protectionism

211938
Will proposed EU and UK legislation stop business at the carbon border? Paul Henty examines the implications for businesses, as well as the wider effects on global trade
  • The carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) levies charges on certain imported goods based on their embedded emissions. It aims to ensure EU industries remain competitive while encouraging sustainable practices globally.
  • Businesses need to prepare for CBAM compliance and make sure their systems are agile enough to adapt.

Much attention has been given to the proposals by President Trump to impose tariffs on a wide range of imported goods from trading parties as diverse as China, the EU, Mexico and even Canada. These have triggered discussions about who really pays for tariffs, the extent to which they make imported goods less attractive, and whether they actually redress trade deficits effectively.

Discussion has been more muted about proposed legislation from the EU and UK, which—in the name of combatting climate change—will effectively impose tariffs on certain targeted, imported goods. The carbon border

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MOVERS & SHAKERS

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Clarke Willmott—Matthew Roach

Partner joins commercial property team in Taunton office

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Farrer & Co—Richard Lane

Londstanding London firm appoints new senior partner

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Bird & Bird—Sue McLean

Commercial team in London welcomes technology specialist as partner

NEWS
The legal profession’s claim to be a ‘guardian of fairness’ is under scrutiny after stark findings on gender imbalance and opaque progression. Writing in NLJ this week, Joshua Purser of No5 Barristers’ Chambers and Govindi Deerasinghe of Global 50/50 warn that leadership remains dominated by a narrow elite, with men holding 71% of top court roles
A legal challenge to police disclosure rules has failed, reinforcing a push for transparency in policing. In NLJ this week, Neil Parpworth examines a case where the Metropolitan Police required officers to declare membership of groups like the Freemasons
Bereavement leave is undergoing a quiet but profound transformation. Writing in NLJ this week, Robert Hargreaves of York St John University explains how the Employment Rights Act 2025 introduces a day-one right to leave for a wider range of losses, alongside new provisions for pregnancy loss and bereaved partners
Courts are beginning to grapple with whether AI-generated material is legally privileged—and the answers are mixed. In this week's issue of NLJ, Stacie Bourton, Tom Whittaker & Beata Kolodziej of Burges Salmon examine US rulings showing how easily privilege can be lost
New guidance seeks to bring order to the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in expert evidence. Writing in NLJ this week, Minesh Tanna and David Bridge of Simmons & Simmons set out a framework stressing ‘transparency’, ‘explainability’ and ‘reliability’
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